Vorsorgedepot-Lotse or Scalable Capital: understand first, then use the AVD from the first mover?
Vorsorgedepot-Lotse: both paths at no extra cost — decide digitally yourself, or request independent advice. Scalable Capital is the best fit for People who want to use the Altersvorsorgedepot from day one, with already-published terms.
Published 21 July 2026 · Last verified 21 July 2026 · Next review 21 October 2026
- 2 providers compared
- Fact-checked
- 31 sources disclosed
Scalable Capital is the first mover on the Altersvorsorgedepot: launch on 1 January 2027, pre-registration from October 2026, and per the announcement, no order or account fees. What the broker doesn't answer is the question that comes first: is the AVD even worth it for your situation, how much of your own contribution unlocks the full subsidy, and is Scalable really the best choice for you in a market comparison? That's exactly what Vorsorgedepot-Lotse is for.
At a glance
- V
Vorsorgedepot-LotseFree, neutral knowledge and decision portal for the Altersvorsorgedepot: a subsidy calculator, an editorial team, a provider comparison and, on request, an introduction to independent advisers.Visit providerRead review - S
Scalable CapitalNeobroker and digital wealth management in one app: trades from €0.99 or a PRIME+ flat rate, robo portfolios, with no human advice.Visit providerRead review
| Provider | Model | Cost of the path | Human advice | Product independence | AVD offer | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V Vorsorgedepot-Lotse | Info portal + advisory accessSource | €0Source | On request, 1,000+ partnersSource | Provider-openSource | Calculator + comparison + knowledgeSource | Visit provider |
| S Scalable Capital | Broker + roboSource | €0.99/trade, €0 savings planSource | None (weekday support)Source | Own platformSource | Announced for 1 January 2027Source | Visit provider |
Where Vorsorgedepot-Lotse makes the difference
- The question before the account: our subsidy calculator shows whether the AVD is worth it for your situation and how much of your own contribution unlocks the full allowance; Scalable only answers the how, not the whether.
- A neutral provider comparison: we set eight account providers side by side on disclosed criteria, instead of showing just one house; whether Scalable wins for you is right there in black and white.
- Human advice on request: an introduction to independent advisers from over 1,000 partners; Scalable offers no investment advice, only weekday support.
- No extra cost: after getting oriented with us, you register with Scalable on exactly the same terms as going direct.
Analysis
Scalable Capital brings a lot for self-directed investors: a full ECB banking licence since September 2025, savings plans from €1 with no execution fee, 2.5 percent interest via the overnight product, and on top of that robo management for anyone who doesn't want to steer their own account. Its AVD announcement is the most concrete in the market and makes the provider the obvious choice for anyone who wants to start on 1 January 2027 straight away.
Two things are still worth clarifying first, though. First, the subsidy question: whether the AVD is worth it compared with an unsubsidised ETF savings plan or a Riester switch depends on income, children and your savings rate; Vorsorgedepot-Lotse's subsidy calculator works this out for free. Second, the provider question: Scalable is strong, but not automatically the best choice for everyone; our criteria-based comparison sets eight account providers side by side, including service quality and interest terms. And if you want to talk to a person for a decision of this size, Scalable offers no advisory appointment: support runs weekdays 9am to 7pm and gives no investment advice; users have also criticised app stability on volatile days and issues with account transfers.
Vorsorgedepot-Lotse closes these gaps without competing with the broker: neutral information, a calculator, a comparison and, on request, an introduction to independent advisers. Afterwards you can pre-register with Scalable on identical terms.
How we evaluated
For these head-to-head comparisons, we examined both paths to the Altersvorsorgedepot: self-directed brokers and advice-led sales channels. For each provider, we evaluated the official pages plus independent sources (BaFin, Stiftung Warentest, Finanztip, Verbraucherzentrale, Finanzwende, annual reports); every figure carries a source and a retrieval date. The comparison follows fixed criteria, cell by cell with sourced facts; where a sourced value is missing, a dash appears. Vorsorgedepot-Lotse appears as its own option under the same rules, including its own weaknesses and an honest verdict on when the alternative is the better fit.
- What does the path cost: usage, execution and later product or effective costs?
- Is there human advice, and from whom: a tied sales channel or independent partners?
- Is the recommendation independent of the product provider, or tied to a corporate group?
- How concrete is the AVD offer: available, announced or still open?
- How much digital self-determination do you retain?
- Is it disclosed who earns what from the arrangement?
Common mistakes when choosing
- Confusing advice with product sales: tied intermediaries may only recommend their partners' products.
- Confusing free with costless: even without a visible fee, you pay via spreads or effective costs of sometimes 2 to 3 percent a year.
- Treating AVD announcements as confirmed terms: binding product details only exist once certification is complete.
- Sticking with the first provider out of convenience, instead of comparing terms.
- Not starting at all for lack of advice: the most expensive mistake of all.
V Vorsorgedepot-LotseProfile
Free, neutral knowledge and decision portal for the Altersvorsorgedepot: a subsidy calculator, an editorial team, a provider comparison and, on request, an introduction to independent advisers.
- ModelA neutral information and decision portal on a referral-partner (Tippgeber) model: Vorsorgedepot-Lotse does not advise directly but, on request, arranges contact with independent, licensed advisers.✓ verified
- Cost of the pathCompletely free to use, with no registration and no email required; the terms at the chosen account provider stay identical.✓ verified
- Human adviceAccess to a network of over 1,000 independent advisers; the licensed partner conducts the advice, and we introduce the professionally suited contact.✓ verified
- Product independenceNo product provider behind us: ratings follow disclosed criteria across all providers; commissions have no influence on the rating or ranking.✓ verified
- AVD offerA subsidy calculator modelling allowances and the Riester switch, a continuously maintained account-provider comparison, and over 100 specialist articles on the Altersvorsorgedepot.✓ verified
both paths at no extra cost — decide digitally yourself, or request independent advice
Pros
- Free to use with no sign-up, including the subsidy calculator and provider comparison
- Cross-provider, criteria-based orientation instead of one provider's self-promotion
- Both paths stay open: decide digitally yourself, or request advice from independent partners
- No extra cost: the terms at your chosen account provider stay identical
Cons
- No account of its own: opening and execution always happen at the chosen provider
- No investment advice of its own: individual advice is handled by the licensed partner we introduce
- Receives compensation on a successful introduction (disclosed, with no influence on the rating)
Best for: People who want to understand neutrally, before choosing an account, what the Altersvorsorgedepot would mean for them, and who want to keep both paths open
Visit Vorsorgedepot-LotseS Scalable Capital
Neobroker and digital wealth management in one app: trades from €0.99 or a PRIME+ flat rate, robo portfolios, with no human advice.
- ModelA self-directed broker (FREE and PRIME+) plus algorithmic wealth management; there is no advice from a human adviser.✓ verified
- Cost of the pathFREE tariff: €0.99 per trade, savings plans free from a €1 rate; PRIME+ costs €4.99 a month with free trades from a €250 order volume.✓ verified
- Human adviceNo investment advice; phone support on weekdays from 9am to 7pm, plus chat and email.~ unconfirmed
- Product independenceOver 2,700 ETFs, with PRIME partner ETFs placed prominently; there is no cross-provider market comparison.✓ verified
- AVD offerThe most concrete AVD announcement in the market: launch on 1 January 2027, pre-registration from October 2026, and, per the announcement, no order or account fees plus automatic allowance claims.✓ verified
First mover on the Altersvorsorgedepot: the first provider with concrete terms and pre-registration.
Pros
- The most concrete AVD announcement in the market: launch on 1 January 2027, pre-registration from October 2026
- 2.5 percent interest on balances via the overnight product
- A full ECB banking licence since September 2025
- Broker and robo wealth management from a single provider
Cons
- No human advice; support only on weekdays 9am to 7pm
- Recurring user criticism of support speed and app stability on volatile trading days (including an outage on 8 April 2026)
- The settlement account has paid no interest since April 2026; interest is only available via the separate overnight product
- Reported problems with account transfers via Baader Bank
Best for: People who want to use the Altersvorsorgedepot from day one, with already-published terms
Visit Scalable CapitalVerdict
For an immediate AVD start with published terms, Scalable Capital is currently the most concrete address, robo fans included. Vorsorgedepot-Lotse is the step before that: check for free whether and with which provider the AVD pays off for you, and talk to an independent professional if you need to. Both together is the informed way to reach the first mover.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Altersvorsorgedepot cost at Scalable Capital?
Per the April 2026 announcement, the AVD at Scalable Capital launches with no order fees on savings plans and no account fee, with over 2,000 ETFs and automatic allowance claims. Terms only become binding once the product is certified; pre-registration starts in October 2026.
Does Scalable Capital advise on the Altersvorsorgedepot?
No. Scalable Capital offers no personal investment advice; support answers service questions on weekdays. Robo management takes over portfolio maintenance for you, but doesn't replace individual advice on the subsidy. Vorsorgedepot-Lotse covers that gap via independent advisers we introduce.
Should I wait until 2027 to decide on the AVD?
The subsidy logic is already in the law, so you can already work out today whether the AVD is worth it for you and review your existing Riester contract. You can make the concrete provider choice once certified terms exist; a pre-registration like Scalable's is non-binding.
Sources
- https://www.vorsorgedepot-lotse.de/fakten (retrieved 21 July 2026)
- https://www.vorsorgedepot-lotse.de/rechner (retrieved 21 July 2026)
- https://www.vorsorgedepot-lotse.de/vergleich (retrieved 21 July 2026)
- https://de.scalable.capital/ (retrieved 21 July 2026)
- https://de.scalable.capital/trading-gebuehren (retrieved 21 July 2026)
- https://de.scalable.capital/altersvorsorgedepot (retrieved 21 July 2026)
- https://www.finanztip.de/erfahrungen/scalable-capital/ (retrieved 21 July 2026)