Coinbase vs Trade Republic Comparison
| 1.49 % | Fees | 0 % |
| € 14.90 | Minimum cost per €1,000 | no order fee, cost in the spread |
| 404 | Cryptos | 50+ |
| SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer, Credit Card, PayPal | Payment Methods | SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer, Credit Card |
| First company with BaFin crypto license. Deficiencies flagged in 2022, since remediated. MiCA via Luxembourg. | Regulation | BaFin license as a securities institution |
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 A price markup in the spread is not included, because most providers do not publish it.
| € 14.90 | Minimum cost per €1,000 | no order fee, cost in the spread |
| 1.49 % | Fees | 0 % |
| € 0.24 | Wallet transfer | – |
| No | Cost transparency | Limited |
| € 1 | Minimum Amount | € 1 |
| SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer, Credit Card, PayPal | Payment Methods | SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer, Credit Card |
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
- MiCA authorisation from BaFin, listed in the French AMF's CASP register as “Licensed MICA” with Germany as the licensing country
- Savings plans for crypto, stocks and ETFs from €1
- Crypto transfers to and from external wallets with no transaction fee charged by Trade Republic
- Staking available, according to the provider for SOL, ETH and DOT among others, at no extra charge
- 2 % Crypto Saveback on card payments up to €1,500 per month
- No explicit trading fee on crypto; the cost sits in the spread
- 50 cryptocurrencies tradable alongside stocks and ETFs
- Deposits via SEPA, SEPA instant transfer and credit card
- Trade Republic's own help pages contradict its product page: on 5 September 2026 they still stated that sending and receiving crypto was not possible
- Cost transparency on crypto spreads has room for improvement, according to users
- SMS-based two-factor authentication; stronger methods would be welcome
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 the evaluated user data, Trade Republic is especially appreciated for its intuitive and clear app. At the same time, users report room for improvement in support, while fees and individual aspects of the app are perceived in mixed ways according to reviews.
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 regulation | ✓ |
| ✓ | Stocks & ETFs | ✓ |
- 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
- Neobroker for crypto, stocks, ETFs, and derivatives from a single source
- Savings plans from €1 for long-term wealth building
- BaFin-regulated with a German bank account
- Over 50 tradable cryptocurrencies
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.
When it comes to fees and costs, user opinions are mixed. Some users describe Trade Republic as inexpensive, while according to reviews, higher fees are also occasionally criticized.
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 Trade Republic for its intuitive, clear, and easy-to-use app. According to reviews, the application is often described as beginner-friendly, which makes getting started easier. However, the app is also occasionally described as somewhat unclear.
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.
Users repeatedly wish for availability in Switzerland, an iPad version, and a CSV export. According to reviews, a simpler tax overview and the option for automatic dividend reinvestment are also mentioned occasionally. Wishes are also expressed in the available user data regarding the search function and stop-limit orders.
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.
Users report mixed experiences regarding stability and reliability. It is occasionally mentioned that the app crashes, while others describe the app as easy to use in everyday life.
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, many users report room for improvement. According to reviews, it is often mentioned that customer service is difficult to reach or that responses take a while to arrive. In direct contact in particular, users therefore rate support critically.
Details
| Coinbase Global, Inc. | Company | Trade Republic Bank GmbH |
| 2012 | Founded | 2015 |
| First company with BaFin crypto license. Deficiencies flagged in 2022, since remediated. MiCA via Luxembourg. | Regulation | BaFin license as a securities institution |
| € 1 | Minimum Amount | € 1 |
| eID, VideoIdent | KYC | Video-ID |
Verdict
In our overall rating Coinbase leads with 4.8 against 2.9 for Trade Republic.
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.
Trade Republic is considered one of the best-known neobrokers in the DACH region and is used by many users as an entry point into the world of cryptocurrencies. The broker is licensed as a securities institution by BaFin and, in addition to over 50 cryptocurrencies, also offers stocks, ETFs, and derivatives from a single source. The removal of explicit trading fees is viewed positively by users, although the actual costs arise through the spread — here, transparency is occasionally rated as room for improvement.
Particularly appreciated are the savings plans from €1, which make it easy to get started with regular crypto investing. For investors who want to manage crypto, stocks, and ETFs in a single app, Trade Republic is considered one of the most accessible solutions on the German market. The app is described as intuitive and clearly geared toward beginners and occasional investors.
However, wallet transfers to your own wallets are currently not possible, which is occasionally criticized by more experienced crypto users. The SMS-based 2FA security is also considered room for improvement. Trade Republic is therefore especially suitable for investors looking for a regulated, uncomplicated way to access cryptocurrencies as part of a broad securities offering — less so for users who value self-custody.