Trade Republic vs Scalable Capital vs ING in Germany: Which Broker?

Choosing the right broker in Germany can feel overwhelming, especially with so many options available. Whether you're just starting your investment journey or looking to optimise your portfolio, understanding the differences between Trade Republic, Scalable Capital, and ING will help you make an informed decision that aligns with your financial goals.

Understanding Your Broker Options in Germany

The German investment landscape has transformed dramatically over the past few years. Today, you'll encounter two main categories of brokers: neo-brokers and direct banks. Neo-brokers like Trade Republic and Scalable Capital offer app-based, mobile-first experiences with minimal fees, whilst direct banks like ING provide integrated banking and investing services. Each approach has distinct advantages depending on your investment style and preferences.

Trading Fees and Costs: Where Your Money Goes

One of the most important factors when choosing a broker is understanding how much you'll actually pay in fees. This directly impacts your long-term returns.

Order Fees Comparison

Trade Republic keeps things straightforward with a flat €1 order fee per trade. This simplicity appeals to many investors who prefer transparent, predictable costs. Scalable Capital charges 99 cents per order on its standard account, making it marginally cheaper than Trade Republic for individual trades.

If you're planning to trade on Germany's largest stock exchange, Scalable Capital offers access to XETRA, though at a significantly higher cost of €3.99 per transaction. This option is primarily valuable for investors trading very large amounts where the potential for better spreads justifies the additional expense.

Premium Plans and Subscription Costs

Scalable Capital's Prime Plus plan costs €4.99 monthly and unlocks additional benefits. Trade Republic maintains its commitment to affordability without mandatory premium subscriptions, though both brokers offer optional premium tiers for enhanced features.

Interest Rates on Uninvested Cash

What happens to your money when you're not actively investing? Both brokers currently offer competitive interest rates on idle cash. Both Trade Republic and Scalable Capital pay 2.75% annual interest on uninvested funds. However, there's an important distinction: Scalable Capital imposes limits on the maximum amount eligible for this rate, whilst Trade Republic does not.

If you're interested in higher yields, Scalable Capital's Prime Plus Broker account offers 2.6% interest, though this is lower than the standard 2.75% rate mentioned in more recent data.

Tax-Free Profit Allowances in Germany

Understanding Germany's tax framework is crucial for optimising your investment returns. Both Trade Republic and Scalable Capital offer an annual tax-free profit allowance of €1,000. This Sparerfreibetrag (saver's allowance) means you won't pay taxes on the first €1,000 of investment gains each year.

However, if you're married, this limitation becomes significant. Both brokers only offer individual accounts, not joint accounts. This means married couples can only claim €1,000 per person in tax-free profits, totalling €2,000 household-wide. Some alternative brokers offer joint account options that could double your tax-free allowance, so consider this if you're managing household finances together.

Product Range and Investment Options

ETFs and Savings Plans

For long-term investors, ETF savings plans are a popular strategy in Germany. Trade Republic offers 2,400 ETFs eligible for savings plans, whilst Scalable Capital provides 2,000 ETFs. This gives Trade Republic a slight edge in product variety for passive investors.

Stocks, Cryptocurrencies, and Derivatives

Both platforms offer stocks and ETFs across their trading venues. Trade Republic includes cryptocurrency trading directly, whilst Scalable Capital offers exchange-traded crypto products (ETPs). If you're interested in complex derivatives or mutual funds, Scalable Capital provides broader options, whereas Trade Republic's offering is more streamlined for simplicity.

Trading Venues and Market Access

Trade Republic operates exclusively through the Lang & Schwarz Exchange, which is open weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. German time. Scalable Capital primarily uses the Gettex exchange in Munich with similar trading hours.

Both brokers have achieved their low fees through commission models that are currently under regulatory pressure. The EU has banned this concept, and changes will come into force in Germany in June 2026. It's still unclear how these brokers will adjust their business models after this deadline, so keep an eye on any fee structure announcements.

ING: The Direct Bank Alternative

If you're considering a more traditional approach, ING offers an integrated banking and investing experience. Rather than a neo-broker focused purely on trading, ING combines your investment depot with everyday banking services like current accounts and savings accounts.

The Kleingeldsparen Feature

One standout feature of ING is "Kleingeldsparen" (spare change investing), which automatically rounds up each transaction to the nearest Euro or five Euros and channels these amounts into investments. This innovative mechanism transforms everyday purchases into investment opportunities without requiring active decision-making—ideal for those who want to build wealth passively whilst managing daily finances.

Support and User Experience

Whilst ING excels in integrated services, it's worth noting that customer support has been a challenge. Trade Republic has faced criticism for limited support availability, with no telephone hotline and slow email response times. If reliable customer service is important to you, compare support options across your shortlist before deciding.

User Experience and App Quality

Trade Republic is widely praised for its smooth, user-friendly mobile app that makes portfolio management straightforward. If you're a mobile-first investor who values intuitive design, Trade Republic delivers. Scalable Capital offers a wider feature set but with a more complex interface that may require a steeper learning curve.

For charting and technical analysis, Trade Republic's tools are relatively basic, which may disappoint active traders seeking advanced functionality. Scalable Capital's platform supports more sophisticated trading strategies with better analytical tools.

Which Broker Should You Choose?

Choose Trade Republic if you:

• Prioritise simplicity and a clean digital experience
• Want the lowest possible fees with no hidden costs
• Prefer a user-friendly mobile app
• Trade cryptocurrencies directly
• Don't need advanced charting or derivatives trading

Choose Scalable Capital if you:

• Want access to XETRA for larger trades
• Prefer a wider range of investment products
• Value automated investing features
• Are willing to pay for premium features (Prime Plus)
• Need cryptocurrency exposure through ETPs

Choose ING if you:

• Want integrated banking and investing in one place
• Value the Kleingeldsparen automatic investment feature
• Prefer a traditional bank with established customer service
• Are married and want to explore joint account options for tax optimisation
• Want your investment depot linked to your everyday banking

Making Your Decision: Next Steps

The best broker for you depends on your investment style, budget, and preferences. Start by identifying your priorities: Do you value simplicity above all? Choose Trade Republic. Want broader investment options? Scalable Capital offers more flexibility. Prefer integrated banking? ING combines investing with everyday financial management.

Consider opening a free account with your top choice—all three brokers offer no-cost registration. Spend a week exploring the platform, testing the app, and reviewing the user experience. Once you're comfortable, fund your account and start small. You can always transfer your portfolio later if you change your mind.

Remember that the lowest fees aren't always the best value. Factor in user experience, product range, customer support, and features like Kleingeldsparen that align with your financial goals. The right broker is the one you'll actually use consistently for years to come.