Relai vs Swan

Updated: October 2025

Quick take

Relai suits a mobile app with recurring buys and automatic withdrawals to your address. Swan favors a savings‑oriented platform with recurring buys, education, and desktop support in a custodial flow. Compare KYC posture, recurring features, and which interface you prefer.

Relai vs Swan — full comparison (Buy Bitcoin)
Platform	Exchange Exchange
Features	Self-custodial wallet included Bitcoin will automatically be sent to your wallet Fees on recurring buys Minimum buy amount EU only First $10.000 no fees Education focused Bitcoin retirement products US only Fees on recurring buys KYC required
Fees Processing fees	€50 - €100 per month: free up to €1.200 €1200 and above: 1% up to $10,000: 0% $10,000 and up: 0.99%
DCA (Dollar Cost Averaging)	Yes: but free only on the first €1.200 Yes: but with fees after the first $10.000
Payment Methods	SEPA, Credit Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay Bank Transfer, Wire Transfer
Custody & Control	Custodial Custodial
KYC Required	Yes 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 & Desktop
App Ratings	iOS: 4.6 Android: 4.1 iOS: 4.8 Android: 4.6
Profile Founder(s)	Julian Liniger & Adem Bilican Cory Klippsten
Company description	Relai, founded in 2020 in Zürich, Switzerland, is an app designed for beginners to buy and save Bitcoin easily. It stands out from competitors with its non-custodial wallet, meaning users control thei... Relai, founded in 2020 in Zürich, Switzerland, is an app designed for beginners to buy and save Bitcoin easily. It stands out from competitors with its non-custodial wallet, meaning users control their Bitcoin via a 12-word seed phrase. After purchasing Bitcoin, it will be directly sent to your wallet. Relai, founded in 2020 in Zürich, Switzerland, is an app designed for beginners to buy and save Bitcoin easily. It stands out from competitors with its non-custodial wallet, meaning users control their Bitcoin via a 12-word seed phrase. After purchasing Bitcoin, it will be directly sent to your wallet. Relai offers purchases starting at €50 \| 54,205 sats, one free buy up to €100 \| 108,409 sats monthly, until you hit €1200. After that you pay a 1% fee for any transaction. For businesses and wealthy individuals Relai offers personal service and expert guidance. Its app, rated 4.5 stars on iOS, is praised by users for simple onboarding and smooth navigation, though some users report verification delays or high card fees. Relai focuses on privacy and self-custody, with optional KYC for small transactions. Its vision is to make Bitcoin saving accessible across Europe, with plans to add Lightning Network support for faster payments. Beginners love its straightforward design and security, but it's limited to Europe and lacks advanced savings features. Swan Bitcoin, launched by Cory Klippsten and based in California, is a platform focused on making it easy for beginners to buy and save Bitcoin. Swan Bitcoin, launched by Cory Klippsten and based in California, is a platform focused on making it easy for beginners to buy and save Bitcoin. Swan Bitcoin, launched by Cory Klippsten and based in California, is a platform focused on making it easy for beginners to buy and save Bitcoin. What makes Swan distinct is its focus on self-custody support and education. It automatically withdraws BTC weekly to your own address and provides guides for self-custody, while also offering Swan Guard with fraud protection and identity verification tools. Swan prioritizes teaching users about Bitcoin's value for financial freedom. Swan also targets long-term savers by offering IRA products making Bitcoin tax-advantaged retirement savings easier. Swan offers zero-fee purchases on the first $10,000, a low 0.99% fee for recurring buys, and free withdrawals to personal wallets, encouraging self-custody. Its app is praised for its clean design and simple setup. However, some users report slow customer support and issues with account restrictions. Its vision is to onboard 10 million Bitcoin users by promoting Bitcoin as better money for a decentralized future.
Founded in	2020 2019
Website	relai.app swanbitcoin.com
Availability	Available in Europe Available in United States

FAQs

Do both support recurring buys?

Yes, both support recurring buys but Swan offers no fees up to $10.000. Relai charges a 1% fee after the first 1.200 EUR.

Is Relai an exchange?

Yes, Relai is an exchange where you can buy and sell Bitcoin.

Does Swan offer IRAs?

Yes. Swan offers Bitcoin IRA products for U.S. users.