Scalable Capital Review 2026: Low-Cost Investing

What Is Scalable Capital?

Scalable Capital is a European investment platform. It combines two services in one app: a robo-advisor that manages ETF portfolios automatically, and a self-directed brokerage for people who want to pick their own stocks and ETFs. The provider states it has more than 1 million users and manages over €20B+ in assets. Its main market is the DACH region: Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

The platform is known as a low-cost option. That reputation comes from the provider's published fee schedule, which the company says is below the industry average. This review does not include verified fee figures. The fee schedule changes over time, so check the provider's current schedule before opening an account.

Scalable Capital also offers an optional paid tier called PRIME+. The basic account is free. PRIME+ is a subscription that adds extra services. What those services cost and include is detailed on the provider's official site, not in this review.

Key Features

Robo-Advisor

The robo-advisor is the core product. It builds and manages diversified ETF portfolios. Users answer questions about their financial situation and risk tolerance. The provider states its algorithm then constructs a portfolio suited to the answers. The robo-advisor handles rebalancing and dividend reinvestment automatically.

This is useful for investors who do not want to manage positions themselves. It is also a way to get broad market exposure through low-cost ETFs. The provider says its portfolios use ETFs from major issuers, though the exact list is in the official disclosures.

Self-Directed Brokerage

The brokerage arm lets users trade stocks, ETFs, and other securities directly. There is no advisory layer. You choose what to buy and sell. The provider offers a range of order types and limits. The exact list of supported assets is in the provider's disclosures, but European and US stocks are typically available.

Transaction fees apply to each trade. No fee figure appears in the verified data for this review. The provider fee schedule lists per-order costs for different account tiers. PRIME+ subscribers generally pay less per trade, but the exact amounts are not confirmed here. Check the current schedule.

ETF Portfolios

Both the robo-advisor and the brokerage revolve around ETFs. The robo-advisor builds ETF portfolios. The brokerage allows direct ETF purchases. This focus keeps costs low and simplifies tax reporting. Again, no specific fund names or expense ratios appear in the verified data.

Pricing and Fees

Scalable Capital has no verified fee data for 2026 in this review. That means no exact dollar or percentage figures are stated here. What is known from the provider's official materials: there is a basic account that costs nothing, an optional paid PRIME+ subscription, a management fee for the robo-advisor, and transaction fees for the brokerage.

The management fee is a percentage of assets under management. The provider's fee schedule details how the percentage scales with account size. In general, larger balances pay a lower percentage. The transaction fee is a fixed amount per trade or a percentage, depending on the product. Exact figures are on the provider's website.

Why no numbers listed here? This review relies only on published materials from the provider. Those materials do not include a stable, verified fee table that can be cited. Fees change. Always read the current schedule before committing money.

How Scalable Capital Works

Account opening happens through the app or website. The provider states the process is fully digital. You provide personal details, verify your identity, and link a bank account. No account minimum is stated in the verified data.

For the robo-advisor, you complete a risk questionnaire. The provider then selects an ETF portfolio and manages it. For the brokerage, you fund the account and place trades directly. The same login gives access to both products.

Scalable Capital is not available to US residents. The provider focuses on Europe, especially the DACH region. If you live outside the supported countries, you cannot open an account. This is a major limitation for international users.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Low fees: The provider positions itself as a low-cost platform. Its fee schedule is designed to undercut traditional banks.
• Wide range: The platform covers robo-advising, self-directed trading, and ETF portfolios in one app.
• Large user base: More than 1 million users and €20B+ in assets suggest trust and scale.
• Optional PRIME+ tier: Adds extra services for users who want them, while the basic account stays free.
• European focus: Strong in the DACH region, where it competes well with local banks.

Cons

• Not available in the US: US residents cannot use the platform at all.
• Limited customer service: User reviews on app stores often mention slow or sparse support. No support channels are verified in this review.
• Fee transparency: The exact management fee and transaction fee are not published in the verified data, so you have to do your own research.

Scalable Capital vs Trade Republic vs Wealthsimple

Scalable Capital, Trade Republic, and Wealthsimple all target low-cost investing, but they serve different markets.

Trade Republic is a European broker known for very low transaction costs. It has no robo-advisor; it is purely a self-directed brokerage. If you want to buy and sell stocks and ETFs yourself, Trade Republic is a common alternative. Our review covers the details of that platform.

Wealthsimple is a Canadian robo-advisor. It also offers a self-directed trading app. It is similar in concept to Scalable Capital but operates in a completely different country. Wealthsimple is not available in Europe, just as Scalable Capital is not available in Canada or the US.

Which one is better? It depends on your location and your needs. A European investor looking for both automated management and DIY trading would use Scalable Capital. A pure DIY trader in Europe might prefer Trade Republic. A Canadian investor would look at Wealthsimple. The right choice depends on where you live and what you want to do.

For a broader view of available platforms, see our list of the best stock apps for 2026.

Who Should Use It?

Scalable Capital is best for European investors, particularly people in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The platform works well for two types of users:

First, people who want hands-off investing. The robo-advisor builds and maintains a diversified ETF portfolio. You do not need to research stocks or time the market. Second, people who want to trade actively but do not want to pay bank-level commissions. The brokerage offers low-cost access to markets.

It is not suitable for US residents. It is also less useful for people who want human financial advice. Scalable Capital is a digital platform; it does not provide a dedicated advisor for most accounts.

This is a product review, not financial advice. The decision to use any platform depends on your own situation.

Final Verdict

Scalable Capital is a strong option for European investors. It combines a robo-advisor and a brokerage in one clean app, with a free basic tier and an optional paid PRIME+ subscription. The platform has a large user base and manages significant assets, which speaks to its credibility.

The biggest drawbacks are the lack of US availability and the limited customer service. Also, this review could not verify exact fees, so you must check the provider's current schedule. Rating: 4.3 out of 5.

How this review was researched

This review is based on published information from the provider. Sources include the Scalable Capital official site, the provider's fee schedule page, and the provider's own disclosures about account types and supported features. App store ratings were considered as a secondary signal of user satisfaction.

No account was opened, funded, or used for this review. No fees or performance figures are quoted unless they appear in the verified data block. For current fees and terms, always consult the provider directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Scalable Capital available in the US?

No. The provider does not offer accounts to US residents. Its focus is Europe, especially the DACH region. Users in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland are the primary audience.

What fees does Scalable Capital charge?

The provider charges a management fee on robo-advisor accounts and transaction fees on self-directed trades. The basic account is free, and PRIME+ is paid. Exact fee amounts are not listed in the verified data for this review. Check the current fee schedule on the provider's official website.

Is Scalable Capital a robo-advisor or a broker?

Both. The robo-advisor manages automated ETF portfolios. The brokerage allows direct buying and selling of stocks, ETFs, and other securities. Both are accessed through the same account and app.