DEGIRO vs Freedom Finance
Detailed side-by-side broker comparison
DEGIRO (BaFin, minimum deposit $0) and Freedom Finance (AIFC/CySEC, minimum deposit $500) are two regulated brokers competing for retail investors in the CIS and EU markets. This comparison is built from verified data on fees, available instruments, trading platforms and country access — so you can see exactly where each broker wins before you open an account.
Across 9 fee categories we track, DEGIRO comes out cheaper in 5, while Freedom Finance wins only 0. For active traders this gap compounds over time — commission, FX markup and custody fees are the three that hurt portfolio returns the most. Both brokers offer access to 5 instrument categories, so asset coverage is not a differentiator here.
Both brokers have similar entry requirements, so the decision comes down to fees and instruments. DEGIRO supports 2 trading platforms, Freedom Finance supports 2.
Trust dimensions side by side
Where it's safer
Five trust dimensions per our methodology. The further from the centre — the stronger. Dashed line is the industry median.
DEGIRO and Freedom Finance are tied — both score 75/100 against an industry median of 72.
Overview
DEGIRO leads with 3 out of 9 objective metrics. On fees specifically, DEGIRO wins 5 of 9 categories.
Fees & Commissions
Fee scenario
Approximate — based on listed fees only. Real costs depend on instrument, currency conversion and individual trade size.
Instruments & Markets
800k+ instruments · 1.0M+ instrumentsRegulators & investor protection
- BaFin—Germany
- Additional licences on file: AFM/DNB.
- AIFC—Kazakhstan (AIFC)
- CySEC—Cyprus (EU)
- BaFin—Germany
Both brokers operate under Tier-1 jurisdictions, so regulatory oversight strength is comparable.
Account & Support
DEGIRO
Freedom Finance
Pros & Cons
DEGIRO
- Publicly-listed parent — full annual report transparency
- €2.00 per trade for EU and US stocks — among the lowest in EU retail
- Real assets only — no CFDs in the account
- Strong Trustpilot rating (4.1★)
- Wide instrument selection (800k+)
- Not available in CIS countries — EU/UK residents only
- No fractional shares — each position requires the full share price
- Platform UI has not kept pace with newer entrants
- No negative balance protection
- No fractional shares
Freedom Finance
- Retail IPO allocation — rare feature for accounts under $100k
- AIFC (Kazakhstan) local regulation for KZ residents
- Multi-product account: brokerage + savings + IPO + EU equities
- Strong Trustpilot rating (4.1★)
- Wide instrument selection (1.0M+)
- Founder Timur Turlov on US OFAC SDN sanctions list (May 2024)
- AIFC regulatory protection weaker than EU/UK/US schemes
- Mid-tier custody and FX charges — adds up on inactive accounts
- Mobile app rating 3.9 (Google Play, 5330 reviews) — below industry norm
- KYC takes 2-5 days
Who each broker is for
Verdict
Both DEGIRO and Freedom Finance are regulated brokers offering access to global financial markets. However, they differ significantly in fees, available instruments, and minimum deposit requirements. Below is our expert assessment to help you make an informed decision.
Choose DEGIRO if you want lower fees, lower entry barrier, faster withdrawals.
Choose Freedom Finance if you want negative balance protection, an unlimited demo, fractional shares.
- Just starting outEither works
- Active tradingDEGIRO· lower fees, faster withdrawals
- Advanced / professionalDEGIRO· more exchanges
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your trading style, budget, and preferred instruments. We recommend using our Broker Quiz for a personalized recommendation.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this comparison and how to use it.