How we rank: Brokers
The Score (0–100) is a weighted sum of the factors below. Each factor is the weighted average of its metrics; each metric is calculated from one published fact. Missing facts score zero, and a service is ranked only when enough of its Score is backed by facts.
A service is ranked only when at least 60% of its Score is backed by verified facts.
← Brokers in Germany 2026: a ranking built on verified facts
Safety 45%
The year the broker was licensed (from the regulator's register or the official website), membership of the national investor compensation scheme, an official statement that client assets are held separately from the firm's own, and published financial reports. A compensation scheme has limits and does not cover investment losses.
| Metric | Rule |
|---|---|
| Licensed since | Full score at 30+ years |
| Investor compensation scheme | Yes = 100, No = 0 |
| Client assets held separately | Yes = 100, No = 0 |
| Financial reports online | Yes = 100, No = 0 |
Cost 25%
The commission on one reference online purchase of a domestic share, in percent of the order, on the standard published tariff including the minimum fee: 4,000 PLN on GPW (Poland), 1,000 EUR on Xetra or the broker's standard venue (Germany), 1,000 GBP (UK), 1,000 USD (US), 500,000 KZT on KASE (Kazakhstan). We also check whether there is a periodic account or custody fee. Spreads, currency conversion, taxes and stamp duty are excluded, so zero commission does not mean a free service.
| Metric | Rule |
|---|---|
| Commission on the reference order | Linear from 0 (100) to 1 (0) — lower is better |
| No account or custody fee | Yes = 100, No = 0 |
Products 15%
How many of five asset classes retail clients can access: stocks, ETFs, bonds, funds and options. CFDs, forex, crypto and futures do not count. We also record a tax-advantaged account: IKE/IKZE in Poland, ISA or SIPP in the UK, IRA in the US. In Germany the new state-supported Altersvorsorgedepot is not counted yet, and in Kazakhstan we found no equivalent, so the fact is shown there as no data.
| Metric | Rule |
|---|---|
| Asset classes (of 5) | Linear from 0 (0) to 5 (100) |
| Tax-advantaged account | Yes = 100, No = 0 |
Service 15%
Whether there is a mobile app, whether an account can be opened fully remotely, how many support channels are stated (phone, e-mail or web form, live chat with a human) and whether the broker issues an annual tax statement.
| Metric | Rule |
|---|---|
| Mobile app | Yes = 100, No = 0 |
| Open an account online | Yes = 100, No = 0 |
| Support channels (of 3) | Linear from 0 (0) to 3 (100) |
| Annual tax statement | Yes = 100, No = 0 |