When it comes to investing in cryptocurrencies, the choice of platform makes all the difference. To understand how they behave in practice, we tested two exchanges operating in Brazil: the Mexican Bitso and the globally established Binance. The idea was simple: use both as any common investor would, making deposits, purchases, exploring menus, and checking the available resources.
In this article, you can check our experience side by side with each platform — with what works well and what can still improve.
Login and Home Screen: Binance vs Bitso for Beginners
Right after logging in, some differences are already noticeable.
In the Screen – Binance (Home), we have a more loaded dashboard, with buttons for OTC, Earn, Referral, in addition to the total balance and personalized suggestions. For a more experienced user, the wealth of options is welcome — but it may scare those taking their first steps. There is also the option to access content from Binance Square directly through the app, which helps in searching for trends and relevant information for those doing DYOR.
In the Screen - Bitso (Home), the app presents shortcuts for main actions such as Deposit, Buy/Sell, Pix, and Strategies. The interface is simple, objective, and works very well for those starting.
Summary: Binance shows right away that it is a robust platform with many features. Bitso, on the other hand, offers a lighter and more direct entry, ideal for those who want simplicity.
How Pix deposits work: Bitso vs Binance
On Screen - Binance (Assets), the deposit process is smooth: it is possible to add funds with a few clicks, and the integration via Pix works well — without charging fees.
On Screen - Bitso (Deposit), we also tested the transfer via Pix, promising a timeframe of up to 10 minutes. The amount arrived in less than 5. The platform also allows deposits via Payoneer and crypto transfers.
Bitso's differential: it is registered as a payment institution authorized by the Central Bank. This means you can have a Pix key in your name (CPF, cell phone, email, or random), using the wallet as a digital account.
Summary: Both work well and did not charge fees for deposits in reais via Pix. But Bitso delivers a more 'banking' experience, ideal for those who value integration with the Brazilian financial system.
Cryptocurrency wallet interface: which is easier to use?
In the Screen – Overview of Binance, balances are presented separately by categories such as Earn, Spot, and Funds. This organization is more technical, ideal for those who already understand the differences between these types of accounts.
In the Screen – Bitso Wallet and in the detailed Wallet, the presentation of assets is more direct. It is possible to see how much there is in reais, stablecoins, and other cryptos, with allocation charts by percentage.
Summary: Binance segments the balances by account type, which favors more advanced users. Bitso simplifies the visualization, being friendlier for those who just want to clearly track their assets.
Buying cryptocurrencies: how it was to use each one
One point that may go unnoticed, but directly affects the investor's pocket, is the financial conditions offered by each exchange. In this comparison, we simulated the purchase of the cryptocurrency XRP on both platforms with a similar amount.
On Binance, the system estimated the receipt of 0.84757739 XRP, already considering the slight price variation during the testing period. There was no intermediation fee charged, as indicated in the screenshot below. In addition to the simple conversion mode ('Convert'), Binance also offers more sophisticated purchasing tools — such as trading on the Spot market — aimed at users more familiar with trading.
On Bitso, the purchase was made using BRL directly to acquire XRP, with a spread reported of 0.5%. The applied conversion rate was R$ 12.79 per XRP, and the final amount received was 0.857 XRP, totaling R$ 10.96.
Summary: Bitso delivered a more advantageous quotation in this simulation, resulting in more XRP per real invested. The difference was small for a purchase of R$ 10, but in larger amounts, the impact can be more significant. Binance, on the other hand, offers more tools for those who want to operate with more control and depth in the market.
Asset exploration and strategies
In the Screen – Binance Market, navigation occurs through an extensive list of trading pairs, with variation in the last 24 hours and the possibility to apply leverage (such as x5, x10).
Binance also allows access to details about each crypto asset: by clicking on a coin (such as BNB), just access the 'Information' tab to view charts, official website, data on circulating supply, and other useful resources for deepening the DYOR.
On Bitso, the Screen – Explore brings a complete listing of assets, highlighting those that have risen the most during the day, new listings, and filters by categories like Memecoins or DeFi. It is a practical way to follow trends and seek new opportunities.
By clicking on a cryptocurrency (e.g., Maker), you can view a chart with details of the quotations over selected periods, as well as information on circulating units, project website, and other information to complement the DYOR.
In the Screen – Bitso (Strategies), the user finds themed wallets such as Classic, Blocks, and Pixels — which act as mini-ETFs of crypto, ideal for those who wish to diversify without knowing each project individually.
Summary: Binance delivers depth of analysis and advanced functionalities — ideal for those who are already more familiar with the crypto universe. Bitso, on the other hand, offers simple and efficient curation, focused on making life easier for those seeking practicality and more direct guidance.
Transaction history: practical visualization
On Binance, the transaction history is available, but requires a few more clicks. You need to navigate to specific sections (such as Spot, Earn, or Funds) and select the type of operation desired. Although complete, the system requires more familiarity and user attention to find records.
In the Screen – Bitso (Activity), the visualization is more direct: it is possible to filter purchases, withdrawals, and deposits by type and date, with everything organized clearly. The receipts for each transaction are accessible in a dedicated tab.
Summary: Binance offers a robust history, but with more segmented and technical navigation. Bitso, on the other hand, stands out in usability, with simple access and receipts organized in a single interface.
Customer support: Binance Vs Bitso
Both Binance and Bitso offer support via virtual assistant, but the support experience has significant differences.
Binance's assistant is more robust. It accepts open questions and provides useful shortcuts, such as 'recent orders' or specific topics related to the account and transactions. It is also possible to talk to a human attendant, although the path to this option requires more clicks. Support is available in Portuguese and works 24 hours a day. Furthermore, the access button to support is visible right on the initial screen of the app (upper right corner), facilitating the start of service.
On Bitso, the 'Bitso Bot' starts the conversation in a more direct and friendly manner, immediately offering options such as starting service or changing the language. After the initial contact with the bot, it is possible to be directed to a human attendant. Bitso also offers support through ticket opening and provides a complaint channel via email for unresolved cases. However, access to support requires more steps: you need to enter the user profile and navigate to the help area.
Summary: Binance offers a more complete support ecosystem, with greater availability, useful automations, and direct access from the home screen. Bitso, on the other hand, stands out for its simplicity in the first contact and ease of dialogue with a human agent, although it requires more steps to locate the support area.
What Binance delivers additionally
Access to the order book and advanced order types (limit, stop, etc.) – Bitso does not show this information;
More options for assets and trading pairs;
Robust functionalities for staking, earn, P2P, margin, and derivatives;
Wider ecosystem for those who want to do more than just buy and hold, such as the web3 wallet as well as information on Binance Square.
Lower trading fees (limited to 0.1%), although the exchange rate in the example given in this article was less favorable.
What Bitso does well (and even better)
Integration with Pix for use as a personal digital wallet
Ease of use and simplified navigation;
Purchase of assets with low values in a few clicks;
Themed wallets for practical diversification;
Great experience for those starting.
What is missing in Bitso
Despite delivering an excellent experience for beginners and average users, Bitso can still improve on some points:
Lack of P2P: those who want to trade directly with other users need to look outside the platform;
There is no visualization of trading books, which limits price control for those who want to operate more precisely;
Few staking or earning options compared to what Binance already offers;
More limited selection of assets - the main ones are there, but there is a lack of variety for specific niches, in addition to airdrop events, such as the Megadrop, from Binance.
Conclusion: Binance vs Bitso, which cryptocurrency exchange is better for you?
To facilitate your decision, we have gathered below a table with the main comparative points between the two exchanges. It summarizes the functionalities, advantages, and limitations of each platform:
Ease for beginners
Binance: Feature-rich interface (greater learning curve).
Bitso: Simple flow, streamlined menus.
Depth of resources
Binance: Spot, Convert, P2P, staking, leverage x5–x10, Megadrop, Binance Alpha, Binance Wallet.
Bitso: Themed wallets (Classic, Blocks, Pixels) and category filters.
Approximate number of assets
Binance: +500 cryptocurrencies.
Bitso: ~100 cryptocurrencies.
Deposits in BRL (Pix)
Binance: Pix without fees; balance reflects in seconds.
Bitso: Pix without fees; Payoneer; Pix via own IP.
Quotation in the test (XRP/ R$ 10)
Binance: 0.8476 XRP (no fee, but less favorable quotation).
Bitso: 0.857 XRP (spread 0.5%; more favorable quotation).
Transaction history
Binance: Complete, but segmented (Spot, Earn, Funds).
Bitso: Everything in one tab; quick receipts.
Support
Binance: Robust assistant 24/7, direct button on the home.
Bitso: Friendly bot; requires more steps to reach the help area.
Regulation in Brazil
Binance: Operates via local partners.
Bitso: Nvio Brasil authorized by the BC as IP, offering its own Pix keys.
Binance remains the most complete choice for users seeking market depth and a wide range of products beyond simple buying and selling of cryptocurrencies. In addition to the well-known functions of Spot, P2P, staking, and leverage, the exchange currently offers:
Megadrop – a token launch platform that integrates Binance Simple Earn and Binance Wallet, allowing users to capture new opportunities firsthand.
Binance Alpha – a hub for discovering early-stage projects, with exclusive token generation events and on-chain rewards.
Binance Wallet (Web3) – self-custody wallet integrated into the app, without a seed phrase and with features like 'Emergency Export', balancing convenience and autonomy.
For those who value simplicity, native banking experience in reais, and direct integration with the Pix system, Bitso remains unbeatable: Nvio Brasil, a subsidiary of Bitso, has authorization from the Central Bank to operate as a Payment Institution, which guarantees Pix keys in the user's name and a feeling of 'digital account' that many beginners appreciate.
In summary, Binance is ideal for investors who want to advance to more sophisticated trading tools and for those who want access to token launches, analyses, and a portfolio of over 500 assets. Bitso shines for its intuitive usability, themed wallets, and lower entry barriers for the Brazilian public that is just starting.