Trading has long since moved beyond the desktop. Mobile trading apps have fundamentally changed how we trade. But which app offers the best combination of functionality, security, and usability?

Our Evaluation Criteria

We evaluated six apps based on five criteria: usability, feature set, fees, security, and AI integration. Each category was scored 1-10.

1. Trade Republic — The Market Leader

With over 8 million users across Europe, Trade Republic is the most widely used trading app in Germany.

Usability: 9/10 — Minimalist design, intuitive navigation, ready in 3 minutes
Features: 6/10 — Stocks, ETFs, crypto, savings plans. No options or futures, no API access
Fees: 9/10 — 1 euro per trade, free savings plans, 3.25% interest on cash
Security: 8/10 — BaFin regulated, deposit insurance up to 100,000 euros
AI Integration: 3/10 — No API, signals must be executed manually

Overall Score: 7.0/10 — Ideal for beginners and passive investors.

2. Interactive Brokers (IBKR Mobile)

Usability: 6/10 — Powerful but complex. Learning curve for beginners
Features: 10/10 — Everything tradeable: stocks, ETFs, options, futures, forex, bonds worldwide
Fees: 8/10 — From $1 per trade, cheap at high volume
Security: 9/10 — SEC/FINRA regulated, up to $500,000 protection
AI Integration: 9/10 — Full API, TWS connection, algo trading capable

Overall Score: 8.4/10 — The professional choice for active traders.

3. Scalable Capital

Usability: 8/10 — Clean design, good ETF search, prime broker model
Features: 7/10 — Stocks, ETFs, funds, crypto. Good savings plan selection
Fees: 9/10 — Free Broker (0 euros via gettex) or Prime from 2.99 euros/month
Security: 8/10 — BaFin regulated, Baader Bank as custodian
AI Integration: 4/10 — No API, but wealth management algorithms in robo-advisor

Overall Score: 7.2/10 — Best compromise between price and function.

4. eToro

Usability: 8/10 — Social trading interface, copy trading function
Features: 7/10 — Stocks, ETFs, CFDs, crypto, copy trading
Fees: 6/10 — 0 euro commission on stocks, but spread-based model for CFDs
Security: 7/10 — CySEC regulated, deposit insurance up to 20,000 euros
AI Integration: 5/10 — Copy trading as a primitive AI alternative, no real API

Overall Score: 6.6/10 — Interesting for social trading, less for AI.

5. Finanzen.net Zero

Usability: 7/10 — Solid app, tightly linked with Finanzen.net news
Features: 6/10 — Stocks, ETFs, funds, certificates
Fees: 10/10 — 0 euros per trade above 500 euro order volume
Security: 8/10 — BaFin regulated via Baader Bank
AI Integration: 2/10 — No API, no AI features

Overall Score: 6.6/10 — Cheapest, but least AI-capable.

6. CapTrader

Usability: 5/10 — Based on IB platform, German interface
Features: 9/10 — Same access as IB, all markets, all products
Fees: 7/10 — Slightly more expensive than IB direct, but with German support
Security: 8/10 — BaFin regulated, IB infrastructure
AI Integration: 9/10 — Full IB API, ideal for automated trading

Overall Score: 7.6/10 — IB with German service.

Conclusion: Which App Fits You?

For AI trading with API connection, there is no way around Interactive Brokers or CapTrader. For manual signal trading with low costs, Trade Republic and Scalable Capital are the best choice. The perfect app does not exist — but the perfect app for your setup does.