In this ShapeShift review, we look at its crypto exchange features, fees, tools, and supported coins to see if it’s still worth using.
Let’s talk about digital currency. More specifically, cryptocurrencies and the need for an outlet to exchange one form for another. This is where the ShapeShift Cryptocurrency Exchange comes in.
ShapeShift is a cryptocurrency exchange that started in 2013. The founder is Erik Voorhees. The Swiss-based company is popular with millions globally to exchange digital assets quickly and easily. So, yes, it’s a safe crypto broker.
ShapeShift Review Rating: 3.5/5
Currently facilitates the exchange of over 30 cryptocurrencies
What Is ShapeShift? (2026 Review)
ShapeShift is a cryptocurrency exchange that started in 2013. The founder is Erik Voorhees. The Swiss-based company is popular with millions globally to exchange digital assets quickly and easily. So, yes, it’s a safe crypto broker.
Cryptocurrency is a hot-button topic. It’s a sector that can be manipulated. As a result, could you make sure you trade it with proper risk management?
After all, you don’t want to blow up your brokerage account. ShapeShift is very simple to use. You can swap out cryptocurrencies nearly instantly.
You don’t need to provide personal info or wait long for account creation. To sum it up, ShapeShift can do business without KYC (Know Your Customer) because no fiat currency is involved. The exchange strictly does crypto-to-crypto transactions.
Our ShapeShift review found that its non-custodial design, instant swaps, and tools like Bitfract and CoinCap make it a strong pick for crypto traders who want privacy and control.
Key Takeaways
- ShapeShift exchange rates are inexpensive. What you see is what you get in terms of exchange fees.
- They make a small percentage from the updated spreads in real time. And there are no other fees except the miner fees set by the blockchain network.
- Like similar crypto exchanges, ShapeShift has upper and lower transaction limits. However, they don’t post the exact amounts on their site.
- If you somehow breach ShapeShift exchange limits, they automatically return your funds to you. However, you can become a member if you wish to raise your limit to make larger exchanges.
ShapeShift Pricing (2026 Fees & Costs)
Our ShapeShift review takes a look at the exchange fees you can expect. ShapeShift currently facilitates the exchange of over 30 cryptocurrencies. They range from the wildly popular to the more obscure.
You can exchange Bitcoin, altcoin, or altcoin for Bitcoin, whatever you want. If it’s on their list of cryptocurrencies, you can exchange it. For example, cryptos like Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ethereum, Zcash, Dash, Ripple, and Monero are among the many choices.
ShapeShift is a non-custodial exchange. They won’t hold your cryptocurrencies for you. Therefore, this makes your transactions with ShapeShift more secure from hacks.
Because the exchange is not holding onto deposits, ShapeShift exchanges your cryptos and then sends them back to you at the address you supply.
Provide your wallet address or your account with another exchange currently holding your cryptos. Here’s a list of bitcoin stocks.
What Is Bitfract?
This free tool enables users to exchange one cryptocurrency for multiple cryptocurrencies in one transaction. For example, let’s say you have Bitcoin, but you want to diversify that into several other cryptos. You don’t have to do several transactions. Instead, you can do it all at once with the Bitfract tool.
Coincap
This free tool provides real-time market data on every cryptocurrency under the sun. They appear listed in order of popularity.
However, the search feature enables you to locate data on more obscure digital assets quickly and easily. So you don’t need to scroll through a list of 1000+ cryptocurrencies.
Moreover, clicking on the name of any crypto provides you with charts and even more market data.
Keepkey
The KeepKey wallets, compatible with Mac, PC, Linux, and Android, are designed for secure storage of cryptocurrencies. At the time of this writing, the KeepKey wallet costs $79.
Purchase BTC With a Credit Card
ShapeShift continues to grow and expand its services. The company has partnered with Simplex to enable users to purchase Bitcoin using a credit card.
Partners and Affiliate Programs
For those who wish to become a ShapeShift Partner, ShapeShift API integration and an affiliate program are available. Currently, the commission paid to affiliates is 0.25% /mo. Based on the total Bitcoin volume provided by your integration.
Litecoin
For example, you want to order pizza from a restaurant that accepts Bitcoin but only owns Litecoin. You can head over to ShapeShift.
Select Litecoin as the Deposit amount and Bitcoin as the Receipt amount. Then do your exchange and enjoy your pizza.
ShapeShift has mobile (both Apple & Android) and desktop platforms. However, fewer cryptocurrencies are available for exchange on the mobile app.
This is due to the rules and regulations of the app stores, not any policy by ShapeShift.
Truly an international exchange, the ShapeShift crypto exchange site is available in 15 major languages. The service is accessible in the USA as well as globally.
ShapeShift Alternatives
An article in Forbes states that active crypto traders use over 200 cryptocurrency exchanges. Did you know that there are over 1600 cryptocurrencies?
Most of the trading volume, however, comes from very few cryptos. And it’s the same with exchanges servicing the crypto world.
Only a few are behind most of the transactions. At least ShapeShift is among the top ones.
For example, ShapeShift’s primary competitor is Changelly, a similar instant exchange. These two names promptly come to mind when a need to quickly swap cryptos arises.
In a ShapeShift vs Changelly showdown, it’s a tie. It all depends on your personal preference. For example, Changelly currently offers more cryptocurrencies. However, ShapeShift’s fees may be slightly less.
ShapeShift Customer Reviews
ShapeShift has approximately 200 customer reviews on Trustpilot with a 3.0 TrustScore (Average as of March 2026).
Bottom Line: Is ShapeShift Worth It?
Erik Voorhees, ShapeShift founder, said a telegraph across the ocean 100 years ago was faster than sending a bank wire today. The promo for Ripple, a popular cryptocurrency, says it’s faster to get on a plane and fly money across borders than it is to send it as a digital payment through a bank.
That may be true. After all, when we say crypto, we mean a digital currency. One that the banks do not regulate. However, it’s regulated, albeit differently.
And because it operates independently of a central bank, the exchange from one form of crypto to another is fast. Nonetheless, when you need hard, cold cash, ShapeShift can’t help you.
Our ShapeShift review concludes that it’s a trusted option for crypto-to-crypto exchanges — fast, simple, and secure — but not ideal if you need fiat conversions or advanced trading tools.
