MoonPay vs Uphold: Which is Best? [2026]
Key differences
Uphold vs MoonPay in Comparison
Description
Popular exchange based in the USA with support for multiple payment methods.
Simple app to buy Bitcoin with your bank or debit card. Works in most countries but has very high fees.
Supported Countries
Available in over 180 countries globally including US, UK, Canada, Australia, Brazil and Japan. Serves over 30 million users worldwide.
Available in 160+ countries. Regulated globally with licenses in major jurisdictions including UK, US, EU, Canada, and Australia.
Supported Cryptocurrencies
Over 250 cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, XRP, Stellar, AAVE, BAT, ADA and many more
160+ cryptocurrencies including BTC, ETH, USDC, USDT, DAI and many more
Fees
- Stablecoins & major FX: 0.25%
- BTC, ETH: 1.4% - 1.6%
- Altcoins: 1.9% - 2.95%
- Precious Metals: 1.9% - 2.95%
- 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
ACH, Bank Account, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Credit Card, Debit Card, SEPA, Interac e-Transfer
Bank Account, Credit Card, Debit Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal
Do These Exchanges Allow you To Earn Interest on Crypto?
2 - 4.65%
Earn up to 4.65% APY on USD balances of $1,000 or more, or 2% APY on balances below $1,000 in Uphold's USD Interest Account.
Mobile App Ratings
iOS Rating: 4.6 Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
Android Rating: 4.7 Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.
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
Uphold maintains full reserves of customer assets with no lending. Platform features industry-standard security including 2FA, real-time monitoring and notifications. Regular third-party audits verify holdings and security practices.
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?
No major hacks, though a third-party communications vendor had a security incident in July 2022. No customer funds were affected.
No. No publicly reported major hacking incidents.
Official Site
Exchange Review
No review available
"I am a big fan of Uphold. Its super straightforward and simple. You can swap between lots of tokens and easily select your bank to buy new ones. They have all customer assets backed. Perfect 👌. My only gripe is that once you own something and click on that token it does not show you the market price and market graph it shows your own account balance and change over time."
- Real user review from iOS App Store, Android Play Store or Trustpilot
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 Uphold Comparison
MoonPay and Uphold are both global platforms, but Uphold functions as a complete exchange while MoonPay is simply an on-ramp for buying crypto. Uphold lets you hold, trade, and earn interest on your assets, while MoonPay just facilitates purchases.
Fee Comparison
MoonPay charges:
- 4.5% for cards
- 1% for bank transfers
- Additional spread in pricing
Uphold charges:
- 1.4-1.6% spread for BTC/ETH
- 0.25% for stablecoins
- Free ACH/SEPA deposits
- No trading fees (spread only)
Who Should Use Each?
Choose MoonPay if: You need the absolute fastest purchase possible, are buying through a third-party app, or prefer not to create an exchange account.
Choose Uphold if: You want lower fees, need to hold and trade crypto, want access to precious metals, or want to earn interest on USD balances.
Key Takeaways
Uphold is the better value for most users, offering lower effective costs and a full suite of features. The ability to trade between assets and earn interest makes it more versatile. MoonPay's only real advantage is speed and simplicity for users who don't want an exchange account.
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