Trade Republic vs Scalable Capital — Honest Comparison 2026
Detailed Trade Republic vs Scalable Capital comparison for 2026. Fees, features, pros and cons — which neobroker is better for your needs?
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Trade Republic vs Scalable Capital — Which One Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Trade Republic and Scalable Capital is one of the most common dilemmas for European neobroker users. Both are solid options, but they serve different needs. Let's break down the real differences.
Quick Answer
Both are solid EU-licensed neobrokers with segregated custody accounts and deposit protection up to 100,000 EUR, so the choice comes down to use. Trade Republic has no subscription tiers at all — EUR 1 "Best Price" trades (EUR 2 to pick the venue), 2.25% uncapped cash interest, IBAN and card under its own banking licence. Scalable Capital runs a FREE tier (EUR 0.99 EIX trades under EUR 250; gettex/Xetra EUR 1.99) and a PRIME+ subscription (EUR 4.99/month, free EIX trades over EUR 250), pays 2.60% on cash for all users since March 2026, and became a fully licensed bank itself in September 2025. ETF savings plans are free on both, on every tier. Neither generates a Polish PIT-8C. This is general information, not investment advice — try both and verify current terms before deciding.
Quick Verdict
Choose Trade Republic if: you want banking + investing in one app (IBAN, card, uncapped interest) with dead-simple flat pricing and no subscription decisions.
Choose Scalable Capital if: you prioritize simplicity, lower costs, or specific features where Scalable Capital has a clear edge.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Trade Republic | Scalable Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | None — flat per-trade pricing | FREE tier or PRIME+ (EUR 4.99/mo) |
| Trade fee | EUR 1 (Best Price) / EUR 2 (Direct) | EUR 0.99 EIX <EUR 250; free PRIME+ ≥EUR 250; gettex/Xetra EUR 1.99 |
| ETF savings plans | Free | Free (all tiers) |
| Cash interest | 2.25% EUR, no cap | 2.60% EUR, no cap (all tiers) |
| EU availability | ✅ (17 markets) | ✅ (fewer markets) |
Fees Comparison
Fees are where the biggest differences emerge. Both platforms have evolved their pricing in 2026, and the details matter more than headline rates.
Trade Republic Fees
Trade Republic has no tiers: EUR 1 per "Best Price" trade (auto-routed across 30 exchanges since July 2026), EUR 2 for "Direct Price" venue selection, free savings plans, and 2.25% uncapped interest on EUR cash under its German banking licence (December 2023).
Scalable Capital Fees
Scalable Capital takes a slightly different approach to pricing, often being more transparent about costs upfront.
Made your pick? See how it fits the rest of your money — accounts, cards and investments in one view.
See your Freedom Runway — freePros and Cons
Trade Republic
Pros:
- Large user base and established reputation
- Wide feature set covering multiple financial needs
- Strong mobile app experience
Cons:
- Narrower product set (no vanilla options, no bonds beyond a curated list)
- Can feel overwhelming for simple use cases
- Customer support can be slow during peak times
Scalable Capital
Pros:
- Clean, focused user experience
- Competitive pricing on core features
- Good for specific use cases
Cons:
- Smaller ecosystem compared to Trade Republic
- Some features still maturing
- Limited availability in certain countries
Which Is Better for Polish Users?
For users based in Poland, both platforms work well, but there are some differences worth noting:
- PLN support: Check which platform offers better PLN account and conversion rates
- Polish bank transfers: BLIK and Polish domestic transfers availability
- Tax reporting: Neither provides automatic PIT generation, but Freenance can help you track investment income and prepare for tax season
Our Recommendation
There's no universal winner — it depends on your specific needs. For most users, we recommend trying both (account opening is free at each) and seeing which fits your workflow better.
Track both accounts in one place: Use Freenance to connect all your financial accounts and see your complete financial picture, regardless of which platform you choose.
Related Comparisons
Check our comparisons hub for more head-to-head reviews of financial products and services.
FAQ
Which is cheaper overall: Trade Republic or Scalable Capital?
The answer depends on usage — but note savings plans are free on both platforms, on every tier, so the comparison hinges on one-off trades: Trade Republic charges EUR 1-2 flat, Scalable EUR 0.99-1.99 on FREE or EUR 0 (EIX, over EUR 250) on PRIME+ (EUR 4.99/month). Frequent larger traders amortize PRIME+; occasional traders find Trade Republic's flat structure simpler.
Are Trade Republic and Scalable Capital safe for European investors?
Both are licensed in the EU and client securities are held in segregated custody accounts, separate from broker assets. Cash deposits are protected by the German deposit guarantee scheme up to 100,000 EUR per customer — and both now hold their own banking licences (Trade Republic since December 2023, Scalable Capital since September 2025; Scalable moved custody in-house from Baader Bank in November 2025).
Can Polish residents open accounts on Trade Republic or Scalable Capital?
Both neobrokers accept residents of most EU countries, with onboarding fully digital via passport or ID verification. Polish users should verify current country availability, since features like local IBAN, BLIK, or PLN support vary and can change with platform updates.
Do these brokers generate Polish PIT-8C or other tax documents?
Neither broker automatically generates Polish PIT-8C, since they are German-licensed entities. Polish tax residents need to self-report capital gains and dividends on PIT-38 using broker annual statements, and many use third-party tools to consolidate transaction history across platforms.
Which platform is better for long-term ETF investing?
Both support automated ETF savings plans on a wide universe of UCITS funds, with similar core product ranges. Scalable Capital often has a slight edge on savings-plan execution and broader ETF coverage, while Trade Republic typically offers a more polished mobile experience.