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

two men with a bike

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

Typet-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

Typet-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

Typet-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. Since 2014, we’ve evolved from a Dutch start-up into a leading micro-mobility provider with 280,000+ members in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, France, Spain, Austria & the UK.

The concept is simple: For a monthly subscription fee, you receive a high-quality bike or e-bike solution for your own use. If anything happens, our expert repair service is ready to fix your ride in-store or swap it for a working one at no additional cost. We’ve got your back, every mile.

About Swapfiets

Swapfiets is the world’s first ‘bicycle as a service’ company. Since 2014, we’ve evolved from a Dutch start-up into a leading micro-mobility provider with 280,000+ members in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, France, Spain, Austria & the UK.

The concept is simple: For a monthly subscription fee, you receive a high-quality bike or e-bike solution for your own use. If anything happens, our expert repair service is ready to fix your ride in-store or swap it for a working one at no additional cost. We’ve got your back, every mile.

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Stay updated

Sign up for our emails to receive the latest updates on services, products and discounts. You’ll also get a £15 voucher for your Swapfiets subscription.

Mastercard logo
AMEX logo
Stay updated

Sign up for our emails to receive the latest updates on services, products and discounts. You’ll also get a £15 voucher for your Swapfiets subscription.

Mastercard logo
AMEX logo