Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
M1 vs Scalable Capital
Where M1 and Scalable Capital differ
| Compare |  M1 |  Scalable Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0 | €1 |
| Regulators | SIPC | Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Interest on cash | 3.35%Higher | 2.6% |
| Stock trade fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Margin rate | 5.9% | Not confirmed |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint | Not confirmed |
| Maximum retail leverage | Up to 50% of portfolio value | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Markets (Stocks, ETFs, Crypto).
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Key differences
- Regulators: only M1 offers SIPC.
- Regulators: only Scalable Capital offers Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin).
- Founded is lower at Scalable Capital: 2014 vs 2015.
- Interest on cash is higher at M1: 3.35% vs 2.6%.
- Support channels: only Scalable Capital offers Phone, Chat, Email.
- Features: only M1 offers Crypto, Fractional shares.
Our verdict on each
M1
M1 is a low-cost brokerage built for retirement savers and small investors who want shares, ETFs and crypto in a single account. Stock trades run at $0 and it places 1 of 213 brands on minimum deposit, though the managed portfolios want $10,000 to start.
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 | M1 | Scalable Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.5Higher | 9.3 |
| Offer | 9.0Costs carry the offer: 0% management fee, $0 stock trades and a $0 minimum deposit. | 9.3HigherCash interest of 2.6%, a mobile app, and managed portfolios across etf and esg options. |
| Trust | 8.6 | 8.6 |
Choosing between them
Pick M1 if interest on cash matter most.
Pick Scalable Capital if offer matter most.
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | M1 | Scalable Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 145 of 471 | 147 of 471 |
| Robo-advisors | 55 of 151 | 56 of 151 |
A third option
Nexo has interest on cash at 13%, against 3.35% for M1 and 2.6% for Scalable Capital.
Nexo reviewWhere these facts come from
M1
- m1.com: 7 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- millennialmoneyman.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- thecollegeinvestor.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- bestroboadvisors.org: 1 fact, 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
Every fact side by side
| Fact | M1 | Scalable Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Fractional shares, Mobile appCovers more | Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | M1 FINANCE LLC | Scalable Capital Bank GmbH |
| Headquarters | United States | Germany |
| Founded | 2015 | 2014Lower |
| Support channels | Help centre | Phone, Chat, Email, Help centreCovers more |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | M1 | Scalable Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | 0%Lower | 0.245% to 0.375% |
| Minimum investment | $10,000 | €20 |
| Portfolio types | ETF, Cash, Crypto | ETF, ESG |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | M1 | Scalable Capital | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Margin rate | 5.9%below the median | Not confirmed | 8.75% |
| Interest on cash | 3.35%above the median | 2.6%below the median | 3% |
Median across 91 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
M1
Pros
- Placing 1 of 213 brands on minimum deposit, so an account opens without a funding hurdle.
- Placing 1 of 161 brands on stock trade fees, with a stock trade costing $0.
- Uninvested cash earns 3.35%, and Pie portfolios mix etf, cash and crypto.
Cons
- Margin borrowing at 5.9% can cost more over a held position than the $0 trade fee saves.
- Support runs on help centre only, with no phone or live chat listed.
- Managed portfolios want $10,000 to start, well above the $0 brokerage entry point.
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
M1
Who it suits
- Self-directed investors who want to trade shares and ETFs without a per-trade charge.
- Retirement savers, since accounts include ira, roth ira and joint.
- People who want crypto alongside equities in the same account, under stocks, etfs and crypto.
Who should look elsewhere
- Traders who need forex, CFDs or futures, since eToro lists stocks, etfs and forex and M1 stops at stocks, etfs and crypto.
- Readers who want a wider asset list in the same app, because CFI covers stocks, etfs and forex.
- Managed portfolio buyers starting below $10,000, a floor that sits well above the $5 deposit Vantage asks to open an account.
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 | M1 | Scalable Capital |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
M1
What does it cost to trade shares at M1?+
Stock trades cost $0 and the account opens with a $0 minimum deposit, so there is no per-trade commission and no funding hurdle. The running cost sits in the spread and in currency conversion when shares priced in dollars are bought. Margin borrowing is charged at 5.9% and is the line most likely to run up a bill.
Is my money protected at M1?+
Protection runs through the scheme listed as SIPC, with cover stated as SIPC up to USD 500,000. It is the only regulator on file, so there is a single scheme to claim against and a single register to check. The membership record reads SIPC member 69670. The stated figure is a ceiling on the payout, not a stand-in for the balance itself.
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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