eToro vs. Coinbase: How the crypto exchanges compare

Personal Finance Insider writes about products, strategies, and tips to help you make smart decisions with your money. We may receive a small commission from our partners, like American Express, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective. Terms apply to offers listed on this page. Read our editorial standards.

eToro vs. Coinbase: The biggest differences

eToro USA and Coinbase are both well-known platforms that individuals and institutions can utilize to access cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, ethereum, dogecoin, and others. The two platforms also offer crypto storage options, but they differ when it comes to fees, account options and features, and available investment types.

eToro is the best choice for those in search of social trading features and hands-off investing strategies. The exchange lets you copy the portfolios of top-performing traders, and it also offers pre-built portfolios that it rebalances on your behalf. Unlike Coinbase, eToro additionally provides stock and ETF trading. This makes it a better option if you’re looking to build wealth with investments beyond cryptocurrencies.

Coinbase, on the other hand, is a better option for crypto-focused traders. The exchange not only offers 100+ cryptocurrencies (eToro USA only offers more than 25), but it also provides a vast range of products and services for individuals and institutions. Plus, the platform recently launched the beta version of its NFT marketplace.

eToro and Coinbase’s features and account options also vary.

Account types Retail Professional	Account types Personal investment Institutional
Investment choices Cryptocurrencies, stocks, and ETFs	Investment choices Cryptocurrencies
Account perks More than 25 cryptocurrencies CopyPortfolios and CopyTrader system cater to hands-off investors 100,000 virtual demo account that lets you practice trading without losing any capital Commission-free stock and ETF trading eToro Academy	Account perks 100+ cryptocurrencies Coinbase Earn pays you in crypto for watching educational videos about different assets Staking rewards of up to 5% Digital wallet services Coinbase Pro offers advanced tools like trading bots and easily accessible real-time market data Beta version of NFT platform offers charges 0% Coinbase Card offers crypto spending perks; separate platform and services dedicated to institutional clients
Human advisors available? No	Human advisors available? No
Robo-advice? Yes — eToro’s pre-built CopyPortfolios take away the legwork of diversifying and rebalancing your portfolio on your own.	Robo-advice? No

Is eToro right for you?

eToro USA is best for both beginners and community-oriented traders who want to take advantage of social features, and it additionally suits hands-off investors, thanks to its CopyPortfolios and automated investing tools. The exchange currently offers more than 25 cryptocurrencies, including bitcoin, dogecoin, ethereum, and cardano.

Plus, the platform recently launched stock and ETF trading. US users can trade full or fractional shares of both types of investments without commissions, but you’ll need at least $10 to begin. This gives eToro USA a leg up on many crypto exchanges, since most only offer cryptocurrencies.

When it comes to its social trading features and automated tools, eToro offers two options: its CopyTrader^™ system and its CopyPortfolios. With the CopyTrader^™ system, you can sift through the portfolios of experts and successful traders and have eToro duplicate the same asset allocation in your portfolio. 

Its CopyPortfolios, on the other hand, are prebuilt and regularly rebalanced by eToro. The platform currently offers four: CryptoEqual, CryptoPortfolio, Crypto-currency, and TheTie-LongOnly SmartPortfolio. Minimums for these portfolios range from $2,000 to $5,000.

eToro USA also eases the transition into crypto trading for beginners by offering both eToro Academy, a collection of guides and videos on all things crypto and investing, and a demo account that lets you trade up to $100,000 without taking on any real risk.

The eToro mobile app is available on iOS and Android devices.

Read Personal Finance Insider’s complete review of eToro here »

Is Coinbase right for you?

Coinbase caters to individual and institutional traders in more than 100 countries, offering access to 100+ cryptocurrencies and account options like staking, crypto-backed loans, crypto payment perks. 

The crypto exchange is particularly suitable for beginners, thanks to both its simple web and mobile platforms and investment products like Coinbase Earn. Coinbase Earn pays users for watching educational videos about different cryptocurrencies. For instance, after you watch a tutorial on one of its listed crypto assets (such as amp), you’ll have to complete a quiz. You’ll receive the crypto in your account upon completing the quiz.

Coinbase also offers digital wallet storage services, NFT trading (the exchange recently released a transaction fee-free beta version of its NFT platform), institutional services, and a Coinbase Card that lets you spend crypto and earn rewards in return. 

Individuals will have the choice between two account types: the standard Coinbase account and Coinbase Pro. While you can take advantage of all of the non-institutional products Coinbase offers with the standard account, the Coinbase Pro subscription additionally includes a trading API that lets you build trading bots, a Websocket feed that gives you access to real-time market data, charting tools, and FDIC insurance of up to $250,000 on your USD balances.

Institutional clients can utilize the Coinbase Prime trading platform, institutional-grade offline storage, ventures fundraising services for crypto startups, commerce services, and more (see more about Coinbase’s institutional offerings here).

The Coinbase mobile app is available on iOS and Android (you can also use the Coinbase Pro iOS and Android mobile apps).

Read Personal Finance Insider’s complete review of Coinbase here »