Scalable Capital vs Trade Republic Comparison
| 0.99 % | Fees | 0 % |
| € 10.89 | Cost for €1,000 | € 9.00 |
| 13 | Cryptos | 50+ |
| SEPA Direct Debit, SEPA Transfer | Payment Methods | SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer, Credit Card |
| BaFin license as a securities institution | Regulation | BaFin license as a securities institution |
Cost comparison
The basis is a Bitcoin purchase worth €1,000, including all fees and spreads.
| € 10.89 | Cost for €1,000 | € 9.00 |
| 0.99 % | Fees | 0 % |
| – | Wallet transfer | – |
| Yes | Cost transparency | Limited |
| € 1 | Minimum Amount | € 1 |
| SEPA Direct Debit, SEPA Transfer | Payment Methods | SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer, Credit Card |
On a €1,000 purchase you pay €1.89 less at Trade Republic.
Pros & Cons
- BaFin license as an investment firm headquartered in Germany
- Savings plans for crypto and ETFs possible from just €1
- Staking for crypto ETPs is offered
- Device-bound 2FA is considered a solid security solution
- Broad range of stocks and ETFs in addition to crypto
- Wallet transfers to personal wallets not possible — occasionally criticized by users
- Crypto selection with 13 coins is room for improvement compared with specialized providers
- Deposit methods limited to SEPA bank transfer and SEPA direct debit — additional options are room for improvement
- BaFin-licensed as a securities institution based in Germany
- Savings plans for crypto, stocks, and ETFs available from €1
- No explicit trading fees for crypto – 0 % trading fees
- Over 50 cryptocurrencies tradable alongside stocks and ETFs
- Deposits via SEPA, SEPA instant transfer, and credit card
- Wallet transfer to your own wallets currently not available – occasionally criticized by users
- Cost transparency on crypto spreads, according to users, has room for improvement
- SMS-based 2FA security – advanced authentication has room for improvement
Score Comparison
User Experiences
AI AnalysisAccording 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.
According to the evaluated user data, Trade Republic is especially appreciated for its intuitive and clear app. At the same time, users report room for improvement in support, while fees and individual aspects of the app are perceived in mixed ways according to reviews.
This analysis is based on 292 AI-evaluated user reviews from Google Play Store, Trustpilot. The total number of reviews on the respective platforms may be higher — the platform ratings shown (star ratings) refer to all reviews available there. The ratings shown reflect users' experiences and do not represent the site operator's own assessment. All information without guarantee. As of: March 2026. This comparison does not constitute investment advice.
Features
| ✓ | Savings plan | ✓ |
| ✓ | Staking (via ETPs) | ✓ |
| ✓ | Wallet transfer | ✓ |
| ✓ | Credit card payment | ✓ |
| ✓ | BaFin regulation | ✓ |
| ✓ | Web platform | ✓ |
| ✓ | Mobile app (iOS/Android) | ✓ |
| ✓ | Stocks & ETFs | ✓ |
| ✓ | SEPA direct debit | ✓ |
| ✓ | Staking | ✓ |
| ✓ | SEPA instant transfer | ✓ |
- 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
- Neobroker for crypto, stocks, ETFs, and derivatives from a single source
- Savings plans from €1 for long-term wealth building
- BaFin-regulated with a German bank account
- Over 50 tradable cryptocurrencies
The five areas head to head
AI AnalysisFees & Costs
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.
When it comes to fees and costs, user opinions are mixed. Some users describe Trade Republic as inexpensive, while according to reviews, higher fees are also occasionally criticized.
Usability & User Experience
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.
Users particularly appreciate Trade Republic for its intuitive, clear, and easy-to-use app. According to reviews, the application is often described as beginner-friendly, which makes getting started easier. However, the app is also occasionally described as somewhat unclear.
Features & Offering
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.
Users repeatedly wish for availability in Switzerland, an iPad version, and a CSV export. According to reviews, a simpler tax overview and the option for automatic dividend reinvestment are also mentioned occasionally. Wishes are also expressed in the available user data regarding the search function and stop-limit orders.
Stability & Security
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.
Users report mixed experiences regarding stability and reliability. It is occasionally mentioned that the app crashes, while others describe the app as easy to use in everyday life.
Customer Support
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.
When it comes to support, many users report room for improvement. According to reviews, it is often mentioned that customer service is difficult to reach or that responses take a while to arrive. In direct contact in particular, users therefore rate support critically.
Details
| Scalable Capital GmbH | Company | Trade Republic Bank GmbH |
| 2014 | Founded | 2015 |
| BaFin license as a securities institution | Regulation | BaFin license as a securities institution |
| € 1 | Minimum Amount | € 1 |
| eID, Video-ID, PostIdent | KYC | Video-ID |
Verdict
Both providers are practically level in our overall rating (2.9 to 2.9).
On a €1,000 purchase you pay €1.89 less at Trade Republic.
Neither provider reaches 4.0 out of 5 in our rating, so we do not give an unreserved recommendation here.
Scalable Capital has made a name for itself in the DACH region primarily as a robo-advisor and ETF broker and has also offered cryptocurrency trading for some time now. With a BaFin license as an investment firm and a headquarters in Germany, the provider is considered well positioned from a regulatory standpoint. The crypto offering currently includes 13 coins traded via crypto ETPs — an approach that is appreciated by security-conscious investors.
The savings plans starting from €1 enable an especially low-threshold entry, and staking via ETPs is seen as a meaningful addition. The device-bound two-factor authentication is considered a solid security solution. For investors who primarily invest in stocks and ETFs and want to hold crypto as an allocation in the same portfolio, Scalable Capital is seen as a practical solution.
However, the crypto selection with 13 coins is considered room for improvement compared with specialized providers. Wallet transfers to personal wallets are also not possible, which is occasionally criticized by users. Scalable Capital is therefore primarily suitable for mainstream investors who are looking for a regulated German broker with a broad securities offering and want to use crypto as a supplementary component.
Trade Republic is considered one of the best-known neobrokers in the DACH region and is used by many users as an entry point into the world of cryptocurrencies. The broker is licensed as a securities institution by BaFin and, in addition to over 50 cryptocurrencies, also offers stocks, ETFs, and derivatives from a single source. The removal of explicit trading fees is viewed positively by users, although the actual costs arise through the spread — here, transparency is occasionally rated as room for improvement.
Particularly appreciated are the savings plans from €1, which make it easy to get started with regular crypto investing. For investors who want to manage crypto, stocks, and ETFs in a single app, Trade Republic is considered one of the most accessible solutions on the German market. The app is described as intuitive and clearly geared toward beginners and occasional investors.
However, wallet transfers to your own wallets are currently not possible, which is occasionally criticized by more experienced crypto users. The SMS-based 2FA security is also considered room for improvement. Trade Republic is therefore especially suitable for investors looking for a regulated, uncomplicated way to access cryptocurrencies as part of a broad securities offering — less so for users who value self-custody.