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You want to buy Bitcoin or cryptocurrencies - but which app is secure and reputable?
I know from hundreds of conversations with the Schwiizerfranke community: The biggest pitfall with crypto is not the market risk - but dubious providers and scams. Time and again I hear from readers who have fallen for dubious platforms or whose provider has suddenly disappeared.
What's more, many comparisons on the Internet recommend apps that are not available in Switzerland at all or only to a limited extent.
This comparison therefore focuses on Secure, reputable crypto apps that actually work for Swiss people - with a focus on Swiss and regulated providers.
| Relai | Yuh | Bitpanda | Coinbase | Crypto.com | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |  | |
| 🇨🇭 Origin | Switzerland | Switzerland | Austria | USA | Singapore |
| 💰 Fees | 0.9-1% | 1% | from 0.99% (+spread) | approx. 1.5-2% | approx. 1-1.5% (in app) |
| 🪙 Coins | Bitcoin only | 30+ | 400+ | 250+ (depending on region) | 350+ |
| 📱 Beginner-friendly | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 💳 Savings plan | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 🔐 Non-custodial | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 📤 Wallet transfer | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 🎁 Bonus | 0% on first Auto-Invest up to CHF 100/Mt. | Free ETFs | - | - | Cashback card |
| Detailed Relai experience report | To the test report | To the test report | To the test report | To the test report |
Info about the table: There are numerous other crypto apps. The above are the most popular for Swiss users based on community feedback and our own tests. Important: Crypto investments harbour risks of loss.
Before we dive into the details, an important note: Most comparisons in German-speaking countries originate from Germany and recommend apps that are either not available in Switzerland at all - or only work to a limited extent (e.g. only EUR deposits, no CHF).
As a Swiss investor, you face other challenges: CHF deposits, Swiss regulation and the question of which providers will even open an account for you.
This comparison therefore focuses on Apps that actually work for the Swiss.
Your key to success! Discover our top recommendations from real testimonials.
For whom: Anyone who wants to buy Bitcoin easily and securely
Relai is one of the best-known Swiss Bitcoin apps - and the most widely used Bitcoin savings plan solution in my community. The concept is radically simple: Only Bitcoin, no distraction from hundreds of altcoins. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced Bitcoiner - if you're looking for an uncomplicated, secure solution, you've come to the right place.
Special advantages:
Disadvantages:
Fees: 1% Standard fee, with code CHFRANKE only 0.9%
🧪 My personal Relai experience
Test duration: Since February 2021 - over 4 years of active use
Currently ongoing: Weekly auto-invest of CHF 250 since March 2024 - works perfectly.
For whom: Swiss people who want everything in one app
Do you already have a Yuh account for banking? Then getting started with crypto is just a tap away. Yuh combines banking, share trading and crypto in a single Swiss app.
Important to know: At Yuh you buy real cryptocurrencies (no ETPs or certificates). Custody is handled by Swissquote with multi-signature wallets and offline storage. However, you cannot transfer your cryptos to your own wallet - «Not your keys, not your coins» still applies here.
Special advantages:
Disadvantages:
Ideal for: Anyone who already uses Yuh or is looking for an all-in-one solution. The advantage: You don't need a new app, no new verification - just get started.
For whom: If you want lots of different coins
Bitpanda is one of the largest crypto brokers in the German-speaking world with over 400 tradable cryptocurrencies. The Austrian provider is also open to Swiss customers.
Special advantages:
Disadvantages:
For whom: Anyone who trusts a listed company
Coinbase is the largest listed crypto exchange (Nasdaq: COIN) and is one of the most established providers worldwide.
Special advantages:
Disadvantages:
For whom: Who wants to use crypto in everyday life
In addition to trading, Crypto.com also offers a Visa card with cashback in cryptocurrency - interesting for anyone who wants to actively use crypto.
Special advantages:
Disadvantages:
"Intelligent people learn from the mistakes of others".
We have compiled our top selection for you from all our tests and experience reports:
Why security comes before fees: With equity ETFs, I look at the costs first - it's different with crypto. The expected returns are higher anyway, so 0.3% more or less fees are less important. What really counts: Is my money safe? Will the provider still exist in a year's time?
In my dialogue with the Swiss-French community, I regularly hear from readers who:
🇨🇭 Regulation: Swiss providers such as Relai are registered with the VQF and are subject to the Swiss Anti-Money Laundering Act. This means supervision and accountability.
🇨🇭 Legal certainty: If you have any problems, you have a contact person in Switzerland - not somewhere in the Cayman Islands.
🇨🇭 No currency risk: CHF deposit without diversions via Euro or Dollar.
Custodial (Bitpanda, Coinbase, Crypto.com, Yuh):
Non-Custodial (Relai):
My recommendation for larger amounts: Buy via an app like Relai and then transfer to a hardware wallet (e.g. Ledger, BitBox). Relai even allows you to set this up automatically. This allows you to combine easy buying with maximum security.
→ More basics: Crypto Guide Switzerland
Fees are less important for crypto than for ETFs - but they are still relevant, of course. What does it cost to invest CHF 1,000 in Bitcoin?
| App | Fee | Costs for CHF 1,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Relai (with code CHFRANKE) | 0.9% | CHF 9 |
| Yuh | 1% | CHF 10 |
| Bitpanda | from 0.99% (+spread) | approx. CHF 10-15 |
| Coinbase | approx. 1.5-2% | approx. CHF 15-20 |
| Crypto.com (in app) | approx. 1-1.5% | approx. CHF 10-15 |
Notice: The actual costs vary depending on the time, coin and mode. With Bitpanda, Coinbase and Crypto.com, a spread is often added to the base price. With the Swiss providers Relai and Yuh, you know exactly what you are paying - no hidden costs.
| Your goal | Recommended app |
|---|---|
| Buy Bitcoin - simple & secure | Relai ⭐ |
| Everything in one app (banking + crypto) | Yuh 🇨🇭 |
| Many different coins | Bitpanda or Coinbase |
| Maximum features & cashback | Crypto.com |
In addition to the top 5, there are other apps that may be of interest to the Swiss:
You can find more details on the individual providers in the large crypto exchanges comparison.
"Intelligent people learn from the mistakes of others".
We have compiled our top selection for you from all our tests and experience reports:
The best crypto app depends on your needs:
You want Bitcoin - simple, secure, Swiss? → Relai is the best choice: non-custodial, Swiss provider (VQF/SRO) based in Zurich, fair fees (0.9% with code CHFRANKE). Perfect for Bitcoin savings plans (crypto savings plan) and anyone who wants to control their own keys.
Already using Yuh and want everything in one app? → Yuh makes it extremely easy to get started - no new account, no new verification. But remember: no transfer to your own wallet possible.
Do you want to trade many different coins? → Bitpanda or Coinbase offer the largest selection. Both allow transfers to your own wallets.
Want to use crypto in everyday life with cashback? → Crypto.com with the Visa card - but only for more experienced users.
My personal favourite remains Relai: as someone who preaches passive investing, the app fits my philosophy perfectly - set up a Bitcoin savings plan and forget about it. No daily chart checking, no speculation with altcoins.
Important: No matter which app - crypto is volatile and should make up a maximum of 5-10% of your portfolio. More on this in my article Bitcoin vs. equity ETF. And if you're wondering how crypto is taxed: Crypto Taxes Switzerland.
Transparency: This article was created in cooperation with Relai.
Relai. The Swiss app can be set up in 5 minutes and focusses only on Bitcoin. This makes it easy to get started - but even experienced Bitcoiners appreciate the non-custodial solution. With the code CHFRANKE you save 10% fees.
For maximum security, I recommend a non-custodial app like Relai, where you control your private keys yourself. Regulated providers such as Coinbase or Yuh are also solid options for beginners who want it to be easier.
In my test: 4 minutes app download + registration. KYC verification was completed within 24 hours.
Yes, in practice almost all reputable providers require verification (KYC) - sometimes depending on the amount and functions. At Relai, however, the process is very simple and quick.
With Relai and Yuh yes - direct CHF deposit without diversions. With Bitpanda, Coinbase and Crypto.com, CHF is not equally easy everywhere - depending on the provider, you will see EUR/USD rails or additional exchange rate costs will apply.
Good news: Private capital gains from crypto are tax-free in Switzerland - as long as you are not categorised as a professional trader. However, you must declare your crypto assets in your tax return. Details: Crypto Taxes Switzerland
Eric is the founder of Schwiizerfranke.com and certified IAF wealth advisor. Since 2019, he has been helping Swiss citizens to organise their finances comprehensibly, independently and efficiently.
📌 Note: This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute personalised investment advice.