DEGIRO vs Interactive Brokers: a detailed comparison for European investors (2026)

Last verified: 2026-03-20

Feature	DEGIRO	Interactive Brokers (IBKR)
Annual fee	EUR 0	EUR 0
Trading fee (EU stocks/ETFs)	EUR 2 + 0.03% per trade	0.05%, min EUR 1.25
Minimum deposit	EUR 0.01	EUR 0
Regulated by	BaFin (DE), AFM (NL)	SEC (US), FCA (UK), CBI (IE), MNB (HU)
Best for	European ETF investors who want simplicity	Active traders and globally diversified portfolios

Introduction

If you are an expat or local investor in Europe looking for a low-cost broker, two names come up more than almost any other: DEGIRO and Interactive Brokers (IBKR). Both offer commission rates well below traditional European banks, access to major global exchanges, and no annual custody fees. But they differ significantly in who they are built for and the tools they provide.

This comparison is designed for European investors, particularly those in the Netherlands, Germany, and other EU countries, who are choosing between these two platforms for building a long-term portfolio or actively trading. We look at the real fee structures, features, and practical differences using data from the Capmap platform directory.

Both platforms are suitable for different types of investors, and neither is universally superior to the other. This article presents the facts so you can decide which fits your situation.

DEGIRO overview

DEGIRO is a Dutch online broker founded in 2008 that has grown to serve over 2.5 million clients across 24 European countries. Originally built as a low-cost alternative to traditional bank brokers, DEGIRO quickly became one of the most popular retail investing platforms in Europe. The company is headquartered in the Netherlands and is regulated by both BaFin in Germany and the AFM in the Netherlands, giving it a regulatory score of 8 out of 10 on Capmap.

DEGIRO's core appeal is straightforward pricing. There is no annual custody fee, and standard stock trades on Euronext cost EUR 2 plus 0.03% of the transaction value. ETF trades are slightly cheaper at EUR 2 plus 0.02%. The platform also offers a selection of approximately 200 commission-free ETFs, which is a significant draw for passive investors who want to build an ETF portfolio without paying per transaction.

The product range covers stocks, ETFs, bonds, options, futures, and warrants across seven major exchanges including Euronext, XETRA, NYSE, NASDAQ, and the London Stock Exchange. The minimum deposit is just EUR 0.01, making it accessible for beginners starting with small amounts. Deposit protection includes EUR 100,000 through the Dutch Central Bank (DNB) for cash and EUR 20,000 through the investor compensation scheme.

Where DEGIRO keeps things simple, it also means some features are absent. There is no demo account for testing the platform before committing. Fractional shares are not available, so you need enough capital to buy whole shares. There is no API access for automated trading, and savings plans (automated recurring investments) are not currently offered. Payment methods are limited to bank transfer and iDEAL.

Interactive Brokers (IBKR) overview

Interactive Brokers is a US-headquartered brokerage founded in 1978, making it one of the oldest and most established electronic brokers in the world. For European clients, the company operates through its Irish and Hungarian entities, regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) and the Hungarian National Bank (MNB) respectively. It also holds licenses from the SEC in the United States and the FCA in the United Kingdom.

Interactive Brokers is often considered the gold standard for serious and active investors. Its standout feature is market access: the platform provides access to over 150 markets in 33 countries, which is far more than any other retail broker available in Europe. The product range is equally extensive, covering stocks, ETFs, bonds, options, futures, forex, CFDs, warrants, and structured products.

For European stock and ETF trades, IBKR charges 0.05% of the trade value with a minimum of EUR 1.25 per order. US stock trades use a per-share model at USD 0.0035 per share with a minimum of USD 0.35, which works out extremely cheaply for standard-sized orders. One of IBKR's most praised features is its currency conversion rate of just 0.002%, which is close to the interbank rate and significantly cheaper than most competitors.

The platform offers several features that DEGIRO does not. Fractional shares allow you to invest exact amounts regardless of share price. A full demo account lets you test the platform with paper trading before using real money. API access is available for algorithmic and automated trading strategies. IBKR also pays interest on uninvested cash balances, currently at EURIBOR minus 0.5%, tiered by balance size. Deposit protection for European clients is EUR 20,000 through the Irish Investor Compensation Fund (ICF).

The trade-off is complexity. IBKR's Trader Workstation is powerful but has a steep learning curve. The platform is built for experienced investors and traders, and newcomers may find the interface overwhelming compared to DEGIRO's more streamlined approach.

Detailed fee comparison

Fee type	DEGIRO	Interactive Brokers
Annual custody fee	EUR 0	EUR 0
EU stock trade (Euronext)	EUR 2 + 0.03%	0.05%, min EUR 1.25
EU ETF trade	EUR 2 + 0.02%	0.05%, min EUR 1.25
US stock trade	EUR 2 + 0.03%	USD 0.0035/share, min USD 0.35
Commission-free ETFs	~200 selected ETFs	None
Currency conversion	0.25% (auto-conversion)	0.002% (near-interbank)
Minimum deposit	EUR 0.01	EUR 0
Inactivity fee	None	None
Cash interest	Information not available on Capmap	EURIBOR minus 0.5% (tiered)

For small European stock trades, the fee difference is notable. A EUR 500 trade on Euronext would cost EUR 2.15 with DEGIRO (EUR 2 + 0.03%) compared to EUR 1.25 with IBKR (0.05% = EUR 0.25, but the minimum kicks in). For a EUR 5,000 trade, DEGIRO charges EUR 3.50 while IBKR charges EUR 2.50. The gap narrows or reverses at different trade sizes, so the cheaper option depends on your typical order size.

Where IBKR has a clear advantage is currency conversion. If you buy US-listed ETFs or stocks, DEGIRO's 0.25% auto-conversion fee adds up quickly on larger portfolios. IBKR's 0.002% rate is over 100 times cheaper for the same conversion, which can save hundreds of euros per year for investors who regularly trade in non-EUR currencies.

On the other hand, DEGIRO's selection of approximately 200 commission-free ETFs offers a cost advantage for passive investors who stick to that list. If your strategy involves monthly purchases of a few core ETFs from the free list, DEGIRO can be essentially free to use.

Feature comparison

Feature	DEGIRO	Interactive Brokers
Available markets	7 major exchanges	150+ markets in 33 countries
Product types	Stocks, ETFs, bonds, options, futures, warrants	Stocks, ETFs, bonds, options, futures, forex, CFDs, warrants, structured products
Fractional shares	No	Yes
Demo account	No	Yes
Savings plan	No	No
Mobile app	Yes	Yes
Web platform	Yes	Yes
API access	No	Yes
Tax reporting	Yes	Yes
Deposit protection	EUR 100,000 (DNB) + EUR 20,000 (investor compensation)	EUR 20,000 (ICF Ireland)
Available in EU countries	24 countries	30+ countries
Payment methods	Bank transfer, iDEAL	Bank transfer

The feature gap between the two platforms reflects their different target audiences. DEGIRO focuses on providing a clean, simplified experience for European retail investors. It covers the essentials well: a mobile app, web platform, and tax reporting across the major European exchanges. For someone who wants to buy and hold ETFs or stocks without much complexity, DEGIRO delivers what is needed.

Interactive Brokers offers significantly more breadth. Access to over 150 markets means you can trade securities in virtually any major market worldwide. The inclusion of forex, CFDs, and structured products alongside the standard offerings makes it suitable for more sophisticated strategies. API access opens the door to algorithmic trading, and fractional shares let you invest exact euro amounts into high-priced stocks.

One area where DEGIRO has an edge is deposit protection. Dutch-regulated accounts benefit from EUR 100,000 cash protection through the DNB, plus EUR 20,000 in investor compensation. IBKR's European clients get EUR 20,000 through the Irish ICF, which is the standard EU minimum but lower than what DEGIRO offers on the cash side.

Who should choose which?

If you are a European investor who primarily buys ETFs and wants a simple, low-cost experience, DEGIRO may suit your needs well. The platform is straightforward to use, the free ETF selection can reduce your costs to nearly zero, and it is available across 24 European countries. It is particularly well-suited for buy-and-hold investors in the Netherlands and Germany who do not need advanced tools or access to exotic markets.

If you trade actively, invest across multiple currencies, or want access to a very wide range of markets and products, Interactive Brokers may be more appropriate. Its near-interbank currency conversion rates alone can save significant money for investors who regularly buy US-listed ETFs or international securities. The platform is also the stronger choice for anyone who wants fractional shares, a demo account, or API access for automated strategies.

If you are just starting out and want to begin with small amounts in European ETFs, DEGIRO's lower complexity and commission-free ETF list make it a more approachable starting point. If you expect your portfolio to grow significantly or you want to diversify across global markets, you may find that Interactive Brokers offers more room to grow without needing to switch platforms later.

For investors who trade primarily in euros on European exchanges and do not need currency conversion, the cost difference between the two is relatively small on standard-sized orders. In that scenario, the choice may come down to whether you value simplicity (DEGIRO) or breadth of features (IBKR).

Conclusion

DEGIRO and Interactive Brokers are both strong choices for European investors, but they serve different profiles. DEGIRO is built for simplicity and low-cost European ETF and stock investing. Interactive Brokers is built for global market access, advanced features, and the lowest possible currency conversion costs. Both charge no annual custody fee and no inactivity fee, making either viable for long-term investing.

You can explore both platforms in detail on Capmap: DEGIRO and Interactive Brokers (IBKR). For more investing platforms available in Europe, browse the full Capmap directory.

This article is educational content, not financial advice. Always do your own research before making financial decisions. Fees and features may change. Verify current details on the platform's official website. Last verified: 2026-03-20.

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Disclaimer

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or investment advice. Capmap.eu is an independent comparison platform — we do not provide personal recommendations. Always verify current fees, rates, and regulations with the provider or a qualified adviser before making financial decisions. Information was accurate at the time of writing but may have changed.