DEGIRO built its reputation on being the cheapest broker in Europe. EUR 2 per US stock trade, a “Core Selection” of ETFs at just EUR 1, and no minimum deposit. For 3.5 million European investors, it’s been the go-to platform for low-cost investing.
But DEGIRO has limitations. No fractional shares. Bank transfer only (no card deposits). A somewhat clunky interface despite recent improvements. Limited research tools. And the Exchange Connectivity Fee — EUR 2.50 per year for each non-home exchange you trade on — that catches people off guard.
If DEGIRO doesn’t quite fit what you need, or if you want to spread your brokerage accounts for safety, here are the alternatives I’ve evaluated from a European investor’s perspective.
Quick Comparison: DEGIRO vs the Alternatives
| Broker | Best For | Stock Fees | ETF Savings Plans | Regulation | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scalable Capital | ETF savings plans + unlimited trades | EUR 0.99 or flat fee | Free (all plans) | BaFin regulated | Review |
| eToro | Social/copy trading + fractional shares | Spread-based (0%) | N/A | CySEC/FCA regulated | Review |
| Interactive Brokers | Professional traders, global access | From EUR 1.25 | N/A | Multiple jurisdictions | Review |
| Bitpanda | Crypto + stocks in one app | EUR 1 per trade | Yes (Savings Plans) | MiFID II licensed | Review |
| Freedom24 | IPO access + savings accounts | From EUR 2 | N/A | CySEC regulated | — |
Scalable Capital — The Modern European Broker
Scalable Capital is DEGIRO’s most direct competitor and, in several ways, has overtaken it. The German-based platform offers two models: a free tier with EUR 0.99 per trade, and PRIME+ at EUR 4.99/month for unlimited trades with no per-trade commission.
Why Scalable Capital over DEGIRO: Free ETF savings plans from just EUR 1/month on all tiers — this alone makes Scalable Capital the better choice for passive investors doing regular ETF purchases. DEGIRO’s Core Selection is limited to specific ETFs at EUR 1; Scalable makes all savings plans free across all ETFs. Scalable also pays interest on uninvested cash (PRIME+ tier) and has partnered with BlackRock to launch its own world ETF.
Key differences from DEGIRO:
- Free savings plans for all ETFs vs DEGIRO’s Core Selection only
- Unlimited trades for EUR 4.99/month (PRIME+) — better for active traders
- Interest on uninvested cash (~2% on PRIME+)
- Crypto trading available alongside stocks and ETFs
- Launching its own EU stock exchange (EIX) for better execution
- Fewer international exchanges — DEGIRO covers 50 markets in 30 countries
- PFOF uncertainty with EU ban hitting June 2026
Best for: ETF investors doing regular savings plan purchases, and active traders who trade often enough to justify the PRIME+ subscription.
See my full Scalable Capital review or the DEGIRO vs Scalable Capital comparison.
eToro — Commission-Free with Social Trading
eToro offers commission-free stock trading (spread-based, so costs are embedded in the price) along with its signature social trading feature: browse other investors’ portfolios and returns, then automatically copy their strategies.
Why eToro over DEGIRO: Fractional shares — something DEGIRO still doesn’t offer. If you want to invest EUR 50 in Amazon stock, eToro lets you buy a fraction. DEGIRO requires you to buy whole shares. eToro also supports crypto alongside stocks, and the copy trading feature has no equivalent on DEGIRO.
The trade-off: eToro charges a $5 withdrawal fee and uses spread-based pricing that can be less transparent than DEGIRO’s fixed commissions. It also doesn’t offer the same depth of market access — fewer exchanges, fewer bonds, no options or futures. For straightforward stock and ETF investing, DEGIRO gives you more markets at a more predictable cost.
Best for: Investors who want fractional shares, commission-free stock buying, crypto exposure alongside stocks, and the option to copy experienced traders’ strategies.
See my full eToro review.
Interactive Brokers — The Professional’s Choice
Interactive Brokers is the broker I’d recommend if you’ve outgrown DEGIRO. It offers access to 150+ markets in 33 countries, competitive fees, options and futures, fractional shares, and best-in-class currency conversion rates.
Why IBKR over DEGIRO: Global market access that DEGIRO can’t match. If you need to trade on exotic exchanges, access options chains, or want institutional-grade tools and reporting, IBKR is in a different league. The currency conversion rates are also among the best available — I’ve written about how Interactive Brokers compares to Wise and Revolut for currency conversions.
The trade-off: The interface is intimidating. There’s a reason DEGIRO has 3.5 million customers and IBKR’s European retail base is smaller — DEGIRO is approachable, IBKR is powerful. If you just want to buy a Vanguard ETF every month, IBKR is overkill.
Best for: Experienced investors who need global market access, options/futures, excellent currency conversion, or institutional-grade tools.
See my Interactive Brokers review.
Bitpanda — Stocks, Crypto, and Metals Together
Bitpanda has evolved from a crypto exchange into a genuine multi-asset platform. It now offers 10,000+ stocks and ETFs at a flat EUR 1 per trade alongside 400+ cryptocurrencies and precious metals. The Austrian company is MiFID II licensed and preparing for a Frankfurt Stock Exchange IPO.
Why Bitpanda over DEGIRO: If you want stocks and crypto in the same app, Bitpanda is the answer. DEGIRO recently added crypto, but it’s a basic offering. Bitpanda has been doing crypto for a decade and the integration is seamless. Fractional shares are supported, and the savings plan feature works across all asset types.
The trade-off: DEGIRO’s stock trading fees on major exchanges are lower (EUR 2 for US stocks vs Bitpanda’s EUR 1 flat but with potential spread costs). DEGIRO also covers more international exchanges. But for investors who want simplicity and multi-asset access from a single European platform, Bitpanda has the edge.
Best for: European investors who want crypto, stocks, ETFs, and metals in one MiFID II-regulated app without maintaining multiple accounts.
See my full Bitpanda review.
Freedom24 — IPO Access and Savings
Freedom24 offers something unique in Europe: access to pre-IPO shares and a competitive savings account alongside standard brokerage services. The platform is operated by Freedom Holding Corp, a NASDAQ-listed company, and regulated by CySEC in the EU.
Why Freedom24 over DEGIRO: Two standout features. First, the savings account offers competitive EUR interest rates on idle cash — something DEGIRO doesn’t provide at all. Second, IPO access lets you invest in companies before they go public, which is typically reserved for institutional investors.
The trade-off: Trading fees start around EUR 2 per trade and increase for smaller European exchanges. The platform is newer in Europe and has a smaller user base. For standard stock and ETF investing, DEGIRO’s fee structure is more competitive.
Best for: Investors interested in IPO access and who want to earn interest on uninvested cash.
Which DEGIRO Alternative Should You Choose?
If you’re an ETF investor who values savings plans: Scalable Capital. Free savings plans across all ETFs, with optional unlimited trading.
If you want fractional shares and social trading: eToro. Commission-free with copy trading.
If you need professional-grade tools and global access: Interactive Brokers. 150+ markets, options, futures, institutional tools.
If you want stocks + crypto + metals in one app: Bitpanda. European multi-asset platform with MiFID II license.
DEGIRO remains an excellent broker for its core use case: low-cost stock and ETF buying across 50 markets. The alternatives above aren’t necessarily better — they serve different needs. Choose based on what DEGIRO is missing for your specific situation.
For a broader view, see my guide to the best online stock brokers in Europe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DEGIRO still a good broker in 2026?
Yes. DEGIRO’s fee structure remains among the most competitive in Europe, and the platform recently posted record financial results (EUR 560 million revenue, +17% year-over-year). It’s particularly strong for investors who trade across multiple international exchanges. The alternatives here address specific gaps — fractional shares, savings plans, crypto, or advanced tools — not a fundamental problem with DEGIRO. See my full DEGIRO review.
Does DEGIRO offer fractional shares?
No. This is one of DEGIRO’s most notable limitations. If you want to invest small amounts in expensive stocks (like Berkshire Hathaway or Amazon), you need alternatives like eToro, Bitpanda, or Interactive Brokers that support fractional investing.
Which is cheaper — DEGIRO or Scalable Capital?
It depends on your trading pattern. DEGIRO charges EUR 2 per US stock trade. Scalable Capital charges EUR 0.99 per trade on the free tier, or nothing with the PRIME+ subscription (EUR 4.99/month). For ETF savings plans, Scalable Capital wins hands down — all plans are free. For occasional stock trades across many exchanges, DEGIRO’s per-trade pricing may be cheaper.
Should I use Interactive Brokers instead of DEGIRO?
Only if you need what IBKR offers that DEGIRO doesn’t: options, futures, 150+ market access, fractional shares, or institutional-grade currency conversion. For straightforward stock and ETF investing in European and US markets, DEGIRO is simpler and often cheaper. Interactive Brokers is the upgrade path when you’ve outgrown DEGIRO’s feature set.
Can I hold crypto on DEGIRO?
Yes, DEGIRO has recently added cryptocurrency trading. However, the offering is basic compared to dedicated crypto exchanges or multi-asset platforms like Bitpanda. If crypto is an important part of your investment strategy, a dedicated exchange or Bitpanda will serve you better.
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