comdirect vs Empower - BrokerCue
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Broker Comparison

comdirect vs Empower

Compare comdirect and Empower side by side: fees, regulation, platforms.

comdirect

comdirect

German retail investors, long-term savers

comdirect is a German online broker and direct bank, operating as a brand of Commerzbank AG, offering stocks,…

VS
Empower

Empower

High-balance hybrid advisory clients

Empower is a US hybrid robo-advisor combining automated portfolio management with access to human financial a…

Head-to-head comparison

comdirect vs Empower
Feature comdirect Empower
Minimum deposit - -
Stock trading fee EUR 4.90 + 0.25% of order volume; minimum EUR 9.90; maximum EUR 59.90; active trader discount of 15% available with 125+ trades in the prior half-year Commission-free trading on investment accounts
Regulators BaFin SEC, FINRA, SIPC
Best for German retail investors, long-term savers High-balance hybrid advisory clients
Markets & account
Stocks
ETFs
CFDs
-
Bonds
Options
-
Futures
-
Funds
Investment Plans
Ready Made Portfolios
Margin
-
Money Market Funds
-

Pros & cons

comdirect

comdirect

Pros

  • Regulated by BaFin with EUR 100,000 deposit protection
  • Large ETF savings plan universe with over 550 free monthly plans
  • Options and futures trading via dedicated O&F Trader platform
  • CFD trading available through separate CFD Trader account
  • Integrated robo-advisor (cominvest) from EUR 100/month or EUR 3,000 lump sum
  • Depot management fee waived with minimal activity or a linked current account
  • Access to 11 German stock exchanges plus international markets
  • Mobile app available for iOS and Android

Cons

  • Order fees of minimum EUR 9.90 are high for small trade sizes
  • Maximum order fee of EUR 59.90 caps cost but overall pricing is above low-cost competitors
  • ETF savings plan execution costs 1.5% for the majority of the range
  • No direct cryptocurrency trading; only indirect crypto exposure via ETPs
  • Platform primarily serves residents in Germany
  • No multi-currency account; all trading in EUR
  • No demo account listed
Empower

Empower

Pros

  • Comprehensive free financial dashboard with net worth, retirement planner and fee analyzer
  • Hybrid model gives access to human advisors alongside automated portfolio management
  • Tax-loss harvesting and tax location strategy included in advisory fee
  • Tiered fees decrease as assets grow, reaching 0.49% above $10 million
  • Client assets held at established independent custodians with SIPC protection
  • High-yield cash account with FDIC insurance up to $5 million
  • Dedicated advisors and estate planning access at higher asset tiers
  • Commission-free trading on investment accounts

Cons

  • $100,000 minimum investment required to access any managed advisory services
  • Advisory fee of 0.89% on the first $1 million is high relative to robo-only competitors
  • No direct-to-consumer trading platform for active self-directed trading
  • No demo account available
  • No support for forex, CFDs, futures or options trading
  • Tax and estate planning features restricted to higher asset tiers
  • Free tools may prompt upsells for users approaching the $100,000 threshold
comdirect

comdirect

comdirect is a German online broker and direct bank, operating as a brand of Commerzbank AG, offering stocks, ETFs, funds, bonds, options, futures, CFDs, savings plans, and a robo-advisor.

Visit comdirect Read review

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

Empower

Empower

Empower is a US hybrid robo-advisor combining automated portfolio management with access to human financial advisors, built on the foundation of Personal Capital.

Visit Empower Read review

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

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