Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Lime Financial vs Scalable Capital
Where Lime Financial and Scalable Capital differ
| Compare |  Lime Financial |  Scalable Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $30,000 | €1 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto |
| Regulators | FINRA, NFA | Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Stock trade fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Margin rate | 12.5% | Not confirmed |
| Platforms | Lime Trader, Lime Trader Web, Lime Trader Mobile, Lime Direct, Sterling, CQG, TakeProfit | Not confirmed |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint, Corporate | Not confirmed |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 2.6% |
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Key differences
- Lime Financial scores higher overall: 9.1 vs 9.0.
- Regulators: only Lime Financial offers FINRA, NFA.
- Regulators: only Scalable Capital offers Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin).
- Founded is lower at Lime Financial: 2000 vs 2014.
- Markets: only Lime Financial offers Options, Futures.
- Markets: only Scalable Capital offers Crypto.
- Support channels: only Scalable Capital offers Chat.
- Features: only Lime Financial offers Options, Futures, Demo account.
Our verdict on each
Lime Financial
Lime Financial suits experienced traders and active day traders who want options and futures on a commission-free basis. Stock trades cost $0 and the account is regulated by FINRA and NFA with SIPC protection, but the account starts at $30,000, so the entry point is the trade-off.
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 | Lime Financial | Scalable Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.5Stock trades cost $0 and the model is commission-free, but opening requires $30,000, well past the €4.64 site median. | 9.3Higher |
| Offer | 9.6Higher | 9.3Cash interest of 2.6%, a mobile app, and managed portfolios across etf and esg options. |
| Trust | 9.4Higher | 8.6 |
Which one suits you
Pick Lime Financial if offer and trust matter most.
Pick Scalable Capital if cost matter most.
What each covers
| Markets | Lime Financial | Scalable Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | Yes | No |
| Futures | Yes | No |
| Crypto | No | Yes |
Sources behind this comparison
Lime Financial
- lime.co: 13 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokercheck.finra.org: 2 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 | Lime Financial | Scalable Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 118 of 471 | 147 of 471 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Lime Financial | Scalable Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Options, Futures, Demo account, Mobile appCovers more | Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Not confirmed |
| Audience | Experienced, Day traders | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Lime Trading Corp. | Scalable Capital Bank GmbH |
| Headquarters | United States | Germany |
| Founded | 2000Lower | 2014 |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centre | Phone, Chat, Email, Help centreCovers more |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Lime Financial | 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 | Lime Financial | Scalable Capital | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Margin rate | 12.5%highest quarter | Not confirmed | 8.75% |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 2.6%below the median | 3% |
Median across 91 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Lime Financial
Pros
- Stock trades cost $0 on a commission-free model, so no per-trade charge
- Options and futures are available alongside stocks, etfs and options
- Regulated by FINRA and NFA, with investor protection of SIPC up to USD 500,000
Cons
- The minimum deposit of $30,000 puts Lime Financial beyond most starter accounts, ranking 210 of 213 on this measure
- Support runs on email, phone and help centre with no live chat listed
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
Lime Financial
Who it suits
- Experienced traders who want commission-free options and futures
- Day traders working across Lime Trader, Lime Trader Web and Lime Trader Mobile
- US accounts holders wanting SIPC protection
Who should look elsewhere
- Beginners building a first portfolio, who should look at CFI with a $0 entry point
- Small savers, who should compare Vantage at $5
- Readers wanting forex, CFDs or crypto, which sit outside stocks, etfs and options
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
Country by country
| Country | Lime Financial | Scalable Capital |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
Lime Financial
What does it cost to trade stocks at Lime Financial?+
Stock trades cost $0, and the account runs on a commission-free model. There is no per-trade charge for equities. The catch is the entry requirement: a minimum deposit of $30,000 to open the account.
How much do I need to open an account?+
The minimum deposit is $30,000. That is a high bar for a first account, ranking 210 of 213 brands on this comparison. Readers with a smaller starting balance would be better served elsewhere.
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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