Backpack vs Coinbase Comparison
| 0.08/0.10% spot, 0.02/0.05% futures; 0.85% swap | Fees | 1.49 % |
| ~€5.75 | Cost for €1,000 | € 14.90 |
| ~50+ | Cryptos | 260+ |
| 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 | First company with BaFin crypto license. Deficiencies flagged in 2022, since remediated. MiCA via Luxembourg. |
Cost comparison
The basis is a Bitcoin purchase worth €1,000, including all fees and spreads.
| ~€5.75 | Cost for €1,000 | € 14.90 |
| 0.08/0.10% spot, 0.02/0.05% futures; 0.85% swap | Fees | 1.49 % |
| Not disclosed | Wallet transfer | € 0.24 |
| No; tiers + hidden swap costs | Cost transparency | No |
| 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
- First company with a crypto license from BaFin
- Over 260 cryptocurrencies available
- Savings plan and staking are offered
- Payment methods: SEPA instant transfer, credit card, and PayPal
- Educational program with cryptocurrency rewards for completed modules
- Minimum investment possible from 1 €
- Trading fees of 1.49 % are room for improvement compared with competitors
- Total costs of 14,90 € per trade are occasionally criticized
- Cost transparency is rated as limited
User Experiences
AI AnalysisNot enough reviews available.
According to the analyzed user data, Coinbase is described by many users as intuitive, clear, and particularly suitable for a quick start. At the same time, users repeatedly report high fees as well as support and access issues.
This analysis is based on 1317 user reviews analyzed by AI from the Apple App Store, Trustpilot, Google Play Store. 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 ratings shown reflect user reviews and do not constitute our own assessment by the website operator. All information without guarantee. Status: 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
- First crypto license from BaFin in Germany
- Educational program with crypto rewards for completed learning modules
- Low wallet transfer fees of approx. 0,24 €
- On the market since 2012 – one of the oldest crypto companies
The five areas head to head
AI AnalysisFees & Costs
Not enough reviews available.
When it comes to fees, many users report high costs. In the reviews, this point is repeatedly criticized.
Usability & User Experience
Not enough reviews available.
Users especially appreciate Coinbase for its intuitive app as well as its simple and clear experience. According to reviews, beginners in particular find the interface easy to use, as many processes are described as fast and user-friendly. However, some users occasionally report login issues.
Features & Offering
Not enough reviews available.
According to reviews, many users describe the basic offering as easy to access. At the same time, users want more exchange features, candlestick charts, and a larger selection of smaller coins. Additional functions such as customizable notifications, adding a beneficiary, Cash App/Apple Pay, more crypto services, and a dust button are also mentioned.
Stability & Security
Not enough reviews available.
Regarding stability, users occasionally report that the app does not start, freezes, or cannot be opened. Login issues are also mentioned in the reviews.
Customer Support
Not enough reviews available.
Regarding support, users repeatedly report difficulty reaching customer service in the reviews. According to user data, it is also mentioned that help does not come in a timely manner or that responses are missing.
Details
| Trek Labs (FTX ties) | Company | Coinbase Global, Inc. |
| Dubai (VARA) | Headquarters | — |
| 2023 | Founded | 2012 |
| VARA (Dubai); EU rollout via FTX EU only now | Regulation | First company with BaFin crypto license. Deficiencies flagged in 2022, since remediated. MiCA via Luxembourg. |
| Unclear | Minimum Amount | € 1 |
| Yes | KYC | eID, VideoIdent |
Verdict
In our overall rating Coinbase leads with 4.8 against 2.1 for Backpack.
For most investors Coinbase 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.
Coinbase is regarded as one of the best-known crypto exchanges worldwide and is valued for obtaining the first BaFin crypto license in Germany. With over 260 tradable cryptocurrencies, a savings plan, and staking, the platform offers a solid range of services. In particular, the educational program, in which users receive crypto rewards for completing learning modules, is viewed positively as an innovative addition.
The trading fees of 1.49 % and total costs of 14,90 € per trade are room for improvement compared with cheaper providers. The limited cost transparency is also occasionally criticized. On the other hand, the low wallet transfer fees of approx. 0,24 € and the variety of payment methods are seen as advantages.
Coinbase is especially considered suitable for beginners who prefer a BaFin-regulated platform with educational offerings and easy-to-use features and who can accept compromises on trading fees.