Coinbase vs Smartbroker+ Comparison
| 1.49 % | Fees | 0.9 % |
| € 14.90 | Cost for €1,000 | € 9.00 |
| 260+ | Cryptos | 25 |
| 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, including all fees and spreads.
| € 14.90 | Cost for €1,000 | € 9.00 |
| 1.49 % | Fees | 0.9 % |
| € 0.24 | Wallet transfer | – |
| No | Cost transparency | Limited |
| € 1 | Minimum Amount | € 0.01 |
| SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer, Credit Card, PayPal | Payment Methods | SEPA Transfer |
On a €1,000 purchase you pay €5.90 less at Smartbroker+.
Pros & Cons
- First company with a crypto license from BaFin
- Over 260 cryptocurrencies available
- Savings plan and staking are offered
- Payment methods: SEPA instant transfer, credit card, and PayPal
- Educational program with cryptocurrency rewards for completed modules
- Minimum investment possible from 1 €
- Trading fees of 1.49 % are room for improvement compared with competitors
- Total costs of 14,90 € per trade are occasionally criticized
- Cost transparency is rated as limited
- 25 cryptocurrencies tradable alongside stocks, ETFs, and derivatives
- Savings plans available for crypto and securities
- Crypto custodian Tangany GmbH with BaFin license
- Minimum investment possible from just 0.01 €
- App available for iOS, Android, and web use
- Wallet transfer to personal wallets not possible – occasionally criticized by users
- Staking features currently not available – room for improvement
- Deposits only via SEPA transfer – additional payment methods have room for improvement
- Waiting time after registration until first trade is occasionally criticized
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.
According to reviews, Smartbroker+ is generally often described as clear and easy to understand. Users particularly appreciate the simple app experience as well as low fees and conditions, while support-related topics and individual technical points are perceived by some users as having room for improvement.
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
| ✓ | Savings plan | ✓ |
| ✓ | Staking | ✓ |
| ✓ | Wallet transfer | ✓ |
| ✓ | Cost transparency | ✓ |
| ✓ | 2FA security | ✓ |
| ✓ | SEPA instant transfer | ✓ |
| ✓ | Credit card | ✓ |
| ✓ | PayPal | ✓ |
| ✓ | Mobile app (iOS/Android) | ✓ |
| ✓ | Web platform | ✓ |
| ✓ | Credit card payment | ✓ |
| ✓ | BaFin-regulated custodian | ✓ |
| ✓ | Stocks & ETFs | ✓ |
| ✓ | SEPA transfer | ✓ |
- First crypto license from BaFin in Germany
- 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
- Neobroker with stocks, ETFs, derivatives, and crypto on one platform
- BaFin-licensed crypto custodian Tangany GmbH
- Savings plans from 0.01 € for accessible investing
- Trading fees of 0.9 % for crypto
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.
According to reviews, Smartbroker+ fees are often viewed positively. Users particularly appreciate the low fees and conditions, which are generally perceived as inexpensive. Overall, the pricing data gives a largely positive impression.
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.
Users particularly appreciate the clear and intuitive operation of the Smartbroker+ app. According to reviews, the application is often perceived as easy to use, which makes getting started easier. However, some users also report that the interface can be confusing, so this area is described in individual cases as having room for improvement.
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.
Some users would like additional convenience features such as direct debit for savings plans, instant or real-time transfers, and notes for the watchlist. According to reviews, the newsletter is also occasionally perceived as rather limited.
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.
Regarding stability and reliability, users occasionally report technical issues or longer loading times. Overall, the available reviews in this area do not point to a clearly positive or negative picture.
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.
When it comes to support, users in the reviews report mixed experiences comparatively often. In some cases, poor customer service, unanswered email requests, or a lack of support are mentioned, which is why this area is considered to have room for improvement from the users' perspective.
Details
| Coinbase Global, Inc. | Company | Smartbroker AG |
| 2012 | Founded | 2019 |
| 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 | € 0.01 |
| eID, VideoIdent | KYC | eID, Video-ID, PostIdent |
Verdict
In our overall rating Coinbase leads with 4.8 against 4.4 for Smartbroker+.
On a €1,000 purchase you pay €5.90 less at Smartbroker+.
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.
The trading fees of 1.49 % and total costs of 14,90 € per trade 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.
Smartbroker+ is perceived in the DACH region as a multi-asset broker that combines cryptocurrencies with stocks, ETFs, and derivatives on one platform. With 25 tradable cryptocurrencies and custody via the BaFin-licensed Tangany GmbH, the provider is considered to be on solid regulatory footing. Trading fees of 0.9 % for crypto are in the mid-range among German neobrokers.
The option to set up savings plans from as little as 0.01 € is appreciated, as it enables an especially accessible entry point. The platform is available via app and web and is aimed at investors who want to manage different asset classes centrally. For users who already invest in stocks and ETFs and want to add crypto as an additional component, Smartbroker+ is seen as a practical solution.
Wallet transfers to personal wallets are currently not possible, and staking features are not offered — both are occasionally criticized by users. The limited deposit methods, restricted to SEPA transfers, and the waiting time after registration are also considered to have room for improvement. Smartbroker+ is therefore particularly suitable for securities investors in the DACH region looking for a German broker with BaFin-regulated crypto custody and a broad product range.