Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
HYCM vs Scalable Capital
Where HYCM and Scalable Capital differ
| Compare |  HYCM |  Scalable Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $20 | €1 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, CryptoCovers more | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto |
| Regulators | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) | Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Stock trade fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | $0 card deposits | Not confirmed |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, HYCM Trader | Not confirmed |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 2.6% |
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Key differences
- Scalable Capital scores higher overall: 9.0 vs 8.9.
- Regulators: only HYCM offers Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
- Regulators: only Scalable Capital offers Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin).
- Markets: only HYCM offers Forex, CFDs.
- Support channels: only Scalable Capital offers Phone, Chat, Email.
- Features: only HYCM offers Crypto.
Our verdict on each
HYCM
HYCM suits UK and European retail traders who want forex, CFDs, shares, ETFs and crypto on one account. Commission-free pricing with a stock trade fee of $0 and a minimum deposit of $20 keeps charges easy to read, though help runs thinner than at the alternatives.
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 | HYCM | Scalable Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1Cost side is simple: a commission-free model and card deposits at $0 card deposits. | 9.3Higher |
| Offer | 9.0 | 9.3HigherCash interest of 2.6%, a mobile app, and managed portfolios across etf and esg options. |
| Trust | 8.6 | 8.6 |
Licences and countries
| Country | HYCM | Scalable Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Not confirmed | Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) MiCA CASP 391200Y3EUNL4LTXRP94 |
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | HYCM | Scalable Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| CFDs | Yes | No |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
Sources behind this comparison
HYCM
- hycm.com: 11 facts, checked September 26, 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
How they place
| Ranking | HYCM | Scalable Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 162 of 471 | 147 of 471 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | HYCM | Scalable Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Mobile app, CryptoCovers more | Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | HYCM Capital Markets (UK) Limited | Scalable Capital Bank GmbH |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | Germany |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2014 |
| Support channels | Help centre | Phone, Chat, Email, Help centreCovers more |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | HYCM | 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 | HYCM | Scalable Capital | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 2.6%below the median | 3% |
Median across 91 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
HYCM
Pros
- Commission-free dealing with a stock trade fee of $0
- Entry of $20, below the site median of €4.64
- Card deposits at $0 card deposits
Cons
- Support runs on help centre only
- No bonds, funds or futures in the stocks, etfs and forex list
- Entry of $20 sits above the $0 minimum at CFI
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
HYCM
Who it suits
- Retail traders in the UK and Europe who want forex and CFDs beside shares and crypto in one account
- Beginners who prefer commission-free dealing to a tiered commission schedule
- Anyone who values a low entry point of $20 and a mobile app
Who should look elsewhere
- eToro, if you need futures as well as the stocks, etfs and forex it lists
- CFI, if you would rather start at $0
- Vantage, whose $5 entry sets a different bar
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
HYCM
What does it cost to buy shares with HYCM?+
HYCM trades commission-free, and the stock trade fee on the account types is $0. Deals are not split into tiers, so the headline dealing charge is easy to read. Costs still show up in the spread and in overnight charges if you hold leveraged positions open.
How much do I need to deposit to open an account?+
The minimum deposit is $20, which sits below the site median of €4.64. On entry size HYCM ranks 118 of 213 brands, so the opening balance is modest. Stock dealing itself adds a stock trade fee of $0.
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.