Let’s be honest: money may be stressful. Whether you’re attempting to save, invest, obtain a loan, or just share supper with pals, the way we handle money has shifted dramatically in the last decade. In Germany, this transformation is mostly due to FinTech.
FinTech is more than just a jargon for startup guys. It’s a true revolution taking place in our pockets, on our phones, and behind the scenes of daily life. And Germany, with its strong banking legacy and thriving digital sector (particularly in Berlin and Frankfurt), is home to some significant FinTech innovation.
Top 10 FinTech Startups in Germany – 2024
Here are 10 FinTech startups in Germany that are worth watching in 2024.
1. Trade Republic (Berlin)
What they do: Commission-free investing made easy.
Trade Republic is often called the “Robinhood of Europe,” but it’s carving its own path. With a slick app and low fees, it’s opened the doors of the stock market to everyday people—not just seasoned investors.
Why people love it: It’s simple, modern, and mobile-first. You can start investing with as little as €1, and you don’t need a finance degree to figure it out.
Example: For 27-year-old Julia, a teacher in Hamburg, Trade Republic was her first step into investing. “I used to think the stock market was just for rich men in suits,” she laughs. “Now I’m investing in companies I believe in, and I feel more in control of my future.”
2. N26 (Berlin)
What they do: A 100% mobile bank that doesn’t feel like a bank.
If traditional banks feel like dusty old libraries, N26 is like Spotify for your money—fast, clean, and designed for your phone. It’s a fully licensed bank, but with a user experience that’s smooth and intuitive.
Why it matters: N26 helps you manage your finances without the friction. Real-time notifications, easy budgeting tools, and zero paper forms.
Real talk: Lukas, a freelance designer, ditched his old bank last year. “With N26, I finally feel like my bank understands how I live—everything is mobile, flexible, and no hidden fees.”
3. Raisin (Berlin)
What they do: Helping Europeans earn better interest on their savings.
Raisin connects customers with high-yield savings products across Europe. Instead of leaving your savings in a low-interest German account, you can move it (legally and securely) to banks offering better returns.
Why it works: In a low-interest world, Raisin gives your money a little more muscle.
The saver’s story: “I didn’t know you could just… move your money to a bank in Italy or Portugal and earn more interest,” says Helga, a 58-year-old retiree. “Raisin made it easy. It’s like shopping around, but for savings.”
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4. Taxfix (Berlin)
What they do: Making tax filing suck less.
German tax returns are notoriously painful. Taxfix turns that nightmare into a smooth digital experience. Just answer a few questions, and boom—your tax return is filed.
Why we love it: It’s like having a friendly accountant in your pocket, minus the expensive hourly rate.
For the everyman: “I used to procrastinate doing my taxes for months,” admits Marcus, a student in Munich. “Now I do it in 20 minutes on my phone. And I actually get money back.”
5. Penta (Berlin)
What they do: Business banking for startups and small businesses.
Penta is a modern business banking platform designed with entrepreneurs in mind. Think easy expense tracking, multi-user access, and integrations with accounting software.
Why it’s needed: Traditional business banks are often clunky, slow, and not designed for today’s digital-native founders.
Startups love it: “Opening a bank account used to take weeks and a mountain of paperwork,” says Sara, a founder in Cologne. “With Penta, we were up and running in a day.”
6. Wefox (Berlin)
What they do: InsurTech that puts users first.
Wefox is transforming the insurance industry by making it transparent, digital, and user-friendly. From getting insured to managing claims, everything happens on their app.
Why it stands out: It’s one of Europe’s fastest-growing InsurTech companies and already operates in multiple countries.
Insurance, but better: “I never thought insurance could be this easy,” says David, a 35-year-old in Stuttgart. “Usually, it’s just paperwork and headaches. Wefox made it feel like ordering food online.”
7. Bitwala (now Nuri) (Berlin)
What they do: The bridge between crypto and banking.
Bitwala (which rebranded to Nuri, but the vibe remains the same) lets users hold both euros and cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin in one app—with a built-in interest-earning wallet.
Why it’s cool: It demystifies crypto for regular people and integrates it into traditional finance.
For the curious investor: “Crypto scared me, but I was curious,” says Anika, a software engineer. “Nuri let me dip my toes in without feeling overwhelmed. I even earned a little interest.”
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8. CLARK (Frankfurt)
What they do: A digital insurance manager.
CLARK scans your existing insurance contracts, shows you if you’re under- or over-insured, and helps you switch to better deals—all in one app.
Why it’s helpful: Germans love insurance, but nobody likes managing it. CLARK makes it effortless.
Simplifying the complex: “I had four different insurance contracts and didn’t even know what half of them covered,” admits Tim, a grad student. “CLARK made sense of it all. It’s like a health check for your insurance.”
9. Fincompare (Berlin)
What they do: SME financing, but digital.
Fincompare helps small and medium businesses find and compare financing options—from bank loans to leasing—online and with minimal hassle.
Why it matters: Germany’s economy is built on SMEs (the Mittelstand), and these businesses often struggle to get the right financing.
Helping the backbone: “As a small business owner, I don’t have time to chase 10 banks,” says Gertrud, who runs a bakery in Leipzig. “Fincompare brought the options to me. It saved us weeks.”
10. Finoa (Berlin)
What they do: Crypto custody and asset management for institutions.
Finoa is more behind-the-scenes, but it’s important. They provide secure custody for digital assets, helping banks, investment funds, and institutions get into crypto safely and legally.
Why it’s big: As crypto moves mainstream, infrastructure players like Finoa are crucial.
From the finance world: “We wanted to offer crypto products to our clients but needed a secure, compliant partner,” says Erik, who works at a private bank. “Finoa gave us that bridge.”
Why Is Germany a FinTech Hotspot Right Now?
A few reasons:
Berlin is buzzing with startup energy, cheap (well, cheaper) living, and international talent.
Frankfurt brings the financial muscle as the banking hub of Germany.
The German population is relatively tech-savvy but also cautious with money—making trust and usability a top priority.
And with PSD2 (the EU’s payment regulation) and other reforms, the environment is ripe for innovation.
The beauty of FinTech is that it is more than simply technology. It is about humans. People who wish to save for a house, invest for their children, or just stop fretting when they open their banking app.
These German FinTech businesses are doing more than just processing data. They’re rethinking how we engage with money, making it more inclusive, intuitive, and—dare we say it—human.
So, whether you want to invest, save, insure, or just get through tax season without ripping your hair out, there’s probably a German FinTech company out there working on the same problem. And odds are, they’re making things better.
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