15 Best Cryptocurrency Apps for Trading & Investing in 2024

Cryptocurrency has exploded in popularity over the past few years. With over 18,000 different cryptocurrencies in existence and a total market cap of over $1 trillion, digital currencies are here to stay.

For investors and traders interested in gaining exposure to this emerging asset class, a cryptocurrency app provides an easy way to get started. The best cryptocurrency apps make it simple to securely buy, sell and manage your portfolio on the go.

In this guide, we evaluate the top cryptocurrency apps available in 2024 based on factors like fees, features, security and ease of use.

1. Coinbase

Coinbase is one of the most popular cryptocurrency apps, with over 89 million verified users. The intuitive mobile app makes it easy for beginners to sign up and start buying crypto instantly.

Features

• Supports over 100 different cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum and Dogecoin
• Robust charting tools and real-time market data
• Educational resources about crypto investing
• Easy to deposit funds via bank transfer or debit card
• Secured with biometric authentication

Coinbase charges a spread of about 0.50% on cryptocurrency trades and additional fees based on payment method. While fees are on the higher side, the app offers an accessible on-ramp for new crypto investors. The company is also insured, which helps protect your funds.

2. Gemini

Founded by the Winklevoss twins, Gemini offers a slick mobile app available on iOS and Android. Security is a priority, with 98% of assets held in cold storage and $200 million in insurance coverage.

Features

• Over 50 cryptocurrencies supported
• Interactive charts, alerts and price notifications
• Earn up to 8.05% APY interest on your crypto
• Access to educational tokens and lessons
• Excellent customer support via live chat, phone and email

Transaction fees start at 1.49% for mobile orders. Active traders can save money by using the ActiveTrader platform, with fees starting at just 0.35%. Gemini supports convenient options for funding your account including ACH transfers, wire transfers and debit cards.

3. Crypto.com

Based out of Hong Kong, Crypto.com offers a full-featured cryptocurrency app with support for over 250 coins and tokens. A key highlight is Crypto Earn, allowing you to earn interest on your crypto up to 14.5% APY.

Features

• Competitive interest rates paid daily, weekly or monthly
• Staking rewards through Crypto.com’s DeFi wallet
• Virtual crypto debit card with generous cashback rewards
• Recurring buys – schedule crypto purchases daily, weekly or monthly
• Extensive market data, price alerts and portfolio tracking

Fees are very reasonable at Crypto.com. Bank transfers and trading fees are free, while credit/debit card purchases cost 2.99%. The mobile app also includes additional products like crypto lending and tax resources.

4. BlockFi

BlockFi stands out by providing financial services specifically for crypto investors. Their mobile app makes it easy to earn a yield on your Bitcoin or Ethereum holdings.

Features

• Up to 9.5% APY interest paid monthly on your crypto
• No fees for deposits, withdrawals or trading
• Borrow USD funds using your crypto as collateral
• FDIC insurance for USD balances up to $250,000
• Secure storage provided by leading crypto custodian Gemini

To earn the highest yield, you need to hold the BlockFi token (BFI) from which you can earn up to 9.5% APY. Without BFI, Bitcoin pays 6% and Ethereum 5.25%. There are no fees to earn interest or trade on BlockFi’s app.

5. eToro

For social trading, eToro is one of the best cryptocurrency apps. Connect with over 27 million users to discuss trading strategies and copy the portfolios of top crypto traders.

Features

• CopyTraderTM allows mirroring pros with one click
• Interact with other traders in the Feed and build your network
• Practice with $100K in virtual funds on eToro’s trading simulator
• 24/7 customer service via live chat, email or phone support
• Supports copy trading across 45 cryptocurrencies and tokens

eToro does not charge commission. Instead, it makes money from the spread which is the difference between the buy and sell price. The spread varies based on volatility but can range between 0.75% to 5%. Deposits and withdrawals via PayPal, Skrill or bank transfer are free.

6. Exodus

Exodus provides a secure crypto wallet app that makes it easy to manage your portfolio and exchange cryptocurrencies. All assets are stored locally on your device, not by a third party.

Features

• Supports over 100 cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana and Avalanche
• Built-in exchange allows trading directly from your wallet
• Portfolio tracker monitors coin balances and values
• Customizable themes and intuitive interface
• Available on iOS, Android and desktop

The convenience of Exodus’ integrated exchange comes at a cost. Exchange fees are approximately 0.20% – 0.40% per trade which is considerably higher than exchanges like Gemini or Kraken. But fees are clearly displayed so you know the costs upfront.

7. CoinSmart

CoinSmart offers a full-service crypto trading experience combined with 24/7 customer support. Their easy to use app is great for beginners in Canada and Europe.

Features

• Trade over 15 top cryptos including BTC, ETH, XRP and Cardano
• Low fees compared to other Canadian exchanges
• Fund your account via e-Transfer, wire transfer or Bank Transfer
• Insured custody through Ledger Vault
• Excellent customer support and education for beginners

CoinSmart charges a transparent 0.2% trading fee. Deposits by wire transfer, e-Transfer and Bank Transfer (ACH) are free. As a Canadian platform, CoinSmart does not support US customers.

8. Coinmama

Coinmama is a long-standing broker serving 1.3 million customers across 188 countries since 2013. Their beginner-friendly app makes it fast and simple to buy cryptocurrency.

Features

• Clean and intuitive interface focused on crypto buying
• Fixed rate pricing shown upfront with no hidden fees
• Quick account setup requiring just an email address
• Multiple payment options including credit/debit card or bank transfer
• High crypto purchase limits up to $20,000 daily

As a broker, Coinmama charges a premium compared to exchanges. There is a 5.5% service fee plus an additional 5% fee if you buy crypto using a credit or debit card. Despite higher costs, they provide an easy on-ramp for beginners to acquire Bitcoin and Ethereum quickly.

9. Crypto.com

In addition to their main app, Crypto.com offers a separate DeFi Wallet app with more advanced features for experienced investors. This self-custody wallet gives you full control of your private keys.

Features

• Ability to store, send and receive over 150 cryptocurrencies
• Direct integration with Crypto.com DeFi protocols like VVS Finance and Cronos DEX
• Connect hardware wallets like Ledger for enhanced security
• Cross-chain DeFi features and staking pools
• NFT support – store digital collectibles securely

As a non-custodial wallet, there are essentially no fees directly associated with the DeFi Wallet app. You pay minimal standard blockchain fees for transactions. The wallet supports both the Cronos chain along with Ethereum and other major blockchains.

10. Bitbuy

Bitbuy is a leading Canadian cryptocurrency platform, offering a secure trading app tailored towards beginners. They provide detailed educational resources alongside an intuitive mobile trading experience.

Features

• Trade 7 top cryptocurrencies including BTC, ETH, XRP, DOGE and more
• Ultra-secure cold storage through Ledger Vault
• Interac e-Transfer support makes funding your account a breeze
• Staking rewards up to 10% APY on supported coins
• Insured custody and CDIC insured cash balances

Bitbuy charges a 0.2% fee for maker trades and 0.3% for taker orders. There are no deposit or withdrawal fees. As a Canadian platform, Bitbuy does not accommodate US customers currently.

11. Voyager

Voyager offers commission-free trading in an easy to use app. Save money with competitive spreads while trading over 100 different crypto assets.

Features

• Commission-free trading optimized for cost efficiency
• Access to unique “Voyager only” coins not on other platforms
• Earn up to 12% APY interest on 36+ coins
• Secure storage provided by Ledger cold wallets
• No added trading fees or spreads using their Smart Order router

Voyager generates revenue from the bid/ask spreads rather than trading commissions or fees. This results in competitive pricing, although spreads may vary depending on market conditions. The app supports an array of unique features like staking rewards, crypto cashback and a debit card.

12. Nexo

Nexo offers crypto banking services including instant borrowing against your assets. Their polished app makes managing loans and interest-earning accounts accessible.

Features

• Competitive rates to earn daily interest on your crypto up to 12% APY
• Tax-efficient Instant Crypto Credit LinesTM using your assets as collateral
• Trade 24/7 across a growing library of 80+ crypto assets
• Military-grade security with $375M insurance on custodied assets
• Direct bank integrations for lightning-fast deposits and withdrawals

There are no fees for deposits, withdrawals, or crypto exchanges on Nexo. Interest earnings are paid out daily without fees. Borrowing rates start at just 5.9% APR. The app allows buying crypto with a credit card, although a minimum $100 purchase and 5% fee apply.

13. Skew

Serious crypto traders need rock-solid charting and analytics. This is where Skew comes in, providing institutional-grade data and tools powered by blockchain intelligence.

Features

• Sophisticated charts mapped to exchange order books
• Analyze crypto derivatives markets including BTC and ETH futures
• Monitor activities of leading crypto institutions and whales
• API access for developers to build custom trading tools
• Skew Premium unlocks advanced analytics dashboard

Skew Basic is free and ad-supported while Skew Premium costs $29/month for enhanced features like historical data. There are no fees for trading or moving funds to/from the app. With an abundance of visualizations and metrics, Skew suits technically-oriented traders.

14. Athena

Athena offers an innovative approach to DCA and crypto investing powered by AI. Their "hands-free" robo-advisor app builds you a customized portfolio.

Features

• Automated DCA investing tuned to your goals and risk profile
• Tax-loss harvesting, rebalancing and portfolio optimization
• AI-managed portfolios outperforming Bitcoin since 2018
• Insured custody provided by Coinbase and Gemini
• Intuitive app ideal for passive, long-term investors

The basic Athena plan is free. The Pro plan costs 0.25% annually for enhanced robo-advisor features and dedicated support. If you want "set it and forget it" crypto investing, Athena provides an intelligent solution.

15. Abra

Abra‘s wealth management app uses smart contracts to enable investing in fractional shares of cryptocurrencies. You can own a piece of Bitcoin for as low as $5.

Features

• Gain exposure to 50+ coins and tokens
• Invest in fractional crypto shares like stocks
• Limited-time fixed-rate crypto Earn contracts
• Secure wallet supports multi-sig technologies
• Insured custody of assets via Coinbase and others

Abra charges no trading commissions. There are also no fees to deposit, withdraw or maintain your account. You may incur network fees when withdrawing crypto from Abra to an external wallet.

Tips for Investing in Crypto Apps

• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for an extra layer of account security

• Be cautious of scam apps – only download from official App Store listings

• Compare fees across different platforms to save on trading costs

• Bookmark your wallet address to avoid sending funds to the wrong place

• Keep a record of your recovery phrase to restore access if you lose your device

• Use limit orders and dollar cost averaging to manage volatility

What To Look For in a Crypto App

Security

• Strong data encryption and cybersecurity practices

• Offline, cold storage for asset custody

• Private keys controlled by the user, not the platform

• Insurance coverage for digital assets

• Robust identity verification process

Fees

• Low trading fees and transparent fee structure

• Free or cheap deposit/withdrawal of funds

• Reasonable spreads and interest rates

• Little to no account minimums or maintenance fees

Functionality

• Charts, alerts, trading tools and price data

• Support for the assets and blockchains you want

• Easy to deposit/withdraw USD fiat currency

• Ability to earn interest or stake crypto

• Educational resources for first-time users

Customer Support

• Responsive customer service with multiple contact options

• Detailed help center and FAQ library

• Active user community for sharing knowledge

• Quick response times for solving issues

Do You Need a Crypto Wallet?

Cryptocurrency exchanges like those listed above allow you to easily buy crypto and make trades online. However, owning the private keys to your crypto provides full control – which is where crypto wallets come in.

Here are the pros and cons of exchange-hosted wallets versus dedicated crypto wallets:

Exchange Wallets

Pros:

• Convenient access linked to your trading account

• Often insured by the exchange

• Beginner friendly onboarding

Cons:

• You do not truly own the private keys

• Limited functionality compared to standalone wallets

• Exchanges have single point of failure risk

Dedicated Crypto Wallets

Pros:

• Full control through owning your private keys

• Enhanced security, anonymity and customizability

• Support complex transactions and DeFi protocols

• Often open-source peer reviewed code

Cons:

• Requires managing secure backup and recovery

• Understanding fees and compatibility across different blockchains

• No insurance coverage or support team to rely on

If you are an active trader using a reputable centralized exchange like the options above, their built-in wallet may be sufficient. But for long-term investors holding larger amounts of crypto, utilizing a hardware or software wallet is recommended.

Popular hardware wallets include Ledger and Trezor while MetaMask and Trust Wallet rank among top software wallets. The right option depends on your needs and technical expertise.

Conclusion

Cryptocurrency trading apps provide effortless access to buy, sell and trade digital assets. As crypto gains more mainstream traction, the number of investment apps continues to proliferate.

This guide reviews some of the top cryptocurrency apps available in 2024 based on important factors like security, fees, features and ease of use. Each app profiled suits a different user based on your location, level of experience and specific interests.

Doing your research to find the right blend of convenience, affordability and functionality in a crypto app helps set you up for trading success. Take advantage of any educational resources and communities to deepen your knowledge as you get started.