Hello, investor! Are you trying to decide between DEGIRO and eToro for your investment needs? This article will guide you through a detailed, side-by-side comparison to help you make the best choice.
In this analysis, we’ll explore how DEGIRO and eToro stack up against each other in key areas like features, fees, supported financial instruments, and regulation. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of which broker aligns better with your investment strategy.
Below, you’ll find a comparison table and a breakdown of the pros and cons of each platform, highlighting the key differences. Let’s dive in!
DEGIRO vs eToro
- DEGIRO*: Best for bonds, options, and a broad selection of ETFs.
- eToro: Best for crypto, social trading, and low commissions for stock trading.
All in all, we would feel confident investing with both companies!
DEGIRO is a good choice 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.
eToro, on the other hand, is good if you want a platform that’s beginner-friendly, allows you to invest in cryptos, and with the ability to copy the strategies of experienced investors through social trading.
*Disclaimer: Investing involves risk of loss.
Comparison
| Category | DEGIRO | eToro |
| Demo account | No | Yes |
| Account minimum | €/$/£0 | $50 (varies between countries) |
| Interest on uninvested cash (annually) | No interest is paid | USD: up to 4.8% |
| US, EU & UK stock fees | €/£1.00 + €/£1.00 external fee | $1 |
| ETFs fees | Free in the core select ETF list (or €/£2.00, otherwise) + €/£1.00 external fee | $0 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.25% | 0.75% |
| Regulators | AFM, DNB, BaFin | FCA, CySEC, ASIC |
Want to see a more in-depth comparison? Check the full comparison of DEGIRO vs eToro in our broker comparison tool.
About DEGIRO
DEGIRO is a European low-cost broker regulated by top-tier authorities, providing access to global markets with highly competitive fees. Investors can trade a wide range of assets, including stocks, ETFs, bonds, and options, making it ideal for those looking to build long-term, cost-effective portfolios.
Although DEGIRO lacks advanced charting tools and has relatively high derivatives fees, its overall low-cost structure and broad market access make it an excellent choice for long-term investors.
On the downside, DEGIRO does not offer cryptocurrencies, nor interest in your uninvested cash balances, which is a significant downside when compared with other brokers.
Furthermore, DEGIRO charges a connectivity fee for each stock exchange where you invest. This means that if you invest in products listed in different exchanges, you’ll be charged annually for each exchange where you are invested.
Interested in learning more about DEGIRO? Read our DEGIRO review.
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 ISA account (for UK residents)
- Low-quality customer support
- No interest paid on cash balances
About eToro
eToro is a globally recognized fintech company and a leader in social trading, with over 30 million users worldwide. The platform allows users to trade a variety of assets, including stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, and CFDs, with an intuitive interface that’s particularly well-suited for beginners.
Additionally, eToro provides access to over 3,000 financial instruments, including ready-made investment portfolios (Smart Portfolios), and advanced options like one-click trading and a stop-loss feature. The eToro Research Tab, powered by TipRanks, offers valuable insights for informed decision-making.
While eToro offers a demo account and is user-friendly, it’s important to note that the platform’s spreads can be relatively high for some products, and there is a $5 withdrawal fee.
Furthermore, CFDs are also available in eToro, and sometimes they can be mixed with real products – it’s important that you make sure you know what you are investing in!
Interested in learning more about eToro? Read our eToro review.
eToro pros and cons
Pros
- Low stock trading fees (from $0 per trade)
- Commission-free ETFs (other fees apply)
- Social trading and other innovative products
- Wide variety of financial products
- Slick, modern, and easy for anyone to use
- European users have access to three account currencies: EUR, USD and GBP
- Top tier regulators
Cons
- Limited disclosed financial information
- Withdraw and inactivity fees
- Spread, overnight, inactivity, and currency conversion fees higher than average
- Doesn’t offer bonds, futures, or options
Fees & commissions
| Fee type | DEGIRO | eToro |
| Stocks (US, EU, and UK) | €/£1.00 + €/£1.00 external fee | $1 per trade$2 for people from Australia and New Zealand. |
| ETFs | Free in the core select ETF list (or €/£2.00, otherwise) + €1.00 external fee | Commission-free (other fees apply) |
| Options | €/£0.75 per contract + €/£5 of monthly connectivity cost | $0 (only available in the US) |
| Bonds | €/£2.00 + €/£1.00 external fee | Not applicable |
| Crypto | Not applicable | 1% |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.25% | 0.75% |
| Spreads | Not applicable | From 1.0 pips (Forex) |
| Social trading | Not applicable | No extra fees |
| Withdrawal fees | Free | $5 per withdrawal |
| Inactivity Fee | Not applicable | €/$/£10 after 12 months inactivity |
| Connectivity fee | €/£2.50 per year, per exchange | Not applicable |
DEGIRO offers a straightforward and transparent fee structure, with low-cost access to stocks, bonds, and an interesting selection of ETFs. However, it may not be the best option for those looking to trade options due to higher fees in this area.
eToro, on the other hand, provides a simple fee structure with fixed costs for stocks and ETFs, making it ideal for beginners. That said, eToro does charge for withdrawals and has higher spreads, which can accumulate over time, especially for frequent traders.
Investment products
| Investment products | DEGIRO | eToro |
| Stocks | ✔ 5,000+ global stock exchanges | ✔ 4,500+ global stocks (real and CFDs) |
| ETFs | ✔ 5,000+ ETFs (real) | ✔ 650+ ETFs (real and CFDs) |
| Options | ✔ Available | ✘ Not availableOnly available in the US. |
| Bonds | ✔ Available | ✘ Not available |
| Cryptocurrencies | ✘ Not available | ✔ 95+ crypto assets (Direct and CFDs) |
| Forex | ✘ Not available | ✔ 55 currency pairs |
| Indices | ✔ Via ETFs | ✔ 18 indices (CFDs) |
| Commodities | ✘ Not available | ✔ 30+ commodities (CFDs) |
DEGIRO offers a wide range of traditional assets, including over 5,000 global stocks, ETFs, and bonds, making it ideal for long-term investors who prioritize low-cost access to these markets. However, it does not provide exposure to cryptocurrencies or forex trading.
eToro, on the other hand, stands out with its strong offering of CFDs and cryptocurrencies, making it perfect for traders interested in leveraged products. Additionally, it offers a wide variety of ETFs and stocks but lacks bonds as an investment product.
Safety
| Aspect | DEGIRO | eToro |
| Regulatory Authorities | AFM, DNB, BaFin | FCA, CySEC, ASIC |
| Investor protection | Up to €20,000 | Up to €20,000 (EU clients) Up to £85,000 (UK clients) |
| Private insurance | ✘ | ✔ Covers losses of up to 1 million EUR/AUD |
| Asset segregation | ✔ | ✔ |
| Negative balance protection | Not applicable since it doesn’t offer CFDs | ✔ |
| Licenses | Multiple jurisdictions | Multiple jurisdictions |
| Listed on exchange | ✔ Yes (flatexDEGIRO AG) | ✘ |
| Transparency | High | Average |
Both DEGIRO and eToro are regulated by reputable authorities, providing solid client fund protection. However, while DEGIRO is listed on a stock exchange (flatexDEGIRO AG), eToro is not. This means DEGIRO undergoes more public scrutiny, which contributes to higher transparency.
eToro offers additional private insurance covering losses up to €1 million, giving extra protection to clients. However, the lack of a stock exchange listing means eToro has average transparency compared to publicly listed brokers like DEGIRO.
Trading platforms
DEGIRO
DEGIRO offers both web and mobile trading platforms that are easy to use and accessible to investors of all experience levels. However, it falls short when it comes to advanced tools and features, which may limit its appeal for more experienced traders looking for detailed charting or technical analysis options.
eToro
eToro offers both mobile and web-based trading platforms. Both platforms are designed to be user-friendly and accessible, particularly for those who are new to investing.
Customer support
DEGIRO
DEGIRO provides customer support primarily through its FAQ section, email, and phone on trading days, but it lacks live chat and 24/7 availability.
eToro
eToro provides multiple customer support options, including a 24/7 AI-powered chatbot for quick responses to common inquiries and Live Chat support available 24/5 for real-time assistance. eToro Club members enjoy the added benefit of direct communication with an Account Manager via WhatsApp.
How to invest in the S&P 500 on DEGIRO and eToro
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!
DEGIRO
eToro
DEGIRO vs eToro: Final verdict
DEGIRO
Best for bonds, options and a broad selection of ETFseToro
Best for beginners, social trading and crypto
Choosing between DEGIRO and eToro can be challenging. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide:
Do you want a platform with access to bonds, options, and a broad selection of ETFs? If so, DEGIRO is the right choice for long-term investors seeking a straightforward, cost-effective approach.
Or are you a beginner looking for a platform that offers social trading and access to cryptocurrencies? If that’s the case, eToro is the perfect fit, but keep in mind its higher spreads and withdrawal fees.
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!
Disclaimer: Investing involves risk of loss.
