Kraken vs Kraken Pro: what's the real difference?

Kraken and Kraken Pro are not two separate exchanges. They share one account and one login. Kraken Pro is the advanced trading screen built into Kraken, running on a tiered maker-taker fee schedule that starts at 0.40% maker and 0.80% taker for new accounts^††, dropping to as low as 0.25% maker and 0.40% taker at higher trading volume^††. The standard Kraken app is built for quick buys and prices trades through a spread instead of a listed fee line.

What's actually different between Kraken and Kraken Pro?

Both interfaces sit on top of the same company, the same balance, and the same verification. What changes is the trading screen and how you get charged.

The short version: Kraken Pro is a cheaper way to place the same trade, not a different platform with different rules.

How much more do you pay on standard Kraken than on Kraken Pro?

Here's the math on three sample trades using Kraken Pro's published rates. These numbers only cover Pro, since the standard app's exact spread percentage is not published in a form we can verify, so don't assume it matches these figures.

• A $1,000 market order at the Tier 1 taker rate costs $1,000 x 0.80% = $8.00^†.
• The same $1,000 market order at the lowest advertised taker rate costs $1,000 x 0.40% = $4.00^†. That's half the cost, from volume tier alone.
• A $5,000 limit order at the lowest advertised maker rate costs $5,000 x 0.25% = $12.50^†.

Limit orders fill as "maker" and cost less than market orders, which fill as "taker." That gap exists inside Kraken Pro itself, before you even factor in volume tiers. Run your own trade size through the fee calculator before placing an order.

How do you switch from Kraken to Kraken Pro?

1. Log in at kraken.com or in the app with your existing account. No second sign-up.
2. Open the menu and select the Pro or Advanced trading view.
3. Pick your trading pair from the Pro order screen.
4. Choose "limit" instead of "market" if you want the lower maker rate.
5. Confirm. Verification, balance, and deposit history carry over automatically.

No new KYC step. No new wallet. Same funds.

Is Kraken Pro safer than regular Kraken?

No. Security, custody, and compliance sit at the account level, not the interface level. Both screens require the same identity verification^†, run under the same company registered with FINRA as a self-regulatory member and SIPC as a broker-dealer^†, and draw from the same wallet. Switching to the Pro view changes your fee rate and your order tools. It changes nothing about how your account is protected.

Withdrawal costs also apply at the account level, not per interface. Instant USD withdrawals in the US cost 1.5% capped at $50, and ACH withdrawals are free for US accounts^†. Those numbers are the same whether you placed the trade on standard Kraken or Kraken Pro.

Common mistakes people make comparing Kraken and Kraken Pro

• Assuming Kraken Pro needs a separate sign-up or a higher KYC tier. It doesn't, verification is shared^†.
• Placing market orders on Pro and still paying close to the standard app's rate, when a limit order would cost less.
• Comparing the headline "as low as 0.25%" Pro rate to the standard app's price without checking which tier actually applies to the account. Tier 1 starts at 0.40%/0.80%, not the lowest published rate^††.
• Forgetting that 30-day trading volume decides the tier, so a quiet month can push the rate back up.

Which should you use, Kraken or Kraken Pro?

If you buy crypto occasionally and want a one-tap flow, use standard Kraken. The interface is simpler and the extra cost on small, infrequent buys is minor in dollar terms.

If you trade more than a few times a month, or move more than a few hundred dollars per trade, use Kraken Pro. The fee schedule saves real money starting at Tier 1, and limit orders cut the cost further^†. There's no downside to switching since it's the same account and the same funds.

For a full breakdown of Kraken's features, security setup, and supported products, see the Kraken review. Our methodology explains how we pull and verify fee numbers like the ones above, and our best exchanges list shows how Kraken stacks up against other platforms overall.

DISCLOSURE: CompareCEX may earn a commission when you sign up through our links. This does not influence our editorial scores.

RISK: Crypto assets are volatile and unregulated in many jurisdictions. Not financial advice.

FAQ

Do I need to open a new account for Kraken Pro?

No. Kraken Pro is a view inside your existing Kraken account. Log in the same way and switch screens.

Does Kraken Pro cost anything to sign up or activate?

Not based on anything in our verified data. There's no separate signup fee noted in Kraken's published fee schedule. Confirm current terms on Kraken's official fee page before trading, since fee pages change.

Can I switch back to the simple Kraken app after using Pro?

Yes. Both views pull from the same account, so you can move between them at any time.

Are withdrawal fees different on Kraken Pro?

No. Withdrawal fees are set at the account level, not by which trading screen you used. Instant USD withdrawals in the US cost 1.5% capped at $50^†, the same for both interfaces.