Coinbase vs Strike in comparison

Coinbase is a full crypto exchange with hundreds of coins, an order book and products from staking to futures. Strike does one thing: it buys, sells and sends Bitcoin, with a fee that starts at 0.89% and support for the Lightning Network. Both are open to customers in every US state. In our view, Coinbase is the better choice if you want more than Bitcoin or plan to trade actively, while Strike suits readers who only want to stack Bitcoin cheaply and move it out. We rate Coinbase higher overall and Strike much higher for fees and costs.

Availability

Strike says it serves all 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico through Zap Solutions, Inc. (NMLS 1902919), which holds a New York Virtual Currency Business Activity Company License. In Europe, Zap (Strike) Europe Limited is authorized as a crypto-asset service provider by the MFSA in Malta.

Coinbase is also operational in every US state and maintains its own New York license. It extends services to Canada as a restricted dealer and the UK. Coinbase Luxembourg S.A. has authorization as a crypto-asset service provider from the CSSF in Luxembourg.

What each one sells

Strike focuses on Bitcoin exclusively, allowing you to buy, sell, and send it, obtain a loan using it as collateral, or convert a portion of your paycheck into it. Strike also offers interest on cash, maintains dollar balances at Cross River Bank with FDIC pass-through protection up to $250,000, and handles bill payments and international transactions.

Coinbase trades hundreds of crypto assets. US customers can stake, earn USDC rewards, trade stocks without commission and use dated futures, with leverage of up to 10x on BTC and ETH. For range of functions, we rate Coinbase much higher.

Fees for buying Bitcoin

Strike implements a fee structure based on monthly trading volume: 0.89% up to $4,999.99, then 0.79%, 0.69%, and 0.59%, decreasing to 0.25% from $15 million. Buying $1,000 at the initial tier incurs $8.90 in fees. The quoted price might include a spread. Bank transfers are free of Strike fees, whereas debit card deposits cost 1.99% with a minimum of $0.99.

A simple buy in the Coinbase app adds a Coinbase fee and a spread. Coinbase Advanced lets you place limit orders on an order book, where US customers start at 0.5% maker and 0.9% taker. Withdrawals at Strike are free if you accept a wait of up to 24 hours. We rate Strike much higher for fees and costs.

Custody and security

Strike says it holds customer Bitcoin 1:1 in multisig vaults, mostly in cold storage, and it keeps all the keys. Its loan collateral is checked every quarter by an outside accounting firm, but we found no public proof of reserves for all customer holdings. Account security includes passkeys, security keys, a PIN, an anti-phishing code and a delay of 5 days before two-factor login can be switched off.

Coinbase is listed on NASDAQ, and Coinbase Custody Trust Company reports SOC 1 Type II and SOC 2 Type II audits. In May 2025, bribed support agents copied data of less than 1% of monthly active users; no funds or keys were exposed. Neither company's crypto holdings are protected by the FDIC or SIPC. We rate Coinbase much higher for security and trust.

Ease of use and support

Strike's app is narrow by design, so there is little to learn. Coinbase covers far more ground and still keeps its simple buy flow apart from the trading screen. We rate Coinbase much higher for operation and beginner friendliness.

For support we rate the two the same. Strike takes requests in the app and by email and offers callbacks for eligible US accounts, while Coinbase answers by phone or messaging, starting with a virtual assistant.

Our verdict by criterion

In our view, Coinbase is the stronger all-round platform, with far more assets, more products and a longer public record, and we rate it higher overall. Strike, in our view, is the pick for Bitcoin-only savers who mainly care about low buying costs and free withdrawals.

• Operation: Coinbase, which we rate much higher
• Range of functions: Coinbase, which we rate much higher
• Fees and costs: Strike, which we rate much higher
• Security and trust: Coinbase, which we rate much higher
• Beginner friendliness: Coinbase, which we rate much higher
• Support: rated the same

Which one fits you

• You only want Bitcoin and buy on a schedule: Strike.
• If you're interested in Ether, Solana, or other coins, opt for Coinbase.
• If receiving part of your pay in Bitcoin appeals to you, go with Strike.
• For staking, stocks, or futures in one account, select Coinbase.

See our Coinbase review and Strike review for detailed information. You might also consider Coinbase vs Kraken, our Cash App review, and our list of exchanges with the lowest fees.

Questions about Coinbase and Strike

Is Strike cheaper than Coinbase for Bitcoin?

The cost comparison depends on your purchasing method. Strike begins at 0.89% with a decrease as volume rises, and standard withdrawals are free. On Coinbase Advanced, limit orders start at 0.5% for US customers, while the simple buy feature includes its own fee and spread.

Is Coinbase better than Strike?

We think so for most readers, because Coinbase offers far more than Bitcoin and we rate it higher overall. In our view, Strike is the better fit if Bitcoin is the only asset you want.

Can you use Strike in New York?

Yes. Strike says it serves all 50 states, and its operator holds a New York license for virtual currency business.