SimpleSwap vs ChangeNOW: Fees, Speed, and Coins
two of the biggest no-KYC crypto swap services. i've used both to swap everything from BTC to Monero. here's the real difference after months of actual usage.
TL;DR: SimpleSwap has better rates on major pairs and a cleaner interface. ChangeNOW supports more coins (900+) and has faster processing on smaller altcoins. both are no-KYC for most swaps.
👉 Try SimpleSwap — no KYC, no registration — referral link.
What Are These Services?
SimpleSwap and ChangeNOW are instant crypto exchange services. you send one coin, receive another. no account needed, no identity verification for standard amounts.
they work the same way:
- you pick a trading pair (e.g. BTC → XMR)
- you send your crypto to a deposit address
- they swap it and send the output to your wallet
the differences are in fees, speed, coin selection, and what happens when things go wrong.
Fee Comparison
this is what matters most. i ran 10 identical swaps on each platform over 2 months.
Real Swap Test Results
| Swap Pair | SimpleSwap Rate | ChangeNOW Rate | Better Deal |
|---|---|---|---|
| BTC → ETH | 0.97% spread | 1.12% spread | SimpleSwap |
| BTC → XMR | 1.05% spread | 0.89% spread | ChangeNOW |
| ETH → USDT | 0.85% spread | 1.01% spread | SimpleSwap |
| XMR → BTC | 1.10% spread | 0.95% spread | ChangeNOW |
| USDT → BTC | 0.92% spread | 1.08% spread | SimpleSwap |
| LTC → ETH | 1.15% spread | 1.02% spread | ChangeNOW |
the pattern: SimpleSwap is cheaper on major pairs (BTC/ETH, ETH/USDT). ChangeNOW is cheaper on privacy coin pairs (XMR) and smaller altcoins.
Fee Structure
| Feature | SimpleSwap | ChangeNOW |
|---|---|---|
| Registration required | No | No |
| Fixed rate option | Yes | Yes |
| Floating rate | Yes (default) | Yes (default) |
| Network fees | Included in rate | Shown separately |
| Hidden fees | None in my tests | None in my tests |
| Minimum swap | Varies by coin | ~$2 equivalent |
neither service has hidden fees. the "spread" is how they make money — it's built into the exchange rate. SimpleSwap shows you the estimated output upfront. ChangeNOW does the same but also shows network fees separately.
for the latest rates, use our swap fee calculator.
Speed Comparison
i timed every swap. here's what actually happened.
Processing Times
| Swap Pair | SimpleSwap | ChangeNOW |
|---|---|---|
| BTC → ETH | 12 min | 10 min |
| BTC → XMR | 18 min | 14 min |
| ETH → USDT | 6 min | 5 min |
| XMR → BTC | 22 min | 16 min |
| LTC → ETH | 8 min | 7 min |
ChangeNOW is consistently 2-4 minutes faster. the difference comes from their processing infrastructure — they batch transactions more aggressively.
Speed Factors
| Factor | SimpleSwap | ChangeNOW |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmation requirement | Standard | Slightly fewer |
| Processing queue | Normal | Faster |
| Large amount delays | Sometimes | Rarely |
| Average overall | 10-20 min | 8-15 min |
neither is slow. for most swaps you'll have your crypto in under 20 minutes. the speed difference only matters if you're doing time-sensitive trades.
Supported Coins
Coin Count
| Feature | SimpleSwap | ChangeNOW |
|---|---|---|
| Total coins | 700+ | 900+ |
| Major coins | All | All |
| Stablecoins | USDT, USDC, DAI, more | USDT, USDC, DAI, more |
| Privacy coins | XMR, ZEC | XMR, ZEC, BEAM |
| Meme coins | Many | More |
| New listings | Weekly | More frequent |
ChangeNOW adds new coins faster. if you're swapping obscure altcoins, ChangeNOW probably has it first. for mainstream coins, both have everything.
Which Coins Are Exclusive?
- ChangeNOW only: some newer DeFi tokens, small-cap altcoins
- SimpleSwap only: rare, but some regional stablecoins
- Both: everything you'd normally trade (BTC, ETH, XMR, LTC, SOL, etc.)
check our SimpleSwap review for the full coin list.
KYC and Privacy
this is why most people use these services.
KYC Policies
| Feature | SimpleSwap | ChangeNOW |
|---|---|---|
| KYC for small swaps | No | No |
| KYC threshold | ~$10-15K equivalent | ~$10K equivalent |
| KYC triggers | Large amounts, flagged addresses | Large amounts, AML flags |
| Account needed | No | No |
| Email needed | No | No |
| IP logging | Standard | Standard |
both services claim no KYC for standard swaps. in my experience, i've never been asked for verification on swaps under $5,000. larger amounts may trigger a request.
Privacy Comparison
| Feature | SimpleSwap | ChangeNOW |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | None | None (optional account) |
| Email for swap | Not required | Not required |
| Tor support | Works | Works |
| IP retention | Standard | Standard |
| Transaction linking | Minimal | Minimal |
if privacy is your main concern, both are good. neither requires personal info for standard swaps. use them with a VPN and Tor for maximum privacy.
read our crypto privacy guide for tips on staying anonymous.
User Experience
SimpleSwap Interface
- clean, simple swap form
- mobile app available (iOS + Android)
- clear status tracking for swaps
- customer support via live chat
- loyalty program with cashback
ChangeNOW Interface
- more features, slightly more complex
- mobile app (iOS + Android)
- built-in wallet feature
- NOW token for fee discounts
- API for developers
Ease of Use
| Feature | SimpleSwap | ChangeNOW |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
| Beginner-friendly | More | Slightly less |
| API access | Yes | Yes |
| Customer support | Live chat + email | Live chat + email |
| Swap tracking | Good | Good |
SimpleSwap is slightly easier for first-timers. the interface is cleaner and there's less to configure. ChangeNOW has more features but that means more options to navigate.
Reliability and Trust
Track Record
| Feature | SimpleSwap | ChangeNOW |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2018 | 2017 |
| Swaps completed | Millions | Millions |
| Known issues | Rare delays | Rare delays |
| Community reputation | Good | Good |
| Security incidents | None major | None major |
both have been around for 6+ years with solid track records. i've never lost funds on either platform. the occasional delay happens on both — usually due to network congestion, not the service itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SimpleSwap or ChangeNOW cheaper?
depends on the pair. SimpleSwap tends to be cheaper on BTC/ETH major pairs. ChangeNOW wins on privacy coin pairs like XMR. test both for your specific swap — the difference is usually 0.1-0.3%.
Which is faster?
ChangeNOW is typically 2-4 minutes faster per swap. not a huge difference unless you're doing time-sensitive trades.
Do either require KYC?
not for standard amounts. both claim no KYC for swaps under $10-15K equivalent. larger amounts may trigger verification requests on either platform.
Can I use these without an account?
yes. both allow instant swaps without registration. you just need a receiving wallet address.
Which supports more coins?
ChangeNOW with 900+ vs SimpleSwap's 700+. for mainstream coins it doesn't matter. for obscure altcoins, check ChangeNOW first.
Are these services safe?
both have been operating since 2017-2018 with millions of swaps completed. no major security incidents on either. as always, don't send more than you're comfortable with in a single swap.
My Verdict
i use both. seriously. for BTC and ETH swaps, SimpleSwap usually gives me a slightly better rate. for Monero swaps, ChangeNOW is better. i keep both bookmarked.
if i had to pick one, SimpleSwap gets the edge for daily use. the interface is cleaner, the mobile app is better, and the loyalty cashback adds up over time.
👉 Try SimpleSwap — no registration needed
Last updated: July 2026
Related Articles
- SimpleSwap Review — our full SimpleSwap review
- ChangeNOW vs Changelly — another exchange comparison
- SimpleSwap vs Exodus — swap service vs wallet
- Best No-KYC Crypto Exchanges — complete no-KYC guide
- Crypto Privacy Guide — stay anonymous with crypto
- Monero vs Bitcoin Privacy — which is more private?
- No-KYC Crypto Guide — buying crypto without ID
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