Kraken vs Scalable Capital Comparison
In our overall rating Kraken leads with 4.2 out of 5 points, ahead of Scalable Capital with 2.9. On disclosed fees Kraken is cheaper: € 10.00 instead of € 10.89 per €1,000 purchase. Kraken has the better score in all five sub-ratings. Kraken has been on the market longer, founded in 2011, while Scalable Capital followed in 2014.
| 1 % | Fees | €0.99 + 0.99 % |
| € 10.00 | Minimum cost per €1,000 | € 10.89 |
| 629 | Cryptos | 32 (as ETPs) |
| SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card | Payment Methods | SEPA Direct Debit, SEPA Transfer |
| EU: MiCA USA: CFTC UK: FCA | Regulation | Full bank (CRR credit institution) supervised by BaFin and the Bundesbank |
Cost comparison
The basis is a Bitcoin purchase worth €1,000, calculated from the disclosed trading fee. A price markup in the spread is not included, because most providers do not publish it.
| € 10.00 | Minimum cost per €1,000 | € 10.89 |
| 1 % | Fees | €0.99 + 0.99 % |
| € 1.49 | Wallet transfer | – |
| Limited | Cost transparency | Yes |
| € 1 | Minimum Amount | € 1 |
| SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card | Payment Methods | SEPA Direct Debit, SEPA Transfer |
On disclosed fees you pay €0.89 less at Kraken per €1,000 purchase.
At Kraken the route sets the price: simple buys in the app and on the web cost a fixed fee plus a spread, while Kraken Pro charges maker and taker rates based on your volume over the last 30 days. All Kraken fees for deposits, trading and withdrawals are listed in one table in our guide to Kraken fees.
| Transaction | Cost at Kraken |
|---|---|
| Instant buy, instant sell and recurring buys | 1% plus spread in the price |
| Custom orders in simple mode | 1.5% plus spread |
| Kraken+ (subscription) | no trading fee up to USD 10,000 volume per month, spread and card fees still apply |
| Converting small balances | 3% below the minimum order size |
| Kraken Pro, tier 1 (up to USD 2,500 in 30 days) | 0.40% maker, 0.80% taker |
| Kraken Pro, tier 3 (from USD 10,000) | 0.22% maker, 0.38% taker |
| Kraken Pro, tier 5 (from USD 50,000) | 0.15% maker, 0.30% taker |
| Deposits and withdrawals | depending on method and currency, shown before you confirm |
How to save: Even in tier 1, Kraken Pro at 0.80% taker is cheaper than an instant buy at 1% plus spread, and limit orders as a maker cost 0.40%. If you buy less than USD 10,000 a month, look at Kraken+. See how Kraken compares in our crypto exchange comparison.
Fees as of 1 November 2026 according to the Kraken fee schedule.
You can open a Kraken account through our partner link to Kraken; cryptoticker.io receives a commission when an account is opened. As of 1 November 2026.
Scalable Capital offers cryptocurrencies only through ETPs, i.e. exchange-traded securities. Costs consist of three parts: the order fee, a spread markup that Scalable calls the crypto fee, and the running product costs of each ETP. The FREE plan has no monthly fee, PRIME+ costs €4.99 a month.
| Transaction | FREE | PRIME+ |
|---|---|---|
| Order via the European Investor Exchange | €0.99 | €0 from €250, below that €0.99 |
| Order via Xetra or gettex | €1.99 | €1.99 |
| Savings plan from €1 per instalment | no order fee | no order fee |
| Crypto fee (spread markup on crypto ETPs) | 0.99% | 0.69% |
| Running product costs (TER) per year, examples | CoinShares Physical Bitcoin 0.15%, Bitwise Physical Ethereum 1.49%, 21Shares Solana Staking 2.50% | |
| Custody fee | €0 | €0 |
| Deposit by bank transfer or direct debit | €0 | €0 |
| Instant deposit (every euro above €5,000 per deposit free of charge) | 0.99% | 0.69% |
How to save: A €100 crypto purchase costs €1.98 on the FREE plan (€0.99 order fee plus €0.99 spread markup); for €1,000 it is €10.89. On PRIME+ the same €1,000 purchase costs €6.90, plus the monthly fee. Savings plans avoid the order fee, but the spread markup remains, so for pure crypto savings plans PRIME+ only pays off from around €1,660 a month.
As of 1 November 2026 according to Scalable Capital's cost overview and crypto page.
Pros & Cons
- MiCA licence from the Central Bank of Ireland since 25 June 2025, valid across the EU
- More than 600 coins, 490 of them directly against the euro (1 November 2026)
- Proof of reserves by auditors, latest Bitcoin coverage 102.9% (30 June 2026)
- Kraken Pro from 0.40% maker and 0.80% taker
- FIDO2 passkeys, Global Settings Lock, ISO/IEC 27001
- On the market since 2011, with savings plan and staking
- Simple buy at 1% plus spread, custom orders 1.5%
- Regular delistings with withdrawal deadlines, most recently 13 tokens on 23 October 2026
- A dust attack in August 2026 led to temporary account freezes
- The low Pro rates require getting used to an order-book interface
- Full bank based in Munich: Scalable Capital Bank GmbH has held an ECB licence for deposit and lending business since September 2025 and is supervised by BaFin and the Bundesbank
- Savings plans for crypto and ETFs possible from just €1
- Staking via individual crypto ETPs, with staking rewards of 3 to 5% a year according to the provider
- Device-bound 2FA is considered a solid security solution
- Broad range of stocks and ETFs in addition to crypto
- No custody fee; with PRIME+ at €4.99 a month, orders from €250 carry no order fee
- No actual coins: you trade ETPs, which are bonds issued by the ETP providers; transfers to your own wallet are not possible
- Crypto selection with 32 coins is room for improvement compared with specialized providers
- On top of the order fee comes a 0.99% spread markup (PRIME+ 0.69%) plus the ETPs' running costs: a €100 crypto purchase costs €1.98 on the FREE plan
- Trading only during exchange hours, not around the clock as on crypto exchanges
- Deposits only by bank transfer, direct debit or the paid Instant deposit (0.99%, 0.69% with PRIME+)
Score Comparison
User Experiences
AI AnalysisAccording to the analyzed user reviews, Kraken is often described as simple and easy to understand, especially with regard to the app and basic usability. At the same time, users mainly report criticism of support-related topics and costs, so the overall picture from a user perspective is mixed.
According to reviews, Scalable Capital presents a mixed user picture: some users appreciate the clear and intuitive app as well as everyday use that is perceived as reliable. At the same time, users report login and 2FA issues, as well as occasional delays with withdrawals and support.
Provider details (fees, licences, pros and cons) editorially reviewed: November 2026. This analysis is based on 1184 user reviews evaluated by AI from the Apple App Store, Trustpilot, and Google Play Store. The total number of reviews on the respective platforms may be higher, the platform ratings (star ratings) shown refer to all reviews available there. The reviews shown reflect users’ experiences and do not represent the site operator’s own assessment. All information without guarantee. Status: March 2026. This comparison does not constitute investment advice.
Features
| available | Savings plan | available |
| available | Staking | not specified |
| available | Wallet transfer | not available |
| not available | Cost transparency | not specified |
| available | 2FA security | not specified |
| available | Account lock | not specified |
| available | SEPA instant bank transfer | not specified |
| available | PayPal | not specified |
| available | Credit card | not available |
| available | Mobile app (iOS/Android) | available |
| not specified | Staking (via ETPs) | available |
| not specified | BaFin regulation | available |
| not specified | Web platform | available |
| not specified | Stocks & ETFs | available |
| not specified | SEPA direct debit | available |
- MiCA licence via Ireland, valid in 30 EEA countries
- More than 600 coins, 490 directly against the euro
- Proof of reserves above 100% coverage
- Kraken Pro for low-cost order-book trading
- Neobroker with stocks, ETFs, and crypto in one place
- BaFin-regulated with headquarters in Germany
- Crypto savings plans from €1 for regular investing
- Staking available via crypto ETPs
The five areas head to head
AI AnalysisFees & Costs
The reviews present a mixed picture when it comes to fees and costs: on the one hand, low fees are mentioned positively several times; on the other hand, users criticize high fees. According to user reviews, the perception of costs is therefore not consistent.
There is only limited concrete feedback in the user data regarding fees and costs. According to reviews, users mainly comment on usability, login, and features in comparison, while pricing questions are mentioned less often.
Usability & User Experience
Users particularly appreciate Kraken’s intuitive app and clear design, which are repeatedly described in reviews as easy to use. According to the reviews, getting started is quick for many users, and overall navigation is also mentioned positively. Some users report that the app does not open immediately, which makes usability appear limited from the perspective of individual reviews.
According to reviews, users particularly appreciate Scalable Capital for its clear and partly intuitive app, which some also describe as easy to learn. At the same time, users also report a confusing interface and login problems. From the user perspective, usability is therefore perceived differently.
Features & Offering
In the analyzed user reviews, there are only a few recurring statements about features and the offering, which is why this area mainly reveals individual requests. Among other things, users want a candlestick chart, a prediction market, an auto-sell function, a 72-hour timer, and a widget for the app. In addition, some users would like more support for beginners and a calendar. Overall, the feedback mainly shows additional feature requests.
According to reviews, Scalable Capital is used by users primarily for long-term investing, and some also highlight the cash account positively. At the same time, users express several wishes, including a trailing stop-loss, an overall profit and loss overview, more ELTIFs, and more savings plans. Users also want changes to the dark design and the YTD view, as well as a group watchlist and less analysis in the free area.
Stability & Security
Regarding stability and reliability, the analyzed user data mainly contains individual critical feedback. Some users report that the app cannot be opened immediately or that withdrawals are perceived as delayed. Overall, however, the available data is not sufficient, according to the reviews, to derive a clearly reliable user picture for this area.
According to reviews, users describe Scalable Capital as reliable in part. At the same time, users report technical issues such as a black screen, OTP codes not being sent, as well as app problems and crashes. Stability is therefore perceived differently by users.
Customer Support
When it comes to support, users comparatively often report longer waiting times or no response at all. According to the reviews, missing help and slow reactions are repeatedly criticized, making this area clearly viewed critically from a user perspective. Individual feedback also suggests that issues are not always resolved promptly.
According to reviews, users occasionally report rather negative experiences with support, especially in connection with login or 2FA topics. Some feedback describes customer service as slow or not very helpful.
Details
| Payward Europe Solutions Limited | Company | Scalable Capital GmbH |
| 2011 | Founded | 2014 |
| EU: MiCA USA: CFTC UK: FCA | Regulation | Full bank (CRR credit institution) supervised by BaFin and the Bundesbank |
| € 1 | Minimum Amount | € 1 |
| Photo ID | KYC | eID, Video-ID, PostIdent |
Verdict
In our overall rating Kraken leads with 4.2 against 2.9 for Scalable Capital.
On disclosed fees you pay €0.89 less at Kraken per €1,000 purchase.
For most investors Kraken is therefore the better choice.
In short: Kraken is one of the oldest crypto exchanges in the world, active since 2011 and licensed under MiCA in the EEA. More than 600 coins, 490 of them directly against the euro, a regular proof of reserves and strong security features speak for the platform. The simple buy costs 1% plus spread; on the Kraken Pro order book you pay from 0.40% as a maker and 0.80% as a taker.
Is Kraken safe and licensed in the EU?
Yes, Kraken may serve customers across the EU. In the EEA, Kraken operates through Payward Europe Solutions Limited, based in Dublin, licensed under MiCA since 25 June 2025 and supervised by the Central Bank of Ireland. Through the EU passport the licence covers 30 EEA countries, including Germany, France and Spain (ESMA register, file of 30 October 2026). It covers custody, exchanging crypto for money and for other crypto, order execution and transfers, among other services. Kraken's parent Payward agreed on 14 October 2026 to buy Lithuania's Saldo Bank; closing is planned for 2027 and needs regulatory approval (our report on the deal).
Reserves and security: Kraken has its proof of reserves prepared regularly by auditors. The snapshot of 30 June 2026 shows coverage of 102.9% for Bitcoin, 100.5% for Ether, 100.6% for Solana and 102.3% for XRP, and 105% or more each for USDC and USDT. Kraken is certified to ISO/IEC 27001:2022, offers two-factor authentication with FIDO2 passkeys and a Global Settings Lock, and does not recover accounts by phone or SMS.
Account freezes and delistings: Between 17 and 24 August 2026, Kraken customers received almost 12,000 tiny deposits from wallets that analytics firms attribute to the sanctioned exchange HTX. Sanctions screening temporarily froze affected accounts; access has since been restored (our report on the dust attack). Kraken also removes tokens from trading regularly, most recently 13 tokens on 23 October 2026; withdrawal deadlines and steps are in our delisting report.
What you can do yourself: turn on a passkey or two-factor authentication and the Global Settings Lock, leave tiny deposits of unknown origin untouched and keep larger amounts on your own hardware wallet.
Who is Kraken for?
Kraken suits investors who want a long-established exchange with a wide choice of euro pairs, a savings plan and staking. Regular traders save with Kraken Pro. Since 26 October 2026, EEA customers with a derivatives account can also trade bitcoin and ether options there after an appropriateness assessment, provided by Cyprus-based Payward Europe Digital Solutions (CY) Limited under CySEC supervision. For simple euro trading, Bitvavo is cheaper, and Coinbase is an alternative with a listed parent company. All licensed providers are listed in our comparison of regulated crypto exchanges.
Scalable Capital has made a name for itself in the DACH region primarily as a robo-advisor and ETF broker and has also offered crypto since December 2021. Since September 2025 the company has been a full bank: Scalable Capital Bank GmbH in Munich received the ECB licence for deposit and lending business and is supervised by BaFin and the Deutsche Bundesbank. Since March 2026 it has also been listed in ESMA's MiCA register with a notification for advice on crypto-assets. According to its September 2026 fact sheet, Scalable serves more than one million customers with over €60 billion in assets.
The crypto offering covers 32 cryptocurrencies, which are not traded as coins but through crypto ETPs on regulated exchanges. No wallet or private keys are needed; in return, holdings cannot be moved to your own wallet, and trading is limited to exchange hours. Savings plans from €1 make for a particularly low-threshold entry, and some ETPs add staking rewards. Besides the €0.99 order fee there is a 0.99% spread markup, or 0.69% with the PRIME+ subscription at €4.99 a month. Since September 2026, orders via Xetra and gettex have cost a flat €1.99.
For investors who mainly put money into stocks and ETFs and want to hold crypto as an addition in the same securities account, Scalable Capital is a practical solution. Anyone who wants to hold actual coins, move them to their own wallet or trade around the clock is better served by a crypto exchange.