Binance vs OKX vs Bybit for Arbitrage (2026)
There’s no “best exchange” in general—only the best fit for your arbitrage workflow. This comparison focuses on what matters for arbitrage: execution quality, fees, liquidity, deposits/withdrawals, and operational reliability.
Quick decision guide
If you’re just starting, pick one exchange to learn basics (deposits, order types, withdrawals, confirmations), then expand to a second exchange once you can reliably complete a full cycle without surprises.
Comparison table (arbitrage-focused)
| Factor | Binance | OKX | Bybit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | High liquidity, broad market coverage | Solid “all-rounder”, good UX for onboarding | Execution-focused traders, strong derivatives ecosystem |
| Spot liquidity (top pairs) | Typically very high | High | High to very high (pair dependent) |
| Fee sensitivity | Strong if you can keep fees low | Competitive; verify tier + discounts | Competitive; verify maker/taker per pair |
| Transfers / networks | Many options; verify cheapest reliable route | Good coverage; check deposit confirmations | Good coverage; check downtime history |
| Operational friction | Low if you know the workflow | Low to medium (depends on verification flow) | Low to medium |
| Beginner friendliness | Medium | High | Medium |
This table is intentionally practical. For arbitrage, you care less about marketing features and more about: fees + depth + withdrawals + reliability.
What matters most for arbitrage (ranked)
1) Withdrawals that work (fast + predictable)
A great spread is useless if you can’t move funds quickly. Check: supported networks, typical confirmation times, minimum withdrawals, and any “maintenance” patterns.
2) Orderbook depth (slippage kills spreads)
If you plan to scale size, depth matters more than headline fees. Thin orderbooks turn “2% spreads” into 0% after slippage.
3) Fees on both sides (taker vs maker)
If your workflow needs instant fills, assume taker fees. If you can place maker orders, your edge improves—at the cost of fill risk.
Recommended approach (simple, safe)
- Start with 1–2 pairs (e.g., BTC/USDT, ETH/USDT) to reduce complexity.
- Start small: run one full cycle and measure net profit after fees (not just gross spread).
- Track every cost: use our profit framework: fees & profit calculator guide.
Use our review pages (context + who it’s for)
We avoid “raw affiliate links”. Each review explains who the exchange fits and why it might be a good arbitrage platform:
See live spreads on our dashboard and hot Polymarket events on our prediction markets page.