Best Stock Trading Platforms in Germany

Best Stock Trading Apps in Germany

After thorough research of more than 15 brokerages, we've identified the top stock trading platforms for German investors. Our evaluation focused on critical aspects such as compliance with regulations established by the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) and the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag), the variety of securities available for trading, user experience, options for depositing Euros, fees, and other important factors, ensuring a trustworthy review.

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1. eToro

eToro ranks as the premier stock trading platform in Germany, offering investors complimentary and immediate EUR deposits for trading an extensive range of stocks without brokerage fees. It supports around-the-clock German customer service and operates entirely in German. Beyond stocks, eToro has expanded to commodities, currencies, and ETFs, catering to the diverse interests of traders. Its web platform and app are designed for easy use, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced traders looking to leverage their trades.

• Fees: No fees for trading or deposits, and a 1% spread.
• Assets: Over 4,500 stocks, ETFs, commodities, currencies, indices, and more.
• Regulation: Authorized by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA).
• EUR Deposit Methods: SEPA transfers, bank transfers, Trustly, debit/credit cards, Sofort, Klarna, and PayPal.

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2. Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers, an American multi-asset broker, seamlessly facilitates stock transactions in the German market. It grants access to various German stock exchanges, including the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, ensuring a broad spectrum of trading opportunities. Interactive Brokers caters to all levels of traders: experienced investors can utilize the sophisticated Trader Workstation (TWS) platform, while beginners may find the Client Portal more accessible. For those needing to trade on the move, IB offers the mobile TWS and the web-based Interactive Brokers WebTrader platforms.

• Fees: €2 monthly market data fee, with trade fees ranging from 0.050% to 0.015% of the trade value.
• Assets: A diverse portfolio including stocks, ETFs, futures, options, bonds, funds, and more.
• Regulation: Subject to oversight by top-tier regulatory bodies.
• EUR Deposit Methods: Bank transfers are the primary method for depositing Euros.

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3. DEGIRO

DEGIRO sets itself apart by offering trading fees significantly lower than its competitors, with a nominal €2 commission on trades. Boasting a banking license and stringent regulation by premier financial authorities like Germany's BaFin, DEGIRO has emerged as Europe's leading online execution-only broker. Its web and mobile platforms are user-friendly, requiring no minimum deposit and imposing no withdrawal fees. DEGIRO provides access to a wide array of financial instruments, including stocks, ETFs, bonds, CFDs, and more.

• Fees: A €1 handling fee plus a €2 commission fee specifically for ETFs.
• Assets: A comprehensive range of options, from stocks and ETFs to bonds, futures, funds, commodities, and beyond.
• Regulation: Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and BaFin in Germany, ensuring high standards of oversight.
• EUR Deposit Methods: Flexible options including bank transfers, wires, and debit or credit cards.

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4. Comdirect

Part of the prominent Comdirect Group, Comdirect stands as a leading online securities trading bank in Germany, offering services exclusively in German. Despite its higher commission fees, it's favored by many investors for its comprehensive trading options across currencies, CFDs, ETFs, futures, options, bonds, and funds on major German exchanges. Comdirect's ProTrader platform is notable for its advanced charting, news feeds, and user-friendly interface, catering to various trading needs.

• Fees: Trading fees are 0.25% + €7.9, with a minimum of €12.9 and a maximum of €62.9.
• Assets: A wide array of assets including stocks, ETFs, bonds, futures, funds, forex, and more.
• Regulation: Supervised by Germany's Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin), ensuring robust regulatory compliance.
• EUR Deposit Methods: Bank transfers and wires are the accepted methods for depositing Euros.

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5. Trade Republic

Trade Republic revolutionizes trading with its mobile-only platform, offering seamless transactions in stocks, ETFs, and derivatives. Established in 2019, it has quickly become a leading mobile trading platform. Its distinct advantage is a genuine banking license, classifying it as a securities trading bank. Deposits in clearing accounts enjoy legal protection up to €100,000, secured in a trust with Solarisbank and overseen by the Federal Bank of Germany and BaFin.

• Fees: A flat rate of €1 per trade.
• Assets: Diverse offerings include stocks, cryptocurrencies, ETFs, bonds, futures, funds, and forex.
• Regulation: Strictly regulated by the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) in Germany.
• EUR Deposit Methods: Supports bank transfers, wires, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and credit cards.

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Who Regulates the Stock Market in Germany?

The primary regulator of securities markets in Germany is the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin). Its core duties involve safeguarding investors, ensuring market transparency, and preserving the financial system's stability and integrity. BaFin oversees a variety of entities, such as stock exchanges, securities issuers, brokerage firms, investment funds, and asset management companies. It establishes behavioral standards for market players, enforces compliance, probes possible market abuses, and levies sanctions for non-compliance.

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Which German Broker Offers the Lowest Trading Fees?

In the contemporary landscape of German brokers, traditional up-front commissions have largely been replaced by spread fees. These fees represent the difference between the buying and selling price of an asset. While the size of the spread can significantly vary based on the platform and the specific asset, it typically falls within a 1-2% range.

From our analysis, eToro stands out in the German market for providing the most competitive spreads on stocks and ETFs, making it an attractive option for investors aiming to reduce trading expenses and enhance their investment outcomes.

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Bottom Line

Germany offers a secure and efficient stock trading scene, regulated by BaFin. Our analysis identifies top platforms like eToro, Interactive Brokers, DEGIRO, Comdirect, and Trade Republic, noting their distinct features, cost-effectiveness, and regulatory compliance. They provide various methods for depositing euros, making access convenient for all investors. These platforms serve beginners and institutional traders well, offering the tools needed for successful trading in Germany's robust market, with BaFin ensuring strict oversight.