Bitcoin.de vs Relai Comparison
| 0.5 % | Fees | 0.9 % |
| € 5.00 | Cost for €1,000 | € 9.00 |
| 10 | Cryptos | 1 |
| SEPA Transfer | Payment Methods | SEPA Transfer, Instant SEPA (EU), Credit Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay |
| Regulated in Germany as a marketplace of futurum bank AG | 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.
| € 5.00 | Cost for €1,000 | € 9.00 |
| 0.5 % | Fees | 0.9 % |
| € 3.73 | Wallet transfer | Network fees (Mempool fees set by the user) |
| Limited | Cost transparency | Yes |
| € 60 | Minimum Amount | € 50 |
| SEPA Transfer | Payment Methods | SEPA Transfer, Instant SEPA (EU), Credit Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay |
On a €1,000 purchase you pay €4.00 less at Bitcoin.de.
Pros & Cons
- Regulated in Germany as a marketplace of futurum bank AG
- Pioneer among German cryptocurrency platforms – active since 2011
- Trading fees of 0.5 %
- Wallet transfer possible
- Funds remain in the user’s own bank account
- Selection with only 10 cryptocurrencies could be expanded
- Only SEPA bank transfer as a payment method – additional options could be expanded
- Interface occasionally criticized as in need of modernization
- 2FA only via SMS – TOTP support could be expanded
- 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
User Experiences
AI AnalysisNot enough reviews available.
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 796 user reviews analyzed 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 reviews 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 | ✓ |
| ✓ | Web platform | ✓ |
| ✓ | Self-custody wallet | ✓ |
| ✓ | Credit card payment | ✓ |
| ✓ | VASP license (Switzerland) | ✓ |
| ✓ | Mobile app (iOS/Android) | ✓ |
| ✓ | Hardware wallet support | ✓ |
- Pioneer among German crypto marketplaces – since 2011
- Regulated through futurum bank AG in Germany
- Euro balances remain in the user’s own bank account
- KYC via bank verification, VideoIdent or PostIdent
- 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
Not enough reviews available.
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
Not enough reviews available.
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
Not enough reviews available.
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
Not enough reviews available.
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
Not enough reviews available.
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
| futurum bank AG | Company | Relai AG (CH) / Relai EU SASU (EU) |
| — | Headquarters | & |
| 2011 | Founded | 2020 |
| Regulated in Germany as a marketplace of futurum bank AG | Regulation | Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) in Switzerland and MiCAR license applied for |
| € 60 | Minimum Amount | € 50 |
| Bank verification, VideoIdent, PostIdent | KYC | Photo ID, NFC passport verification |
Verdict
In our overall rating Relai leads with 4.2 against 3.2 for Bitcoin.de.
On a €1,000 purchase you pay €4.00 less at Bitcoin.de.
For most investors Relai is therefore the better choice.
Bitcoin.de is regarded as a pioneer among German crypto marketplaces and has been active since 2011 – making the platform one of the oldest providers in the German-speaking market. Regulation through futurum bank AG in Germany and the principle that euro balances remain in the user’s own bank account are viewed positively by security-conscious users.
The selection of just 10 cryptocurrencies is clearly room for improvement compared with modern exchanges. The limitation to SEPA as the only payment method, the lack of a mobile app, and 2FA protection only via SMS are also occasionally criticized. Some users consider the interface in need of modernization.
Bitcoin.de is seen as particularly suitable for investors who want to rely on a long-established, Germany-regulated platform and focus primarily on trading Bitcoin and a few other cryptocurrencies.
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.