What Smava does

Smava GmbH, founded in 2007 and headquartered in Berlin, operates one of Germany's largest online consumer credit comparison platforms under the brand smava. The company aggregates installment loan, auto loan, debt refinancing, real estate/mortgage, and credit card offers from more than 20 partner banks and credit intermediaries — including Postbank, Commerzbank, ING, Deutsche Bank, Santander, Targobank, DKB, Creditplus, and auxmoney — and routes consumer applications to lenders in exchange for commissions on closed loans. Its principal B2B partners are the lending banks; its end customers are German residents seeking personal, auto, refinancing, or mortgage credit, who are served free of charge with a SCHUFA-neutral initial inquiry.

The underlying platform is a digital loan marketplace combined with a multi-step digital origination stack: a SCHUFA-neutral prequalification engine; partner-bank offer retrieval and rate comparison; electronic signature (TAN-based); online document upload; and disbursement coordination — supplemented by optional sales-assisted workflow. Smava's technology and product stack also include a 'Digitaler Kontoblick' feature that performs real-time account-data analysis for accelerated credit decisions (often enabling same-day payouts), video-based identity verification (Video-Ident) via WebID, and a 'Günstiger-Geht-Nicht-Garantie' best-price guarantee that refunds the difference if a cheaper comparable offer is found at another domestic bank. A library of specialized loan calculators (Kreditrechner, Umschuldungsrechner, Baufinanzierungsrechner, Privatkreditrechner, Autokredit-Rechner) supports top-of-funnel conversion.

Revenue is generated exclusively through transaction commissions paid by partner banks upon successful loan completion — the consumer-facing service is free. Go-to-market is a hybrid digital self-serve plus inside-sales model: customers originate on smava.de, after which 250+ trained credit specialists provide multilingual (13-language) phone consultation Monday–Saturday. Smava supports the funnel through SEO content marketing, paid performance acquisition, brand and TV advertising (ARD, ZDF, NTV, RTL), and a customer referral program. As of mid-2026 the platform had facilitated comparison for more than 8 million users and over 300,000 successfully brokered customers; brand awareness exceeds 70% (GfK 2024), and customer reviews average 4.9/5 (eKomi) and 4.8/5 (Trustpilot). The company employs 501–1,000 staff and has raised approximately $188M across seven funding rounds between 2007 and 2020, with Vitruvian Partners (2018 lead) and Runa Capital (2016 lead) among its primary institutional backers. In February 2021 it acquired competitor Finanzcheck.de.

Name

Smava

Legal name

smava GmbH

Website

https://smava.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Smava is a Berlin-based online credit comparison platform founded in 2007 that aggregates installment, auto, refinancing, and mortgage offers from 20+ German partner banks. It serves German consumer borrowers free of charge via a SCHUFA-neutral, fully digital origination stack with multilingual phone consultation, earning commissions on successfully brokered loans.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Consumer Lending

NAICS

Credit Intermediation and Related Activities (522), Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers (52231), Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers (522310), Activities Related to Credit Intermediation (5223)

SIC

Loan Brokers (6163), Miscellaneous Business Credit Institution (6159)

akta.pro primary industry

SME Lending & Working Capital Platforms (FSAGAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Small Business Debt Consolidation & Refinance (Owner/SME) (FSAKAIAI)

Keywords

• Credit comparison
• Consumer lending
• Loan brokerage
• Debt consolidation
• Mortgage financing

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Loan Commission (Bank Partnership Revenue): Smava receives a commission from partner banks for each successfully brokered loan. The credit comparison service is completely free for consumers - they pay nothing for the comparison or consultation, and incur no cost even if they don't accept any offer. Revenue is generated exclusively when a loan contract is finalized through the platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Smava operates a free online credit comparison marketplace that connects German consumers with over 20 partner banks for personal loans, auto loans, debt consolidation, real estate financing, and credit cards. The platform provides a SCHUFA-neutral initial inquiry, side-by-side comparison of effective interest rates, and a fully digital application journey including video identity verification, electronic signature, and same-day possible disbursement, supported by telephone-based personal advisory consultation. Revenue is generated exclusively through commissions paid by partner banks upon successful loan completion.

Product overview

Smava operates as a multi-product credit marketplace platform headquartered in Berlin, Germany, facilitating credit comparison and brokerage across over 20 partner banks. The core platform comprises a unified Kreditvergleich (credit comparison) engine that powers five primary loan categories: Privatkredit (personal loans), Autokredit (auto loans), Umschuldung (debt refinancing), Baufinanzierung (real estate/mortgage financing), and Kreditkarte (credit card brokerage). Supporting tools include specialized calculators for each loan type (Kreditrechner, Umschuldungsrechner, Baufinanzierungsrechner, Privatkreditrechner, Autokredit-Rechner), while key features enhancing the user experience include the Digitaler Kontoblick for instant account analysis, Video-Ident-Verfahren for 24/7 digital identity verification, and Elektronische Signatur for paperless contract execution. The platform differentiates through the Günstiger-Geht-Nicht-Garantie (best price guarantee) and free multilingual advisory services via over 250 credit specialists. All services are offered free to customers, with Smava earning commissions from partner banks on successfully mediated loans. The entire process from application through disbursement is fully digital and SCHUFA-neutral for initial inquiries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Kreditvergleich (Credit Comparison) Smava's foundational online credit comparison service that aggregates offers from over 20 partner banks, allowing users to compare interest rates, terms and monthly payments for personal loans, auto loans, debt consolidation, real estate financing and credit cards. The service is free for consumers, SCHUFA-neutral on initial inquiry, and complemented by telephone advisory support.
• Privatkredit / Online-Kredit (Personal Loan) Unsecured installment loan for personal use with flexible purpose, fixed interest rates and consistent monthly payments over a defined term of 6 to 120 months, with loan amounts from €1,000 to €150,000. Available fully online with digital application, identity verification, electronic signature and frequently same-day disbursement.
• Autokredit (Auto Loan) Purpose-bound installment loan specifically for vehicle purchases including new cars, used cars, motorcycles, and electric vehicles. The financed vehicle often serves as collateral, frequently resulting in lower interest rates than unsecured personal loans or dealer-financed options.
• Umschuldung (Debt Refinancing) Loan refinancing product that allows customers to consolidate existing debts - including installment credits, overdraft facilities, auto loans and credit card balances - into a single lower-interest loan, reducing monthly payments and simplifying financial management.
• Baufinanzierung (Real Estate Financing) Long-term mortgage or construction loan for purchasing, building, or modernizing real estate. Secured by a land charge (Grundschuld) and typically offering lower interest rates than unsecured loans, with terms ranging from 10 to 30 years and binding periods of 10, 15 or 20 years.
• Kreditkarte (Credit Card Brokerage) Credit card comparison and brokerage service offering cards with various features including no annual fees, no-SCHUFA-check options, installment payment options, and debit cards, sourced through the smava partner network.

Quantifiable outcome

• Customers save over 35% on interest compared to average Bundesbank market rates (2020 data)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PostbankcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPostbank is one of smava's key partner banks providing installment loan products through the smava comparison platform. Customers can compare Postbank credit offers alongside 20+ other banks on smava's platform.
• CommerzbankcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommerzbank is a partner bank on smava's credit comparison platform, offering competitive installment loan products to smava's customer base.
• ING (ING-DiBa)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorING (formerly ING-DiBa) is a partner bank providing online credit products through smava's comparison platform, known for competitive direct banking rates.
• Deutsche BankcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDeutsche Bank is a partner bank offering credit products through smava's platform, bringing traditional banking credibility to the comparison marketplace.
• Santander Consumer BankcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSantander Consumer Bank, a subsidiary of the Santander Group, is a partner providing consumer credit and auto financing products through smava's platform.
• TargobankcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTargobank is a partner bank on smava's credit comparison platform offering installment loans and financing products.
• Deutsche Kreditbank (DKB)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDKB is a partner bank on smava's platform, known for competitive online banking products including installment loans.
• Creditplus BankcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCreditplus Bank is a partner bank specializing in consumer credit products offered through smava's comparison platform.
• auxmoneycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributorauxmoney is a partner on smava's platform offering peer-to-peer and alternative credit products, expanding smava's range beyond traditional bank offerings.
• S-KreditpartnercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorS-Kreditpartner (Sparkassen subsidiary) is a partner bank on smava's platform offering credit products backed by the Sparkassen network.
• Consors FinanzcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorConsors Finanz (BNP Paribas subsidiary) is a partner bank providing credit and financing products through smava's comparison platform.
• Vereinigte Volksbank Raiffeisenbank eGcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVereinigte Volksbank Raiffeisenbank eG is a cooperative bank partner providing credit products through smava's platform, with one example showing 8.70% effective APR for qualified customers.
• Bank of ScotlandminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBank of Scotland is a partner bank offering credit products on smava's platform, adding international banking option to the comparison marketplace.
• HypoVereinsbank (UniCredit)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHypoVereinsbank (part of UniCredit Group) is a partner bank on smava's platform offering credit products from a major European banking group.
• Oldenburgische Landesbank (OLB)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOLB is a regional German bank partner on smava's platform providing credit products to smava's customer base.
• NorisbankminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNorisbank (DKB subsidiary) is a direct banking partner on smava's platform offering competitive online credit products.
• DSL BankminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDSL Bank (Deutsche Siedlungs- und Landesrentenbank) is a partner bank on smava's platform, focused on building society and construction financing products.
• PSD BankminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPSD Bank is a cooperative bank network partner offering credit products through smava's comparison platform.
• SWK BankminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSWK Bank is a direct bank partner on smava's platform offering online credit products with competitive rates.
• SKG BankminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSKG Bank is a partner bank on smava's platform offering credit products as part of the Sparkasse/Kreissparkasse group.
• ABK BankminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorABK Bank (Allgemeine Beamten-Bank) is a partner bank on smava's platform offering credit products, with special focus on public sector employees.
• Kredit2DayminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKredit2Day is an alternative lender partner on smava's platform, providing fast credit approval products for customers seeking quick disbursement.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Check24: Germany's largest cross-category comparison portal covering credit, insurance, energy, telecom, and more. Check24 is Smava's most direct competitor in loan comparison with a much larger traffic base and broader cross-sell.
• Verivox: Major German price-comparison portal for financial products (credit, insurance, banking) and energy. Operates a similar consumer loan brokerage model competing head-to-head with Smava for the same borrower audience.
• Interhyp: Germany's largest independent mortgage broker, intermediating Baufinanzierungen from a broad lender panel. Directly comparable to Smava's Baufinanzierung product line and a key competitor in the mortgage brokerage vertical.
• Dr. Klein: German mortgage and consumer finance broker with a multi-channel franchise. Comparable to Smava in the credit and Baufinanzierung brokerage segments, with a different branch-and-online distribution mix.
• Baufi24: German online mortgage comparison portal aggregating offers from multiple banks. Closely comparable to Smava's Baufinanzierung engine in target customer, lender panel model, and digital funnel.

Emerging players

• auxmoney: Germany's leading P2P consumer and SME lending marketplace. Functions as both a Smava partner (alternative lender in the panel) and a competitor for credit-seeking borrowers — making it a hybrid emerging player in the same category.
• Creditolo: German credit broker specializing in free personal loan mediation, including for borrowers with weaker credit profiles. Competes with Smava in the consumer credit brokerage segment with a niche focus on harder-to-place borrowers.
• Bon-Kredit: Austrian-founded credit broker operating in Germany, mediating personal loans from a partner bank panel. Directly comparable niche consumer credit brokerage offering similar loan-comparison services to Smava.
• Lendico: German P2P lending platform (originally backed by Rocket Internet) operating in the consumer and SME credit marketplace. Competes for the same alternative-credit borrower segment that Smava serves via auxmoney partnerships.
• Hypofriend: Berlin-based digital mortgage advisor combining broker mediation with proprietary advisory tooling. Emerging player in the German Baufinanzierung vertical where it competes with Smava's mortgage brokerage product.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/smava
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smava
• Facebookfacebook.com/smavaDe
• Instagraminstagram.com/smava_de
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCxdNqYoN6a0d9aLp9GdK_6w

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds7 records

Investors11 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Smava