Compare. Analyse. Choose better.

Kraken vs Bitvavo

Bitvavo has the lower initial EUR execution reference versus Kraken Pro. Kraken distinguishes simple buying and Pro with different terms and tools. Follow the euro from the bank to the final coin destination to make the choice.

Kraken · EEA / Bitvavo · EEA

Detailed comparison

Each platform’s products, costs and tools, with the scope shown in its column.

Kraken vs Bitvavo · features by product
FeatureKraken · EEABitvavo · EEA
Entity

Payward Europe Solutions Limited

Bitvavo B.V.

Products and trading

Simple purchases and Kraken Pro orders: two ways to trade with different costs.

Spot trading with EUR, USDC and EURC/EUR markets on different fee schedules.

Spot: maker, taker and buying

Kraken Pro, first tier: 0.40% maker and 0.80% taker. Instant purchases: 1% plus spread; custom orders: 1.5%.

EUR pairs, first tier: 0.15% maker and 0.25% taker. USDC markets: 0.05%/0.05%; EURC/EUR: 0%/0.01%.

Discounts and tiers

Kraken+ covers simple-purchase trading fees up to EUR 10,000 monthly; spread and payment charges remain. It does not cover Pro. EUR 4.99/month or 49.99/year; annual on web.

From EUR 100,000 of crypto volume: 0.10% maker and 0.20% taker. Stablecoin volume does not count towards that tier.

Deposits and fiat methods

SEPA/SEPA Instant have no published Kraken deposit fee, minimum EUR 1. EEA card: EUR 0.25 + 3.75%; SWIFT: EUR 3.

EUR 0 SEPA deposits and euro withdrawals without a Bitvavo fee. Crypto withdrawals have a variable network fee.

Withdrawals

SEPA: EUR 1, minimum EUR 2, depending on provider. SWIFT: EUR 5, minimum EUR 100.

EUR withdrawals without a Bitvavo fee. Crypto withdrawal charges vary by asset and network.

Assets and transfer networks

The EEA asset list excludes USDT deposits and trading. The supported network must match the transfer network.

The withdrawal table lists asset-specific costs including BTC and ETH. They change with the network and are not a fixed price for every transfer.

Platforms and differences in use

Kraken web/app for simple purchases; Kraken Pro for order trading and maker/taker pricing. Kraken+ does not reduce Pro fees.

Spot orders with execution rules; a limit order crossing the book may be a taker. Check the pair and order type.

Custody

PESL · segregated assets.

Assets held through a separate foundation.

What a trade costs

Hypothetical examples using EUR or USDT 1,000 notional per execution in the stated trading mode.

Kraken · Spot

Kraken Pro, first tier

Maker
4.00 EUR
Taker
8.00 EUR

Bitvavo · Spot

EUR spot, first tier

Maker
1.50 EUR
Taker
2.50 EUR

Calculation: notional × rate / 100. Only the stated execution fee is included; closing, spread, slippage, conversion, funding methods, withdrawals and perpetual funding are separate where applicable. A fee range is not a guaranteed price for every pair.

Which fits the way you trade?

The choice depends on what you want to do, rather than a single fee.

Entry EUR order book

Bitvavo has the lower compared entry-tier maker/taker reference.

Simple buying or Pro

Kraken provides separate buying modes and costs to assess.

Complete workflow

Include bank funding, execution and final coin destination.

Simple buying and order books: compare the same task

This uses documented European Kraken and Bitvavo products. Kraken separates simple purchases and Pro; Bitvavo provides buying and orders with market- and execution-linked pricing. Kraken Pro rates do not price an instant Kraken purchase. A simple interface also does not establish the same cost as an order adding liquidity.

The Kraken and Bitvavo reviews provide context. Decide between confirming a quote immediately and controlling a limit price. Either way, inspect received coins and charges first. Buying Bitcoin with euros explains the task; this comparison chooses the platform and mode for it.

Entry EUR tier: reference maker and taker

Kraken Pro starts at 0.40% maker/0.80% taker; Bitvavo Category A EUR markets start at 0.15%/0.25%. These are entry-tier order-book references, not total-cost promises for every funding method. Kraken tier qualification can use applicable volume or assets; Bitvavo uses 30-day crypto volume, excluding certain stablecoin volume from tier qualification.

On a hypothetical EUR 1,000 notional, taker execution is 8 on Kraken Pro and 2.50 on Bitvavo; maker is 4 and 1.50. The taker gap is 5.50 before average fill, funding and withdrawal. For monthly purchases, calculate each transaction at its effective rate. Unnecessary volume to chase a discount can cost more than the discount saves.

For a hypothetical EUR 100 monthly purchase over twelve months at unchanged entry taker references, execution fees total EUR 9.60 on Kraken Pro and 3 on Bitvavo. This adds purchases only, excluding quotes, later sales, funding and withdrawals. If tiers change, use each fill’s actual rate. It budgets frequency without forecasting coin values or presenting one example as a result everyone will achieve.

What changes when buying outside Pro

Kraken lists 1% simple purchases plus spread, with custom-order modes at 1.5%; inspect the actual summary. Kraken+ covers specified simple-purchase charges within its conditions and cap, but does not make Pro free or remove spread and payment costs. A subscription is not a universal advantage at every budget.

For Bitvavo, compare the final quote and fee applied to the fill. A limit can initially reserve a maximum fee and adjust the difference afterwards; the reservation is not another definitive extra charge. A market purchase also depends on the book. Order books, fees and spread identifies comparable quantities and separate buying modes.

Deposit EUR and return to the bank

The compared Kraken facts list SEPA and SEPA Instant without a platform deposit charge, subject to provider terms. Documented SEPA withdrawal is EUR 1 by method. Bitvavo publishes no platform charge for SEPA deposits and euro withdrawals. These are not card purchases, which use separate pricing, or crypto sends to a wallet.

Generate current deposit details and use an accepted bank account in your name with the required reference. Before selling for a euro withdrawal, inspect the sale, available funds and bank transfer. A small exit charge matters proportionally more at low amounts, while execution-rate differences scale with notional. See SEPA exchanges and selling and withdrawing euros.

Markets, automation and crypto withdrawal

Kraken Pro and Bitvavo provide order tools; inspect the required pair in the actual product. Bitvavo distinguishes Category A EUR, Category B USDC and specific stablecoin categories. A0.05% reference for specified USDC markets does not replace the EUR rates compared here. Listing a coin also does not establish withdrawal on every network.

For ETH or SOL self-custody, prepare destination, chain and withdrawal charge before choosing. Cheaper execution may be less practical if the required exit differs. Buying Ethereum and buying Solana compare asset-specific choices; wallet withdrawals covers receipt checks and gas for the next send.

Questions about Kraken and Bitvavo

Which has lower entry-tier EUR book fees? Bitvavo under the compared rates. Does that prove lower costs for every purchase? No: method, quote, tier and exit can change the outcome. An instant purchase is not priced using a Pro fee from another product.

Does Kraken+ remove Pro charges? No. Does every Bitvavo pair use 0.25% taker? No: categories and tiers differ. Do SEPA and crypto withdrawal share one charge? No: they are separate transfers to budget separately.

Choose for the intended euro or coin workflow

Bitvavo is relevant for entry-tier EUR order-book buying with a SEPA route straightforward to budget. Kraken merits comparison for its mix of simple buying, Pro and tools, using the actual account mode. No personal-use superiority or product-independent winner is claimed.

Model one purchase and its exit at the same notional, including quote, fee and final transfer. For repeated purchases, add frequency and a subscription only if actually used. Kraken versus Coinbase and Bitvavo versus Bit2Me provide alternatives while keeping the question focused on the required workflow.

Another spot and EUR workflow choice: Binance vs Kraken.

How to make the decision

  1. Define the trade

    Buying and withdrawing coins, margined contracts and copying require different products.

  2. Calculate the whole journey

    Add opening and closing execution where applicable, funding and moving money; use the rate for your trading mode.

  3. Choose the tools you need

    Compare orders, capital controls, API permissions or demo practice according to how you trade.

The decision depends on how you trade.

Products, costs and tools. Choose the combination you need.

KrakenBitvavo