Best Bitcoin Apps & Exchanges to Buy BTC With EUR

The European bitcoin market has matured significantly, offering investors a wide range of platforms to buy bitcoin with euros. 

Whether you’re a beginner taking your first steps into bitcoin or an experienced investor looking for the most efficient way to stack sats, choosing the right bitcoin app or exchange can make all the difference.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the top Bitcoin apps and exchanges available to European users, comparing their features, fees, payment options, and security measures to help you make an informed decision.

Quick Take

• Relai is a Bitcoin-only app that offers self-custody and zero fees on savings plans of up to €100.
• Trading apps like Bitpanda, Bison, and Trade Republic offer multi-asset trading, but all come with custodial wallets and higher fees.
• Payment flexibility varies across platforms, with bank transfers typically offering the lowest payment fees, while instant payment methods carry premium charges.
• Security and custody should be your top priority when choosing where to buy Bitcoin, on top of the fees you pay.

Relai

Relai has established itself as one of Europe’s leading Bitcoin apps, serving over 100,000 users across the Eurozone with a focus on simplicity, security, and self-custody.

Core Features

Relai stands out with its Bitcoin-only approach, eliminating the noise and confusion of thousands of altcoins that populate most crypto exchanges. The platform offers an integrated self-custodial wallet, meaning you maintain complete control over your private keys from the moment of purchase.

The app features a Bitcoin savings plan with automatic weekly or monthly purchases, making dollar-cost averaging effortless. Educational resources are built directly into the app, with extensive learning materials available through their platform and YouTube channel.

For high-net-worth individuals, Relai Private offers over-the-counter (OTC) trading services with personalized support for trades exceeding 100,000 EUR. Small and medium-sized businesses can leverage Relai Business to add bitcoin to their corporate treasury.

Payment Methods

Relai supports comprehensive payment options to accommodate different user preferences:

• Bank transfers: Free of charge, most cost-effective
• Credit/debit cards: Instant purchases with 3% additional fee
• Apple Pay: Convenient mobile payments with 3% additional fee
• Google Pay: Android-friendly instant payments with 3% additional fee

Fees 

Relai maintains one of the most competitive and transparent fee structures in Europe:

• 0% trading fees on one monthly auto-invest up to 100 EUR/CHF
• 0.9% trading fee when using a referral code (10% discount)
• 1% standard fee without referral code

This zero-fee monthly purchase option can save users over 1,000 EUR annually in trading fees, making it particularly attractive for regular investors implementing a savings plan strategy.

Security

Relai recently secured a MiCA license from the French regulator and became one of the first European Bitcoin companies to achieve this milestone.

The self-custody architecture eliminates counterparty risk. Since Relai never holds user funds, your bitcoin remains under your exclusive control at all times. Users receive a 12-word recovery phrase that serves as their master key, ensuring they can always recover their wallet.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Bitcoin-only focus eliminates altcoin speculation risks
• Self-custody security gives users complete control
• Zero-fee monthly purchases up to 100 EUR
• Swiss quality and regulatory compliance
• Award-winning user-friendly interface
• Multiple payment methods for convenience
• Extensive educational resources

Cons:

• Mobile-only platform (desktop version in development)
• Higher fees for instant payment methods like cards

Best for: Beginners and long-term investors seeking a straightforward, secure way to buy and hold Bitcoin with complete control over their funds. Relai is recognized as one of the best companies to buy Bitcoin in Italy and across Europe.

Bitpanda

Bitpanda is an Austrian cryptocurrency exchange that has grown into one of Europe’s largest multi-asset trading platforms, offering stocks, ETFs, precious metals, and over 400 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin.

Core Features 

Bitpanda offers a comprehensive trading ecosystem featuring spot trading, savings plans, staking, and fractional investments in stocks and commodities. The platform caters to both beginners and more advanced traders

Bitpanda’s margin trading feature enables experienced traders to amplify their exposure and potential profits by utilizing leverage of up to 10x, making short-term strategies more capital-efficient. However, this also significantly increases risk. Losses are magnified just as quickly as gains, making margin trading unsuitable for most long-term investors or those new to cryptocurrency markets.

Payment Methods

• Bank transfers
• Credit/debit cards
• Apple Pay
• Skrill and Neteller
• SOFORT

Fees

• 0.99% trading fee for buying and selling Bitcoin on Bitpanda

Security

Bitpanda is registered with the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) and holds a MiCA license, ensuring compliance with EU financial regulations. The platform uses cold storage for the majority of customer funds and offers two-factor authentication.

However, Bitpanda operates as a custodial exchange, meaning they hold your Bitcoin on your behalf. While they maintain strong security measures, this introduces counterparty risk.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Wide range of assets beyond bitcoin
• Established European brand with a strong reputation
• Multiple payment options

Cons:

• The custodial model means you don’t control private keys
• Higher fees compared to Bitcoin-only platforms
• Complex interface due to numerous asset classes
• Margin Trading feature is too risky for newbies

Best for: Multi-asset investors who want exposure to various cryptocurrencies, stocks, and commodities through a single platform.

Bison

Bison is a German cryptocurrency exchange operated by Börse Stuttgart Group, a large European financial institution. The platform focuses on simplicity while leveraging traditional finance infrastructure.

Core Features 

Bison offers trading for 32 cryptocurrencies with a straightforward buy-and-sell interface. The platform recently expanded to include stock and ETF trading, positioning itself as a comprehensive investment app.

Features include savings plans for automated purchases, staking for select cryptocurrencies, and direct integration with German tax software for simplified reporting.

Payment Methods

• Bank transfers
• Credit/debit cards 
• SEPA instant payments

Fees 

Bison advertises zero trading fees, but this is somewhat misleading. The platform makes money through spreads between buy and sell prices, which typically range from 0.75% to 1.25%. There are also fees for deposits and withdrawals:

• Deposit fees: Free for bank transfers
• Withdrawal fees: 0.75% for amounts under 50 EUR

Security

As part of Börse Stuttgart Group, Bison benefits from traditional financial institution oversight and German regulatory compliance. The platform is supervised by BaFin (Federal Financial Supervisory Authority).

However, Bison is a custodial service, storing users’ bitcoin on their behalf. While they maintain a robust security infrastructure, users don’t have access to their private keys.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Backed by an established German stock exchange
• Clean, beginner-friendly interface
• Integration with tax software
• Strong regulatory oversight

Cons:

• Custodial storage only
• Spreads can be higher than advertised “zero fees”
• Limited to 32 cryptocurrencies

Best for: German residents who value traditional financial institution backing and want seamless tax reporting integration.

Trade Republic

Trade Republic has emerged as one of Europe’s fastest-growing neobrokers, expanding from stocks and ETFs into cryptocurrency trading. The platform appeals to young investors with its commission-free trading model.

Core Features 

Trade Republic offers a streamlined investment experience with over 2 million tradeable assets, including stocks, ETFs, bonds, and cryptocurrencies. The platform features a modern mobile app with real-time price alerts and portfolio tracking.

Bitcoin purchases are available alongside traditional securities, allowing users to build diversified portfolios within a single app. Savings plans enable automated recurring investments.

Payment Methods

• Bank transfers
• Direct debit
• Credit cards for deposits

Fees 

Trade Republic’s fee structure is competitive for stock trading but less so for bitcoin:

• 1 EUR per trade for stocks and ETFs
• 1% spread on bitcoin purchases
• No custody fees
• Currency conversion fees for non-EUR trades

Security

Trade Republic is regulated by BaFin in Germany and operates as a licensed investment firm. Customer assets are held separately from company assets, providing protection in case of insolvency.

For cryptocurrencies, Trade Republic partners with BitGo for custody services. This is a custodial solution, meaning Trade Republic and its partners hold the private keys, not the users.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Commission-free stock trading
• Modern, intuitive mobile app
• All-in-one investment platform
• Strong regulatory framework

Cons:

• Custodial bitcoin storage only
• Limited to a handful of cryptocurrencies
• 1% spread on bitcoin trades
• Primarily focused on traditional securities

Best for: Investors who want to combine traditional securities investing with some bitcoin exposure through a single, streamlined platform.

Revolut

Revolut began as a digital banking app and has evolved into a comprehensive financial services platform, offering a range of services including currency exchange and cryptocurrency trading. With over 30 million users globally, it’s one of Europe’s most popular fintech apps.

Core Features 

Revolut’s cryptocurrency features are integrated into its broader banking app, enabling users to seamlessly convert between 230 different cryptocurrencies and traditional currencies. The platform emphasizes convenience, enabling users to spend their crypto gains through Revolut’s debit card.

Features include real-time price alerts, recurring purchases, and the ability to withdraw select cryptocurrencies to external wallets (availability varies by country). Revolut also offers crypto staking for certain coins.

Payment Methods

• Bank transfers
• Debit/credit cards
• Apple Pay
• Google Pay
• In-app balance transfers

Fees 

Revolut’s fee structure varies based on subscription tier:

• Standard users: 1.99% fee on crypto purchases
• Plus subscribers: 1.5% fee
• Premium/Metal users: 1% fee
• Additional withdrawal fees may apply (one free withdrawal per month for some tiers)

Security

Revolut holds multiple banking licenses across Europe and is regulated by various authorities, including the European Central Bank. The platform uses strong encryption and offers biometric authentication.

However, Revolut operates as a custodial service for cryptocurrencies. Your bitcoin is held by Revolut or their custodial partners, not in a wallet you control. This introduces counterparty risk, though Revolut’s strong reputation provides some reassurance.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Integrated with a full-featured banking app
• Easy to convert crypto to fiat and spend
• Large user base and established brand
• Multiple cryptocurrencies available

Cons:

• Custodial storage only
• Higher fees compared to dedicated Bitcoin platforms
• Limited to buying and selling (no advanced features)
• Focus is banking, not bitcoin

Best for: Users who want basic bitcoin exposure integrated into their daily banking app, with the convenience of easily converting between crypto and fiat currencies.

Top Bitcoin Apps & Exchanges: A Side-by-Side Comparison

This comparison reveals clear differences in approach and target audience. 

Relai stands alone as the only self-custody solution, giving users complete control over their bitcoin. The platform’s zero-fee monthly purchases up to 100 EUR provide significant cost savings for regular investors implementing a dollar-cost averaging strategy.

Multi-asset platforms like Bitpanda and Trade Republic offer broader investment options but at the cost of higher fees and custodial storage. Bison provides German-specific advantages with tax integration, while Revolut excels at integrating crypto into everyday banking.

Which Platform Is the Best for Buying BTC with EUR?

The answer depends on your specific needs and investment philosophy, but for those focused exclusively on buying and holding bitcoin, Relai emerges as the winner.

Here’s why: Relai’s Bitcoin-only approach eliminates the distractions and risks associated with speculative altcoins. The platform’s self-custody model means you maintain complete control over your bitcoin from the moment of purchase, following the fundamental principle that has guided bitcoin since its inception: “Not your keys, not your coins.” The fee structure is exceptionally competitive, with zero fees on monthly auto-invest plans up to 100 EUR.

For users seeking multi-asset exposure beyond Bitcoin, platforms like Bitpanda or Trade Republic are suitable options. If you’re primarily interested in banking services with some crypto on the side, Revolut provides that integration seamlessly. German residents valuing tax reporting simplicity might prefer Bison.

However, if your goal is to build long-term wealth through bitcoin, prioritizing security, low fees, and complete control over your funds, Relai represents the best option for European investors in 2025.

Pallavi Singal

Pallavi Singal is the Vice President of Content at ztudium, where she leads innovative content strategies and oversees the development of high-impact editorial initiatives. With a strong background in digital media and a passion for storytelling, Pallavi plays a pivotal role in scaling the content operations for ztudium’s platforms, including Businessabc, Citiesabc, and IntelligentHQ, Wisdomia.ai, MStores, and many others. Her expertise spans content creation, SEO, and digital marketing, driving engagement and growth across multiple channels. Pallavi’s work is characterised by a keen insight into emerging trends in business, technologies like AI, blockchain, metaverse and others, and society, making her a trusted voice in the industry.