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Best Places to Buy Bitcoin

Review Updated
Cody Kaminski
Author: Cody Kaminski
Cody Kaminski
Cody Kaminski

Cody is a full-time Fool responsible for researching crypto investments and educating Motley Fool members through exclusive content. He's spent his three years as a Fool dedicated to pushing the limits of storytelling and cryptocurrency education.

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Nathan Alderman
Fact Checked: Nathan Alderman
Nathan Alderman
Nathan Alderman
Fact checker

Nathan Alderman has been a full-time Motley Fool employee since 2005, making errors his arch-enemies in a variety of roles including a six-year stint as the dedicated fact-checker for The Motley Fool's premium newsletter services. As Motley Fool Money's Compliance Lead, he makes sure that all the site's information is accurate and up to date, which ensures we always steer readers right and keeps various financial partners happy. A graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, Nathan spends his spare time volunteering for civic causes, writing and podcasting for fun, adoring his wife, and wrangling his two very large young children.

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With 2025 kicking off in a more crypto-friendly regulatory environment, Bitcoin is gaining serious momentum. Prices have soared past $100,000, and investor interest is at its highest in years.

I've been investing in crypto for nearly a decade and covering it professionally at The Motley Fool for the past three years. I've seen the highs, the crashes, and everything in between -- so I know what separates a great crypto platform from one that isn't worth your time (or money).

If you're looking to buy Bitcoin, where you do it matters. The right platform can make investing easy, secure, and cost-effective, while the wrong one can lead to unnecessary fees, poor security, or limited access to your funds. Below, I've rounded up the best places to buy Bitcoin, along with key details to help you choose the right one.

Where to buy Bitcoin

  • Best for a full-featured Bitcoin experience: Coinbase
  • Best for a secure and beginner-friendly experience: Gemini
  • Best for buying Bitcoin alongside stocks: Robinhood
  • Best for a social approach to Bitcoin investing: eToro
  • Best for saving Bitcoin for retirement: BitcoinIRA
  • Best for Bitcoin beginners: Cash App Investing

Best for a full-featured Bitcoin experience: Coinbase

Coinbase
Open Account for Coinbase

On Secure Website.

Ratings Methodology

Our Rating:

Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor

Bottom Line

One of the largest selections in the U.S. with a deep bench of available cryptocurrencies. Coinbase isn't the cheapest place to buy and sell cryptocurrencies, but it is one of the most versatile and a clear standout.

Fees:

Variable fees (Coinbase), 0%-1.20% (Coinbase Advanced Trade), $29.99 monthly (Coinbase One)

Account Minimum:

$2

Open Account for Coinbase

What I like: Coinbase remains one of the best all-around platforms for buying Bitcoin. It's easy to use for beginners, but also offers Coinbase Advanced, a lower-fee trading option for those who want more control. Beyond just buying Bitcoin, you can stake crypto, earn rewards, and even get a Bitcoin-backed debit card.

One of the benefits of using Coinbase is deep liquidity on Bitcoin -- a result of the company's status as the largest and most well-known crypto exchange in the U.S. It naturally draws in more crypto companies interested in listing its tokens, in addition to the top market makers in the U.S.

New users will automatically earn $5.00 -- paid in BTC -- upon registration, which is a nice way to give newcomers their first few Satoshis. Up to $200 -- also paid in BTC -- can be awarded when users verify their IDs and link a bank account.

For the curious, Coinbase's Learn and Earn program is an outstanding way to start your crypto education, with the added bonus of crypto rewards.

What to know: Coinbase's fees can be hard to decipher, especially if you're using the basic platform. In general, Coinbase Maker/Taker fees are higher than other exchanges, up to 0.06% on certain orders. Switching to Coinbase Advanced will help you save money.

Fun fact: The Motley Fool custodies its Digital Explorer's real money portfolio holdings with Coinbase Prime!

Best for a secure and beginner-friendly experience: Gemini

Ratings Methodology

Our Rating:

Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor

Bottom Line

Gemini offers a nice range of cryptocurrencies and a simple-to-use app experience. Popular with beginner investors, Gemini prides itself on its security and is available in all 50 U.S. states.

Fees:

$0.99-$2.99 orders under $200, 1.49% for orders over $200 (default), 0% - 0.40% (Gemini ActiveTrader)

Account Minimum:

$0

Open Account for Gemini Exchange

What I like: Gemini is a great choice for investors who want an easy, secure way to buy Bitcoin. It's regulated in all 50 states and offers strong security measures, including SOC 2 certification. Plus, its simple interface makes it a good option for newcomers.

Gemini has always been a top-tier U.S. exchange that offers an experience comparable to Coinbase. In fact, this is the second exchange that The Motley Fool Digital Explorers RMP custodies its crypto with. It's safe and easy to manage Bitcoin holdings here thanks to the platform's simple interface.

What to know: Gemini's fees tend to fall in the middle compared to some competitors, charging up to 0.40% on orders. Generally, the fees here are less than Coinbase, which is an important consideration for investors posting Bitcoin orders in amounts over $10,000.

The company also faced issues with its Gemini Earn program after its lending partner went bankrupt. To its credit, Gemini fully compensated customers and settled with the SEC.

Best for buying Bitcoin alongside stocks: Robinhood

Robinhood
Open Account for Robinhood

On Secure Website.

Limitations Apply

Ratings Methodology

Our Rating:

Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor

Bottom Line

You can buy and sell Bitcoin, other cryptocurrencies, stocks, and options with no transaction fee. Plus, outside of the platforms that are solely made for cryptocurrency, Robinhood has one of the best crypto selections out there.

Fees:

$0 for stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrencies

Account Minimum:

$0

Open Account for Robinhood

Limitations Apply

What I like: If you want a single platform for Robinhood, stocks, and ETFs, Robinhood is a strong option. It's one of the few brokerages that offers a crypto wallet, allowing you to move your Bitcoin off-platform if needed. Plus, Robinhood doesn't charge commission fees on Bitcoin purchases.

What to know: Robinhood isn't a full-fledged crypto exchange -- it has fewer cryptocurrencies available than platforms like Coinbase or Gemini. It also lacks some advanced crypto trading tools, so if you want more than basic buying and selling, you might need to look elsewhere.

Best for a social approach to Bitcoin investing: eToro

eToro
Open Account for eToro

On Secure Website.

eToro USA LLC; Investments are subject to market risk, including the possible loss of principal.

Ratings Methodology

Our Rating:

Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor

Bottom Line

The versatile trading platform is a standout, as is the CopyTrader feature that allows you to copy your favorite investors. It has a broad range of products for investors who want to manage all their assets in one place.

Fees:

1% for trading crypto plus spread, $0 commission for stocks & ETFs

Account Minimum:

$10

Special Offer

Limited time offer: Deposit $100 and get a $10 bonus. Terms apply.

Open Account for eToro

eToro USA LLC; Investments are subject to market risk, including the possible loss of principal.

What I like: eToro stands out for its social trading features, letting you see and copy the moves of experienced Bitcoin investors. This makes it a great option for those who want to learn as they invest. The platform also offers other assets, including stocks and ETFs, making it easy to diversify.

What to know: While eToro is commission free for stock and ETF trades, crypto trades come with fees. Also, if you're looking to expand beyond Bitcoin into a wide range of altcoins, eToro has fewer options than a dedicated crypto exchange.

Best for saving Bitcoin for retirement: BitcoinIRA

Ratings Methodology

Bottom Line

BitcoinIRA's tax-deferred crypto and gold investing is a simple way to diversify your retirement savings, but the fees are high, and volatility could also be an issue.

Fees:

0.99%-2.99% deposit fee, 2% transaction fee, 0.08% monthly security fee

Account Minimum:

$1,000

Special Offer

Sign-Up Today and Earn a $150 Reward

Open Account for BitcoinIRA

What I like: If you want to add Bitcoin to your retirement portfolio, BitcoinIRA makes it simple. It allows you to buy and hold Bitcoin within a tax-advantaged IRA, offering strong security measures and third-party insurance.

The platform specifically allows deposits from traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, Solo 401(k)s, Solo 401(k) Roths, SEP IRAs, and Simple IRAs. One of the neat aspects of this strategy is the fact that Bitcoin trades within the IRA end up tax free. Only withdrawals will incur capital gains tax, which has its advantages and disadvantages.

Whether the intention is to use Bitcoin as a hedge against currency debasement, or for the sake of diversification, the set-and-forget approach that BitcoinIRA offers is a great long-term tool for Bitcoin exposure.

What to know: BitcoinIRA has higher fees than traditional IRAs, including monthly security fees, first-time deposit fees, and transfer fees, and there's a minimum investment requirement of $1,000 to get started. Additionally, the platform is limited to Bitcoin and gold, so you won't be able to invest in stocks or other assets.

Another important consideration is the sheer volatility that comes with cryptocurrencies. Although Bitcoin is the least volatile of cryptos, its price swings are steeper than tech stocks. Investors should be wary of this and allocate accordingly based on their retirement plans and risk appetites, because the early withdrawal penalty is hefty if there is ever a need for it.

Best for Bitcoin beginners: Cash App Investing

Ratings Methodology

Our Rating:

Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor

Bottom Line

Cash App is one of the most user-friendly ways for beginners to trade Bitcoin. There's no separate account needed -- if you use the Cash App to send money, you're already equipped to buy Bitcoin and stocks.

Fees:

$0 for stocks, fees vary for Bitcoin

Account Minimum:

$0

Read Review

What I like: If you're already using Cash App to send money, its built-in Bitcoin feature makes it one of the easiest ways to buy BTC. It has a simple, beginner-friendly interface, making it a great entry point for new investors.

What to know: Cash App only supports Bitcoin, so if you want to buy Ethereum or other cryptocurrencies, you'll need a different platform. It also lacks advanced trading tools, and fees can add up, especially on small purchases.

At Motley Fool Money, we rate cryptocurrencies on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes fees, customer experience, security, investment options, and staking and rewards.

The highest-rated cryptocurrency exchanges have:

  • Low and transparent fees
  • Robust security protocols
  • User-friendly platforms
  • A wide variety of coins

The relative lack of regulation in the cryptocurrency industry makes us take our responsibilities even more seriously -- we want investors to access this new asset class in the safest way possible.

We combine the factors outlined above to ensure you're getting the best recommendations on each of our pages. Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring cryptocurrencies from reputable brands.

Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates cryptocurrencies.

At Motley Fool Money, we rate cryptocurrencies on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes fees, customer experience, security, investment options, and staking and rewards.

The highest-rated cryptocurrency exchanges have:

  • Low and transparent fees
  • Robust security protocols
  • User-friendly platforms
  • A wide variety of coins

The relative lack of regulation in the cryptocurrency industry makes us take our responsibilities even more seriously -- we want investors to access this new asset class in the safest way possible.

We combine the factors outlined above to ensure you're getting the best recommendations on each of our pages. Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring cryptocurrencies from reputable brands.

Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates cryptocurrencies.

What to consider when choosing a place to buy Bitcoin

As you can see above, not all Bitcoin exchanges are created equal. Some have high fees, while others are easier to use or offer better security. Before you buy, it's important to weigh these factors to find the best platform for your needs. Here's what to consider:

Security

In our 2025 Cryptocurrency Investor Trends Survey, 36% of respondents cite security concerns as a key barrier to investing in crypto. So when choosing a crypto exchange, security and regulation should be your top priority.

Look for exchanges that offer two-factor authentication (2FA), cold storage for funds, and insurance against hacks. Some platforms also provide self-custody wallets, giving you full control over your Bitcoin.

Fees

Fees can eat into your profits if you're not careful. Exchanges may charge:

  • Trading fees (usually a percentage of each transaction)
  • Deposit fees (if you fund your account with a credit card or PayPal)
  • Withdrawal fees (when you move your Bitcoin to another wallet)

Some platforms, like Robinhood, offer commission-free trading, while others, like Coinbase, charge higher fees for convenience. Always check the fee structure before signing up.

Payment methods

How you plan to fund your Bitcoin purchase matters. Some platforms allow bank transfers, debit/credit cards, and PayPal, while others only accept crypto deposits. Bank transfers usually have lower fees, but credit card purchases can be faster (though they often come with extra charges).

User experience

If you're new to Bitcoin, you'll want an exchange with a simple interface and easy buying process, like Cash App or Gemini. Advanced traders, on the other hand, might prefer Coinbase Advanced or eToro, which offer charting tools, limit orders, and lower fees for high-volume trading.

Availability

Not every platform operates in every country or state. For example, eToro isn't available in all U.S. states, and some exchanges have different regulations based on location. Always check if the exchange you're considering is fully supported where you live before signing up.

Speed

Some exchanges process Bitcoin purchases instantly, while others may take hours or even days to clear transactions. If you're looking to buy Bitcoin quickly, platforms like Cash App or Robinhood allow for near-instant purchases, while bank transfers on some exchanges might take longer.

Regulation and compliance

Crypto regulation is evolving, and not all exchanges operate under the same rules. Platforms like Coinbase and Gemini have a strong track record of compliance, while others have faced SEC lawsuits. Choosing a regulated exchange can provide more protection for your funds.

Five steps to buying Bitcoin

Ready to take the leap? Here's how to buy Bitcoin.

1. Choose a cryptocurrency platform

Read through our detailed reviews above and choose the platform that sounds like the best fit for you. You can apply directly through this page.

2. Set up your account

Once you've chosen a platform, you'll need to register by providing basic personal details. Most platforms require identity verification, which involves uploading a government-issued ID and proof of address. This process is usually quick and helps ensure compliance with financial regulations.

3. Fund your account

To buy Bitcoin, you'll first need to deposit funds. Most platforms support bank transfers, debit/credit cards, and sometimes even PayPal. Keep in mind that deposit fees vary -- bank transfers are typically the cheapest, while card payments often come with higher fees.

4. Make your Bitcoin purchase

You don't have to buy an entire Bitcoin -- most exchanges allow you to purchase a fraction based on how much you want to invest. Some platforms offer instant purchases, while others require you to place an order in the trading section. Once your order is processed, you're officially a Bitcoin owner!

5. Decide where to store your Bitcoin

Many beginners keep their Bitcoin on the exchange where they bought it, which is convenient but comes with risks. If the platform experiences a security breach or financial trouble, your assets could be vulnerable. Consider transferring your Bitcoin to a secure crypto wallet for added protection.

FAQs

  • Yes, but it depends on the platform you choose. Look for exchanges with strong security measures like two-factor authentication (2FA), cold storage for funds, and insurance against hacks. For added protection, consider moving your Bitcoin to a self-custody wallet.

  • No, you can buy a fraction of a Bitcoin. Most exchanges let you invest as little as $10 or less, making it accessible to investors at any budget level.

  • It depends on the payment method and platform. Credit card purchases are usually instant, while bank transfers may take a few hours or even days. Some exchanges also have extra verification steps that can slow down the process for first-time buyers.