Trading 212 vs DEGIRO: fees, features, and safety compared (2026)
Updated 19 May 2026
Last verified: 2026-03-22
Trading 212 and DEGIRO are two of the most popular investing platforms for Europeans, but they take very different approaches to pricing and features. Trading 212 offers truly commission-free stock and ETF trading with fractional shares and an auto-invest feature, making it ideal for beginners building a portfolio from scratch. DEGIRO charges small transaction fees but provides access to a wider range of products including bonds, options, and futures, which may suit more experienced investors. Your choice depends on whether you prioritise zero commissions and simplicity or a broader product range and stronger European regulation.
| Feature | Trading 212 | DEGIRO |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | EUR 0 | EUR 0 |
| Stock commission | 0% (commission-free) | EUR 1 handling fee + EUR 2 per transaction |
| ETF commission | 0% (commission-free) | EUR 1 (core selection) to EUR 3 (other ETFs) |
| FX conversion fee | 0.15% | 0.25% |
| Minimum deposit | EUR 1 | EUR 0.01 |
| Regulated by | FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus) | BaFin (Germany), AFM (Netherlands) |
| Deposit protection | EUR 20,000 (ICF Cyprus) | EUR 100,000 (DNB) + EUR 20,000 (investor compensation) |
| Fractional shares | Yes | No |
| Best for | Beginners, commission-free ETF investing | Experienced investors, broader product range |
Trading 212 is a commission-free broker founded in 2004 and headquartered in the United Kingdom. It is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) for its European operations. The platform has become especially popular among European retail investors thanks to its zero-commission model, intuitive mobile app, and fractional shares feature.
Trading 212 offers access to over 7,000 stocks and ETFs across major exchanges including the NYSE, NASDAQ, London Stock Exchange, Euronext, and XETRA. The platform also provides CFD trading through a separate account, though this review focuses on the Invest account for long-term investors. It is available in 26 European countries, including the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Spain.
One of Trading 212's standout features is its auto-invest (savings plan) functionality, which lets you set up recurring investments into a custom portfolio of stocks and ETFs. Combined with fractional shares, this means you can start investing with as little as EUR 1 and build a diversified portfolio over time without worrying about high share prices.
On the regulatory side, European clients are covered by the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) in Cyprus, which protects up to EUR 20,000 in the event that the firm cannot return your assets. Trading 212 holds client funds in segregated accounts, meaning your money is kept separate from the company's own finances.
DEGIRO is a Dutch online broker founded in 2008, now owned by flatexDEGIRO AG and headquartered in the Netherlands. It is regulated by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) and the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin). DEGIRO has grown to serve over 2.5 million clients across 24 European countries, establishing itself as one of Europe's leading low-cost brokers.
DEGIRO offers a wider range of products than most commission-free brokers: stocks, ETFs, bonds, options, futures, and warrants. This makes it a strong choice for investors who want to go beyond basic stock and ETF investing. The platform provides access to major exchanges worldwide, including Euronext, XETRA, NYSE, NASDAQ, the London Stock Exchange, and the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
DEGIRO's pricing model is straightforward but not zero-commission. The core ETF selection (around 200 ETFs) can be traded for a EUR 1 handling fee, with one free transaction per calendar month per ETF on the Tradegate exchange (for orders of EUR 1,000 or more). Other ETFs cost EUR 3 per transaction, and stock trades incur a handling fee plus a small commission depending on the exchange.
Regulatory protection is notably stronger with DEGIRO. Client cash is held under the Dutch Central Bank (DNB) deposit guarantee of EUR 100,000, and investments are further protected by the investor compensation scheme of up to EUR 20,000. DEGIRO's dual regulation under both BaFin and the AFM provides an additional layer of oversight that many European investors appreciate.
| Fee type | Trading 212 | DEGIRO |
|---|---|---|
| Annual/platform fee | EUR 0 | EUR 0 |
| Stock commission (European exchanges) | EUR 0 | EUR 1 handling fee + exchange-dependent commission |
| Stock commission (US exchanges) | EUR 0 | USD 1 commission + USD 1 handling fee |
| ETF commission (core selection) | EUR 0 | EUR 1 handling fee (free once per month for orders over EUR 1,000) |
| ETF commission (other ETFs) | EUR 0 | EUR 3 per transaction |
| FX conversion fee | 0.15% | 0.25% (Auto FX) |
| Connectivity fee (per exchange per year) | EUR 0 | EUR 2.50 |
| Deposit fee | EUR 0 | EUR 0 |
| Withdrawal fee | EUR 0 | EUR 0 |
| Inactivity fee | EUR 0 | EUR 0 |
Trading 212 has a clear cost advantage for investors who make frequent small trades or invest in non-European currencies. Its 0% commission model means the only meaningful fee is the 0.15% FX conversion charge when buying assets denominated in a different currency. Notably, Trading 212 offers a multi-currency account supporting 13 currencies, which means you can hold USD, GBP, CHF, and other balances to avoid FX fees entirely.
DEGIRO's fees are still low by industry standards, but they add up over time, particularly if you trade frequently or across multiple exchanges. The EUR 2.50 annual connectivity fee per exchange is a small but unique cost. However, for investors who stick to the core ETF selection on Tradegate and make larger monthly purchases, DEGIRO can be very cost-effective: one free ETF transaction per month per product effectively makes monthly ETF investing nearly free.
| Feature | Trading 212 | DEGIRO |
|---|---|---|
| Fractional shares | Yes | No |
| Auto-invest (savings plan) | Yes | No |
| Demo account | Yes | No |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
| Web platform | Yes | Yes |
| API access | No | No |
| Bonds | No | Yes |
| Options | No | Yes |
| Futures | No | Yes |
| Warrants | No | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes (separate account) | No |
| Tax reporting | Yes | Yes |
| Number of available ETFs | 7,000+ | 200 (core selection) + thousands more |
| Payment methods | Bank transfer, credit card, Google Pay, Apple Pay | Bank transfer, iDEAL |
| Countries available | 26 | 24 |
Trading 212 wins on beginner-friendly features. Fractional shares let you buy a portion of an expensive stock like Amazon or ASML for as little as EUR 1. The auto-invest feature is a genuine standout: you can create a custom portfolio pie, set a recurring deposit amount and frequency, and the platform automatically distributes your investment across your chosen assets. This makes passive, set-and-forget investing straightforward. The demo account also allows new investors to practise without risking real money.
DEGIRO wins on product breadth. If you want to trade bonds, options, futures, or warrants, DEGIRO is the clear choice since Trading 212 does not offer these products. DEGIRO also provides access to more global exchanges, including the Tokyo Stock Exchange and the Australian Securities Exchange, giving you exposure to markets that Trading 212 does not cover. For investors who have moved past the basics and want more advanced trading capabilities, DEGIRO offers significantly more flexibility.
Payment methods differ notably. Trading 212 accepts credit cards, Google Pay, and Apple Pay alongside bank transfers, making it faster to fund your account. DEGIRO is limited to bank transfers and iDEAL (popular in the Netherlands), which means deposits can take one to three business days.
Both platforms are regulated, but the structure differs. DEGIRO operates under BaFin (Germany) and the AFM (Netherlands), two of Europe's most respected financial regulators. Client cash is held under Dutch Central Bank (DNB) protection up to EUR 100,000, with an additional EUR 20,000 investor compensation scheme. DEGIRO's regulatory score on Capmap is 8 out of 10.
Trading 212 is regulated by the FCA in the United Kingdom and CySEC in Cyprus. European clients typically fall under the CySEC entity, which provides EUR 20,000 protection through the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF). While CySEC regulation is fully legitimate and MiFID II compliant, some investors prefer the additional assurance of Dutch or German regulators. Trading 212's regulatory score on Capmap is 6 out of 10.
Both platforms hold client assets in segregated accounts. In both cases, your shares are legally yours and should be returned to you even if the broker were to go insolvent. The key difference is in cash protection: DEGIRO's EUR 100,000 DNB guarantee is significantly higher than Trading 212's EUR 20,000 ICF limit.
If you are a beginner who wants to start investing with small amounts, Trading 212 is likely more suitable. The combination of zero commissions, fractional shares, and auto-invest makes it possible to build a diversified ETF portfolio from as little as EUR 1 per month with no trading costs. The demo account is also useful for practising before committing real money.
If you primarily invest in ETFs monthly and use larger order sizes (EUR 1,000 or more), DEGIRO's core selection with one free monthly transaction per ETF can be equally cost-effective. You also get the benefit of stronger regulatory protection under BaFin and the AFM, plus the higher EUR 100,000 cash protection.
If you want access to bonds, options, futures, or warrants, DEGIRO is the only option between the two. Trading 212 does not offer these products on its Invest account.
If you trade in multiple currencies frequently, Trading 212's lower FX fee (0.15% vs DEGIRO's 0.25%) and multi-currency account feature give it an edge. Over time, the difference in FX fees can add up, especially for investors buying US-denominated assets.
If regulatory strength and deposit protection are your top priorities, DEGIRO's dual BaFin/AFM oversight and EUR 100,000 cash guarantee may provide greater peace of mind than Trading 212's CySEC regulation and EUR 20,000 ICF protection.
For most basic stock and ETF trades, yes. Trading 212 charges 0% commission while DEGIRO charges handling fees of EUR 1 to EUR 3 per transaction. However, if you use DEGIRO's core ETF selection with monthly purchases of EUR 1,000+ on Tradegate, the cost difference can be minimal. Trading 212 also has a lower FX conversion fee (0.15% vs 0.25%).
DEGIRO has stronger regulatory oversight (BaFin and AFM vs CySEC) and higher cash protection (EUR 100,000 vs EUR 20,000). Both platforms segregate client assets, and both are MiFID II compliant. "Safer" depends on what matters most to you, but DEGIRO scores higher on regulatory strength.
Yes. Many European investors use both platforms: Trading 212 for commission-free stock and ETF investing with fractional shares, and DEGIRO for products like bonds, options, or futures that Trading 212 does not offer. There is no rule against holding accounts at multiple brokers.
Only Trading 212 offers fractional shares. This means you can buy a portion of any stock or ETF, starting from EUR 1. DEGIRO requires you to buy whole shares, which can be a barrier for expensive stocks.
Both are popular in the Netherlands. DEGIRO is headquartered in the Netherlands and regulated by the AFM, which some Dutch investors prefer. Trading 212 is available in the Netherlands and offers commission-free trading. For Dutch tax reporting, both platforms provide annual overviews. DEGIRO's iDEAL payment support is a convenience factor for Dutch users, while Trading 212 offers more payment methods overall.
Trading 212 offers an auto-invest feature that functions as a savings plan: you set a recurring amount and the platform automatically invests across your chosen assets. DEGIRO does not currently offer an automated savings plan feature.
Trading 212 and DEGIRO are both excellent choices for European investors, but they serve different needs. Trading 212 excels at making investing accessible with zero commissions, fractional shares, and automated investing. DEGIRO offers a broader product range, access to more global markets, and stronger European regulatory protection. Consider what matters most to you: simplicity and zero fees, or product range and regulatory strength.
For a deeper look at each platform, visit the Trading 212 and DEGIRO pages on Capmap, or explore more investing platforms available in Europe. You may also want to read our DEGIRO review, eToro vs Trading 212, and Trade Republic vs Scalable Capital comparisons.
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: 2026-03-22.
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.
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Compare DEGIRO and Trading 212Written by Capmap Editorial · Independent financial guides for expats in Europe.