Bitvavo vs Coinbase Comparison
In our overall rating Coinbase leads with 4.8 out of 5 points, ahead of Bitvavo with 3.3. Our table lists the trading fee as “0.25 %” for Bitvavo and “up to 1.875% + spread” for Coinbase. Coinbase has the better score in all five sub-ratings. Bitvavo lists more cryptocurrencies (428) than Coinbase (404).
| 0.25 % | Fees | up to 1.875% + spread |
| € 2.50 | Minimum cost per €1,000 | up to € 18.75 + spread |
| 428 | Cryptos | 404 |
| SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer | Payment Methods | SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer, Credit Card, PayPal |
| MiCA license via Netherlands AFM | 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, calculated from the disclosed trading fee. A price markup in the spread is not included, because most providers do not publish it.
| € 2.50 | Minimum cost per €1,000 | up to € 18.75 + spread |
| 0.25 % | Fees | up to 1.875% + spread |
| € 1.31 | Wallet transfer | € 0.24 |
| Yes | Cost transparency | No |
| € 5 | Minimum Amount | € 1 |
| SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer | Payment Methods | SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer, Credit Card, PayPal |
Bitvavo charges maker and taker fees that fall with your trading volume over the last 30 days. SEPA deposits and crypto deposits are free, and all 428 coins trade directly against the euro.
| Transaction | Cost at Bitvavo |
|---|---|
| Crypto against euro, entry tier | 0.15% maker, 0.25% taker |
| Trading from EUR 100,000 volume in 30 days | 0.10% maker, 0.20% taker, falling further to 0.00% and 0.02% from EUR 100 million |
| Trading on USDC markets | 0.05% maker and taker |
| Stablecoin pairs such as USDC/EUR | 0.10% maker and taker, EURC/EUR 0.00% maker and 0.01% taker |
| Deposit via SEPA, iDEAL or Bancontact | free |
| Deposit via credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or PayPal | 1% |
| Deposit via EPS transfer | 1.75%, up to EUR 1,000 |
| EUR withdrawal via SEPA | free |
| Crypto deposit | free |
| Crypto withdrawal | fixed fee per coin, e.g. 0.000018 BTC (about EUR 1.31) or 0.00033 ETH (about EUR 0.71) |
| Margin trading | borrowing fee 0.0023% per hour, liquidation fee 2% |
| Recovery of crypto deposited incorrectly | EUR 50 administration fee |
How to save: Trading as a maker, i.e. placing a limit order on the order book, costs EUR 1.50 instead of EUR 2.50 as a taker on EUR 1,000. Deposit via SEPA instead of by card, which saves EUR 10 on EUR 1,000. Bundle crypto withdrawals, since the fee applies per withdrawal. We compare other exchanges with maker and taker fees in our crypto exchange comparison.
As of 22 October 2026 according to the Bitvavo fee page (accessed from Germany, deposit fees may differ by country) and the Bitvavo API (coin count, withdrawal fees; euro values at the 22 October 2026 rate).
Coinbase does not publish one fixed fee rate for all purchases. What a trade costs depends on payment method, order size and market conditions and is shown in the order preview before you confirm. The fixed items at a glance:
| Action | Cost at Coinbase |
|---|---|
| Holding euros and crypto | free |
| Transfer to other Coinbase users | free |
| Simple buy and sell | Coinbase fee depending on payment method and order size, plus a spread in the quoted price |
| Simple limit order | 1% execution fee, plus a Coinbase fee of up to 1.875% depending on payment method |
| Coinbase Advanced | no spread, order book trading with maker and taker fees that fall as volume rises |
| Coinbase One (subscription) | buy and sell without trading fees, a spread may be included; the 1% limit order fee still applies |
| Staking | 35% commission on rewards (ADA, ATOM, AVAX, DOT, ETH, MATIC, SOL, XTZ), 25.25% to 31.75% with Coinbase One |
| Sending to an external wallet | network fee based on Coinbase's estimate |
| Euro deposits and withdrawals | depends on the payment method, shown before the transaction |
How to save: Coinbase Advanced has no spread and fees fall with trading volume, so frequent traders usually pay less there than with simple buys. Simple limit orders cost an extra 1%. Coinbase One only pays off with many purchases, because the subscription itself costs money. See how Coinbase compares on fees in our crypto exchange comparison.
Fees as of 21 October 2026 according to the Coinbase Help Center.
Pros & Cons
- All 428 tradable coins trade directly against the euro, with no detour through a stablecoin (measured on 22 October 2026 via Bitvavo's public API)
- MiCA authorisation since June 2025, supervised by the Dutch AFM, registration number 41000010
- Low trading fees: 0.15 % maker and 0.25 % taker at the entry tier
- SEPA, iDEAL and Bancontact deposits are free, as are EUR withdrawals
- Credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay and PayPal cost 1% each, EPS 1.75%
- Bitvavo Custody B.V. is, by its own user agreement, not supervised by any authority
- Lending, margin trading and staking are explicitly not MiCA-regulated
- Crypto withdrawals carry a fixed fee per coin, 0.000018 BTC for Bitcoin
- MiCA authorisation via Luxembourg, regulated EU-wide
- In 2021 the first company with a BaFin crypto custody licence in Germany
- Over 400 cryptocurrencies in the catalogue
- Savings plan and staking are offered
- Payment methods: SEPA instant transfer, credit card and PayPal
- Educational program with cryptocurrency rewards
- Minimum investment from 1 €
- No fixed fee rate is published any more: the Coinbase fee depends on payment method, order size and market conditions and only becomes visible in the order preview
- For simple purchases Coinbase states 1.875 %, for limit orders 1 %, both above the market average
- Cost transparency is rated as limited by users
- Coinbase itself no longer publishes a number of tradable coins
Score Comparison
User Experiences
AI AnalysisUsers 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.
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 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
| available | Savings plan | available |
| available | Staking | available |
| available | Wallet transfer | not available |
| available | Cost transparency | not available |
| available | 2FA security | not available |
| available | Anti-phishing code | not specified |
| available | SEPA instant transfer | available |
| available | Credit card | available |
| available | Mobile app (iOS/Android) | available |
| available | Web platform | available |
| not specified | PayPal | available |
- MiCA-licensed by the Dutch AFM, active in Germany via the EU passport (as of October 2026)
- Taker fee 0.25%, 0.20% from EUR 100,000 volume in 30 days
- Transparent fee structure without hidden costs
- SEPA deposits and crypto deposits are free
- Minimum investment from EUR 5
- MiCA-licensed through Coinbase Luxembourg S.A. under CSSF supervision, regulated EU-wide (register as of 21 August 2026)
- In 2021 the first company to hold a BaFin crypto custody licence; since 2026 the EU business runs on the MiCA authorisation
- 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
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.
When it comes to fees, many users report high costs. In the reviews, this point is repeatedly criticized.
Usability & User Experience
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
| Bitvavo B.V. | Company | Coinbase Global, Inc. |
| 2018 | Founded | 2012 |
| MiCA license via Netherlands AFM | Regulation | First company with BaFin crypto license. Deficiencies flagged in 2022, since remediated. MiCA via Luxembourg. |
| € 5 | Minimum Amount | € 1 |
| Photo ID | KYC | eID, VideoIdent |
Verdict
In our overall rating Coinbase leads with 4.8 against 3.3 for Bitvavo.
For most investors Coinbase is therefore the better choice.
Bitvavo is valued for combining a MiCA licence with low trading fees of 0.15% maker and 0.25% taker. With 428 cryptocurrencies, all tradable directly against the euro, and EUR 2.50 for a EUR 1,000 purchase as a taker, the platform is in the lower fee range among the providers compared. The transparent fee structure without hidden costs is viewed positively by users.
The contracting party is Bitvavo B.V. in Amsterdam, authorised under MiCA by the Dutch AFM since 26 June 2025 and active in Germany and other EU countries via the EU passport. SEPA deposits are free, while credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay and PayPal cost 1% each. Crypto withdrawals carry a fixed fee per coin, currently 0.000018 BTC for Bitcoin. There is room for improvement in that the savings plan is only available in the app.
Bitvavo is considered particularly suitable for cost-conscious investors who prefer a MiCA-regulated platform with low fees and a transparent cost structure and deposit via SEPA.
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.
Trading fees of up to 1.875% depending on the payment method, up to €18.75 per €1,000 traded, 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.
Is Coinbase safe and legit?
Coinbase is licensed under MiCA and supervised for EU customers by Luxembourg's financial regulator CSSF. Its parent Coinbase Global has been listed on Nasdaq since 2021 and publishes its results there regularly. Two-factor sign-in and passkeys are available for your account. In May 2025 Coinbase disclosed that bribed support staff had passed on customer data of a small share of users; according to Coinbase, passwords, private keys and funds were not affected. Coinbase never asks customers to move crypto to another account: anyone pushed to do so on the phone is dealing with scammers.