Coinbase vs Relai Comparison
| 1.49 % | Fees | 0.9 % |
| € 14.90 | Cost for €1,000 | € 9.00 |
| 404 | 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.
| € 14.90 | Cost for €1,000 | € 9.00 |
| 1.49 % | Fees | 0.9 % |
| € 0.24 | Wallet transfer | Network fees (Mempool fees set by the user) |
| No | 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 €5.90 less at Relai.
Pros & Cons
- Savings plan from a one euro minimum
- More than 260 cryptocurrencies available
- First company with a BaFin crypto custody licence, MiCA authorisation via Luxembourg
- Broad choice of payment routes including PayPal
- Staking and wallet transfers available
- Trading fee of around 1.49% — high in this comparison
- Costs compound across many small instalments
- Limited cost transparency on direct purchases
- Withdrawal fees only visible when withdrawing the respective cryptocurrency
- 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 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.
Editorial assessment based on publicly documented provider information and independent industry sources. As of August 2026. This comparison is not investment or tax advice. All information without guarantee.
Features
| ✓ | Savings plan | ✓ |
| ✓ | Staking | ✓ |
| ✓ | Wallet transfer | ✓ |
| ✓ | Self-custody wallet | ✓ |
| ✓ | Credit card payment | ✓ |
| ✓ | VASP license (Switzerland) | ✓ |
| ✓ | Web platform | ✓ |
| ✓ | Mobile app (iOS/Android) | ✓ |
| ✓ | Hardware wallet support | ✓ |
- Savings plan from one euro
- 260+ cryptocurrencies
- BaFin licence and MiCA authorisation
- Payment by PayPal supported
- 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
The trading fee is around 1.49%; on a 1,000 euro purchase that comes to roughly 14.90 euro. That is high in this comparison, particularly for a savings plan with many small instalments. Withdrawal fees apply on top; they are calculated dynamically and only become visible when withdrawing the respective cryptocurrency, which limits cost transparency. As of August 2026.
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
Setup is straightforward and manageable for newcomers without prior experience. An education programme awards crypto rewards for completed learning modules. As of August 2026.
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
The savings plan can be set up from one euro and covers more than 260 cryptocurrencies. Staking products and transfers to external wallets round out the offering. Payment routes include SEPA transfer, SEPA instant transfer, card and PayPal. Identity verification runs through eID or video identification. As of August 2026.
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
| 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 €5.90 less at Relai.
The Coinbase savings plan targets investors who want to buy regularly and automatically rather than trying to time an entry. The barrier is as low as it gets at a one euro minimum, the range covers more than 260 cryptocurrencies, and execution runs without further intervention.
On regulation Coinbase stands well in Europe: it was the first company to hold a BaFin crypto custody licence, deficiencies identified in 2022 have been remedied according to the company, and MiCA authorisation runs through Luxembourg. Payment routes include SEPA transfer, SEPA instant transfer, card and PayPal — an unusually broad selection for the European market.
The sore point is price: around 1.49% per purchase is high in this comparison, so roughly 14.90 euro on 1,000 euro. Across a savings plan with many small instalments that compounds noticeably over the years. Investors who value convenience and regulatory footing above the last fraction of a percent are well served; anyone watching costs should weigh the fees against cheaper savings plan providers.
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.