Coinbase vs Flatex Comparison
In our overall rating Coinbase leads with 4.8 out of 5 points, ahead of Flatex with 3.1. Our table lists the trading fee as “up to 1.875% + spread” for Coinbase and “0.7 %” for Flatex. If you care most about usability, features, fees, and support, Coinbase has the better sub-scores, while Flatex leads on stability.
| up to 1.875% + spread | Fees | 0.7 % |
| up to € 18.75 + spread | Minimum cost per €1,000 | € 7.00 |
| 404 | Cryptos | 20 |
| SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer, Credit Card, PayPal | Payment Methods | SEPA Transfer |
| First company with BaFin crypto license. Deficiencies flagged in 2022, since remediated. MiCA via Luxembourg. | Regulation | Crypto custodian Tangany GmbH has a BaFin license. |
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 A price markup in the spread is not included, because most providers do not publish it.
| up to € 18.75 + spread | Minimum cost per €1,000 | € 7.00 |
| up to 1.875% + spread | Fees | 0.7 % |
| € 0.24 | Wallet transfer | – |
| No | Cost transparency | Limited |
| € 1 | Minimum Amount | € 1 |
| SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer, Credit Card, PayPal | Payment Methods | SEPA Transfer |
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.
Not enough reviews available.
Pros & Cons
- 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
- BaFin-regulated German bank with a full licence
- Direct trading in 25 cryptoassets for clients in Germany, from €1 per order
- Total costs of 0.6% including the spread for liquid assets such as Bitcoin
- Custody with Tangany, a BaFin-supervised crypto custodian
- Crypto ETNs in the same portfolio, with a German tax certificate
- Established online broker since 2006
- Direct crypto trading only for private clients with a registered address in Germany and an individual account
- Small selection of 25 cryptoassets, no staking, no crypto savings plans
- No transfers to or from a personal wallet
- No tax withheld on directly held crypto, gains must be declared yourself
- Crypto ETNs: order fees plus ongoing product costs (TER)
Score Comparison
User Experiences
AI AnalysisAccording 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 1317 user reviews analyzed by AI from the Apple App Store, Trustpilot, Google Play Store. 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 ratings shown reflect user reviews and do not constitute our own assessment by the website operator. All information without guarantee. Status: March 2026. This comparison does not constitute investment advice.
Features
| available | Savings plan | not specified |
| available | Staking | not specified |
| not available | Wallet transfer | not specified |
| not available | Cost transparency | not specified |
| not available | 2FA security | not specified |
| available | SEPA instant transfer | not specified |
| available | Credit card | not specified |
| available | PayPal | not specified |
| available | Mobile app (iOS/Android) | not specified |
| available | Web platform | not specified |
- 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
- 25 cryptoassets tradable directly for 0.6% to 0.7% in total costs including the spread
- Crypto trading in the flatex account alongside shares and ETFs
- Crypto ETNs also available as a savings plan from €25
The five areas head to head
AI AnalysisFees & Costs
When it comes to fees, many users report high costs. In the reviews, this point is repeatedly criticized.
Direct crypto trading: total costs of 0.6% including the spread for liquid cryptoassets such as Bitcoin and 0.7% for less liquid ones, each for customary order sizes; orders start at €1. Crypto ETNs: order fee of €5.90 per exchange order plus exchange fees, and ongoing product costs (TER) that vary by issuer. As of October 2026.
Usability & User Experience
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.
Not enough reviews available.
Features & Offering
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.
Not enough reviews available.
Stability & Security
Regarding stability, users occasionally report that the app does not start, freezes, or cannot be opened. Login issues are also mentioned in the reviews.
Not enough reviews available.
Customer Support
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.
Not enough reviews available.
Details
| Coinbase Global, Inc. | Company | flatexDEGIRO Bank AG |
| 2012 | Founded | 2005 |
| First company with BaFin crypto license. Deficiencies flagged in 2022, since remediated. MiCA via Luxembourg. | Regulation | Crypto custodian Tangany GmbH has a BaFin license. |
| € 1 | Minimum Amount | € 1 |
| eID, VideoIdent | KYC | eID, Video-ID, PostIdent |
Verdict
In our overall rating Coinbase leads with 4.8 against 3.1 for Flatex.
For most investors Coinbase is therefore the better choice.
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.
For investors in Germany who want to hold crypto with the same broker as their shares and ETFs, flatex is a solid choice: according to flatex, liquid assets such as Bitcoin cost 0.6% in total including the spread, less liquid ones 0.7%, each for customary order sizes. The selection of 25 cryptoassets is small, though, there is no staking and no crypto savings plan, and coins can neither be transferred to your own wallet nor deposited from one. flatex does not withhold tax on crypto gains, because directly held crypto is not subject to Germany's flat-rate withholding tax. Clients without a registered address in Germany cannot use direct crypto trading at all and are left with crypto ETNs. If you want a wide choice of coins or your own wallet, a crypto exchange is the better fit.