When it comes to choosing the best cryptocurrency exchange, one of the most critical factors traders consider is trading fees. With major platforms like Huobi, OKX, and Binance dominating the market, many investors ask: Which one offers the lowest fees? While each platform has its strengths, understanding their fee structures can help you make a smarter, more profitable decision.
This guide compares not only Huobi vs OKX vs Binance but also includes other top exchanges such as Bybit, Bitget, Gate.io, and XT.com, giving you a comprehensive overview of fee models, trading features, and overall value.
Understanding Cryptocurrency Trading Fees
Before diving into individual platforms, it’s essential to understand how crypto exchanges charge fees. Most use a maker-taker model, where:
- Makers place limit orders that add liquidity to the market (lower fees).
- Takers execute market orders that remove liquidity (slightly higher fees).
Additionally, fees vary based on:
- Trading pair (e.g., BTC/USDT vs. altcoin pairs)
- User’s 30-day trading volume
- Whether you pay with the platform’s native token (e.g., BNB, OKB)
👉 Discover how low-fee trading can boost your profits over time.
Binance: Low Fees at Scale
Binance is the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume. It supports a vast range of assets, including spot, futures, options, staking, and NFTs. Its fee structure starts at:
- 0.1% for takers
- 0.1% for makers
However, these rates drop significantly as your monthly trading volume increases — down to 0.02% for both makers and takers for high-volume traders.
Using BNB to pay fees gives users a 25% discount, making Binance highly competitive for active traders. Additionally, Binance offers fee rebates through referral programs and VIP tiers.
Despite its scale, Binance’s interface can be overwhelming for beginners, though it provides excellent liquidity and deep order books.
OKX: Competitive Fees with Advanced Tools
OKX (formerly OKEx) ranks among the top global crypto exchanges, known for its advanced trading tools and diverse product suite. It offers spot, futures, perpetual swaps, options, DeFi services, and more.
OKX’s standard fees are:
- 0.08% for takers
- 0.02% for makers
These rates are already favorable compared to many competitors — especially for makers. Like others, OKX rewards high-volume traders with tiered discounts and allows fee payments using OKB, which unlocks additional savings.
One standout feature is OKX’s professional trading interface, grid trading bots, and copy trading — ideal for algorithmic and intermediate traders.
👉 See how OKX combines low fees with powerful trading tools.
Huobi: Solid Performance with Slightly Higher Costs
Huobi (now rebranded as HTX) remains a major player in the crypto space despite regulatory shifts. It offers spot, futures, perpetual contracts, and its own ecosystem initiatives like Huobi Prime.
Huobi’s standard fee schedule:
- 0.2% for takers
- 0.2% for makers
This is notably higher than Binance and OKX. While discounts apply for high-volume traders and those using HT (Huobi Token), the base rates make Huobi less attractive for cost-sensitive users.
That said, Huobi maintains strong liquidity for certain Asian-market pairs and has robust security protocols in place.
Bybit: Derivatives-Focused with Transparent Pricing
Founded in 2018, Bybit has grown into a top-five derivatives exchange. It specializes in USDT-margined and coin-margined perpetual contracts, options, and spot trading.
Bybit’s fees:
- 0.1% for takers
- 0.01% for makers
These are among the most competitive maker rates in the industry. Bybit also supports API trading, grid bots, and social trading features. Security is reinforced with cold wallet storage and 24/7 support.
While primarily focused on derivatives, Bybit continues expanding its spot offerings.
Bitget: Leader in Copy Trading and Low Derivatives Fees
Bitget has gained popularity for its user-friendly copy trading system, allowing newcomers to mirror expert traders’ moves.
Its fee structure:
- 0.06% for takers
- 0.01% for makers
These are extremely competitive — especially for derivatives traders. Bitget also offers VIP tiers and uses BGB, its native token, to provide further discounts.
With strong security infrastructure and global customer support, Bitget is ideal for both novice and experienced traders focusing on futures.
Gate.io: Veteran Platform with Diverse Offerings
One of the older exchanges still operating, Gate.io launched in 2013 and supports hundreds of cryptocurrencies.
Fees:
- 0.2% for takers
- 0.2% for makers
These are relatively high unless you’re a high-volume trader or use GT, Gate.io’s utility token, which grants up to a 50% discount.
Gate.io stands out with niche features like “Key Mining” and support for obscure altcoins, appealing to exploratory investors.
XT.com: Simplicity Meets Global Access
XT.com is a growing exchange offering spot, futures, and wealth management products. It emphasizes ease of use and fast execution.
Standard fees:
- 0.2% for takers
- 0.2% for makers
Discounts are available via volume tiers and using the XT token. While not the cheapest option upfront, XT.com provides reliable service and multilingual support.
It's particularly popular in emerging markets due to localized customer service.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Which exchange has the lowest trading fees overall?
A: OKX generally offers the lowest effective fees, especially for makers (0.02%) and frequent traders using OKB. Bitget and Bybit also provide very competitive rates for derivatives.
Q: Can I reduce fees on these platforms?
A: Yes! All major exchanges offer discounts when you:
- Use their native token (e.g., BNB, OKB)
- Reach higher VIP levels via trading volume
- Participate in referral programs
Q: Are maker fees always lower than taker fees?
A: In most cases, yes. Exchanges incentivize market-making because it adds liquidity. However, some small platforms may have equal rates.
Q: Do lower fees mean a better exchange?
A: Not necessarily. While low fees matter, consider other factors like security, liquidity, customer support, available assets, and ease of use before deciding.
Q: Is Binance really cheaper than Huobi?
A: Yes — Binance starts at 0.1% vs Huobi’s 0.2%, and Binance offers deeper discounts via BNB usage and VIP tiers.
Q: Are there hidden fees I should watch out for?
A: Watch for withdrawal fees, funding fees (on perpetual contracts), and network gas charges. Always check the full cost breakdown before executing trades.
👉 Start trading today with one of the lowest-fee platforms in the industry.
When comparing Huobi, OKX, and Binance, the clear winner in terms of fee competitiveness is OKX, followed closely by Binance and Bitget. For traders prioritizing cost efficiency — especially in spot and derivatives markets — OKX strikes an excellent balance between low fees, advanced tools, and reliability.
Ultimately, your choice should depend on your trading style, preferred assets, and regional accessibility — but if minimizing fees is your goal, focus on platforms with strong maker incentives and native token benefits.