Traderforum research review
In-depth Scalable Capital review (2026-08-01)
Written by Traderforum research from official Scalable Capital documentation and source-checked pages. This editorial analysis is independent of member reviews and does not affect stars, review counts or community rank.
Overview
Scalable Capital is a German digital investment bank founded in 2014, regulated by BaFin (Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht) as a credit institution with portfolio management and brokerage permissions. The platform serves over one million clients across Europe (Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, France, Netherlands) with approximately €40 billion in assets under administration. Headquartered in Munich, the company operates offices in Berlin, Vienna, Milan, and London with a team of over 700 employees. Scalable offers three core products: Scalable Broker (self-directed trading platform), Scalable Wealth (automated robo-advisor from €20 monthly savings), and Scalable Overnight (high-yield savings account at 2.50% p.a.). The platform positions itself as a cost-conscious, accessibility-focused digital investment bank for European retail investors. The business model combines transaction-based revenue from trading with subscription fees for premium PRIME+ tiers and asset-based management fees from robo-advisory services. Since its launch, Scalable has achieved significant scale and market penetration across multiple SEPA European countries.
Platforms & tools
Scalable Broker provides access to over 8,000 stocks, 2,700+ ETFs, 3,800 funds (many commission-free for PRIME partners Amundi, iShares, Vanguard, Xtrackers), and 625,000+ derivatives across multiple asset classes. The platform supports crypto ETPs, bonds, commodities, foreign exchange pairs, and private equity investments via ELTIFs. Trading venues include the proprietary European Investor Exchange (gettex), Xetra, and traditional German stock exchanges for manual orders. Order types include market orders, limit orders, stop-loss, and take-profit orders. Savings plans start from €1. The app (iOS and Android, rated 4.5 stars) emphasises mobile-first design with real-time market data, price alerts, and customisable watchlists. Desktop and web platforms provide full functionality. Research tools include market analysis and educational content, though not proprietary in-depth research. Charting capabilities are basic.
Costs & fees
Scalable Broker operates two fee models: FREE Broker and PRIME+ Broker (€4.99 monthly subscription). FREE Broker: all savings plans on stocks and ETFs commission-free; trades ≥€250 on gettex/European Investor Exchange free for PRIME partners (Amundi, iShares, Vanguard, Xtrackers); other trades cost €0.99. PRIME+ Broker includes all FREE features plus commission-free trades ≥€250 on all products, lower crypto spread surcharge (0.69% vs 0.99%), and reduced real-time payment fees (0.69% vs 0.99%). Trades below €250 cost €0.99 across both plans. Xetra trades cost €1.99 per execution regardless of subscription plan. Crypto ETP spread surcharge: 0.99% (FREE) or 0.69% (PRIME+). Real-time deposits via Instant: 0.99% (FREE) or 0.69% (PRIME+), with deposits ≥€5,000 free. No securities account maintenance fees, third-party fees, or issue surcharges. No inactivity fees disclosed. Scalable Wealth robo-advisor: 0.75% p.a. management fee plus underlying fund costs.
Safety & regulation
Scalable Capital is regulated by BaFin (Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht, German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority) and Deutsche Bundesbank as a credit institution authorised under section 32 KWG. Client cash is strictly segregated and distributed across Scalable Capital Bank and partner banks, each with statutory deposit guarantee of €100,000 per client. PRIME+ subscribers receive enhanced protection through distribution across up to five banks (up to €500,000 total coverage). Cash exceeding these limits is placed in money market funds or institutions with voluntary deposit guarantee schemes. Securities are held in segregated custody. The platform maintains ISO 27001 information security certification, independently audited. Two-factor authentication protects accounts. Data transmission and storage use TLS/SSL encryption. No negative balance protection explicitly documented. Corporate history shows migration to own infrastructure (Scalable Capital Bank) completed successfully.
Accounts & funding
Account opening is free with no minimum deposit requirement. Online identification via video verification typically completes within three business days. Eligible clients must be aged 18+, tax-resident in supported EU countries (Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, France, Netherlands), hold a SEPA-area bank account, and be non-US persons for tax purposes. Base currency is EUR for all accounts. Deposits accepted via standard SEPA bank transfer (1–2 business days), SEPA Instant Credit Transfer (minutes), or Scalable Instant (direct debit, charged 0.99% FREE or 0.69% PRIME+). Withdrawals to reference account typically process within two business days. Real-time internal transfers between Broker, Wealth, and Overnight accounts are available. Third-party transfers not accepted. Joint account holders must be confirmed as beneficial owners.
Service & reputation
Support available Monday–Friday, 08:00–18:00 CET via in-app chat for authenticated users, with email support at service@scalable.capital for account access issues. Comprehensive multilingual FAQ database covers trading, account management, deposits, fees, security, and products, searchable by topic and product type. Trustpilot rating 4.0/5 (6,574 reviews) highlights streamlined onboarding, intuitive app experience, and responsive customer service improvements following recent infrastructure migration. Google Play rating 3.9/5 (40,000+ reviews) notes app stability and transaction execution speed as key satisfaction drivers. Common themes include effective support responsiveness, occasional complexity during account identity verification, and overall satisfaction with platform improvements. No live phone support is offered; communication channels limited to chat and email only.
Research verdict
Scalable Capital suits cost-conscious European investors seeking comprehensive multi-asset access with low trading fees and modern mobile-first design. The PRIME+ plan at €4.99 monthly appeals to active traders executing frequent orders, whilst FREE Broker suits buy-and-hold investors. The Overnight account (2.50% p.a.) and Wealth robo-advisor (0.75% p.a.) provide complementary cash savings and automated investment options. The platform is strongest for German and Austrian clients (full Wealth access) versus other supported EU jurisdictions. Weaknesses include limited weekend/after-hours support, absence of advanced research tools, and geographic restriction to SEPA Europe. Crypto traders should note the additional spread surcharge. Overall, Scalable offers competitive positioning for European retail investors prioritising simplicity, broad asset access, and cost efficiency over premium support or advanced tooling.
Best forEuropean ETF and index fund investors prioritising low costsActive traders seeking all-in-one multi-asset access at minimal feesSavers wanting 2.50% interest on cash balances (Overnight account)Beginner investors in Germany/Austria using Wealth robo-advisor
