How is the value for money of Relai?
Reviewers report mixed feelings about Relai’s value for money, with a near-even split between positive and negative mentions, 42 positive versus 38 negative. Overall, the sentiment has trended downward in recent months, particularly from late 2025 through mid-2026, with several low ratings in 2026, including a 1-star review in April and a 1.5-star average in May. Many users appreciate the simplicity and control offered by the app, especially for small, regular investments. However, a growing number of complaints center on hidden costs, particularly high spreads and unclear pricing, which some say make Relai significantly more expensive than competitors. While early feedback praised the app’s intuitive design and low fees for small amounts, recent reviews highlight frustration with transparency and unexpected charges, suggesting a decline in perceived value over time. Despite this, a core group of users still finds Relai cost-effective, especially for those prioritizing self-custody and ease of use.
What customers praise
Many users praise Relai for offering a clear, low-cost entry point into Bitcoin, especially for small, regular investments. They highlight that fees are reasonable for amounts under 100 CHF and appreciate the ability to maintain full control over their private keys. The app’s straightforward interface and fast transaction processing are frequently mentioned as strong value drivers. Some users also value the option to use Bitcoin for payments and receiving funds, adding practical utility beyond just investing.
What customers said:
- „Extremely cost-effective for savings plans up to €100!“
„Extremely cost-effective for savings plans up to €100!“
Original„Bis 100€ Sparrate extrem kostengünstig!“
- „With Relai, you can do more than just buy (in my case, BTC)“
„With Relai, you can do more than just buy (in my case, BTC)“
Original„Mit Relai kann man nicht nur (in meinem Fall BTC) kaufen“
- „Fair conditions.“
„Fair conditions.“
Original„Faire Konditionen.“
Common complaints
Common complaints focus on hidden costs, particularly high spreads that are not clearly disclosed. Users report paying up to 2% or more in total fees due to a combination of the stated 0.9–1% fee and an additional, undisclosed spread. Some say the app’s pricing is misleading, with transactions executed at a significantly higher rate than shown. Others express frustration over the lack of transparency around the exact timing and price of trades, which makes it difficult to manage investment costs effectively.
What customers said:
- „This spread was always higher than 1% for me, meaning I have total losses of 2% or even…“
„This spread was always higher than 1% for me, meaning I have total losses of 2% or even more on every purchase.“
Original„Dieser Spread war bei mir immer höher als 1%, womit ich bei jedem Kauf insgesamt 2% oder sogar mehr an Verlusten habe“
- „Other providers like Coinfinity offer a guaranteed price.“
„Other providers like Coinfinity offer a guaranteed price.“
Original„Andere Anbieter wie Coinfinity bieten einem einen gesicherten Preis.“
- „Also, the transaction fees are much too high compared to other apps.“
„Also, the transaction fees are much too high compared to other apps.“
Original„Außerdem sind die Kosten für Transaktion gegen über andere App viel zu hoch.“
How it has changed over time
Value perception has declined over time, especially from late 2025 onward. While early reviews in 2025 were mostly positive, with a 5-star rating in June and a 4.43-star average in August, ratings dropped sharply in 2026. The lowest scores came in April and May, with 1-star and 1.5-star averages, respectively. This shift coincides with increased user complaints about spreads, poor customer service, and sudden account restrictions. The drop in ratings suggests growing dissatisfaction with the platform’s pricing transparency and reliability, despite earlier praise for its simplicity and functionality.
What customers said:
- „You get ripped off so badly with this app.“
„You get ripped off so badly with this app.“
Original„Man wird so abgezockt bei dieser App“
- „They don't even have earn options, no card, nothing.“
„They don't even have earn options, no card, nothing.“
Original„ni si quiera tienen opciones de earn, ni tarjeta ni nada“
- „high commissions“
„high commissions“
Original„comisiones elevadas“
Practical takeaways
For users focused on low-cost, self-custody Bitcoin purchases, Relai can still offer good value, especially for small, regular investments under 100 CHF. However, those making larger or frequent transactions should be cautious due to the hidden spreads and high total fees. The app’s lack of transparency around pricing and delayed customer support responses can erode trust. Users should carefully compare Relai’s total cost with other platforms, particularly those offering fixed-price trades or clearer fee structures. Ultimately, the value depends heavily on individual usage patterns and tolerance for opacity in pricing.
What customers said:
- „The price in CHF is incorrect!“
„The price in CHF is incorrect!“
Original„Der Kurs in CHF stimmt nicht!“
- „but also pay with it and receive some“
„but also pay with it and receive some“
Original„sondern auch damit bezahlen und welche erhalten“
- „The price has been rising since mid-2023.“
„The price has been rising since mid-2023.“
Original„Kurs ist seit Mitte 2023 gestiegen.“
Over time
Data as table
| Month | Avg. rating | Count |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-06 | 5.00 | 2 |
| 2025-07 | 3.67 | 9 |
| 2025-08 | 4.43 | 7 |
| 2025-10 | 5.00 | 1 |
| 2025-12 | 4.00 | 1 |
| 2026-01 | 3.75 | 4 |
| 2026-02 | 4.00 | 7 |
| 2026-03 | 5.00 | 1 |
| 2026-04 | 1.00 | 1 |
| 2026-05 | 1.50 | 2 |
| 2026-06 | 2.17 | 6 |
| 2026-08 | 2.00 | 1 |
Sentiment over time
Data as table
| Month | Positive | Neutral | Negative | Count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-06 | 100% | 0% | 0% | 2 |
| 2025-07 | 67% | 0% | 33% | 9 |
| 2025-08 | 86% | 0% | 14% | 7 |
| 2025-10 | 100% | 0% | 0% | 1 |
| 2025-12 | 0% | 100% | 0% | 1 |
| 2026-01 | 50% | 25% | 25% | 4 |
| 2026-02 | 57% | 14% | 29% | 7 |
| 2026-03 | 100% | 0% | 0% | 1 |
| 2026-04 | 0% | 0% | 100% | 1 |
| 2026-05 | 0% | 0% | 100% | 2 |
| 2026-06 | 17% | 0% | 83% | 6 |
| 2026-08 | 0% | 0% | 100% | 1 |
Customer voices
Short excerpts - full reviews are available at the original source.
„There is a 0.9% to 1% spread, so you pay 1.9% in total.“
„the trading prices are quite high“
„Relai also charges higher rates, resulting in hidden extra costs when buying“
„the hope of being able to better control when I buy“
„at too high a rate, which was almost 3% higher“
„The value can change significantly during this time, so be careful.“
„the fees have become cheaper“
„Too expensive and the app doesn't work on the Samsung S24 Ultra because the text fields aren't displayed.“
What Reddit users discuss
Below are extracts from Reddit which discuss value for money in more detail - each linked to the original thread.
„Relai is actually cheaper in terms of fees“
„you can generate your own ref and get a 0.5% kickback“
„Brings the total fee down to 0.5% upon“
Cite this page
Citatio (2026). Relai Value for money: customer reviews 2026. Retrieved 18 August 2026 from https://citatio.ai/relai-reviews/value-for-money/
Data verifiable via our public audit log: Methodology · Transparency