The Best cryptocurrency platforms (2022): comparison of reliable exchanges
By If you want to invest, buy and trade cryptocurrencies, you will inevitably have to use a specialized platform or what is known as an exchange. These types of sites work exactly like an online stock broker that allows you to buy shares on the stock market. Through them you will be able to buy cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ether, Cardano, BNB, Ripple and others.
To avoid pitfalls and possible disappointments, below we tell you what, in our opinion, are the best cryptocurrency platforms of 2022. To make such comparison and ranking, we have paid special attention to aspects such as security, fees, features, cryptocurrencies offered for purchase, quality of interfaces and applications, but also ease of use.
Ranking of the best cryptocurrency platform in 2022:
- eToro
- ZenGo
- Binance
- Crypto.com
- Kraken
The best sites and exchanges to buy cryptocurrencies.
It’s time to present our selection for the best crypto platform of 2022. To make a comparison as fair as possible, our teams have taken the time to test all the players present on the market. Our goal with this ranking is to save you time and, above all, to prevent you from passing by a cryptocurrency exchange site that is not up to par.
Below you will find the best of the best. Without further ado, let’s find out which is the best 2022 platform for investing in crypto.
1 – eToro, the best platform to invest in crypto.
After much research, testing and comparison, we believe that eToro is the best platform for investing in cryptocurrencies.
It excels in most aspects that are important to consider: security, regulation, asset selection, but also simplicity.
Let’s take a look at some of eToro’s strengths. To find our full analysis of the platform, check out our eToro review.
An intuitive interface and application.
eToro claims to be one of, if not the easiest cryptocurrency trading platform to use. After testing it extensively, we can confirm that this is the case. For beginners and serious traders alike, eToro is truly the best site.
Everything is made to make things easy for you, from the registration process to buying cryptocurrencies. In fact, you can take a look at eToro’s web interface in the screenshot below.
eToro is not limited to a web interface. To reach the top of this ranking of best cryptocurrency platforms, it had to offer an app. And this is indeed the case. The latter is in line with its website: simple to understand and pleasant to use.
You can buy, sell, trade, monitor prices or check the status of your portfolio.
These are not the only features it offers. eToro differentiates itself from the competition with a copy trading function as well as social trading. It is these two features that have made its reputation and justify its worldwide success.
With copy trading, it will be possible to perform the same trades as eToro’s most successful traders. While with the social trading concept, you will have the opportunity to exchange and compare your opinion with other traders.
A wide variety of cryptocurrencies (in addition to other products).
The reason why eToro is the best platform for investing in cryptocurrencies for us is because it offers so many assets. In total, you will find more than 30 different cryptoassets. This number is constantly changing as eToro regularly adds new cryptocurrencies.
For the moment, you will find the most wanted cryptoassets: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano, BNB, Uniswap, Ripple, Litecoin, Dogecoin…
Unlike ZenGo (which we will feature in the rest of our 2022 comparison), eToro does not allow you to actually buy and own a crypto. Everything will be done through CFDs (a contract for difference). The advantage is that, from a security standpoint, you don’t risk having your investment stolen. But that’s not all. You will get the same exposure as if you actually owned a cryptocurrency, but with the added advantage of simplicity.
With CFDs, you will also be able to apply leverage to all your trades. Although this method should be handled with care by beginners, it can multiply your profits very quickly. On the other hand, losses will be multiplied tenfold. In any case, even with leverage, you will never lose more than your original investment.
Although it’s not the point here, it’s worth noting that the eToro platform doesn’t only allow you to invest in cryptocurrencies. You will also be able to trade stocks of international companies, ETFs, FX (Forex), as well as commodities. This makes it easy for you to bundle all your investments. The advantage is that you will not need to create accounts at different brokers to diversify.
A cryptocurrency platform regulated in Europe.
We also consider eToro to be the best crypto platform of 2022 for the simple reason that it is regulated in Europe.
What does this mean for you as an investor or trader? It will bring you much more guarantees from the point of view of reliability, safety and security.
eToro is a Cyprus-based company. It is therefore regulated by the competent authority in that country: the CySEC (Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission). That’s not all, as eToro is also registered with the ACPR (an entity of the Bank of France).
By opting for this cryptocurrency broker, you can benefit from the Deposit Guarantee and Resolution Fund. The latter protects investors in case of bankruptcy of the banking institution with which eToro works. The compensation from this fund can be as much as €100,000. This is not insignificant considering that too many cryptocurrency platforms and exchanges are still not regulated in Europe (Binance, Coinbase or Kraken, to name a few).
So yes, you will probably never need this protection as eToro is perfectly reliable. But in our opinion, it is better not to deprive yourself of such protection, especially if you plan to invest large amounts.
2 – ZenGo, the best application to buy cryptocurrencies.
ZenGo is undoubtedly one of the best cryptocurrency apps available in 2022. However, it is still struggling to make itself known, either in France or worldwide.
It must be said that ZenGo is still a young service compared to players such as eToro or Binance. This does not detract from the work done by its teams.
Through the following presentation, we will tell you why we consider it as one of the best platforms to buy, trade, but also store cryptocurrencies.
An easy to use application
As we have highlighted above, ZenGo distinguishes itself from other cryptocurrency buying platforms thanks to its app. For us, it is one of the best in 2022. Most importantly, it has the advantage of being simple to use, which makes investing in cryptocurrencies easy and accessible.
Even if you have no investment experience, it will be very easy for you to buy Bitcoin, Ether and quite a few other assets.
Unlike eToro, ZenGo can only be used through its app. This is the hallmark of the service. All you have to do is download and install the app, and then create an account. All in all, this process only takes a few seconds. A simple email address and facial recognition settings will suffice. We will come back to this in the next section, but it is through it that you will be able to access your investor wallet.
Buying a cryptocurrency on ZenGo is very easy. You can do it directly with your credit card, by making a transfer or by using Apple Pay. In fact, you can get $10 in Bitcoin on your first purchase from the ZenGo app.
What about commissions? ZenGo isn’t the best at this, but it’s still reasonable, and it’s a bit of a price to pay for a great user experience. You’ll be notified of fees when you confirm each purchase or sale.
The ZenGo app is not limited to buying and selling digital assets, far from it. You will be able to actively trade if you wish or put your investments in a savings account. To do this, ZenGo works in partnership with a reference in the sector: Nexo. The savings products will offer you non-negligible returns, such as 4% on Bitcoin. This is a far cry from the unattractive returns that a bank can offer you.
Tracking investments is also greatly facilitated. With a single click you will have access to a summary of your portfolio’s performance. You no longer need a third-party application to manage tracking.
You can read our ZenGo trial to learn more about their service, features and fees.
Uncompromising security
The ZenGo app is not just an interface for exchanging cryptoassets. It is also a secure wallet.
Unlike all other members of this top 5 best cryptocurrency platforms, you will own the private keys to your cryptocurrencies. Not even ZenGo will have access to them. This means that you are truly the only one in control, which is a good thing from a security standpoint.
As mentioned before, the connection to your wallet will be through facial recognition. This means that only you can access it and you don’t have to bother with a complex password. Here we are not talking about 2FA (double authentication) but 3FA. The security model used by ZenGo is based on: email verification, a backup (hosted in your personal cloud) and facial recognition.
ZenGo has thought of everything in case of loss, theft or change of smartphone/tablet. Even before buying cryptocurrencies, you will have the possibility to set up an online backup of your wallet. This way you can easily restore it on another device.
To prove that their application is flawless and perfectly secure, ZenGo performs regular audits. You can find the details on their official website.
One of the best customer services
If we consider ZenGo as an excellent cryptocurrency platform, it is also because its customer support is beyond reproach.
From the ZenGo app, you can contact an agent quickly and easily. Customer service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week without interruption.
Based on our experiences with ZenGo, the waiting time will be no more than a few minutes before getting a response. The answers will also be straightforward and helpful. You will not have to rephrase your question four times to get a satisfactory answer.
The only slight drawback is that you will have to speak English.
On the official ZenGo website there is also a help center. There you will find answers to the most common questions. It also includes a series of tutorials to help you, for example, to buy or sell a cryptocurrency.
3 – Binance, the exchange with really low commissions.
Binance is undoubtedly the best known and most used cryptocurrency exchange in the world. But is it the best in 2022? For us, the answer is no, and the proof is in its place in our ranking.
Below, we will introduce you to its service, its advantages, but also its disadvantages. Our goal is to give you the most objective view of all cryptocurrency trading platforms.
Low trading commissions
As we highlighted in our Binance review, this cryptocurrency exchange has the lowest trading commissions in 2022. However, this statement only applies to asset trading. In fact, Binance takes, for example, 1.8% on each deposit you will make with your bank card.
Going back to transaction fees, they are 0.1% as a minimum. Depending on your level (VIP 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.), you can benefit from an additional reduction of these already very low fees.
This is also the case if you own one or more of the platform’s native tokens: the BNB (Binance Coin). In the best case, if you are an active trader, you will be able to lower your commissions down to 0.0150%… which means nothing.
Speaking of trading, Binance does what it takes to offer you everything you need. This is what makes the platform a bit complex for beginners, if you ask us. It’s easy to get lost in the middle of all the options for buying and trading cryptocurrencies. The user experience could clearly be better.
That said, at the trading level you will have the possibility to apply leverage or choose the type of buy order to place (market price, limit or limit with stop-loss).
A large number of features (Staking, Launchpad, NFT).
If Binance is one of the best platforms for buying and selling cryptocurrencies, it is also because the features it offers are numerous and innovative.
The use cases of your BNB token are varied and integrate perfectly with all the functionalities offered. Besides the fact that you will be able to get a discount on fees, owning BNB tokens will allow you to participate in what Binance calls Launchpad. Through this, you will be able to participate in the launch of new cryptocurrencies first.
This is an interesting opportunity that will allow you to realize nice capital gains. Thanks to your NBBs, and if you decide to order the Binance Visa card, you will be able to benefit from a more or less important cashback. Thus, it will be possible to pay for your purchases with your cryptocurrencies and get a part of it back.
We also consider Binance to be one of the best cryptocurrency platforms of 2022 because it offers many savings products. There are several types of savings (flexible or locked-in). Depending on your choice, the profitability will be more or less important. For example, Binance allows you to save BTC, ETH and many other assets.
Recently Binance has even opened a marketplace where you can buy and sell NFTs (Non Fungible Token). As we have said, this exchange is a forerunner in this field.
In addition to the features, it is worth noting that Binance is the platform that allows you to buy the largest number of cryptocurrencies. You will find several hundred assets. If you are a big fan of altcoins, you are in luck.
Customer support is not always available or responsive
Binance may be the most widely used cryptocurrency trading platform in the world, but it still has its flaws.
In fact, it is its rapid success that causes one of the main shortcomings we have noticed: the responsiveness of its customer service.
Unlike eToro or ZenGo, Binance’s customer service is relatively difficult to contact. We have often had to wait several days before getting a satisfactory response. So you will have to be patient.
To wait, you can always take a look at the available knowledge base. It is complete and available in French. You will find many solutions for any problem related to your account, but also step-by-step tutorials.
4 – Crypto.com, the cryptocurrency platform on the rise in 2022.
It’s time we told you about Crypto.com. This company has made a name for itself with a mobile app-centric service (in the same way as ZenGo). Crypto.com is also known for its Visa card, which allows you to make purchases with digital assets and enjoy significant cashback.
If you are looking for a simple way to invest, this is an interesting option. It is no coincidence that Crypto.com has attracted more than 10 million users worldwide.
Now, it’s not all good. If Crypto.com does not rank higher in our comparison of the best cryptocurrency exchanges, it is because it also has a number of drawbacks. For example, it is not recommended if you want to actively trade and enjoy advanced features.
Here is a complete overview of this exchange for you. To learn more about it, you can read our review on Crypto.com.
A wide range of cryptocurrencies
Crypto.com has the advantage of offering a large number of different cryptocurrencies. In total, you will have the opportunity to buy more than 150 assets. This includes the essentials (Bitcoin, Ether…) but also a good number of altcoins (AVAX, AAVE, DOGE, EOS, ETC…) more or less popular.
This number is constantly evolving as Crypto.com regularly adds new assets.
You can either invest passively (i.e. simply buy and store crypto) or actively trade. Crypto.com offers derivatives that will give you the opportunity to apply leverage of up to x100. While this may sound interesting, we would like to remind you of the risks involved in using leverage. Gains can be quick… and so can losses. So be careful and place a stop-loss.
In addition to being able to buy a lot of different cryptocurrencies, Crypto.com allows you to save them. There is a savings product that allows you to generate up to 14% returns on certain assets. In total, more than 40 cryptocurrencies are covered by the savings plan.
The return will be determined based on: the cryptocurrency you are going to save, the total value of your investment, the deposit time, as well as the number of CRO tokens (Crypto.com’s own token) you wager. There is a calculator available on their official website:
A Visa card with cashback to pay in crypto.
The other big advantage of the Crypto.com platform is that it will allow you to apply for a Visa bank card. This brings us to talk a bit more about the platform’s own token: the CRO.
As with the savings products, it will determine the Crypto.com Visa card you can get. The higher the value of the CROs you wager, the higher the profits.
This cryptocurrency platform and app offers five different cards that offer between 1% and 8% cashback. The cashback you receive from your purchases will be credited to CRO. It will also be possible to receive cashback on your subscription to Spotify, Netflix, Amazon Prime or on purchases made through Expedia or Airbnb.
Overall, Crypto.com is easy to use. You’ll find it relatively easy to use, even if you’re just starting out. In addition, their application is translated into French. That said, there are still some parts of the site and app that are in English, which is a bit of a shame.
If you wish, you can simply use the app. Crypto.com is indeed a broker that focuses on their app, although it is also possible to trade directly from their site.
Relatively slow support and the requirement to have CROs.
The reason Crypto.com is not higher in our comparison of the best cryptocurrency platforms is because the service still needs to improve.
Although their customer service is reachable in French, in our tests we found that it very often takes a long time to get a response. When you are used to the fast support of the ZenGo app, this is a disappointment.
This is especially true on weekends, when one has to be more than patient.
The other disadvantage of choosing Crypto.com is that you will be forced to invest in the house cryptocurrency, the CRO. Indeed, many things are feasible and interesting… only if you own them. This is true for both savings and payment cards. Now, if you are of the opinion that Crypto.com is, or will become, the best cryptocurrency exchange platform, then that’s not really a problem.
To conclude this presentation, we would still like to warn you that the fees charged when buying crypto by credit card are high. It is preferable to deposit by bank transfer.
5 – Kraken, to access cryptocurrencies before anyone else.
Kraken is one of the oldest and most experienced exchanges among all the cryptocurrency platforms listed in our 2022 ranking.
It must be said that this online broker was founded in 2011 in San Francisco and has not stopped attracting new investors over the years. However, it was not until 2013 when Kraken allowed the purchase of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Litecoin. Before that the platform was still under development.
What is our opinion on Kraken? Here is their solution, the advantages it offers, as well as what could be improved.
A complete cryptocurrency trading platform.
Kraken is one of the best platforms for buying and trading cryptocurrencies.
Absolutely all trading options are available on their website, but also on their mobile app (iOS and Android). It will be very easy to place buy orders at market price or limit orders.
Like ZenGo or Binance, it is important to know that Kraken allows you to buy and store cryptocurrencies. You will be able to withdraw it all to put it safely in a wallet that you own or to interact with the different ecosystems of the moment (Ethereum, Solana, Polkadot, etc).
Of course, Kraken will allow you to apply leverage to every trade you make. This is done through the “Futures” section of the platform. While this is an interesting and attractive feature, we would like to remind you that leverage is a double-edged sword. Your profits will increase tenfold… as will your losses if your trade goes wrong.
A safe trade
As we noted in the introduction, Kraken is a cryptocurrency platform with considerable experience in the industry. In addition to diversified trading tools, it is worth noting the enhanced security that has been put in place.
The first thing to note here is that you will be able to set up two-factor authentication (2FA) to protect your account. This can be done through Google Authenticator or a Yubikey. Each withdrawal from your Kraken account will also require an email confirmation.
Kraken doesn’t stop there, however. Cryptocurrency deposits made at Kraken are stored in offline warehouses, isolated and spread across multiple locations. All transactions made and information shared are encrypted using SSL encryption.
In addition to this, Kraken conducts regular penetration tests. The exchange has a dedicated team that constantly looks for possible vulnerabilities in the platform or in its application. The goal is to ensure the protection of investors.
A site and an application to be improved
Although Kraken appears in our comparison as the best platform to buy crypto, not everything about it is perfect.
As we point out in our full feature on Kraken, the site sometimes tends not to respond properly when prices heat up. This is unfortunate, but fortunately it happens very rarely.
Kraken’s application could also be improved. This applies to both the iOS and Android versions. We regret that it is not fully translated into French.
That said, we must admit that the simplicity of use is for us in the quote. The interfaces are pleasant to use and it is easy to orient yourself, even if you are new to investing in cryptoassets.
Kraken’s inclusion on this list as the best cryptocurrency trading platform is also due in part to its support. It is reachable 24/7 and is going to give you the opportunity to get answers relatively quickly. You can contact a Kraken customer service agent both via live chat (it is possible to speak in French thanks to an automatic translation) and by email.
There are many resources available on the Kraken website, under the “Support” section. You will find many questions/answers as well as tutorials. All of these have the added advantage of being translated into French.
what is the best cryptocurrency platform to choose in 2022?
As you may have gathered from reading our cryptocurrency platform comparison, there is no single “best place to buy cryptocurrencies” in 2022. Each one responds to different needs and expectations.
So it is up to you to determine what your needs are. That said, there are clearly some platforms and exchanges that stand out. eToro comes to mind, followed by ZenGo. These cater to all investor profiles, whether beginners or more experienced.
You will have access to user-friendly and comprehensive interfaces, a wide range of cryptocurrencies, as well as enhanced security.
Please note that we regularly update our comparison of the best platforms to buy crypto. However, take the time to check each broker’s website to verify the information we have been able to deliver.
And in your opinion, what is the best cryptocurrency platform/exchange in 2022? Feel free to share your experiences.
Frequently asked questions: cryptocurrency platforms and exchanges.
To conclude this comparison of cryptocurrency platforms in 2022, we will take the time to answer the most frequently asked questions.
How to buy cryptocurrencies?
To buy cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ether, BNB, Cardano, Ripple, Dogecoin, etc.), you will first need to create an account on one of the best cryptocurrency exchange sites listed in our top 5. By doing this, you will avoid many pitfalls and will be able to take advantage of reliable, secure or even regulated platforms for some.
Once you have been able to open an account on the cryptocurrency exchange of your choice, you will need to deposit funds into your investor account. Of course, you will be able to deposit the currency of your choice (euro, US dollar, etc.). Depending on the cryptocurrency platform you choose, it will be possible to deposit funds via credit card, bank transfer, PayPal, Apple Pay, and more. You can also use virtual currencies to buy or trade other cryptocurrencies.
Once your funds are available, all you have to do is choose the trading pair you want (e.g. BTC/EUR to convert your euros into Bitcoin) and then buy the crypto of your choice. Note that regardless of the trading platform you choose, the platform will charge you commissions.
How do I open an account on a cryptocurrency platform?
Creating an account on a cryptocurrency platform or exchange is relatively simple. Regardless of the site you choose to invest in, you will have to provide almost the same information. Typically, you will need to provide an email address and set up a password.
Next comes the verification of your identity and account (also known as KYC or Know Your Customer). The reason for this is that the cryptocurrency exchange platforms that appear in our ranking have to comply with the requirements of the regulators (the governments of the various countries – including France). This is quite common, as it also has to be done when opening a bank account or setting up an account to invest in the stock market.
During this verification process, the cryptocurrency platform will ask for your first name, last name, address, etc. You will also need to provide a copy of your ID and proof of address. If we may give you a piece of advice: don’t neglect verification. Without it, you will not be able to take full advantage of the best cryptocurrency exchange sites (from the point of view of trading, deposits, withdrawals…).
What is a cryptocurrency exchange/platform?
A cryptocurrency platform (we can also call it an “exchange”) is an online broker that allows you to buy, trade and, of course, sell cryptocurrencies. It is exactly the same as a stock broker, with the only difference being that it will allow you to invest in cryptoassets. You will simply have to deposit funds in the currency of your choice (euros, dollars, Swiss francs…) and use them to buy crypto. Through these sites, it will often be possible to store your assets in order to generate interest.
How much money does it take to invest in cryptocurrencies?
Cryptocurrency platforms and exchanges all have different requirements. To give you an idea, the two best services we included in our comparison require an initial deposit of around €43 in the case of eToro (the equivalent of $50 – this may vary slightly depending on the conversion rate) and €80 in the case of ZenGo. The advantage of these services is that you will be able to buy shares in a cryptocurrency. For example, since the price of Bitcoin is so high, you will have no problem buying a share of a Bitcoin. There is no obligation to buy a full Bitcoin. If you have limitations in this regard, be sure to choose the cryptocurrency platform that seems best for you from a minimum deposit point of view.
What is crypto trading?
Crypto trading simply refers to trading cryptocurrencies. The term “trading” means that you are actively buying and selling digital assets. The goal is to make a profit in a relatively short time frame (minutes, hours or even days). When trading cryptocurrencies, platforms like eToro will give you the opportunity to take advantage of advanced features. For example, you will have the ability to place a limit order, apply leverage (to increase the return on your investment) and much more.
How did we choose the best cryptocurrency trading platform?
To make this comparison, we have taken into account many different aspects. First of all, we would like to mention again that we took the time to open an account and test more than a dozen sites specialized in buying cryptocurrencies. We then evaluated and rated each of them according to aspects such as: security and reliability, ease of use and quality of interfaces, tools/functions made available, fees applied, but also the number of cryptocurrencies offered for purchase. Our ranking therefore highlights the cryptocurrency platforms that offer the most guarantees and satisfaction on all these points.
