Pocket vs Strike

Updated: October 2025

Quick take

Pocket favors non‑custodial recurring bank transfers sent to your wallet with message‑signing support. Strike suits a custodial mobile app with recurring buys and Lightning withdrawals. Compare custody, KYC posture, DCA patterns, and whether bank transfers or an app wallet fit better.

Pocket vs Strike — full comparison (Buy Bitcoin)
Platform	P2P Exchange
Features	Non-custodial Bitcoin will automatically be sent to your wallet KYC-light EU only Bitcoin is purchased through Kraken Free recurring buys Free withdrawals to self-custody Limited utility non-US users KYC required
Fees Processing fees	1.5% Based on monthly trading volume up to $250: 0.99% $250 - $2,000: 0.95% $2,000 - $5,000: 0.89% $5,000 - $50,000: 0.79% $50,000 - $500,000: 0.69% $500,000 - $5,000,000: 0.59% $5,000,000 - $15,000,000: 0.49% $15,000,000 and over: 0.39%
DCA (Dollar Cost Averaging)	Yes Yes: Recurring orders are free
Payment Methods	SEPA, Bank Transfer Bank Transfer, Debit Card, Cash App
Custody & Control	Non-custodial Custodial
KYC Required	Yes, but only for purchases over €1.000 Yes
Open Source	No No
User Experience	0.0 out of 5 rate (0) 0.0 out of 5 rate (0)
Interface	Mobile only Mobile only
App Ratings	iOS: 4.2 Android: ? iOS: 4.8 Android: 4.5
Profile Founder(s)	David Knezic Jack Mallers
Company description	Pocket Bitcoin stands out with its non-custodial model, sending Bitcoin directly to your wallet without holding funds, and a no-account, KYC-light approach for daily buys up to €1,000 \| 0.01 BTC \| 0.0... Pocket Bitcoin stands out with its non-custodial model, sending Bitcoin directly to your wallet without holding funds, and a no-account, KYC-light approach for daily buys up to €1,000 \| 0.01 BTC \| 0.01 BTC, prioritizing privacy. It offers one-off or recurring buys via bank transfer, with a 1.5% fee and no withdrawal fees, supporting select hardware wallets like Trezor and Ledger with message signing. Pocket Bitcoin stands out with its non-custodial model, sending Bitcoin directly to your wallet without holding funds, and a no-account, KYC-light approach for daily buys up to €1,000 \| 0.01 BTC \| 0.01 BTC, prioritizing privacy. It offers one-off or recurring buys via bank transfer, with a 1.5% fee and no withdrawal fees, supporting select hardware wallets like Trezor and Ledger with message signing. Pocket's mission is to make Bitcoin ownership frictionless and private, promoting self-custody without complexity and with a vision to expand to a dozen more European countries and enhance wallet integrations. The mobile app, and the web portal for managing orders and wallet settings, are praised for their simple interface and fast transactions, but some find the fees slightly high. Strike's goal is to make worldwide payments in Bitcoin as easy as possible, it offers free on‑chain and Lightning withdrawals, making it flexible and cost‑effective to hold your Bitcoin in self-custod... Strike's goal is to make worldwide payments in Bitcoin as easy as possible, it offers free on‑chain and Lightning withdrawals, making it flexible and cost‑effective to hold your Bitcoin in self-custody. Its recurring buy feature at no fee costs after the initial setup, makes DCA (dollar‑cost averaging) simple and efficient. Strike also functions as a Lightning wallet, enabling quick micropayments with features like unique payment links and cash-to-Bitcoin transfers, and offers responsive customer support praised by users. Strike's goal is to make worldwide payments in Bitcoin as easy as possible, it offers free on‑chain and Lightning withdrawals, making it flexible and cost‑effective to hold your Bitcoin in self-custody. Its recurring buy feature at no fee costs after the initial setup, makes DCA (dollar‑cost averaging) simple and efficient. Strike also functions as a Lightning wallet, enabling quick micropayments with features like unique payment links and cash-to-Bitcoin transfers, and offers responsive customer support praised by users. Strike's vision goes beyond being merely another payment app. It aims to democratize financial access, reduce dependency on traditional banks, and promote financial sovereignty by empowering individuals to manage their money independently. Their user-friendly app interface, available on both iOS and Android, highlights simplicity and accessibility with a minimalistic design. In the US, Strike now offers a powerful Bill Pay feature aiming to reduce reliance on fiat currency and combat inflation by leveraging Bitcoin's appreciating value, with automated tax reporting to simplify the process. Another Strike feature is the Bitcoin‑backed loan that lets users pledge Bitcoin as collateral and borrow USD with no origination or early repayment fees. Loans can be repaid anytime without penalties.
Founded in	2020 2020
Website	pocketbitcoin.com strike.me
Availability	Available in Europe Available globally

FAQs

Are Strike recurring buys fee-free?

Yes. Strike supports free recurring buys with fees on the first transaction only.

Does Pocket support selling?

Yes. Pocket supports selling back to the bank in euros and Swiss Francs.

Which supports Lightning?

Strike supports Lightning for payments and withdrawals. Pocket focuses on bank-transfer buys that settle to your on-chain address.