XTB and DEGIRO are among the top brokers internationally, each offering unique features for traders.
This article compares them to help you choose the best platform for your needs.
Quick summary
- XTB: Best for commission-free stocks and ETF trading, interest on uninvested cash, and forex and CFDs.
- DEGIRO: Best for bonds and options.
All in all, we would be confident investing with both brokers!
XTB is best for those looking to invest in CFDs, forex, or benefit from commission-free real stocks and ETFs. XTB is also best to earn interest on your uninvested cash.
DEGIRO, on the other hand, is best if you want to get exposure to bonds and options. While it doesn’t offer commission-free investing or interest on your cash, it’s still a great option to invest in local stock markets at a low cost. DEGIRO has a banking licence, which is a plus as well.
Overview comparison table
| Feature | XTB | DEGIRO |
| Founded year | 2002 | 2008 |
| Regulatory entities | FCA, KNF, CySEC, DFSA, FSC | AFM, DNB, BaFin |
| Trading instruments | Stocks, ETFs, CFDs, Forex | Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Options |
| Minimum deposit | €/$/£0 | €/$/£0 |
| Trading platforms | xStation 5, xStation Mobile | DEGIRO WebTrader, Mobile App |
| Interest on cash | Up to 3.8% (EUR); Up to 5% (USD); Up to 5.2% (GBP) | No interest is paid |
| Stocks fees | Commission-free | Low fees per transaction |
| Social trading | ❌ | ❌ |
| Demo account | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Leverage | Up to 1:500 (varies by jurisdiction) | Not applicable |
Want to see a more in-depth comparison of XTB and DEGIRO? Don’t worry – below, we dig deeper and compare XTB and DEGIRO in terms of fees, safety, products and more!
Feel free to also check our broker comparison tool page for a side-by-side comparison of XTB and DEGIRO.
XTB overview
Founded in 2002, XTB is a major player in the brokerage industry with extensive worldwide experience, regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) – plus other relevant regulatory bodies – and listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange.
You can invest through xStation 5 and xStation Mobile in different investment products, such as stocks, ETFs, and CFDs on stocks, Forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies (this product offering may vary slightly from country to country).
It offers 0% commission on stocks and ETFs up to €100,000 of monthly volume and interest on uninvested cash (EUR and USD).
For more insights, please check our XTB review.
XTB pros and cons
Pros
- Free stocks trading (only applicable to some countries)
- Customizable trading platform (charts and workspace)
- Low Forex Spreads
- Demo account
- No minimum account deposit
- Valuable education materials
- Top-tier Regulators
Cons
- Complex trading platform for a beginner
- High Stock CFD spreads
- Limited product portfolio
- Withdrawal fees for transfers below $100
- Inactivity fee (€10/monthly after 1+ year with no activity plus no deposit in the last 90 days)
DEGIRO overview
Founded in 2008, DEGIRO is a European low-cost broker regulated by top-tier authorities.
It provides access to global markets with a broad range of investment products, including stocks, ETFs, bonds, options, and futures. DEGIRO is recognized for its affordable fees and extensive market access.
Check our DEGIRO review for an in-depth analysis.
DEGIRO pros and cons
Pros
- ETF Core Selection list (external fees apply)
- 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 most transactions)
- €/£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
Safety
| Aspect | XTB | DEGIRO |
| Regulatory Authorities | FCA, KNF, CySEC, DFSA, FSC | AFM, DNB, BaFin |
| Investor protection | Up to €20,000 (EU clients); Up to £85,000 (UK clients) | Up to €20,000 |
| Private insurance | ❌ | ❌ |
| Asset segregation | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Negative balance protection | ✔️ | Not applicable since it doesn’t offer CFDs |
| Licenses | Multiple jurisdictions | Multiple jurisdictions |
| Banking license | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Listed on exchange | Yes (Warsaw stock exchange) | Yes (Xetra – flatexDEGIRO AG) |
| Transparency | High | High |
Both brokers offer great transparency since they are listed on stock exchanges, ensuring tighter public scrutiny over their financial statements.
Investment products
| Investment products | XTB | DEGIRO |
| Stocks | ✔️ 3,600+ global stocks (real and CFDs) | ✔️ 5,000+ global stock exchanges |
| ETFs | ✔️ 350+ ETFs (real and CFDs) | ✔️ 5,000+ ETFs (real) |
| Cryptocurrencies | ✔️ 45+ (CFDs) | ❌ Not available |
| Forex | ✔️ 70+ currency pairs (CFDs) | ❌ Not available |
| Indices | ✔️ 30+ indices (CFDs) | ✔️ Via ETFs |
| Commodities | ✔️ 25+ commodities (CFDs) | ❌ Not available |
| Options | ❌ Not available | ✔️ Available |
| Bonds | ❌ Not available | ✔️ Available |
While DEGIRO offers a more diverse product range in terms of stocks, ETFs, bonds, and options, XTB has broader exposure to commodities, Forex, and cryptocurrencies (CFDs).
Trading platforms
| Feature | XTB | DEGIRO |
| Trading platforms | xStation 5, xStation Mobile | DEGIRO WebTrader, Mobile App |
| Ease of use | User-friendly, customizable | Straightforward, basic |
| Tools/indicators | Over 30 technical indicators | Limited |
| Mobile trading | xStation Mobile app available | DEGIRO Mobile app available |
| Charting | Advanced multiple timeframes | Basic |
XTB’s xStation 5 offers more advanced trading tools and charting, while DEGIRO’s platform is simpler and more suitable for long-term investors.
Fees & comissions
| Fee type | XTB | DEGIRO |
| Stocks (US, EU, UK) | Commission-free | €1.00 + €1.00 external fee |
| ETFs | Commission-free | Free in the core select ETF list ( or €2.00, otherwise) + €1.00 external fee |
| Bonds | Not applicable | €0.75 per contract + €5 of monthly connectivity cost |
| Options | Not applicable | €2.00 + €1.00 external fee |
| Crypto | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.50% | 0.25% |
| Spreads | From 0.1 pips (Forex) | Not applicable |
| Withdrawal fees | Free over €/$/£100 | Free |
| Inactivity Fee | €/$/£10 after 12 months inactivity | Not applicable |
| Connectivity fee | Not applicable | €2.50 per year, per exchange |
XTB is more competitive in offering commission-free trading on stocks and ETFs, while DEGIRO has a transparent fee structure with low transaction costs.
Customer support
XTB: Offers 24/5 multilingual customer support via live chat, phone, and email, with comprehensive educational resources available.
DEGIRO: Provides customer support via email and phone, available on trading days but with limited hours.
How to invest in the S&P 500 on XTB and DEGIRO
Want to learn how to invest in the S&P 500 in both platforms?
Check our step-by-step videos, where we show you how to place your trade using both apps. It might be useful to get a feel of both companies before deciding which one to use!
Bottom line
XTB
Best for commission-free stocks and ETF trading, interest on uninvested cash, and forex and CFDs.DEGIRO
Best for bonds and options.
All in all, choose XTB if you want a more professional trading environment, competitive fees, and excellent customer service.
Choose DEGIRO if you prefer a low-cost broker with access to a broader range of international markets.
Ultimately, the “best” platform depends on your trading style, experience level, and preference for social trading or advanced trading tools.
Want to learn more about other brokers? Check out our in-depth broker reviews, comparison table, and BrokerMatch tool to find the best option for you!
