My Review of the Trade Republic Platform (April 2025)

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Please note that Trade Republic services may not be available in Canada. For exact eligibility requirements, we recommend that you consult the official Trade Republic website directly.

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Trade Republic, launched in 2015 and based in Berlin, is a burgeoning European broker specializing in commission-free investment in stocks, ETFs, and cryptos. With a Trustpilot rating of 4.2 based on over 28,592 reviews, the platform enjoys an excellent reputation with users, particularly in Canada, where it is increasingly attracting both novice and experienced investors.

I've spent the last 6 months signing up, testing, and thoroughly analyzing Trade Republic, and I've sought to compare the platform to other regulated and popular online brokers in Canada.

In short, I was trying to answer questions like: can Trade Republic be trusted? Is the platform easy to use and intuitive for beginners? How much does it cost to trade with Trade Republic, and can you build a diversified portfolio of assets? What features does the trader offer compared to other online brokers?

So I put everything under the microscope: account opening process, management and trading fees, available financial instruments, features, simplicity of the platform (desktop and mobile) and trading tools, etc. Below is my in-depth analysis of the Trade Republic broker (compared to the other platforms tested).

What to think of Trade Republic?

My general opinion on Trade Republic

After several months of testing, I consider Trade Republic to be an excellent solution for individual investors who want to build a long-term portfolio with reduced fees and a simple interface. It is not a platform tailored for technical traders or those looking for complex products, but it does the job perfectly for investing effectively in traditional markets.

Access to over 8,500 stocks and ETFs is a real strength. I was able to invest in American, Canadian, or Asian companies with the same ease, and even schedule recurring purchases via their free automatic investment plans. The choice is vast, especially for thematic ETFs, and the addition of government or corporate bonds strengthens the wealth-building aspect of the account.

In terms of tools, everything happens through their mobile application, which is fluid, well-designed and accessible. However, it remains very basic: no technical indicators, no advanced order book, and no screener or backtest functionalities. There is no complete desktop version or compatibility with third-party software like MetaTrader or TradingView. For me, it's a platform designed primarily for investing, not for actively trading.

In terms of pricing, it's hard to beat: $1 per order with no variable commission, no custody fees or hidden fees. I have placed dozens of orders in different currencies, and everything has remained perfectly transparent. There are also no fees on withdrawals or inactivity, and even currency conversions are done at the market rate without any added margin. This model is ultra-competitive, especially for small portfolios.

Finally, on the issue of security, I have no complaints: Trade Republic is a licensed German banking institution, cash funds are protected up to $100,000 and securities are properly segregated. Even though the broker does not offer traditional leverage, this also limits the risk of major losses for beginners. The interface defaults to a cautious approach, which enhances the overall security of the user experience.

Which Trader Profiles Does Trade Republic Cater To?

=> For beginner investors, who want to get started in the stock market without complexity or hidden fees. The application is intuitive, orders are easy to place, and the absence of leverage or CFDs limits the risk of making mistakes. It's an excellent gateway to building a stock or ETF portfolio, with useful scheduled plans to help you stay disciplined.

=> For occasional or regular traders who want to invest long-term in international stocks, ETFs, or some cryptocurrencies. The fixed fee of $1 per order and the absence of additional fees help maintain good profitability even on small positions. The bonds that have recently become available offer an interesting defensive alternative.

=> For wealth investors looking to grow their capital over time through a passive approach. The possibility of investing in free monthly plans, access to bonds, the absence of inactivity fees, and the protection of funds make it a suitable platform for “autopilot” management.

On the other hand, Trade Republic may be less suitable for active or technical traders. There is no detailed order book, no advanced charting tools, no possibility of scalping or automation, and no direct leverage. CFDs, forex or commodities are not offered, which severely limits the speculative dimension.

Trade Republic's features:

My review of the security and reliability of the Trade Republic broker

Trade Republic is, in my opinion, a reliable and serious broker for investing from Canada. Regulated by the relevant Canadian regulatory body and registered with the appropriate authorities, it offers a secure environment, particularly suitable for cautious investors. The absence of classic leverage, the clarity of fees, and the simplicity of the products offered contribute to a controlled trading framework. The broker has already convinced millions of users, a figure that testifies to its solidity and growing notoriety.

My opinion on the fees, spreads and commissions applied on Trade Republic

What I immediately noticed with Trade Republic was the radical simplicity of their pricing. No multiple accounts, no complex structures: just a single, ultra-readable fee schedule. I placed dozens of orders, and each time, the bill was the same: $1.50 CAD per transaction, with no hidden fees. It was this transparency that convinced me from the start.

The total absence of inactivity fees, custody fees or withdrawal fees in Canada is also a real advantage, especially for profiles that trade little or irregularly. Whether it's to buy a U.S. stock or a Canadian ETF, the conditions remain the same.

Let's now look in detail at the broker's fee schedule.

What are the account fees?

Honestly, I have rarely seen a pricing policy as clear and advantageous for individual users. There is nothing to complain about regarding account maintenance fees or withdrawals, which makes Trade Republic particularly interesting for those who want to invest without worrying about additional charges.

The symbolic minimum deposit of $1 allows you to get started without constraint, which is quite rare in the market. It's ideal for testing the platform with a small starting capital, especially for beginner profiles.

Trader Tip

If you want to invest in securities denominated in dollars, convert your Canadian dollars with a card like Revolut before making the deposit. This optimizes the exchange rate if you plan to invest regularly outside of Canada.

What are the fees on stocks and ETFs?

That's exactly what I appreciate about Trade Republic: ultra-direct pricing. I've placed orders on U.S. and European stocks, and I've always paid $1, no more, no less. No percentage to watch out for, no unpleasant surprises.

For someone like me who invests regularly but without leverage, it's a perfect model. And above all, not having to worry about custody or storage fees on my ETFs is a real relief. I know too many brokers who nibble away at returns with hidden fees.

What are the fees on cryptocurrencies?

I also tested buying cryptos on Trade Republic – mainly Bitcoin and Ethereum. What I found practical is that there's no need to ask a thousand questions about fees: everything is integrated into the displayed price. For a one-time purchase or to build a small crypto allocation in a long-term portfolio, it works well.

But let's be honest: if you're looking to actively trade cryptos or scalp in the short term, the built-in spreads are a bit too high compared to what an exchange like Binance or Kraken offers. Also note that staking or withdrawals to an external wallet are not available at the moment.

My opinion on the assets & markets available on Trade Republic

What I particularly appreciated with Trade Republic is the breadth of its selection of stocks and ETFs. Being able to access over 8,500 securities from a single application, with a flat fee of $1, is rare. I was able to invest in American giants as well as small European and Asian stocks. The addition of bonds is a real plus for balancing a long-term portfolio, especially for cautious profiles.

The crypto offering is solid, with over 50 assets available for direct purchase. It's not as extensive as a specialized exchange, but sufficient for reasonable market exposure. However, there's no currency trading or direct access to commodities or indices: you have to go through ETFs or listed derivatives. So it's not a platform for active traders, but rather for investors looking to diversify without leverage.

My Review of the Platform

After several weeks of using the Trade Republic app, I must say that the experience is very fluid, but also very minimalist. The application is clearly designed for investing, not for active trading. There is no advanced graphical interface or complex order book, which may be disconcerting for those used to technical platforms. On the other hand, for a long-term investor looking for simplicity, it is undoubtedly one of the most streamlined interfaces on the market.

Personally, I appreciated the ability to quickly place orders from my mobile, schedule recurring purchases of ETFs or stocks, and track my investments without information overload. But as a trader, the complete lack of graphic customization or technical tools quickly limited me for more dynamic strategies.

Trader Tip

I advise you to prepare your watchlist in advance with an external tool (like TradingView for free), then place your orders on Trade Republic. This compensates for the shortcomings in technical analysis without changing brokers.

Customer reviews: what users think of Trade Republic

Trade Republic has a Trustpilot rating of 4.2/5 based on over 28,000 reviews, which demonstrates excellent overall satisfaction. Many users highlight the quality of the mobile experience, transparent pricing, and the overall reliability of the platform.

Positive reviews highlight the clear pricing at $1 per order, with no hidden commissions, as well as the speed of order execution. The application is described as simple, modern, ergonomic, and suitable for daily use. Several comments also highlight the ease of account opening, the absence of custody fees, as well as the practicality of monthly investment plans.

On the downside, some users regret the lack of advanced charting tools, the inability to sell short, or to use classic leverage. However, for many retail investors, Trade Republic is an accessible, efficient, and suitable solution for long-term investment.

Customer review examples:

• Stéphane (February 27, 2024) : « Ultra simple application, no hidden fees. I opened my account in 10 minutes. Ideal for investing without overthinking it. »
• Philippe (January 4, 2024) : « Excellent platform, well-designed investment plans, everything is clear. I highly recommend it. »
• Antoine (December 12, 2023) : « Unbeatable rates, fluid application, responsive support. I have been a customer for 2 years, and always satisfied. »

Account Opening, Deposits and Withdrawals on Trade Republic

Account Opening

Opening an account with Trade Republic is extremely simple and fast. Everything is done via the mobile app, without paperwork or postal mail. Personally, I completed my registration in less than 10 minutes, and my account was validated within the day. The procedure is smooth and well guided, which is perfect for beginners.

Here are the steps to follow:

• Download the Trade Republic app or access the website
• Fill in your personal information (name, address, IBAN)
• Complete the identity verification (identity document + selfie-video)
• Submit proof of address if requested
• Wait for validation (often within a few hours)
• Once validated, make the first deposit by SEPA transfer to activate the account

✅ Good to know

Trade Republic does not offer a demo account. However, opening a real account has no minimum deposit requirement, which allows you to test the platform under real conditions from $1.

Trade Republic Deposits and Withdrawals

Honestly, the deposit and withdrawal system at Trade Republic is as minimalist as the platform itself. No credit cards, no PayPal, no crypto: everything goes only through bank transfer. It's simple, but it may be a hindrance for those looking for faster or more diverse methods. Incoming transfers are generally credited within 24 hours, and withdrawals are also fast as soon as the IBAN has been verified.

Trader Tip

To avoid any issues during your first withdrawal, use an IBAN in your personal name from the start, identical to the one you declare in the app. This avoids any additional validation delays.

Account Types Available on Trade Republic

Trade Republic offers two types of real accounts: a classic securities account in euros and a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), particularly tax-advantageous for Canadian investors. The offer is deliberately simplified to appeal to a broad, often novice, audience, and the platform does not seek to segment according to profile (no professional account, no Islamic version). There is also no demo account, which is a shame for those who would like to test the interface before investing.

✅ Good to know

A securities account with Trade Republic is more than enough for individual investors who want to buy stocks, ETFs or bonds without unnecessary fees, and the Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) will be ideal for investors looking for tax advantages. On the other hand, it will not be suitable for profiles looking for more specific functionalities such as leverage, CFDs or copy trading.

Conclusion: Should You Invest with Trade Republic?

After several months of testing, I consider Trade Republic to be an excellent option for those who want to invest simply, without being burdened by complex tools or opaque pricing structures. The platform is designed for the individual investor: clear, without leverage, with direct access to over 8,500 stocks and ETFs at $1 per order, and without any hidden fees.

I particularly appreciated the speed of account opening, the clarity of the mobile interface, and the fixed pricing model, which is much more transparent than other players. The absence of inactivity fees, custody fees, or withdrawal fees makes it an economical and accessible solution.

In short, if you are looking to build a long-term portfolio with a simple, efficient, and regulated tool, Trade Republic is, in my opinion, an excellent choice for starting or consolidating your investments.