Kraken vs Kraken Pro: What Actually Changes
The accounts are identical. The difference is purely the interface — and the fee structure tied to how you place orders.
| Feature | Kraken (Standard) | Kraken Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Fees | ~1.5% per instant trade | 0.16% maker / 0.26% taker (base) |
| Charts | Basic price chart | Full TradingView integration |
| Order Types | Instant buy/sell only | Market, limit, stop, take profit, TWAP, iceberg |
| Order Book | Not visible | Full depth-of-market order book |
| Margin Trading | Not available | Up to 5× on select pairs |
| Cost to Access | Free (default) | Free (go to pro.kraken.com) |
| Account Required | Same account | Same account |
The most important point: If you buy $1,000 of Bitcoin on standard Kraken using Instant Buy, you pay ~$15 in fees. If you place the same order on Kraken Pro as a limit order, you pay ~$1.60. That's nearly a 10× difference. There is no reason to use standard Kraken for regular purchases once you understand this.
How to Access Kraken Pro
It's one step: Go to pro.kraken.com in your browser. Log in with your existing Kraken credentials. That's it. Your account, funds, and verified status carry over automatically. There's nothing to upgrade or pay for — it's the same account with a different front end.
On Desktop
Navigate directly to pro.kraken.com or look for the "Pro" link at the top of the standard Kraken interface. The Pro interface is optimized for desktop use — multiple panels, charts, and order book visible simultaneously.
On Mobile
The Kraken mobile app includes access to Pro features. Look for the "Pro" tab within the app. The mobile version is functional but a desktop setup is significantly better for active trading.
Advanced Order Types on Kraken Pro
Understanding which order type to use is the most practical skill you need when switching to Pro.
- Limit Order — You set the exact price. Order only fills at that price or better. Qualifies for the maker fee (0.16% at base tier). Use this for most spot buys.
- Market Order — Executes immediately at the current market price. Qualifies for taker fee (0.26%). Use when you need instant execution.
- Stop Loss Order — Triggers a market or limit order when price reaches a specified level. Essential for protecting open positions from large losses.
- Stop Limit — Like a stop loss but executes as a limit order. Gives you price control at the trigger point, though it may not fill if price moves fast.
- Take Profit — Automatically sells when price reaches your target level. Locks in gains without requiring you to watch charts continuously.
- TWAP (Time-Weighted Average Price) — Splits a large order into smaller pieces executed over time. Useful for entering or exiting large positions without moving the market price against yourself.
- Iceberg Order — Only shows a portion of your total order to the market at once, hiding the full order size. Used by larger traders to avoid front-running.
Margin Trading on Kraken Pro
Kraken Pro offers margin trading for US and non-US users — but with important restrictions on the US side.
What Margin Trading Is
Margin trading lets you borrow funds to increase your position size. On Kraken Pro, this means you can go long or short on crypto with up to 5× leverage using borrowed capital. You pay a rollover fee for holding margin positions overnight.
Example: With $1,000 and 5× leverage, you control a $5,000 position. Gains and losses are both amplified by 5×. A 20% price drop would wipe out your entire $1,000 at 5×.
Availability & Risks
Margin is available on a subset of trading pairs for both US and non-US Kraken Pro users. Leverage goes up to 5× on spot pairs. Non-US users who want higher leverage (up to 50×) can use Kraken Futures instead — a separate product.
⚠ Risk warning: Margin positions can be liquidated if the price moves against you. Only use margin if you understand liquidation, have stop losses set, and are trading with risk-managed position sizes.
→ For higher-leverage futures (50×) outside the US: Kraken Futures Guide
Kraken Pro Fee Tiers by Volume
Fees decrease with 30-day trading volume. The base tier is where most retail traders sit.
| 30-Day Volume | Maker | Taker |
|---|---|---|
| $0 – $50K (base) | 0.16% | 0.26% |
| $50K – $100K | 0.14% | 0.24% |
| $100K – $250K | 0.12% | 0.22% |
| $250K – $500K | 0.10% | 0.20% |
| $500K – $1M | 0.08% | 0.18% |
| $1M – $2.5M | 0.06% | 0.16% |
| $2.5M+ | 0.00% | 0.10% |
Using limit orders (maker) gets you the lower rate. Market orders (taker) cost more. → Full fee breakdown including futures and staking