Comparison of Independent Reserve vs Simpleswap [ 2024 ]

The crypto exchanges compared by their commissions, cryptos, security and much more. Here is the Independent Reserve vs Simpleswap comparison!

Your expert: Alejandro Borja

independent reserve

Independent Reserve

Your expert: Xavier Tarrasó

simpleswap

Simpleswap

Main points

Fees

≤0,50%

Earns

No

Customer service

4/5
≈ 1,20%/2%

Fees

No

Earns

3/5

Customer service


Recommended for

Beginners

Yes

Trading

Yes

Passive income

No

Buy and hold

Yes
Yes

Beginners

No

Trading

No

Passive income

Yes

Buy and hold


Comparison of fees

Rating

3.9 – Reasonable fees with strong local support in Australia and New Zealand.
4.0 – Competitive fees with a focus on instant crypto swaps.

Level

≤0,50%
≈ 1,20%/2%

Brief explanation

Independent Reserve operates with a tiered fee structure that incentivizes higher trading volumes with progressively lower fees. The standard trading fee starts at 0.50% and can decrease to as low as 0.02% depending on the user’s 30-day trading volume. For deposits, there are no fees for electronic fund transfers (EFT) over AUD 100, and SWIFT transfers are free for amounts over AUD 5,000. Withdrawals to Australian bank accounts are free, while international withdrawals incur a fee of AUD 20. Cryptocurrency withdrawal fees are competitive, with a fee of 0.0003 BTC for Bitcoin, which is significantly lower than the global industry average​​.
SimpleSwap’s commission structure is streamlined to cater primarily to crypto-to-crypto transactions. It charges a variable fee for each transaction, which typically ranges from 0.1% to 0.5% depending on the specific cryptocurrencies involved and market conditions. This fee is integrated into the exchange rate displayed at the time of the transaction, ensuring transparency. The platform does not impose additional fees for deposits or withdrawals in cryptocurrencies, which is a significant advantage for users looking to minimize costs. However, users should be aware of network fees determined by the blockchain of the cryptocurrency being used, which are not controlled by SimpleSwap but are necessary for processing the transactions on the respective networks.

Independent Reserve

Simpleswap

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Account Minimum

Get started with just $100.

And 1% fee on all cryptocurrency trades.

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Direct link to the website

Product selection

Native token

No
No

Earns

No
No

NFT marketplace

No
No

Cripto/debit card

No
No

Company information

Full name

Independent Reserve Pty. Ltd.
SimpleSwap Ltd

Regulation

Regulated in Australia
Not regulated

Year founded

2013
2018

Founder

Adam Tepper
Unknown

Payment methods

Transfers

Yes
No

Mastercard

No
No

Wire transfer

Yes
No

Card

No
No

Comparative table

Independent Reserve FEATURES Simpleswap
Minimum trade amounts at Independent Reserve are relatively low, making it accessible for new investors.
Minimum Trade
SimpleSwap supports flexible trading with no minimum deposit, making it accessible for casual users and beginners to start trading with any amount.
Fees are moderate compared to other exchanges, but some users might find them slightly higher for smaller trades.
Trading and Transaction Fees
The platform operates with a straightforward fee structure but lacks the transparency of detailed fee breakdowns that might benefit users looking for cost efficiency.
Independent Reserve supports a decent range of popular cryptocurrencies, providing enough options for most investors.
Number of Cryptocurrencies
Offers a wide variety of over 300 cryptocurrencies, providing users with extensive options for trading different digital assets.
The exchange offers a fair selection of crypto-to-crypto pairs, though not as extensive as some larger platforms.
Crypto-to-Crypto Trading Pairs
Supports numerous trading pairs, allowing for versatile crypto-to-crypto exchanges, though it could expand into more niche or emerging cryptocurrencies.
The website is user-friendly and transparent about fees, regulations, and available services.
Website Transparency
While the website is user-friendly, it could improve by providing more detailed information about the company’s background and operational logistics.
Independent Reserve does not offer a card for in-store purchases.
Credit/Debit Card
SimpleSwap focuses solely on cryptocurrency exchanges and does not provide additional financial tools like an exchange card, limiting its utility for everyday transactions.
Offers secure storage options, including insurance for stored assets, enhancing user confidence in the platform’s safety.
Storage Offering
Provides secure storage options, though detailed information on security measures and storage capabilities could be more transparent.
Independent Reserve does not have extensive staking or rewards programs compared to some other exchanges.
Staking and Rewards
Limited staking options and rewards are available, which could be enhanced to attract long-term investors.
Both mobile and desktop platforms are well-designed, ensuring a seamless trading experience across devices.
Mobile App and Desktop
Offers a functional mobile app that is efficient and convenient for trading on the go, although further enhancements could improve user experience and features.
Customer service is responsive, though there is room for improvement in speed and availability during peak times.
Customer Service
Generally receives positive feedback for customer service, but could benefit from extended support hours and faster response times.
Deposits and withdrawals are processed efficiently, with multiple options available, although some methods might incur fees.
Deposit and Withdraw
Crypto deposits and withdrawals are supported, but the addition of fiat options and reduction of withdrawal fees would improve this feature.

Key features

Analysis tools

Basic charting tools
No trading tools, primarily a swap service

Mobile APP

No
No

Security

High 4,6/5
High 4,5/5

Additional features

OTC trading, SMSF services, staking, insurance options
Instant crypto swaps, SimpleSwap Earn, loyalty program

Anonymity

No
Yes

Key points

Available cryptocurrencies

20+
300+

User-friendliness

Independent Reserve offers a user-friendly platform that is easy to navigate, making it suitable for beginners. The interface is designed to facilitate a smooth trading experience with all necessary features easily accessible.
SimpleSwap features an intuitive and user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate, making it suitable for beginners. The platform focuses on providing a seamless trading experience.

Value for money

Delivers good value for money with competitive fees and strong security features, suitable for Australian and New Zealand users.
Delivers good value for money with competitive fees and a straightforward swapping service, making it an easy option for quick trades.

Countries of operation

Australia, New Zealand, Singapore
Global, including United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany

Best for

Best for Australian and New Zealand investors looking for a reliable platform with competitive fees and strong security.
Best for traders looking for a straightforward and quick cryptocurrency swapping service with competitive fees.

Base currencies available

AUD, NZD, USD, BTC
BTC, ETH (varies by transaction)

Account

Trading

Independent Reserve is a popular exchange in Australia and New Zealand, offering a user-friendly platform and easy fiat integration. It supports a decent range of cryptocurrencies but has higher fees.
SimpleSwap is a non-custodial exchange known for its fast and anonymous transactions. It offers a wide range of cryptocurrencies but lacks advanced trading features and tools.

Deposit and withdrawal

Independent Reserve is popular in Australia and New Zealand, offering easy fiat and cryptocurrency deposit methods. Withdrawals are processed efficiently, with competitive fees.
SimpleSwap is a non-custodial exchange known for its fast transactions. It supports various deposit methods, and withdrawals are processed quickly with low fees.

Account opening process

Independent Reserve provides an easy and user-friendly account opening process. Users need to provide personal information and verify their identity. The process is efficient and usually takes less than a day to complete.
SimpleSwap offers an easy and quick account registration process. Users need to submit personal details and verify their identity. The process is fully digital and typically takes less than a day to complete.

KYC required?

Yes
No

Customer Service

Independent Reserve provides extensive customer support via email, live chat, and phone. The support team is responsive and available 24/7, making it reliable for users globally.
SimpleSwap offers customer support via email and live chat. The response time is quick, but the support team is not available 24/7, which may be a drawback for some users.

Security

Independent Reserve employs comprehensive security measures, including 2FA, encryption, and cold storage. It is regulated by Australian authorities, ensuring high security for investors.
SimpleSwap offers strong security with 2FA and encryption. Despite its robust security measures, the platform is not regulated by top-tier financial authorities, which could be a concern for some investors.

Which of these exchanges is for you?

As an expert in cryptocurrency exchanges, I can confidently recommend Independent Reserve for several reasons. This platform excels in security and regulatory compliance, ensuring that your investments are protected. It supports multiple fiat currencies, making it accessible for users in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. While its selection of cryptocurrencies is somewhat limited, it offers a user-friendly interface and excellent customer support, making it ideal for beginners. For those prioritizing safety and reliability in their crypto trading experience, Independent Reserve is a solid choice.
As an expert on cryptocurrency exchanges, I find SimpleSwap to be a commendable platform for those just starting with cryptocurrencies. Its straightforward and intuitive interface removes much of the complexity typically associated with crypto trading. This accessibility makes it an excellent choice for newcomers who might be overwhelmed by more advanced trading platforms. However, it’s important to note that while SimpleSwap excels in simplicity and ease of use, it may not fully satisfy the needs of more seasoned traders looking for advanced trading tools and features. For those just entering the crypto space, SimpleSwap offers a gentle introduction without the intimidating barriers to entry seen in other exchanges.

How do we review crypto exchanges?

At Threenvest, we conduct a thorough review process to evaluate and rank the world’s leading crypto exchanges. Our goal is to offer an unbiased assessment, providing you with the information you need to make informed decisions on which ones best suit your needs. We strictly adhere to the guidelines of our editorial policy.

 

We collect data directly from exchanges through detailed questionnaires and conduct first-hand testing and observations during crypto exchange demonstrations. Questionnaire responses, combined with demonstrations and hands-on research from our experts, feed into our proprietary evaluation process that scores each provider’s performance on more than 15 factors. The end result produces star ratings ranging from poor (one star) to excellent (five stars).


For more details on the categories considered when rating brokers and our process, read our full methodology.

Risk Disclaimer

Investing in cryptocurrencies is very risky, you should only invest the money you are willing to lose. Also you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong.

Neither Threenvest, nor the author, are recommending you to invest with this article.

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