Quick summary:
- DEGIRO: The best overall Trade Republic alternative for long-term investors. DEGIRO offers low-cost access to stocks, ETFs, bonds, and derivatives across global exchanges, with no inactivity or custody fees (other fees may apply).
- Trading 212*: The most similar to Trade Republic. Trading 212 offers high interest on uninvested cash in several currencies, a debit card, commission-free investing (Other fees may apply. See terms and conditions), and even a free share with our promo codes “IITW” or “FINTECH”.
- Interactive Brokers: Best for large amounts and serious investors. IBKR is a long-established broker with an extensive product selection (stocks, bonds, options, futures) and ultra-competitive fees. It does not offer a debit card, and interest is not paid in your first $10,000 invested. As such, it targets mostly higher investment amounts and more experienced investors.
- Freedom24: Best alternative for sign-up bonuses. You can invest in several products including stocks, ETFs, and more.
*Capital at Risk. Sponsored Link. To get free fractional shares worth up to 100 EUR/GBP, you can open an account with Trading 212 through this link. Terms apply.
Trade Republic’s simplicity, interest on idle cash, and easy saving plans have earned it a loyal following.
But what if you’ve already maxed out their savings cap, or you’re looking for a bit more variety or potentially better rates?
After personally exploring several platforms, these three stand out as strong contenders!
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | DEGIRO | Trading 212 | Freedom24 | Interactive Brokers (IBKR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interest on EUR (Approx.) | No interest paid on uninvested cash | 2.20% p.a. | Not applicable | ~1.44% p.a. (as of July 2025) |
| US Stock Fees | $1 per trade + external costs; FX fee of 0.25% | Commission-free (0.15% FX fee) | From ~$0.02/share (depends on chosen plan) | Tiered: $0.0035/share (min. $0.35) |
| EU Stock Fees | From €1 per trade, depending on the exchange | Commission-free | Varies, generally low | ~0.05% (min. €1.25) |
| Account Minimum | €0 | €10 | €0 | €0 |
| Demo Account | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Debit Card | No | Yes | No | No |
| User-Friendliness | Moderate (functional platform) | Very high (beginner-friendly) | Moderate (slightly more complex) | Lower (steep learning curve) |
| Product Range | Stocks, ETFs, bonds, cryptocurrencies, investment funds, options, futures | Stocks, ETFs, some CFDs, limited instruments | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Futures | Extremely broad (stocks, ETFs, options, futures, bonds, FX) |
| Sign-Up Bonus/Promo | Yes, €100 offers on the first transaction fees and handling costs | Free share up to €100 | Yes, occasional sign-up bonuses | Not typically (may vary by region) |
| Regulation & Deposit Protection | Regulated in Europe (AFM, DNB); investor protection up to €20,000 in assets and up to €100,000 in cash | FCA, CySEC, BaFin, ASIC | CySEC | Multiple top-tier regulators (SEC, FCA, etc.). |
| Currency Conversion Fee | 0.25% FX fee | ~0.15% | Depends on plan, not always zero | Very low (~0.002%) |
DEGIRO: best overall Trade Republic alternative
DEGIRO stands out as the best overall alternative to Trade Republic in 2026, especially for long-term investors who prioritise low costs, broad market access, and direct ownership of assets over banking-style features.
Part of flatexDEGIRO Bank, DEGIRO is one of Europe’s largest discount brokers. It offers a wide range of financial assets for trading, including stocks, ETFs, bonds, options, futures contracts, warrants, cryptocurrencies, investment funds, and leveraged products. For instance, you can trade some ETFs for a flat fee of €1, with no minimum amount required.
The web trading platform is basic, but it is efficient and straightforward to use. In a matter of minutes, you get used to it. The same applies to its mobile app. On the downside, there is an absence of any significant fundamental research, a €2.50 connectivity fee applies, and pricing alerts are missing.
Unlike Trade Republic, DEGIRO does not offer a debit card or interest on uninvested cash. However, it compensates by focusing on what matters most to many investors: execution, cost efficiency, and access to real investment products rather than app-based extras.
Overall, DEGIRO is the best choice for investors who want to build and hold a diversified portfolio of stocks and ETFs at low cost, without being limited to a single exchange or product type.
Want a more in-depth analysis? Check our DEGIRO review.
Trading 212: a similar alternative
I find Trading 212 to be one of the closest matches to Trade Republic’s user-friendliness.
It’s also known for commission-free stock and ETF trading – no €1 settlement fees per trade. On top of that, you currently earn around 2.20% interest on your uninvested EUR, and you can access your funds easily with their debit card.
It feels as straightforward as Trade Republic, but you save a bit on transaction fees, and the interest rates on idle cash are competitive. Plus, you might snag a free fractional share when signing up with our promo codes “IITW” or “FINTECH”.
On the downside, the product range is somewhat limited compared to larger brokers (no bonds, futures, or options).
Want to learn more? Visit Trading 212’s website!
Risk disclaimer: When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested. Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.
Freedom24: best to diversify your holdings
If you’re looking to diversify your holdings and have a more expansive product range than Trade Republic, Freedom24 might be a good alternative. With periodic promotions for new users, it can provide a nice boost right from the start.
Freedom24 often feels like a middle ground – still relatively user-friendly, but offering more market variety, including bonds and options. The interest rates may not always match Trade Republic’s, but they’re still quite good, and the bonus offers can make a real difference.
On the downside, the interface may feel less intuitive than some “mobile-first” platforms. Plus, fees can be higher than Trade Republic if you’re not careful about the trading plan you select.
Want to learn more? Visit Freedom24’s website.
Interactive Brokers (IBKR): best for advanced investors
For those ready to step up their investing game, IBKR is a powerhouse. It’s been around for decades, weathering multiple market cycles, and offers nearly every product under the sun—stocks, ETFs, options, futures, bonds, and more. Fees are particularly low for U.S. stock trading, making it ideal if you plan to trade larger sums or want more sophisticated tools.
It’s my go-to recommendation for “serious” investors who need something beyond a simplistic mobile-only experience. IBKR also pays interest on uninvested cash, and while it may not be as high as Trade Republic’s promo rates, it’s still a nice perk.
IBKR’s longstanding reputation and strong regulatory oversight (SEC, FCA, etc.) provide peace of mind. Your assets are well-protected, and investor compensation schemes add an extra layer of security.
On the downside, IBKR has a more complex interface: the platform is powerful but can be intimidating for beginners, and opening an account might take a bit more time and effort. Furthermore, it does not have a debit card, and interest is not paid in your first $10,000.
It targets mostly higher investment amounts and more experienced investors.
Want to learn more? Visit the Interactive Brokers website directly!
Conclusion
If you love Trade Republic’s simplicity but want slightly better conditions and a free share on signup, DEGIRO and Trading 212 are a natural fit.
If you’re attracted to the idea of options trading and maybe enjoying a nice signup bonus, Freedom24 could be your ideal match.
Finally, if you’re a more experienced investor or plan to manage significant amounts over the long haul, Interactive Brokers offers a professional-grade trading environment and a wide range of products that go far beyond what Trade Republic provides.
Each of these alternatives comes with its own set of pros and cons, so consider what matters most—be it ease of use, higher interest, bonus offers, or product variety—and pick the one that best aligns with your personal investment strategy.
Explore the websites mentioned above and decide for yourself.
Hope I helped!
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.
