Trade Republic vs Scalable Capital: German Neobrokers Compared (2026)
Trade Republic and Scalable Capital are Germany's two biggest neobrokers, and both are expanding across Europe. They've revolutionized investing with low fees and mobile-first apps. But which one is better for your needs?
Fee comparison
| Feature | Trade Republic | Scalable Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Individual trade | €1 flat | €0.99 (Free Broker) / €0 (PRIME+) |
| ETF savings plan | €0 | €0 |
| Monthly subscription | €0 | €0 (Free) / €4.99 (PRIME+) |
| Interest on cash | 3% (up to €50K) | 2.6% (PRIME+) |
| Available ETFs | ~2,000 | ~2,400 |
| Savings plan ETFs | ~2,000 | ~2,400 |
| Crypto | Yes (real coins) | Yes (via ETPs) |
| Banking license | Yes (own license) | No (via Baader Bank) |
Savings plans — the key differentiator
Both offer free ETF savings plans, which is their biggest selling point. You can invest as little as €1/month automatically. Trade Republic executes savings plans on the 2nd and 16th of each month. Scalable Capital offers more execution days (1st, 4th, 7th, etc.) giving you more flexibility. Both support fractional shares, so even expensive ETFs are accessible.
Interest on uninvested cash
Trade Republic currently offers 3% interest on cash up to €50,000, making it competitive with savings accounts. Scalable Capital offers 2.6% for PRIME+ subscribers. If you keep a cash buffer alongside your investments, Trade Republic gives you a better return on that cash.
The PRIME+ decision
Scalable Capital's free tier charges €0.99 per individual trade. Their PRIME+ plan costs €4.99/month but gives you unlimited free trades. If you make more than 5 trades per month, PRIME+ pays for itself. If you only invest via savings plans, the free tier is sufficient.
Our verdict
Choose Trade Republic if: You want the simplest possible experience, value high interest on cash (3%), prefer a broker with its own banking license, or buy crypto directly.
Choose Scalable Capital if: You make frequent individual trades (PRIME+ plan), want more ETF savings plan flexibility, or prefer slightly more platform features.
For a set-and-forget ETF savings plan investor, both are excellent. Trade Republic edges ahead with better cash interest and a simpler app. Scalable wins for active traders with PRIME+.
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