Top 5 Best Coinbase Alternatives in 2026

Top Coinbase Alternatives for Bitcoin in 2026

Coinbase introduced many to Bitcoin, butit has reached a point where it is understandable to want something different,such as lower fees, easier recurring purchases, or self-custody support.

In this article, we explore Coinbase Alternatives for European investors that you can check out if you’re looking toseamlessly buy and accumulate bitcoin.

Quick Summary

●     Lower fees, payment options, andcustody controls are some of the key factors to consider if you’re looking foran alternative to Coinbase.

●     Relai is ideal for Europeans whowant a simple, non-custodial way to buy bitcoin using familiar bank transfersand automated savings.

●     Revolut works best for people whoalready manage their daily finances in the app and want occasional, convenientBTC purchases.

●     Bison appeals to users who prefera crypto platform backed by a major traditional financial institution andregulated partners in Germany.

●     Bitpanda suits investors who wantcrypto, stocks, metals, and savings plans together in one easy-to-usemulti-asset app.

●     Bitstamp remains a strong choicefor those who want a long-established, highly regulated exchange withstraightforward trading tools.

Relai

Relai (https://relai.app/ )offers one of the simplest ways for Europeans to buy and hold bitcoin. You makea bank transfer, include a reference number, and the bitcoin arrives in yourin-app wallet. The bitcoin you buy truly belongs to you because Relai doesn’tcustody.

The focus of Relai is narrow on purpose.The app doesn't offer altcoin, leverage, staking, or any other option thatpushes users towards speculating. It is built around long-term accumulation andhands-off saving of bitcoin rather than active trading.

Key Features

●     Very beginner-friendly

●     Non-custodial by default

●     Easy-to-set-up bitcoin savingsplan

●     Zero fee option for small monthlypurchases

●     Designed for people who want tohold BTC without trading

●     Offers brokerage services forbusinesses and high-net-worth individuals

Payment Options

Relai allows European users to buy bitcointhrough bank transfers, making purchases quick and familiar for anyone with anEU bank account. Both one-off buys and automated savings plans can be funded inEUR or CHF. The app also supports debit and credit card payments as well asApple Pay and Google Pay.

Regulation & Security

Relai operates in accordance with Swiss AMLand compliance requirements, and has a MiCa license for the EU, while the appitself remains fully non-custodial. The wallet is generated on your device, andRelai never accesses the private keys or your balances. This reduces platformrisk and gives you full control over your bitcoin.The trade-off is that the responsibility for secure storage and backups restsentirely with you, as is standard for self-custody.

Revolut

Revolut is not a Bitcoin-focused platform,but many Europeans buy their first BTC inside the app because they already useit for daily banking. The crypto feature is built into the same dashboard wherepeople manage payments, cards, and budgeting.

The simplicity is appealing, though it comeswith a trade-off. Revolut holds the coins for you unless you withdraw them.Also, not all regions support BTC withdrawals. You should check before treatingRevolut as a place to keep your holdings long-term.

Key Features

●     All-in-one finance app

●     Global currency exchange

●     Crypto buying and selling insidethe main app

●     Spending analytics and savingstools

●     Virtual and physical cards

Payment Options

Revolut requires users to fund their accountbalance first before buying bitcoin. The platform supports several paymentmethods, including bank transfers, debit and credit cards, and digital walletslike Apple Pay and Google Pay in some regions.

Regulation & Security

Revolut’s financial services are regulatedacross Europe and the UK. Customer crypto balances are custodial, meaningRevolut holds assets on behalf of users. Crypto withdrawals are available insome regions, though not universally. Revolut is best used as an entry pointrather than a long-term storage method.

Bison

Bison is backed by the Stuttgart StockExchange Group. That might carry a lot of weight for users who want a platformsupported by an established mainstream financial institution instead of a newcrypto-only company.

The app focuses on making processes simple andseamless. The interface is straightforward, the list of supported assets isshort, and the platform is not packed with speculative tokens and tradingprompts.

Key Features

●     Backed by the Börse StuttgartGroup

●     Clean and beginner-friendly

●     Curated list of established crypto assets

●     Delivers through regulatedpartners in Germany

Payment Options

Bison supports a range of payment methods,including SEPA transfers, Apple Pay, and card payments. Once funded, users canbuy a curated list of cryptocurrencies. The overall experience is meant to bestraightforward and approachable.

Regulation & Security

Bison is operated by the Börse StuttgartGroup, giving it a foundation in established European financial regulation.Brokerage and custody services are handled by regulated subsidiaries within thegroup. Client assets are stored with licensed custodians.

Bitpanda

Bitpanda is a European platform for buyingand managing digital assets. You fund your account using local payment methodsand can then buy bitcoin, stocks, metals, or other assets directly in the app.

Bitpanda brings crypto, traditionalfinance, and automated savings together in one place. It’s built for people whowant a simple, reliable way to invest across multiple asset classes withoutjumping between different apps or exchanges.

Key Features

●     Multi-asset platform

●     Automated savings plans

●     User-friendly interface

●     Regulated investment provider

Payment Options

Bitpanda offers a broad range of paymentmethods, including SEPA transfers, bank transfers, and debit and credit cards.Apple Pay is also available.

Regulation & Security

Bitpanda is supervised by Austrian financialauthorities and holds multiple regulatory approvals across Europe. Digitalassets are kept in custodial accounts. Bitpanda is one of the highly regulatedmulti-asset platforms.

Bitstamp

Bitstamp is one of the longest-runningplatforms in Europe for buying and trading bitcoin, alongside other cryptoassets. The platform holds these assets in institutional custodial wallets.

Bitstamp keeps the exchange experience cleanand focuses on straightforward tools. The interface is designed to be familiarto anyone used to traditional financial platforms. It’s suited to people whoprefer a simple environment for buying, selling, and monitoring their holdings.

Key Features

●     Long-established crypto exchange

●     Simple trading interfaces in oneplatform

●     Banking integrations for depositsand withdrawals

●     Highly regulated exchange

Payment Options

Bitstamp supports SEPA transfers for eurousers, UK Faster Payments for GBP, and international wire transfers. Users canalso fund accounts with debit and credit cards for instant access, though athigher fees. Instant SEPA deposits are available in several regions.

Regulation & Security

Bitstamp is regulated in Luxembourg as apayment institution and is licensed to offer crypto-asset services across theEuropean Union. The exchange is custodial with measures taken to securecustomer assets.

What’s the Best CoinbaseAlternative?

The best option depends entirely on how youprefer to buy, manage, and store your bitcoin. Some of the apps on this listare built for simplicity, others for convenience, broad investing, or low-costactive trading. There is no single solution that fits everyone. The rightchoice is the one that matches your habits, payment preferences, and desiredlevel of control.