Bybit vs OKX: Which Charges Less for Active Trading
Bybit and OKX are two of the largest crypto exchanges in the world, and both offer competitive fee structures. But they are not identical. This article compares their fees side by side so you can decide which platform charges less for your trading style.
Spot trading fees
Bybit charges a maker fee of 0.02% and a taker fee of 0.055% on spot trading. OKX charges a maker fee of 0.08% and a taker fee of 0.10%. For spot traders, Bybit is significantly cheaper on both sides of the order book. If you frequently place limit orders that add liquidity, Bybit's maker fee is less than a quarter of OKX's. For takers who cross the spread, Bybit's 0.055% is roughly half of OKX's 0.10%. Over hundreds of trades, this difference compounds into meaningful savings, especially for high-volume traders.
Futures and derivatives fees
Both exchanges offer competitive futures fees, and Bybit has built its reputation on derivatives trading. Bybit's futures fees are among the most competitive in the industry. OKX also offers a full derivatives product suite, but its fees are generally higher than Bybit's for comparable products.
- Bybit maker fee: 0.02%
- Bybit taker fee: 0.055%
- OKX maker fee: 0.08%
- OKX taker fee: 0.10%
The referral code BYBIT313 gives you a 20% discount on Bybit trading fees, which widens the gap further. OKX also offers a 20% discount through its referral code ENJOYDISCOUNT, but even with the discount, OKX's base fees are higher.
Fee comparison for active traders
For a trader executing 100 trades per month with an average notional of $1,000 per trade, the fee difference is substantial. On Bybit, the monthly taker fees would be $55. On OKX, they would be $100. With the 20% referral discount applied, Bybit drops to $44 and OKX drops to $80. The maker fee difference is even more dramatic. Bybit's 0.02% maker fee with the 20% discount becomes 0.016%. OKX's 0.08% maker fee with the discount becomes 0.064%. For passive orders that provide liquidity, Bybit is four times cheaper.
Other considerations beyond fees
Fees are not the only factor. OKX offers a built-in Web3 wallet that gives you access to DEXes and DeFi from the same app. Bybit focuses more on derivatives and copy trading. Your choice should depend on which features you actually use.
- Bybit has 500+ trading pairs
- OKX has 400+ trading pairs
- Both offer spot, futures, and options
- OKX has better Web3 integration
- Bybit has stronger copy trading features
The referral code BYBIT313 makes Bybit cheaper for most trading styles. But if you value OKX's Web3 wallet and DeFi access, the higher fees may be worth paying for the convenience.
Frequently asked questions
Which exchange has lower fees overall?
Bybit has lower fees for both spot and futures trading. Its maker fee of 0.02% and taker fee of 0.055% are significantly below OKX's 0.08% and 0.10%. The difference is even larger when referral discounts are applied.
Do the referral codes affect the fee comparison?
Both exchanges offer a 20% fee discount through their referral codes. Bybit's code is BYBIT313 and OKX's code is ENJOYDISCOUNT. Even with both discounts applied, Bybit remains cheaper. The referral codes reduce the fee difference but do not eliminate it.
Is Bybit or OKX better for beginners?
Bybit's interface is cleaner for derivatives trading, while OKX offers more features overall. For beginners who want simplicity, Bybit's lower fees and focused interface may be more appealing. However, OKX's Web3 wallet may be more useful for users who want to explore DeFi.