Crypto Exchange comparison
Kraken vs Swyftx
Kraken is the older, globally-established exchange with a desktop-grade trading experience, while Swyftx is the newer Australian-born platform that leans into ease-of-use and built-in tax tools. The biggest practical difference? Swyftx gives you a demo account and a CGT calculator out of the box, whereas Kraken offers a proper desktop platform and phone support that Swyftx doesn't match.
Choose
Kraken
if…
- ›You want a full desktop trading interface rather than being limited to mobile and web
- ›You value 24/7 phone support as a backup to live chat
- ›You prefer a platform with a longer track record (founded 2011) and global parent company backing
- ›You want to deposit as little as $5 to get started
- ›You're comfortable managing your own crypto tax reporting without a built-in CGT calculator
Choose
Swyftx
if…
- ›You want a demo account to practise trading before committing real money
- ›You'd like a built-in CGT calculator and tax report to simplify end-of-year obligations
- ›You want to start with no minimum deposit and buy crypto from as little as $1
- ›You prefer a more sophisticated auto-invest feature that supports multiple asset levels
- ›You're an Australian investor who values local, independent ownership and support
Where they differ
| Fact | Kraken | Swyftx |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in CGT calculator | No | Yes |
| Demo account | No | Yes |
| Desktop platform | Yes | No |
| Minimum initial deposit | $5 AUD | $0 AUD |
| Phone support | 24/7 phone available | No phone support |
Verdict
Choose Kraken for desktop trading and phone support; choose Swyftx for built-in tax tools and a demo account.
All data points side-by-side
Every verified fact for both platforms. Differences are highlighted.
| Field | Kraken | Swyftx |
|---|---|---|
| account structure | ||
| Individual account | Yes | Yes |
| Joint account | No | No |
| Company account | Yes | Yes |
| Trust account | Yes | Yes |
| SMSF account | Yes | Yes |
| Kids / minor account | No | No |
| asset coverage | ||
| ASX shares supported | — | No |
| ASX ETFs supported | — | No |
| US shares supported | — | No |
| US ETFs supported | — | No |
| Other markets supported | — | |
| Fractional shares (ASX) | — | No |
| Fractional shares (US) | — | No |
| Options trading | — | No |
| CFDs supported | — | No |
| Crypto trading | Yes | Yes |
| Managed funds | — | No |
| Bonds supported | — | No |
| IPO access | No | No |
| costs hidden | ||
| Market data fees | $0/month | $0/month |
| Conditional order fees | $0 | $0 |
| costs visible | ||
| Monthly platform fee | $0/month | $0/month |
| Annual platform fee | $0/year | $0/year |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | $0 |
| Withdrawal fee (AUD) | $0 | $0 |
| identity and trust | ||
| Legal entity name | Bit Trade Pty Ltd (trading as Kraken) | Swyftx Pty Ltd |
| AFSL number | 545,124 | — |
| AUSTRAC registration | Yes | Yes |
| Year founded | 2,011 | 2,018 |
| Parent / ownership | Payward, Inc. (Bit Trade Pty Ltd acquired by Kraken in 2020) | Swyftx Pty Ltd (independent, Australian-owned; co-founders Alex Harper and Angus Goldman remain principal stakeholders) |
| Country of incorporation | AU | AU |
| Public company status | private | private |
| money movement | ||
| Minimum initial deposit | $5 | $0 |
| Minimum subsequent purchase | $5 | $1 |
| Deposit methods | PayID, Osko bank transfer, Debit card (mobile app), Credit card (mobile app), Apple Pay, Google Pay | PayID, OSKO, Bank transfer, Credit/Debit card (Banxa), Credit/Debit card (Stripe), Apple Pay, Google Pay |
| Withdrawal time | AUD withdrawals via Osko bank transfer typically same business day (PayID withdrawals not yet supported) | Within minutes via Osko; up to 2 business days for standard bank transfer |
| platform ux | ||
| iOS app | Yes | Yes |
| Android app | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop platform | Yes | No |
| Demo account | No | Yes |
| Free real-time market data | Yes | Yes |
| Free research reports | No | Yes |
| 2FA support | authenticator | authenticator |
| Customer support channels | 24/7 live chat, email, support portal, phone (24/7) | Live chat (in-app), Email, Callback |
| Support hours (AU time) | 24/7 (live chat and phone) | 24/7 |
| Education content | video + courses | structured courses |
| tax and reporting | ||
| Australian tax statement | Yes | Yes |
| CGT calculator / report | No | Yes |
| Sharesight / Navexa integration | Yes | Yes |
| trading mechanics | ||
| Market orders | Yes | Yes |
| Limit orders | Yes | Yes |
| Stop loss orders | Yes | Yes |
| Conditional orders | Yes | Yes |
| Auto-invest / DCA | Yes | Yes |
| Auto-invest sophistication | single asset | multiple |
| After-hours / overnight trading | Yes | Yes |