Binance vs Relai Comparison
| 1.75 % | Fees | 0.9 % |
| € 18.50 | Cost for €1,000 | € 9.00 |
| 370+ | Cryptos | 1 |
| SEPA Transfer, Credit Card | Payment Methods | SEPA Transfer, Instant SEPA (EU), Credit Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay |
| License in Germany refused by BaFin | 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.
| € 18.50 | Cost for €1,000 | € 9.00 |
| 1.75 % | Fees | 0.9 % |
| € 7.47 | Wallet transfer | Network fees (Mempool fees set by the user) |
| Limited | Cost transparency | Yes |
| ~$10 USD | Minimum Amount | € 50 |
| SEPA Transfer, Credit Card | Payment Methods | SEPA Transfer, Instant SEPA (EU), Credit Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay |
On a €1,000 purchase you pay €9.50 less at Relai.
Pros & Cons
- Over 370 cryptocurrencies available
- Savings plan and staking available
- Largest crypto exchange worldwide with low spreads
- Wallet transfer possible
- Payment methods: SEPA transfer and credit card
- No BaFin license in Germany
- Trading fees of 1.75 % for direct purchases have room for improvement
- Total costs of 18.50 € per trade occasionally criticized
- Cost transparency is rated as limited – direct purchases without a clear cost overview
- 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 AnalysisAccording to reviews, Binance is often praised overall for its ease of use, the large selection of coins, and fees that are generally perceived as low. At the same time, users occasionally report criticism regarding support, verification, and language options, especially with regard to a German app version.
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 1002 user reviews evaluated by AI from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. The total number of reviews on the respective platforms may be higher — the platform ratings (star ratings) shown refer to all reviews available there. The reviews shown reflect user experiences and do not represent the site operator’s own assessment. All information is provided without guarantee. As of: March 2026. This comparison does not constitute investment advice.
Features
| ✓ | Savings plan | ✓ |
| ✓ | Staking | ✓ |
| ✓ | Wallet transfer | ✓ |
| ✓ | Cost transparency | ✓ |
| ✓ | 2FA security | ✓ |
| ✓ | Whitelist | ✓ |
| ✓ | SEPA transfer | ✓ |
| ✓ | Credit card | ✓ |
| ✓ | Minimum amount | ✓ |
| ✓ | Mobile app (iOS/Android) | ✓ |
| ✓ | Self-custody wallet | ✓ |
| ✓ | Credit card payment | ✓ |
| ✓ | VASP license (Switzerland) | ✓ |
| ✓ | Web platform | ✓ |
| ✓ | Hardware wallet support | ✓ |
- Largest crypto exchange worldwide by trading volume
- Low spreads in order book trading
- Savings plan and staking available
- On the market since 2017
- 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
Users often cite Binance’s fees as a positive point and frequently describe them as low compared with other providers. At the same time, some reviews perceive the fees as too high. Overall, user data suggests a predominantly positive view of the fees.
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
According to reviews, users particularly appreciate the intuitive app and ease of use at Binance, which appeals to both beginners and more experienced users. However, the interface is occasionally described as confusing or too complicated. Many users also want a German language option to make everyday use even more convenient.
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
According to reviews, users mainly praise the large selection of coins. Users also report that Binance is suitable for beginners and appears easy to use. Occasionally, users would like additional language options as well as an iPad app to better adapt the offering to their usage.
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
According to reviews, Binance is perceived by many users as reliable. Overall, the opinion on stability and reliability is predominantly positive.
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
User data paints a rather critical picture of support: users report a lack of support. Verification is also described as time-consuming in some reviews. In addition, users would like better assistance with account-related issues and withdrawals.
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
| Binance Holdings Ltd. | Company | Relai AG (CH) / Relai EU SASU (EU) |
| — | Headquarters | & |
| 2017 | Founded | 2020 |
| License in Germany refused by BaFin | Regulation | Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) in Switzerland and MiCAR license applied for |
| ~$10 USD | Minimum Amount | € 50 |
| Photo ID | KYC | Photo ID, NFC passport verification |
Verdict
Both providers are practically level in our overall rating (4.3 to 4.2).
On a €1,000 purchase you pay €9.50 less at Relai.
Binance is considered the world’s largest crypto exchange by trading volume and is valued for its low spreads in order book trading. With over 370 tradable cryptocurrencies, savings plans and staking, the platform offers a broad range of services. On the market since 2017, Binance has established itself as a major player in crypto trading.
For the German market, however, it should be noted that Binance does not have a BaFin license. The direct-buy fees of 1.75 % and total costs of 18.50 € per trade are occasionally criticized, as is the limited cost transparency for direct purchases. The minimum amount of 15 € is also higher than at some competitors.
Binance is seen especially as suitable for experienced traders who want to benefit from the low spreads in order book trading and for whom a missing BaFin license matters less than the platform’s global market presence and liquidity.
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.