If you’re considering an online broker for your investments, 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, interest on uninvested cash, and access to Forex and CFDs. XTB also recently launched its own e-wallet.
- DEGIRO: Best if you’re looking for a wide range of stocks, ETFs, bonds, options, and a simple platform. Although it doesn’t pay interest on your cash or offer commission-free trading, it’s still a low-cost option for investing in local and international stock markets. It’s the best choice if you’re looking for an execution-only broker (no CFDs or forex).
I would be comfortable investing with either broker – but each shines in different areas. Both are publicly traded companies, regulated by top-tier institutions, and DEGIRO even has a banking license.
Side-by-side comparison
DEGIRO’s overview
Founded in 2008, DEGIRO was one of the first brokers to offer low commissions to investors in Europe. It is based in the Netherlands, holds a banking license, and is supervised by European financial authorities such as the Dutch Central Bank (DNB) and the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM).
Like XTB, DEGIRO’s parent company (flatexDEGIRO AG) is listed (Frankfurt Stock Exchange).
DEGIRO stands out with its low-cost model, giving investors access to various financial instruments such as stocks, ETFs, bonds, and options on multiple international exchanges. It also distinguishes itself by offering a simpler, more user-friendly investment platform compared to XTB.
On the downside, long-term investors might dislike the fact that you will have to pay an annual connectivity fee for each exchange where you are invested.
DEGIRO’s Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Popular ETF Selection List (external fees apply)
- Intuitive web and mobile application
- Wide range of investment options
- Educational resources (Investor’s Academy)
- Overall low commission structure
- No account opening, inactivity, or withdrawal fees
Cons:
- 0.25% currency conversion fee
- €1 handling fee per transaction (applies to most operations)
- €2.50 annual connectivity fee per exchange
- Does not offer Forex, CFDs, or cryptocurrencies
- Limited-quality customer support
- No interest paid on uninvested cash
Visit DEGIRO’s website to learn more!
XTB’s overview
Founded in 2002, XTB is one of the top names in the brokerage industry, with extensive global experience. It is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), among other relevant authorities, and is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange.
You can invest through the xStation 5 and xStation Mobile platforms in various investment products such as stocks, ETFs, and CFDs on stocks, ETFs, Forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies.
XTB offers 0% commissions on stocks and ETFs up to a monthly trading volume of €100,000 (0.20% commission thereafter, minimum €10) and pays interest on uninvested cash (in EUR and USD). Additionally, it charges a 0.50% currency conversion fee when buying assets in currencies other than EUR.
XTB’s Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Commission-free stock and ETF trading (up to certain limits)
- Highly customizable trading platform (charts and workspace)
- Low Forex spreads
- Demo account available
- Minimum deposit of just €1
- Educational materials
- Well-regulated by reputable authorities
Cons:
- Trading platform can be more complex compared with DEGIRO’s
- High spreads on some products
- Limited product range (no options, bonds, etc.)
- Inactivity fee (€10/month after more than 1 year without activity and no deposit in the last 90 days)
- Primarily a CFD broker
Visit XTB’s website to learn more!
Regulation and Security
| Feature | XTB | DEGIRO |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory Authorities | FCA, KNF, CySEC, DFSA, FSC, CMVM | AFM, DNB, BaFin |
| Investor Compensation Fund | Up to 90% of assets, max. €22,000 | Up to 90% of assets, max. €20,000 |
| Asset Segregation | Yes | Yes |
| Private Insurance | No | No |
| Negative Balance Protection | Yes | Not applicable (no CFDs) |
| Banking License | No | Yes |
| Listed on Exchange | Yes (Warsaw) | Yes (Frankfurt) |
Both brokers offer a high level of transparency by being listed on stock exchanges, ensuring more rigorous scrutiny of their financial reports.
Financial Instruments
| Products | XTB | DEGIRO |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes (+3,500) | Yes (+5,000) |
| ETFs | Yes (+350) | Yes (+5,000) |
| Bonds | No | Yes |
| Options | No | Yes |
| Futures | No | Yes |
| Structured Products | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrencies | Yes (CFDs) | No |
| Forex | Yes (CFDs) | No |
| Indices | Yes (CFDs) | No |
| Commodities | Yes (CFDs) | No |
While DEGIRO offers a broader range of traditional products like bonds and options, XTB provides greater exposure to commodities, Forex, and cryptocurrencies (via CFDs).
Fees
| Fee Type | XTB | DEGIRO |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks (EU, US, UK) | 0% commission* | From €1 + €1 handling fee |
| ETFs | 0% commission* | From €0 + €1 handling fee |
| Bonds | Not applicable | €2 + €1 handling fee |
| Options | Not applicable | €0.75/contract + €5 monthly connectivity cost |
| Currency Conversion | 0.50% | 0.25% |
| Spreads | From 0.1 pips (Forex) | Not applicable |
| Withdrawal Fee | €0 | €0 |
| Inactivity Fee | €10/month after 12 months inactivity | €0 |
| Connectivity Fee | €0 | €2.50 per exchange/year |
*Up to €100,000 monthly trading volume. Above this limit, there’s a 0.20% commission (min. €10).
XTB is more competitive when it comes to commission-free stock and ETF trading, while DEGIRO has a more transparent fee structure and relatively low transaction costs.
Bottom line
After using both, I find XTB better if you’re keen on saving on commissions, taking advantage of interest on your cash, and exploring a more “trader-friendly” environment with CFDs and Forex. The newly introduced e-wallet might also appeal to those who value that feature.
On the other hand, DEGIRO excels if you’re a long-term, no-nonsense investor who wants a wide product range (especially bonds and options) at low, transparent fees.
In truth, both are solid, well-regulated choices. Decide what matters most to you—fees, product range, platform complexity, or the types of instruments you plan to trade—and pick the one that best fits your investment style. If possible, try both and see which platform feels more comfortable.
Hope we 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.
