Trade Republic and Revolut are the two most popular fintech savings platforms in Europe in 2026. Both offer instant-access interest on cash balances with no conditions, no fixed term, and no minimum balance. But they differ on yield, regulation, banking license jurisdiction, and additional features.
This guide compares them head-to-head using real-time APY data from APYData, updated daily.
Trade Republic vs Revolut: quick comparison
| Feature | Trade Republic | Revolut |
|---|---|---|
| APY (2026) | 2.02% | 2.27% |
| Banking license | BaFin Germany (full, 2023) | Bank of Lithuania (2021) |
| Deposit guarantee | German DGS €100K | Lithuanian DGS €100K |
| Interest frequency | Monthly | Daily |
| Liquidity | Instant | Instant |
| Investing included | Yes — stocks, ETFs, bonds, crypto | Partial — investment plans, crypto |
| Monthly fee | Free | Free (Standard plan) |
| Physical card | Yes (free) | Yes (free on Standard) |
| Available in | EU + UK | EU + UK + US + AU |
Rates updated daily. Source: APYData.
1. Trade Republic — 2.02% APY
Trade Republic is a German neobank founded in Berlin in 2015. It received a full banking license from BaFin (Germany's financial regulator) in 2023, making it one of the few neobanks with direct central bank access — meaning customer deposits are held at the Bundesbank, not at a partner bank.
It pays 2.02% APY on all cash balances automatically. No conditions, no minimum, no opt-in required. Interest is credited monthly. The rate is directly linked to the ECB Deposit Facility Rate and adjusts with each ECB decision.
Beyond savings, Trade Republic offers commission-free investing in:
- Stocks and ETFs (€1 settlement fee per order)
- Government bonds (including Bunds, OATs, Bonos)
- Savings plans (ETF/stock auto-invest from €1/month)
- Crypto (via regulated custody)
Best for: long-term savers who want to combine savings with ETF investing, and prefer maximum regulatory safety (BaFin + Bundesbank).
2. Revolut — 2.27% APY
Revolut is a UK-founded (2015) financial super-app now licensed in the EU as a bank through Lithuania's central bank. It pays 2.27% APY on cash balances for Standard (free) plan users — the highest rate among major neobanks in 2026 with instant access.
Unlike Trade Republic, Revolut is primarily a spending and money management app. Key savings features:
- 2.27% on EUR cash (Standard plan) — interest credited daily
- Savings Vaults — separate sub-accounts with the same rate
- Instant transfers between Revolut users
- Multi-currency accounts (30+ currencies)
Revolut also offers investing via Revolut Trading Ltd (FCA-regulated in UK, not the Lithuanian bank entity), which adds regulatory complexity. Deposits in the bank account are covered by the Lithuanian DGS; investments are held separately.
Best for: people who want the highest instant-access rate and also use the app for daily spending, travel, and currency exchange.
Safety: both equally safe up to €100,000
Both platforms hold full EU banking licenses and are covered by the European Deposit Guarantee Scheme (EU Directive 2014/49/EU), which protects up to €100,000 per depositor per institution.
- Trade Republic: regulated by BaFin Germany. Deposits covered by the German Einlagensicherungsfonds (DGS). Germany has one of the EU's most robust deposit guarantee systems, with voluntary top-up schemes that cover significantly above €100K for many banks.
- Revolut: regulated by Lietuvos bankas (Bank of Lithuania). Deposits covered by the Lithuanian DGS. Lithuania's scheme is legally equivalent under EU law, but has fewer voluntary top-ups than Germany's.
For amounts below €100,000: safety is equivalent — both guaranteed by EU law. For amounts above €100,000: distribute across institutions, or consider German Bunds (AAA sovereign, no cap).
Yield comparison: what €10,000 earns in 12 months
| Trade Republic 2.02% | Revolut 2.27% | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross annual interest | €202 | €227 |
| Withholding tax (ES, 19%) | €38 | €43 |
| Net (approx.) | €164 | €184 |
| Difference vs Trade Republic | — | +€20 net/year |
The difference is €20 net per year per €10,000. Both rates are ECB-linked and will decrease as the ECB continues its rate-cutting cycle in 2026.
Alternatives with higher rates
If maximising yield is the priority, these options pay more than both:
| Product | APY | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Scalable Capital Cash | 2.50% | Instant, BaFin-regulated |
| MyInvestor Money Market | 2.75% | Fund, CNMV-regulated |
| XTB Cash | 3.10% | Instant (promotional) |
| Raisin deposits | up to 3.33% | Fixed-term, European DGS |
Verdict: which one to choose?
Choose Revolut if: you want the highest instant-access rate (2.27%), you already use Revolut for daily spending, or you travel frequently and benefit from multi-currency accounts.
Choose Trade Republic if: you want to combine savings with long-term ETF/bond investing, you prefer BaFin/Bundesbank regulation, or you're investing above €100,000 (consider supplementing with Bunds).
You can use both: many European savers use Revolut for spending (and earn 2.27% on idle cash) while using Trade Republic for long-term ETF investments.
FAQ
Is it safe to keep money in Trade Republic or Revolut?
Yes, for amounts up to €100,000. Both hold EU banking licenses and are covered by the European Deposit Guarantee Scheme — Trade Republic by BaFin Germany, Revolut by the Bank of Lithuania. Above €100,000, distribute across institutions.
Which pays more interest — Trade Republic or Revolut?
Revolut pays more: 2.27% APY vs Trade Republic 2.02%. The difference is approximately €20 net per year per €10,000 saved (assuming 19% Spanish withholding tax).
Can I use both Trade Republic and Revolut?
Yes. Many European savers do — Revolut for daily spending and earning 2.27% on idle cash, Trade Republic for structured ETF investing and long-term savings. There are no incompatibilities and both accounts are free to open.
Will Trade Republic and Revolut rates drop in 2026?
Yes. Both rates are linked to the ECB Deposit Facility Rate, which began declining in 2024. Each ECB cut reduces rates proportionally on both platforms. To lock in current rates, consider fixed-term deposits via Raisin (up to 3.33% at 12 months).
Does Trade Republic have a banking license?
Yes. Trade Republic received a full banking license from BaFin in 2023. This is significant — it means deposits are backed by the Bundesbank directly, not by a partner bank arrangement (as was the case pre-2023).