Fee analysis · 2026
The Cheapest Way to Buy Bitcoin in Canada (2026)
BuyBitcoin.ca Editorial Team
Canadian crypto researchers · methodology
The 30-second answer
NDAX with a free Interac e-Transfer is the cheapest way to buy Bitcoin in Canada for most people in 2026. On a $1,000 buy, you pay $0 to deposit and $2 in trading fees — a total of $2 out of $1,000. Kraken Pro is essentially tied (~$2.60) and is slightly better on very large orders. Bitbuy Pro is the third cheapest at ~$2.
Shakepay, Newton and Wealthsimple Crypto all bake ~1.5% into the buy price — so a $1,000 buy costs $15 instead of $2. Convenient, but you're paying almost 8× as much.
See exactly what you'll pay
Change the amount below to compare fees across the platforms Canadians actually use:
Cheapest right now: NDAX — total fees $2.00
Lowest trading fees in Canada, free Interac deposits.
| Exchange | Funding | Trading | Total fees | You receive | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NDAX | $0.00 | $2.00 | $2.00 | $998.00 | Visit → |
| Kraken Pro | $0.00 | $2.60 | $2.60 | $997.40 | Visit → |
| Newton | $0.00 | $7.00 | $7.00 | $993.00 | Visit → |
| Shakepay | $0.00 | $15.00 | $15.00 | $985.00 | Visit → |
| Wealthsimple Crypto | $0.00 | $15.00 | $15.00 | $985.00 | Visit → |
| Bitbuy | $15.00 | $2.00 | $17.00 | $983.00 | Visit → |
Estimates only. Actual costs vary with spot price, order type, volume tier, and promotional periods. Trading fee uses the "market taker" or express-buy rate a first-time Canadian buyer would face for a one-time purchase.
The three cheapest exchanges
#1
NDAX
4.6/5NDAX is a premier Canadian cryptocurrency exchange known for its low fees, high security, and deep liquidity for professional traders.
Maker / Taker
0.2% / 0.2%
Assets
30+
Funding
Interac e-Transfer
- Lowest trading fees in Canada
- Deep liquidity
- Excellent security
#2
Kraken
4.3/5Kraken is one of the oldest and most respected cryptocurrency exchanges, offering advanced trading features and top-tier security.
Maker / Taker
0.16% / 0.26%
Assets
150+
Funding
Bank Transfer
- High security
- Advanced trading options
- Wide range of assets
#3
Bitbuy
4.2/5Bitbuy is a Canadian cryptocurrency exchange that focuses on ease of use and regulatory compliance, ideal for beginners.
Maker / Taker
0.1% / 0.2%
Assets
25+
Funding
Interac e-Transfer
- Easy to use
- Canadian focus
- Regulated
Why 'zero fee' isn't actually free
Shakepay, Newton and Wealthsimple Crypto all advertise zero commission on trades. Technically true — but the cost is baked into the price you're quoted. If the real market rate for BTC is $75,000, a Shakepay buy might quote you $76,125 (a 1.5% spread). You pay the same in total, you just don't see it on the receipt.
NDAX and Kraken Pro use a different model: the price you see is the real market price, and the fee is a small explicit percentage on top. This is almost always cheaper, and it's why any serious Canadian buyer eventually moves to one of them.
How to minimize fees on any exchange
- Use Interac e-Transfer for deposits. Every exchange we recommend offers free CAD deposits by Interac. Bank wires cost $10–$25 unless the amount is large.
- Use the exchange's "Pro" or order book interface, not the express-buy widget. Bitbuy Pro is 0.2% vs Bitbuy Express Trade's 1.5%. Same platform, order of magnitude cheaper.
- Use limit orders (maker), not market orders (taker). Maker fees are typically half of taker fees. If you're not in a rush, place a limit order just below the current price and wait.
- Batch your buys. Trading fees are proportional, but many funding methods have flat fees. Depositing $5,000 once beats depositing $100 fifty times.
- Withdraw crypto during off-peak hours. On-chain BTC fees are dynamic — Saturday morning UTC is usually cheapest.
Frequently asked questions
Related
The BuyBitcoin.ca weekly
The one Canadian crypto newsletter worth reading. Weekly exchange promos, price alerts, tax reminders. No spam.
Free. Unsubscribe any time. We never sell your email.