★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Source checks: Qtrade Direct Investing checked July 17, 2026 · Scalable Capital checked July 16, 2026
Tool Comparison
Qtrade Direct Investing vs Scalable Capital
Pick Qtrade Direct Investing if
Qtrade Direct Investing
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 Qtrade Direct Investing 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
Qtrade Direct Investing 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 Qtrade Direct Investing gives you options, and only Scalable Capital gives you wealth management.
What readers say
Qtrade Direct Investing
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
Scalable Capital
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Key differences at a glance
- Global coverage
- Scalable Capital
- Asset coverage
- Qtrade Direct InvestingAdds 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 Qtrade Direct Investing | Visit Scalable Capital |
Where each one shines
What Qtrade Direct Investing and Scalable Capital each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What Qtrade Direct Investing and Scalable Capital each do best.What Qtrade Direct Investing does best
- $0 online equity, ETF and mutual-fund commissions.
- Options at $0 base plus $0.75 per contract.
- CAD and USD cash and margin accounts plus major Canadian registered accounts.
- Portfolio analytics, research, watchlists and web/mobile trading.
- Canadian tax slips and a Trading Disposition Summary based on activity.
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 Qtrade Direct Investing and Scalable Capital, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for Qtrade Direct Investing 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 | Aviso Financial Inc.Country: CanadaSupport: Phone and Email | 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 Qtrade Direct Investing and Scalable Capital?
Qtrade Direct Investing 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 Qtrade Direct Investing 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 Qtrade Direct Investing or Scalable Capital?
It depends on what you're after. Pick Qtrade Direct Investing 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 Qtrade Direct Investing and Scalable Capital cover?
Both cover stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds. Qtrade Direct Investing also handles options.
Which covers international markets: Qtrade Direct Investing or Scalable Capital?
Scalable Capital has documented international coverage (Europe), so it's the safer bet if you hold non-US stocks. Qtrade Direct Investing is more region-specific, mainly North America.
Can I export data from Qtrade Direct Investing 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 Qtrade Direct Investing 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.