DEGIRO vs Trading 212
Detailed side-by-side broker comparison
DEGIRO (BaFin, minimum deposit $0) and Trading 212 (FCA/CySEC, minimum deposit $1) 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, Trading 212 comes out cheaper in 1, while DEGIRO 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. On asset class coverage DEGIRO is ahead with 5 instrument categories versus 3 at Trading 212 — 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, Trading 212 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.
Trading 212 leads on the combined score — 83/100 vs 75/100. Industry median is 72.
Overview
Trading 212 leads with 3 out of 9 objective metrics. On fees specifically, Trading 212 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.
- FCA—United Kingdom
- CySEC—Cyprus (EU)
Both brokers operate under Tier-1 jurisdictions, so regulatory oversight strength is comparable.
Account & Support
DEGIRO
Trading 212
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
Trading 212
- 0% commission with fractional shares from £1 — genuinely accessible
- Pie investing — multi-stock portfolios with automatic rebalancing
- UK ISA available — tax-free growth for UK residents
- Strong Trustpilot rating (4.6★)
- Wide instrument selection (10k+)
- Not available in CIS countries — UK and EU residents only
- 0.15% FX conversion on each trade when currencies mismatch
- CFD product exists alongside Invest — potential for confusion
Who each broker is for
Verdict
Both EU/UK-focused real-asset brokers. T212 is zero-commission with fractional shares from £1; DEGIRO is €2.00/trade but lower FX (0.25% vs 0.15% — similar), and covers options and futures. T212 wins for casual buy-and-hold with small positions. DEGIRO wins for active EU equity traders who trade often. Our pick for beginners: T212. For active EU equity traders: DEGIRO.
Both DEGIRO and Trading 212 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 more instruments, lower entry barrier.
Choose Trading 212 if you want lower fees, negative balance protection, an unlimited demo.
- Just starting outTrading 212· lower entry barrier, an unlimited demo, faster KYC
- Active tradingEither works
- 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.