DEGIRO vs. Interactive Brokers: 2026 Comparison

If you are looking for a trustworthy online broker to invest or trade safely from Europe, you have probably wondered: DEGIRO or Interactive Brokers? Which one is better?

To help you choose, we compare DEGIRO and Interactive Brokers (IBKR), two of the largest online brokers serving European investors, based on facts we checked on their websites and official reports in September 2026.

We cover products, platforms, interest on cash, account types, currencies, fees, security and customer service, and finish with our verdict for different investor profiles.

DEGIRO vs Interactive Brokers in a nutshell

Here’s our recommendation:

1. Interactive Brokers is our recommended choice overall.
2. DEGIRO is also a good choice, especially for beginners and buy-and-hold ETF investors.
   Disclaimer: Investing involves risk of loss.

DEGIRO is a strong choice for low-cost investing from Europe, especially in the ETFs of its Core Selection. It’s simple, straightforward and effective for most retail investors.

But if you’re looking for the best overall broker, with the widest range of tools, products and markets, Interactive Brokers takes the crown. It has a steeper learning curve, but the payoff is worth it.

Video summary

Watch a short recap of our comparison in the video below:

1. Flash overview of DEGIRO and Interactive Brokers

a) DEGIRO

Founded in 2008 and offering brokerage services to retail investors since 2013, DEGIRO is a pan-European online discount broker. In 2020, it joined forces with flatex, a German online broker, to form flatexDEGIRO, one of the largest retail brokerage groups in Europe. DEGIRO is the trading name of the Dutch branch of flatexDEGIRO Bank SE, a German bank with a full banking licence.

At the end of June 2026, flatexDEGIRO had 3.66 million customer accounts and more than €100 billion in assets under custody.

b) Interactive Brokers

Founded in 1978 by its current chairman, Thomas Peterffy, Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a US-based multinational brokerage firm with entities across several continents. Clients in the European Economic Area are served by Interactive Brokers Ireland Limited, which is authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland. IBKR is a direct member of many of the world’s major exchanges. You can read more about Interactive Brokers’ main stats on our website.

2. Product offering

Both Interactive Brokers and DEGIRO offer a wide range of financial instruments across several asset classes, traded on exchanges in different regions.

The table below summarises the products available to European clients of DEGIRO and Interactive Brokers.

Crypto assets

Both brokers now let European clients buy cryptocurrencies directly, but availability depends on your country of residence. flatexDEGIRO started rolling out crypto trading in 2025, and DEGIRO offers it in several countries, including the Netherlands, Spain and France. In other countries, DEGIRO clients can get exposure through crypto ETNs. Interactive Brokers expanded crypto trading across Europe in 2026, and it also offers crypto ETNs and crypto futures.

Product offering conclusion

With access to 160 markets worldwide, IBKR has a much broader product offering than DEGIRO, which gives access to around 50 exchanges. IBKR also offers forex, CFDs and fractional shares, which DEGIRO doesn’t.

3. Trading platforms

A broker’s investment platform is one of its key features. Both IBKR and DEGIRO keep improving their tools, but they target different types of investors.

DEGIRO’s trading platform

DEGIRO offers a browser-based platform, WebTrader, and a mobile app for iOS and Android.

DEGIRO’s platform is intuitive and user-friendly, which makes it a good fit for beginners and less active investors. It also includes interactive charts, news, an economic calendar, ESG ratings, analyst views and company financials.

Interactive Brokers trading platforms

Interactive Brokers offers several platforms for different types of investors and traders. The main ones are:

• Client Portal: a simple browser-based platform to trade and manage your account.
• Trader Workstation (TWS): IBKR’s downloadable flagship platform, with far more analytical and trading tools than DEGIRO’s. It includes over 100 order types and algorithms, portfolio analysis, risk management tools, API integration and professional tools such as OptionTrader.
• IBKR Desktop: a newer downloadable platform that combines the most popular TWS tools with a simpler interface and original features.

To trade on the go, IBKR also offers two apps:

• IBKR Mobile: its main mobile platform, with much of TWS’s key functionality.
• IBKR GlobalTrader: a simpler app designed for beginners. One of the most common criticisms of IBKR is its complexity, and GlobalTrader is the answer to that: an easy-to-use app to trade stocks, ETFs and options.

IBKR also offers a paper trading (demo) account, so you can test its platforms with simulated money.

Trading platform conclusion

IBKR is clearly ahead of DEGIRO in technology, features and range of platforms. Even so, DEGIRO’s platform is likely to meet the needs of beginner and intermediate investors, especially those with a long-term approach.

4. Interest on cash

If you keep part of your portfolio in cash, the interest your broker pays on it can make a real difference.

Interactive Brokers pays interest on settled cash balances in several currencies, based on its benchmark rates. Accounts with a Net Asset Value (NAV) of USD 100,000 or more earn the full rate. Smaller accounts earn a proportional rate: an account with a NAV of USD 50,000 earns half the full rate. No interest is paid on the first part of the balance (USD 10,000 for USD cash, with similar thresholds in other currencies). Check the current rates on IBKR’s interest rates page.

DEGIRO doesn’t publish an interest rate on uninvested cash. Your cash is held in a flatexDEGIRO Cash Account at flatexDEGIRO Bank, where it is covered by the German Deposit Guarantee Scheme up to €100,000.

Conclusion: Interactive Brokers is the better choice if you hold significant cash balances, although the thresholds reduce what smaller accounts earn.

5. Account types

Your account type should match your risk profile and investment approach.

Understanding account types

There are two fundamental types of brokerage accounts:

• Cash: trading of derivatives and short-selling are not allowed or are significantly limited.
• Margin: derivatives trading and short-selling are widely available, and you can borrow against your holdings (collateral), with an interest cost. Brokers monitor margin accounts constantly and may close positions if the collateral value falls below a set threshold. Leverage can lead to losses larger than the capital you invested.

To move to a higher-risk account type, both DEGIRO and IBKR assess whether it is appropriate for you, based on your knowledge, experience and financial situation.

DEGIRO’s account types

DEGIRO offers the following account profiles:

• Custody: DEGIRO doesn’t lend out your securities or use them as collateral. It suits investors who only want to buy and hold.
• Basic: no derivatives trading, but you can borrow against your securities.
• Active: derivatives trading and short-selling are allowed, with more conservative borrowing limits.
• Trader: derivatives trading and short-selling are allowed, with higher borrowing limits for experienced investors.

Borrowing limits depend on the type of security and are set in DEGIRO’s conditions.

Interactive Brokers account types

Interactive Brokers also offers different account profiles:

• Cash account: short-selling is disabled, derivatives trading is limited and margin requirements on futures are conservative. Cash from a sale becomes available only when the trade settles.
• Reg T margin account: short-selling is enabled, and you can trade most exchange-traded and OTC derivatives. Proceeds from closed positions are available immediately. Margin requirements follow the US Regulation T rules, even for European clients.
• Portfolio margin account: margin requirements follow a risk-based calculation set by IBKR and are usually lower than under Reg T, which allows higher leverage. You need an account value (Net Liquidation Value) of USD 110,000 or equivalent to apply.

Account type conclusion

Despite differences in how they monitor risk and apply leverage, IBKR and DEGIRO have similar solutions. DEGIRO’s profiles are easier to understand and have lighter activation requirements, and its Custody account is a useful option for investors who don’t want their securities lent out.

6. Account currencies

If you invest in assets priced in several currencies, the currencies your broker supports can save you conversion fees.

DEGIRO’s account currencies

DEGIRO accounts have EUR, GBP or CHF as their base currency, set according to your country of residence. If your country has a different local currency, your account will use EUR. DEGIRO still accepts deposits in your local currency, but converts them to EUR automatically before crediting them, with a conversion cost. For example, if you live in Poland and transfer PLN, DEGIRO credits the converted EUR amount.

DEGIRO doesn’t let you change an account’s base currency, so you would need to open a new account.

By default, DEGIRO uses AutoFX: whenever you trade an asset priced in another currency, it converts the amount automatically for a 0.25% fee. You can activate foreign currency cash accounts (Manual FX) to hold other currencies, but a manual conversion costs €10 plus 0.25% of the amount, and you need to convert back to your base currency to withdraw.

Interactive Brokers account currencies

Interactive Brokers supports more than 20 base currencies, which you can change in your account settings. You can hold cash in multiple currencies in the same account and deposit and withdraw in currencies that IBKR supports.

Account currencies conclusion

For investors who diversify across regions, currency options matter because every conversion has a cost. Interactive Brokers is clearly ahead of DEGIRO here, letting you save on conversions, even if its setup is more complex.

7. Account opening, cash and portfolio transfers

Account set-up and transfers are also worth considering when you choose a broker.

Account opening: DEGIRO vs Interactive Brokers

Both brokers let you open an account fully online, but IBKR asks for more information, including details about your employment, income and investment experience. Both require documents to prove your identity and, when needed, your address. Neither broker requires a minimum deposit.

Account approval is usually faster at DEGIRO, often within one business day, while IBKR can take a few business days.

Cash transfers: DEGIRO vs Interactive Brokers

Both brokers work mainly with bank transfers. At IBKR, you need to create a deposit notification in the account management area before sending the money, an extra step compared with DEGIRO. DEGIRO doesn’t charge for withdrawals, and IBKR offers one free withdrawal per month, with a fee for further withdrawals in the same month.

Portfolio transfers: DEGIRO vs Interactive Brokers

Both brokers accept transfers of existing portfolios in and out. At IBKR, you can submit a transfer request directly in the account management area. Transfers always depend on both institutions and the assets involved, so check the process and any costs with both brokers before you start.

Account opening, cash and portfolio transfers conclusion

DEGIRO is generally quicker, with simpler administrative processes, while IBKR asks for more information and has a few extra steps.

8. Pricing: trading and non-trading fees

Both IBKR and DEGIRO offer competitive pricing and neither charges an inactivity fee.

Brokers charge trading fees (commissions and fees passed on from exchanges) and non-trading fees, such as currency conversion, connectivity and market data fees. Because they recur, conversion costs matter as much as commissions.

Trading fees: DEGIRO vs Interactive Brokers

DEGIRO’s headline offer is its ETF Core Selection: ETFs on this list cost only a 1€ handling fee per trade on the Tradegate exchange, subject to a fair use policy (currency, external product and spread costs may apply). Other ETFs, or ETFs on other exchanges, cost 3€ per trade, and stock commissions depend on the exchange.

Interactive Brokers offers two pricing plans: Fixed and Tiered. On the Fixed plan, European stocks and ETFs cost 0.05% of the trade value (minimum 3€), and US stocks cost USD 0.005 per share (minimum USD 1). On the Tiered plan, commissions fall as your monthly trading volume grows, but exchange fees are charged separately.

Both brokers publish their full pricing, so check the products you’re interested in on the IBKR and DEGIRO websites (use your local DEGIRO website).

Pricing conclusion

Overall, Interactive Brokers is likely to be the most cost-efficient option for most products, except for DEGIRO’s ETF Core Selection (1€ handling fee), and it is clearly the better option for currency conversions, which you pay whenever you buy assets priced in a currency other than your base currency.

9. Education, research and paper trading

Investing well requires knowledge about financial products, markets and the platform you use.

DEGIRO and Interactive Brokers both offer useful educational content on products, platforms and tools. However, Interactive Brokers goes further with IBKR Campus, market commentary and free and paid research from third-party providers.

Testing a platform without risk can be decisive when choosing a broker. Interactive Brokers offers a paper trading account, while DEGIRO doesn’t offer a demo account.

Education, research and paper trading conclusion

Both brokers offer solid educational content, but IBKR stands out for market research. DEGIRO’s lack of a demo account is a clear weakness.

10. Investor security

The security of your assets is essential when choosing a broker. Besides the investor protection schemes in your country, it is important to understand the institution you are dealing with.

Entity business

Interactive Brokers is a brokerage business, while DEGIRO is part of flatexDEGIRO Bank SE, a bank with a full banking licence.

Regulation and supervision

Interactive Brokers Group is supervised by some of the world’s most demanding regulators, including the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), as well as authorities in the other markets where it operates. European clients are served by Interactive Brokers Ireland Limited, which is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

DEGIRO is the trading name of flatexDEGIRO Bank Dutch Branch, the Dutch branch of flatexDEGIRO Bank SE. The bank is supervised mainly by the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin), and the Dutch branch is registered with the Dutch Central Bank (DNB) and supervised by DNB and the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM). flatexDEGIRO Bank changed its legal form from AG to SE at the end of 2025.

Financial strength

Interactive Brokers keeps client assets segregated, applies automated risk controls and has a very strong balance sheet. Its firm equity reached USD 22.3 billion in the second quarter of 2026, and its operating companies had USD 14.2 billion in excess regulatory capital on 30 June 2026, according to its quarterly report to the SEC. IBKR is listed on the NASDAQ.

flatexDEGIRO SE is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. At the end of June 2026, it held €108.3 billion in customer assets under custody and reported record half-year net income of €115 million.

Investor security conclusion

Both are solid, regulated institutions, but IBKR’s scale and capital base give it the edge. You can read more in our article about Interactive Brokers’ safety.

11. Customer service

If a question comes up about your account or your trades, you want good support.

DEGIRO and IBKR both have comprehensive help centres and offer phone and email support. DEGIRO stands out by offering support in the local languages of the countries where it operates, although within limited business hours.

Besides phone and email, IBKR offers live chat and a message centre where you submit questions by category.

Customer service conclusion

Considering all factors, DEGIRO may offer slightly better customer service, with fewer channels but local-language support and good responsiveness.

12. Pros and cons

Disclaimer: Investing involves risk of loss. The information in this article is not investment advice.

DEGIRO risk warning: Investing involves risk of loss.

Interactive Brokers

DEGIRO

DEGIRO vs Interactive Brokers: comparison verdict

To sum it up, here is our verdict:

All angles considered, IBKR stands out as an innovative, very price-competitive and financially solid broker that covers every stage of the investment journey, with the best combination of products, markets and tools (and a good referral bonus program). Beginners may find the learning curve slow at first, but IBKR GlobalTrader makes it much easier to get started.

DEGIRO is a large and reliable discount broker, and a good choice if you mainly want simple, low-cost investing in ETFs from Europe.

To learn more, read our full reviews of Interactive Brokers and DEGIRO.