Backpack vs Bitpanda Comparison
| 0.08/0.10% spot, 0.02/0.05% futures; 0.85% swap | Fees | 0.99 % |
| ~€5.75 | Cost for €1,000 | € 9.90 |
| ~50+ | Cryptos | 650+ |
| Card, bank via Banxa; SEPA limited | Payment Methods | SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer, Credit Card, PayPal |
| VARA (Dubai); EU rollout via FTX EU only now | Regulation | MiCA authorisations in Austria (FMA), Germany (BaFin) and Malta |
Cost comparison
The basis is a Bitcoin purchase worth €1,000, including all fees and spreads.
| ~€5.75 | Cost for €1,000 | € 9.90 |
| 0.08/0.10% spot, 0.02/0.05% futures; 0.85% swap | Fees | 0.99 % |
| Not disclosed | Wallet transfer | € 2.91 |
| No; tiers + hidden swap costs | Cost transparency | Yes |
| Unclear | Minimum Amount | € 1 |
| Card, bank via Banxa; SEPA limited | Payment Methods | SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer, Credit Card, PayPal |
Pros & Cons
- Low maker fees starting at 0.08% and taker fees starting at 0.10%
- Staking is available
- Wallet and exchange in one ecosystem
- VARA license in Dubai
- Cost transparency is seen as room for improvement – hidden costs occasionally criticized
- Wallet transfer fees are not disclosed
- No savings plan available
- Swap fees of 0.85% occasionally criticized
- Over 650 cryptocurrencies available
- BaFin license for custody and proprietary trading available
- Savings plans and staking are offered
- Stocks, ETFs, and precious metals also tradable on one platform
- Wide range of payment methods: SEPA, SEPA instant transfer, credit card, and PayPal
- Minimum investment possible from 1 €
- Trading fees of 0.99 % are room for improvement compared with some competitors
- Total costs of 9.90 € per trade occasionally criticized
- Security features beyond 2FA (TOTP) are room for improvement
User Experiences
AI AnalysisNot enough reviews available.
According to reviews, Bitpanda is frequently praised for its clear design and intuitive app. Users also report that the platform is perceived as easy to use. In reviews of the costs, it repeatedly stands out that they are described as high or too expensive. Support also receives frequent praise from many users for quick replies and prompt help, while occasionally there is also critical feedback about response times.
This analysis is based on 1930 user reviews evaluated by AI from the Apple App Store, Trustpilot, and Google Play Store. The total number of reviews on the respective platforms may be higher — the displayed platform ratings (star ratings) refer to all reviews available there. The ratings shown reflect users’ experiences and do not represent the website 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 | ✓ |
| ✓ | Cost transparency | ✓ |
| ✓ | 2FA security | ✓ |
| ✓ | SEPA transfer | ✓ |
| ✓ | Credit card | ✓ |
| ✓ | Minimum amount | ✓ |
| ✓ | Mobile app (iOS/Android) | ✓ |
| ✓ | Web platform | ✓ |
| ✓ | SEPA instant transfer | ✓ |
| ✓ | PayPal | ✓ |
- Maker fees starting at 0.08% are considered low
- VARA license in Dubai
- Wallet and exchange on one platform
- One of the few EU-based exchanges with a BaFin license
- Multi-asset platform: crypto, stocks, ETFs, and precious metals in one place
- Savings plans available from a 1 € minimum amount
- Investment in fractional shares possible
The five areas head to head
AI AnalysisFees & Costs
Not enough reviews available.
According to reviews, users often express criticism regarding fees and costs. The fees are repeatedly described as high or too expensive. Overall, users tend to perceive the cost area rather negatively in the reviews.
Usability & User Experience
Not enough reviews available.
Users especially appreciate Bitpanda’s clear interface and intuitive app. According to reviews, the platform is often described as easy to use, which is highlighted particularly positively when getting started. However, some users occasionally report that the app does not always work smoothly.
Features & Offering
Not enough reviews available.
Users would like an iPad app, a chart widget, the display of the average price, as well as limit buys. In addition, some users suggest a larger coin selection. An Apple Watch widget and a widget for favorites are also occasionally requested.
Stability & Security
Not enough reviews available.
According to user reports, there is occasional criticism of Bitpanda’s app functionality. Some users report that the app does not always work or crashes in individual cases. In addition, some users describe experiences with a blocked account.
Customer Support
Not enough reviews available.
Support is frequently praised by users for quick help, prompt replies, and competent feedback. According to reviews, many users report positive service experiences, especially regarding response speed. However, it is occasionally criticized that inquiries are not answered or that support does not respond as expected.
Details
| Trek Labs (FTX ties) | Company | Bitpanda GmbH |
| Dubai (VARA) | Headquarters | — |
| 2023 | Founded | 2014 |
| VARA (Dubai); EU rollout via FTX EU only now | Regulation | MiCA authorisations in Austria (FMA), Germany (BaFin) and Malta |
| Unclear | Minimum Amount | € 1 |
| Yes | KYC | eID, Photo ID |
Verdict
In our overall rating Bitpanda leads with 4.3 against 2.1 for Backpack.
For most investors Bitpanda is therefore the better choice.
Backpack is operated by Trek Labs, a team that also includes former FTX employees. The exchange holds a VARA license in Dubai, but does not have EU regulation – according to comparison data, EU access is provided via FTX EU. The low maker fees starting at 0.08% and the integration of wallet and exchange in one ecosystem are appreciated by users.
Cost transparency is seen as room for improvement – in particular, the undisclosed wallet transfer fees and swap fees of 0.85% are occasionally criticized. The selection of around 50 cryptocurrencies is limited compared with larger exchanges, and the lack of a savings plan limits the options for long-term investors.
The connection to former FTX employees is viewed differently in the market. Backpack is aimed primarily at technically savvy users who are looking for low trading fees and integrated wallet features and are willing to make compromises on cost transparency, coin selection, and regulatory coverage in the EU.
Bitpanda is considered one of the most established crypto platforms in the German-speaking region. With over 650 tradable cryptocurrencies, a BaFin license for custody and proprietary trading, as well as access to stocks, ETFs, and precious metals, the platform is valued by many users as a versatile all-in-one solution. The option to invest from just 1 € and set up savings plans is rated especially positively by beginners.
The fee structure, with 0.99 % trading fees and total costs of 9.90 € per trade, is room for improvement compared with cheaper providers. Nevertheless, the transparent cost overview and the variety of payment methods — including SEPA, credit card, and PayPal — are seen as an advantage. The security features beyond 2FA are considered in need of improvement.
Overall, Bitpanda is especially regarded as suitable for investors who want to invest not only in cryptocurrencies but also in other asset classes, while placing value on a regulated, EU-based platform with a BaFin license.