Head-to-head · Updated August 2026

    Bitbuy vs Shakepay: Which is Better for Canadians in 2026?

    Bitbuy and Shakepay are two of the biggest Canadian crypto brands, and they solve very different problems. Bitbuy is the traditional regulated exchange with an Express Trade and a Pro order book; Shakepay is a mobile-first app with baked-in spread pricing and Bitcoin rewards.
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    BuyBitcoin.ca Editorial Team

    Canadian crypto researchers · methodology

    Updated August 11, 2026
    Reviewed every quarter

    The short answer

    For anyone buying over $500 a month or holding for the long term, Bitbuy Pro is meaningfully cheaper. For infrequent, small, mobile-only buys where earning shaking rewards matters, Shakepay is still the friendlier home.

    Feature-by-feature

    CategoryBitbuyShakepay
    Lowest fees
    Simplest app
    Coin selection
    Rewards / bonuses
    Advanced trading
    First-time users
    Maker / Taker fee0.1% / 0.2%1.5% / 1.5%
    Coins supported25+8+
    Rating4.2 / 54.5 / 5

    Bitbuy — the strengths

    • Easy to use
    • Canadian focus
    • Regulated

    Where Bitbuy falls short

    • Limited currencies
    • Higher fees

    Shakepay — the strengths

    • Excellent mobile app
    • Free CAD deposits/withdrawals
    • Bitcoin rewards program

    Where Shakepay falls short

    • Fees baked into spread
    • Limited coin selection
    • Not ideal for large trades

    Our verdict

    For anyone buying over $500 a month or holding for the long term, Bitbuy Pro is meaningfully cheaper. For infrequent, small, mobile-only buys where earning shaking rewards matters, Shakepay is still the friendlier home.

    Still comparing? See our full ranking of the best Canadian crypto exchanges or plug your amount into the fee calculator to see the exact all-in cost.

    Frequently asked questions

    Bitbuy charges a 0.1%/0.2% maker/taker on standard trades; Shakepay charges 1.5%/1.5%. On a typical $1,000 CAD Interac deposit + market buy, the cheaper option is Bitbuy.

    Other Canadian comparisons

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