Fold vs Swan Bitcoin: Which is Best? [2025]
Key differences
- Fold offers 0% fees with a paid membership, while Swan charges a flat 0.99% for all purchases.
- Swan Bitcoin focuses on educational content and cold storage integration, while Fold emphasizes rewards and ease of use.
- Fold includes gamified features like Bitcoin-backed rewards and round-ups; Swan focuses purely on DCA and investing.
- Fold charges 0.88% spread; Swan charges no spread.
Fold vs Swan Bitcoin Fees Calculator
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Enter the amount you want to buy and we'll show you the estimated fees for each exchange.
Fold vs Swan Bitcoin in Comparison
Description
Fold tries to make buying bitcoin simple. 1.5% fees for buying bitcoin for non-members, 0% for Fold+ members ($100 per year membership fee).
Swan is a US-based Bitcoin-only exchange focused on making Bitcoin investing safe & simple.
Supported Countries
1 (United States)
United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, Virgin Islands
Supported Cryptocurrencies
BTC
Bitcoin-only
Fees
- Fold+ Plan Fees:
- Buy BTC: 0%
- Auto-Stack: 0%
- Round-Ups: 0%
- Direct Deposit: 0%
- Sell to Card: 0%
- Spread: 0.88%
- On-chain Withdrawals: Network fee
- Free Plan Fees:
- Buy BTC: 0.95%
- Auto-Stack: 1.0%
- Round-Ups: 1.0%
- Direct Deposit: 1.0%
- Sell to Card: 1.0%
- Spread: 0.88%
- On-chain Withdrawals: Network fee
- Purchasing Fees: 0.99% for all purchases and sales.
- No inactivity, withdrawal, overdraft, custody, or fiat withdrawal fees.
- IRA Fees: Small monthly fee
Payment Methods
Debit CardACH TransferDirect DepositFold Card Round-UpsGift CardEmployer Payroll
ACH, Bank Account, Wire Transfer
Do These Exchanges Allow you To Earn Interest on Crypto?
Mobile App Ratings
iOS Rating: 4.2 Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
Android Rating: 3.8 Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.
iOS Rating: 4.8 Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
Android Rating: 4.3 Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.
Storage
Bitcoin is stored in institutional-grade cold storage via Qualified Custodians (Fortress Trust and BitGo)
Swan encourages users to store their Bitcoin in cold storage. Swan does not charge its users any withdrawal fees.
Have These Exchanges Been Hacked Before?
None reported
Swan Bitcoin was affected by a data breach at HubSpot in March 2022, which also impacted BlockFi, NYDIG, and Circle. The breach involved unauthorized access to user information stored in HubSpot, but internal systems and treasuries were not compromised. Additionally, in August 2022, Swan Bitcoin experienced a data leak due to a phishing attack on its newsletter provider, Klaviyo. This incident led to the exposure of email addresses and some user data, but no evidence of misuse has been found.
Official Site
Exchange Review
No review available
"Being a Foldie feels like the company actually wants to bless you—it's like they planned your birthday party and gave you the best surprises. You can't be sorry."
- Real user review from iOS App Store, Android Play Store or Trustpilot
No review available
"Stackin' sats with Swan! With Swan you can stack your precious sats and withdraw on a schedule to your cold storage. Swan is about education for its customers and offers a wide variety of articles, podcasts etc in the app. Dashboard allows you to view your total bought, current balance, available sats to withdraw, a smash buy button etc."
- Real user review from iOS App Store, Android Play Store or Trustpilot
Fold vs Swan Bitcoin Comparison
Fee Structures
Fold uses a two-tiered pricing structure: free users pay 0.95% fee for buying BTC, while Fold+ members (who pay $100/year) get 0% fees on all BTC purchases and features like auto-stack and direct deposit. Fold also charges a 0.88% spread fee.
Swan Bitcoin charges a flat 0.99% fee on all BTC purchases and sales, regardless of purchase type. There are no withdrawal, custody, inactivity, or additional fees. Swan does not charge a spread, making pricing more transparent.
Feature Set
Fold integrates Bitcoin with daily spending and rewards. Users can earn sats via debit card round-ups, gift card rebates, and direct deposits. It also offers optional auto-stacking and spending tools.
Swan Bitcoin focuses on long-term Bitcoin investing, offering recurring buys (auto-DCA), IRA accounts, and a clean dashboard with tools to monitor performance. It emphasizes user education with articles, podcasts, and webinars. No gamified features.
Geographic Availability
Fold is available in the United States, except for New York and Arkansas.
Swan Bitcoin is available in United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. State-level support includes New York, Texas, California, Florida, and others.
Payment Methods
Fold supports Debit Card, ACH Transfer, Direct Deposit, Fold Card Round-Ups, Gift Card, and Employer Payroll.
Swan Bitcoin supports ACH and Wire Transfers.
Security Features
Fold uses custody services provided by Qualified Custodians Fortress Trust and BitGo (SEC Custody Rule compliant).
Swan Bitcoin connects users to licensed custodians Bakkt, BitGo, and Equity Trust, ensuring compliance with state laws. Bakkt is BitLicensed and FinCEN registered; BitGo and Equity Trust operate under their own regulations.
Customer Support
Fold provides app-based support with a focus on user experience.
Swan Bitcoin offers human support and extensive educational content through articles, podcasts, and webinars.
Additional Features
Fold offers gamified features like Bitcoin-backed rewards, round-ups, and direct deposit integration.
Swan Bitcoin provides IRA accounts, educational media, and a clean dashboard for tracking investments.
Pros and Cons
Fold
Pros:
- 0% fees with Fold+ membership
- Fun gamified experience with rewards
- Multiple payment methods including gift cards and payroll
Cons:
- 0.88% spread fee always applies
- Membership required for best pricing
- Limited to US only
Swan Bitcoin
Pros:
- Flat, transparent 0.99% fee with no spread
- Education, IRAs, and strong cold storage emphasis
- Available in more US territories
Cons:
- No rewards or spending integrations
- Less useful for short-term spending
- Limited payment methods
Conclusion
Fold is ideal for users who want a seamless way to integrate Bitcoin into daily spending, especially with its rewards and gamified features. Power users can benefit greatly from the Fold+ membership.
Swan is a better fit for serious Bitcoin investors and those interested in recurring purchases, retirement savings, and long-term cold storage. Its transparent fees and educational content make it especially useful for beginners and DCA enthusiasts.
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