Many users across Reddit and other forums reported technical issues with Trade Republic, one of Europe’s most popular low-cost trading platforms.
These disruptions came during a period of high market volatility, driven largely by unexpected tariff policies introduced by President Donald Trump and then “paused” for 90 days.
While Trade Republic later acknowledged the issues, citing an overload of traffic and momentary delays, this situation raised concern for investors since they may be unable to trade in certain market conditions.
As a “buy and hold” investor, this might not be an issue for you, but if you are an active trader, having access to a stable, responsive, and transparent platform is essential. That’s why today, we’re highlighting several alternatives to Trade Republic that offer a mix of reliability, features, and reputation across Europe.
Why platform stability matters
Imagine this: Markets are crashing. Or rallying. And you can’t log in. No access to your portfolio. No way to buy the dip or secure your gains.
This is exactly what some Trade Republic users experienced. And while outages can happen to any platform, especially during high-stress trading hours, it’s a reminder that platform uptime, support, and execution reliability are just as critical as low fees.
Top reliable alternatives to Trade Republic
We’ve selected three standout platforms that not only offer a strong user experience but also have solid reputations for stability, regulation, and asset variety.
1. Interactive Brokers (IBKR) – Best overall
What makes it stand out:
- Access to over 150 markets across 33 countries
- Ultra-competitive fees (from $0.35 per trade, depending on market)
- Highly customizable interface with advanced trading tools
- Supports fractional shares and ETF investing
- Industry-leading safety and regulatory standards
Things to consider:
- The platform is more complex than Trade Republic or other beginner apps
- Designed with active or professional traders in mind
If you want maximum control, access to international stocks, and incredibly low spreads, Interactive Brokers is one of the strongest, most reputable options out there.
2. Saxo Bank – Best for premium investors and diversified portfolios
What makes it stand out:
- Professional-grade tools with an intuitive interface
- Broad access to stocks, bonds, ETFs, options, futures, and FX
- Strong research and insights tools
- Licensed across major EU countries, with top-tier banking protection
Things to consider:
- Fees are competitive, but not always the lowest, especially for small portfolios
Saxo Bank is ideal for investors looking for a more complete private banking-style investment experience, with tools that support both beginner and experienced traders.
3. Freedom24 – Best for bond-focused investors
What makes it stand out:
- Offers both stock investing and a unique bond marketplace
- Clear access to U.S., EU, and Asian markets
- User-friendly platform with mobile and desktop access
Things to consider:
- Some structured products are not ideal for beginners
- Slightly less known compared to IBKR or Saxo, but growing fast
Freedom24 is ideal for users who want exposure to bonds and more conservative investment tools while still offering access to global stock markets.
4. Trading 212 – Best for commission-free trading with a simple user experience
What makes it stand out:
- Commission-free investing in stocks and ETFs
- Interest in uninvested cash (2.70% in euros)
- Very intuitive and beginner-friendly mobile and web platform
- Fractional shares and auto-invest tools
- Regulated in the UK and EU
Things to consider:
- Limited access to advanced features or global asset classes
- Trading 212 is ideal for new investors or those seeking a simple, mobile-first platform without sacrificing too much functionality.
5. DEGIRO – Best for low-cost trading with broad market access
What makes it stand out:
- Access to 50+ exchanges worldwide
- Low cost trading fees, but still above other brokers mentioned here
- Clean interface with powerful tools for intermediate investors
- Regulated under German and Dutch financial authorities
Things to consider:
- No fractional shares
DEGIRO is a great fit for cost-conscious investors who want broad market exposure without the frills — just solid, affordable execution
Final thoughts
Trade Republic remains a popular choice among European investors, but recent technical issues serve as a clear reminder: platform reliability is just as important as low fees.
If you’re a long-term, passive investor, occasional downtime might not be a deal-breaker. But for active traders, especially during volatile market conditions, having access to a stable, responsive, and well-supported platform is non-negotiable.
Fortunately, Europe offers a strong lineup of alternatives. Whether you’re after advanced tools, low-cost execution, or a more beginner-friendly experience, platforms like Interactive Brokers, Saxo Bank, Freedom24, Trading 212, and DEGIRO provide solid, regulated options that can match different investing styles.
