Trade Republic Review 2026: Is It the Best Investment App in Europe?
I have been using Trade Republic since 2022. In that time I have watched it go from a bare-bones stock trading app to one of the most complete financial apps available to European investors. The 2026 version is genuinely impressive — but it is not perfect, and there are some things about it that I think most review sites gloss over.
This is my honest assessment after years of using it, plus a fresh comparison against its main rivals in 2026.
Trade Republic in 2026 earns a 4.6/5. It offers 3.75% APY on cash, €1 per trade, commission-free ETF savings plans and a full German banking licence. It is the best all-in-one investment app for most European retail investors — but it lacks a desktop platform, joint accounts and advanced trading tools.
Trade Republic
German investment app — banking licence since 2023
✔ Pros
- 3.75% APY — highest in EU apps
- Full German banking licence (BaFin)
- €100k deposit protection
- €1 flat fee — no hidden costs
- 2,000+ free ETF savings plans
- Debit card with cashback
- Available in 17 EU countries
✘ Cons
- App-only — no desktop platform
- No joint accounts
- No international bank transfers
- Limited customer support options
- No ISA equivalent for UK users
- Savings rate tied to ECB — can drop
What is Trade Republic and How Does It Work?
Trade Republic is a Berlin-based fintech founded in 2019. It started as a commission-free stock trading app and has since evolved into a full financial platform. In 2023, it received a full German banking licence from BaFin — a significant milestone that put it on equal regulatory footing with Deutsche Bank or ING.
In 2026, Trade Republic offers four main products:
- Investing — stocks, ETFs, bonds, derivatives and cryptocurrencies
- Savings — 3.75% APY on uninvested cash, credited daily
- Debit card — Visa card with up to 1% cashback in fractional shares
- ETF savings plans — automated monthly investing from €1, with zero transaction fees
The model is mobile-first and deliberately simple. You will not find advanced charting tools, options trading or margin lending here. That is intentional — Trade Republic is built for the everyday European investor, not professional traders.
Trade Republic Fees: What Do You Actually Pay?
This is where Trade Republic genuinely shines. The fee structure is one of the most transparent I have seen from any European broker.
| Fee Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stock/ETF trade | €1 flat | Per order, regardless of size |
| ETF savings plan | €0 | 2,000+ ETFs available for free |
| Account fee | €0 | No monthly or annual fee |
| Custody fee | €0 | Holdings cost nothing to keep |
| Inactivity fee | €0 | No charge for not trading |
| Crypto trading | 1% spread | Spread-based, no flat fee |
| Card transactions | €0 | No FX fee in EU (outside EU: 0.99%) |
| ATM withdrawal | €0 (3x/month) | €2 fee after 3 free withdrawals |
| Interest on cash | 3.75% APY | Paid daily, no minimum balance |
See What Your ETF Investment Could Grow To
Use our Investment ROI Calculator to model 5, 10 or 20 years of European ETF returns.
The 3.75% Savings Rate: Is It Really That Good?
Yes — and it is the feature that has attracted the most new users to Trade Republic in 2025 and 2026. Here is how it compares against the main alternatives:
Trade Republic Winner
- Interest credited daily
- €100k deposit protection
- Full banking licence
- Rate linked to ECB
Raisin (EU)
- Higher rates possible
- Fixed term options
- Not instant access on best rates
- No investing features
Revolut
- Instant access
- Many extra features
- Lithuanian banking licence
- Lower rate than TR
N26
- German banking licence
- €100k protection
- Lower rate
- No investing
The combination of 3.75% APY on cash plus free ETF investing plus a banking licence in one app is unmatched in Europe right now. The closest competitor offering all three is Scalable Capital — but their savings rate is lower.
How Much Would €10,000 Earn at 3.75%?
Use our Savings Calculator to see exact growth with daily compounding over 1, 3 or 5 years.
ETF Savings Plans: The Feature Most People Should Be Using
If you only use Trade Republic for one thing, make it the ETF savings plan. This is genuinely one of the best financial tools available to European retail investors right now.
Here is how it works: you pick an ETF, set a monthly amount (minimum €1) and a date, and Trade Republic automatically buys fractional shares every month at zero transaction cost. That is it. No timing the market, no forgetting to invest, no fees eating into small amounts.
Best ETFs Available on Trade Republic in 2026
| ETF | What It Tracks | Expense Ratio | Why Europeans Choose It |
|---|---|---|---|
| iShares Core MSCI World | 1,400+ global companies | 0.20%/yr | Broadest diversification possible |
| Xtrackers MSCI World | 1,600+ global companies | 0.19%/yr | Slightly cheaper alternative |
| iShares Core MSCI EM | Emerging markets | 0.18%/yr | Adds developing market exposure |
| iShares S&P 500 (EUR) | 500 largest US companies | 0.07%/yr | US market exposure at very low cost |
| Amundi MSCI Europe | European large caps | 0.15%/yr | EU-focused investors who prefer home bias |
| iShares Global Clean Energy | Renewable energy companies | 0.65%/yr | Thematic — green energy focus |
Trade Republic vs Competitors: Full Comparison
| Feature | Trade Republic | Scalable Capital | DEGIRO | Revolut |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trade Fee | €1 | €0 (prime) / €0.99 | €2.00+ | €1 (plus) |
| ETF Savings Plans | ✅ Free | ✅ Free | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Cash Interest (APY) | 3.75% | 2.6% | 0% | 3.49% |
| Banking Licence | ✅ German | ❌ No | ❌ No | ⚠️ Lithuanian |
| Deposit Protection | €100k | ❌ Securities only | ❌ Securities only | €100k (Lithuania) |
| Debit Card | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Crypto | ✅ Limited | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ 200+ |
| Desktop Platform | ❌ App only | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Countries Available | 17 EU | 6 EU | 18 EU | 30+ countries |
Who Should Use Trade Republic?
Trade Republic is Perfect for You If:
- You want to start investing with small amounts (from €1/month)
- You want the best savings rate in Europe with daily interest
- You prefer a simple, beginner-friendly interface
- You want free ETF savings plans with top ETFs
- You live in one of the 17 supported EU countries
- Security matters to you — you want full banking licence protection
Trade Republic is NOT Right for You If:
- You need a desktop trading platform for detailed chart analysis
- You trade US options, futures or use margin lending
- You need international bank transfers or multi-currency accounts
- You want joint investment accounts with a partner
- You are a UK investor needing ISA tax wrapper
Is Trade Republic Safe? Honest Security Assessment
Safety is the number one question I get about Trade Republic from readers — and it deserves a clear, detailed answer.
Cash deposits up to €100,000 are fully protected by the German Deposit Guarantee Scheme (Einlagensicherungsfonds) — the same protection that covers Deutsche Bank deposits. This is because Trade Republic holds a full German banking licence issued by BaFin.
Securities (stocks and ETFs) are held in your name via a custodian bank (Deutsche WertpapierService Bank — dwpbank). They are legally separated from Trade Republic's own assets. If Trade Republic were to become insolvent, your securities would be returned to you or transferred to another broker. They are not at risk.
Crypto is the one area with less protection. Crypto assets held on Trade Republic are not covered by deposit guarantee schemes. Trade Republic uses regulated crypto custody, but this is an area where you carry more risk than with stocks or cash.
How to Open a Trade Republic Account (Step by Step)
Opening an account takes about 10 minutes. Here is what to expect:
- Step 1: Download the Trade Republic app (iOS or Android) and tap "Open Account"
- Step 2: Enter your email, create a password and verify your email address
- Step 3: Complete identity verification via VideoIdent (live video call, ~5 minutes) using your passport or national ID card
- Step 4: Answer basic suitability questions (income, investment experience, risk tolerance)
- Step 5: Deposit money via bank transfer or card — minimum €10 to start
- Step 6: Start your first ETF savings plan or buy your first stock
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Verdict: Should You Use Trade Republic in 2026?
After years of using it personally and comparing it against every major alternative, my answer is: yes — for most European retail investors, Trade Republic is the best single app available right now.
The combination of a genuine German banking licence, 3.75% daily interest, €1 trades and free ETF savings plans in one clean mobile app is genuinely hard to beat. No other European app checks all four of those boxes simultaneously.
The limitations are real — no desktop, no international transfers, limited customer support — but for the vast majority of people who simply want to save and invest sensibly without paying excessive fees, those limitations are easy to live with.
My personal recommendation: use Trade Republic as your savings and investing hub, and keep a traditional neobank (like N26 or Revolut) for day-to-day spending. That combination costs nothing and covers almost every financial need a European resident has in 2026.