River vs Binance: Which is Best? [2026]
Key differences
River vs Binance Fees Calculator
We built this fee calculator to help you compare the fees of River and Binance.
Enter the amount you want to buy and we'll show you the estimated fees for each exchange.
River vs Binance in Comparison
Description
River is a trusted Bitcoin-only exchange based in the USA.
Global cryptocurrency exchange with extensive trading features and high liquidity.
Supported Countries
USA
Available in over 100 countries. Notable regions include: Africa (South Africa), Americas (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru), Asia & Pacific (Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, New Zealand), Europe (France, Italy, Poland, Spain, Switzerland), and Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel).
Supported Cryptocurrencies
Bitcoin-only
350+ cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and many more
Fees
- Order Size: Up to $1,000,000 | Fee: 1.00%
- Order Size: >$1,000,000 to $5,000,000 | Fee: 0.70%
- Order Size: >$5,000,000 to $15,000,000 | Fee: 0.40%
- Order Size: >$15,000,000 | Fee: 0.25%
- Order Size: All recurring buy orders | Fee: 0.00%
- Trading Fees:
- Regular User: 0.1000% / 0.1000% (Maker/Taker)
- With BNB discount: 0.0750% / 0.0750%
- VIP tiers available with lower fees (down to 0.0110% / 0.0230%)
- Fees decrease with higher 30-day trading volume and BNB holdings
- Deposit Fees:
- SEPA Bank Transfer (EUR): 1 EUR
- Credit/Debit Card: 2.00%
- Bank Transfer: 0-1.40% (varies by region)
- P2P Express: Free
- Withdrawal Fees:
- SEPA Bank Transfer (EUR): 1 EUR
- Bank Transfer: Varies by currency (e.g., 120 AED, 3.5 BRL, 150 JPY)
- P2P Express: Free
- Corporate Bank Transfer: Varies by region
Payment Methods
ACH, Bank Account, Wire Transfer
Bank Transfer (SEPA), Credit/Debit Card, P2P Express, Online Banking, Corporate Bank Transfer (varies by region)
Do These Exchanges Allow you To Earn Interest on Crypto?
3.8%
Earn 3.8% interest on FDIC-insured cash, paid out in Bitcoin. No fees or minimums. Withdraws allowed anytime.
Mobile App Ratings
iOS Rating: 4.8 Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
Android Rating: 4.9 Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.
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.
Storage
River holds client Bitcoin in full reserve with no lending. They built their own custody systems from the ground up to minimize third-party dependencies. Security includes regular independent audits, mandatory 2FA, real-time notifications, 24/7 monitoring, and bcrypt password hashing. Users can verify holdings via Proof of Reserves.
Industry standard security measures including 2FA authentication, cold storage, SAFU fund for asset protection
Have These Exchanges Been Hacked Before?
No. Has never lost customer funds in any way.
Two major incidents - October 2022 BNB Chain hack ($570M), May 2019 exchange hack ($40M). Both incidents were addressed and user funds were secured.
Official Site
Exchange Review
"I really like the app so far. It does what it's supposed to and paired with the desktop web app, I could not personally ask for more. Great customer service and lots of upcoming features in the pipeline from my understanding."
- Real user review from iOS App Store, Android Play Store or Trustpilot
No review available
"I really love the Binance app! The interface is user-friendly and very smooth to use. Market data updates quickly, helping me seize trading opportunities in a timely manner. I am very satisfied with the app's security, allowing me to trade with peace of mind."
- Real user review from iOS App Store, Android Play Store or Trustpilot
River vs Binance Comparison
Security Track Record
River has never been hacked or lost customer funds in any way. The company stores all bitcoins offline in secure cold storage, requires 2FA authentication for all accounts, and secures cold storage using military-grade technology.
Binance has experienced two major security incidents: a $40 million exchange hack in May 2019, and a $570 million BNB Chain hack in October 2022. While Binance addressed both incidents and secured user funds through their SAFU insurance fund, these events raise concerns for security-conscious investors.
Fee Structures
River charges 1% for one-time purchases but offers zero fees for recurring purchases (DCA). This makes River significantly cheaper for long-term investors who dollar-cost average into Bitcoin regularly.
Binance has lower base trading fees at 0.1% (or 0.075% with BNB discount), but charges fees on every transaction regardless of purchase type. For active traders, Binance is cheaper. For DCA investors, River wins.
Supported Cryptocurrencies
River is Bitcoin-only by design. The company believes focusing exclusively on Bitcoin allows them to maximize security and simplicity.
Binance supports 350+ cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and hundreds of altcoins. If you need access to multiple cryptocurrencies, Binance offers far more options.
US Availability
River is fully available in 48 US states (excluding New York and Nevada), with straightforward regulatory compliance and a US-based support team.
Binance operates Binance.US for American customers, but it has faced regulatory challenges and is not available in all states. Some features available on the global Binance platform are restricted in the US.
Additional Features
River offers unique features for Bitcoin maximalists: the ability to earn interest on USD balances (paid in BTC), Bitcoin mining services, and excellent human customer support.
Binance offers a comprehensive ecosystem including futures trading, staking, lending, NFT marketplace, and the BNB token for fee discounts.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose River if you're a Bitcoin-focused investor in the US who values security, wants zero-fee DCA, and prefers a platform that has never been hacked.
Choose Binance if you need access to hundreds of altcoins, want the lowest possible trading fees for active trading, or require advanced features like futures and margin trading.
Fold
Onramp Bitcoin
Cash App
Kraken
Swan Bitcoin
MoonPay
Coinbase
Crypto.com
Fidelity Crypto
Unchained
Strike
Gemini
Bitbuy
Bitpanda
Uphold