River vs Cash App: Which is Best? [2025]
Key differences
- River offers 0% fees on recurring buys; Cash App charges up to 3% for small purchases.
- River supports high-volume purchases with tiered fees; Cash App is better for casual users with low volume.
- River includes mining and private client services; Cash App focuses on simplicity and mainstream accessibility.
- River isn't available in NY/NV; Cash App is available in all 50 states.
River vs Cash App Fees Calculator
We built this fee calculator to help you compare the fees of River and Cash App.
Enter the amount you want to buy and we'll show you the estimated fees for each exchange.
River vs Cash App in Comparison
Description
River is a trusted Bitcoin-only exchange based in the USA.
Cash App is a mobile payment service by Block (formerly Square) that offers Bitcoin buying and selling features to US users. As of 2024, it processes $14.7 billion in annual revenue.
Supported Countries
USA
Available only in the United States. All users must verify their identity with legal name, date of birth, and SSN to buy Bitcoin. Unverified accounts limited to $1,000 sending/receiving in 30 days. Verified accounts have higher limits and can access Bitcoin trading, stocks, and Cash Card.
Supported Cryptocurrencies
Bitcoin-only
Bitcoin only
Fees
- Order Size: Up to $1,000,000 | Fee: 1.00%
- Order Size: >$1,000,000 to $5,000,000 | Fee: 0.70%
- Order Size: >$5,000,000 to $15,000,000 | Fee: 0.40%
- Order Size: >$15,000,000 | Fee: 0.25%
- Order Size: All recurring buy orders | Fee: 0.00%
- Exchange Fees:
- $0 - $9.99: 3%
- $10 - $100: 2.25%
- $100.01 - $200: 2%
- $200.01 - $1000: 1.75%
- $1000.01 - $2000: 1.5%
- $2000.01 - $3000: 1.25%
- $3000.01 - $5000: 1%
- >$5,000.01: 0.75%
Spread Fee:- 0-1% (varies with market conditions)
- No spread on Auto-Invest, Roundups, or Custom Orders
Payment Methods
ACH, Bank Account, Wire Transfer
Cash App Balance, bank Account, debit card
Do These Exchanges Allow you To Earn Interest on Crypto?
3.8%
Earn 3.8% interest on FDIC-insured cash, paid out in Bitcoin. No fees or minimums. Withdraws allowed anytime.
0
No Bitcoin interest earning, but offers Cash Card rewards program with instant savings at selected merchants. Users can activate one offer at a time.
Mobile App Ratings
iOS Rating: 4.8 Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
Android Rating: 4.9 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: 4.6 Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.
Storage
River holds client Bitcoin in full reserve with no lending. They built their own custody systems from the ground up to minimize third-party dependencies. Security includes regular independent audits, mandatory 2FA, real-time notifications, 24/7 monitoring, and bcrypt password hashing. Users can verify holdings via Proof of Reserves.
Bitcoin custody is managed by Cash App, with the option to withdraw to external wallets. Cash App implements strong security measures including Face ID/Touch ID and PIN protection. Users can set up automatic Bitcoin purchases with direct deposit, choosing their preferred investment percentage with no fees.
Have These Exchanges Been Hacked Before?
No. Has never lost customer funds in any way.
No reported loss of customer Bitcoin.
Exchange Review
"I really like the app so far. It does what it's supposed to and paired with the desktop web app, I could not personally ask for more. Great customer service and lots of upcoming features in the pipeline from my understanding."
- Real user review from iOS App Store, Android Play Store or Trustpilot
No review available
"Cash App makes buying Bitcoin super simple. The instant deposit feature and ability to withdraw to my own wallet make it my go-to choice for small purchases."
- Real user review from iOS App Store, Android Play Store or Trustpilot
River vs Cash App Comparison
Fee Structures
River uses a tiered fee model with decreasing fees for larger orders and 0% fees for recurring buys. It also includes a 0.3% spread. Cash App charges based on flat price brackets ranging from 3% for small purchases to 0.75% for purchases above $5,000. Spread fees on Cash App vary between 0-1% depending on market volatility. No spread is charged on Auto-Invest.
Feature Set
River provides full-reserve custody, recurring buys, mining services, private client access, and interest on fiat deposits (paid in BTC). Cash App focuses on ease-of-use with instant Bitcoin buys, stock investing, Cash Card rewards, and automated Bitcoin investments via paycheck deposit.
Geographic Availability
River supports 48 U.S. states but excludes New York and Nevada. Cash App is available in all 50 U.S. states to verified users.
Payment Methods
River offers free ACH transfers and wire transfers, along with bank account transactions. All deposit methods are fee-free. Cash App provides instant Bitcoin purchases through Cash App Balance, Bank Account, and Debit Card. Unverified accounts have limits of $1,000 per 30 days, while verified accounts have unlimited cash balance and full access to Bitcoin trading features.
Security Features
River ensures security through in-house custody, two-factor authentication (2FA), proof of reserves, regular independent audits, real-time notifications, and 24/7 monitoring. Cash App enhances security with Face ID/Touch ID, PIN, and custody with a withdrawal option.
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