21bitcoin vs Relai Comparison
| 0.79 % | Fees | 0.9 % |
| € 7.90 | Cost for €1,000 | € 9.00 |
| 1 | Cryptos | 1 |
| SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer | Payment Methods | SEPA Transfer, Instant SEPA (EU), Credit Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay |
| Licensed as a virtual currency service provider according to FM-GwG §32a Para. 2 by the Financial Market Authority of Austria | Regulation | Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) in Switzerland and MiCAR license applied for |
Cost comparison
The basis is a Bitcoin purchase worth €1,000, including all fees and spreads.
| € 7.90 | Cost for €1,000 | € 9.00 |
| 0.79 % | Fees | 0.9 % |
| € 0.75 | Wallet transfer | Network fees (Mempool fees set by the user) |
| Yes | Cost transparency | Yes |
| € 15 | Minimum Amount | € 50 |
| SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer | Payment Methods | SEPA Transfer, Instant SEPA (EU), Credit Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay |
On a €1,000 purchase you pay €1.10 less at 21bitcoin.
Pros & Cons
- Transparent fees from 0.79% 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
- Self-custody wallet directly in the app – Bitcoin is held in your own wallet
- Savings plan available for weekly or monthly Bitcoin purchases
- Wallet transfer to your own and external wallets (incl. hardware wallets) possible
- VASP license in Switzerland and MiCAR application submitted
- Deposits via SEPA bank transfer and credit card
- Only Bitcoin tradable – altcoin selection occasionally criticized by users
- Minimum amount of 50 € is room for improvement compared with other providers
- Setup of external wallet transfers, according to users, is room for improvement
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.
According to the analyzed user data, Relai is frequently praised by users for its intuitive and clear app. At the same time, users occasionally report hurdles with support, verification, and individual app launches, so the overall experience varies depending on the usage situation.
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
| ✓ | Savings plan | ✓ |
| ✓ | Staking | ✓ |
| ✓ | Wallet transfer | ✓ |
| ✓ | Automatic wallet transfer | ✓ |
| ✓ | Credit card payment | ✓ |
| ✓ | FMA regulation (Austria) | ✓ |
| ✓ | Web platform | ✓ |
| ✓ | Mobile app (iOS/Android) | ✓ |
| ✓ | SEPA instant transfer | ✓ |
| ✓ | Self-custody wallet | ✓ |
| ✓ | VASP license (Switzerland) | ✓ |
| ✓ | Hardware wallet support | ✓ |
- Automatic transfer to your own wallet above set amounts
- FMA-regulated and based in Austria
- Fees from 0.79% with full cost transparency
- Deposits via SEPA and SEPA instant transfer
- Bitcoin-only approach with self-custody directly in the app
- Savings plan with automatic transfer to your own wallet or hardware wallet
- Swiss company with VASP license and MiCAR application
- Relai Private from 100.000 CHF/EUR and Relai Business for companies
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.
When it comes to fees and costs, the user data paints a mixed picture. Some users describe Relai as cost-effective, while others rate the fees as high. Overall, opinions on the costs differ clearly.
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.
Users particularly appreciate Relai’s intuitive app, which in many reviews is described as clear and easy to use. According to reviews, getting started also works without much prior knowledge, which stands out positively, especially in everyday use. Occasionally, however, users report that the app does not open directly.
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.
In the analyzed user reviews, some users would like dark mode, automatic orders, tax documents, or a settlement account. In addition, precautionary transfers, coins on the homepage, and more coins are mentioned. Overall, the feedback on features mainly relates to such additional requests.
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.
Regarding stability and reliability, individual reviews report that the app does not start, cannot be opened, or crashes. Overall, this area is occasionally criticized by users.
Customer Support
Support is frequently described as fast, with users reporting prompt replies. Individual contact channels are occasionally seen as having room for improvement.
According to reviews, the sentiment around support is rather critical. While competent service is mentioned occasionally, users also criticize in some cases that support is not reachable or that responses take a long time. Overall, users report mixed experiences with support.
Details
| FIOR Digital GmbH | Company | Relai AG (CH) / Relai EU SASU (EU) |
| — | Headquarters | & |
| 2021 | Founded | 2020 |
| Licensed as a virtual currency service provider according to FM-GwG §32a Para. 2 by the Financial Market Authority of Austria | Regulation | Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) in Switzerland and MiCAR license applied for |
| € 15 | Minimum Amount | € 50 |
| Photo ID | KYC | Photo ID, NFC passport verification |
Verdict
In our overall rating Relai leads with 4.2 against 4.0 for 21bitcoin.
On a €1,000 purchase you pay €1.10 less at 21bitcoin.
For most investors Relai is therefore the better choice.
21bitcoin has established itself as an Austrian Bitcoin app across German-speaking Europe, valued above all for a transparent fee structure starting at 0.79%. 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.
Relai has established itself in the DACH region as one of the best-known Bitcoin-only apps and is especially appreciated by the Bitcoin community. The Swiss company follows a consistent self-custody approach: Bitcoin is held directly in the in-app wallet, and transfers to external wallets — including hardware wallets — are possible. With a VASP license in Switzerland and an ongoing MiCAR license application, Relai is considered to be on solid regulatory footing.
The savings plan functionality is particularly valued, enabling automatic Bitcoin purchases with direct transfer to your own wallet or a hardware wallet. For investors who see Bitcoin as a long-term store of value and place importance on self-custody, Relai is regarded as one of the most accessible solutions. Fees of 0.9 % are in the mid-range of the brokers compared.
Since only Bitcoin can be traded, Relai is not suitable for investors interested in altcoins — something occasionally criticized by some users. The minimum amount of 50 € and the setup of external wallet transfers are also seen as room for improvement. Relai is therefore especially suited to Bitcoin-focused investors who want to combine self-custody and automated saving with Swiss regulation.