Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
ActivTrades vs Scalable Capital
Where ActivTrades and Scalable Capital differ
| Compare |  ActivTrades |  Scalable Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0 | €1 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, BondsCovers more | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto |
| Regulators | FCA, SCB, CMVM, FSC, BACEN | Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Interest on cash | 3.3%Higher | 2.6% |
| Stock trade fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Account fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 84% | Not confirmed |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5% | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free deposits and withdrawals | Not confirmed |
| Platforms | ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- ActivTrades scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.0.
- Regulators: only ActivTrades offers FCA, SCB, CMVM.
- Regulators: only Scalable Capital offers Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin).
- Markets: only ActivTrades offers Forex, CFDs, Bonds.
- Interest on cash is higher at ActivTrades: 3.3% vs 2.6%.
- Features: only ActivTrades offers Crypto, Demo account, Fractional shares.
Our verdict on each
ActivTrades
ActivTrades suits active share and CFD traders who want broad market access with commission free dealing and flexible platform choice for everyday orders. Minimum deposit sits at $0, stock trade fee sits at $0 and retail accounts that lose money sit at 84%, so careful risk controls remain essential.
Scalable Capital
Scalable Capital suits investors who want to start small and later hand a pot of money to a managed portfolio. The self-directed account takes a minimum deposit of €1, while the managed plan starts from €20 with fees of 0.245% to 0.375% a year.
Score breakdown
| Area | ActivTrades | Scalable Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3Account fee sits at $0 so holding costs stay contained | 9.3 |
| Offer | 9.6HigherCoverage spans stocks, ETFs and forex across shares and leveraged products | 9.3Cash interest of 2.6%, a mobile app, and managed portfolios across etf and esg options. |
| Trust | 9.5HigherOversight includes FCA, SCB and CMVM with FCA cover for reassurance | 8.6 |
Feature by feature
| Markets | ActivTrades | Scalable Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| CFDs | Yes | No |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | ActivTrades | Scalable Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Not confirmed | Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) MiCA CASP 391200Y3EUNL4LTXRP94 |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | ActivTrades | Scalable Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 1 of 471 | 147 of 471 |
Also worth a look
Nexo has interest on cash at 13%, against 3.3% for ActivTrades and 2.6% for Scalable Capital.
Nexo reviewWhat we checked
ActivTrades
- activtrades.com: 12 facts, checked September 28, 2026
- help.activtrades.com: 1 fact, checked September 29, 2026
Scalable Capital
- de.scalable.capital: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- esma.europa.eu: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- scalable.capital: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | ActivTrades | Scalable Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Demo account, Fractional shares, Mobile appCovers more | Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Scalable Capital Bank GmbH |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | Germany |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2014 |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Phone, Chat, Email, Help centre |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | ActivTrades | Scalable Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | Not confirmed | 0.245% to 0.375% |
| Minimum investment | Not confirmed | €20 |
| Portfolio types | Not confirmed | ETF, ESG |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | ActivTrades | Scalable Capital | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 84%highest quarter | Not confirmed | 72.05% |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5%above the median | Not confirmed | 0.45% |
| Interest on cash | 3.3%above the median | 2.6%below the median | 3% |
Median across 91 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
ActivTrades
Pros
- Stock trade fee sits at $0 for share dealing under commission free
- Minimum deposit sits at $0, below eToro at $50
- Funding terms read Free deposits and withdrawals for deposits and withdrawals
Cons
- Retail accounts that lose money sit at 84%, above the CFD median at 72.05%
- Currency conversion on funding costs 0.5% for balances held in other currencies
- Cash interest sits at 3.3%, which limits appeal for cash heavy portfolios
Scalable Capital
Pros
- A low entry point of €1 on the self-directed account
- Managed portfolios start from €20 with fees of 0.245% to 0.375%
- Regulated by the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) and deposits sit under EU ICS up to EUR 20,000
Cons
- Managed fees of 0.245% to 0.375% a year sit above the cheapest managed rivals
- Support runs on phone, chat and email only, with no branch or in-person service
- Managed portfolios are limited to etf and esg options, so there is no custom mandate
Who each suits
ActivTrades
Who it suits
- New traders starting modestly with entry at $0 and practice via crypto, demo account and fractional shares
- Share traders wanting dealing at $0 across stocks, ETFs and forex with platform choice
- CFD traders wanting structured support via email, chat and phone where funding reads Free deposits and withdrawals
Who should look elsewhere
- Traders wanting crypto led dealing with very low cash entry may prefer Kraken at $1
- Traders wanting social and copy features may prefer eToro despite higher entry at $50
Scalable Capital
Who it suits
- New investors who want to build a portfolio in a mobile app from a small first deposit
- Savers with a lump sum who want a ready made ETF or ESG portfolio
- Investors who care more about a named regulator and deposit protection than the lowest management fee
Who should look elsewhere
- You want a wider choice of instruments, as stocks, etfs and crypto is a single market cluster rather than a full exchange list
- You need advice built around you, because managed portfolios cover only etf and esg options
- You are comparing the very lowest managed fee, since 0.245% to 0.375% is not the cheapest on the market
Questions about each
ActivTrades
What does ActivTrades charge for stock trades?+
Stock trade fee sits at $0 for share dealing. The pricing model is described by commission free, which helps keep ticket costs predictable for equity orders. Spreads and conversion charges can still apply on leveraged trades, so review order previews and statements before dealing.
Is ActivTrades regulated and safe?+
Oversight comes via FCA, SCB and CMVM, including FCA cover alongside other regional entities. Eligible balances carry protection at FSCS up to GBP 85,000. Protection applies under scheme rules and by entity, so confirm which entity serves your account during signup and keep account records.
Scalable Capital
What is the minimum deposit to start investing?+
The self-directed account takes a minimum deposit of €1, so you can open and fund it from a small amount. That entry point is well below the typical requirement, which is one of the reasons people try the app first. You can add to it as your savings grow.
How much does the managed portfolio cost?+
Management fees run at 0.245% to 0.375% a year on the managed side, charged on the portfolio rather than per trade. That sits above the cheapest managed plans elsewhere, so it pays to compare before committing a large lump sum. Smaller pots feel the percentage more.
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