DEGIRO vs XTB
DEGIRO is long-only — cheap real stocks, ETFs, options and futures at €2 per US trade and €4.90 on most EU exchanges, BaFin oversight with €100,000 cash and €20,000 securities cover, no CFDs, no fractional, EU/UK only. XTB adds CFDs plus 0%-commission real stocks/ETFs (under €100k/mo), a polished xStation platform, no minimum deposit and reach beyond the EU/UK — Georgia, for one, though not Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Belarus or Uzbekistan. Our pick for distraction-free EU long-term investing with options: DEGIRO. For a polished platform with CFDs alongside stocks and broader reach: XTB.
Editor: Kyrylo Vasyliev
DEGIRO (BaFin, minimum deposit €0.01) and XTB (FCA/KNF, 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 2 fee categories DEGIRO and XTB split wins roughly evenly — the cheaper option depends on your specific trading pattern (stocks vs ETFs, frequency, currency). On asset class coverage XTB is ahead with 6 instrument categories versus 5 at DEGIRO — relevant if you plan to diversify beyond stocks into bonds, ETFs, commodities or crypto.
If entry budget matters, XTB is more accessible with a minimum deposit of £0. DEGIRO supports 2 trading platforms, XTB supports 2 — check the platforms section below to confirm your preferred terminal is available.
Trust dimensions side by side
Where it's safer
Five trust dimensions per our methodology. The further from the centre — the stronger. The dashed line is our fixed reference level, the same on every axis.
XTB leads on the combined score — 100/100 vs 75/100. Our fixed reference line is 72.
Overview
XTB leads with 5 out of 9 objective metrics. On fees specifically, wins 1 of 2 categories.
Fees & Commissions
Fee scenario
Approximate — based on verified fees only. Per-share commissions assume a $50 share price. Real costs depend on instrument, currency conversion and individual trade size.
Instruments & Markets
800k+ instruments · 6k+ instrumentsRegulators & investor protection
- BaFin—Germany
- Additional licences on file: AFM/DNB.
- FCA—United Kingdom
- KNF—Poland (EU)
- CySEC—Cyprus (EU)
- Additional licences on file: DFSA, FSC Belize.
Both brokers operate under Tier-1 jurisdictions, so regulatory oversight strength is comparable.
Account & Support
DEGIRO
XTB
Pros & Cons
DEGIRO
- Publicly-listed parent — full annual report transparency
- €2 per US stock trade, €4.90 on most European exchanges
- Real assets only — no CFDs in the account
- Strong Trustpilot rating (4.4★)
- 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
- Compensation caps at €20,000 — below FCA (£85k) / SIPC ($500k)
- No negative balance protection
XTB
- Zero commission on real stocks & ETFs below €100,000 monthly turnover
- WSE-listed public company (XTB SA, ticker XTB) — quarterly financial disclosures
- xStation 5 proprietary platform — single-app for stocks + CFD + FX
- Licensed companies in Poland (KNF), the UK (FCA) and Cyprus (CySEC)
- Wide instrument selection (6k+)
- Above-threshold pricing aggressive: 0.2% commission with a 10 EUR minimum
- No options or futures — derivatives are CFD-only
- Demo expires after 30 days of inactivity
Who each broker is for
Verdict
Both DEGIRO and XTB 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 XTB if you want more instruments, lower entry barrier, negative balance protection.
- Just starting outXTB· lower entry barrier, an unlimited demo, faster KYC
- Active tradingXTB· 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.