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Articles / Firstrade vs Scalable Capital: 2023 Comparison

Firstrade vs Scalable Capital: 2023 Comparison

Franklin Carneiro da Silva| Updated: February 27, 2023

Are you confused about whether to choose Firstrade vs Scalable Capital as a broker for your investing needs?

In this side-by-side comparison, we analyse Firstrade vs Scalable Capital to help you understand how these apps compare on some of the most common features and make a better-informed decision about the best broker for you.

Below, you’ll find the pros and cons of each broker, as well as a comparison table that features the different fees charged, the financial instruments supported, the regulation, and more. Keep reading!

Ideal for
US investors looking for US options only

Firstrade is a traditional company founded in 1985 that recently changed its strategy to become a commission-free online trading platform for stocks, ETFs and options.

The broker is considered safe, with a long track record that survived a few crises and top-tier regulators’ supervision.

The main drawbacks are its limited products offering (no European ETFs, stocks,…) and the fact that it only offers fractional shares on reinvested dividends.

Ideal for
Commission-free savings plans

Scalable Capital is an online broker (“Do-it-yourself” service) and Europe’s largest Robo-Advisor.

They help investors invest in stocks, ETFs and cryptocurrencies by themselves and also help investors get a personalized, globally diversified, and fully managed portfolio.

It is regulated by the BaFin, the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority in Germany. It is supervised by both BaFin and the Deutsche Bundesbank.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Commission-free stock, ETF, mutual fund and options trading
  • Good research and educational content
  • No inactivity fees
  • No minimum deposit

Cons

  • You can trade only on US markets
  • No 24/7 customer support
  • No demo account
  • No fractional shares

Pros

  • Stocks and ETFs commission-free (in PRIME Broker)
  • €1 minimum deposit
  • Interest on idle cash
  • No custody fee
  • Regulated by Bafin

Cons

  • No access to US stock exchanges
  • No fractional shares
  • Limited crypto available
  • €3.99 per trade on Xetra
Firstrade vs Scalable Capital: 2023 Comparison 3
Firstrade vs Scalable Capital: 2023 Comparison 4
  •  
  • General Information
  • Founded in
  • Demo Account
  • Account Minimum
  • Interest on unninvested cash (annually)
  • Products
  • Stocks
  • ETFs
  • Bonds
  • Funds
  • Options
  • Futures
  • CFDs
  • Leverage Products
  • Forex
  • Cryptocurrencies
  • Commodities
  • Fees
  • US stocks
  • EU stocks
  • ETFs
  • Cryptocurrencies
  • Custody Fee
  • Inactivity Fee
  • Withdrawal Fee
  • Connectivity Fee
  • Currency Conversion Fee
  • Security
  • Regulators
  • Investor Compensation Scheme(per person, per institution)
  • FirstradeAsset 3
  • General Information
  • Founded in1985
  • Demo Account
  • Account Minimum$1
  • Interest on unninvested cash (annually)0%
  • Products
  • Stocks
  • ETFs
  • Bonds
  • Funds
  • Options
  • Futures
  • CFDs
  • Leverage Products
  • Forex
  • Cryptocurrencies
  • Commodities
  • Fees
  • US stocks$0
  • EU stocksNot Applicable
  • ETFs$0
  • Cryptocurrencies1%**Spread on either side of a crypto trade.
  • Custody Fee$0
  • Inactivity Fee$0
  • Withdrawal Fee0$ for ACH**Wire transfers cost $30-35 (depends on your residency).
  • Connectivity Fee0$
  • Currency Conversion FeeNo available information
  • Security
  • RegulatorsFCA and FINRA.
  • Investor Compensation Scheme(per person, per institution)Up to $500,000 **Including international clients.
  • Scalable CapitalAsset 3
  • General Information
  • Founded in2014
  • Demo Account
  • Account Minimum€1**Online broker. For Robo-advisor: €20 monthly or a lump sum of €1,000.
  • Interest on unninvested cash (annually)EUR: Up to 3.50%
  • Products
  • Stocks
  • ETFs
  • Bonds
  • Funds
  • Options
  • Futures
  • CFDs
  • Leverage Products
  • Forex
  • Cryptocurrencies*Crypto ETPs
  • Commodities*Via ETCs.
  • Fees
  • US stocks-
  • EU stocksUp to €3.99
  • ETFsUp to €3.99
  • Cryptocurrencies0.99%**Spread surcharge.
  • Custody Fee€0
  • Inactivity Fee€0
  • Withdrawal Fee€0
  • Connectivity Fee€0
  • Currency Conversion Fee0%
  • Security
  • RegulatorsBaFin
  • Investor Compensation Scheme(per person, per institution)Up to €100,000 for cash; Up to €20,000 for financial assets. **From non-returned assets up to 90%.
Franklin Carneiro da Silva
Co-Founder & Fintech Analyst

Franklin is a CFA Level III Candidate with 3 years of experience in Wealth Management as a Fund Research Analyst and the Host of the "Edge Over Hedge" YouTube Channel.

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