Head-to-head · Updated August 2026

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

    NDAX and Shakepay are the two most popular Canadian-native crypto platforms — and they solve very different problems. NDAX is a pro-grade order-book exchange with the lowest fees in Canada; 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 13, 2026
    Reviewed every quarter

    The short answer

    NDAX wins on cost by a wide margin — 0.2% versus Shakepay's ~1.5% baked-in spread means a $1,000 buy costs $2 on NDAX vs $15 on Shakepay. Shakepay is a friendlier starting point for anyone who has never bought crypto and prefers a phone-first experience.

    Feature-by-feature

    CategoryNDAXShakepay
    Lowest fees
    Simplest app
    Coin selection
    Bitcoin rewards
    Advanced trading
    First-time buyers
    Maker / Taker fee0.2% / 0.2%1.5% / 1.5%
    Coins supported30+8+
    Rating4.6 / 54.5 / 5

    NDAX — the strengths

    • Lowest trading fees in Canada
    • Deep liquidity
    • Excellent security

    Where NDAX falls short

    • Limited coin selection
    • Withdrawal fees for CAD

    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

    NDAX wins on cost by a wide margin — 0.2% versus Shakepay's ~1.5% baked-in spread means a $1,000 buy costs $2 on NDAX vs $15 on Shakepay. Shakepay is a friendlier starting point for anyone who has never bought crypto and prefers a phone-first experience.

    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

    NDAX charges a 0.2%/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 NDAX.

    Other Canadian comparisons

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