Are you confused about whether to choose DEGIRO or Firstrade as a broker for your investing needs?
In this side-by-side comparison, we analyse DEGIRO and Firstrade to help you understand how these apps compare on some of the most common features and make a better-informed decision about the best broker for you.
Below, you’ll find the pros and cons of each broker, as well as a comparison table that features the different fees charged, the financial instruments supported, the regulation, and more. Keep reading!
DEGIRO vs Firstrade: In a Nutshell
Commission-free ETFs and local stocks
DEGIRO is a European low-cost brokerage firm that has become very popular due to its low rates! With over 2 million users, the platform has become widely known for its “do-it-yourself” philosophy.
It offers a wide range of financial assets to trade, including stocks, ETFs (check the list of free ETFs), bonds, options, futures contracts, warrants, investment funds, and some leveraged products.
The mobile app and web trading platform are basic but very efficient and straightforward to use. Some downsides are the absence of any significant fundamental research and the lack of pricing alerts.
US investors looking for US options only
Firstrade is a traditional company founded in 1985 that recently changed its strategy to become a commission-free online trading platform for stocks, ETFs and options.
The broker is considered safe, with a long track record that survived a few crises and top-tier regulators’ supervision.
The main drawbacks are its limited products offering (no European ETFs, stocks,…) and the fact that it only offers fractional shares on reinvested dividends.
Pros and Cons
DEGIRO
Pros
- List of commission-free ETFs available
- Commission-free stock (US, CA and home market)
- User-friendly web and mobile app
- Wide range of investment options
- Education material: Investor’s Academy and Investing with DEGIRO
- Low overall commission structure
- No account opening, inactivity, or withdrawal fee
Cons
- 0.25% currency conversion fee (charged if you deposit or invest in a different currency than your base currency)
- €/£1 flat handling fee (charged in every transaction)
- €/£2.50 of connectivity fee (paid annually), per exchange where you’re invested
- Does not offer Forex, CFDs, and Cryptos
- No demo account
- Little research
- Low-quality customer support
Firstrade
Pros
- Commission-free stock, ETF, mutual fund and options trading
- Good research and educational content
- No inactivity fees
- No minimum deposit
Cons
- You can trade only on US markets
- No 24/7 customer support
- No demo account
- No fractional shares
DEGIRO vs Firstrade: Side-by-side Comparison
- General Information
- Founded in
- Demo Account
- Account Minimum
- Products
- Stocks
- ETFs
- Bonds
- Funds
- Options
- Futures
- CFDs
- Leverage Products
- Forex
- Cryptocurrencies
- Commodities
- Fees
- US stocks
- EU stocks
- ETFs
- Cryptocurrencies
- Custody Fee
- Inactivity Fee
- Withdrawal Fee
- Connectivity Fee
- Currency Conversion Fee
- Security
- Regulators
- Investor Compensation Scheme(per person, per institution)
Franklin is a CFA Level III Candidate with 3 years of experience in Wealth Management as a Fund Research Analyst and the Host of the "Edge Over Hedge" YouTube Channel.
