Coinbase Advanced vs Relai Comparison
| 0.6 % | Fees | 0.9 % |
| € 6.30 | Cost for €1,000 | € 9.00 |
| 260+ | Cryptos | 1 |
| SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer, Credit Card, PayPal | Payment Methods | SEPA Transfer, Instant SEPA (EU), Credit Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay |
| First company with BaFin crypto license. Deficiencies flagged in 2022, since remediated. MiCA via Luxembourg. | 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.
| € 6.30 | Cost for €1,000 | € 9.00 |
| 0.6 % | Fees | 0.9 % |
| € 0.24 | Wallet transfer | Network fees (Mempool fees set by the user) |
| Yes | Cost transparency | Yes |
| € 1 | Minimum Amount | € 50 |
| SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer, Credit Card, PayPal | Payment Methods | SEPA Transfer, Instant SEPA (EU), Credit Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay |
On a €1,000 purchase you pay €2.70 less at Coinbase Advanced.
Pros & Cons
- Volume-based maker/taker fees from 0.60%/1.20% down to 0.00%/0.05%
- Pro order types: limit, market, stop-limit, bracket (TP+SL combined)
- Native TradingView charts with 400+ indicators (since 2025)
- API access: REST, WebSocket, and FIX (institutional)
- Shared account with standard Coinbase -- seamless switch
- 22 stablecoin pairs at 0.00% maker fee
- Coinbase One rebate: 25% USDC cashback (cap 100 USD/month)
- Learning curve compared to standard Coinbase interface has room for improvement
- Entry fees relatively high at low volume
- Lowest fee tiers only reachable from high 30-day volume onward
- Coinbase Pro as standalone platform shut down since November 2023 -- migration was required for legacy users
- 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 AnalysisNo separate analysis -- based on Coinbase.
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
| ✓ | Maker/Taker Model | ✓ |
| ✓ | Order Types | ✓ |
| ✓ | Order Durations | ✓ |
| ✓ | API | ✓ |
| ✓ | Charts | ✓ |
| ✓ | Asset Selection | ✓ |
| ✓ | Stablecoin Pairs | ✓ |
| ✓ | Coinbase One Rebate | ✓ |
| ✓ | 2FA Security | ✓ |
| ✓ | Mobile App | ✓ |
| ✓ | Savings plan | ✓ |
| ✓ | Staking | ✓ |
| ✓ | Wallet transfer | ✓ |
| ✓ | Self-custody wallet | ✓ |
| ✓ | Credit card payment | ✓ |
| ✓ | VASP license (Switzerland) | ✓ |
| ✓ | Web platform | ✓ |
| ✓ | Mobile app (iOS/Android) | ✓ |
| ✓ | Hardware wallet support | ✓ |
- Volume-based maker/taker model from 0.60%/1.20%
- Native TradingView integration with 400+ indicators
- API access via REST, WebSocket, and FIX
- 22 stablecoin pairs at 0.00% maker fee
- 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
No separate analysis -- based on Coinbase.
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
No separate analysis -- based on Coinbase.
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
No separate analysis -- based on Coinbase.
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
No separate analysis -- based on Coinbase.
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
No separate analysis -- based on Coinbase.
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
| Coinbase Global, Inc. | Company | Relai AG (CH) / Relai EU SASU (EU) |
| — | Headquarters | & |
| 2012 | Founded | 2020 |
| First company with BaFin crypto license. Deficiencies flagged in 2022, since remediated. MiCA via Luxembourg. | Regulation | Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) in Switzerland and MiCAR license applied for |
| € 1 | Minimum Amount | € 50 |
| eID, VideoIdent | KYC | Photo ID, NFC passport verification |
Verdict
Both providers are practically level in our overall rating (4.2 to 4.2).
On a €1,000 purchase you pay €2.70 less at Coinbase Advanced.
Coinbase Advanced is the pro trading interface within the Coinbase app and is aimed at active traders. It fully replaced the separate Coinbase Pro platform in November 2023 and has since been integrated into the regular Coinbase account. Account, verification, and asset balances are shared with the standard Coinbase interface -- switching between direct buy and Advanced happens within the same app.
Instead of the flat direct-purchase fees on the standard platform, a volume-based maker/taker model applies here, with entry rates of 0.60% maker and 1.20% taker, decreasing as 30-day volume rises down to 0.00% maker / 0.05% taker. Since 2025, the TradingView integration with more than 400 indicators is embedded in the interface. Limit, market, stop-limit, and bracket orders (take-profit and stop-loss combined) are supported with GTC/GTD durations. API access is available via REST, WebSocket, and for institutional users also via FIX. The learning curve compared to the standard Coinbase interface is occasionally criticized in user comments.
Coinbase Advanced is considered particularly suitable for traders looking for lower fees than on standard Coinbase and who value pro charts and order types. Coinbase One membership additionally grants a 25% USDC rebate on Advanced spot fees, capped at 100 USD per month. Those who mainly execute direct purchases are better served on the standard Coinbase interface. This comparison does not constitute investment advice.
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.