Cheapest way to buy bitcoin in the US (2026)
In the US the cheapest route is usually an ACH deposit to an exchange (Kraken, Bitstamp, Gemini, Coinbase Advanced) and a market buy. Strike is a popular bitcoin-only app with low fees and free Lightning withdrawals. Check availability in your state - not every provider serves every state.
Live: how much bitcoin you get for 500 USD
| Provider | Type | Fee | You receive | Lightning | DCA | KYC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Binance | Exchange | 0.10% (0.50 USD) | 0.00614658 BTC | ✅ | — | Required |
| Bitfinex | Exchange | 0.20% (1.00 USD) | 0.00613745 BTC | ✅ | — | Required |
| Bitstamp | Exchange | 0.40% (2.00 USD) | 0.00613623 BTC | ✅ | — | Required |
| Gemini | Exchange | 0.40% (2.00 USD) | 0.00613576 BTC | — | — | Required |
| Kraken | Exchange | 0.80% (4.00 USD) | 0.00611171 BTC | ✅ | — | Required |
| Kanga Exchange | Exchange | 0.30% (1.50 USD) | 0.00609679 BTC | — | — | Required |
| Coinbase Advanced | Exchange | 1.20% (6.00 USD) | 0.00608650 BTC | ✅ | — | Required |
| Strike | Broker / app | 1.20% (6.00 USD) | 0.00608579 BTC* | ✅ | ✅ | Required |
| Bitpanda | Broker / app | 1.49% (7.45 USD) | 0.00606513 BTC* | — | ✅ | Required |
Prices update every minute. * Estimated from the market price plus the provider's published fee. Fees reviewed 2026-10. Some links are affiliate links; the ranking is always by bitcoin received.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to buy bitcoin in the US?
An ACH deposit to a low-fee exchange is usually cheapest. Card purchases typically add 2-4%.
Is Coinbase expensive?
The simple Coinbase buy button includes a spread and fee of well over 1%. Coinbase Advanced (shown here) is cheaper but still above most competitors at small volumes.
Which apps support Lightning?
Strike, Kraken, Bitfinex, Coinbase and Bitstamp support Lightning withdrawals, which are cheaper for small amounts.