OANDA vs Changenow: Fees, Security, Features & Which to Choose (2025)

Trying to choose between OANDA and Changenow This side-by-side comparison reveals total cost (fees + spreads), security & licenses, coins/derivatives, deposits/withdrawals, and app quality. In 2 minutes you’ll see who wins for beginners, active traders, and long-term holders. Clear pros/cons, a quick verdict, and safe links to get started.

Last updated on August 27, 2025

OANDA

Changenow

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Available Countries

United States

Yes

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

Yes

China

Yes

Canada

Yes

United Kingdom

Yes

United States

Yes

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

China

Yes

Canada

Yes

United Kingdom

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OANDA is ideal if:

Highly trusted, globally regulated – OANDA holds licenses from top-tier authorities (like CFTC, FCA, ASIC), giving you peace of mind in reliability and oversight.
Robust multi-platform flexibility – Access powerful and customizable trading environments across web, mobile, MT4, MT5, and TradingView.
Exceptional educational resources – Comprehensive learning tools, webinars, and research make OANDA especially supportive for continuous trader development.

Changenow is ideal if:

You value privacy and self-custody — ChangeNOW is non-custodial and doesn’t require registration for most swaps, keeping you in full control of your funds.
You seek convenience and speed — It enables fast, no-account-needed swaps across a wide range of cryptocurrencies, ideal for quick, frictionless trades.
You want flexibility to upgrade — With ChangeNOW Pro, you can access optional perks like cashback, enhanced security, and better transaction tools when you're ready to level up.

OANDA isn’t ideal if:

Limited asset variety outside forex: If you're focused on trading individual stocks or ETFs, OANDA doesn’t support direct equity access in most regions, making it less suitable for equity-centric investors.
No guaranteed stops in some regions: Traders in the U.S. or U.K. won’t benefit from guaranteed stop-loss orders, which may be a concern if strict risk control matters to you.
Platform differences by location: Access to MT4, MT5, or advanced APIs varies by jurisdiction, so if you rely on specific tools or automation, check tool availability based on your region before choosing OANDA.

Changenow isn’t ideal if:

You want advanced trading features — If you're into charting tools, order types, margin, or futures, ChangeNOW's simple swap interface might feel too basic.
You expect swift, direct support — Without live chat or phone options, help is slower, often via tickets or messaging channels.
You prioritize strict regulation — ChangeNOW operates without formal licensing from leading financial regulators, which may concern users who value regulatory oversight.

Fees & Total Costs

Spot Maker/Take

OANDA charges a flat crypto trading commission of around 0.25% per transaction, based on your 30-day trading volume tier; there’s no native token to offer discounts nor separate maker/taker pricing structure.

ChangeNOW doesn’t operate with traditional maker/taker fee tiers—its costs are embedded in floating (or optionally fixed) exchange rates that vary by currency pair and volume, with no public tier schedule or explicit native-token discounts, though using the NOW token can yield rebate perks through cashback mechanisms.

Futures/Derivatives

OANDA does not support crypto futures or derivatives; derivative trading (like CFDs or futures) is offered on other asset classes (e.g., forex, indices), but crypto is limited to spot trading with no funding or Rollover/Funding cost structure.

ChangeNOW does not currently offer futures or derivative trading, so there are no maker/taker or funding fees of that type.

Average Spreads on Liquid Pairs

Exact spreads for crypto aren’t published as benchmarks like forex pairs; instead, costs are embedded into the price you see when you buy or sell, offering transparent execution without separate spread disclosures.

While ChangeNOW doesn’t publish spread data, it sources liquidity from partners and embeds margin within the quoted floating rate—spreads are typically competitive and dynamically adjusted based on real-time market conditions.

Fiat Deposits & Withdrawals

You can fund or withdraw via bank transfer, credit/debit card, or instant bank (depending on region) with no fees charged by OANDA—though your own bank or payment provider may levy conversion or processing costs, and processing times vary from instant to a few business days.

Fiat purchases on ChangeNOW are facilitated through third-party providers (e.g., Simplex, Transak, Guardarian) using Visa or Mastercard; fees depend on the provider (typically a few percent), and processing times range from near-instant to several minutes.

On-chain Withdrawals

Crypto withdrawals via OANDA (partnering with Paxos/itBit) include a network fee that varies by blockchain (e.g., BTC, ETH, TRX), and while OANDA may not charge an internal fee, the dynamic network cost is passed on as part of the withdrawal.

ChangeNOW doesn’t charge separate withdrawal fees—network (mining) fees are passed through as dynamic costs based on the chosen blockchain (e.g., BTC, ETH, TRX), reflected in the quoted rate rather than stated separately.

Hidden Costs

While there are no surprise management or sign-up fees, you should note potential costs like currency conversion charges (if funding currency differs), monthly inactivity fees after a long dormancy period, or expedited KYC processing (if applicable)—though none are exorbitant.

ChangeNOW doesn’t impose inactivity penalties or hidden fees; currency conversion and network fees are included in the exchange quote, and express KYC (if triggered) depends on transaction specifics, with any associated costs transparently presented before confirmation.

Real-World Cost Example: “€500 BTC

If you bought €500 worth of Bitcoin, the cost would include the 0.25% commission (approx. €1.25), the embedded execution spread in the quoted price, and a separate network fee for withdrawal—making the total cost a mix of commission, implicit price margin, and blockchain fee.

Suppose you buy €500 worth of BTC via ChangeNOW’s fiat gateway—the quote would include the provider’s purchase margin (around a few percent), underlying spread to liquidity, and on-chain sending fee, all bundled in the total you see before confirming purchase.

Crypto Offering & Trading Features

Number of Coins & Pairs

OANDA offers a small, curated selection of around 9–10 spot cryptocurrencies—such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Aave, Chainlink, Uniswap, PAX Gold, and Solana—without a full rank-by-volume list, but includes the most popular coins by market activity.

ChangeNOW supports over 1,225 cryptocurrencies and more than a million exchange pairs, giving you access to virtually any major or niche token in the market.

Product Range

OANDA supports only spot crypto trading via Paxos (no margin, perpetuals, options, crypto ETFs, staking, loans, copy trading, bots, or automatic DCA features are available).

ChangeNOW offers instant spot swaps, non-custodial swaps, native wallet staking, and crypto-backed loans via ChangeNOW Pro, but it does not currently provide margin, perpetuals, options, ETFs, copy trading, grid bots, or automatic DCA.

Liquidity

While exact figures aren’t public, liquidity is robust and consistently tight due to execution via the regulated Paxos itBit exchange, particularly on BTC and ETH pairs—ensuring reliable execution and minimal slippage.

Liquidity is aggregated through multiple exchange partners, ensuring robust 24-hour volumes and order depth for major assets like BTC and ETH—even though precise statistical metrics are not publicly disclosed.

Tools

The platform offers basic and advanced tools—including “Quick Buy/Sell” (a market-style limit order) and limit orders, stop orders, live alerts, in-app charting, full TradingView integration, and API/WebSocket access for automated strategies.

The platform refrains from offering advanced tools—no limit, stop, OCO orders, custom alerts, charting, TradingView integration, or APIs are openly provided; its focus is on simplicity and instant swaps rather than complex trading infrastructure.

Geographic Restrictions by Product

Crypto services are limited in some jurisdictions—spot crypto is accessible only through the mobile and TradingView platforms, and availability may vary; likewise, services like CFDs or derivatives on crypto are not offered in several regions.

As a swap-first platform, ChangeNOW does not typically impose product-based geographic blocks, but advanced features like Pro loans or staking may have regional restrictions depending on local compliance and third-party partner availability.

Innovation

OANDA does not offer crypto launchpads/pools or flexible versus locked “earn” products; the focus remains firmly on straightforward spot trading, without DeFi-style or automated yield innovations.

While ChangeNOW lacks crypto ETFs or launchpad offerings, it has innovated in token utility—offering automatic staking of its native NOW token in Pro accounts, flexible crypto loans collateralized with major coins, and easy wallet-integrated staking in NOW Wallet.

Security, Regulation & Custody

Operating Entity & Jurisdiction

OANDA Crypto is operated by OANDA Coinpass Limited, a UK-registered company (Company No. 11164834) based in London, while the broader OANDA Group was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in New York. It operates through regulated entities across multiple regions.

ChangeNOW is operated by CHN Group LLC, registered in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, with roots dating back to 2017 and additional administrative presence in the Netherlands. (Information compiled from official sources.)

Licenses/Registration

In the UK, OANDA Coinpass is registered with the FCA as both a Crypto-asset Exchange Provider and Custodian Wallet Provider, and other OANDA entities are regulated in major jurisdictions including the US (CFTC/NFA), EU (FCA/KNF), Canada (CIRO), Singapore (MAS), Australia (ASIC), Japan (FSA), and the BVI (FSC).

While it doesn’t hold specific exchange licenses or operate as a regulated VASP (Virtual Asset Service Provider) under frameworks like MiCA, ChangeNOW complies with global AML/KYC mandates by triggering identity checks when its risk engines flag transactions.

Custody

Crypto holdings are entrusted to the third-party custodian Paxos (via Paxos Trust Company), not held by OANDA itself; while formal proof-of-reserves or audit summaries aren’t publicly shared, assets are maintained separately in user-named Paxos accounts.

The platform is primarily non-custodial—users send and receive directly from their own wallets—but offers optional custodial service via ChangeNOW Pro Custody (a hot wallet model). It does not publicly share PoR, audit results, or precise cold storage ratios.

Insurance & Protection Funds

No dedicated crypto insurance, fund protection, or compensatory schemes (like FSCS or SIPC) are in place; crypto assets are not covered by traditional financial protections in the event of platform or custodian insolvency.

There’s no public mention of insurance coverage or dedicated asset protection funds, though ChangeNOW demonstrates active anti-fraud and risk-response measures when unauthorized activity is detected or reported.

Incident History

There appears to be no record of past hacks, major outages, wallet freezes, or official fines affecting OANDA’s crypto services—indicating a clean operational track record thus far.

ChangeNOW has a strong track record of catching suspicious transactions in real time—successfully halting and assisting recovery of funds in cases like SIM-swap thefts and phishing scams, working with law enforcement to return millions to victims.

Risk Controls

Robust security measures are offered including mandatory (or strongly encouraged) two-factor authentication, internal security monitoring, a dedicated bug bounty via ethical disclosures, and Paxos-level safeguards such as withdrawal whitelisting and secure custody.

The platform enforces automated AML checks, address whitelisting for Pro users, and KYC triggers as needed. However, it doesn’t offer typical user security features such as 2FA, sub-accounts, granular API permissions, or anti-phishing tools.

Transparency

OANDA provides detailed legal and risk documentation via its Crypto Legal pages, but public disclosures such as monthly audits, wallet addresses, or service-level SLA guarantees are not made openly accessible.

ChangeNOW publishes trust-focused updates—highlighting recovered funds and AML activity—but does not provide continuous transparency tools like public wallets, monthly reserve reports, or service-level agreements (SLAs).

Deposits, Withdrawals, KYC & Support

Fiat Deposit Methods

Deposits are made via debit/credit card, wire transfer, ACH, BPay (Australia), or online banking—card deposits are almost instant (with monthly caps), while bank methods take 1–5 business days; no explicit minimums stated, and e-wallets are generally not supported for crypto accounts.

ChangeNOW facilitates fiat-to-crypto purchases through third-party partners such as Simplex, Transak, and Guardarian, enabling payment via Visa/MasterCard, Apple/Google Pay, SEPA, SWIFT, PIX, Revolut, and more. Minimum purchase amounts typically start around $50 (or equivalent), with no firm maximum on classic exchanges, and most transactions finalize within minutes though timing can vary by provider and method.

Supported Fiat Currencies & Conversion

KYC (Verification Levels)

Levels & Limits

ChangeNOW generally operates registration-free and KYC-free for smaller transactions, but it may prompt identity verification via its third-party partner if transactions are large or flagged. Completing KYC under the Pro tier unlocks higher transaction and withdrawal limits, rate advantages, and additional Pro features, with verification typically processed in minutes.

Withdrawals

Fiat withdrawals can be made with no set caps (GBP/EUR to originating bank) though large sums undergo extra review; crypto withdrawals require 2FA and whitelisting of destination addresses, with withdrawal networks (like ERC-20) chosen depending on the coin.

On-chain crypto withdrawals occur across supported networks—like ERC-20, TRC-20, BEP-20, etc.—and are processed in real time based on network conditions; there are no preset withdrawal limits for classic exchanges, though Pro users may benefit from elevated thresholds.

Customer Support

Support runs seven days per week (roughly 7 AM–midnight GMT) via email and phone; crypto-specific FAQs and legal resources are available online for self-help.

ChangeNOW offers 24/7 customer support via live chat and email/ticket systems, backed by a comprehensive help center. Response times are generally quick (particularly via live chat), and its self-help knowledge base covers most common topics—though dedicated response patience may vary depending on case complexity.

Languages & Localization

The platform supports native Spanish (among other languages), displays fees in local currencies like €, and adapts regulatory compliance regionally—especially in the UK and EU.

The platform supports multiple languages (around 15) and displays pricing in common fiat formats (€, $, etc.), offering localized experiences in many regions; however, availability of features and compliance may differ by jurisdiction.

App Quality & Stability

The mobile app (on both Android and iOS) provides secure, responsive crypto trading—including auto-trade/DCA, advanced charting, and regular updates—though explicit crash rate or stability metrics aren’t published.

The ChangeNOW mobile apps are available on Android and iOS and deliver a streamlined experience for swaps; while formal crash-rate data isn’t public, user rankings are strong (around 4.7–4.8/5 on app stores), and the app receives regular updates to enhance performance and fix bugs.

Experience, Performance & Ecosystem

UX/UI

OANDA delivers a clean, intuitive interface that balances simplicity with powerful tools—while there’s no explicit “Lite/Pro” mode, the mobile app is designed for both beginners and seasoned traders, offering quick buy/sell alongside advanced charting options.

The platform features a clean, intuitive interface ideal for beginners—swaps proceed in just a few clicks—while the Pro tier introduces a richer dashboard with transaction history, analytics, cashback tracking, and more advanced features tailored to power users

Performance

Thanks to OANDA’s partnership with Paxos’ itBit and TradingView integration, the platform ensures fast execution and reliable uptime, even during volatile periods—though, as with any high-demand service, minor responsive delays can occur under extreme market surges.

ChangeNOW delivers near-instant swap execution thanks to its aggregator model, even during volatile periods; KYC processing within Pro remains efficient, and there’s no known backlog during bull-market surges.

Education

OANDA supplements its platform with helpful learning materials, including an education portal and demo capabilities (for other asset classes), but the crypto side currently offers fewer dedicated Spanish-language guides or simulation tools.

While there’s no formal academy or simulation tools, ChangeNOW provides educational articles (especially via its blog) covering topics like crypto strategy and security practices—though Spanish content appears limited

Community

While OANDA doesn’t run official crypto-focused forums or Discord/Telegram communities, it leverages TradingView’s vast trader base for idea sharing, and offers standard referral incentives globally across its platform.

Community engagement centers around Telegram, Twitter Spaces AMAs, and blogs; additionally, ChangeNOW rewards referrals with customizable affiliate links offering commission—developers and partners can integrate swaps via widget, API, or bot for seamless referrals

Integrations

The platform shines in integration—offering seamless real-time trading via TradingView’s charts, with API access for automation; however, it does not currently support external bot marketplaces, tax tools, or integrated accounting features.

ChangeNOW offers a robust API with 99.99% uptime and sub-second response times, enabling integration into bots, widgets, or partner platforms; while there’s no native TradingView or tax tool, users can export swap history via CSV for external accounting or analytics

Who Each One Is Best For

OANDA is especially well-suited for traders who value a trusted, regulated environment with smooth TradingView access and dependable execution—less ideal for those seeking rich educational content in crypto or advanced automation and tax/reporting tools.

The platform shines for users who seek fast, private, no-frills crypto swaps—regular users will appreciate the simplicity of the Lite experience, while frequent traders and businesses benefit from Pro’s added tools, cashback, loans, and AML features.