Scalable Capital

Broker Review · 2026

Scalable Capital Review (2026):
FREE vs PRIME+, ETF plans, taxes, and who it fits

Scalable Capital is a BaFin-regulated full bank with the largest ETF savings plan catalogue in Germany (2,700+), automatic German tax handling, cash interest, and a flat-rate trading plan that unlocks unlimited free trades for €4.99/month. Available in Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands — though not all features are equal across countries. This review covers the full picture.

Dark wood infographic reviewing Scalable Capital, with sections on what the broker is, how it works, account options, fees, investment choices, and key pros and cons, alongside Scalable Capital platform-style visuals and a summary of who the broker suits best.

Some of the links on this site are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you sign up through them. This does not affect our reviews or recommendations — we only feature products we genuinely believe are useful for investors. This site provides educational content only, not personalized investment advice. Investments can lose value and past performance does not guarantee future results. You are responsible for your own financial decisions and for confirming the tax and legal rules that apply in your country.


TL;DR

✅ Best for
  • German and Austrian investors building ETF portfolios.
  • Monthly savings plan investors who want the deepest catalogue (2,700+ ETFs).
  • German residents who want automatic Abgeltungsteuer handling — no manual tax filing on broker gains.
  • Investors who want 2%+ cash interest on a full-bank account.
  • More active traders who make 5+ non-PRIME ETF trades per month and benefit from PRIME+ flat rate.
⚠️ Watch out for
  • Available in DE, AT, FR, IT, ES, NL — but not everywhere in Europe, and feature depth varies by country.
  • EUR-only account — no multi-currency support.
  • Xetra trades cost €3.99 + 0.01% on every plan, regardless of subscription.
  • Fractional share purchases only via savings plans, not in direct lump-sum trades.
  • Customer service delays and slow tax document turnaround are a known complaint in user reviews.
  • Platform can slow down or become temporarily unresponsive during high-volatility sessions.

Scalable Capital at a glance

Free
All ETF savings plans
2%+
Cash interest p.a.
€4.99
PRIME+ flat rate/month
2,700+
ETFs on savings plans
Auto
German tax handling
€100k
Deposit protection per bank

What is Scalable Capital?

Founded in Munich in 2014, Scalable Capital started as a robo-advisor and has since grown into a full-bank broker regulated by BaFin and the Deutsche Bundesbank — the same supervisory framework that governs Germany’s major banks. It now manages over €20 billion in assets and serves more than 600,000 clients.

🏦 Broker product

Stocks, ETFs, derivatives, crypto ETPs, bonds, and funds. Securities are held in custody at Baader Bank. Two plans: FREE (no monthly fee) and PRIME+ (€4.99/month). Backed by BlackRock and Tencent as investors.

🤖 Robo-advisor (Scalable Wealth)

Fully automated ETF portfolios managed on your behalf using dynamic risk management. Charges 0.75% p.a. management fee. Available alongside the self-directed broker from a single account. Currently restricted to Germany and Austria only.

🔒 Banking-grade structure

Scalable Capital Bank AG is a full CRR credit institution — not just a fintech broker wrapper. Client cash is distributed across Scalable Capital Bank and up to four partner banks, each covered by the €100,000 German statutory deposit guarantee. Securities are held at Baader Bank as segregated client assets, legally separate from any company balance sheet.

💼 How Scalable Capital makes money

Understanding the business model helps you evaluate the product honestly. Revenue comes from several sources: PRIME+ subscriptions (€4.99/month), €0.99 per trade on FREE, the 0.75% robo-advisor fee, and inducements from ETF providers — Amundi, iShares, and Xtrackers pay to be promoted as PRIME ETFs on the platform.

Trades are routed primarily through gettex and EIX — exchanges where Baader Bank (Scalable’s custodian) acts as market maker. This is standard practice for German neobrokers and is not hidden. For most passive ETF investors making monthly savings plan contributions, it has no meaningful impact. For active traders placing frequent large orders, it’s worth knowing the execution infrastructure.


FREE vs PRIME+: the central decision

Both plans include free ETF savings plans. The difference is what happens when you make one-off trades outside the PRIME ETF range — and whether you hold a large cash balance above €100,000.

FREE — No monthly fee
  • All ETF savings plans free.
  • PRIME ETFs (Amundi, iShares, Xtrackers) ≥€250 free.
  • All other trades: €0.99.
  • Cash interest on up to €100,000.

Best if: you invest exclusively via savings plans, or only buy PRIME ETFs in lump sums ≥€250. Pure savings plan investors save nothing by upgrading.

PRIME+ — €4.99/month
  • All ETF savings plans free.
  • All trades ≥€250 free (any ETF or stock, not just PRIME ETFs).
  • Cash interest on unlimited balance (no €100k cap).
  • Lower crypto spread fee (0.69% vs 0.99%).
  • Advanced analytics and unlimited price alerts.

Best if: you make 5+ non-PRIME ETF trades per month, or hold a cash balance above €100,000.

Break-even rule: PRIME+ pays off at roughly 5 trades/month outside the PRIME ETF range (€4.99 ÷ €0.99 ≈ 5 trades). If you invest exclusively through savings plans or only buy PRIME ETFs in lump sums, you pay nothing for trading on either plan — stay FREE.

Full fee schedule

All fees verified against Scalable Capital’s pricing page as of April 2026. Verify current rates before investing — cash interest rates are variable and change with ECB policy.

Fee type FREE PRIME+
Monthly fee None €4.99/month
ETF savings plans Free Free
PRIME ETFs ≥€250 (EIX/gettex) Free Free
All other trades ≥€250 (EIX/gettex) €0.99 Free
Trades below €250 (EIX/gettex) €0.99 €0.99
Xetra trades €3.99 + 0.01% venue fee €3.99 + 0.01% venue fee
Standard cash interest p.a. 2% (up to €100k) 2% (unlimited)
Overnight account rate Variable — check current rate Variable — check current rate
Crypto spread surcharge 0.99% 0.69%
Instant deposit fee 0.99% 0.69%
Custody fee None None
Inactivity fee None None
Withdrawal Free Free
Xetra note: Both plans pay the same Xetra fee. For most UCITS ETF investors, EIX or gettex execution is sufficient — Xetra is rarely needed for standard index ETFs. If you specifically require Xetra, factor in €3.99 per order across both plans.

The deepest savings plan catalogue in Germany

Over 2,700 ETFs eligible for savings plans — more than any other German broker. All executions free on both plans. This is Scalable Capital’s single strongest feature for long-term passive investors.

📅 Flexibility
  • From €1 minimum per plan execution.
  • Monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual.
  • Nine execution date options per month (1st, 4th, 7th, 10th, 13th, 16th, 19th, 22nd, 25th).
  • Dynamic inflation adjustment rate available.
  • Fractional ETF amounts available via savings plans.
📊 Coverage
  • 2,700+ ETFs — vs ~1,500 at Trade Republic.
  • All major UCITS index trackers included.
  • Can be funded from cash balance or direct debit.
  • PRIME ETFs (Amundi, iShares, Xtrackers) have promoted placement — free regardless of order size.
🌍 Scalable’s own ETF: the Scalable Capital World ETF

In 2025, Scalable Capital co-launched its own UCITS world ETF with DWS and Xtrackers. Key facts:

  • TER: 0% in the first year, then 0.17% p.a. — competitive with leading world trackers.
  • Replication: Hybrid — combines physical and synthetic replication in one fund. First UCITS ETF to use this structure at scale.
  • Scale: Crossed €250 million in AUM within six months of launch.
  • Availability: Tradable on all major German brokers and exchanges — not exclusive to Scalable Capital’s platform.

For Scalable users, the 0% TER in year one is attractive, but evaluate it alongside established trackers before committing long-term. Newer ETFs have less long-run tracking data.

For passive investors building a diversified UCITS ETF portfolio month by month, the savings plan depth is the strongest feature Scalable Capital offers — and it costs nothing regardless of plan. The nine execution dates per month also mean you can genuinely spread your purchases rather than being locked into a single calendar date.

Cash interest — standard rate and the Overnight account

The structural advantage here isn’t just the rate — it’s how the cash is protected, and the availability of a second cash product for higher rates.

💰 Standard broker cash interest
  • 2% p.a. (variable) paid on uninvested broker cash balance.
  • No separate product or transfer needed — automatic.
  • Rate benchmarked against ECB policy — will change over time.
  • FREE plan: up to €100,000 balance earns interest.
  • PRIME+: unlimited balance earns interest.
🏦 Scalable Overnight account
  • A separate cash product offering a higher variable rate.
  • Rate changes — verify the current figure on Scalable’s website before relying on it.
  • Accessible alongside the standard broker account.
  • Subject to the same multi-bank deposit protection structure.
🏛 How cash is protected

Client cash is distributed across Scalable Capital Bank and up to four partner banks. Each individual bank relationship is covered by the €100,000 German statutory deposit guarantee — meaning large cash balances can be protected across multiple institutions simultaneously, rather than being capped at €100,000 total.

This multi-bank structure is more robust than single-bank neobrokers. It doesn’t eliminate risk — no product does — but it stacks deposit protection rather than capping it.

Broker Cash rate Structure Max coverage
Scalable Capital 2%+ p.a. Deposit (multi-bank) €100k × multiple banks
Trade Republic 1% p.a. Deposit (single bank) €100k
Lightyear ~1.92% EUR Money market fund Not deposit-guaranteed
DEGIRO None €20k investor protection

Automatic Abgeltungsteuer — no manual filing required

This is one of Scalable Capital’s most practically useful features for German-resident investors, and one that’s frequently overlooked in broker comparisons.

🇩🇪 How it works for German investors
  • Scalable automatically withholds and remits Abgeltungsteuer (25% flat capital gains tax) plus the solidarity surcharge to the Finanzamt.
  • In the vast majority of standard cases, German investors do not need to report broker gains separately on their tax return.
  • Tax certificates (Steuerbescheinigungen) are issued annually — though delays in delivery have been flagged in user reviews; allow extra time in tax season.
  • Annual exemption orders (Freistellungsauftrag) up to the €1,000 personal allowance can be submitted directly through the platform.
🌍 For investors outside Germany
  • Automatic tax handling applies to German tax residents only.
  • If you are resident in France, Italy, Spain, or the Netherlands, you are responsible for declaring your own gains under your local country’s rules.
  • Scalable does not currently offer country-specific automated tax handling outside Germany.
  • See the relevant country tax guide for your obligations: Germany · France · Italy · Spain.
Practical note: For German investors, the combination of automatic Abgeltungsteuer handling and automatic Freistellungsauftrag application means your first €1,000 in gains is tax-free without any action on your part. This is a material administrative benefit versus brokers that issue raw statements and leave the filing to you.

App, platform, and the honest user experience

The app is generally well-regarded — clean, modern, and fast enough for typical monthly investing. But there are known limitations worth understanding before you commit.

✅ What works well
  • Clean interface — simple to set up savings plans and execute manual trades.
  • Both mobile app and web platform available.
  • Portfolio overview and performance analytics are clear and easy to read.
  • Savings plan management (adjusting amounts, frequencies, dates) is straightforward.
  • Freistellungsauftrag can be submitted directly through the app.
⚠️ Known pain points
  • Customer service delays: Trustpilot reviews flag slow response times — not ideal if you have an urgent account issue.
  • Tax documents: Annual Steuerbescheinigungen are sometimes delayed, which can push back tax filings.
  • Platform stability: During high-volatility periods, the platform can become slow or briefly unresponsive. For passive monthly investors this is rarely relevant; for active traders it matters more.
  • No phone support: Support is via chat and email only — no direct phone line.
For a passive investor who logs in once a month to review their savings plan execution, these limitations are largely invisible. For someone who wants to be active and needs fast support, they are genuine friction points worth factoring in.

Where Scalable Capital is available — and what “available” means

Scalable Capital has expanded beyond Germany and Austria, but availability of specific features — particularly the robo-advisor (Scalable Wealth) — varies significantly by country. Always verify your current eligibility on Scalable Capital’s website before opening an account.
Country Broker access Robo-advisor Tax auto-handling
🇩🇪 Germany Yes — full Yes (Scalable Wealth) Yes — automatic
🇦🇹 Austria Yes — full Yes (Scalable Wealth) Partial — verify
🇫🇷 France Yes — broker only Not available Not automatic
🇮🇹 Italy Yes — broker only Not available Not automatic
🇪🇸 Spain Yes — broker only Not available Not automatic
🇳🇱 Netherlands Yes — broker only Not available Not automatic
Other EU Not available Not available Not available
🇩🇪🇦🇹 Germany or Austria?

Scalable Capital belongs firmly in your shortlist. Full feature access, automatic tax handling, and robo-advisor — this is one of the strongest broker choices available in these markets for passive ETF investors.

🇫🇷🇮🇹🇪🇸🇳🇱 France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands?

Broker access is available but narrower. No robo-advisor, no automatic local tax handling. For a cleaner cross-European alternative, consider Trade Republic (17+ countries, broader EU integration) or IBKR (deepest access, best FX workflow).


Scalable Capital vs Trade Republic vs DEGIRO vs IBKR

Feature Scalable Capital Trade Republic DEGIRO IBKR
ETF trade fee Free (PRIME ETFs ≥€250) / €0.99 €1 flat €1 + handling €1.25 min (Fixed)
ETF savings plans Free — 2,700+ ETFs Free Not available Not available
Flat-rate option €4.99/month (all trades free) None None None
Cash interest 2%+ p.a. 1% p.a. None Variable (on USD balances)
Auto German tax Yes Yes No No
Banking licence Yes (BaFin / CRR) Yes (BaFin) No No
Deposit protection €100k per bank (multi-bank) €100k €20k SIPC / regulatory coverage
Fractional shares Via savings plans only Yes (from €1) No Yes (stocks and ETFs)
Multi-currency No (EUR only) No (EUR only) No Yes — best in class
Exchange access EIX, gettex, Xetra LS Exchange 15+ European exchanges 150+ global exchanges
Debit card No Yes (Visa) No No
Countries available DE, AT + FR, IT, ES, NL (broker only) 17+ European 18+ European Pan-European, global
Robo-advisor Yes (Scalable Wealth) No No No

For German investors, Scalable outperforms Trade Republic on cash interest, savings plan catalogue depth, and the PRIME+ flat-rate model. Trade Republic wins on debit card, fractional direct shares, and pan-European reach. DEGIRO suits multi-exchange access but lacks savings plans entirely. IBKR wins on FX workflow, global access, and multi-currency — but at the cost of more setup complexity. See the full Scalable Capital vs Trade Republic comparison →


Scalable Capital vs Baader Bank: not competitors

Baader Bank is not a retail broker you can choose instead of Scalable Capital. It is the infrastructure Scalable Capital is built on — and understanding the relationship matters for knowing exactly where your assets sit and what risks they’re exposed to.

🏗 What Baader Bank is

Baader Bank is a Munich-based bank founded in 1983. Its core business is capital markets infrastructure — custody, settlement, and market-making — not retail brokerage. You cannot open a consumer account directly with Baader Bank as a private investor.

It acts as custodian for several German neobrokers including Scalable Capital and Trade Republic. You deal with Scalable Capital; Baader Bank holds the assets on the other side of that relationship.

🔗 What Scalable Capital is

Scalable Capital is the retail-facing broker — the app, the account, the savings plan interface, the PRIME+ subscription, and the cash interest product. It is the entity you contract with, the brand you see, and the firm BaFin licences as a credit institution.

Division of labour: Scalable manages the customer relationship. Baader Bank handles custody and exchange execution on the back end.

📦 Where your assets actually sit
Asset type Who holds it Protection
Stocks and ETFs Baader Bank (custodian) Segregated client assets — not part of Baader Bank’s balance sheet
Uninvested cash Scalable Capital Bank + partner banks Up to €100k statutory deposit protection per bank
What segregated custody means in practice: securities held by Baader Bank are legally yours, held in your name, and kept separate from Baader Bank’s own assets. If Baader Bank were to fail, those assets would not be part of the insolvency estate — they would be returned to you. This is standard practice under German and EU securities law (MiFID II / WpHG).
One thing to be aware of: Baader Bank also acts as the sole market maker on gettex — one of the two main exchanges Scalable routes trades through. This means Baader Bank is simultaneously your custodian and the market maker setting prices on many of your trades. This is a standard arrangement in German neobroker infrastructure, and Scalable does not hide it. For passive investors making monthly savings plan contributions, the practical impact is minimal. For active traders placing large or frequent orders, understanding this structure is relevant to evaluating execution quality.

Who Scalable Capital fits — and who it doesn’t

Good fit
  • German or Austrian investors building passive ETF portfolios with monthly savings plans.
  • German residents who want automatic Abgeltungsteuer handling without touching their tax return for broker gains.
  • Investors who want the deepest ETF savings plan catalogue with nine execution dates per month.
  • Investors in DE/AT who also want a robo-advisor alongside a self-directed account.
  • More active traders making 5+ non-PRIME ETF trades per month under PRIME+.
  • Investors with large cash balances who want the multi-bank protection structure.
Not a good fit
  • Investors outside DE, AT, FR, IT, ES, NL — Scalable is not available.
  • FR, IT, ES, NL investors who want a full-featured broker without the German-market limitations — Trade Republic or IBKR serve those markets better.
  • Anyone needing multi-currency workflows or international exchange access beyond German markets.
  • Investors who want fractional share purchases in direct lump-sum trades (not just via savings plans).
  • Those who need responsive customer support or fast tax document turnaround.
  • Portfolios that have outgrown a EUR-only, German-exchange-focused platform.
When IBKR is the better core broker

Interactive Brokers wins when you need multi-currency accounts (deposit EUR, convert once at institutional FX rates, hold USD), access to global exchanges and instruments beyond German markets, and a platform that scales with your portfolio without geographic restriction.

The trade-off: more setup complexity upfront. If you’re willing to spend a couple of hours on account setup, IBKR saves real money at scale via the FX workflow alone, and is available pan-European without the country limitations Scalable has outside Germany and Austria.


Ready to open an account?

Set up a savings plan on the FREE broker, leave it on autopilot, and let compounding do the work. If you need broader access, multi-currency support, or aren’t based in Germany or Austria, IBKR is the natural next step.



Frequently asked questions

What countries is Scalable Capital available in?

Scalable Capital’s broker is available in Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands. Germany and Austria have the fullest feature access, including the robo-advisor (Scalable Wealth) and automatic Abgeltungsteuer handling. In France, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands, only the self-directed broker is available — no robo-advisor and no automatic local tax handling. Always verify your country’s current eligibility on Scalable Capital’s website before opening an account, as product availability can change.

What is the difference between FREE and PRIME+ at Scalable Capital?

The FREE plan has no monthly fee. ETF savings plans are always free. PRIME ETFs (Amundi, iShares, Xtrackers) bought in trades of €250 or more are also free; all other trades cost €0.99. The PRIME+ plan costs €4.99/month and makes all trades from €250 free — not just PRIME ETFs. PRIME+ also removes the €100,000 cap on cash interest and reduces the crypto spread fee from 0.99% to 0.69%. The break-even point is roughly five non-PRIME trades per month; pure savings plan investors gain nothing by upgrading.

Does Scalable Capital handle German taxes automatically?

Yes, for German tax residents. Scalable Capital automatically calculates, withholds, and remits Abgeltungsteuer (25% capital gains tax plus solidarity surcharge) directly to the Finanzamt. In most standard cases, German investors do not need to declare broker gains manually on their annual tax return. You can also submit an exemption order (Freistellungsauftrag) up to the €1,000 annual allowance directly through the platform, which is applied automatically to future gains. Annual tax certificates are issued — though delivery can be slow during peak tax season, so allow extra time if you’re filing early.

Are ETF savings plans free on Scalable Capital?

Yes. All ETF savings plan executions are free on both the FREE and PRIME+ plans. Scalable Capital offers savings plans on over 2,700 ETFs from as little as €1, with flexible execution frequencies (monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual) and nine execution dates per month to choose from. Fractional amounts are available via savings plans, though fractional lump-sum purchases are not supported in direct trades.

How does Scalable Capital pay interest on cash?

Scalable Capital pays 2% p.a. (variable) directly on your broker cash balance — no separate product or transfer needed. FREE plan clients earn interest on up to €100,000. PRIME+ clients earn on unlimited balances. A separate Overnight account product is also available with a higher variable rate — check Scalable Capital’s website for the current figure, as it changes with ECB policy. All cash is distributed across Scalable Capital Bank and up to four partner banks, each covered by the German €100,000 statutory deposit guarantee — meaning effective protection can stack across multiple institutions.

Does Scalable Capital have a banking licence?

Yes. Scalable Capital Bank AG is a CRR credit institution — a full bank under EU regulation — supervised by BaFin and the Deutsche Bundesbank. This means Scalable Capital is subject to the same capital adequacy, solvency, and supervisory requirements as regulated German banks. Securities are held at Baader Bank as segregated client assets. Cash is covered by statutory deposit protection of up to €100,000 per bank across the multi-bank distribution structure.

What exchanges does Scalable Capital trade on?

Scalable Capital executes orders on the European Investor Exchange (EIX, Hanover), gettex (Munich), and Xetra (Frankfurt). EIX and gettex trades are free from €250 on PRIME+, or free for PRIME ETFs on the FREE plan. Xetra carries a €3.99 order fee plus 0.01% venue fee on all orders regardless of plan. Note that Baader Bank — Scalable’s custodian — is also the sole market maker on gettex. This is standard in German neobroker infrastructure and is not hidden, but it is worth understanding if you trade frequently or in large sizes.

What is the relationship between Scalable Capital and Baader Bank?

Baader Bank is Scalable Capital’s custodian and execution partner — not a competing retail broker. When you buy ETFs or stocks through Scalable Capital, those securities are held in custody at Baader Bank as segregated client assets, legally in your name and separate from Baader Bank’s own balance sheet. You cannot open a retail account directly with Baader Bank. Your uninvested cash sits separately within the Scalable Capital Bank deposit structure — not at Baader Bank — and is covered by the German statutory deposit guarantee of up to €100,000 per bank. Baader Bank also acts as the sole market maker on gettex, which is where most Scalable Capital trades are executed.

What is the Scalable Capital World ETF?

The Scalable Capital World ETF is a UCITS ETF launched in 2025, co-created by Scalable Capital with DWS and its ETF subsidiary Xtrackers. It uses a hybrid replication method — combining physical and synthetic replication — which is the first implementation of this structure at scale in the European ETF market. It carries a 0% TER in its first year, rising to 0.17% p.a. thereafter, making it competitive with leading world trackers. The ETF crossed €250 million in assets under management within six months of launch. It is available across all major German brokers and exchanges — not exclusively through Scalable Capital’s platform. Investors should evaluate it alongside more established trackers before committing, given its limited long-run track record.

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