Updated September 28, 2026 · VaultCue Editorial Team
Kraken vs XTB
Kraken
XTB
Higher score in this comparison
Kraken vs XTB: the differences
| Compare | KrakenReviewVisitVisit | XTBReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | $4.99 | £0 |
| Deposit protection | EU DGS up to EUR 100,000 | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.2%Lower | 0.5% |
| Transfer fee | Based on method and currency used; funding fees can be static (fixed) or dynamic (variable) | Deposits free of XTB fee; withdrawals free above 100 EUR/USD, 10 EUR (or 10 USD) below |
| Licence type | Payment institution | Not confirmed |
| Currencies | 6 | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- XTB scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 8.7.
- Founded is lower at XTB: 2004 vs 2011.
- Kraken is licensed in 1 more country.
- XTB is available in 2 more countries.
- Currency conversion fee is lower at Kraken: 0.2% vs 0.5%.
- Support channels: only XTB offers Chat.
Our verdict on each
Kraken
Kraken settles the fee trade-off by charging a subscription rather than staying free: the monthly fee of $4.99 applies to the account, and currency conversion runs at 0.2% with transfer delivery quoted as instant. It suits people who hold and convert several currencies and move money often.
XTB
XTB suits savers who want their cash reachable at any moment, and traders who park money between deals. A 4% easy-access rate on uninvested funds, with support by email, chat and phone, makes it a practical holding pot for active investors rather than a rate chaser.
Score breakdown
| Area | Kraken | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.7Subscription costs a monthly fee of $4.99 with conversion at 0.2%, against a site median fee of €0. | 9.3HigherA monthly fee of £0 and a minimum deposit of £0 match the savings medians, and the 0.5% conversion fee matches the category median. |
| Offer | 9.2The account holds 6 currencies, pays out to bank, wallet and card, and delivery is instant. | 9.6HigherThe 4% rate beats the savings median of 3.08% but ranks 142 of 473, and it is variable. |
| Trust | 8.4 | 9.1Higher |
Spending 1,000 abroad
Kraken
2
0.2% of 1,000
XTB
5
0.5% of 1,000
Kraken comes out 3 lower in this example.
Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 26, 2026.
Also worth a look
eToro has currency conversion fee at 0%, against 0.2% for Kraken and 0.5% for XTB.
eToro reviewSources behind this comparison
Kraken
- kraken.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- euclid.eba.europa.eu: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- support.kraken.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- play.google.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
XTB
- xtb.com: 7 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- esma.europa.eu: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Kraken | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | No monthly fee |
| Legal entity | Payward Europe Solutions Limited | XTB Limited |
| Headquarters | Ireland | Cyprus |
| Founded | 2011 | 2004Lower |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centre | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centreCovers more |
Money transfer
| Fact | Kraken | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery time | instant | Not confirmed |
| Payout methods | Bank, Wallet, Card | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Kraken | XTB | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Currency conversion fee | 0.2%below the median | 0.5%at the median | 0.5% |
| Currencies | 6above the median | Not confirmed | 5 |
Median across 536 listed accounts.
Pros and cons
Kraken
Pros
- Deposit protection in the EU is EU DGS up to EUR 100,000 under the deposit guarantee scheme.
- Currency conversion costs 0.2%, under the 0.5% seen across the site.
- Support runs on email, phone and help centre, including phone and a help centre.
Cons
- The account carries a monthly fee of $4.99, where the site median is €0.
- The currency list is limited to 6, below the 9 in this group.
- Transfer fees depend on the method and currency used, and funding fees can be fixed or variable.
XTB
Pros
- The easy access account pays 4% on uninvested funds, with interest calculated daily and paid monthly, and any amount withdrawn straight to a bank account.
- Running costs sit at the floor: a monthly fee of £0 and a minimum deposit of £0 on the easy access account.
- The 4% rate is above the savings median of 3.08% and higher than PayPal Colombia's 3.3%.
Cons
- On the headline rate the account ranks 142 of 473 brands, well behind AXI Card Tarjeta y Credito at 21.59% and Plazo ES at 24.19%.
- The rate is variable, so what a balance earns can shift over the months it sits there.
- Withdrawals below a set threshold carry a flat XTB fee, which matters for anyone moving money out in small bites.
Who each suits
Kraken
Who it suits
- Anyone whose money sits in more than one currency
- People willing to pay a monthly subscription for a longer currency list
- Users who want phone and help centre support alongside email
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone after a free everyday account: Skrill charges €0 a month
- Readers who want more than 6 currencies: XTB charges €0 a month, as does AXI Card at €0
- Anyone who needs a fixed transfer price before choosing a method, since transfer fees depend on the method and currency used
XTB
Who it suits
- Traders and investors who leave cash uninvested inside a brokerage wallet, since interest is calculated daily, paid monthly and any amount can be moved to a bank account.
- Savers who put access and running cost ahead of the top rate, given that the 4% rate ranks 142 of 473 while the £0 minimum deposit ranks 1 of 370.
- UK residents who want regulated oversight alongside a cash balance, holding both the FRN 522157 and MiCA CASP 259400HM2TR4U3LF5D43 registrations in view.
Who should look elsewhere
- Savings hunters sorting purely on the headline number: Plazo ES shows 24.19% and AXI Card Tarjeta y Credito 21.59%, both well ahead of the 4% here.
- Anyone who wants a return locked for a set term, because the rate here is variable and moves with the market.
Current offers
Kraken
Current offer
Free trial
Kraken+ free 30-day trial: 30 days free, then $4.99/mo
Monthly billing and the free 30-day trial are offered exclusively through the Kraken mobile app; Kraken Web currently supports annual plans only; only one free trial available per user; automatically renews at $4.99/month unless canceled
Source, checked September 26, 2026
XTB
Current offer
Free trial
Free training account: Free
Test your investing strategies and experience the market without risking your own capital
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Kraken | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina | Yes | No |
| Australia | Yes | No |
| Belize | No | Yes |
| Bermuda | Yes | No |
| Canada | Yes | No |
| Chile | No | Yes |
| Germany | No | Yes |
| Ireland | Yes | No |
8 of 14 countries where either is available.
Questions about each
Kraken
What does the Kraken subscription cost each month?+
The subscription account is billed a monthly fee of $4.99. That sits above the site median of €0, so the fee suits readers who will use the extra currencies rather than pay for a dormant account.
How much does Kraken charge to convert currency?+
Currency conversion is charged at 0.2%, which sits under the 0.5% recorded across the site. The gap widens for anyone converting often, which is how the subscription tends to pay back its cost.
XTB
What does it cost to keep uninvested cash at XTB?+
The monthly fee on the easy access account is £0, and the account runs on a no monthly fee model, so there is no standing charge for holding funds. Deposits are free of XTB fees. Currency conversion runs at 0.5%, matching the savings median of 0.5%.
Is my money protected if the firm fails?+
Deposit protection is listed as FSCS up to GBP 85,000, so anything held above that figure sits outside the scheme. The firm is authorised in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority under FRN 522157 and registered in Cyprus with the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission under MiCA CASP 259400HM2TR4U3LF5D43.
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