Swapfiets vs OV-fiets: which one is cheaper?

Swapfiets vs OV-fiets: which one is cheaper?

Swapfiets vs OV-fiets: which one is cheaper?

Swapfiets vs OV-fiets: which one is cheaper?

An Dutch OV-fiets feels easy and convenient. You only pay when you use it. But that daily rate of €4.80 per 24 hours adds up quickly. Especially if you cycle regularly to work, university or appointments.

Swapfiets works differently. You pay a fixed monthly fee for a bike that’s always ready for you, including service and repairs. The Swapfiets Original costs €20.90 per month, which comes down to €0.70 per day.

An Dutch OV-fiets feels easy and convenient. You only pay when you use it. But that daily rate of €4.80 per 24 hours adds up quickly. Especially if you cycle regularly to work, university or appointments.

Swapfiets works differently. You pay a fixed monthly fee for a bike that’s always ready for you, including service and repairs. The Swapfiets Original costs €20.90 per month, which comes down to €0.70 per day.

Published

Published

Published

1 Dec 2025

1 Dec 2025

1 Dec 2025

Swapfiets vs OV fiets
Swapfiets vs OV fiets
Swapfiets vs OV fiets

City bike: Swapfiets Original vs OV-fiets

Below you’ll find a clear comparison between both options. Short, transparent and without fine print.


Original

OV-fiets

Daily costs

€0.70 per day (€20.90 p/m)

€4.80 per 24 hours (2026 price)

Student rate

€0.63 per day (€18.90 p/m)

No student discount

Sign-up costs

None – 6-month plan
€19.90 – monthly cancellable

None (only €0.01 verification)

Maintenance

Free at-home repairs

Not included

Theft excess (bike locked)

€250

€350

Availability

Always your own bike

Depends on station availability

Comparison date: 1 December 2025
Source:
https://www.ns.nl/deur-tot-deur/ov-fiets


City bike: Swapfiets Original vs OV-fiets

Below you’ll find a clear comparison between both options. Short, transparent and without fine print.


Original

OV-fiets

Daily costs

€0.70 per day (€20.90 p/m)

€4.80 per 24 hours (2026 price)

Student rate

€0.63 per day (€18.90 p/m)

No student discount

Sign-up costs

None – 6-month plan
€19.90 – monthly cancellable

None (only €0.01 verification)

Maintenance

Free at-home repairs

Not included

Theft excess (bike locked)

€250

€350

Availability

Always your own bike

Depends on station availability

Comparison date: 1 December 2025
Source:
https://www.ns.nl/deur-tot-deur/ov-fiets


City bike: Swapfiets Original vs OV-fiets

Below you’ll find a clear comparison between both options. Short, transparent and without fine print.


Original

OV-fiets

Daily costs

€0.70 per day (€20.90 p/m)

€4.80 per 24 hours (2026 price)

Student rate

€0.63 per day (€18.90 p/m)

No student discount

Sign-up costs

None – 6-month plan
€19.90 – monthly cancellable

None (only €0.01 verification)

Maintenance

Free at-home repairs

Not included

Theft excess (bike locked)

€250

€350

Availability

Always your own bike

Depends on station availability

Comparison date: 1 December 2025
Source:
https://www.ns.nl/deur-tot-deur/ov-fiets


What does this mean for you in practice?

If you only need a bike occasionally, the OV-fiets is perfectly fine. But once you cycle 4 to 5 days per month, Swapfiets becomes structurally cheaper. Here’s exactly where the tipping point is:

Days per month

Swapfiets (€20.90 p/m)

OV-fiets (€4.80/day)

Difference

1 day

€20.90

€4.80

OV €16.10 cheaper

2 days

€20.90

€9.60

OV €11.30 cheaper

3 days

€20.90

€14.40

OV €6.50 cheaper

4 days

€20.90

€19.20

OV €1.70 cheaper

5 days

€20.90

€24.00

Swapfiets €3.10 cheaper

10 days

€20.90

€48.00

Swapfiets €27.10 cheaper

20 days

€20.90

€96.00

Swapfiets €75.10 cheaper

30 days

€20.90

€144.00

Swapfiets €123.10 cheaper

In short:

  • Only use a bike now and then? → OV-fiets fits your needs.

  • Cycle regularly? → From 5 days per month, Swapfiets becomes the cheaper option.


What does this mean for you in practice?

If you only need a bike occasionally, the OV-fiets is perfectly fine. But once you cycle 4 to 5 days per month, Swapfiets becomes structurally cheaper. Here’s exactly where the tipping point is:

Days per month

Swapfiets (€20.90 p/m)

OV-fiets (€4.80/day)

Difference

1 day

€20.90

€4.80

OV €16.10 cheaper

2 days

€20.90

€9.60

OV €11.30 cheaper

3 days

€20.90

€14.40

OV €6.50 cheaper

4 days

€20.90

€19.20

OV €1.70 cheaper

5 days

€20.90

€24.00

Swapfiets €3.10 cheaper

10 days

€20.90

€48.00

Swapfiets €27.10 cheaper

20 days

€20.90

€96.00

Swapfiets €75.10 cheaper

30 days

€20.90

€144.00

Swapfiets €123.10 cheaper

In short:

  • Only use a bike now and then? → OV-fiets fits your needs.

  • Cycle regularly? → From 5 days per month, Swapfiets becomes the cheaper option.


What does this mean for you in practice?

If you only need a bike occasionally, the OV-fiets is perfectly fine. But once you cycle 4 to 5 days per month, Swapfiets becomes structurally cheaper. Here’s exactly where the tipping point is:

Days per month

Swapfiets (€20.90 p/m)

OV-fiets (€4.80/day)

Difference

1 day

€20.90

€4.80

OV €16.10 cheaper

2 days

€20.90

€9.60

OV €11.30 cheaper

3 days

€20.90

€14.40

OV €6.50 cheaper

4 days

€20.90

€19.20

OV €1.70 cheaper

5 days

€20.90

€24.00

Swapfiets €3.10 cheaper

10 days

€20.90

€48.00

Swapfiets €27.10 cheaper

20 days

€20.90

€96.00

Swapfiets €75.10 cheaper

30 days

€20.90

€144.00

Swapfiets €123.10 cheaper

In short:

  • Only use a bike now and then? → OV-fiets fits your needs.

  • Cycle regularly? → From 5 days per month, Swapfiets becomes the cheaper option.


Find a Swapfiets store near you

Want to know where you can pick up or have your bike delivered? Check the availability of the best all-inclusive bike subscription in the Netherlands.

About Swapfiets

About Swapfiets

Swapfiets is the world’s first ‘bicycle as a service’ company. Founded 2014 in the Netherlands, the scale-up quickly developed being one of the leading micro mobility providers in Europe with 270.000 members in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, France, Spain, Austria and UK.


The concept of Swapfiets is quite simple: For a monthly subscription fee, Swapfiets members receive a fully functional bicycle or e-mobility solution for their own use. If needed, a repair service is available within 48 hours to repair or directly swap the two-wheeler at no additional cost.

Swapfiets is the world’s first ‘bicycle as a service’ company. Founded 2014 in the Netherlands, the scale-up quickly developed being one of the leading micro mobility providers in Europe with 270.000 members in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, France, Spain, Austria and UK.


The concept of Swapfiets is quite simple: For a monthly subscription fee, Swapfiets members receive a fully functional bicycle or e-mobility solution for their own use. If needed, a repair service is available within 48 hours to repair or directly swap the two-wheeler at no additional cost.

About Swapfiets

Swapfiets is the world’s first ‘bicycle as a service’ company. Founded 2014 in the Netherlands, the scale-up quickly developed being one of the leading micro mobility providers in Europe with 270.000 members in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, France, Spain, Austria and UK.


The concept of Swapfiets is quite simple: For a monthly subscription fee, Swapfiets members receive a fully functional bicycle or e-mobility solution for their own use. If needed, a repair service is available within 48 hours to repair or directly swap the two-wheeler at no additional cost.

News, tips & more, straight to your inbox

News, tips & more, straight to your inbox

News, tips & more, straight to your inbox

Stay updated

Sign up for our emails to get updates about our services, products and discounts straight to your inbox.

iDeal logo
Mastercard logo
Stay updated

Sign up for our emails to get updates about our services, products and discounts straight to your inbox.

iDeal logo
Mastercard logo
Stay updated

Sign up for our emails to get updates about our services, products and discounts straight to your inbox.

iDeal logo
Mastercard logo