Detailed comparison of all fees, features, and suitability — updated for 2026.
Coinbase is the better choice for Krypto-Anleger, while Flatex wins for Austrian Investors. Which one suits you depends on your strategy — the detailed comparison below shows every difference.
| Metric | Coinbase | Flatex | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Order fee per trade | 0.40 € | 5.90 € | 5.50 € cheaper at Coinbase |
| 10y savings plan cost @ €100/month | 48 € | 708 € | 660 € cheaper at Coinbase |
| Available exchanges | 2 | 6 | +4 more at Flatex |
| BMInsider rating | 4.2/5 | 3.8/5 | +0.4 at Coinbase |
All fees, products, and platform features compared side-by-side. The "Winner" column shows which broker leads in each category.
| Feature | Coinbase | Flatex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fees & Costs | |||
| Order Fee | 1.49 % – 3.99 % / 0.4 %–0.6 % Advanced | 5.90€ + Börsengebühr | Coinbase |
| ETF Savings Plan Fee | - | 1.50€ | Tie |
| Account Fee | 0€/Year | 0€/Year | Tie |
| Minimum Deposit | $1 | 0€ | Tie |
| Interest on Cash | 0% | 0% | Tie |
| Product Range | |||
| Stocks | Flatex | ||
| ETFs | Flatex | ||
| Crypto | Coinbase | ||
| Options | Flatex | ||
| CFDs | Tie | ||
| Fractional Shares | Coinbase | ||
| Number of Exchanges | Krypto-Spot, Krypto-Futures | Xetra, Frankfurt, Wien | Flatex |
| Platform & Tools | |||
| Mobile App | Tie | ||
| Desktop Platform | Tie | ||
| Demo Account | Flatex | ||
| Security & Regulation | |||
| Regulated by | NYDFS · BaFin · FCA | BaFin / FMA | Tie |
| Deposit Protection | - | 100.000€ | Tie |
| Founded | 2012 | 2006 | Tie |
| Overall Rating | |||
| Rating | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | Coinbase |
Depending on your strategy and experience, one broker fits better. Here's how to decide:
Low barriers, simple app, demo account and no hidden costs — perfect to get started.
More about Coinbase →Low per-order fees, many trading venues and derivatives access — important if you trade regularly.
More about Coinbase →Free savings plans, interest on cash and no custody fee — what matters when you buy & hold.
More about Coinbase →Coinbase is the only crypto exchange listed on a major stock exchange (NASDAQ: COIN). SOC2-certified, NYDFS-regulated, with the highest institutional acceptance in the US — but at higher fees than pure crypto exchanges in its standard tier.
Particularly suitable for: Krypto-Anleger, Bitcoin-Käufer, HODL-Investoren.
Flatex is especially popular in Austria as a tax-simple broker with access to many exchanges and derivatives.
Particularly suitable for: Austrian Investors, Options Trading, Many Exchanges.
Coinbase (Coinbase Germany GmbH with BaFin licence for crypto custody, MiCA via Luxembourg) and flatex (BaFin Germany) are both regulated platforms but focused on different asset classes. Coinbase: 200+ real crypto coins (Standard 1.49% + spread, Advanced 0.40% maker), self-custody wallet withdrawal, 9-coin staking. flatex: €5.90 flat stocks/ETF/bonds + 1 600 free ETF savings plans + German tax certificate — no real crypto coins.
Honest take: flatex and Coinbase are complementary. Anyone wanting both combines them — flatex for classic wealth + Coinbase for crypto spot with self-custody.
You want real spot coins. Coinbase 200+ coins with wallet withdrawal. flatex only crypto ETNs.
You want crypto staking. Coinbase staking on 9 coins (ETH, SOL, ADA, DOT, ATOM, MATIC, XTZ etc.) 25% commission. flatex no staking.
You want USDC rewards. Coinbase USDC rewards ~4% p.a. flatex has no USDC.
You want low crypto fees via Advanced Trade. Coinbase Advanced 0.40% maker. flatex crypto ETN buys €5.90 + ETN spread.
You want §23 crypto tax-free after 1 year. Coinbase spot coins.
You want stocks, ETFs, bonds, funds. flatex broad classic range. Coinbase crypto-only.
You want ETF savings plans. flatex 1 600 free ETF savings plans. Coinbase no ETFs.
You want the German tax certificate on all assets. flatex steuereinfach. Coinbase: crypto in Anlage SO yourself.
You want no Coinbase Standard spread trap. Coinbase Standard 1.49% + 0.5% spread = 2%. Anyone not switching to Advanced in the app pays 2%. flatex has uniform pricing.
You want predictable flat costs. flatex €5.90 flat regardless of volume.
flatex fully steuereinfach, Coinbase crypto gross. flatex KESt automatic. Coinbase: crypto gains in Anlage SO yourself.
§23 EStG: Coinbase spot coins 1 year tax-free. flatex ETNs always KESt.
USDC rewards: §20 EStG (Coinbase doesn't withhold automatically).
Vorabpauschale: flatex books ETFs automatically.
Austria: Neither AT-steuereinfach.
Profile: 12 ETF savings plans at €200, 4 stocks at €5 000, 6 crypto at €500.
| Item | flatex (stocks/ETF) + Coinbase (crypto) | flatex only | Coinbase only |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12× ETF savings plan | flatex: €0 | €0 | not offered |
| 4× €5 000 stock | flatex: 4× €5.90 = €23.60 | €23.60 | not offered |
| 6× €500 crypto | Coinbase Adv: 6× €2 = €12 | 6× €5.90 + ETN spread = ~€50 | €12 (Advanced) |
| Yearly cost | ≈€36 | ≈€74 | ≈€12 (crypto only) |
Combined flatex + Coinbase is cheapest. Individual use creates trade-offs.
Pick: flatex. Coinbase no stocks.
Pick: Coinbase. 200+ coins, wallet withdrawal.
Pick: flatex + Coinbase in parallel. Both free to open.
Pick: Coinbase. USDC rewards. flatex has no USDC.
Pick: flatex. Coinbase Standard mode (default) is 2% expensive.
Answers to the most common questions about Coinbase vs Flatex.
For order fees, Coinbase leads at 1.49 % – 3.99 % / 0.4 %–0.6 % Advanced, while Flatex charges 5.90€ + Börsengebühr. Note: with CFD brokers, spreads add hidden cost — the lower nominal price isn't always cheaper overall.
Coinbase is regulated by NYDFS · BaFin · FCA, Flatex by BaFin / FMA. Both fall under EU oversight. Deposit protection: Coinbase -, Flatex 100.000€.
For German/Austrian customers, language, BaFin regulation and tax-simple status often matter most. Check the 'Regulated by' and 'Languages' rows — DACH-focused brokers usually have the edge.
Neither Coinbase nor Flatex offers free ETF savings plans. If recurring investing matters, check a savings-plan-focused broker.
Both are covered under their home regulator's deposit protection. Coinbase: -, Flatex: 100.000€. Securities are held in segregated accounts and protected in case of broker insolvency.
Neither broker pays meaningful interest on uninvested cash. Look elsewhere if cash yield matters.
Both offer native mobile apps with good app-store ratings. Which is better depends on your needs — try both with a demo account if available.
A second broker makes sense when one offers features the other lacks (e.g. options, crypto, more exchanges). A full switch is only worth it if the cost difference or missing features are significant.
Sign up with the broker that fits your strategy. Both are regulated and offer a demo account to test risk-free.
