Updated September 29, 2026 · SumCue Editorial Team
bunq vs Kraken
bunq
Kraken
Higher score in this comparison
Where bunq and Kraken differ
| Compare | bunqReviewVisitVisit | KrakenReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | €10 | $1 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Crypto, FuturesCovers more |
| Regulators | De Nederlandsche Bank, SIPC | Central Bank of Ireland, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5% to 3% | 0%Lower |
| Platforms | Bunq app | Kraken App, Kraken Pro, Kraken Desktop, Kraken Wallet |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | Free bank deposits, card 3.75% + 0.25 |
| Maximum retail leverage | Not confirmed | Up to 10x |
Same on both: Investor protection (EU ICS up to EUR 20,000).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings. Partners with a live offer in your country come first, then every other brand by score.
Key differences
- Kraken scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 8.8.
- Regulators: only bunq offers De Nederlandsche Bank, SIPC.
- Regulators: only Kraken offers Central Bank of Ireland, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, Financial Conduct Authority.
- bunq is licensed in 5 more countries.
- Currency conversion fee is lower at Kraken: 0% vs 0.5% to 3%.
- Markets: only Kraken offers Forex, Futures.
- Platforms: only bunq offers Bunq app.
- Platforms: only Kraken offers Kraken App, Kraken Pro, Kraken Desktop.
- Features: only bunq offers Fractional shares.
- Pricing model: only bunq offers Monthly.
Our verdict on each
bunq
bunq fits expats and anyone living across Europe who wants a euro account that pays interest on everyday money and handles spending and investing in the same app. Savings pay 3.01% on an easy access balance held under EU DGS up to EUR 100,000, with interest credited weekly.
Kraken
Kraken suits active crypto traders who also want stocks, ETFs, forex and futures alongside digital assets, with commission free stock dealing at $0 and cover shown as EU ICS up to EUR 20,000. Support runs through help centre routes, so traders who want phone help should weigh that trade off before opening an account.
Score breakdown
| Area | bunq | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.5HigherThe plan carries a monthly fee of €0 and an annual fee of €0, with deposits starting from €10. | 9.3Stock dealing costs stay lean at $0 for equity orders. |
| Offer | 8.3 | 9.0HigherMarket choice spans stocks, ETFs and forex with broad coin coverage. |
| Trust | 8.5 | 9.3HigherOversight links to Central Bank of Ireland, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission and Financial Conduct Authority with stated scheme cover. |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | bunq | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Ireland | Central Bank of Ireland 909737 | Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) MiCA CASP 9845003D98SCC2851458 IE_CBI PSD_EMI IE_CBI!C453020 |
| Belgium | Nationale Bank van Belgie / Banque Nationale de Belgique (NBB) BE 0769.451.708 | Not confirmed |
| France | Banque de France SIREN 893970970 | Not confirmed |
| Germany | Not confirmed | |
| Italy | Banca d'Italia MI - 2628476 | Not confirmed |
| Netherlands | Not confirmed | |
| Spain | Banco de Espana W0086933I | Not confirmed |
| United States | Not confirmed | SIPC SIPC member 71030 |
What each covers
| Markets | bunq | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | No | Yes |
| Futures | No | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | bunq | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Credit and debit cards | 9 of 1594 | 327 of 1594 |
| Debit cards | 7 of 826 | 15 of 826 |
| Investing | 13 of 654 | 25 of 654 |
| Stock and ETF brokers | 9 of 358 | 15 of 358 |
| Crypto | 7 of 428 | 18 of 428 |
| Crypto exchanges | 5 of 330 | 16 of 330 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | bunq | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Fractional shares, Mobile appCovers more | Crypto, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Monthly | Commission free |
| Audience | Expats | Beginners, Experienced |
| Legal entity | bunq B.V. | Not confirmed |
| Headquarters | Netherlands | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 2012 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre | Not confirmed |
Savings
| Fact | bunq | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | 3.01% | Not confirmed |
| Rate type | Variable | Not confirmed |
| Deposit protection | EU DGS up to EUR 100,000 | Not confirmed |
| Access terms | Withdraw any amount free up to 2 times a month, rising to 3 free monthly withdrawals after 12 months; interest paid weekly | Not confirmed |
| Monthly fee | €0 | €0 |
| Account kind | Easy access | Not confirmed |
Debit cards
| Fact | bunq | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Free ATM withdrawals | Not confirmed | €0 |
| Card type | Debit | Debit |
| Cashback rate | Not confirmed | 0.5% to 2% |
| Card network | Mastercard | Mastercard |
| Currencies | 8 | 600Higher |
| Custody | Not confirmed | Self custody |
Crypto exchanges
| Fact | bunq | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Taker fee | 0.25% to 1.99% | 0.05% to 0.8%Lower |
| Coins listed | from 350 | 728 |
| Fiat deposit methods | Not confirmed | Card, Bank, SEPA, ACH, Apple pay |
| Maker fee | 0.25% to 1.99% | 0% to 0.4%Lower |
| Proof of reserves | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Derivatives | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Exchange type | Cex | Cex |
Credit cards
| Fact | bunq | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | €0 | Not confirmed |
| Card kind | Credit | Not confirmed |
Crypto wallets
| Fact | bunq | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Wallet type | Not confirmed | Mobile |
| Price | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Coins supported | Not confirmed | 728 |
| Backup options | Not confirmed | Seed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | bunq | Kraken | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5% to 3%above the median | 0%below the median | 0.4 |
Median across 94 listed providers.
Pros and cons
bunq
Pros
- Investing sits in the same app, with stocks, etfs and crypto and fractional shares among the plan features.
- The card runs on mastercard, and conversion costs 0.5% to 3% across 8 currencies.
- Regulated in the Netherlands by De Nederlandsche Bank, with savings under EU DGS up to EUR 100,000 and investments under EU ICS up to EUR 20,000.
Cons
- Support runs on email and help centre only.
- The rate is variable, so the 3.01% headline can move in either direction.
- Crypto trades cost 0.25% to 1.99%, with maker fees of 0.25% to 1.99%.
Kraken
Pros
- Commission free stock dealing at $0, below DKB at €10
- Low entry with $1 alongside fiat choice across card, bank and SEPA
- Broad venue with stocks, ETFs and forex and 728 plus published proof of reserves
Cons
- Support runs on help centre only, so you manage queries through help centre paths.
- Card funding carries extra cost within Free bank deposits, card 3.75% + 0.25, so bank routes suit cost aware deposits.
- Coin trading fees run 0.05% to 0.8%, so frequent takers should weigh volume tiers.
Who each suits
bunq
Who it suits
- Anyone banking across the euro area, since bunq is licensed in the Netherlands, Germany, France, Spain, Ireland, Italy and Belgium.
- People who want saving, spending and investing in one place, since crypto, fractional shares and mobile app all run through bunq app.
- Savers who want interest without being locked into a term, since the account is easy access.
Who should look elsewhere
- Linxea, where €25 is the starting premium on a life insurance product rather than a balance that pays interest.
- Oney Préstamos ES, where €1,000 is a borrowing amount to repay, not money you hold.
- Euroasia Insurance, where UZS 60,000 buys car cover, not euro banking.
Kraken
Who it suits
- Active traders wanting crypto plus stocks, ETFs, forex and futures in a shared venue
- Cost aware equity investors drawn to dealing at $0 with modest entry at $1
Who should look elsewhere
- ActivTrades if you want phone led help rather than help centre paths on help centre
- DKB if you prefer bank bundled investing over crypto led coverage at 728
Current offers
bunq
Current offer
First period offer
bunq Pro free for students: bunq Pro for EUR0/month while studying (normally EUR9.99/month)
Students only; Enjoy bunq Pro for free while you study
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Free trial
30-day free trial: 30 days free
Open your account in just 5 minutes and start your 30-day free trial today
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | bunq | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium | Yes | No |
| France | Yes | No |
| Germany | Yes | No |
| Ireland | Yes | No |
| Italy | Yes | No |
| Netherlands | Yes | No |
| Spain | Yes | No |
Questions about each
bunq
How much does a bunq account cost?+
The standard plan carries a monthly fee of €0 and an annual fee of €0, so the account itself is free to hold. What you pay depends on use: currency conversion on the card runs at 0.5% to 3%, and crypto trades are charged 0.25% to 1.99%. Everything is managed in bunq app.
How much interest does bunq pay on savings?+
The savings balance pays 3.01%, and the rate is variable, which means it can move rather than being locked in for a term. Interest is paid weekly into the account, and the account is easy access.
Kraken
What is the minimum deposit to start with Kraken?+
You can open an account with $1, which keeps entry modest for new funders. Bank routes are available alongside card and wallet paths, so you can choose the rail that fits your timing and cost preference.
How much does Kraken charge for stocks and crypto trades?+
Stock dealing is shown as $0, which keeps equity orders lean. Crypto taker fees run 0.05% to 0.8%, so your all in cost depends on asset class, order type and monthly volume tier.
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