By: Alexander Voigt
We may receive a commission if you click on links.

10 Best Crypto Apps for Beginners of 2024

The rise of the crypto industry has enabled the rapid evolution of the accompanying products and services. The following guide presents the best crypto apps designed to ease the activities of the long-term investor and the short-term trader. From exchange and brokerage apps to portfolio trackers, market data providers, and wallets – let’s find out the best cryptocurrency app in each category.

1. Interactive Brokers – Best Crypto App for Beginners

Interactive Brokers

The recent development in cryptocurrencies made it clear that users a well-advised to decide on financially stable companies offering excellent crypto trading apps with low fees and a high layer of security. That’s precisely where Interactive Brokers has meaningful advantages. As of 2022, the company served over 2 million clients.

With Interactive Brokers, users gain global market access to 150 markets in 33 countries. They can trade stocks, currencies, bonds, futures and funds, and cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash and Litecoin via Paxos Trust Company. In addition, clients can access 24/7 crypto trading through an enhanced web application available via Paxos Trust Company.

Clients who elect to manage the funding of their crypto account themselves can pre-fund their crypto accounts at Paxos during regular US banking hours and then trade Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), and Bitcoin Cash (BCH), plus additional coins around the clock.

Crypto is tradeable without added spreads, custody fees or makeups and still at a remarkably low price compared to other crypto platforms. With a monthly trade value below $100,000, the fee is 0.18%. Between 100k and 1M trade volume, the fee is 0.15% of trade value, and above 1M per month, the fee goes as low as 0.12%.

The available trading platforms include the web-based solution, the desktop platform Trader Workstation, the Client Portal, IBKR Global Trader, and IBKR Mobile App for iOS and Android.

Visit interactivebrokers.com

2. Coinbase – Best Crypto Exchange App

Being at the forefront of the crypto niche requires absolute excellence in any aspect, and Coinbase does just that. Aside from being a crypto exchange, Coinbase provides a mix of top-notch products, including custodian services, eCommerce payment features, a platform for professional traders (Coinbase Pro), interest-earning accounts, and crypto solutions for institutions.

But nothing indicates the platform’s high-quality service better than its mobile apps. Coinbase has developed functional and intuitive apps that allow its over 68 million users across 100 countries worldwide to buy, sell and store cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Ethereum Classic, Litecoin, BAT, USDT, ZRX, and many more.

The Coinbase apps are easy-to-use and highly-intuitive, making them a convenient choice for cryptocurrency newcomers and a great choice for swing trading crypto. Their dashboards provide quick access to your portfolio and allow you to track its growth over time. You can also use the Coinbase app to earn rewards and returns for particular coins you hold.

Another distinguishing feature of the Coinbase app is the news feed filtering the best picks from Coin Telegraph, CoinDesk, and other top-tier industry media, as well as the real-time price alerts that help track the latest developments in the cryptocurrency world easily and on-the-go. Also, Coinbase recently announced to aim to create a NFT marketplace where people can buy and sell nonfungible tokens.

The Coinbase apps have high ratings (4.4 on Google Play Store and 4.4 on the App Store) and hundreds of thousands of downloads.

3. eToro – Best CFD-Based Cryptocurrency Broker

Suppose you are interested in cryptocurrencies just for speculative purposes and don’t really fancy holding them in your wallet for the long-term. In that case, you might consider trading through one of the popular brokerages like eToro (Revolut and Robinhood are also worth a shout).

With eToro, you can trade over 90 trading pairs quickly and with minimum effort. You can also take advantage of one of the broker’s top competitive advantages – the opportunity to copy successful traders and clone their strategies.

Trading cryptocurrencies through eToro’s investment app is free (0% commission), with competitive spreads, and most importantly – very easy and convenient. You can start immediately simply by buying with a debit or credit card or, if you prefer, by topping up with fiat currencies through your bank account.

Many consider eToro as one of the best cryptocurrency brokers worldwide and an interesting alternative to storing bitcoins on one of the best crypto wallets.

However, bear in mind that buying cryptocurrencies through trading platforms like eToro (and the other brokers) means you will have just a virtual balance and won’t really retain the assets’ ownership until you cash out. Besides, crypto-cross pairs trades are facilitated through CFDs (leverage is also available).

Etoro is available as a web app and for iOS and Android devices.

4. SoFi Invest – Best Investment App with Crypto Features

SoFi was founded in 2011 by Standford business school students and is well-known for its wide range of banking and personal finance-related products and services. From banking, loans, credit cards, over insurance and refinancing to credit scores and budgeting – SoFi helps its members to get their money right.

Sofi enables users to trade crypto 24 hours per week, even on holidays, weekends and in the middle of the night, and they ensure that crypto holdings are protected against theft and fraud.

A big benefit of using SoFi invest for cryptocurrency investing is that the SoFi enables users to buy stocks, ETFs or even fractional shares from one central app.

5. Bitstamp – Best EU-Based Crypto App Developer

Bitstamp is a trusted crypto exchange founded by Nejc Kodrič in 2011. Registered in the UK and Luxembourg and with an office in New York, Bitstamp has the purpose of “Making A New World Of Finance Accessible And Beneficial For All Through Crypto.”

Security and safety have high priorities for Bitstamp. Operating under a payment institution license in the European Union and regulated by FinCen in The United States, along with regular audits by four of the largest accounting firms in the world, prove that Bitstamp deserves trust. In addition, 98% of customer assets are in cold storage and protected by BitGo’s insurance coverage.

Over 4 million customers in over 100 countries use the top-rated crypto app and its industry-leading API and Tradeview platform integration. The app has an intuitive interface that makes it easy for beginners to make their first crypto investments. Experienced traders enjoy advanced order types and advanced analytical tools.

Crypto can be bought instantly using a credit card, debit card or bank deposit methods, and US customers can use ACH for instant deposits. In addition, cashouts are possible to the bank account.

6. Uphold – Best Altcoin App and Multi Asset Offering

Through the Uphold cryptocurrency app, investors can directly trade 27 national currencies, 99 cryptocurrencies, utility tokens, and four precious metals. Over six million customers currently use the app. Besides the regular multi-asset crypto features, they can use additional functionalities like automated trading, where transactions can be processed on autopilot for recurring buy and sell orders.

The typical spread on Bitcoin and Ethereum is 0.5-1.2%, and about 0.2% on Fiat currencies, which is relatively low compared to other providers. Besides the spread, Uphold charges 0% additional trading commissions and 0% deposit fees, while network fees can apply depending on the network congestion of external crypto wallets.

In addition, the Uphold Card lets users pay with cryptocurrencies, gold and more while earning 1% cash back and a 2% crypto reward. The entire company name is Uphold Europe Limited, with a registered office in London, England.

7. CoinMarketCap – Best Free Crypto Portfolio Tracker App

Today, many investors and traders rely on third-party portfolio trackers to monitor their cryptocurrency investments. CoinMarketCap is considered of the world’s most popular cryptocurrency tracking apps. It comes for free, tracks 20,000 cryptos, 500 exchanges, and is packed with a variety of useful functionalities.

With CoinMarketCap, you can track your current portfolio with insights into the balance and the profit and loss based on up-to-data real-time price data. The top-notch crypto portfolio tracker takes data security and privacy very seriously, and the app is available for iPhone and Android devices.

CoinMarketCap is also one of the best crypto websites for crypto news, charts, NFT insights, a crypto converter, and other helpful tools.

8. Cointelegraph Markets Pro – Best Crypto Platform for Advanced Traders

Cointelegraph’s Markets Pro platform was designed to level the playing field for crypto traders and investors with an innovative crypto trading software solution. It was jointly developed by The TIE, known for its crypto data and software solution for institutional investors and Cointelegraph.

The app compares current market conditions to historically similar market environments for over 140 crypto assets with a proprietary algorithm that analyzes historical data to identify consistent price patterns that allow conclusions about the market behavior in the following days.

The Markets Pro platform uses real-time market data, combines it with sentiment analysis, and considers social media activity. It is available as an iOS mobile app and desktop app using a browser.

The result is the so-called VORTECS score. Backtests have shown that as soon as the VORTECS score crossed the level of 70, the price increased by 7.61% within the next 24 hours and even 25.9% over a seven-day period.

In addition, Cointelegraph Markets Pro features a comprehensive news aggregator called NewsQuakes, one of the fastest in the crypto industry. AI algorithms are used to scan thousands of news sources to deliver key insights quickly to Markets Pro subscribers.

Subscribers also gain access to the community feature and discord channel with trading ideas, research from experts and discussion with crypto enthusiasts, price charts, a token scanner and the Markets Pro academy.

9. Blockchain.com – Best Crypto Exchange App for Swing Trading

Blockchain is among the most popular cryptocurrency apps, allowing its users to store, buy, and sell Bitcoin, altcoins and fiat currencies easily.

According to Blockchain.com, the mobile app serves over 31M verified users, and since its launch in 2011, it has processed over $1 Trillion in crypto transactions for users from over 200 countries. Blockchain.com’s mobile solution is available in 21 languages.

Blockchain supports many cryptocurrencies, so even the user interested in trading exotic altcoins will find Blockchain useful. The app allows the crypto trader to make crypto-to-crypto conversions and send and receive coins with just a few taps with your debit card. Its UI is very clean and simplistic, making it a suitable choice for complete beginners.

Regarding the app’s security features, it is worth noting that Blockchain employs 2FA, PIN protection, and TOR blocking.

But we should not look at the solution only as a wallet app. Users can also take advantage of the built-in Bitcoin savings account (opportunity to earn interest of up to 12%) and crypto credit lines with Bitcoin as collateral.

Blockchain’s app is available for both iOS and Android devices.

10. Brave – Best Mobile Browser Solution

Brave is a web browser tool and built-in VPN solution that has taken the world by storm. It is enjoyed by those in the blockchain community and regular users who are tired of ads and tracking and would instead prefer a private and untraceable browser.

Several characteristics make Brave stand out. The platform is built around the idea of anonymity and data protection. It is safer, faster, and even rewards you for using it with Basic Attention Tokens (BAT). You can exchange them for gift cards and premium content or award your favorite publishers and advertisers. This puts you in complete control of the content you see.

Brave has an integrated Tor searching engine and even protects you against malware.

To use Brave, you won’t have to sacrifice the familiar Google Chrome experience as you will have access to the same extensions.

Brave is available for desktop, as well as Android and iOS.

Conclusion

The truth is, in the last couple of years, many prominent cryptocurrency projects were born, and today there are so many useful applications worth a mention. No matter whether you are an iPhone or Android user, whether you are a trader or a long-term investor, or if you are situated in the United States or Europe, there are plenty of great solutions for your needs. Combining the power of the best cryptocurrency apps and the best crypto exchange is the safest way to succeed in this competitive market.

That is why it is essential to do your research and deep-dive in each solution’s pros and cons to find the best fit for your needs. Always keep track of user reviews and opinions in the app stores, on forums like Reddit or Bitcointalk, in Trustpilot, and other credible online sources. It ensures that the one you decide to go with is proven and with an abundance of satisfied users.

Please consider reading the article about the best crypto day trading platforms if you plan to trade cryptocurrencies actively.

Best Crypto App FAQ

What to Look for in a Crypto App

Real Time Data

In trading, it is never a good idea being late to the party. Delayed data feeds will make it impossible for you to profit from short term movements in the underlying cryptocurrency. Make sure to use one of the best cryptocurrency apps which offer not only the Bitcoin price in real-time but also all other currency pricing feeds.

Cryptocurrency Portfolio Features

Make sure that your portfolio has some cool and helpful features as price alerts, a tracker app, and a good portfolio view that can be used from your phone. Not all apps work on all phones, and not every app does accept installations on every phone. Just make sure to test the app on your device before founding money or attaching your wallet.

What is Cryptocurrency

A cryptocurrency is a digital form of currency that works as a medium of exchange for assets traded on decentralized platforms. Unlike fiat currencies (USD, Euro, JPY, etc.) that are regulated by their respective states, cryptos rely on cryptography to control the creation of new units of currencies.

Cryptocurrencies are decentralized, transparent, and uncontrolled by any particular organization or government; they exist on a network called blockchain.

Inside the blockchain technology, cryptocurrency transactions undergo various processes as highlighted below:

  • If A wants to send money to B, the transaction appears online as a “block.”
  • The block is then broadcasted to every party on the network
  • Those within the network approve the transaction after validation
  • The next stage will be for the block to be added to the chain, which gives an indelible record of transactions
  • The money is then moved from A to B.

Cryptocurrency Rules

Before investing in the crypto space, there are specific rules you’ll need to consider. They include:

  • Don’t invest what you’re not willing to lose – this is a rule that applies to almost all investments. It’s quite simple and straightforward, understand the level of risk you’re willing to take and don’t stretch beyond that limit.
  • Diversify, diversify, and diversify. Don’t rely on only one cryptocurrency. Spread your risk by investing in other digital currencies too.
  • Understand the currency you’re investing in. Go through its whitepaper and analyze whether its model makes sense.
  • Do a background check on the team behind a particular coin. Are they qualified in terms of knowledge and experience? Do they have a clear roadmap for their projects?
  • Evaluate the market cap of a currency. The higher the mark capitalization, the higher the liquidity of an asset.
  • Analyze any partnerships or agreements in existence. Are they likely to have a positive impact on the cryptocurrency?
  • Customer support: How responsive are they to customer queries?
  • Conduct in-depth research about the currencies you wish to invest in – a great place to start is on cryptocurrency forums such as Coin Telegraph, Social media groups, or other platforms such as Reddit and LinkedIn.
  • Share your thoughts and concerns with others to be able to get feedback on what you already know. This might save you from carrying around any false information that may otherwise affect your investment.
  • Don’t trust everything you read or hear – understand that some of the information represented on media platforms are simply malicious in nature and are sometimes only meant to throw the market in a state of fear and uncertainty. Also, be cautious of any links or emails you come across online, the crypto space is one of those investment areas marred with the worst of scams.
  • Always remember why you decided to invest in cryptocurrencies and abide by that reason. Whether it is to make a quick buck or to invest for the long-haul, remain patient and calm. The market will sometimes be emotional, but if you believe in the currencies you invested in, you’ve got to stick to your gut.

How to Start Investing in Cryptocurrency

There are a few steps that one needs to follow to start investing in cryptocurrencies regardless of the coin(s) you choose. Essentially, below are the standard steps that you’ll need to follow to get started:

Step 1: Get a cryptocurrency wallet

A cryptocurrency wallet is one of the most important tools when looking to venture into cryptocurrencies. Just like conventional wallets that are used to store our physical money, crypto wallets help store your digital money safe.

There are several wallets to choose from, including online, desktop, and hardware wallets. But as much as you may have a lot of wallets to choose from, consider going for the hardware ones that offer a safe and offline way of storing your assets.

And while at it, ensure that you go for a wallet that is compatible with a decent number of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple, Dash, and many more.

Step 2: Sign Up on Cryptocurrency Trading Platform

Cryptocurrency trading platforms are also known as exchanges – and they are platforms that enable you to buy, sell, and exchange cryptocurrencies. However, some platforms allow users only to buy and sell digital currencies, while others permit the trading of cryptocurrencies with fiat currencies.

Depending on the exchange you sign up on, you will be able to invest in a number of coins. The point to note here is that you want to go for coins that offer high liquidities. Like I mentioned earlier, this will make it easier for you to convert your digital assets back to fiat money. The big four (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple) are among some of the most liquid cryptocurrency assets in existence today.

There are hundreds of exchanges that can get you signed up easily, but as a starter, you probably want to narrow down to a few reputable ones. Depending on your location, some of the well-established trading platforms globally include Coinbase, Coinmama, Binance, Paxful, Cex.io, Bittrex, just to name but a few.

The choice of exchange you use may depend on your location, be sure to find out whether a given platform operates in your country before signing up on it.

Besides, the process of signing up on some of these platforms may vary, but they are mostly standard in terms of requirements. Some of the standard requirements include your full name, a valid email address, and a password, a phone number, identification documents, and/or a passport photo. You may not be required to produce all these documents upon signing up, but most exchanges require you to avail them for you to increase your transaction limits.

Step 3: Transfer your Digital Assets to Your Wallet

After signing up on your platform of choice and acquiring your assets, you’ll need to transfer them to your wallet. Most platforms offer free online wallets on their exchanges, but if history serves us right, one can never be too careful with online businesses, can they? Here are some of the terrifying hacks in the history of cryptos. I hope that scared you enough to know how important it is to store your funds offline.

In case you need to exchange your coins with other cryptocurrencies, you’ll need to transfer the funds back to your exchange of choice. The process usually is quite straightforward. You’ll paste the address of your wallet to your exchange to transfer funds to the exchange. Next, you’ll need to find the trading pair of your choice, consider this example:

Let’s say you wish to exchange Bitcoin for Ethereum. After sending your Bitcoin to an exchange, find a trading pair indicated as BTC/ETH, this means that you’ll be exchanging Bitcoin for Ethereum. Once you identify your trading pair, follow the steps to complete the exchange, and transfer the funds back to your wallet.

Best Cryptocurrency Apps Summary

In a nutshell, investing in a cryptocurrency involves acquiring a wallet, signing up on an exchange, buying your coins, and transferring them to your offline wallet for safekeeping.

Cryptocurrency investment is quite promising in terms of returns. Some assets have, in the past, recorded over a 2,000% gain in their market prices within a few months. However, when the market undergoes a correction, the fluctuation of prices can also be quite deep. In the past few months of 2020, the cryptocurrency market has experienced an upward and a downward trend in prices. This has discouraged many people from this investment line.

Finally, it is important to understand that every investment has its fair share of ups and downs, the most important thing is to understand the kind of investment you are in, its challenges, and how to get past them. Once that happens, it will be much easier for you to trade profitably in the cryptocurrency space as well as other investment areas.

The history of cryptocurrencies is characterized by rapidly advancing evolutions and innovative concepts. Cryptocurrency is here to stay, and the crypto world will be entirely different in 10 years from now.

FAQ

What is a crypto exchange?

Cryptocurrency exchanges are online market places where market participants buy and sell cryptos like Bitcoin, Litecoin, Dogecoin, etc. The exchange matches the buy and sell orders and confirms a transaction to the investor.

What is a crypto wallet?

A crypto wallet can be a physical hardware device or software based wallet app. Crypto investors need such wallets to store their cryptocurrencies. Brokers are an alternative solution but using a broker makes it impossible to stay anonymous.

Alexander Voigt, CEO
Article by
Alexander Voigt is the founder of DayTradingZ, was a regular contributor to Benzinga and has been featured and quoted on leading financial websites such as Investors.com, Capital.com, Business Insider and Forbes.