DEGIRO vs Trade Republic 2026: which European broker is right for you?

At a glance

DEGIRO and Trade Republic are among Europe's most popular stock brokers, but they serve different investor types. DEGIRO is the established choice for cost-conscious traders across 18 countries, with a modest €2 base fee per trade. Trade Republic is a Berlin-based neobank targeting younger, active investors with simple €1 trading and a savings account bundled in. If you prioritise global market access and professional tools, DEGIRO edges ahead; if you want simplicity and mobile-first design, Trade Republic wins.

Feature	DEGIRO	Trade Republic
Minimum deposit	€0.01	€0 (no minimum)
Stock trade fee	€2 + 0.03%	€1 flat (all stocks)
ETF fee	€2 + 0.02%	€1 per trade (savings plans free)
Monthly fee	€0	€0
Markets	7 markets (50+ exchanges)	5 markets (10+ exchanges)
Free ETFs	200 + iShares savings plans	None (€1 per trade)
Regulated by	BaFin (DE), AFM (NL)	BaFin (DE)
Countries available	18	EU/EEA only
Best for	European expats, diverse portfolios	Young, active traders in EU

Introduction

DEGIRO and Trade Republic have dominated European retail investing since their respective launches in 2013 and 2015. Both democratised stock trading by eliminating hidden fees, but they've taken different paths: DEGIRO became a global powerhouse for portfolio builders, while Trade Republic built a lifestyle banking app for the TikTok generation. This comparison explores which platform suits your investing style, fees, and market access needs.

Last verified: 2026-03-23

DEGIRO: The global portfolio builder

DEGIRO is a Dutch online broker headquartered in Amsterdam, owned by Flatex (since 2020). It serves over 150,000 active traders across 18 countries and 7 continents. Regulated by both BaFin (Germany) and AFM (Netherlands), DEGIRO offers direct market access to 50+ exchanges spanning the US, Europe, Asia, and Australia -making it the go-to for expats who want exposure to markets beyond Europe.

Fees start at €2 per stock trade, plus a 0.03% transaction fee. ETFs cost €2 + 0.02%, but DEGIRO distinguishes itself with 200+ free ETFs from iShares, SPDR, Vanguard, and others -a genuine advantage for buy-and-hold investors. Savings plans (iShares or Vanguard) are completely free, making DEGIRO exceptionally cheap for regular contributors. The platform charges no monthly or inactivity fees.

DEGIRO's strength is choice and reach. You can trade from penny stocks to Chinese ADRs to Japanese equities in the same account. The interface is functional but dated (it doesn't chase trends), and the mobile app mirrors the desktop experience: utilitarian, not flashy. Advanced traders appreciate the real-time market data and direct order execution, but beginners sometimes find the density of options overwhelming.

One caveat: DEGIRO's custody model is segregated, meaning your cash sits with Rabobank and your securities with Euroclear Bank -a safety advantage but one more counterparty to trust. The €2 base fee, while modest, compounds on small trades; a €20 micro-cap purchase costs €2 + €0.006, totalling 10% in fees -clearly not for penny-amount trades.

Trade Republic: The mobile-first neobank

Trade Republic is a Berlin-based neobank and brokerage launched in 2015 by ambitious founders who wanted to make stock investing as frictionless as ordering a coffee. Regulated by BaFin in Germany, Trade Republic has exploded in popularity among younger Europeans -it now claims over 1 million customers. The platform bundles a checking account, savings account (offering 3% interest), and investment account all in one app.

Trade Republic's headline perk is the €1 flat fee per stock and ETF trade. No percentage commission, no hidden costs -plug in your order and pay one euro. For frequent traders or regular micro-contributions, this is significantly cheaper than DEGIRO's €2 base + percentage structure. Savings plans (fractional shares in 300+ ETFs) are free, matching DEGIRO's advantage for dollar-cost averaging.

The app is Trade Republic's true selling point. It's intuitive, fast, and designed for mobile first -you can open an account, verify your identity, and place your first trade in under five minutes. The design is modern and engaging, with clear pricing and no jargon. For beginners and active traders who live on their phones, Trade Republic's UX is unmatched.

The tradeoff: Trade Republic's reach is narrower. It covers major US and European exchanges but lacks direct access to Asian markets, Australian stocks, or bonds. You're also restricted to EU and EEA residents; if you move outside Europe, you can't use the platform. The neobank integration (checking account + savings account) is attractive, but the lack of separate portfolio insurance and the reliance on a single company for all your financial services adds concentration risk compared to DEGIRO's modular approach.

Fee comparison in real scenarios

Let's quantify the cost difference across three investor profiles:

Scenario 1: Buy 5 US stocks once (€5,000 total)

• DEGIRO: 5 × (€2 + 0.03%) = €10.15 total
• Trade Republic: 5 × €1 = €5.00 total
• Saving: €5.15 with Trade Republic

Trade Republic is cheaper for discrete trades, particularly if you're buying US stocks (the 0.03% commission on a €1,000 US stock trade adds €0.30 to DEGIRO's base €2).

Scenario 2: Monthly €500 ETF savings plan (1 year = 12 months)

• DEGIRO: €0 (free iShares/Vanguard savings plans)
• Trade Republic: €0 (free savings plans)
• Cost difference: €0 -tie

Both platforms excel at recurring investments. If you're contributing regularly to a diversified ETF, neither charges you anything -this is one area where they're equally competitive.

Scenario 3: Active trader (25 trades/month, mix of stocks and ETFs, €2,000 avg per trade)

• DEGIRO: 25 × (€2 + 0.02%) = €50 + €10 = €60/month (€720/year)
• Trade Republic: 25 × €1 = €25/month (€300/year)
• Saving: €35/month (€420/year) with Trade Republic

For frequent traders, Trade Republic's flat fee creates a significant edge. A trader executing 25 trades monthly pays less than half DEGIRO's cost.

Market access and product range

This is DEGIRO's clearest advantage. The platform offers:

• NYSE and NASDAQ -both platforms
• Asian markets (Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore) -DEGIRO only
• Australian ASX -DEGIRO only
• Bonds and fixed income -DEGIRO (50+ markets); Trade Republic (Europe only)
• Options and futures -DEGIRO; Trade Republic lacks these entirely
• Warrants and certificates -DEGIRO only

If your portfolio is entirely US/EU stocks and ETFs, Trade Republic's five markets are sufficient. But expat investors with global diversification ambitions, or those who want bond exposure, need DEGIRO's reach.

Both platforms offer fractional shares via savings plans, enabling you to invest €10 in an expensive ETF. Neither charges extra for fractional ownership.

User experience and tools

Trade Republic: Excels at simplicity. The app loads instantly, the order flow is three taps, and push notifications remind you of portfolio moves. Real-time quotes cost nothing. Charts are clean but basic -no advanced technical analysis tools. The savings plan interface is especially slick: you set it and forget it. For beginners, this is the winner.

DEGIRO: More functional than beautiful. The interface packs advanced order types (limit, stop-loss, trailing stop), real-time market data, and direct market access -all features serious traders expect. You can view order books and compare prices across multiple exchanges before executing. The mobile app mirrors the desktop site, which is convenient but feels cramped on a phone screen. For experienced traders and portfolio builders, DEGIRO's depth is an asset; for casual investors, it's noise.

Safety and regulation

Both are safe, though regulated differently:

DEGIRO: Regulated by BaFin (Germany) and AFM (Netherlands) under MiFID II. Your securities are held in segregated custody (Euroclear Bank) and your cash with Rabobank -separated from the broker's operational funds. Investor protection covers up to €100,000 per asset category per country, which is robust.

Trade Republic: Regulated solely by BaFin as a German bank and broker. Your securities are held separately (Clearstream), and cash is segregated. Investor protection is also €100,000 per customer per institution. The combined banking and brokerage license means fewer intermediaries, which simplifies operations but concentrates counterparty risk into one entity.

In practice, both are equally safe for most retail investors, assuming you keep balances under the €100,000 protection limit. However, DEGIRO's dual-country regulation and multi-intermediary setup offer slightly more redundancy.

Account setup and KYC

Trade Republic: Fastest. Video identification takes 5–10 minutes. Account activation is immediate. You can fund via bank transfer or Apple/Google Pay.

DEGIRO: Slightly slower. Traditional KYC verification (ID scan + address proof) takes 1–3 business days. No Apple Pay or Google Pay; bank transfers only. The process is thorough but less modern.

Who should choose each platform?

Choose DEGIRO if you:

• Invest globally (US, EU, Asia, Australia all in one account)
• Want access to bonds, options, or advanced instruments
• Are building a long-term diversified portfolio with monthly ETF contributions (free savings plans)
• Prefer a focused, feature-rich investing experience separate from everyday banking
• Live outside the EU/EEA but want a European broker

Choose Trade Republic if you:

• Trade primarily US and European stocks/ETFs
• Execute frequent trades (25+ per month) -the €1 flat fee saves you money
• Value a beautiful, intuitive mobile app above advanced tools
• Want your checking account, savings account, and brokerage in one place
• Are new to investing and want the lowest possible barrier to entry

Conclusion

DEGIRO and Trade Republic represent two philosophies: global reach vs. mobile simplicity. DEGIRO is the safer choice if you need international diversification or advanced order types; Trade Republic wins on cost for frequent traders and mobile-first design. Neither is objectively "better" -it depends on your geography, investment style, and market exposure. For European expats with a global mindset, DEGIRO's 18-country reach and bond access make it the more versatile choice. For young, active EU traders prioritising UI and cost-per-trade, Trade Republic is unbeatable.

Both platforms charge zero monthly fees and offer free ETF savings plans, making them among Europe's cheapest brokers overall. Before choosing, clarify whether you'll need Asian market access or advanced order types -if yes, DEGIRO; if not, Trade Republic's speed and simplicity will likely suit you better.

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: 2026-03-23.

Related guides

• Best ETF brokers in the Netherlands 2026
• How to start investing in the Netherlands as an expat
• 30% ruling Netherlands 2026

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.