Buy Bitcoin

An exclusive list of the best exchanges to buy bitcoin.
Carefully vetted and maintained by Bitbo. Disclaimer

fear and greed
View the Bitcoin Fear & Greed Index live, with data and price history.
bitbo.io

MoonPay vs Gemini: Which is Best? [2026]

Gemini
Overall Rating
MoonPay
Overall Rating
Gemini logo Visit Gemini
MoonPay logo Visit MoonPay

Key differences

1
Gemini ActiveTrader charges 0.20-0.40%; MoonPay charges up to 4.5%.
2
MoonPay works in 160+ countries; Gemini works in 60+ countries.
3
Gemini is a full exchange with advanced trading; MoonPay is a simple on-ramp.


Gemini vs MoonPay in Comparison

Description

Gemini

US-based exchange regulated by the New York DFS. Features include ACH transfers, PayPal integration, Apple Pay support, & automated purchases.

MoonPay

Simple app to buy Bitcoin with your bank or debit card. Works in most countries but has very high fees.

Supported Countries

Gemini

Available in over 60 countries globally including United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Brazil. Supports all 50 U.S. states and territories.

MoonPay

Available in 160+ countries. Regulated globally with licenses in major jurisdictions including UK, US, EU, Canada, and Australia.

Supported Cryptocurrencies

Gemini

Over 70 cryptocurrencies including native assets like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Filecoin (FIL), Zcash (ZEC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Litecoin (LTC), Dogecoin (DOGE), Tezos (XTZ), Solana (SOL), Polkadot (DOT), Avalanche (AVAX), XRP, Cosmos (ATOM), Optimism (OP) and more.

MoonPay

160+ cryptocurrencies including BTC, ETH, USDC, USDT, DAI and many more

Fees

Gemini

  • Mobile/Web Instant Orders:
    • Under $10: $0.99 flat fee
    • Over $200: 1.49% + 0.5% convenience fee
  • Mobile/Web Limit Orders:
    • Maker: 0.20%
    • Taker: 0.40%
  • Stablecoin-USD:
    • Maker: Free
    • Taker: 0.01%
  • Crypto Conversion: 1.49%
  • Staking: 15%
  • ACH/Wire Transfers: Free

MoonPay

  • Deposit Fees:
  • Bank Transfer: 1%
  • Credit/Debit Card: 4.5%
  • Apple Pay/Google Pay: 4.5%
  • PayPal: 4.5%
  • MoonPay Balance: 0%
  • Withdrawal Fees:
  • Bank Transfer: 1%
  • PayPal: 3.4%
  • BTC: Network fees apply

Payment Methods

Gemini

ACH, Bank Account, Wire Transfer, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay

MoonPay

Bank Account, Credit Card, Debit Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal

Do These Exchanges Allow you To Earn Interest on Crypto?

Gemini

MoonPay

Mobile App Ratings

Gemini

iOS Rating: 4.8 Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.

Android Rating: 4.2 Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.

MoonPay

iOS Rating: 4.2 Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.

Android Rating: 4.0 Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.

Storage

Gemini

Gemini is the world's first SOC1 Type 2 and SOC2 Type 2 certified crypto exchange and custodian. The platform features industry-leading security controls including mandatory 2FA, hardware security key support, and address allowlisting for withdrawals.
Regular third-party security assessments including SOC2 Type 2, ISO 27001 certification, and annual penetration testing verify security practices.
All customer assets are fully secured with institutional-grade storage solutions.

MoonPay

Advanced security infrastructure with multi-signature wallets, cold storage solutions, and regular security audits. Features include 2FA authentication, biometric verification, and compliance with global regulatory standards.

Have These Exchanges Been Hacked Before?

Gemini

No major hacks, though did lose customer funds during the Genesis bankruptcy. However, all customer funds were recovered.

MoonPay

No. No publicly reported major hacking incidents.

Official Site

Exchange Review

Gemini

No review available

"My favorite crypto exchange! The customer service is great and the fees are not as bad as some other exchanges. I've been trading on Gemini for a couple of years and never had an issue. Thanks for the seamless experience guys!"
- Real user review from iOS App Store, Android Play Store or Trustpilot

MoonPay

No review available

"MoonPay has been fantastic for buying crypto quickly and easily. The verification process was smooth, and I love having multiple payment options. Their zero-fee feature with MoonPay Balance is a game-changer."
- Real user review from iOS App Store, Android Play Store or Trustpilot

MoonPay vs Gemini Comparison

MoonPay and Gemini serve different market segments. MoonPay is a global on-ramp for quick crypto purchases. Gemini is a US-based, highly regulated exchange known for security and compliance, offering full trading features and financial products.

Fee Comparison

MoonPay charges:

  • 4.5% for cards
  • 1% for bank transfers
  • Spread in pricing

Gemini charges:

  • 1.49% convenience fee (mobile/web instant)
  • 0.20% maker / 0.40% taker (ActiveTrader)
  • Free ACH and wire deposits
  • 0.5% spread on instant orders

Who Should Use Each?

Choose MoonPay if: You're outside Gemini's service area, need instant card purchases without an account, or are buying through a third-party integration.

Choose Gemini if: You value regulatory compliance and security, want lower fees, need staking or interest-earning options, or prefer a US-regulated platform.

Key Takeaways

Gemini is the superior choice for US users and anyone who prioritizes security and compliance. The ActiveTrader platform offers fees up to 95% lower than MoonPay. Gemini's SOC 2 certification and insurance coverage provide peace of mind that MoonPay can't match. MoonPay wins only on convenience and global reach.