Futures Trading Fees: Which Exchange Charges Least
Futures (perpetual contract) fees are lower than spot fees on every exchange compared here, because futures markets are typically more liquid and exchanges compete harder on that liquidity. Base-tier futures maker/taker rates, read from each exchange's own fee page on 9 September 2026:
| Exchange | Maker | Taker | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bitget | 0.02% | 0.06% | — |
| Gate.io | 0.015% | 0.05% | — |
| MEXC | 0%–0.02% | 0.02%–0.04% | Varies by region/contract |
| Bybit | 0.02% | 0.055% | — |
| OKX | 0.02% | 0.05% | — |
Why Futures Fees Are Lower Than Spot
Futures trading generates far more volume per exchange than spot, so exchanges price futures fees more competitively to capture that flow. Compare this to spot fees, where the cheapest taker rate here is 0.05% (MEXC) versus 0.04% for futures on Gate.io.
MEXC's Regional Variance
MEXC stopped running one global futures fee schedule in 2025, adjusting taker rates by country and contract instead. If you trade on MEXC futures, check the fee page inside your own account — it's the only reliable source for your exact rate.
Futures Fees Aren't the Only Cost
Perpetual contracts also charge a funding rate — a periodic payment between long and short positions that isn't a trading fee and varies with market conditions. It can exceed your maker/taker fee on a volatile day, so factor it in before assuming the exchange with the lowest listed fee is cheapest to hold a position on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is futures trading cheaper than spot trading?
On fees alone, yes — every exchange compared here charges lower futures maker and taker fees than spot. But futures also carry a funding rate that spot trading does not, which can add real cost.
Which exchange has the lowest futures taker fee?
Gate.io's 0.05% futures taker fee is the lowest fixed rate among the five compared here, read from its official fee page on 9 September 2026. MEXC can go as low as 0.02% but its rate varies by region.