10 Lowest Fee Crypto Exchanges: Ranked & Tested
The Short Answer
The crypto exchange with the lowest fees in 2025 is MEXC, offering 0% maker and 0% taker fees on most spot trading pairs. This isn't a limited promotion—it's been active for over 18 months.
For traders who prioritize liquidity and features over absolute lowest fees, Binance charges 0.10% (reduced to 0.08% with our referral code BIFANY).
🏆 Top 3 Quick Picks
Binance
9.9/10Highest liquidity, most features, and industry-leading security standards.
Code: BIFANY
MEXC
8.5/10Unbeatable 0% maker fees for both spot and futures trading.
Code: mexc-discount2
OKX
9.8/10Professional tools, Web3 wallet integration, and excellent mobile app.
Code: bifan88
🔍 How We Ranked These Exchanges
We don't just copy fee schedules from exchange websites. Our team executed real trades on each platform to verify advertised fees, test for hidden spreads, and measure execution quality.
1. Verified Fees
We manually tested trades to verify 0% fee claims and hidden spreads.
2. Liquidity Depth
Low fees mean nothing if slippage is high. We checked order book depth.
3. Security
Proof of Reserves, hack history, and regulatory compliance.
4. UX & Apps
Ease of use, mobile app quality, and customer support speed.
📊 Full Rankings: Lowest to Highest Fees
#1.MEXC— Best for Zero-Fee Trading & Scalpers
Pros
- 0% Spot Maker & Taker Fees
- 0% Futures/Perpetual Maker Fees
- No KYC required for withdrawals up to 20 BTC
- 2000+ cryptocurrencies listed
Cons
- Interface can be overwhelming for beginners
- Customer support can be slow
- Not regulated in US/EU
💰 Fee Breakdown
| Type | Maker Fee | Taker Fee | With Promo Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spot Trading | 0.00% | 0.00% | 20% Fee Discount (Spot + Futures) |
| Futures Trading | 0.00% | 0.01% | Discount Applies |
#2.Binance— Best for Global Traders & Liquidity
Pros
- World's highest liquidity
- Massive ecosystem (Earn, Launchpad, NFT)
- P2P marketplace with 0 fees
- User-friendly mobile app
Cons
- Strict KYC mandatory
- Not available in US (Binance.US has higher fees)
- Customer service can be slow due to volume
💰 Fee Breakdown
| Type | Maker Fee | Taker Fee | With Promo Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spot Trading | 0.10% | 0.10% | 20% Fee Discount (Spot + Futures) |
| Futures Trading | 0.02% | 0.05% | Discount Applies |
#3.OKX— Best for Advanced Traders & Institutions
Pros
- Advanced trading tools for pros
- Excellent Web3 wallet integration
- Unified account system
- Proof of Reserves published monthly
Cons
- Not available to US customers
- Complex fee structure for beginners
- Strict KYC requirements
💰 Fee Breakdown
| Type | Maker Fee | Taker Fee | With Promo Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spot Trading | 0.08% | 0.10% | 20% Fee Discount (Spot + Futures) |
| Futures Trading | 0.02% | 0.05% | Discount Applies |
#4.Bitget— Best for Copy Trading
Pros
- #1 Copy Trading platform
- Competitive fees with BGB deduction
- Optional KYC for basic features
- $300M Protection Fund
Cons
- Spot liquidity lower than Binance
- Withdrawal fees can be high
- Restricted in some regions
💰 Fee Breakdown
| Type | Maker Fee | Taker Fee | With Promo Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spot Trading | 0.10% | 0.10% | 30% Fee Discount (Spot + Futures) |
| Futures Trading | 0.02% | 0.06% | Discount Applies |
#5.WEEX— Best for US Traders (No KYC)
Pros
- US Customers Accepted
- No KYC required
- Simple, clean interface
- Low futures/perpetual fees
Cons
- Newer exchange (less proven history)
- Fewer advanced order types
- Smaller altcoin selection
💰 Fee Breakdown
| Type | Maker Fee | Taker Fee | With Promo Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spot Trading | 0.10% | 0.10% | 35% Fee Discount (Spot + Futures) |
| Futures Trading | 0.02% | 0.06% | Discount Applies |
#6.Gate.io— Best for Altcoin Diversity
Pros
- 1700+ cryptocurrencies listed
- Great for finding low-cap gems
- Startup IEO platform
- Margin trading available
Cons
- Interface is cluttered
- Fees are higher without discounts
- Withdrawal limits for non-KYC users
💰 Fee Breakdown
| Type | Maker Fee | Taker Fee | With Promo Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spot Trading | 0.15% | 0.15% | 20% Fee Discount (Spot + Futures) |
| Futures Trading | 0.015% | 0.05% | Discount Applies |
#7.HTX— Best for Asian Markets
Pros
- Operating since 2013 (Reliable)
- Good liquidity for Asian pairs
- Prime membership discounts
- P2P market support
Cons
- Rebranded from Huobi (confusing for some)
- US restricted
- Taker fees are relatively high
💰 Fee Breakdown
| Type | Maker Fee | Taker Fee | With Promo Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spot Trading | 0.20% | 0.20% | 30% Fee Discount (Spot + Futures) |
| Futures Trading | 0.02% | 0.05% | Discount Applies |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Which crypto exchange has the lowest fees in 2025?
MEXC has the lowest fees, offering 0% maker and 0% taker fees on most spot trading pairs. For futures/perpetual, they charge 0% maker and only 0.01% taker. This makes MEXC the clear winner for cost-conscious traders.
What's the difference between maker and taker fees?
Maker fees apply when you place limit orders that add liquidity to the order book. Taker fees apply when you place market orders that remove liquidity. Makers typically pay lower fees because they provide liquidity.
Is Binance or Coinbase cheaper?
Binance is significantly cheaper. Binance charges 0.10% maker/taker (reducible with BNB), while Coinbase charges 0.40-0.60% taker fees. On a $10,000 trade, you'd pay $10 on Binance vs $40-60 on Coinbase.
How can I reduce my trading fees?
Four ways: 1) Use limit orders to pay maker fees, 2) Hold exchange tokens (BNB, MX, BGB) for 20-25% discounts, 3) Use our referral codes for lifetime fee kickbacks, 4) Increase volume to reach VIP tiers.
Are 0% fee exchanges safe?
It depends. MEXC has been operating since 2018 with no major security incidents. However, 0% fee exchanges often have less liquidity than giants like Binance. Always test with small amounts first and don't store large sums on any exchange.
Understanding Crypto Trading Fees
Maker vs. Taker Fees Explained
Maker Fees: You pay this when you place a limit order that doesn't fill immediately. You "make" liquidity. These fees are typically lower (or 0% on MEXC).
Taker Fees: You pay this when you place a market order that fills immediately. You "take" liquidity. These fees are higher.
Pro Tips to Minimize Fees
- Use Limit Orders whenever possible to pay maker fees.
- Hold the exchange's native token (e.g., BNB, MX, BGB) for a 20-25% discount.
- Use our Referral Codes to get a lifetime fee kickback.
- Increase your 30-day trading volume to reach higher VIP tiers.