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The 11 Best Places to Buy Bitcoin in 2024

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By Alice Leetham - Updated 22 November 2023
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Bitcoin pioneered the concept of cryptocurrency and is still by far the most popular coin. This means there is an ever-growing number of places where you can buy BTC. The choice may seem overwhelming, but this guide is designed to help you arrive at a decision.

We’ve researched and picked out the best places to buy Bitcoin. On this page, you will find detailed reviews of all the top platforms, information on different types of platforms, and how safe they are. By the end, you should be confident in choosing the platform that is right for you.

Best Places to Buy Bitcoin - Our Top 3 Picks

Want to find a great place to buy Bitcoin right away? The table below shows our top 3 best places to buy Bitcoin.

1
Min Deposit
$ 100
User Score
5
CFDs on BTC, ETH, LTC, NEO, XRP, IOTA, EOS, BAB, ADA, TRX, XMR
No need to open a crypto exchange account or use a special wallet
Regulated Broker - FCA, ASIC, CySEC (license number 250/14)
Visit Site
Description:
Plus500 is a leading provider of Contracts for Difference (CFDs), delivering Leveraged trading on +2,000 financial instruments, including Forex, Commodities, Indices, Shares, Options and Cryptocurrencies. CySEC license number (#250/14)
Payment Methods:
Bank Transfer, Debit Card, PayPal, Credit Card, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Trustly, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Discover, Bank Transfer: SEPA, Bank Transfer: FPS, skrill
Full Regulations:
ASIC, FCA, FSA, MAS, CySEC #250/14
82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
2
Min Deposit
$ 10
User Score
4.95
Up to $240 bonus!
Build a diversified portfolio with crypto, stocks, and ETFs — all in one place.
Trade on the world's leading social trading and investing platform
Open Account
Description:
eToro offers a wide range of cryptos, such as Bitcoin, XRP and others, alongside crypto/fiat and crypto/crypto pairs. eToro users can connect with, learn from, and copy or get copied by other users.
Payment Methods:
Bank Transfer, Debit Card, PayPal, Credit Card, Wire Transfer
Full Regulations:
CySEC, FCA
3
Min Deposit
$ 0
Promotion
User Score
4.8
Get insights from millions of investors, creators, and analysts
Build your portfolio of stocks, ETFs, and crypto–all in one place
No minimum deposit
Visit Site
Description:
Public is an investing platform that allows you to invest stocks, ETFs, crypto, and alternative assets like fine art and collectibles—all in one place.
Payment Methods:
Debit Card, Wire Transfer, Check, Bank Wire
Full Regulations:
Cryptocurrency execution and custody services are provided by Apex Crypto LLC (NMLS ID 1828849) through a software licensing agreement between Apex Crypto LLC and Public Crypto LLC. Crypto trading on Public platforms is served by Public Crypto LLC and offered through APEX Crypto. Please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved before trading.

The Best Places to Buy Bitcoin in 2024

  1. eToro – Overall Best Place to Buy Bitcoin

  2. Binance – Best Place to Buy Bitcoin With Low Fees

  3. Coinbase – Best Place to Buy BTC for Beginners

  4. Bitpanda – Best Place for Buying Bitcoin Securely

  5. Capital.com – Best Place for Trading Bitcoin CFDs

  6. Skilling – Best Place for Trading Bitcoin With Leverage

  7. Bitstamp – Best Place to Buy Bitcoin for Customer Support

  8. OKX – Best Place to Buy BTC for Advanced Traders

  9. KuCoin – Best Place to Buy Bitcoin With Altcoins

  10. Coinmama – Best Place to Buy BTC With High Spending Limits

  11. CEX.IO – Best Place to Purchase Bitcoin With Reliable Order Execution

Top 11 Best Places to Buy Bitcoin Quickly Compared

Regulation

Min. deposit

Trading fees

No. of coins

eToro

FCA, CySEC

$10

1% + spread

70+

Binance

AMF

$50

0.1% or less

600+

Coinbase

FCA, most US states

$50

Up to 0.6% + spread

150+

Bitpanda

AMF, BDE

$25

1.49% premium

200+

Capital.com

FCA, CySEC, ASIC

$20

Floating spreads

491+ pairs

Skilling

CySEC, FSA

$100

Various spreads

55+

Bitstamp

CSSF

$10

0.5% or less

75+

OKX

VARA

$10

0.1% or less

343+

KuCoin

None

$5

0.3% or less

700+

Coinmama

FinCEN

$30

Up to 5%

15+

CEX.IO

GFSC, 33+ US states

$20

Up to 0.25%

120+

The Top 11 Places to Buy Bitcoin Reviewed

We’ve researched a great number of places where you can buy Bitcoin. Below is in-depth information on our top picks.

1. eToro – Overall Best Place to Buy Bitcoin

eToro made it to the top of our list of places to buy Bitcoin because of its solid reputation. It is trusted by more than 25 million users worldwide due to its top-tier security practices, such as offline storage and free insurance.

The available features also set eToro apart from the competition. Users can access collective wisdom and share ideas through the platform’s social investing features. You can also copy the pros with the unique CopyTrader feature—just choose a BTC trader to copy based on their risk profile and profit margin.

You can create a smart portfolio around Bitcoin with eToro’s thematic investment strategies. It’s also a great place to build a diverse portfolio as there are more than 70 other cryptocurrencies available, as well as stocks, ETFs, and indices.

Use the Discover tab to find out which assets are trending or surging, and set up price alerts by adding them to your watchlist. Meanwhile, the Research, Stats, and News tabs will help you learn more about your investments and do fundamental and technical analysis.

The many features and detailed price charts mean experienced traders are well catered for. However, the clear layout and simple buying process mean eToro is also a great place for those who are just starting their Bitcoin journey.

Unlike most platforms, eToro doesn’t charge any fees for deposits. You have a range of payment options, including PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller, in addition to the more common methods. The minimum deposit and minimum trade size are both $10. You will pay a transparent fee of 1% plus spread on each BTC purchase and sale, and there is a $5 charge for withdrawals. Read our full eToro review here.

Pros

  • Quick and easy to buy BTC

  • Regulated and secure

  • Trade multiple asset types

  • Social investing features

  • Virtual account

  • Variety of payment methods

  • Free deposits

  • Mobile app

Cons

  • Not as many cryptocurrencies as some competitors

  • Not available in a number of jurisdictions

Why we chose this platform

We selected eToro as the best place to buy Bitcoin as it ticks all the important boxes. The fees are transparent, deposits are free, security is strong, and there are social investing features you can’t get anywhere else.

The combination of an intuitive interface and innovative features makes eToro a great overall platform for Bitcoin traders and investors of all abilities.

2. Binance – Best Place to Buy Bitcoin With Low Fees

The reason that Binance is among the best places to buy Bitcoin is that it beats the competition when it comes to low fees. All crypto deposits are free of charge, as well as some methods of fiat deposit and withdrawal. What’s more, you can enjoy trading fees of just 0.1% or less, depending on your loyalty tier.

Beginners looking for a simple way to buy Bitcoin will be pleased to know that the Buy Crypto feature lets you purchase BTC with a bank transfer, card, or cash balance in just a couple of clicks. You can also use the Convert feature for simple crypto-to-crypto swaps, and find detailed educational materials in the Binance Academy.

Most of Binance’s features are designed to satisfy advanced traders, though. The customizable charts and indicators are great for those wanting to conduct technical analysis on any of Binance’s 600+ cryptocurrencies. You can also trade Bitcoin with leverage and take advantage of BTC derivatives like futures.

One of Binance’s standout features is the Earn section. Here you can put your BTC into a flexible savings account to earn an estimated 5% APR interest. There are also higher-yield investment products such as Liquid Swap, DeFi Staking, and Dual Investment. If you’re interested in other tokens, you can take advantage of staking and the Launchpool as well.

The fees and methods available for deposits and withdrawals depend on your currency. A minimum deposit of $50 is required in the US, and the minimum amount of BTC you can buy is $10. If you want to withdraw your Bitcoin to a private wallet, this will incur a fee of 0.0002 BTC using the Bitcoin blockchain. Read our full Binance review here.

Pros

  • Low trading fees

  • Simple purchasing process for beginners

  • Technical analysis tools

  • Trade BTC derivatives and use leverage

  • 600+ other coins available

  • Earn interest on your Bitcoin

  • Educational resources

  • Mobile app

Cons

  • High minimum USD deposit

  • Limited payment options in some regions

  • History of regulatory problems

Why we chose this platform

Binance’s low fees are the reason this platform made our list. The trading fees charged are the lowest on the market, and you can even get discounts on them if you hold Binance’s BNB cryptocurrency.

3. Coinbase – Best Place to Buy Bitcoin for Beginners

If you’re buying Bitcoin for the first time, Coinbase is a great place to start your crypto journey. This is because the platform is designed for beginners. The buttons are clearly laid out, and the interface is easy to navigate. What’s more, you don’t need to risk a lot of capital to buy Bitcoin, as the minimum order size is just $2.

If you want to build your understanding of Bitcoin and other crypto and trading topics, you can find plenty of educational articles on the platform. Coinbase also runs learn-and-earn campaigns, which allow you to earn free crypto while you complete lessons.

You can add Bitcoin or any of the other 150+ cryptocurrencies to your watchlist to keep up with their latest price action. It’s also easy to view the past performance of your portfolio as it is clearly displayed in your dashboard.

If you want to invest in Bitcoin via a dollar-cost averaging strategy, this is easy to do with Coinbase’s recurring buys feature for setting up automatic purchases. There are also more advanced trading features, including charts, indicators, and a variety of order types, available on the Coinbase Pro platform.

Coinbase is a secure and regulated platform with crypto insurance and cold storage for its assets. The minimum deposit recommended is $50, and the trading fees are fairly competitive at 0.6% plus a spread. Read our full Coinbase review here.

Pros

  • Accessible for beginners

  • Easy to navigate

  • Trade minimum of $2

  • 150+ coins

  • Educational articles

  • Learn and earn campaigns

  • Recurring buys

  • Secure and regulated

  • Mobile app

Cons

  • High fees for some payment methods

Why we chose this platform

The reason we chose this platform is its accessibility for beginners. Coinbase is intuitive to use, and the buying process is fast and simple—it only takes a couple of clicks. Coinbase is a great place to get started with Bitcoin, as you can buy just $2 worth of crypto.

4. Bitpanda – Best Place for Buying Bitcoin Securely

If you’re looking for a safe place to buy Bitcoin, Bitpanda is a regulated platform that has all the necessary licenses and complies with anti-money laundering rules. It also uses offline storage and has an excellent rating on Trustpilot.

As well as Bitcoin, you’ll find more than 200 other cryptocurrencies on Bitpanda, along with crypto indices, stocks, ETFs, and metals. Bitpanda’s standout innovation is that you can make direct swaps between Bitcoin and traditional financial instruments.

If you want to buy BTC automatically on a regular basis, you can set up recurring purchases with Bitpanda’s savings plan. You can even spend your Bitcoin anywhere where cards are accepted with the Bitpanda Card.

Users have rated Bitpanda’s customer service highly, and you can check out the Helpdesk if you want advice on how to use the platform. If you’re looking for educational resources on Bitcoin and other crypto topics, you’ll find these in the Bitpanda Academy.

It should take you a few minutes to complete the registration and verification process. Then you will need to deposit a minimum of $25 via one of the many available payment methods. The quoted price of Bitcoin includes a 1.49% premium, and the minimum amount you can purchase is just $1.50 or €1. You can read our Bitpanda review here.

Pros

  • Holds all the necessary licenses

  • Offline storage

  • Excellent rating on Trustpilot

  • 200+ other cryptocurrencies

  • Easy to use

  • Swap BTC with traditional assets

  • Low trade minimum

  • Choice of deposit methods

  • Educational materials

  • Mobile app

Cons

  • Crypto deposits carry fees

  • Mostly only available in Europe

  • Only email support provided

Why we chose this platform

Bitpanda earned a place on our list as it is a regulated and secure platform that is trusted by its users. It is also a great place for all-around investors as it provides a way to make direct swaps between Bitcoin and other types of assets, like Gold.

5. Capital.com – Best Place for Trading Bitcoin CFDs

If you want to profit from Bitcoin price movements without actually owning any BTC or needing to worry about custody, then contracts for difference (CFDs) could be just what you need, and Capital.com is a great place for Bitcoin CFDs.

Although CFDs are high-risk instruments, Capital.com helps you mitigate the risk with risk management tools, such as negative balance protection. Beginners can access online courses, trading guides, and financial education through the Investmate app. You can also try out strategies in a risk-free environment with the virtual account.

There are plenty of other CFDs to trade besides Bitcoin. The more than 6,000 assets available on Capital.com include hundreds of crypto pairs and traditional financial instruments, such as stocks, indices, commodities, and forex.

Experienced traders are catered for as Capital.com provides the opportunity to trade CFDs with up to 30x leverage. In addition to this, there are plenty of advanced trading tools and features, such as price alerts, client sentiment, AI-powered post-trade analysis, and over 70 technical indicators.

You can choose one of a variety of payment options to make a minimum deposit of $20. There is no commission on Capital.com, nor fees for deposits and withdrawals. The overnight fees vary, and Bitcoin CFDs have a spread of about 66.

Pros

  • Easily trade Bitcoin CFDs

  • 6,000+ assets including hundreds of crypto pairs

  • Tools for risk management

  • Virtual account

  • Financial education app

  • Fast order execution

  • Regulated and secure

  • No fees for deposits/withdrawals/commissions

  • Mobile app

Cons

  • Only offers CFDs, which are high-risk

  • Crypto CFDs aren’t available in the UK

  • Wider spreads than some competitors

Why we chose this platform

We selected Capital.com as it is one of the best places for trading Bitcoin CFDs. Its risk management tools, educational resources, and advanced trading features mean it is suitable for both beginners and pros.

6. Skilling – Best Place for Trading Bitcoin With Leverage

If you’re looking for a way to potentially magnify your Bitcoin trading profits, Skilling could be the place for you. It offers some of the highest leverage available for crypto trading, with leverage of up to 50:1.

Skilling provides a choice of trading platforms to suit different users. Experienced traders will likely prefer the cTrader platform, as it provides advanced order functionality, risk management, more indicators, and algorithmic trading. Skilling Trader, on the other hand, is user-friendly and intuitive for traders of all levels.

As well as Bitcoin, Skilling offers CFD trading for more than 50 other cryptocurrencies and hundreds of traditional financial instruments, including shares, commodities, forex, and indices.

Skilling is a regulated platform and can be accessed from most countries outside the US. It uses leading security practices, and the customer service team can be reached via telephone, email, or live chat.

The minimum deposit is $100, and there is no deposit fee for payment methods other than Skrill and Neteller. Skilling offers tight spreads of just 0.2% on Bitcoin, and there is no commission on trades. Read our full Skilling review here.

Pros

  • Trade BTC with high-leverage

  • Choice of trading platforms

  • Advanced trading tools

  • Multiple asset types

  • Good customer support

  • Regulated

  • Virtual trading

  • Variety of payment methods

  • Mobile app

Cons

  • High minimum deposit

  • Unavailable in the US

Why we chose this platform

Skilling made our top 11 platforms thanks to its impressive leverage offering. With market-beating leverage of up to 50:1 on Bitcoin CFDs, Skilling is the best place to go if you want the opportunity to significantly multiply your profits.

Buy Bitcoin with Skilling 82% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

7. Bitstamp – Best Place to Buy Bitcoin for Customer Support

Bitstamp is a great place to buy Bitcoin if you’re after strong customer service. You can reach the support team at any time of the day by phone or email. You can also take a look at the platform’s free Crypto Pulse report to learn about market insights and global trends.

Bitstamp is designed to meet all the needs of advanced traders, providing access to real-time data streaming, analytical tools, algorithmic strategies, and advanced order types. You can also access a range of powerful APIs on the platform.

When you buy any of the 75+ cryptocurrencies Bitstamp has to offer, you can be sure of fast and reliable order execution. This is because Bitstamp boasts industry-leading uptime and high liquidity.

The platform also has insurance and bank-grade security. It highly encrypts personal data, provides address whitelisting and transaction confirmations, and stores 95% of its assets safely offline.

The minimum deposit is $10, and most payment methods are free. You can also make instant card purchases in most countries, which carry a 5% fee. The minimum amount of BTC you can buy is $10, and the trading fees are fairly competitive at 0.5% or less. You can read our full Bitstamp review here.

Pros

  • Phone and email support around the clock

  • Intuitive interface

  • Advanced trading tools

  • Fast and reliable order execution

  • Bank-grade security

  • Most payment methods are free

  • Mobile app

Cons

  • 5% fee for instant card purchases

  • Not as many coins as some competitors

Why we chose this platform

We gave Bitstamp a spot on our list as it is a supportive place to buy Bitcoin—you can talk to someone by phone or email at any time of day or night if you need help. It is also trusted by its users thanks to its bank-grade security.

8. OKX – Best Place to Buy Bitcoin for Advanced Traders

OKX provides a wide range of advanced features to satisfy Bitcoin traders with more experience. You’ll find customizable charts, technical indicators, and a range of order types on the trading platform. Traders can also access BTC derivatives, such as futures, options, and perpetual swaps, and trade with leverage.

You can use block trading to access multi-leg strategies, world-class APIs, and RFQ for large-sized spots. If you want to use advanced strategies, you can also take advantage of the trading bot to set up recurring buys, arbitrage orders, and smart portfolios.

Beginners can still make Bitcoin purchases easily with OKX’s Buy with Card feature. Alternatively, you can use the Convert feature to swap between different coins without fees. There are also plenty of educational materials in OKX’s Learn section to help you develop your understanding.

In addition to Bitcoin, OKX offers trading of more than 340 cryptocurrencies. Once you’ve bought some coins, you can even earn interest on them through products such as savings accounts, dual investments, fixed income, flash deals, staking, and DeFi.

The platform keeps your BTC and other assets safe with leading security measures, such as crypto cold storage with emergency backups and a semi-offline multi-signature mechanism for online storage.

There is a range of payment options for making a deposit on OKX, which must be a minimum of $10. You can make a minimum Bitcoin deposit of 0.00005 BTC, and the minimum trade size is 0.00001 BTC. There is a 1.99% fee for instant card purchases, and the trading fees are very competitive at 0.1% or less.

Pros

  • Advanced trading tools and charts

  • Bitcoin margin and derivatives trading

  • Trading bot

  • 340+ other cryptocurrencies

  • Secure asset storage

  • Variety of trading methods

  • Very low trading fees

  • Mobile app

Cons

  • Not available in the US

  • Fees for card purchases

Why we chose this platform

OKX’s variety of advanced tools and features is the reason we selected it. From indicators and advanced order types to world-class APIs and Bitcoin derivatives, the platform provides everything that the experienced Bitcoin trader needs.

9. KuCoin – Best Place to Buy Bitcoin With Altcoins

If there are other cryptocurrencies you want to buy besides Bitcoin, then KuCoin is a great place to find them. There are more than 700 altcoins available on the platform, which includes many new and obscure coins that aren’t available on other platforms.

You can use the Fast Trade feature to make quick and easy crypto purchases with a card or your fiat balance. There is also a Convert feature for making fast feeless swaps between different cryptocurrencies with a single click.

If you’d prefer to do some more advanced trading, you can find tools, indicators, and charts on the spot trading platform. There is also margin trading to potentially magnify profits, and a trading bot if you want to earn a passive income with an automated strategy.

Once you’ve bought your BTC and altcoins, you can grow your holdings with a range of interest-bearing products, like savings accounts, crypto lending, staking, and higher-yield promotions. There is also a token launch platform if you want to be an early investor in a new crypto project.

You’ll find detailed market research and analysis in KuCoin Labs, and there are educational materials for a range of levels and topics on the blog. If you have any questions, you can contact customer support at any time.

The platform supports dozens of payment methods, and the minimum deposit is $5. You’ll be charged a 3.8% fee for card payments, and the BTC trading fees are low at 0.1% or less. Read our full KuCoin review here.

Pros

  • 700+ altcoins supported

  • Simple purchases and swaps

  • Bitcoin margin and derivatives trading

  • Trading bot and advanced tools

  • Earn interest on your coins

  • Wide choice of payment methods

  • Low trading fees

  • Mobile app

Cons

  • Not licensed in the US

  • Can be complicated for beginners

Why we chose this platform

We chose KuCoin for our list as it supports more cryptocurrencies than any other platform. The 700+ coins available include many that you can’t get anywhere else, and the range of features enables both beginners and advanced users to trade them.

10. Coinmama – Best Place to Buy Bitcoin With High Spending Limits

If you’re looking to purchase a significant amount of Bitcoin, Coinmama is a great place to do so as it has higher spending limits than most of its competitors. You can buy as much as $30,000 worth of BTC in a single transaction with your bank account.

The platform supports a wide range of payment options, including SWIFT, SEPA, credit/debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Skrill. You also remain in full control of your funds throughout the process as Coinmama is non-custodial and doesn’t store payment information.

There are more than a dozen cryptocurrencies available besides Bitcoin, and the process is very quick and easy for beginners. However, the lack of charts and technical analysis tools may not satisfy more experienced traders.

The platform is available in 188 different countries, and you can reach out to the helpful customer support team if you have any questions. There is also an academy that contains educational articles on a range of crypto topics.

There is a fast-track verification process when you sign up, and you can expect to receive your BTC within 10 minutes of payment. Payments via Apple Pay, Google Pay, and bank card carry a 5% fee, while there is a 2.5% fee for Skrill, and other payment methods are free. You will need to order a minimum of $30 of BTC, unless you use SWIFT or Fedwire, which have minimum order sizes of $250 and $500, respectively. Read our full Coinmama review here.

Pros

  • High spending limits

  • Stay in control of your funds

  • Simple to use

  • 188 countries supported

  • Fast-track verification process

  • Range of payment methods

Cons

  • Very limited cryptocurrency selection

  • High fees for some payment methods

  • No advanced trading features

  • No mobile app

Why we chose this platform

Coinmama earned a spot on our list due to its high spending limits, enabling you to buy as much as $30,000 of Bitcoin at a time. The platform also supports a wider range of payment methods than many competitors.

11. CEX.IO – Best Place to Buy Bitcoin With Reliable Order Execution

CEX.IO provides favorable conditions for market making and has a high liquidity order book, enabling users to buy Bitcoin quickly. The platform uses advanced order-matching algorithms to execute trades reliably, meaning it’s possible to use high-frequency trading and scalping strategies.

There is an Instant Buy feature that makes it quick and easy for beginners to purchase Bitcoin. If you want to develop your understanding, there are lessons on crypto and trading at the university. You can also rely on 24/7 dedicated support via email, phone, or live chat.

Those who want to do more advanced trading can take advantage of the platform’s automated trading through a range of API solutions. CEX.IO can also be trusted to keep assets and information safe, thanks to its security features such as offline storage, data encryption, and protection from DDoS attacks.

CEX.IO accepts Trustly, PayPal, Skrill, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and Epay, as well as cards and bank transfers. The minimum deposit is $20 for most payment methods, and there is no fee for bank transfers or Epay, while most other methods incur a fee of up to 2.99%. You can buy a minimum of 0.002 BTC, and the trading fees are competitive at up to 0.25%. Read our full CEX.IO review here.

Pros

  • High liquidity

  • Fast and reliable order execution

  • A simple instant purchase feature

  • API solutions

  • Strong security

  • 24/7 dedicated support

  • Educational materials

  • Mobile app

Cons

  • The trading interface is quite technical for beginners

  • ID verification process can be a little complicated

Why we chose this platform

We picked CEX.IO as it is one of the most reliable platforms for buying and selling Bitcoin quickly due to its high liquidity, favorable market-making conditions, and advanced order-matching algorithms. It also has all the tools you need to implement advanced Bitcoin trading strategies.

What Is a Bitcoin Exchange & How Does It Work?

A Bitcoin exchange is a place where you can buy Bitcoin. Most crypto exchanges will offer a range of other cryptocurrencies alongside Bitcoin. As well as buying and selling Bitcoin, some exchanges may enable you to trade between different cryptocurrencies.

As exchanges have lots of users buying and selling BTC in the same place, it is very quick to make a trade. A number of exchanges provide a simple buying experience for beginners, as well as more advanced tools for experienced traders.

Many of the most popular exchanges have a mobile app, enabling you to buy and sell Bitcoin from your smartphone wherever you are. All of the platforms in this guide (except Coinmama) provide a mobile Bitcoin app.

What Is a Bitcoin Broker?

A Bitcoin broker is also a place where you can trade Bitcoin. Many people use the terms “exchange” and “broker” interchangeably, and the line between them isn’t always clear as a number of platforms offer both exchange and broker features. However, there is technically a difference between the two types of platforms, as will be discussed in the next section.

Bitcoin Brokers vs Exchanges

Bitcoin Brokers

A Bitcoin broker acts as an intermediary between a user and the market, so broker users don’t trade directly with each other. The crypto broker sets the prices and generates revenue from the difference between buy and sell prices, which is called the spread. Brokers may also charge commissions on trades, along with fees for other services.

Broker platforms provide more flexible settlement, so you don’t necessarily need the funds in your account when you initiate a trade. Many Bitcoin brokers offer the trading of Bitcoin derivatives, like CFDs, rather than actual Bitcoin. This means users can speculate on the price of Bitcoin without actually owning it.

Bitcoin Exchanges

Users trade with each other on a Bitcoin exchange. The exchange facilitates this by collating orders in an order book and matching buy orders with sell orders. Users pay a trading fee for this service, and the price of Bitcoin on an exchange is decided by the balance between buying and selling action.

When an exchange has lots of active users, and therefore high liquidity, Bitcoin purchases and sales are settled instantly. Some exchanges only offer Bitcoin trading with fiat currencies, while some only offer trading between Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, and some offer both.

Key Things to Look for in the Place You Buy Bitcoin

Platform Fees

Every platform charges some kind of fee as this is how they make their revenue. It’s worth checking the fees page on a platform to find out exactly how much they charge and what for, so you won’t be hit with unexpected costs.

Most of the platforms reviewed here charge a trading fee or commission, which is a flat or percentage fee that is charged on each Bitcoin purchase or Bitcoin sale you make. Some platforms charge a spread instead or as well, which is the difference between the buy and sell prices.

You will probably have to pay when you make a deposit or withdrawal or both. How much you will be charged will depend on your location and which payment method you choose. Other fees that your platform may charge you include account management, inactivity, and overnight fees.

Amount of Other Cryptocurrencies Offered

All these places to buy Bitcoin offer other cryptocurrencies as well. If you want to buy more than one type of coin, then this is something you might want to factor into your decision-making process.

KuCoin offers the most cryptocurrencies, with more than 700 available. Coinmama, on the other hand, only offers 15 coins. If it’s just the most popular coins that you want to buy, you can likely find them on any platform, so other factors will decide which platform you choose. If you want to buy some obscure cryptocurrencies, you will need a platform with a large selection.

Some platforms will only offer fiat-to-crypto trading pairs, while others will offer crypto-to-crypto trading pairs. If you want to trade Bitcoin against another cryptocurrency, it’s worth checking which trading pairs your platform offers.

Other Investment Assets Available

Most of the platforms on our list are crypto platforms that only offer cryptocurrencies. However, a few of them are multi-asset platforms that also offer more traditional financial instruments, like stocks, ETFs, and commodities.

If you want to build a diversified portfolio, including a range of asset types in addition to Bitcoin, then a multi-asset platform is convenient as you can do all your investing and trading in the same place.

eToro, Bitpanda, Capital.com, and Skilling are all multi-asset platforms. Bitpanda even enables users to make direct swaps between Bitcoin and other types of assets.

Educational and Informational Resources

Many platforms now provide their users with information about cryptocurrencies. Some have pages explaining the function and background of each coin they list, along with current and historical price information. This can be great for researching a coin you are thinking of investing in.

Some platforms, like Binance, have an “academy” full of educational articles on a range of crypto and trading topics. This is particularly useful for beginners who want help understanding the fundamentals of cryptocurrency.

Bonuses

One of the ways platforms attract users is by offering bonuses, and the chance to earn free crypto could influence which platform you use. Some platforms may offer a sign-up bonus to new users, either permanently or as a temporary promotion. You could even sign up to more than one platform to claim multiple sign-up bonuses.

Another type of reward that platforms such as Coinbase offer are free crypto for “learn and earn” campaigns. These involve watching videos or reading articles about a certain coin or topic. All you have to do is answer some questions correctly to earn free crypto.

There are a variety of other promotions that platforms may run, such as giving trading bonuses to users who trade a certain volume or complete a specific activity. You can also earn free crypto on platforms like Binance by depositing your crypto into a crypto savings account.

Ease of Use and Accessibility

User experience is an important aspect of any platform. If you are going to be spending a lot of time using a platform and investing your own money through it, you’ll want to find a platform that you feel completely comfortable navigating.

Some platforms, such as Coinbase, are designed to be very intuitive to use to make them accessible for beginners. More experienced users may prefer a platform that is a bit more complicated to use but provides advanced trading tools.

The best places to buy Bitcoin provide a mobile app as well as a web platform, making them accessible from anywhere.

Liquidity and Speed

Liquidity is the availability of assets and the volume of activity in a market. When a market has high liquidity, assets can be bought or sold quickly without having a drastic effect on the price of the asset. On a high-liquidity Bitcoin platform, there is always lots of Bitcoin available to be bought and sold.

The crypto platforms with the highest liquidity are those with the most users and the largest trading volumes. A high-liquidity platform enables you to buy or sell Bitcoin instantly. This speed makes it possible for traders to react quickly to market changes and implement strategies such as scalping or high-frequency trading.

As well as the liquidity of assets, the speed of the platform is important. Constantly waiting for pages to load each time you go to another section of the website can be frustrating and impede your trading experience.

Geographical Availability

One of the first things you will need to find out about a prospective platform is which countries it operates in—clearly, a platform is of no use to you if it isn’t available in your country.

You can check the geographical availability on the platform website. It is also worth finding out where platforms are regulated, as those regulated in your country are the safest to use.

Some platforms may offer different services in different countries. For example, those regulated by the FCA can’t offer crypto derivatives trading to their UK retail customers, though this service may be available in their other jurisdictions.

Anonymity

If you want to buy Bitcoin anonymously, you will need to use a platform that doesn’t require identity verification. This is hard to do as regulated platforms, such as the ones in this guide or Bitcoin gambling sites, are required to collect personal information from their users as part of their Know Your Customer (KYC) process.

You can buy Bitcoin anonymously on an unregulated platform, such as the peer-to-peer marketplace Paxful. But this is a more complicated process that can leave you vulnerable to crypto scams.

As it is perfectly legal to buy Bitcoin, the safest option is to go through KYC and use a regulated platform, as they have the best security and features. Many platforms have made their identity verification process quick and easy to complete.

Payment Methods

The number and range of payment methods accepted vary by platform. The majority accept deposits via bank transfer and/or credit and debit card. Some platforms, like KuCoin, only accept crypto deposits but allow users to make instant card purchases.

If you want to use a less common payment method, like Skrill or Google Pay, your choice of platforms will be more limited. Your location may also affect which payment methods you can use. For example, Coinbase accepts PayPal deposits from US users, but not from users in Europe.

Platform Security

Strong security is one of the most important factors to look for in the place you are buying Bitcoin. If you’re going to be trusting a platform with your funds and personal information, you want to know that they will be kept safe.

The most secure platforms keep most of their crypto in cold wallet storage. Some may also have crypto-insurance, ensuring you will be able to recover your assets in the event of a hack or bankruptcy.

Many platforms use SSL encryption to protect personal information. Other security features you should enable if available include address whitelisting and two-factor authentication (2FA).

Reputation

If a platform has built a strong reputation over a number of years, this is a good indication of its quality and reliability. The number of satisfied users a platform has speaks to its reputation. You can look for ratings on websites such as Trustpilot, and read reviews from other users to get an idea of what sort of reputation a platform has.

Customer Service

Strong customer service that you can rely on is an important feature of any Bitcoin platform, especially for those who are new to crypto and may require extra support.

Most platforms have an FAQ section to deal with common issues. Customer support may be provided via web chat, email, phone, or some combination of these.

Is Buying Bitcoin Safe?

It is possible to buy Bitcoin safely as long as you bear a couple of things in mind.

Firstly, it is important to consider the platform you are using to buy Bitcoin. The safest platforms are licensed and regulated, use secure storage such as cold wallets, and protect your account with features such as 2FA. Also, if your platform has crypto-insurance, you can be sure of retrieving your Bitcoin even if the platform gets hacked or declares bankruptcy.

Regardless of where you buy your Bitcoin, you need to remember that the price of Bitcoin is volatile and can surge or crash in a very short space of time. You should keep this in mind when you formulate your investment plan, and never invest more than you can afford to lose. Read our advice on responsible investing.

What Is the Safest Place to Buy Bitcoin?

We selected the platforms on this shortlist as we believe them to be the safest places to buy Bitcoin. They are all licensed by respected regulatory authorities, and they employ the latest security technologies.

For example, eToro is regulated by the FCA, CySEC, and ASIC, and is a member of FINRA and SIPC. It also uses top-tier security solutions, such as cold storage, state-of-the-art monitoring tools, and SSL encryption for personal information.

If you want your Bitcoin to be kept safe while it’s on your platform, you should know that the safest platforms to use are the ones that use cold storage. Platforms with crypto insurance further reduce the risks of losing Bitcoin.

What Is the Safest Place to Store Bitcoin?

The safest place to store your Bitcoin for the long term is a hardware wallet. These are physical devices that often come in the form of a USB stick. Unlike hot wallets, hardware wallets aren’t connected to the internet, so they aren’t vulnerable to being hacked.

Although software wallets are free, hardware wallets can be expensive. But it’s worth the money if you have a significant amount of Bitcoin to store. The best hardware wallets that offer Bitcoin storage solutions are Trezor, BitBox, and Ledger.

How Can I Buy Bitcoin? - Step-By-Step Tutorial

You can buy Bitcoin quickly and easily on eToro by following the simple steps below.

1. Create a free account

Click on the “Join Now” button on the website and complete the registration form by providing an email address, username, and password. Accept the terms and conditions by ticking the boxes, and then click the “Create Account” button.

2. Verify your account

You will be emailed a link that you’ll need to click to verify your email address. After that, you’ll need to complete your profile with details such as your full name, date of birth, address, and information about your investing experience. You may then be asked to upload an image of a photo ID such as a passport or driving licence.

3. Make a deposit

Click on the “Deposit Funds” button and fill in the amount you wish to transfer. You can select your local currency and a preferred payment method from the dropdown lists. Then you will just need to provide any payment information required to complete the transaction.

4. Buy Bitcoin

Find Bitcoin by using the search box at the top, and clicking the “Trade” button. If you want to buy BTC once it reaches a specific price, you can switch from Trade to Order. Otherwise, just enter the amount you want and click “Open Trade” to buy Bitcoin immediately.

 

Final Thoughts on the Best Places to Buy Bitcoin

There are a lot of considerations when it comes to finding the best place to buy Bitcoin, such as security, fees, features, and user experience. We’ve already shortlisted and reviewed the top 11 platforms in this guide to save you valuable time on research.

Our conclusion is that eToro is the overall best place to buy Bitcoin in 2024. This is because it is a secure and regulated platform with transparent fees, free deposits, and unique social investing features. The buying process is very intuitive for beginners, while the research and trading tools also cater to more experienced traders.

It’s fast and simple to create an account and purchase BTC on eToro, as you can see from the walkthrough above. Once you’ve signed up, you can buy Bitcoin in a couple of clicks.

Methodology - How We Picked the Best Places to Buy Bitcoin

We aim to provide information that you can trust. To achieve this, we have various quality control processes. Each platform we review is rigorously researched and tested to ensure we only provide you with the best recommendations.

Some of the things we test when researching a platform include the registration process, how to make a deposit, available assets, types of trading supported, user experience, regulation, security, fees, features, educational resources, and customer support. You can find out more about our testing process here.

1
Min Deposit
$ 100
User Score
5
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No need to open a crypto exchange account or use a special wallet
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Description:
Plus500 is a leading provider of Contracts for Difference (CFDs), delivering Leveraged trading on +2,000 financial instruments, including Forex, Commodities, Indices, Shares, Options and Cryptocurrencies. CySEC license number (#250/14)
Payment Methods:
Bank Transfer, Debit Card, PayPal, Credit Card, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Trustly, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Discover, Bank Transfer: SEPA, Bank Transfer: FPS, skrill
Full Regulations:
ASIC, FCA, FSA, MAS, CySEC #250/14
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2
Min Deposit
$ 10
User Score
4.95
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Description:
eToro offers a wide range of cryptos, such as Bitcoin, XRP and others, alongside crypto/fiat and crypto/crypto pairs. eToro users can connect with, learn from, and copy or get copied by other users.
Payment Methods:
Bank Transfer, Debit Card, PayPal, Credit Card, Wire Transfer
Full Regulations:
CySEC, FCA
3
Min Deposit
$ 0
Promotion
User Score
4.8
Get insights from millions of investors, creators, and analysts
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Description:
Public is an investing platform that allows you to invest stocks, ETFs, crypto, and alternative assets like fine art and collectibles—all in one place.
Payment Methods:
Debit Card, Wire Transfer, Check, Bank Wire
Full Regulations:
Cryptocurrency execution and custody services are provided by Apex Crypto LLC (NMLS ID 1828849) through a software licensing agreement between Apex Crypto LLC and Public Crypto LLC. Crypto trading on Public platforms is served by Public Crypto LLC and offered through APEX Crypto. Please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved before trading.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the cheapest place to buy Bitcoin?
Binance is the cheapest place to buy Bitcoin as it has the lowest trading fees. You may have to pay a fee for making a deposit, depending on your location and payment method, however. eToro, on the other hand, has no deposit fees, though the trading fees are a bit higher.
What is the difference between a Bitcoin exchange and Bitcoin mining?
A Bitcoin exchange is a platform that facilitates the purchase and sale of Bitcoin between its users. Bitcoin mining is the process of validating BTC transactions and securing the Bitcoin network in return for block rewards. Mining requires specialised hardware.
Is there a difference between a Bitcoin exchange and a Bitcoin wallet?
The main function of a Bitcoin exchange is to facilitate Bitcoin trading between users. A Bitcoin wallet is a place where you can store your BTC. Many Bitcoin exchanges also provide a free Bitcoin wallet.
Are Bitcoin exchanges and Brokers legal?
Yes, Bitcoin exchanges and brokers are legal in the US, UK, and many other countries. However, they must be registered with the relevant regulatory authorities to operate legally.
Is it possible to buy less than one Bitcoin?
Yes. Unlike shares, Bitcoin is fractional, which means you can buy a small fraction of a Bitcoin. The only lower limit on how much you can buy is the minimum trade size imposed by your platform.
Is it possible to get free Bitcoin?
Yes. Some platforms may offer you free BTC as part of a promotion, and websites known as Bitcoin faucets offer small amounts of free BTC for completing tasks. You can also earn free interest on your Bitcoin by putting it into a savings account, such as the one offered by Binance.
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