★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Source checks: National Bank Direct Brokerage checked July 17, 2026 · Scalable Capital checked July 16, 2026
Tool Comparison
National Bank Direct Brokerage vs Scalable Capital
Pick National Bank Direct Brokerage if
National Bank Direct Brokerage
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile
- You care about options, something Scalable Capital doesn't offer
Pick Scalable Capital if
Scalable Capital
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile
- You care about wealth management, something National Bank Direct Brokerage doesn't offer
Skip both if: Neither one clicks with how you research; there are strong third options.
See alternativesOutbound links may include affiliate or sponsor codes.
Our take
The bottom line
National Bank Direct Brokerage and Scalable Capital cover a lot of the same ground (4 shared categories, including brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. The real difference is focus: only National Bank Direct Brokerage gives you options, and only Scalable Capital gives you wealth management.
What readers say
National Bank Direct Brokerage
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
Scalable Capital
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Key differences at a glance
- Global coverage
- Scalable Capital
- Asset coverage
- National Bank Direct BrokerageAdds options
See for yourself
How they stack up
The side-by-side table: pricing, platforms, data, and coverage at a glance.ShowHide
How they stack up
The side-by-side table: pricing, platforms, data, and coverage at a glance.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pricing & plans | ||
Starting price | Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction | Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction |
Free tier | No | No |
Free trial | — | — |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
API access | No | No |
Broker sync | — | No |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | — | — |
Categories covered | 5 | 5 |
Regions | North America | Europe |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data quality | — | Timezone: Europe/Berlin |
Security | — | Status page |
| Try it | Visit National Bank Direct Brokerage | Visit Scalable Capital |
Where each one shines
What National Bank Direct Brokerage and Scalable Capital each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What National Bank Direct Brokerage and Scalable Capital each do best.What National Bank Direct Brokerage does best
- $0 online Canadian and U.S. stock and ETF commissions.
- Online options at $1.25 per contract with a $6.25 minimum.
- CAD and USD cash, margin, short-selling and major registered accounts.
- Mutual funds, GICs, bonds, debentures and other fixed-income access.
- Canada and Quebec tax slips and annual tax guidance.
What Scalable Capital does best
- Stock and ETF trading through supported European venues, with FREE and PRIME+ plans using different fee rules and order-size assumptions.
- Free savings plans, including small recurring investments where supported.
- PRIME+ offers flat broker pricing for eligible trades instead of a fee per order on the FREE plan.
- Supported stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, derivatives, and crypto ETPs from a web or mobile brokerage workflow.
- Scalable Wealth runs automated ETF-based portfolios, with management fees that step down at higher account sizes.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for National Bank Direct Brokerage and Scalable Capital, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for National Bank Direct Brokerage and Scalable Capital, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsOptionsMutual FundsBonds | StocksETFsMutual FundsBonds |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Regions | North America | Europe |
Coverage details | Countries: CAIdentifiers: Ticker and CUSIP | 6 countriesExchanges: XETR, XMUN, and European Investor ExchangeIdentifiers: Ticker |
| Access & integrations | ||
Export formats | CSVPDF | CSVPDF |
| Plans & trust | ||
Security & compliance | Not specified | Status page |
Vendor & support | National Bank Financial Inc.Country: CanadaSupport: Phone, Email, and Chat | Scalable Capital GmbHCountry: GermanyFounded 2014Support: Email |
Curation ratings | Not specified | Methodology 3/5Reliability 4/5UX 4/5 |
Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.
What you'll actually pay
Plans, billing, trials, and per-month pricing for both tools.ShowHide
What you'll actually pay
Plans, billing, trials, and per-month pricing for both tools.| Tier | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | — | Free |
| Entry paid plan | — | Subscription“PRIME+ Broker” |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between National Bank Direct Brokerage and Scalable Capital?
National Bank Direct Brokerage leans toward brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist, while Scalable Capital puts more weight on brokerage, wealth management, and portfolio. They overlap in 4 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do National Bank Direct Brokerage and Scalable Capital cost?
Neither has a free plan; you'll need a paid subscription for the full feature set of either. Check each tool's current plan details before buying.
Should I choose National Bank Direct Brokerage or Scalable Capital?
It depends on what you're after. Pick National Bank Direct Brokerage if options matter to you; go with Scalable Capital if you'd rather have wealth management. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do National Bank Direct Brokerage and Scalable Capital cover?
Both cover stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds. National Bank Direct Brokerage also handles options.
Which covers international markets: National Bank Direct Brokerage or Scalable Capital?
Scalable Capital has documented international coverage (Europe), so it's the safer bet if you hold non-US stocks. National Bank Direct Brokerage is more region-specific, mainly North America.
Can I export data from National Bank Direct Brokerage and Scalable Capital?
Yes, both export to spreadsheets (CSV), which is handy if you like running your own numbers.
Can I track my portfolio with National Bank Direct Brokerage or Scalable Capital?
Yes, both do portfolio tracking: holdings, performance, and allocation in one place.
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Feedback
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Curation & Accuracy
This directory blends AI‑assisted discovery with human curation. Entries are reviewed, edited, and organized with the goal of expanding coverage and sharpening quality over time. Your feedback helps steer improvements (because no single human can capture everything all at once).
Details change. Pricing, features, and availability may be incomplete or out of date. Treat listings as a starting point and verify on the provider’s site before making decisions. If you spot an error or a gap, send a quick note and I’ll adjust.