Backpack vs Bitvavo Comparison
| 0.08/0.10% spot, 0.02/0.05% futures; 0.85% swap | Fees | 0.25 % |
| ~€5.75 | Cost for €1,000 | € 2.60 |
| ~50+ | Cryptos | 350+ |
| Card, bank via Banxa; SEPA limited | Payment Methods | SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer |
| VARA (Dubai); EU rollout via FTX EU only now | Regulation | MiCA license via Netherlands AFM |
Cost comparison
The basis is a Bitcoin purchase worth €1,000, including all fees and spreads.
| ~€5.75 | Cost for €1,000 | € 2.60 |
| 0.08/0.10% spot, 0.02/0.05% futures; 0.85% swap | Fees | 0.25 % |
| Not disclosed | Wallet transfer | € 0.40 |
| No; tiers + hidden swap costs | Cost transparency | Yes |
| Unclear | Minimum Amount | € 5 |
| Card, bank via Banxa; SEPA limited | Payment Methods | SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer |
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
- BaFin license available, custodians Tangany and Sutor Bank are also licensed
- Low trading fees of 0.25%
- Total costs of only €2.60 per trade
- Over 350 cryptocurrencies available
- Transparent fee structure without hidden costs
- Savings plan (app only) and rewards program (staking) available
- Payment methods limited to SEPA and SEPA instant transfer – credit card and PayPal are room for improvement
- Bitvavo B.V. temporarily suspended services for German customers in 2024 – resumption via Hyphe Markets GmbH is occasionally criticized
- Savings plan available via the app only
User Experiences
AI AnalysisNot enough reviews available.
Users generally report mostly positive experiences with Bitvavo, especially regarding usability and costs. In the reviews, the clear app and low fees are often praised, while support and technical reliability are also mentioned more critically.
This analysis is based on 606 user reviews from Apple App Store, Trustpilot, and Google Play Store evaluated with AI. The total number of reviews on the respective platforms may be higher — the platform ratings shown (star ratings) refer to all reviews available there. The reviews presented reflect user experiences and do not represent the site operator’s own assessment. All information is provided without guarantee. Status: April 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 | ✓ |
| ✓ | Anti-phishing code | ✓ |
| ✓ | SEPA instant transfer | ✓ |
- Maker fees starting at 0.08% are considered low
- VARA license in Dubai
- Wallet and exchange on one platform
- BaFin-licensed with operations in Germany via Hyphe Markets GmbH
- Total costs of €2.60 are considered particularly low
- Transparent fee structure without hidden costs
- Low wallet transfer fees of around €0.40
- Minimum investment from €5
The five areas head to head
AI AnalysisFees & Costs
Not enough reviews available.
Users particularly highlight Bitvavo's low and affordable fees. According to reviews, the costs are often mentioned positively. Critical remarks about fees play only a minor role in the available user opinions.
Usability & User Experience
Not enough reviews available.
Users particularly praise Bitvavo for its clear design and intuitive app. According to reviews, the platform is often described as easy to use, which makes getting started especially simple. In some cases, users also report errors when launching the app or problems while using it.
Features & Offering
Not enough reviews available.
When it comes to features and the offering, users especially want a profit/loss display in percentages, portfolio analysis, and information on the average purchase price or buy-in at Bitvavo. A larger selection of coins and a dollar view are also occasionally requested in the reviews.
Stability & Security
Not enough reviews available.
When it comes to stability and reliability, users report connection issues, technical problems, and an app that occasionally crashes according to reviews. Errors on startup are also mentioned, which is why some users view this area critically.
Customer Support
Not enough reviews available.
Experiences with support are mixed according to reviews. Some users report fast support, while other feedback describes customer service as less easy to reach or notes that replies can take some time. Overall, users perceive support differently.
Details
| Trek Labs (FTX ties) | Company | Hyphe Markets GmbH |
| Dubai (VARA) | Headquarters | — |
| 2023 | Founded | 2021 |
| VARA (Dubai); EU rollout via FTX EU only now | Regulation | MiCA license via Netherlands AFM |
| Unclear | Minimum Amount | € 5 |
| Yes | KYC | Photo ID |
Verdict
In our overall rating Bitvavo leads with 3.3 against 2.1 for Backpack.
Neither provider reaches 4.0 out of 5 in our rating, so we do not give an unreserved recommendation here.
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.
Bitvavo is valued for combining a BaFin license with low trading fees of just 0.25%. With total costs of €2.60 per trade and more than 350 tradable cryptocurrencies, the platform is in the lower fee range among the providers compared. The transparent fee structure without hidden costs is viewed positively by users.
It should be noted that Bitvavo B.V. temporarily suspended services for German customers in 2024 and operations were resumed via Hyphe Markets GmbH — a point that is occasionally criticized. The restriction to SEPA as a payment method and the availability of the savings plan only via the app are also room for improvement. The wallet transfer fees of around €0.40, however, are perceived as very low.
Bitvavo is considered particularly suitable for cost-conscious investors who prefer a BaFin-regulated platform with low fees and a transparent cost structure and can do without payment methods such as credit card or PayPal.