OKX vs Relai Comparison
| 0.35 % | Fees | 1 % |
| € 3.50 | Minimum cost per €1,000 | € 10.00 |
| 392 | Cryptos | 1 |
| Deposits: SEPA / SEPA Instant, Open Banking, Credit Card and PayPal Express purchases: PayPal, Google Pay, Apple Pay and Credit Card | Payment Methods | Instant SEPA transfer, credit and debit card (Visa, Mastercard), Apple Pay, Google Pay |
| MiCA license | Regulation | MiCA licence (CASP) from the French AMF since 23 Oct 2025 (no. A2025-006), passported across the EU incl. Germany, Austria and Spain. Switzerland: Relai AG is a member of the SRO VQF |
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 A price markup in the spread is not included, because most providers do not publish it.
| € 3.50 | Minimum cost per €1,000 | € 10.00 |
| 0.35 % | Fees | 1 % |
| € 2.24 | Wallet transfer | € 0 (Bitcoin network fee only, variable) |
| Yes | Cost transparency | Yes |
| ~$10 USD | Minimum Amount | € 50 |
| Deposits: SEPA / SEPA Instant, Open Banking, Credit Card and PayPal Express purchases: PayPal, Google Pay, Apple Pay and Credit Card | Payment Methods | Instant SEPA transfer, credit and debit card (Visa, Mastercard), Apple Pay, Google Pay |
On disclosed fees you pay €6.50 less at OKX per €1,000 purchase.
Pros & Cons
- MiCA license available – EU-regulated via OKX Europe Ltd (Malta)
- Trading fees of 0.35 % are considered low
- Total costs of just 1.10 € per trade
- Proof of reserve is provided
- Wide range of payment methods: SEPA, PayPal, credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay
- Recurring savings plan via DCA Bot and staking available
- Selection of 270+ cryptocurrencies is room for improvement compared with some competitors
- KYC process with eID and photo ID is occasionally criticized as time-consuming
- 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 AnalysisAccording to the analyzed user reviews, OKX is mentioned by many users for its intuitive app, easy usability, and wide range of coins. At the same time, users also report critical experiences with support, as well as occasionally with blocked accounts or blocked withdrawals.
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.
This analysis is based on 794 user reviews evaluated 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 (star ratings) shown refer to all reviews available there. The reviews shown reflect users' experiences and do not represent the site operator's own assessment. All information without guarantee. Ratings as of: September 2026; review summaries as of: March 2026. This comparison does not constitute investment advice.
Features
| ✓ | Recurring savings plan | ✓ |
| ✓ | Staking | ✓ |
| ✓ | Wallet transfer | ✓ |
| ✓ | Cost transparency | ✓ |
| ✓ | 2FA security | ✓ |
| ✓ | Anti-phishing code | ✓ |
| ✓ | Passkey login | ✓ |
| ✓ | Wallet whitelist | ✓ |
| ✓ | Mobile app (iOS/Android) | ✓ |
| ✓ | Web platform | ✓ |
| ✓ | Savings plan | ✓ |
| ✓ | Self-custody wallet | ✓ |
| ✓ | Credit card payment | ✓ |
| ✓ | VASP license (Switzerland) | ✓ |
| ✓ | Hardware wallet support | ✓ |
- One of the first exchanges with a MiCA license in the EU
- Total costs of 1.10 € are considered particularly low
- Proof of reserve available for transparency
- Express purchases via PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay possible
- Minimum investment from just 1 €
- 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
When it comes to fees, users report a mixed impression: on the one hand, low costs are mentioned; on the other hand, some users perceive the fees as high. According to reviews, the perception of costs from the user perspective apparently depends on usage and transaction type.
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
According to reviews, users at OKX especially appreciate the intuitive app, the easy handling, and the clean interface. In everyday use, the platform is described by many as easy to understand. Occasionally, users also would like a German-language interface and a landscape mode.
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
According to user reviews, the range of coins and features is viewed positively by many. Users report that the platform is experienced as versatile and offers different use cases. Occasionally, users would like more fiat options, additional bot options, and adjustments to the withdrawal whitelist.
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
Regarding stability and reliability, users report in some cases smooth usage and in other cases problems related to accounts or withdrawals. In the reviews, blocked accounts and blocked withdrawals are occasionally mentioned. Overall, the user data does not present a uniform picture.
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
The user reviews of support are mostly critical. Users report slow or unanswered replies, and occasionally describe customer service as not helpful or as not being perceived at all. In addition, several users would like better support in German.
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
| OKX Europe Ltd | Company | Relai AG (CH) / Relai EU SASU (EU) |
| — | Headquarters | & |
| 2017 | Founded | 2020 |
| MiCA license | Regulation | MiCA licence (CASP) from the French AMF since 23 Oct 2025 (no. A2025-006), passported across the EU incl. Germany, Austria and Spain. Switzerland: Relai AG is a member of the SRO VQF |
| ~$10 USD | Minimum Amount | € 50 |
| eID, Photo ID | KYC | ID card or passport (with MRZ), NFC chip scan, selfie |
Verdict
In our overall rating OKX leads with 4.5 against 4.2 for Relai.
On disclosed fees you pay €6.50 less at OKX per €1,000 purchase.
For most investors OKX is therefore the better choice.
OKX is considered one of the first crypto exchanges with a fully fledged MiCA license in the EU and is valued for combining regulatory compliance with low fees. With trading fees of 0.35 % and total costs of just 1.10 € per trade, OKX is among the cheapest providers in the comparison. The availability of proof of reserves is positively viewed by security-conscious users.
The selection of 270+ cryptocurrencies is room for improvement compared with some competitors with over 600 coins. The KYC process with eID and photo ID is also occasionally criticized as time-consuming. However, the extensive payment methods — including PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay — are seen as practical.
OKX is particularly suitable for cost-conscious investors who prefer an EU-regulated platform with a MiCA license and low trading fees and are willing to make compromises on coin selection.
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.