Schwab Crypto vs Coinbase: Which Is Cheaper to Buy Bitcoin?

For a plain market buy of bitcoin, Schwab Crypto is usually the simpler and often the cheaper choice: it charges a flat, published 0.75% with no spread. Coinbase doesn’t publish one flat rate for simple buys. Its fee varies with how you pay and how much you buy, and a spread is built into the price. On Coinbase’s own advanced platform, a market order costs 0.90% at the US entry tier, more than Schwab, while a resting limit (maker) order costs 0.50%, less than Schwab.

Cost isn’t the only difference. Coinbase has far more coins, works in New York and Louisiana, and lets you move crypto freely. Schwab Crypto keeps bitcoin and ether next to your Schwab investments. Here’s how the two compare, from each company’s own pages as of October 22, 2026.

Schwab Crypto vs Coinbase at a glance

How the fees work on each

Schwab Crypto: one flat fee

Schwab’s pricing guide sets the trading fee at “75 bps, subject to a $0.01 minimum fee per transaction,” on buys and sells alike. Schwab says it “does not add a markup to crypto quotes or trades,” and its product page calls the pricing “0.75% of your trade value with zero spread.” There’s no account fee and no charge to move cash between your crypto and brokerage accounts. See our Schwab Crypto fee guide for worked examples.

Coinbase simple trades: a fee plus a spread

On the regular Coinbase app, Coinbase charges a fee and includes a spread:

• The fee varies. Coinbase says its fees “are calculated at the time you place your order and can be influenced by factors such as your chosen payment method, order size, market conditions, jurisdictional location, asset, and other costs.”
• The spread is in the price. “When you place simple buy and sell orders, Coinbase includes a spread in the quoted price,” and “the spread may vary for similar transactions.” You can see it by tapping the tooltip next to the price in the order preview.
• Simple limit orders cost more. Coinbase charges “a separate limit order execution fee equal to 1%” on simple limit buys and sells, and “may also charge a 1.875% Coinbase fee (varies by payment method).”

Because Coinbase doesn’t publish one rate for simple buys, the only way to compare is to open the Coinbase order preview for the amount and payment method you’d use, and set it against Schwab’s 0.75%.

Coinbase Advanced: maker and taker fees, no spread

Coinbase Advanced trades directly on the order book, so “no spread is included.” On September 16, 2026, Coinbase set its US spot entry-level rates at 0.50% maker and 0.90% taker, with lower rates from $10,000 of qualifying volume. A taker order fills right away against existing orders, like a market buy. A maker order rests on the book until someone fills it.

Coinbase One: no trading fee, but a spread

Coinbase One is a paid monthly membership. It removes trading fees on simple crypto trades up to $500 a month (Basic), $10,000 a month (Preferred), or unlimited (Premium). Coinbase notes that “a spread applies,” and the benefit doesn’t cover Coinbase Advanced or the 1% limit order fee.

What a bitcoin buy costs on each

Coinbase Advanced figures use the US entry-level rates. Higher-volume Advanced traders pay less, and Coinbase One members pay no simple-trade fee within their limit but still pay a spread. Selling later costs the same percentage again on both platforms.

Beyond fees: what else differs

Coins and transfers

Schwab Crypto supports bitcoin and ether. Schwab announced solana, avalanche, and chainlink on August 27, 2026, for “the coming months.” Crypto transfers in and out cover BTC on the Bitcoin network and ETH on the Ethereum network only, and Schwab is turning them on account by account. Withdrawals are capped at $5,000 per transfer and 3 per day. Coinbase supports many more coins, tokens, and networks.

Where you live

Schwab Crypto isn’t available in New York or Louisiana, or in U.S. territories. Coinbase’s license page lists a New York Virtual Currency Business Activity Company License and a Louisiana Virtual Currency Business Activity License. If you live in either state, see Schwab Crypto in New York and Louisiana.

Funding and cash

Schwab Crypto takes cash only from its linked Schwab brokerage account, and uninvested cash in the crypto account earns no interest. Coinbase accepts bank transfers and other payment methods, with fees that depend on the method.

Custody and protection

At Schwab, Charles Schwab Premier Bank is the custodian and Paxos Trust Company provides sub-custody. The crypto isn’t FDIC-insured or SIPC-protected, but Schwab’s Security Guarantee covers losses from unauthorized activity in Schwab Crypto accounts. Coinbase holds crypto in your Coinbase account. Neither protects you from falling prices.

Which should you choose?

• You mainly buy and hold bitcoin or ether, and already bank or invest at Schwab: Schwab Crypto’s flat 0.75% is easy to predict, and your crypto sits next to your other accounts.
• You place limit orders and can wait for fills: Coinbase Advanced’s 0.50% maker rate is cheaper than Schwab.
• You want other coins, staking, or frequent transfers: Coinbase offers much more.
• You live in New York or Louisiana: Schwab Crypto isn’t an option.

Whichever you pick, compare the full cost on the order preview, not just the headline fee.

Related Schwab Crypto guides

• Schwab Crypto fees: what the 0.75% charge really costs
• Schwab Crypto vs E*Trade crypto
• Schwab Crypto vs a bitcoin ETF
• Can you transfer bitcoin into Schwab Crypto?