Every comparison
Which one, and why
You are new, you want the widest support and the most documentation, and you would rather pay a little more than deal with anything unfamiliar.
Full Coinbase pageFees matter to you more than hand holding, and you are comfortable checking whether the coin you want is available in your state.
Full Binance.US pageFor a first purchase, Coinbase. For repeat buying at any size, run the numbers, because the taker fee difference is real money over a year. Many people end up using both and moving coins to their own wallet anyway.
The specifications
| Coinbase | Binance.US | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | The most straightforward place for a first purchase in the United States. | Deep order books and some of the lowest taker fees available to US customers. |
The parts that change the answer
Fees
Binance.US generally undercuts Coinbase on taker fees, and the gap widens on the simple Coinbase interface. Compare against Coinbase Advanced rather than the basic view or you are comparing the wrong number.
Coverage and availability
Both are US regulated and both restrict what they list by state. Check that the specific asset you want is tradable where you live before you choose on price, because that decides it faster than the fee table will.
Support and documentation
Coinbase has more of both, and for a first account that is worth paying for. It is worth much less once you can read a block explorer and hold your own keys.
Neither is where coins should live
Both are companies holding your assets. That is a reasonable place to buy and a poor place to store, which is the same conclusion for every exchange on earth.
Common questions
Which has lower fees?
Are both regulated in the US?
Can I use both?
Where to go next
More platforms comparisons
Want a second opinion on your own setup?
A comparison page cannot see what you already hold or what you are trying to do. On a call we can, and we will tell you when the honest answer is that it does not matter.