Trade Republic vs Revolut: Pros and cons uncovered in 2025

Trade Republic and Revolut have stood out in the European market with attractive offerings for investors of different profiles. Both provide innovative and accessible solutions, but with distinct features.

Which one is better?

We use both platforms, and what we’ve noticed is that each has its own particularities, advantages, and disadvantages. In this article, we will share our experience with both.

Our goal is to help you determine which of these two platforms might be more suitable for you, depending on your investor profile and needs. We’ll explore in detail everything Trade Republic and Revolut have to offer, as well as key aspects regarding security, regulation in Europe, available features, and fees.

Summary:

• Trade Republic: Best for investing in stocks and ETFs and for a savings focus with interest on uninvested balances (ideal for an emergency fund).
• Revolut: Best for those looking for an integrated solution with banking services, commission-free currency exchange, and a basic investment platform.

We feel comfortable investing with either platform, as their product offerings and regulatory security levels are very similar.

However, Trade Republic is more suitable for those looking to invest in stocks and ETFs (including through automated investment plans) and build an emergency fund, given its protection of up to €100,000 per customer (offering an interest rate of 2.25% per year - April 2025).

On the other hand, Revolut is ideal for a more comprehensive service, similar to a traditional bank but with lower costs. It also allows for a personal loan of up to €30,000 (with an APR ranging from 7.7% to 15.5% - March 2025).

Additionally, both offer a debit card:

• Trade Republic provides a card that allows you to make everyday payments while earning 1% SaveBack (which goes into an investment plan, not cashback).
• Revolut offers a card for managing daily expenses and also allows for commission-free payments in different currencies up to €1,000/month (Standard plan - ideal for traveling to countries with currencies other than the Euro).

Comparison table

Trade Republic overview

Founded in 2015, Trade Republic is a German brokerage firm designed to simplify market access for retail investors. Regulated by the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin), it provides accessible investment solutions for individuals like you and us.

Trade Republic is a private company (not publicly traded).

You can invest in different asset types and even in thematic investments (decarbonization, cybersecurity, mobility, etc.).

The transaction fee is only €1 per trade. This fee is considered "external", as it does not go directly to Trade Republic but rather to partners executing the orders.

Pros and cons of Trade Republic

Pros

• Low-cost stock and ETF trading
• Intuitive trading platform
• High interest on uninvested balances
• Strong regulation (BaFin)
• Automated savings plans
• Holds a banking license

Cons

• No demo account
• No access to U.S. stock exchanges
• Low-quality customer support
• Limited fundamental and technical analysis tool
• A relatively new company with a short track record (it’s a startup)

Revolut overview

Revolut started as a fintech focused on banking services but quickly expanded into stock, crypto, and commodities investments. Regulated by the FCA (UK) and holding a banking license in the EU, Revolut offers an integrated financial management solution.

Revolut can be accessed via PC, but it is significantly limited compared to the mobile app, which is its main platform.

Pros and cons of Revolut

Prós

• Integrated solution (investments, banking, and currency exchange)
• Commission-free stock and ETF trading (within plan limits)
• Beginner-friendly interface
• Direct access to cryptocurrencies
• Interest on uninvested money
• Robo-Advisor service (automated investment management)

Cons

• Limited number of free trades on the standard plan
• Smaller selection of stocks and ETFs
• Generally lower interest rates on uninvested money than Trade Republic
• Limited fundamental analysis tools

Safety and regulation

Both companies hold a banking license, meaning that deposits are protected under the Deposit Guarantee Scheme, up to €100,000 per account.

Both provide similar protection for client funds, neither offers private insurance, and both are privately held companies. There is no clear “winner” in this category.

Check our dedicated article exploring the safety of Trade Republic.

Financial instruments

For investors focused on stocks and ETFs, both brokers can meet the needs of most investors; however, Trade Republic stands out due to the larger number of products available. For those interested in financial derivatives, Trade Republic is the better choice.

Both platforms are suitable for beginner investors, but not as much for advanced traders.

Fees comparison

^{*Varies according to your chosen plan.}

Both Trade Republic and Revolut offer highly competitive pricing when compared to traditional banks. In this category as well, there is no clear winner, as both are well-positioned.

Customer support

Trade Republic

Trade Republic’s customer support is functional but has some limitations in terms of available communication channels. The main contact options include:

• Email: Used for technical support and general inquiries, though response times may vary.
• In-app chat: Allows for direct interactions, but is limited to less complex issues and specific hours.

Trade Republic does not offer phone support, which can be a downside for users who require more personalized or immediate assistance. Additionally, there are several complaints about Trade Republic’s ability to resolve issues. Factors such as slow responses and unclear answers are among the most common complaints.

Revolut

Revolut’s customer support has both strengths and areas for improvement. The available options include:

• In-app chat: Available 24/7 for users with paid plans (Standard, Plus, Premium, Metal). The quality and speed of support tend to improve with higher-tier plans.
• Email: Mainly used for case follow-ups, but it is not the primary communication method.

For urgent matters, such as card blocking, Revolut offers quick solutions within the app. However, there is no direct phone support for general inquiries. While the in-app chat is efficient for most issues, the lack of phone support can be a limitation for those who prefer more direct interactions.

Which one should you choose?

The choice between Trade Republic and Revolut depends primarily on your specific needs.

Both brokers have unique advantages that make them appealing in different contexts - especially for beginners and smaller investment amounts.

Trade Republic stands out for: a wide range of stocks and ETFs, high interest on uninvested money (no maximum limit), and their Automated investment plans.

Revolut is ideal for a complete solution with banking services and investments, lower costs compared to traditional banks, and is better suited for beginners and those interested in cryptocurrencies and commodities.

Regardless of your choice, both platforms are regulated and private (which means less scrutiny compared to publicly listed companies).

If possible, try out both platforms to see which one fits your needs best!