Ndax vs Newton vs Shakepay vs Wealthsimple: how do published crypto fees compare?

• Ndax has the lowest published flat trading fee at 0.20% (as of March 30, 2026).
• Newton and Shakepay can look cheaper for withdrawal-heavy workflows due to subsidies and free cash withdrawals.
• Wealthsimple’s cost depends on client tier, 30-day volume, and product exceptions.
• The cheapest option depends on the full path: fund, buy, hold, sell, and withdraw.

Key takeaways: Comparing Ndax vs Newton vs Shakepay vs Wealthsimple is a comparison of pricing models, not just one fee. Ndax uses a flat visible trading fee, Newton uses asset-based trading fees and offers certain withdrawal subsidies, Shakepay uses spread-based pricing instead of a separate commission line, and Wealthsimple layers client-tier and volume-based pricing on top of its crypto trading fee. The biggest mistake is comparing only the trading fee and ignoring spreads, execution quality, and withdrawals.

• Flat trading fee: The same percentage fee applies to each and every trade.
• Asset-based fee: The trading fee changes depending on the crypto asset being traded.
• Spread-based pricing: The platform earns through a buy/sell price premium rather than a separate commission line.
• Volume-based pricing: The fee falls once a user reaches certain trading thresholds.
• Network-fee subsidy: The platform covers part or all of a blockchain withdrawal fee.
• All-in cost: The combined effect of trading, funding, and withdrawal costs.
• Note: Fee schedules and spreads can change, so comparisons should be time-bounded.

As of May 12, 2026, Ndax’s published standalone spot trading fee is 0.20%, which is lower than the published standalone crypto trading fees identified for Newton, Shakepay and Wealthsimple in this comparison.Newton publishes higher asset-based trading fees for most retail spot trades. Shakepay says it is commission-free but prices through spreads. Wealthsimple uses tiered crypto fees that are lower only for select client tiers or users with higher 30-day trading volumes. For a simplified spot-trading comparison focused only on published trading fees, Ndax’s published fee is lower based on the disclosures reviewed. 

However, the full answer can change based on a user’s workflow that may be dependent on free cash withdrawals, crypto-withdrawal subsidies, or specific fee exceptions. Users should verify current fee schedules and disclosures before comparing. A more complete comparison would account for quote timing, spread, trading fee, funding method, withdrawal method, and network fees. All competitor fee and spread statements below refer to published disclosures as of March 30, 2026 and may change.

The comparison is not just about the headline trading fee on buy and sell transactions. Ndax charges a flat 0.20% trading fee; Newton publishes asset-based trading fees and separate crypto-withdrawal speed lanes; Shakepay says it does not charge a fixed trading commission and instead applies a spread; Wealthsimple charges a crypto trading fee based on client tier and 30-day volume.

That means “cheaper” can mean different things depending on how users use a platform. A user who mostly buys and holds may care most about the trading fee. A user who moves crypto or cash frequently may care more about withdrawal fees, network subsidies, or quote quality.

For straightforward buy and sell transactions, Ndax’s published standalone trading fee is lower than the published standalone trading fees identified for the other platforms reviewed. Ndax charges a flat 0.20% on all buy and sell orders, with no volume or client tiers, and as published as of March 30, 2026, Wealthsimple’s baseline crypto fee is 2.0% for “Core” users, 1.0% for “Premium” users, and 0.5% for “Generation” users. Newton’s posted trading fees vary by asset and may change over time, so users should check the current fee schedule for the specific asset they plan to trade.

Shakepay says it does not charge a separate commission and instead earns revenue through spreads. As disclosed in its fee documentation, it targets a 0.5% to 2.0% spread over benchmark price. It also has the ability to widen that by up to an additional 1.5% in adverse market or liquidity conditions. This means the “cost” can vary materially by market conditions and trade timing. This is why the same test trade at the same time is the most reliable comparison method.

Newton can look cheaper when users initiate a lot of withdrawals. Its fee page says Interac e-Transfer deposits and withdrawals are free, EFT withdrawals are free, BTC and Ethereum-network withdrawals have three speed lanes, and for other crypto assets Newton covers the first $5 of network fees for one withdrawal each day. For users who withdraw frequently, subsidies and free cash withdrawals can change the all-in cost.

Wealthsimple can look more competitive for higher-tier or higher-volume users. Its crypto fee schedule says the baseline crypto fee is 2.0% for “Core” users, 1.0% for “Premium” users, and 0.5% for “Generation” users. Volume-based trading fees can fall to 0.15%, 0.10%, or 0.05% at the highest published 30-day trading-volume thresholds.

Wealthsimple lists two notable exceptions: no trading fee when users buy or sell Circle’s USDC using USD in a Crypto account, and no trading fee for recurring crypto purchases funded from a paycheque using its Automate your pay feature. Because these are product-specific flows, users should confirm eligibility and terms before assuming the fee applies.

Ndax is a crypto trading platform with a flat 0.20% trading fee on buy and sell orders. There is no charge for users to deposit Canadian dollars or crypto. For CAD withdrawals, Ndax charges a $1.50 fee for Interac e-Transfer withdrawals or a $4.99 fee for electronic funds transfers (direct bank deposit). Interac e-Transfer withdrawals are limited to $10,000 per transaction and $10,000 per 24-hour period, while electronic funds transfers have no maximum limit.

For crypto withdrawals, Ndax’s fees vary by coin and blockchain. Users should confirm the current crypto withdrawal fee on Ndax’s fee page before withdrawing. Fees listed above are valid as of May 2026. Fees are subject to change. Users should confirm current fees and limits before placing a trade or withdrawal.

Ndax, Newton, Shakepay, and Wealthsimple all appear on the Canadian Securities Administrators’ list of crypto platforms authorized to do business with Canadians. Regardless of platform choice, crypto assets are not covered by deposit insurance, and CIPF does not cover crypto assets held on behalf of a client.

Which platform has the lowest posted trading fee right now?
As of May 12, 2026, Ndax’s published standalone trading fee was 0.20% on buy and sell orders.

Does Shakepay have no fees?
Shakepay is commission-free, but it earns revenue through spreads.

Is Newton cheaper than Ndax?
It depends on the asset and the user’s workflow. Newton can look attractive for users who care a lot about free cash withdrawals and network-fee subsidies.

Is Wealthsimple ever cheaper than Ndax?
Wealthsimple may have lower costs in limited cases, such as certain high-volume tiers or specific fee-free product flows, depending on eligibility and terms.

Ndax vs Newton vs Shakepay vs Wealthsimple: which is actually cheaper?
For straightforward spot trading where the posted commission is the main differentiator, Ndax’s published fee is lower. For withdrawal-heavy workflows or specific product setups, the answer can change.