Bitcoin app fees compared
These are the fees each company lists on its own fee pages for a regular buy. Most also build a “spread” into the price, meaning you pay a little above the market price. That’s on top of the fee unless it says otherwise.
| Where | Fee on a regular buy | Spread | Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strike | 0.89% (drops as your monthly volume grows) | Targets 0.22% all-in | Not listed |
| Cash App | 2.0% under $500, 1.5% to $999, 0.9% to $1,999, 0% at $2,000+. Auto Buy is 0%. | 0% to 0.75% | $1 |
| Fidelity Crypto | 1% of the order | Included in the 1% | Not listed |
| Kraken | 1% on instant and recurring buys. Kraken Pro is 0.40% to 0.80% at the lowest tier. | Yes on instant buys | Not listed |
| Gemini | Instant buys: spread shown before you confirm. ActiveTrader is 0.60% to 1.20% at the lowest tier. | Yes on instant buys | Not listed |
Quick math: buying $100 of Bitcoin costs about $0.89 on Strike, $1 on Fidelity or Kraken’s app, and $2 with a one-time Cash App buy.
Small numbers, but they add up if you buy every week.
Strike: cheapest for small, regular buys
Strike only does Bitcoin. Regular buys are 0.89% at its lowest volume tier (under $5,000 a month), and personal accounts pay zero fees on recurring buys after the first week.
It’s the one to pick if you want to stack a little every payday.
Cash App: easiest if you already use it
You can buy with as little as $1. A one-time buy under $500 costs 2%, which is the priciest on this list. Set up Auto Invest or Round Ups instead and Cash App charges no fee and no spread.
Skip the one-off buys and it’s a solid pick.
Fidelity Crypto: keep it next to your other investing
A flat 1% fee on each order. Nothing fancy.
If your 401(k) or IRA is already at Fidelity, you don’t have to trust a new company with your money.
Kraken: cheaper if you use the Pro side
Kraken’s main app charges 1% on instant and recurring buys (waived up to $10,000 a month for Kraken+ members). Kraken Pro, its trading screen, starts at 0.40% to 0.80%. Pro looks scary the first time, but it’s how you pay less here.
Gemini: fine, but not the cheap one
Gemini’s instant buys build the cost into a spread, and it shows you the total before you confirm. Its ActiveTrader fees start at 0.60% to 1.20%, higher than Kraken Pro.
Fine if you already have an account, not worth switching for.
Can you buy Bitcoin without a crypto app?
Yes.
Spot Bitcoin ETFs trade in a regular brokerage account like a stock, so you can own Bitcoin’s price movement without a wallet or a new app. You’ll pay the fund’s yearly expense ratio, plus any trading commission your broker charges. Good option if you just want exposure in your existing account.
Is your Bitcoin insured?
Not the way your bank account is.
Gemini’s user agreement says your US dollar cash may qualify for FDIC pass-through insurance, but digital assets aren’t covered by the FDIC. Kraken’s disclosures say the same kind of thing about FDIC and SIPC. If a company holding your crypto goes under, you could be waiting a long time to see it again.
Also: anyone promising “guaranteed” or “risk-free” crypto profits is running a scam. The CFTC calls those claims hallmarks of fraud. Never send crypto to someone you met online who’s teaching you to trade.
Do you pay taxes on Bitcoin?
Yes. The IRS treats digital assets as property, not currency. Sell for more than you paid and that’s a taxable gain, and you have to report it even if you don’t get a form. Brokers now send Form 1099-DA for digital asset sales, so the IRS sees it too.
Should you buy Bitcoin at all?
That’s your call, and this isn’t a side hustle. It’s a bet on price.
If you’re looking to make money rather than gamble with it, check what’s paying right now or apps that pay you real money. And if you want something more boring to invest in, here’s how to invest in real estate starting at $10.
FAQ
What is the cheapest way to buy Bitcoin?
Recurring buys on Cash App (Auto Invest) and Strike (after the first week) have no fee. For one-time buys, Strike’s 0.89% and Kraken Pro’s 0.40% to 0.80% are the cheapest here.
How much do I need to buy Bitcoin?
Not much. You can buy a fraction of a Bitcoin, and Cash App starts at $1.
Is it safe to keep Bitcoin on an exchange?
It’s convenient, but crypto held on an exchange isn’t FDIC insured. Use a company you trust, turn on two-factor login and don’t keep more there than you’re okay risking.
Do I have to report Bitcoin on my taxes?
Yes. The IRS treats it as property, so gains and losses go on your return whether or not you get a 1099-DA.
Sources (11)
- Strike. Bitcoin trading fees. Strike help center. Accessed Oct 22, 2026.
- Cash App. Bitcoin fees. cash.app. Accessed Oct 22, 2026.
- Fidelity. Fidelity Crypto trading fees. fidelity.com. Accessed Oct 22, 2026.
- Kraken. Fee schedule. kraken.com. Accessed Oct 22, 2026.
- Kraken. Disclosures. kraken.com. Accessed Oct 22, 2026.
- Gemini. ActiveTrader fee schedule. gemini.com. Accessed Oct 22, 2026.
- Gemini. Fee schedule. gemini.com. Accessed Oct 22, 2026.
- Gemini. User agreement. gemini.com. Accessed Oct 22, 2026.
- CFTC. Watch out for digital fraud. cftc.gov. Accessed Oct 22, 2026.
- IRS. Digital assets. irs.gov. Accessed Oct 22, 2026.
- IRS. Understanding your Form 1099-DA. irs.gov. Accessed Oct 22, 2026.
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