Bitpanda vs Pionex: Fees, Security, Features & Which to Choose (2025)

Trying to choose between Bitpanda and Pionex This side-by-side comparison reveals total cost (fees + spreads), security & licenses, coins/derivatives, deposits/withdrawals, and app quality. In 2 minutes you’ll see who wins for beginners, active traders, and long-term holders. Clear pros/cons, a quick verdict, and safe links to get started.

Last updated on August 16, 2025

Bitpanda

Pionex

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United States

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Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

China

Yes

Canada

Yes

United Kingdom

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Bitpanda is ideal if:

Beginner-friendly yet feature-rich — Bitpanda blends a clean, intuitive interface with advanced tools like savings plans, staking, and crypto indices, making it equally welcoming for new users and appealing to more experienced traders.
Strong regulatory and security foundations — Fully licensed across Europe and ISO-certified, with free fiat wallets and robust custody services, Bitpanda offers reliability and transparency that instill investor confidence.
Comprehensive investment offering under one roof — Beyond crypto, Bitpanda supports precious metals, fractional stocks/ETFs, and a Visa debit card, empowering diverse portfolio strategies in a unified platform.

Pionex is ideal if:

If you value trading automation: Pionex is perfect for you with its built-in, cloud-based trading bots—free to use, no coding needed, and designed for hands-off strategies.
If you’re a beginner in crypto or bots: You’re in luck—user-friendly interface paired with in-depth tutorials makes it easy to get started and understand each bot’s purpose.
If you want flexibility and broad exposure: Pionex offers wide asset access plus both manual and automated tools under one roof, ideal if you like switching between trading styles.

Bitpanda isn’t ideal if:

Limited geographic reach — Primarily available only within Europe and offering minimal accessibility or functionality outside the EU, making it unsuitable if you're located elsewhere or traveling frequently.
Derivative-based asset exposure — Traditional assets like stocks, ETFs, and commodities are offered via derivatives, meaning you don’t gain actual ownership of the underlying assets.
Support and fee transparency concerns — Some users report slow or frustrating customer support experiences, and trading costs are embedded within spreads rather than clearly displayed, limiting fee clarity.

Pionex isn’t ideal if:

If you prefer fiat deposits and simplicity: Pionex doesn’t support direct fiat-to-crypto deposits, so newbies must first buy crypto elsewhere and transfer it in.
If you want risk-free practice: There’s no demo or virtual trading—every bot requires real funds, which might deter cautious beginners.
If you need instant, low-cost withdrawals: Some users report high fixed withdrawal fees and occasional delays, making it less convenient for quick exits or small transfers.

Fees & Total Costs

Spot Maker/Take

Bitpanda’s standard platform uses built-in premiums rather than explicit maker/taker fees, but its former advanced exchange (Bitpanda Pro) allowed maker and taker fees starting at around 0.10% and 0.15%, decreasing as volume grows, and holders of the platform’s native token (BEST) receive a fee discount.

Both spot makers and takers pay a flat rate (around 0.05%) across all volume tiers, though VIP users with high volume may receive reduced maker fees as they climb VIP levels.

Futures/Derivatives

Bitpanda primarily offers derivatives exposure (e.g. tokenized stocks or commodities) rather than true crypto futures, so specific maker/taker tiers or funding-rate mechanics typical of perpetual futures platforms are not part of its offering.

Futures trading starts around 0.02% maker and 0.05% taker, with maker fees dropping further for VIP users; there’s no separate funding fee charged by Pionex, though users receive or pay the prevailing funding rate as per the perpetual contract—the profit or cost depending on market direction.

Average Spreads on Liquid Pairs

Bitpanda embeds a premium into the buying price—typically around 1.49%—which naturally expands the spread on liquid pairs like BTC/USDT or ETH/USDT compared to raw market prices.

Pionex doesn’t publish exact spreads; however, based on industry norms and the platform’s aggregation model, spreads are typically tight and highly competitive on major pairs like BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT.

Fiat Deposits & Withdrawals

Fiat is supported via multiple channels—such as SEPA bank transfers (free and takes one to three business days), instant options like card, SOFORT, Giropay, Neteller, or Skrill (available immediately or within a day), though availability and bank-side charges may apply.

You can deposit via credit/debit cards—with modest percentage fees depending on region—or via free SEPA (for EUR), Faster Payments (for GBP), and PIX (for BRL), with processing ranging from instant to a few business days; withdrawal fees vary especially for fiat, often via third-party gateways.

On-chain Withdrawals

Crypto withdrawals are charged only the network (miner) fee for the respective blockchain (e.g. BTC, ETH, TRX), not a separate Bitpanda fee, meaning charges are dynamic and reflect current on-chain conditions.

Withdrawal fees depend on the blockchain used—some are set (like BTC’s 0.0005 BTC), while token transfers on networks like Ethereum, TRON, or BNB Smart Chain follow either fixed or network-based pricing per coin listed.

Hidden Costs

Bitpanda imposes no inactivity fees and offers transparent pricing, though converting between fiat currencies may incur exchange margins; expedited KYC or “express” identity checks may rely on third-party services that could introduce time or cost variations not directly detailed.

There are no inactivity or platform maintenance fees, but third-party fiat deposit methods may incur conversion charges; express KYC or related services aren’t publicly detailed, so any extra cost may come from external providers.

Real-World Cost Example: “€500 BTC

If you buy €500 worth of BTC, Bitpanda embeds a roughly 1.49% premium, reducing your crypto position value; combined with the network fee if you immediately withdraw, your total cost reflects the spread premium plus the dynamic withdrawal fee—without adding separate platform trading or inactivity charges.

Suppose you credit €500 via SEPA (no deposit fee), convert to USDT or BTC via a 0.05% trade (small fee plus tight spread), then withdraw BTC on-chain (e.g., a 0.0005 BTC fee)—your total cost would include that small trading fee, potential slippage, and the network withdrawal charge.

Crypto Offering & Trading Features

Number of Coins & Pairs

Bitpanda’s platform boasts a broad universe of over 500 cryptocurrencies, making it one of the largest selections among European crypto brokers. While exact daily ranking data for the top 20 by volume isn’t public, it’s safe to infer that major tokens like BTC, ETH, ADA, SOL, and BNB lead the activity charts.

Pionex lists over 120 cryptocurrencies and maintains more than 200 trading pairs, with the top 20 by volume largely featuring major tokens like BTC, ETH, BNB, SOL, XRP, ADA—though exact rankings shift frequently.

Product Range

Bitpanda supports spot trading, margin trading on select assets, crypto indices (akin to ETFs), flexible staking, and short-term leveraged “Leverage” trades—but doesn’t offer perps, options, copy-trading, grid bots, or automated DCA features.

Pionex offers spot trading, leveraged futures (up to 100×), numerous free built-in bots (grid, DCA, arbitrage, TWAP, spot-futures, margin-grid, reverse grid, Infinity Grid, etc.), plus copy trading; it also supports P2P fiat conversion, staking/earn programs, but doesn’t appear to provide options, ETFs, or crypto-lending services.

Liquidity

Bitpanda’s public 24-hour trading volume is modest compared to major global exchanges, translating to moderate liquidity and average order-book depth—adequate for standard trades but potentially limiting for very large orders on BTC/ETH.

Pionex aggregates liquidity from major exchanges like Binance and Huobi, delivering high 24-hour volumes—reported in the tens of billions—and deep order books on BTC and ETH, ensuring tight execution and reliable bot performance.

Tools

The platform offers basic order types such as limit and stop orders and price alerts, with clean but somewhat simplified charting, however it does not support full TradingView integration or publicly accessible API/WebSocket access for automated trading.

The platform supports limit, market, stop, and OCO orders, alongside bot-driven strategies; while it offers customizable dashboards and APIs, there’s no native TradingView integration, so users rely on built-in charts or external tools.

Geographic Restrictions by Product

Due to regulatory and licensing boundaries, certain products—like leveraged trades and staking—may be restricted in select jurisdictions; availability can vary significantly from one country to another within Europe and beyond.

Derivatives and advanced instruments like futures may be unavailable in certain regions (e.g., specific countries within Europe or Asia), while others are limited to spot and bot trading depending on local regulations.

Innovation

Bitpanda offers flexible staking—which allows you to stake and unstake assets at any time (with the exception of ETH, which has a short 48-hour unlock window)—but currently lacks launchpad or launchpool mechanisms for token launches or themed token farming opportunities.

Pionex doesn’t currently offer launchpads or launchpools, but it distinguishes itself with flexible earn programs and an ever-evolving lineup of AI-enhanced bots that automate strategies 24/7 without locking funds—championing passive innovation over token-sale hype.

Security, Regulation & Custody

Operating Entity & Jurisdiction

Bitpanda is operated by Bitpanda GmbH, founded in 2014 and headquartered in Vienna, Austria; since 2022, it has operated under the umbrella of its Swiss parent, Bitpanda Group AG.

Pionex operates through its global platform headquartered in Singapore (launched in 2019) and a U.S.-specific platform, Pionex.US, registered in Princeton, New Jersey—with each entity governed under its own legal structure.

Licenses/Registration

Bitpanda holds a range of regulatory approvals—including PSD2, MiFID II, and multiple MiCA licenses (from Germany’s BaFin, Malta’s MFSA, and Austria’s FMA)—positioning it as one of the most regulated crypto platforms in Europe.

It’s officially registered as a Money Services Business (MSB) with FinCEN in the U.S., but does not hold a MAS (Monetary Authority of Singapore) license, contrary to some reports.

Custody

Client assets are held in fiduciary custody, segregated from Bitpanda’s own funds, with a mix of hot and highly secure cold wallets and externally audited custody practices—not commingled or speculative.

User funds are held via partnerships with major exchanges; Pionex publicly conducts periodic Merkle Tree-based Proof of Reserves, audited independently by firms like Elite Partners and Moore, verifying assets exceed liabilities.

Insurance & Protection Funds

Client holdings are backed by real assets, but there’s no blanket insurance policy for all crypto holdings—coverage applies under specific circumstances and documentation requirements, not universally automatic.

There’s no publicly disclosed insurance policy or dedicated protection fund for user assets, beyond the strong reserve and custody practices already in place.

Incident History

Bitpanda has not had any major security breaches to date; it has publicly dismissed claims of a large-scale data leak and emphasizes its robust custody design to minimize vulnerability.

To date, there are no known security breaches, hacks, fund suspensions, or regulatory penalties, reflecting a clean operational track record.

Risk Controls

The platform offers standard security features such as two-factor authentication and anti-phishing protections, though more advanced controls like whitelist addresses or granular API permissions aren’t highlighted.

Security measures include mandatory 2FA, IP whitelisting, anti-phishing warnings, and KYC-based account levels; API permissions are likely granular, though sub-account features aren’t prominently promoted.

Transparency

Bitpanda promotes transparency through regular audits and regulatory adherence, but it doesn’t publish public wallets, monthly proof-of-reserves reports, or service-level agreements for users.

While formal systems like monthly public reports, SLAs, or a visible public wallet aren’t prominently published, the combination of PoR audits and the availability of verification tools offer a meaningful level of transparency.

Deposits, Withdrawals, KYC & Support

Fiat Deposit Methods

Bitpanda supports a variety of fiat deposit options—including bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and e-wallets—depending on your currency. Minimum amounts start around €10, while daily and monthly ceilings vary by your verification level and chosen method; transfer times range from instant (cards/e-wallets) to a few business days (bank transfers).

You can deposit fiat via SEPA for euros, CHAPS/FPS for GBP, and PIX for Brazilian real—typically fee-free for bank methods, while cards and e-wallets (Google Pay, Apple Pay, etc.) are supported via third-party providers with higher fees; processing ranges from instant to a few business days.

Supported Fiat Currencies & Conversion

KYC (Verification Levels)

Bitpanda enforces mandatory KYC for all users in compliance with EU regulations, without tiered “basic” or “advanced” levels; only verified accounts can access services, with deposit and withdrawal limits defined by your status and payment method.

There are two verification tiers—Level 1 (country and full name) unlocks basic deposits and up to $20,000 crypto withdrawals per day, and Level 2 (ID + facial recognition) raises limits to around $1,000,000 daily and enables credit-card fiat purchases.

Withdrawals

Cryptocurrency withdrawals are supported across multiple networks (e.g., ERC-20, TRC-20), with limits and processing tied to your verification and chosen method; fiat withdrawals may require confirmation periods before becoming available for use or payout.

limits, timing, networks (TRC20, ERC20, BEP20)

Customer Support

Bitpanda offers around-the-clock customer support via a ticket-based system (no live chat or phone), typically with timely email responses; additionally, a detailed help center provides self-service articles for common queries.

Pionex offers live chat accessible during working hours plus email support; response times can vary, and a robust help center with tutorials and FAQs is available to guide users when agents are offline.

Languages & Localization

The platform supports multiple languages—including native Spanish—and displays fees in relevant fiat (e.g., Euros); it also complies with local regulations across supported European regions to ensure legal alignment.

The platform is primarily in English with options to display prices in € or $; fiat support is localized (e.g., SEPA in Europe), but there’s limited tailoring for regional regulations outside generic compliance.

App Quality & Stability

Bitpanda’s app is known for its smooth, stable performance and frequent updates across iOS and Android; while specific crash metrics aren’t public, user feedback signals a generally reliable and well-maintained mobile experience.

Pionex’s mobile apps hold solid ratings—above 4+ on iOS and 4.4 on Android—with a large user base; while crash statistics aren’t public, consistent updates and high review scores suggest reliable performance.

Experience, Performance & Ecosystem

UX/UI

Bitpanda presents a clean, intuitive interface designed for beginners on its standard platform, while Bitpanda Pro offers a more advanced trading UI tailored to seasoned users—both share familiar navigation patterns but differ in complexity to match user experience levels.

Pionex’s interface is clean and intuitive, offering a gentle learning curve especially through its guided bot setup; instead of “Lite/Pro” tiers, it maintains a unified experience where features like bots and charts are accessible with minimal configuration—making it ideal whether you’re starting or experienced.

Performance

Thanks to its Fusion aggregation layer, Bitpanda delivers enhanced pricing and generally low latency even during volatility spikes, though KYC processing may slow slightly when demand surges in bull markets.

The platform has dramatically reduced data and order latency—now syncing in under 30 seconds—although there was a brief latency glitch during a peak futures volatility event in May 2024 that affected manual futures trades; KYC processing remains generally smooth, even in bull market surges.

Education

Bitpanda provides a comprehensive Academy with multilingual educational materials—including Spanish—covering crypto basics, markets, and investing strategies, though it doesn’t currently feature a trading simulator or demo environment.

While there’s no formal demo or simulator, Pionex offers multilingual support including Spanish in its blog and documentation, plus detailed step-by-step tutorials and bot walkthroughs that serve educational purposes effectively.

Community

Bitpanda maintains active user engagement through an official blog, a referral rewards program, and presence on social platforms, but doesn’t host its own public forum, Discord server, or Telegram group.

Pionex fosters engagement via its community channels like Telegram for API and bot discussions, along with a bot marketplace where creators can monetize their strategies; referral programs are also active, rewarding users who bring in new traders.

Integrations

While Bitpanda lacks native TradingView or third-party bot integration, it provides a Technology Solutions API for institutional use and supports built-in tax reporting tools for users.

You can integrate Pionex directly with TradingView via its Signal Bot (using alerts and webhooks), and also use the platform’s API to connect with external bot tools; however, dedicated tax or accounting tool integrations are not part of the current offering.

Who Each One Is Best For

Bitpanda’s intuitive design and educational support make it an excellent starting point for crypto newcomers, whereas Bitpanda Pro—with its richer tools and integrations—is ideal for professional traders seeking performance and advanced control.

Pionex suits hands-off traders seeking robust automated tools and copyable strategies, as well as tech-savvy users who want to hook up custom setups via API or TradingView; those needing traditional charting ecosystems with accounting or simulator features might find it less tailored.