KuCoin vs Smartbroker+ Comparison
In our overall rating Smartbroker+ leads with 4.4 out of 5 points, ahead of KuCoin with 3.9. Our table lists the trading fee as “0.1% maker/taker (spot)” for KuCoin and “0.9 %” for Smartbroker+. KuCoin has the better score in all five sub-ratings. KuCoin has been on the market longer, founded in 2017, while Smartbroker+ followed in 2019.
| 0.1% maker/taker (spot) | Fees | 0.9 % |
| — | Minimum cost per €1,000 | € 9.00 |
| — | Cryptos | 39 |
| — | Payment Methods | SEPA Transfer |
| MiCA licence from the FMA (Austria) since 27 Nov 2025, FMA does not yet permit commencement of operations | 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 A price markup in the spread is not included, because most providers do not publish it.
| — | Minimum cost per €1,000 | € 9.00 |
| 0.1% maker/taker (spot) | Fees | 0.9 % |
| — | Wallet transfer | – |
| — | Cost transparency | Limited |
| €10 per order (BTC/EUR) | Minimum Amount | € 0.01 |
| — | Payment Methods | SEPA Transfer |
Note, as of 21 October 2026: KuCoin EU states on its website that trading and deposits have been suspended since 4 February 2026. The table shows the rates KuCoin EU lists in its fee schedule.
| Transaction | Cost at KuCoin EU |
|---|---|
| Spot trading, base tier VIP 0 | 0.1% maker, 0.1% taker |
| Spot trading, VIP 3 | 0.075% maker, 0.09% taker |
| Spot trading, VIP 6 | 0.025% maker, 0.05% taker |
| Spot trading, VIP 12 | 0% maker, 0.025% taker |
| EUR deposits and withdrawals | via SEPA and SEPA Instant, fee shown before the withdrawal |
| Crypto withdrawals | network fee per coin |
How to save: Rates fall as your VIP tier rises. Users who already hold VIP status at another exchange can apply at KuCoin EU for a tier two levels higher for 60 days. We compare MiCA-licensed exchanges that are open for trading in our crypto exchange comparison.
Fees as of 21 October 2026 according to KuCoin EU VIP tiers and fees.
Not enough reviews available.
Pros & Cons
- 700+ coins – a vast altcoin selection
- Spot fees from 0.1% maker and taker
- MiCA CASP licence (FMA Austria, November 2025)
- Wide feature set: spot, futures, bots, earn products
- Trading and deposits at KuCoin EU suspended since 4 February 2026 (as of 21 October 2026)
- Historically no local European support structures
- 2023 US settlement still weighs on its record
- 39 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 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.
Investing in crypto assets carries a high level of risk, up to and including total loss of capital. This is not investment advice. Figures as of October 2026, without guarantee; check current conditions with the provider.
Features
| not specified | Savings plan | available |
| not specified | Staking | not available |
| not specified | Wallet transfer | not available |
| not specified | Credit card payment | not available |
| not specified | BaFin-regulated custodian | available |
| not specified | Web platform | available |
| not specified | Mobile app (iOS/Android) | available |
| not specified | Stocks & ETFs | available |
| not specified | SEPA transfer | available |
- Altcoin heavyweight with 700+ coins
- MiCA licence in hand, trading at KuCoin EU suspended since February 2026
- 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
Spot at KuCoin EU: 0.1% maker and 0.1% taker in the base tier, falling with the VIP tier to 0% maker and 0.025% taker. According to KuCoin EU, trading and deposits have been suspended since 4 February 2026 (as of 21 October 2026).
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
Not enough reviews available.
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
Not enough reviews available.
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
Not enough reviews available.
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
Not enough reviews available.
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
| KuCoin EU Exchange GmbH | Company | Smartbroker AG |
| 2017 | Founded | 2019 |
| MiCA licence from the FMA (Austria) since 27 Nov 2025, FMA does not yet permit commencement of operations | Regulation | Crypto custodian Tangany GmbH has a BaFin license |
| €10 per order (BTC/EUR) | Minimum Amount | € 0.01 |
| — | KYC | eID, Video-ID, PostIdent |
Verdict
In our overall rating Smartbroker+ leads with 4.4 against 3.9 for KuCoin.
For most investors Smartbroker+ is therefore the better choice.
KuCoin has been a fixture for altcoin traders for years. Its EU position is difficult as of October 2026: the Austrian MiCA licence has been granted, but according to the company, trading and deposits at KuCoin EU have been suspended since 4 February 2026. If regulatory certainty inside the EU is your priority, fully operational MiCA venues such as Bitpanda, Bybit EU or Kraken are the safer bet for now.
Smartbroker+ is perceived in the DACH region as a multi-asset broker that combines cryptocurrencies with stocks, ETFs, and derivatives on one platform. With 39 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.