Comparison of eToro vs Kucoin [ 2024 ]

The crypto exchanges compared by their commissions, cryptos, security and much more. Here is the eToro vs Kucoin comparison!

Your expert: Alejandro Borja

eToro

Your expert: Xavier Tarrasó

Kucoin

Main points

Fees

Fee:

Earns

Yes

Customer service

4/5

≈ 0,10%

Fees

Earns

4/5

Customer service

Recommended for

Beginners

Yes

Trading

Passive income

Yes

Buy and hold

Yes

Beginners

Yes

Trading

Passive income

Yes

Buy and hold

Comparison of fees

Rating

3.7 – Competitive fees with additional benefits for social trading.

4.3 – Competitive fees with additional rewards for using the native token.

Level

Fee:

≈ 0,10%

Brief explanation

eToro’s commission structure primarily revolves around spread-based pricing, which can be relatively higher than some of its competitors, making it less ideal for traders who engage in frequent small trades. This means that the cost of a transaction is built into the buy and sell price of each trade, leading to no explicit commission fees but a varying spread cost depending on the asset being traded. Additionally, eToro charges a withdrawal fee and an inactivity fee if an account is not used for a certain period. These fees are somewhat offset by the absence of management or ticketing fees, which makes it attractive for users who trade less frequently but with higher volumes. Understanding these nuances is crucial for traders to manage trading costs effectively on eToro.

KuCoin is renowned for its competitive and appealing fee structure, which is a major draw for traders. The exchange operates on a tiered fee system based on the 30-day trading volume, where fees are reduced as trading volume increases. Typical trading fees start at 0.1% for both makers and takers, which is already lower than many other exchanges. Additionally, users can enjoy further discounts on these fees by holding and using KuCoin’s native token, KuCoin Shares (KCS), to pay for trading fees. This incentivizes both higher trading volumes and the use of KCS within the platform, making it economically beneficial for frequent traders and KCS holders alike. Such a fee structure not only enhances trading profitability but also promotes greater liquidity on the platform.

eToro

Year Founded: eToro was established in 2007, demonstrating a long-standing presence in the financial markets. This longevity in the industry underscores its experience and resilience, adapting to various economic cycles and regulatory environments over the years.
Number of Users: With over 20 million registered users globally, eToro has a substantial user base that reflects its widespread acceptance and trust among investors. A large community not only signifies a trusted platform but also enhances the social trading experience by providing more insights and strategies to follow.
Security Methods: eToro employs advanced security protocols to protect user data and funds. These include SSL encryption, secure login methods, and adherence to strict regulatory guidelines, ensuring a high level of security that meets global standards.
Possible Regulation: eToro is regulated by several respected bodies, including the Cyprus Securities Exchange Commission (CySEC), the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). This regulation is critical for ensuring fair trading practices and protecting the interests of investors.
Reputation and Reviews: eToro enjoys a positive reputation in the industry, supported by generally favorable reviews from users. Its innovative platform and commitment to user satisfaction have been widely acknowledged in numerous reviews and testimonials, which praise its user-friendly interface and social trading features.

Kucoin

Year Founded: Established in 2017, KuCoin has quickly grown to become one of the major players in the cryptocurrency exchange market. Its rapid growth and sustained operation over the years demonstrate its resilience and ability to adapt to the evolving crypto landscape.
Number of Users: KuCoin boasts a substantial user base, with over 8 million traders worldwide. This extensive community not only underscores the exchange's popularity but also enhances its liquidity, making it a reliable platform for executing trades efficiently.
Security Methods: Following the 2020 security breach, KuCoin significantly upgraded its security measures, implementing multi-layer encryption, enhanced authentication methods, and segregated customer wallets. These robust security protocols help in safeguarding user funds against potential threats.
Trading Volume and Liquidity: KuCoin is known for its high trading volume, which ensures liquidity across its numerous trading pairs. This liquidity is crucial for users to execute large trades quickly and at desired prices without substantial price slippage.
Reputation and Reviews: Despite the challenges, KuCoin has maintained a strong reputation within the crypto community. The platform is well-regarded for its wide range of services, competitive fees, and responsive customer support. Positive reviews from users across various forums highlight its usability and the effectiveness of its customer service team.

Comparison sponsored by the best exchange

eToro

eToro Special Offer*

Earn up to 4.90% APY on uninvested cash with eToro USA.

Account Minimum

Get started with just $100.

And 1% fee on all cryptocurrency trades.

Direct link to the website

Product selection

Native token

Token KCS (KuCoin Shares)

Earns

Yes

NFT marketplace

Yes

Cripto/debit card

Yes

Full name

eToro Group Ltd.

Mek Global Limited

Regulation

Regulated in Chipre, el Reino Unido y Australia

Not regulated

Year founded

2007

2017

Founder

Yoni Assia

Michael Gan

Payment methods

Transfers

Yes

Mastercard

Yes

Wire transfer

Yes

Card

Yes

Comparative table

eToro	FEATURES	Kucoin
eToro offers a low minimum trade amount, making it accessible for beginners yet slightly higher than some competitors.	Minimum Trade	KuCoin allows users to trade with small amounts, making it accessible for beginners or those trading on a budget.
Fees are higher due to spread pricing; beneficial for less frequent, larger trades.	Trading and Transaction Fees	KuCoin offers competitive fees, with low transaction costs compared to other exchanges.
Offers a moderate range of popular cryptocurrencies but lacks some of the lesser-known altcoins.	Number of Cryptocurrencies	Supports over 600 cryptocurrencies, providing a wide range of options for traders.
A decent variety of trading pairs available, though not as extensive as larger exchanges.	Crypto-to-Crypto Trading Pairs	Offers a vast array of trading pairs, enhancing trading flexibility and opportunities.
eToro provides clear information on fees and features but could improve in showing all terms upfront.	Website Transparency	While generally transparent, improvements could be made in regulatory and security disclosures.
eToro does not provide an exchange card for in-store purchases and associated benefits based on the available data.	Credit/Debit Card	The Kucoin card has a wide range of services, providing convenience and accessibility for in-store purchases, while facilitating the conversion of cryptocurrency to fiat money. It also provides cashback and other benefits. This feature enhances the user experience by expanding the possibilities of using cryptocurrencies in everyday life.
Provides a secure digital wallet app but less control compared to dedicated wallet services.	Storage Offering	Provides secure storage with advanced security features, though not as comprehensive as some specialized wallets.
Offers staking for some cryptocurrencies with rewards, but the options and rates are limited.	Staking and Rewards	Offers competitive staking options and rewards, but not as extensive as some exclusively staking platforms.
Both mobile and desktop platforms are user-friendly and highly functional.	Mobile App and Desktop	Both platforms are well-designed, intuitive, and offer full trading functionality.
Good customer support with multiple channels available, though response times can vary.	Customer Service	Responsive and helpful, but sometimes experiences delays during peak times.
Easy deposit and withdrawal processes, but some users may find the withdrawal fee structure cumbersome.	Deposit and Withdraw	Supports multiple deposit and withdrawal methods with relatively quick processing times.

Key features

Analysis tools

Social trading, advanced charting tools

Advanced charting tools, technical indicators

Mobile APP

Yes

Security

High 4,9/5

Additional features

Social trading, copy trading, staking, eToro Club rewards

Margin trading, futures trading, staking, KuCoin Earn

Anonymity

Yes

Key points

Available cryptocurrencies

30+ (focus on popular assets)

400+

User-friendliness

eToro features a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate, making it suitable for beginners. The platform focuses on social trading, allowing users to follow and copy trades from experienced traders.

KuCoin offers a user-friendly platform that is easy to navigate, making it suitable for beginners. The interface is designed to facilitate a smooth trading experience with all necessary features easily accessible.

Value for money

Delivers reasonable value for money with competitive fees and a focus on social trading, making it an attractive option for new traders.

Provides good value for money with competitive fees, a wide range of supported cryptocurrencies, and additional earning opportunities.

Countries of operation

United States, United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, Canada

Global, including United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany

Best for

Suitable for new traders interested in social trading and following the strategies of successful traders, with competitive fees.

Ideal for traders of all experience levels looking for a platform with a wide range of cryptocurrencies and competitive fees.

Base currencies available

USD, BTC

USD, BTC, USDT

Account

Trading

eToro is known for its social trading features, allowing users to follow and copy trades from experienced traders. It offers a wide range of cryptocurrencies but has higher fees compared to some exchanges.

KuCoin provides a wide range of cryptocurrencies and competitive fees. It offers advanced trading tools and a user-friendly interface, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced traders.

Deposit and withdrawal

eToro offers multiple deposit options, including bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and e-wallets. Withdrawals are processed within a day, but fees are higher compared to some exchanges .

KuCoin offers multiple deposit and withdrawal methods, including bank transfers and crypto. Withdrawals are processed efficiently, usually within a day, with low fees.

Account opening process

eToro offers a seamless and fully digital account opening process. Users need to provide personal information, verify their identity, and typically get their account approved within a day. It’s user-friendly and efficient.

KuCoin provides an easy and fast account opening process. Users need to provide personal information and verify their identity. The process is fully digital and usually completed within a day.

KYC required?

Yes

Customer Service

eToro offers extensive customer support via email, live chat, and phone. The support team is responsive and available 24/7, ensuring users get timely assistance.

KuCoin provides extensive customer support via email, live chat, and phone. The support team is responsive and available 24/7, making it reliable for users globally.

Security

eToro offers comprehensive security measures, including 2FA, encryption, and cold storage. It is regulated by multiple financial authorities, ensuring high security for investors.

KuCoin provides robust security with 2FA, encryption, and cold storage. However, it is not regulated by major financial authorities, which might be a concern for some users.

Which of these exchanges is for you?

Alejandro Borja

At Threenvest, we understand the importance of choosing the right cryptocurrency exchange for your trading and investment needs. eToro, with its distinctive blend of social trading features and a user-friendly platform, presents a compelling option for those new to cryptocurrency trading as well as seasoned traders seeking a more community-oriented trading environment. The platform stands out for its wide array of cryptocurrencies, including popular choices like Bitcoin and Ethereum, as well as its innovative social trading tools that allow users to learn from peers and mimic successful traders’ strategies. These features make eToro particularly attractive to users who value a collaborative approach to trading. However, it’s important to weigh eToro’s offerings against its limitations. Compared to other exchanges, eToro’s fee structure, primarily based on spreads, may be higher, particularly for less popular cryptocurrencies or during volatile market conditions. Additionally, while eToro offers a robust platform that caters well to beginners and intermediate users, advanced traders might find the technical tools insufficient for complex strategies. At Threenvest, we recommend eToro for users who prioritize ease of use, educational resources, and social trading capabilities. For those requiring advanced trading capabilities and lower fee structures, exploring other platforms might be advisable. Ultimately, aligning your specific trading style and needs with the features offered by eToro will determine if this platform is the right choice for you.

Xavier Tarrasó

In concluding our comprehensive review of KuCoin as part of Threenvest’s analysis, it’s evident that KuCoin stands out as a formidable player in the global cryptocurrency market. With an expansive array of over 700 cryptocurrencies available for trade and a presence in over 200 countries, KuCoin offers a rich trading experience that caters to both novice traders and seasoned investors. The platform’s strength lies in its extensive selection of trading options which includes spot, margin, and futures trading, alongside advanced features like leveraged tokens and a robust API that appeals to a technologically savvy clientele. However, KuCoin’s lack of formal regulatory oversight in significant markets like the U.S. poses a considerable limitation, reflecting a critical area where it trails behind competitors that boast strong regulatory frameworks. From Threenvest’s perspective, while KuCoin demonstrates robust security measures and a commitment to user safety, exemplified by its recovery actions during the 2020 security breach, potential users should weigh these against the absence of regulatory assurances that can offer additional layers of protection. The platform’s innovative approach to customer service, extensive educational resources, and competitive fee structure further solidify its position as a top choice for users looking to explore the crypto space. However, the challenges associated with regulatory uncertainties and potential geo-restrictions should be carefully considered by anyone looking to engage with KuCoin. Overall, KuCoin’s offerings make it a worthy consideration for those seeking a comprehensive and dynamic trading platform, provided they are comfortable with the associated risks and limitations highlighted in this review.

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How do we review crypto exchanges?

At Threenvest, we conduct a thorough review process to evaluate and rank the world’s leading crypto exchanges. Our goal is to offer an unbiased assessment, providing you with the information you need to make informed decisions on which ones best suit your needs. We strictly adhere to the guidelines of our editorial policy.

We collect data directly from exchanges through detailed questionnaires and conduct first-hand testing and observations during crypto exchange demonstrations. Questionnaire responses, combined with demonstrations and hands-on research from our experts, feed into our proprietary evaluation process that scores each provider’s performance on more than 15 factors. The end result produces star ratings ranging from poor (one star) to excellent (five stars).

For more details on the categories considered when rating brokers and our process, read our full methodology.

Risk Disclaimer

Investing in cryptocurrencies is very risky, you should only invest the money you are willing to lose. Also you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong.

Neither Threenvest, nor the author, are recommending you to invest with this article.