eToro
★★★★★3.9/5
Strengths
- 0€ Stock Trading
- Copy Trading
- Social Features
- Many Deposit Methods
- Demo Account
Weaknesses
- Spreads on CFDs
- $5 Withdrawal Fee
Best for
Social Trading
Go to eToro →* Affiliate link · no extra cost for you
Broker Comparison 2026
eToro vs. Scalable Capital
Detailed comparison of all fees, features, and suitability — updated for 2026.
eToro
vs
Scalable Capital
Our Recommendation
eToro is the better choice for Social Trading, while Scalable Capital wins for Active Traders. Which one suits you depends on your strategy — the detailed comparison below shows every difference.
Numeric Comparison
| Metric | eToro | Scalable Capital | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Order fee per trade | 0.00 € | 0.99 € | 0.99 € cheaper at eToro |
| 10y savings plan cost @ €100/month | 0 € | 0 € | identical |
| Interest on €10,000 cash (1 year) | 4.55 % = 455 € | 2.60 % = 260 € | +195 € more at eToro / year |
| Free ETF savings plans | 0 | 2.400 | +2.400 more at Scalable Capital |
| Available exchanges | 1 | 2 | +1 more at Scalable Capital |
| BMInsider rating | 3.9/5 | 4.2/5 | +0.3 at Scalable Capital |
Bottom line: on €10,000 cash eToro earns about 1.950 € more interest over 10 years.
Scalable Capital
★★★★★4.2/5
Strengths
- Flat-Rate Model for Active Traders
- Xetra Access
- Free Savings Plans
- Prime+ with Interest on Cash
Weaknesses
- Flat Rate Costs Extra
- Few Exchanges
Best for
Active Traders
Go to Scalable Capital →* Affiliate link · no extra cost for you
Detailed Comparison
All fees, products, and platform features compared side-by-side. The "Winner" column shows which broker leads in each category.
| Feature | eToro | Scalable Capital | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fees & Costs | |||
| Order Fee | 0€ (Aktien) / Spread (CFDs & Krypto) | 0.99€ or flat rate from 4.99€/Month | eToro |
| ETF Savings Plan Fee | - | 0€ | Scalable Capital |
| Account Fee | 0€ + $5 Auszahlungsgebühr | 0€ (Free) / 4.99€/Mo (Plus) / 9.99€/Mo (Premium) | Tie |
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | 0€ | Tie |
| Interest on Cash | bis 4.55% (eToro Money) | 2.6% (Plus/Premium) | eToro |
| Product Range | |||
| Stocks | Tie | ||
| ETFs | Tie | ||
| Crypto | Tie | ||
| Options | Tie | ||
| CFDs | Tie | ||
| Fractional Shares | Tie | ||
| Number of Exchanges | eToro-intern | gettex, Xetra | Scalable Capital |
| Platform & Tools | |||
| Mobile App | Tie | ||
| Desktop Platform | Tie | ||
| Demo Account | eToro | ||
| Security & Regulation | |||
| Regulated by | CySEC / FCA | BaFin | Tie |
| Deposit Protection | €20.000 (ICF) | 100.000€ | Tie |
| Founded | 2007 | 2014 | Tie |
| Overall Rating | |||
| Rating | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | Scalable Capital |
Which Broker for Whom?
Depending on your strategy and experience, one broker fits better. Here's how to decide:
For Beginners
eToro
Low barriers, simple app, demo account and no hidden costs — perfect to get started.
More about eToro →For Active Traders
eToro
Low per-order fees, many trading venues and derivatives access — important if you trade regularly.
More about eToro →For Long-Term Investors
Scalable Capital
Free savings plans, interest on cash and no custody fee — what matters when you buy & hold.
More about Scalable Capital →Detailed Assessment
Who is eToro?
eToro combines social trading with commission-free stock trading. Ideal for beginners who want to learn from experienced traders.
Strengths in Detail
- 0€ Stock Trading
- Copy Trading
- Social Features
- Many Deposit Methods
- Demo Account
Weaknesses
- Spreads on CFDs
- $5 Withdrawal Fee
- Only Traded on eToro Platform
- USD Conversion Fee
Who is eToro worth it for?
Particularly suitable for: Social Trading, Beginners, Copy Trading, Crypto.
Who is Scalable Capital?
Scalable Capital offers a flat-rate model from €4.99/month for unlimited trades. With Xetra access and free savings plans, a good choice for active investors.
Strengths in Detail
- Flat-Rate Model for Active Traders
- Xetra Access
- Free Savings Plans
- Prime+ with Interest on Cash
Weaknesses
- Flat Rate Costs Extra
- Few Exchanges
- No Options
Who is Scalable Capital worth it for?
Particularly suitable for: Active Traders, Savings Plan Investors, Beginners.
eToro vs Scalable Capital — Cypriot social-trading platform vs German subscription neo-broker
eToro (eToro Europe Ltd., CySEC Cyprus, USD base) and Scalable Capital (founded 2014 Munich, BaFin, Baader Bank custody) compete in the multi-asset space with different business models. eToro offers 0.09–0.39% spread on real stocks, 1% spot crypto, CopyTrader feature. Scalable offers FREE (€0.99/trade or €0 PRIME ETF ≥ €250) or PRIME+ (€4.99/month for €0 commission plus 2.6% cash interest), 2 700+ ETFs savings-plan ready from €1, 30+ crypto ETPs.
Honest take: Scalable is the pick for DACH savings-plan investors with cash yield. eToro is the pick for US stock traders, social following and real spot crypto coins.
When eToro is the better pick
You want social trading / CopyTrader. eToro from $200. Scalable has no social feature.
You want real crypto coins. eToro 100+ spot coins. Scalable offers crypto as ETPs (securities), not as spot coins.
You want cheap US stocks. eToro 0.15% spread on US stocks. Scalable FREE €0.99 + FX spread; PRIME+ €0 from €250 volume plus €4.99/month subscription.
You want smart portfolios. eToro thematic bundles. Scalable only single positions and ETFs.
You want CFD leverage. eToro CFDs. Scalable has no CFDs.
When Scalable Capital is the better pick
You want the German tax certificate. Scalable withholds 25% KESt automatically. eToro pays gross.
You want free ETF savings plans. Scalable 2 700+ ETFs from €1 — all savings plans free. eToro has no classic savings plans.
You want cash interest. Scalable PRIME+ 2.6% p.a. on idle EUR cash up to €500 000. eToro USD account, no interest yield.
You want EUR base without FX friction. Scalable EUR account. eToro USD only.
You want crypto ETPs for tax advantages. Scalable crypto ETPs are §20 EStG (25% KESt, inheritable, security character). eToro spot crypto §23 EStG (1-year tax-free) but self-custody responsibility.
Taxes — DACH specifics
Germany — Scalable steuereinfach, eToro not. Scalable withholds 25% KESt automatically. eToro gross.
Crypto: Scalable crypto ETPs §20 EStG (always 25% KESt). eToro spot crypto §23 EStG (1-year tax-free).
Austria — neither steuereinfach. Both via FinanzOnline E1kv.
Vorabpauschale 2026: Scalable books automatically. eToro self-calculate.
US withholding: Scalable W-8BEN, 15% credited. eToro 15% deducted, self-credit.
Cost example — Multi-asset investor over 1 year
Profile: 12 monthly €200 savings plans, 24 PRIME ETF buys at €500, 6 US stock buys at $1 000, 1 crypto €1 000, €5 000 idle EUR cash.
| Item | Scalable PRIME+ | eToro |
|---|---|---|
| 12× €200 savings plan | €0 | not offered |
| 24× PRIME ETF €500 | €0 (≥€250 PRIME) | ≈€30 (0.25% spread) |
| 6× $1 000 US stock | €0 (PRIME+ from €250) + FX 0.3% = ~€18 | ≈€8 (0.15% spread) |
| 1× crypto €1 000 | ~€7 (0.69% PRIME+ spread on ETP) | €10 (1% spot) |
| Cash interest €5 000 | +€130 (2.6%) | €0 |
| PRIME+ subscription | €59.88 | €0 |
| Net yearly balance | ≈€45 gain | ≈€48 cost |
Scalable PRIME+ beats eToro by ~€90 via cash interest and free savings plans. Strip idle cash → Scalable barely ahead. Strip savings plans → eToro competitive via US stock spread advantage.
Verdict by investor profile
DACH savings-plan investor with cash buffer
Pick: Scalable PRIME+. Cash interest + free savings plans. eToro not relevant.
Social trader / CopyTrader fan
Pick: eToro. Unique.
US stock main investor
Pick: eToro. 0.15% spread on US stocks.
Spot crypto investor (>1 year)
Pick: eToro. §23 tax-free after 1 year on spot coins. Scalable ETPs always KESt.
Crypto ETP buy-and-hold
Pick: Scalable. Inheritable, steuereinfach. eToro spot coins carry self-custody risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions about eToro vs Scalable Capital.
For order fees, eToro leads at 0€ (Aktien) / Spread (CFDs & Krypto), while Scalable Capital charges 0.99€ oder Flatrate ab 4.99€/Monat. Note: with CFD brokers, spreads add hidden cost — the lower nominal price isn't always cheaper overall.
eToro is regulated by CySEC / FCA, Scalable Capital by BaFin. Both fall under EU oversight. Deposit protection: eToro €20.000 (ICF), Scalable Capital 100.000€.
For German/Austrian customers, language, BaFin regulation and tax-simple status often matter most. Check the 'Regulated by' and 'Languages' rows — DACH-focused brokers usually have the edge.
Scalable Capital offers free ETF savings plans from 1€. If a savings plan matters to you, that's a clear edge.
Both are covered under their home regulator's deposit protection. eToro: €20.000 (ICF), Scalable Capital: 100.000€. Securities are held in segregated accounts and protected in case of broker insolvency.
eToro leads on cash interest at 4.55%. Watch the conditions — some brokers require a paid plan or cap the amount.
Both offer native mobile apps with good app-store ratings. Which is better depends on your needs — try both with a demo account if available.
A second broker makes sense when one offers features the other lacks (e.g. options, crypto, more exchanges). A full switch is only worth it if the cost difference or missing features are significant.
Ready to Get Started?
Sign up with the broker that fits your strategy. Both are regulated and offer a demo account to test risk-free.