Coinbase vs Uphold in comparison

Coinbase and Uphold are both US-based crypto apps for buying and selling with a bank account or card. Coinbase lists more crypto assets, adds an order book with maker and taker fees, and holds a New York virtual currency license. Uphold builds its fee into the price as a spread and also sells stocks and precious metals in the same app. In our view, Coinbase is the better pick for most US beginners and for anyone who trades often, while Uphold suits readers who want crypto, metals and stocks in one simple app. We rate Coinbase higher overall and Uphold slightly higher for range of functions.

Where you can use them

Coinbase, Inc. provides services to customers in all US states and is licensed for Virtual Currency Business Activity in New York. Beyond the US, Coinbase operates in the UK and Canada, with Coinbase Luxembourg S.A. authorized as a crypto-asset service provider by the CSSF in Luxembourg.

Uphold runs its US business through Uphold HQ Inc. (NMLS 1269875) with state money transmitter licenses. In New York, Uphold customers can only sell crypto for fiat; buying and transfers are blocked there. Some assets are not offered in every state.

Fees and spreads

Coinbase and Uphold take different approaches to pricing. Uphold incorporates the cost into the quoted price as a spread, typically 2.00% to 2.20% for Bitcoin and Ether, and 2.45% to 3.8% for other coins. Trades below $500 incur an additional fee of $0.99, while card deposits in the US are charged 3.99%. ACH deposits do not incur a fee.

A simple buy on Coinbase carries a Coinbase fee plus a spread in the price. On Coinbase Advanced, the order book charges US customers 0.5% maker and 0.9% taker at the entry tier, and the rate falls as your monthly volume grows. Frequent traders who use limit orders on Coinbase Advanced will usually pay less than a spread of about 2% on every Bitcoin trade at Uphold. We rate Coinbase slightly higher for fees and costs.

What you can buy

Coinbase offers hundreds of crypto assets. US users also have access to dated futures, commission-free stock trading, staking and USDC rewards, and prediction markets via Kalshi, except in Nevada.

Uphold says it offers more than 300 crypto assets plus over 4,000 stocks and precious metals. Stocks come through Uphold Securities Inc. in certain states. It adds staking and USD interest of up to 4% APY through partner banks. Uphold also lends against crypto, and its Vault is a self-custody option where you hold keys yourself and Uphold signs as a co-signer. For range of functions, we rate Uphold slightly higher.

Security and regulation

Coinbase is a listed company (NASDAQ: COIN) and reports SOC 1 Type II and SOC 2 Type II audits of Coinbase Custody Trust Company. Coinbase's record includes a data theft in May 2025, when bribed support agents outside the US copied customer data of less than 1% of monthly active users; no passwords, keys or funds were exposed, and Coinbase refused a ransom demand of $20 million.

Uphold holds SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001, and PCI DSS certifications, operates a public bug bounty on Intigriti, and provides real-time reserve transparency. Crypto held at either Coinbase or Uphold is not insured by FDIC or SIPC. We rate Coinbase slightly higher for security and trust.

Ease of use and support

Both platforms enable easy purchases, but Coinbase separates its basic app from the trading interface, avoiding complex order books for beginners. We rate Coinbase much higher for beginner friendliness and slightly higher for operation.

Coinbase provides support via phone or messaging, with initial interaction through a virtual assistant, and promotes 24/7 live support availability. We rate Coinbase slightly higher for support.

Our verdict by criterion

In our view, Coinbase suits most US readers, with more coins, lower trading costs on its order book and full access in New York, and we rate it higher overall. In our view, Uphold is the pick if you want crypto, stocks and precious metals in one spread-based app.

• Operation: Coinbase, which we rate slightly higher
• Range of functions: Uphold, which we rate slightly higher
• Fees and costs: Coinbase, which we rate slightly higher
• Security and trust: Coinbase, which we rate slightly higher
• Beginner friendliness: Coinbase, which we rate much higher
• Support: Coinbase, which we rate slightly higher

Which one fits you

• Located in New York and wish to purchase crypto: Choose Coinbase, as Uphold only permits selling.
• You trade often and can use limit orders: Coinbase Advanced.
• Interested in combining precious metals with crypto: Select Uphold.
• Prefer to retain a personal key while sharing control: Consider Uphold Vault.

Our Coinbase review and Uphold review cover each platform. Related resources include Coinbase vs Kraken, Coinbase vs Gemini, and our list of crypto brokers for direct purchases.

Questions about Coinbase and Uphold

Is Coinbase better than Uphold?

We think so for most US buyers. Coinbase lists more coins, charges less on its order book than a spread of about 2%, and we rate it higher overall. In our view, Uphold is the better fit if you also want stocks and precious metals in the same app.

Can you use Uphold in New York?

Only for selling. Uphold states that New York users can sell crypto for fiat, but buying and transfers are not permitted.

Which is cheaper for buying Bitcoin?

It depends on the method of purchase. The Bitcoin spread at Uphold usually ranges from 2.00% to 2.20%, with an additional $0.99 fee for trades below $500. On Coinbase Advanced, US customers start at 0.5% for maker and 0.9% for taker fees, while simple buys in the Coinbase app incur a fee and a spread.