Best EU Broker 2025: Trading 212 vs Scalable Capital vs Degiro Compared (Fees, Safety, ETFs)
Choosing the right investment platform can significantly impact your returns, especially when trading frequently or with smaller amounts. In this comparison, we analyze three popular European brokers—Degiro, Scalable Capital, and Trading 212—focusing on fees, trustworthiness, and cost-effectiveness for different investor profiles.
While Trading 212 often dominates with its zero-commission model, Scalable Capital offers strong German investor protections, and Degiro remains a solid choice for ETF investors. We’ll break down key factors like trading fees, FX costs, regulation, and hidden charges to help you pick the best broker for your strategy.
Whether you’re a passive investor, active trader, or focused on U.S. stocks, this guide will clarify which platform delivers the most value—and where potential trade-offs lie.
Broker Fee Comparison Table (EUR-based Accounts)
| Fee Type | Degiro (Basic) | Scalable Capital | Trading 212 (Invest) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Account Fee | €0 | €0 (Free) / €2.99/month (PRIME, annual payment) / €4.99/month (PRIME+) | €0 |
| Stock Trading Fee | €1 + 0.03% (min €1, max varies by exchange) | €0.99 per trade (Free) / €0 (Prime) | €0 |
| ETF Trading Fee | €1 handling fee + €0 (core selection) and €1 + 0.03% (others) | €0.99 per trade (Free) / €0 (Prime) | €0 |
| FX Fee (Non-EUR Trades) | 0.25% Auto FX (default) | 0.25% (Free) / 0% (Prime) | 0.15% (auto-converted) |
| Dividend Fee | €1 + 3% (NL tax may apply) | €0 | €0 |
| Inactivity Fee | €0 | €0 | €0 |
| Deposit/Withdrawal | Free (bank transfer) / €0.50 + 0.1% (credit card) | Free (SEPA) | Free (SEPA, card) |
| Key Notes | – No Interest on Uninvested Cash -€2.50 per year per stock exchange Connectivity Fee (excluding Euronext Amsterdam/Brussels) | – Prime plan gives 2.6% interest on Uninvested Cash | – 2.7% interest on Uninvested Cash |
Most Cost-effective broker for €100/month investment
For investing €100/month (split between EUR ETFs and US stocks) across all broker plans, including Scalable Capital’s PRIME+:
(€50 into EUR ETFs + €50 into US stocks, 1 trade each per month)
| Broker/Plan | ETF Fee | Stock Fee | FX Fee | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Degiro | €1 | €1 | €0.13 | €2.13 | €25.56 |
| Scalable Free | €0.99 | €0.99 | €0.13 | €2.11 | €25.32 |
| Scalable PRIME | €0 | €0 | €0 | €2.99 | €35.88 |
| Trading 212 | €0 | €0 | €0.08 (0.15%) | €0.08 | €0.96 |
Key Findings:
- Trading 212 is 25x cheaper than competitors
- Only €0.96/year vs €25+ for others
- Dominates due to zero trade fees + lowest FX (0.15%)
- Scalable PRIME is never worth it for small amounts
- €2.99/month exceeds trade savings (€1.98 in fees)
- Degiro vs Scalable Free are nearly identical
- €0.24/year difference is negligible
Most Cost-effective broker for €500/month investment
For investing €500/month (split between EUR ETFs and US stocks) across all broker plans, including Scalable Capital’s PRIME+:
(€250 into EUR ETFs + €250 into US stocks, 1 trade each per month)
| Broker/Plan | Monthly Fee | Trade Fees (ETF + Stock) | FX Fee | Total Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Degiro (Basic) | €0 | €1 + €1 = €2 | €0.63 | €2.63 | €31.56 |
| Scalable Free | €0 | €0.99 + €0.99 = €1.98 | €0.63 | €2.61 | €31.32 |
| Scalable PRIME | €2.99 | €0 + €0 = €0 | €0 | €2.99 | €35.88 |
| Scalable PRIME+ | €4.99 | €0 + €0 = €0 | €0 | €4.99 | €59.88 |
| Trading 212 | €0 | €0 + €0 = €0 | €0.38 (0.15%) | €0.38 | €4.56 |
Key Findings
- Trading 212 is the cheapest (€4.56/year):
- Zero trade fees + lowest FX fee (0.15%).
- Scalable PRIME (€2.99/month) vs. Free Plan:
- PRIME saves €0.62/month on FX but costs €2.99 upfront. Only worth it if trading 5+ times/month (€0.99 × 5 = €4.95 > €2.99).
- PRIME+ (€4.99/month) is rarely justified:
- Requires 10+ trades/month to break even vs. Free Plan.
- Degiro is competitive for large ETF trades:
- €1 fee is negligible on €250+ trades, but 0.25% FX hurts USD stocks.
Trust & Reputation Comparison Table
| Criteria | Degiro | Scalable Capital | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regulation | – AFM & DNB (Netherlands) – BaFin (Germany) – FCA (UK, post-Brexit separation) | – BaFin (Germany) – AFM (Netherlands) | – FCA (UK) – CySEC (Cyprus/EU) – FSC (Bulgaria) – BaFin (Germany) – ASIC (Australia) |
| Investor Protection | – €20,000 (Dutch Investor Compensation Scheme) – Assets held separately from broker funds | – €100,000 (German Deposit Guarantee via BaFin) – Segregated assets | – Investor protection via regulators £85,000 (FCA) / €20,000 (CySEC) – Indemnity insurance up to €1,000,000 via Lloyd’s of London – Segregated assets |
| Company Background | – Founded in 2008 (Netherlands) – Acquired by Flatex (Germany) in 2020 | – Founded in 2014 (Germany) – Backed by BlackRock and Tencent | – Founded in 2004 (UK) – Strong focus on zero-commission trading |
| User Reviews (Trustpilot) | ⭐ 3.8 (Mixed reviews on fees & customer service) | ⭐ 4.2 (Praised for reliability, complaints about slow support) | ⭐ 4.6 (Highly rated for ease of use, some concerns about PFOF) |
| Controversies/Risks | – 2020: Fined by Dutch regulators for lax AML controls – Custody accounts charge fees | – Limited product range (no futures/options) – Prime plan needed for best pricing | – Payment for Order Flow (PFOF) raises conflict-of-interest concerns – No direct ownership of US stocks (CFDs for some markets) |
| Financial Stability | – Owned by FlatexDegiro AG (publicly traded, €4B+ market cap) | – Well-funded (BlackRock-backed) – Profitable since 2021 | – Privately held, but profitable due to PFOF & FX margins |
Summary:
- All three brokers are trustworthy, regulated in multiple jurisdictions, and offer investor protections.
- Trading 212 stands out with global regulation, insurance coverage, and broad customer appeal.
- DEGIRO is best known for low-cost access to European exchanges.
- Scalable Capital is excellent for ETF-based investing and savings plans, especially under the PRIME+ model.
Conclusion: Which Broker Comes Out on Top?
Each of the three brokers—DEGIRO, Scalable Capital, and Trading 212—offers unique advantages depending on your investing style and priorities.
- Trading 212 is the most cost-effective option for regular monthly investments, especially if you’re investing in both ETFs and US stocks. With zero commissions, a low FX fee, and broad regulatory coverage, it’s ideal for budget-conscious and mobile-first investors.
- Scalable Capital stands out for its ETF savings plans and becomes a strong contender for those investing €1,000 or more per month, particularly under its PRIME+ plan, where trading fees drop to zero.
- DEGIRO, despite slightly higher fees for small monthly trades, remains a reliable and well-regarded broker for those seeking wide exchange access, advanced tools, and competitive rates for larger trades.
Ultimately, the best broker for you will depend on how much you invest, how often, and what kind of assets you’re focusing on. Hopefully, this comparison has helped clarify which platform aligns best with your investing goals.