21bitcoin vs KuCoin Comparison
21bitcoin and KuCoin are practically level in our overall rating, 4.0 to 3.9 out of 5 points. Our table lists the trading fee as “1.29 to 1.49 %” for 21bitcoin and “0.1% maker/taker (spot)” for KuCoin. If you care most about usability, stability, and support, 21bitcoin has the better sub-scores, while KuCoin leads on features.
| 1.29 to 1.49 % | Fees | 0.1% maker/taker (spot) |
| € 12.90 | Minimum cost per €1,000 | — |
| 1 | Cryptos | — |
| SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer | Payment Methods | — |
| Licensed as a virtual currency service provider according to FM-GwG §32a Para. 2 by the Financial Market Authority of Austria | Regulation | MiCA licence from the FMA (Austria) since 27 Nov 2025, FMA does not yet permit commencement of operations |
Cost comparison
The basis is a Bitcoin purchase worth €1,000, calculated from the disclosed trading fee. A price markup in the spread is not included, because most providers do not publish it.
| € 12.90 | Minimum cost per €1,000 | — |
| 1.29 to 1.49 % | Fees | 0.1% maker/taker (spot) |
| € 0.75 | Wallet transfer | — |
| Yes | Cost transparency | — |
| € 15 | Minimum Amount | €10 per order (BTC/EUR) |
| SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer | Payment Methods | — |
Not enough reviews available.
Note, as of 21 October 2026: KuCoin EU states on its website that trading and deposits have been suspended since 4 February 2026. The table shows the rates KuCoin EU lists in its fee schedule.
| Transaction | Cost at KuCoin EU |
|---|---|
| Spot trading, base tier VIP 0 | 0.1% maker, 0.1% taker |
| Spot trading, VIP 3 | 0.075% maker, 0.09% taker |
| Spot trading, VIP 6 | 0.025% maker, 0.05% taker |
| Spot trading, VIP 12 | 0% maker, 0.025% taker |
| EUR deposits and withdrawals | via SEPA and SEPA Instant, fee shown before the withdrawal |
| Crypto withdrawals | network fee per coin |
How to save: Rates fall as your VIP tier rises. Users who already hold VIP status at another exchange can apply at KuCoin EU for a tier two levels higher for 60 days. We compare MiCA-licensed exchanges that are open for trading in our crypto exchange comparison.
Fees as of 21 October 2026 according to KuCoin EU VIP tiers and fees.
Pros & Cons
- Transparent service fee of 1.29% to 1.49% on one-off purchases, 0% in the savings plan from day 8, with no ongoing account charges
- Withdrawals to your own wallet at a flat fee of 0.00001 BTC
- Automatic transfer to your own wallet above defined thresholds
- Savings-plan standing orders are invested in Bitcoin as soon as they arrive
- FMA-licensed as a virtual asset service provider in Austria
- Bitcoin only – the lack of altcoins is criticised by some users
- Two-factor authentication needs work, according to users
- The €15 minimum order is higher than at some competitors
- 700+ coins – a vast altcoin selection
- Spot fees from 0.1% maker and taker
- MiCA CASP licence (FMA Austria, November 2025)
- Wide feature set: spot, futures, bots, earn products
- Trading and deposits at KuCoin EU suspended since 4 February 2026 (as of 21 October 2026)
- Historically no local European support structures
- 2023 US settlement still weighs on its record
Score Comparison
User Experiences
AI AnalysisUser reviews paint a broadly positive picture of 21bitcoin. What owners value most is the clean, intuitive app and how easy it is to use, while individual voices see room for improvement on fees and on the feature set.
This analysis is based on 608 user reviews analysed by AI from the Apple App Store, Trustpilot and the Google Play Store. The total number of reviews on each platform may be higher — the platform ratings (star ratings) shown refer to all reviews available there. The ratings displayed reflect users' experiences and do not represent the site operator's own assessment. All information without guarantee. As of: March 2026. This comparison does not constitute investment advice.
Features
| available | Savings plan | not specified |
| not available | Staking | not specified |
| available | Wallet transfer | not specified |
| available | Automatic wallet transfer | not specified |
| not available | Credit card payment | not specified |
| available | FMA regulation (Austria) | not specified |
| not available | Web platform | not specified |
| available | Mobile app (iOS/Android) | not specified |
| available | SEPA instant transfer | not specified |
- Automatic transfer to your own wallet above set amounts
- FMA-regulated and based in Austria
- Service fee of 1.29% to 1.49% on one-off purchases, 0% in the savings plan from day 8
- Deposits via SEPA and SEPA instant transfer
- Altcoin heavyweight with 700+ coins
- MiCA licence in hand, trading at KuCoin EU suspended since February 2026
The five areas head to head
AI AnalysisFees & Costs
On fees and costs the picture is mixed. Users describe the pricing as fair, though some point to costs they consider high. A few also note that the tax side has to be organised by the user, and that the resulting tax burden feels heavy.
Spot at KuCoin EU: 0.1% maker and 0.1% taker in the base tier, falling with the VIP tier to 0% maker and 0.025% taker. According to KuCoin EU, trading and deposits have been suspended since 4 February 2026 (as of 21 October 2026).
Usability & User Experience
Reviewers frequently describe the app as intuitive, uncluttered and self-explanatory, and ease of use is the single most praised aspect. A few users report problems getting into their account, but overall usability comes across positively.
Not enough reviews available.
Features & Offering
The savings plan is the feature users appreciate most. At the same time they ask for more in several places: additional coins, more savings-plan options, price notifications, a wallet inside the account and limit orders. Weekly DCA is mentioned occasionally as well.
Not enough reviews available.
Stability & Security
On stability and reliability, users mostly report trouble-free day-to-day use and describe the app as dependable. Access issues come up occasionally and are the one area some users would like to see improved.
Not enough reviews available.
Customer Support
Support is frequently described as fast, with users reporting prompt replies. Individual contact channels are occasionally seen as having room for improvement.
Not enough reviews available.
Details
| FIOR Digital GmbH | Company | KuCoin EU Exchange GmbH |
| 2021 | Founded | 2017 |
| Licensed as a virtual currency service provider according to FM-GwG §32a Para. 2 by the Financial Market Authority of Austria | Regulation | MiCA licence from the FMA (Austria) since 27 Nov 2025, FMA does not yet permit commencement of operations |
| € 15 | Minimum Amount | €10 per order (BTC/EUR) |
| Photo ID | KYC | — |
Verdict
Both providers are practically level in our overall rating (4.0 to 3.9).
21bitcoin has established itself as an Austrian Bitcoin app across German-speaking Europe, valued above all for a transparent fee structure. On one-off purchases the provider charges a service fee of 1.29% to 1.49%, and in the savings plan no service fee applies from day 8. The provider is licensed by Austria's Financial Market Authority (FMA) as a virtual asset service provider and deals exclusively in Bitcoin. Users single out the automatic transfer to a personal wallet above defined thresholds as a genuinely useful security feature.
The savings-plan approach is refreshingly uncomplicated: standing orders are invested in Bitcoin as soon as the money arrives, and the flat wallet-transfer fee of 0.00001 BTC is widely seen as fair. For investors in Austria, Germany and Switzerland looking for an FMA-regulated alternative to the Swiss Bitcoin apps, 21bitcoin reads as a solid option. Total costs of €7.90 on a €1,000 trade sit in the middle of the field.
Because Bitcoin is the only asset on offer, 21bitcoin is not aimed at investors who want a broad crypto portfolio – a limitation some users do point out. The absence of two-factor authentication in the app and the €15 minimum order also leave room for improvement. That makes 21bitcoin a good fit for Bitcoin-focused investors in German-speaking Europe who care about cost transparency, automatic wallet transfers and Austrian regulation.
KuCoin has been a fixture for altcoin traders for years. Its EU position is difficult as of October 2026: the Austrian MiCA licence has been granted, but according to the company, trading and deposits at KuCoin EU have been suspended since 4 February 2026. If regulatory certainty inside the EU is your priority, fully operational MiCA venues such as Bitpanda, Bybit EU or Kraken are the safer bet for now.