Which Crypto Exchanges Actually Charge the Lowest Fees in 2026?

Trade fees matter—a lot. Whether you're day trading or managing a portfolio, even small percentage cuts eat into your profits. But here's the catch: when exchanges claim "low fees," they're usually just talking about maker/taker rates.

The real story is way more complicated. You've got the obvious stuff—trading commissions—but that's honestly just the tip of the iceberg. What actually moves your bottom line?

Spread width first. Some platforms quote tight spreads; others? You're basically paying a hidden fee every time you buy or sell. Then there's withdrawal costs—surprisingly brutal on certain chains. Some exchanges charge flat fees, others go percentage-based. Neither feels great when you're moving serious capital.

Funding rates on perpetual futures can be rough too. A 0.05% rate might sound harmless until you realize you're holding overnight. Add instant-buy markups to the mix, and suddenly that "competitive platform" starts looking expensive.

So what should you actually compare? Pull together the full picture: quoted trading fees, historical spread data, current withdrawal charges across multiple blockchains, and yes, those funding rates. Different strategies hit different cost centers—a spot trader and a futures trader won't care about the same fees. Figure out which costs actually affect your style, then do the math. Numbers don't lie.