Best Crypto Exchanges and Apps
Make a choice
Choosing a cryptocurrency exchange is often the first step investors take when exploring the word of digital assets. While there are many ways to exchange cryptocurrencies for one another, centralized exchanges provide a relatively easy way to convert cash into coins and tokens.
TOP
Broker
NerdWallet rating
Fees
Account minimum
Policy
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5.0
Best for crypto exchanges
0.008%
varies by type of
transaction; other fees
may apply
$200
Logs disabled
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on Swaplab website
5.0
Best for crypto exchanges
0.005%
varies by type of
transaction; other fees
may apply
$100
Logs deleted after 1 hour
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on InstaSwap website
5.0
Best for crypto exchanges
0.002%
varies by type of
transaction; other fees
may apply
$100
Logs disabled
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on letsexchange website
5.0
Best for crypto exchanges
0.005%
varies by type of
transaction; other fees
may apply
$150
Logs disabled
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on anycoindirect website
5.0
Best for crypto exchanges
0.005%
varies by type of
transaction; other fees
may apply
$200
Logs disabled
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on coinswitch website
5.0
Best for crypto exchanges
0.05%
varies by type of
transaction; other fees
may apply
$100
Logs disabled
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on switchain website
Other exchangers
5.0
Best for crypto exchanges
0% - 3.99%
varies by type of
transaction; other fees
may apply
$0
Get $200 in Crypto
when you sign up. Terms Apply.
Learn more
on Coinbase's website
5.0
Best for crypto exchanges
0% - 3.99%
varies by type of
transaction; other fees
may apply
$0
Get $200 in Crypto
when you sign up. Terms Apply.
Learn more
on Coinbase's website
5.0
Best for crypto exchanges
0% - 3.99%
varies by type of
transaction; other fees
may apply
$0
Get $200 in Crypto
when you sign up. Terms Apply.
Learn more
on Coinbase's website
5.0
Best for crypto exchanges
0% - 3.99%
varies by type of
transaction; other fees
may apply
$0
Get $200 in Crypto
when you sign up. Terms Apply.
Learn more
on Coinbase's website
5.0
Best for crypto exchanges
0% - 3.99%
varies by type of
transaction; other fees
may apply
$0
Get $200 in Crypto
when you sign up. Terms Apply.
Learn more
on Coinbase's website
View more

Buying crypto within cash and payment apps
A number of cash and peer-to-peer payment apps now allow users to buy and sell Bitcoin. On balance, these apps are more limited in what they offer than the exchanges and brokers above.

CashApp

CashApp, a peer-to-peer money transfer system run by Square, allows users to purchase and sell Bitcoin. Unlike other cash apps noted here, Cash App allows users to transfer their Bitcoin to their own cryptocurrency wallet. Cash App charges a fee depending on price volatility and market trading volume, which it reveals at the time of purchase.

PayPal

PayPal allows users to purchase and sell Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and Bitcoin Cash. Fees include an estimated 0.5% trading fee (this may vary depending on market conditions) and a tiered transaction fee that amounts to $2.49 for $200 in Bitcoin.

PayPal allows purchases to be made with crypto where available, but you will need to pay taxes on the sale of Bitcoin on top of any taxes related to the purchase of the goods or service.

Venmo

Venmo also offers Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and Bitcoin Cash. Venmo, which is owned by the same company as PayPal, has a similar fee structure: estimated 0.5% trading cost, with a fee structure that amounts to $2.49 on a $200 purchase.