If you’re considering an online broker in Europe, you’ve probably come across both XTB and DEGIRO. I personally use both, and while each has its advantages, the “best” choice really depends on what you’re looking for as an investor.
Below, I’ll share my own experience with these two platforms, highlight their main pros and cons, and explain which type of investor might prefer XTB or DEGIRO.
Quick summary:
- XTB: Ideal for commission-free stock and ETF investing (up to €100,000 of monthly turnover), automatic interest on uninvested cash and ETF Investment Plans from €15. It also offers CFDs on forex, indices and commodities, which are high-risk products.
- DEGIRO: Best if you want a wider range of products (stocks, ETFs, bonds, funds, options and futures) and a simple, execution-only platform without CFDs or forex. It doesn’t pay interest on cash, but it has more than 1,000 ETFs in its Core Selection for a €1 handling fee.
I would be comfortable investing with either broker, but each shines in different areas. Both belong to groups listed on the stock exchange and are regulated by EU supervisors, and DEGIRO is part of a bank.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | XTB | DEGIRO |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2002 | 2008 |
| Main EU entity | XTB S.A. (KNF, Poland) | flatexDEGIRO Bank SE (BaFin, Germany) |
| Stocks and ETFs | 0% commission up to €100,000 monthly turnover | €2 per US stock trade, €3 on most EU exchanges, €1 for Core Selection ETFs |
| FX fee | 0.5% | 0.25% (AutoFX) |
| Interest on cash | Yes, higher rate in the first 90 days (varies by country) | No |
| Products | Stocks, ETFs, options*, CFDs | Stocks, ETFs, bonds, funds, options, futures, crypto (selected countries) |
| Platforms | xStation 5 (web), XTB app | DEGIRO WebTrader, DEGIRO app |
| Minimum deposit | None | €0.01 |
| Demo account | Yes | No |
| Leverage | Up to 1:30 on CFDs (retail) | No CFDs |
*Options are available in Cyprus, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Portugal, Slovakia and Spain. Fees checked in September 2026.
DEGIRO overview
Founded in 2008 in the Netherlands, DEGIRO was one of the first brokers to offer low commissions to European investors. Today it is the brand of flatexDEGIRO Bank SE, a German bank supervised by BaFin. Its Dutch branch is also supervised by the Dutch Central Bank (DNB) and the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM). The parent company, flatexDEGIRO, is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
DEGIRO stands out with its low-cost model and wide product range: stocks, ETFs, bonds, investment funds, options and futures on many international exchanges, and crypto in selected countries. New clients start on the Basic account, which does not allow options, futures or margin, so you need to upgrade your profile for those.
For ETF investors, the highlight is the Core Selection: more than 1,000 ETFs on the Tradegate exchange for a €1 handling fee and no connectivity fee (currency, external product and spread costs may apply). The platform is also simpler and cleaner than XTB’s.
On the downside, long-term investors might dislike the €2.50 annual connectivity fee for each exchange outside your home market where you trade or hold positions.
DEGIRO pros and cons
Pros:
- ETF Core Selection with 1,000+ ETFs for a €1 handling fee (external costs may apply)
- Intuitive web and mobile app
- Wide range of products, including bonds, options and futures
- Part of a licensed bank, with cash covered up to €100,000
- Educational resources (Investor’s Academy)
- No account opening, inactivity or withdrawal fees
Cons:
- 0.25% currency conversion fee
- €1 handling fee on most transactions
- €2.50 annual connectivity fee per exchange outside your home market
- No forex or CFDs
- No interest on uninvested cash
Want a more in-depth analysis? Read our DEGIRO review or visit DEGIRO’s website.
XTB overview
Founded in 2002 in Poland, XTB has been listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange since 2016 and has more than 2 million clients. Most EU clients are served by XTB S.A., supervised by the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF), often through local branches. Other group entities are regulated by the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), the DFSA (Dubai) and the FSC (Belize).
Through the xStation 5 platform and the XTB app, you can invest in more than 5,000 real stocks and ETFs from 16 exchanges, as well as options in some countries and CFDs on stocks, ETFs, forex, indices, commodities and cryptocurrencies.
XTB offers 0% commission on stocks and ETFs up to €100,000 of monthly turnover (0.2% above that, minimum €10). The main cost is the 0.5% currency conversion fee when you buy assets in a currency other than your account currency, so buying EUR-listed ETFs with a EUR account avoids it. With Investment Plans, you can automate monthly purchases of ETFs from €15.
XTB also pays interest on uninvested cash automatically, with no minimum or maximum balance. New clients get a higher rate during their first 90 days on up to €100,000, after which a lower standard rate applies. Rates are variable, can change weekly and depend on your country. In Germany, for example, the rates were 3.00% for new clients and 0.90% afterwards in May 2026. XTB S.A. clients can also get the XTB Card, issued by DiPocket UAB under a Mastercard license.
XTB pros and cons
Pros:
- 0% commission on stocks and ETFs up to €100,000 of monthly turnover
- Automatic interest on uninvested cash
- Investment Plans for regular ETF purchases from €15
- Highly customisable platform (charts and workspace)
- Demo account available
- No minimum deposit
Cons:
- 0.5% currency conversion fee
- No bonds, futures or funds
- Inactivity fee of €10 per month after 12 months without trades and no deposit in the last 90 days
- Platform can feel more complex than DEGIRO’s
- CFDs are prominent in the platform, which may not suit long-term investors
Visit XTB’s website to learn more.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 74% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Regulation and security
| Feature | XTB | DEGIRO |
|---|---|---|
| Regulators | KNF (EU), FCA, CySEC, DFSA, FSC | BaFin, AFM and DNB (Dutch branch) |
| Investor compensation | Up to €20,100 (Polish scheme) | Up to €20,000 (90% of losses) |
| Cash protection | Segregated at partner banks | €100,000 (German deposit guarantee) |
| Asset segregation | Yes | Yes |
| Negative balance protection | Yes | No CFDs |
| Banking licence | No | Yes |
| Listed on | Warsaw Stock Exchange | Frankfurt Stock Exchange |
Both brokers are listed on stock exchanges, so their financial reports are public and closely scrutinised. The Polish investor compensation scheme covers 100% of losses up to €3,000 and 90% above that, on claims up to €22,000, which is why the maximum payout is €20,100.
In 2026, the KNF fined XTB S.A. PLN 20 million over how it assessed clients’ knowledge and informed them about CFD risks between 2022 and 2023, a decision the regulator upheld in September 2026. The fine does not affect the protection of client assets, but it is a reminder to treat CFDs with care.
Financial instruments
| Products | XTB | DEGIRO |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks and ETFs | Yes (5,000+ on 16 exchanges) | Yes (1,000+ ETFs in the Core Selection alone) |
| Fractional shares | Yes | No |
| Bonds | No | Yes |
| Funds | No | Yes |
| Options | Yes (7 countries) | Yes (with profile upgrade) |
| Futures | No | Yes (with profile upgrade) |
| Crypto | CFDs only | Yes (selected countries) |
| Forex, indices and commodities | CFDs only | No |
DEGIRO offers a broader range of traditional products like bonds, funds and futures, while XTB gives exposure to forex, indices and commodities through CFDs.
If options are your focus, see our guide to the best platforms for US options trading in Europe.
Fees
| Fee | XTB | DEGIRO |
|---|---|---|
| US stocks | 0% commission* | €2 (€1 + €1 handling fee) |
| EU stocks | 0% commission* | €3 on most exchanges (€2 + €1 handling fee) |
| ETFs | 0% commission* | €1 for Core Selection on Tradegate, €3 otherwise |
| Options | See XTB’s fee table | €0.75 per contract, plus €5 per month for US options markets |
| Currency conversion | 0.5% | 0.25% |
| Inactivity fee | €10 per month after 12 months (conditions apply) | €0 |
| Connectivity fee | €0 | €2.50 per exchange per year (not on home market or Core Selection) |
*Up to €100,000 of monthly turnover. Above this limit, a 0.2% commission applies (min. €10). Fees checked in September 2026.
XTB is cheaper for most stock and ETF trades as long as you buy in your account currency. DEGIRO has a lower FX fee, which matters if you often buy US stocks, and its Core Selection keeps ETF investing cheap.
Bottom line
After using both, I find XTB better if you want to save on commissions, earn interest on your cash and automate ETF purchases with Investment Plans. It also suits you if you want access to CFDs, as long as you understand their high risk.
On the other hand, DEGIRO excels if you’re a long-term investor who wants a wide product range (especially bonds, funds and options), a bank behind your account and a simple platform with no CFDs.
Both are solid, well-regulated choices. Decide what matters most to you (fees, product range, interest on cash or platform simplicity) and pick the one that best fits your investment style.
Still weighing other options? See our ranking of the best online brokers for European investors or our list of the best Trade Republic alternatives.
Common questions
Is XTB or DEGIRO better for ETFs?
For EUR-listed ETFs bought with a EUR account, XTB costs nothing in commission up to €100,000 of monthly turnover, and its Investment Plans automate monthly purchases. DEGIRO charges a €1 handling fee on Core Selection ETFs but offers a wider choice and a lower FX fee for ETFs in other currencies.
Does DEGIRO pay interest on cash?
No. DEGIRO does not pay interest on uninvested cash, while XTB pays a variable rate that depends on your country and is higher during your first 90 days.
Is my money safe with XTB and DEGIRO?
Both keep client assets segregated from their own. DEGIRO is part of a German bank, so cash is covered up to €100,000 by the German deposit guarantee scheme and securities by investor compensation up to €20,000. At XTB S.A., the Polish investor compensation scheme pays up to €20,100.
Can I use XTB and DEGIRO at the same time?
Yes. Many investors use XTB for commission-free ETF purchases and DEGIRO for bonds, funds or options. If you want to invest in the S&P 500 through either of them, see our guide on how to invest in the S&P 500 from Europe.
Disclaimer: This article is for information only and is not investment advice. When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested. Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.
Pedro is passionate about finance, marketing, and technology. He is a growth manager at several online projects and a former digital marketer for a fintech company.
