6 Best Trading App Germany Picks for Every Type of Trader

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You — a Germany-based investor or trader — need a clear choice for a mobile trading app. You might be a beginner saver, a monthly ETF investor, or an active day trader. This guide helps you pick the app that fits your style, budget, and goals.

You get a concise, practical comparison. The focus: fees, tradable assets, platform tools, and local features like tax reporting and SEPA deposits. Expect concrete numbers, examples, and clear trade-offs. Read a short TL;DR, see our evaluation criteria, get six deep profiles with exact specs, view a comparison table, and follow a simple decision tree to pick one app.

Check this if you want a fast recommendation. Test apps with small deposits first. Compare fees over 12 months to find real cost.

Quick Answer / TL;DR

• If you want advanced tools and broad access → Saxo (40,000+ instruments; pro-grade platform).
• If you want low-cost ETFs and a flat subscription model → Scalable Capital (plans from €0 to ~€9.90/month; many free ETFs).
• If you want social/copy trading and 0% stock commissions → eToro (0% on many stocks; social feed with thousands of traders).
• If you want the lowest per-share execution and pro order types → Interactive Brokers (per-share rates down to fractions of €0.001; dozens of exchanges).
• If you want a beginner-friendly app with commission-free stock trading and simple UX → XTB or flatex depending on whether you need CFDs or direct ownership (XTB: low spreads; flatex: German tax tools).

What We Looked For

Check these five factors when choosing. We measured concrete numbers and features for each app.

• Fees and pricing — Compared commission, custody fees, FX spreads, and subscription plans. Look for examples like €0 commission, €2.00 per trade, or €9.90/month.
• Asset range — Counted asset classes and instruments: stocks, ETFs, options, futures, forex, crypto. We recorded instrument counts such as 40,000, 5,000, or 1,200.
• Trading tools and execution — Checked order types (limit, market, stop, OCO), charting bars (1, 5, 15, 60 minutes), and execution latency targets (milliseconds to seconds).
• Local needs — Assessed SEPA deposits, German tax-report exports, and local-language support. Measured deposit times like 0–2 business days for SEPA.
• Reliability and regulation — Verified EU regulation, deposit protection limits (e.g., €20,000 or €100,000 regimes), and customer service response times (1–5 business days).

1. Saxo — Broad product portfolio and pro-grade platform

Saxo provides an advanced trading app and desktop platform built for active traders and investors. The app links to a desktop client with multi-window charting and news. Expect 40,000+ tradable instruments across 30+ markets. Account tiers typically range from 2 to 3 levels.

Use Saxo if you trade multiple asset classes across global markets. The platform covers equities, ETFs, options, futures, forex, and bonds — 6 asset classes. Expect access to more than 30 exchanges and research feeds with 20+ provider integrations.

Trade volumes affect pricing. Commissions start from a few euros or a percentage like 0.04% per trade on some markets. Some accounts require a minimum balance of €2,000 to avoid reduced pricing tiers. The desktop platform supports 20+ order types and advanced algo tools.

Best for: Active multi-asset traders who need deep market access.
Skip if: You trade under €1,000 total or want the cheapest occasional stock trades.

Key points:
– Instrument count: 40,000+ instruments across 30+ markets.
– Account tiers: 2–3 tiers; some tiers require €2,000+ balances.
– Typical fee example: commissions from ~€3 per trade or 0.04% on select markets.
– Order types: 20+ order types including limit, stop, OCO, iceberg.
– Research: 20+ third-party research feeds and built-in news.

Watch out for: complexity and tiered pricing. Check fee schedules for each exchange to avoid surprise fees when trading small volumes.

2. Scalable Capital — Flat subscription and ETF focus

Scalable Capital combines a simple mobile interface with subscription pricing. Plans run from €0 to about €9.90 per month, depending on features. Fractional shares are available from investments as small as €1. Many ETF orders are free during defined windows.

Use Scalable if you invest regularly in ETFs or stocks and value predictable monthly costs. Regular savers who buy monthly can pay €0–€9.90/month and pay €0 per ETF trade in specific plans. The platform lists thousands of German and international ETFs, with several dozen commission-free options in higher plans.

The app supports fractional investing, automated savings plans, and mobile charting with basic technical indicators (10+ indicators). Execution on XETRA and regional exchanges may incur per-trade fees outside the free windows; expect occasional fees like €1.99 or €2.99 for certain exchanges.

Best for: ETF investors and savers who trade repeatedly (monthly investing).
Skip if: You need advanced order types or international derivatives trading.

Key points:
– Fee model: plans from €0 to €9.90/month.
– ETF offers: dozens to hundreds commission-free in higher plans.
– Minimums: fractional trades from €1.
– Free trading windows: specific hours or exchanges; check plan terms.
– Instruments: thousands of stocks and ETFs; limited options for options/futures.

Watch out for: execution fees on certain exchanges outside free windows. Compare annual cost: €9.90×12 = €118.80 vs. pay-per-trade models.

3. eToro — Social trading and 0% stock commission

eToro pairs a simple app with social and copy-trading features. You can copy thousands of traders and mirror portfolios. Many stock purchases show 0% commission; revenue comes from spreads, withdrawal fees, and FX conversions.

Use eToro if you want a guided experience and to copy proven traders. Minimum deposit often starts at low amounts like €10–€50 depending on your sign-up method. You can copy traders with minimum copy amounts from €100.

The platform offers stocks, ETFs, crypto, and CFDs. Spreads on CFDs and crypto vary; expect crypto spreads often in the 0.75%–5% range. Withdrawal fees may be a flat €5 with inactivity fees of €10 per month after 12 months of no activity.

Best for: Beginners who prefer guided ideas and low initial cash requirements.
Skip if: You need advanced charting, pro order types, or deep fixed-income markets.

Key points:
– Commission model: 0% on many stock purchases.
– Minimum deposit: typically €10–€50 to start.
– Copy trading: copy minimum often €100 per trader.
– Fees: withdrawal fee ~€5; inactivity fee ~€10/month after 12 months.
– Instruments: thousands of stocks and ETFs; crypto and CFDs available.

Watch out for: wide spreads on CFD and crypto products. Compare total cost per trade, not just headline 0% commission.

4. Interactive Brokers — Pro execution and lowest per-share costs

Interactive Brokers (IB) serves professional traders and high-volume retail users. The platform offers per-share pricing that can be as low as fractions of €0.001 per share on certain US stocks. You get access to 40+ exchanges and advanced order routing.

Use IB if you need very low execution costs and many order types. The mobile app mirrors a powerful desktop platform. Expect margin rates that vary by base currency and loan size; sample margin APRs can be in low single digits for large loans or higher for smaller amounts.

Accounts support direct-market access, multi-currency balances (10+ currencies), and advanced algos. Small accounts with less than €2,000 may face minimum activity fees or limited benefits. Commission structures include fixed and tiered plans; tiered plans reward high volumes.

Best for: Frequent traders and professionals seeking the lowest execution costs.
Skip if: You trade only occasionally or prefer a very simple UX.

Key points:
– Fees: per-share rates down to fractions of €0.001 on many stocks.
– Market access: 40+ exchanges and direct-market access.
– Currencies: multi-currency accounts with 10+ supported currencies.
– Margin & leverage: professional margin rates; APR varies with size.
– Tools: advanced algos, VWAP/TWAP, and 50+ order types.

Watch out for: steep learning curve and complex fee schedule. Test with €100–€500 before committing large capital.

5. XTB — CFD specialist with generous learning tools and stock access

XTB combines CFD trading with direct stock/ETF trading in some regions. The platform includes a large education hub with video courses and webinars. Expect thousands of CFDs and several hundred direct stocks or ETFs depending on your account.

Use XTB if you trade forex or CFDs and want strong educational resources. Forex spreads can start from 0.1 pips on majors in optimal conditions. Equity CFDs often feature leverage levels capped per local rules, such as 5:1 or 30:1 depending on instrument type.

The app offers a demo account with 21–30 days of testing in many cases. Fees include spreads, overnight financing (swap) charges, and occasional commission on certain instruments like US shares (from €3–€10). Local-language support is often available in German.

Best for: Forex and CFD traders who also value education and local-language support.
Skip if: You want a pure, low-cost buy-and-hold stock broker without CFD exposure.

Key points:
– Asset coverage: thousands of CFDs; hundreds of direct stocks/ETFs.
– Spreads: forex spreads from 0.1 pips on majors; vary by account.
– Education: 50+ video courses, weekly webinars, daily market analysis.
– Demo: demo accounts with virtual balances like €10,000.
– Fees: commissions for some stock trades from €3–€10; overnight swaps apply.

Watch out for: CFD leverage increases risk. Overnight financing can cost 0.5%–3%+ annualized on leveraged positions.

6. flatex — German low-cost stalwart for buy-and-hold investors

flatex is a well-known German broker focused on low-cost stock and ETF trading for long-term investors. It offers SEPA transfers, German tax-reporting exports, and local customer support. Many users cite easy ID verification and same-day account activation in 1–3 days.

Use flatex if you prioritize local support and straightforward tax documents. Typical commissions can be low, such as €0.00–€4.00 for certain flat-fee trades or tiered fees like €5.90 plus 0.25% on some markets. The broker supports thousands of domestic and international instruments.

The app is designed for buy-and-hold investors. It offers XETRA and regional exchange access, order types like limit and stop, and basic charting with 10–15 indicators. Expect annual custody fees in some plans: check for 0.00% vs. small flat fees like €1.50/month in certain account types.

Best for: Buy-and-hold investors and savers based in Germany seeking local support.
Skip if: You need multi-asset derivatives, advanced order types, or institutional tools.

Key points:
– Pricing: low commissions; examples €0–€5.90 per trade depending on offers.
– Local features: SEPA deposits, German tax reporting, local phone support.
– Account setup: typical ID verification in 1–3 business days.
– Instruments: thousands of stocks and ETFs; limited advanced derivatives.
– Custody: check for possible custody fees like €0–€1.50/month.

Watch out for: less sophisticated charting and fewer pro order types compared with pro brokers.

Comparison table intro sentence

Quick side-by-side snapshot below compares each app’s best use, typical fees, instrument breadth, and minimum deposit.

Simple decision tree to choose one app

Follow this short path. Answer each step and pick the app that matches your result.

1. How often will you trade?
2. Less than 12 trades/year → Prefer low custody and occasional fees. Choose flatex or Scalable.
3. 12–120 trades/year → Choose Scalable for subscription pricing or eToro for social trades.

4. More than 120 trades/year → Interactive Brokers or Saxo for volume discounts.

5. Do you need multi-asset global access?

6. Yes, need futures, options, bonds, and 30+ markets → Choose Saxo.

7. Only stocks, ETFs, and crypto → eToro or Scalable suffice.

8. Are you a CFD or forex trader?

9. Yes, want leverage and shorting → Pick XTB or Interactive Brokers for advanced execution.

10. No, want direct ownership only → Pick flatex or Scalable.

11. How important is local German support and tax reporting?

12. Very important → Pick flatex for German-language tax exports and SEPA flows.

13. Helpful but not required → Saxo or IB provide tax statements; check delivery times (often 1–5 business days).

14. What is your budget for trading costs over 12 months?

15. Under €50/year → Look for €0 plans or limited trades with Scalable or eToro.
16. €50–€300/year → Compare per-trade fees; Scalable, flatex, or IB might fit.
17. Over €300/year with high volumes → Saxo or IB for institutional-grade rates.

Check the app terms and run a small test trade. Track total cost over 6–12 months. Compare execution prices, not only headline fees.

Watch out for: FX conversion fees (often 0.5%–1.5%) and inactivity or withdrawal fees that add €5–€50 yearly.

Closing

You now have a clear shortlist and data to make a decision. Saxo fits multi-asset pros with 40,000+ instruments and 20+ order types. Scalable gives predictable costs from €0–€9.90/month and cheap ETF plans. eToro offers 0% stock commissions and social copy trading with low entry deposits. Interactive Brokers delivers the lowest per-share costs and 40+ exchanges. XTB suits CFD and forex traders with tight spreads from 0.1 pips and strong education. flatex is the German-friendly, buy-and-hold option with SEPA and tax tools.

Pick one to test with €50–€500. Track fees for 3–12 months. Switch if execution, fees, or reports fall short. Keep an eye on FX spreads, custody fees, and platform limits. Make your first small trade this week and compare actual costs after 30 days.