DEGIRO vs Interactive Brokers
Detailed side-by-side broker comparison
DEGIRO (BaFin, minimum deposit $0) and Interactive Brokers (SEC/FCA, minimum deposit $0) 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 DEGIRO and Interactive Brokers split wins roughly evenly — the cheaper option depends on your specific trading pattern (stocks vs ETFs, frequency, currency). On asset class coverage Interactive Brokers is ahead with 6 instrument categories versus 5 at DEGIRO — relevant if you plan to diversify beyond stocks into bonds, ETFs, commodities or crypto.
Both brokers have similar entry requirements, so the decision comes down to fees and instruments. DEGIRO supports 2 trading platforms, Interactive Brokers supports 3.
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.
Interactive Brokers leads on the combined score — 100/100 vs 75/100. Industry median is 72.
Overview
Interactive Brokers leads with 6 out of 9 objective metrics. On fees specifically, wins 1 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 · 10k+ instrumentsRegulators & investor protection
- BaFin—Germany
- Additional licences on file: AFM/DNB.
- SEC—United States
- FCA—United Kingdom
- IIROC—Canada
- SFC—Hong Kong
- ASIC—Australia
Both brokers operate under Tier-1 jurisdictions, so regulatory oversight strength is comparable.
Account & Support
DEGIRO
Interactive Brokers
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
Interactive Brokers
- Industry-cheapest per-share commission on US stocks (IBKR Pro Tiered $0.0035/sh, Fixed $0.005/sh)
- SIPC protection up to $500,000 per account ($250k cash) — strongest US-domiciled coverage
- 150+ markets from one account, including direct access to LSE / XETRA / HKEX / TSE
- Public NASDAQ-listed parent (IBKR) — financial transparency above industry norm
- Wide instrument selection (10k+)
- Trader Workstation (TWS) has a famously steep learning curve
- IBKR Lite (zero-commission plan) is US-residents-only
- Customer support thin relative to peers — chat queues commonly multi-hour
- Mobile app is functional but utilitarian — not a Robinhood-style experience
Who each broker is for
Verdict
IB is deeper (150+ markets, options, futures, pro TWS) and cheaper per share ($0.005 vs DEGIRO's €2.00 flat). DEGIRO wins for EU-focused buy-and-hold under 5 trades/month — the flat fee is predictable and the publicly-listed parent adds transparency. Our pick for active multi-market traders: IB. For EU-only buy-and-hold: DEGIRO.
Both DEGIRO and Interactive Brokers 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 a stronger Trustpilot rating.
Choose Interactive Brokers if you want more instruments, negative balance protection, an unlimited demo.
- Just starting outInteractive Brokers· an unlimited demo, faster KYC
- Active tradingInteractive Brokers· more instruments, faster withdrawals
- Advanced / professionalEither works
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.