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eToro and DEGIRO serve different kinds of investors. eToro is built around a social-investing platform with fractional shares, copy trading and access to stocks, ETFs, crypto and CFDs in selected markets. DEGIRO is closer to a traditional execution-only broker: it offers whole-share investing across many exchanges and, depending on the country and account profile, products such as bonds, options and futures.
For a long-term investor who wants broad market access and conventional ownership of whole shares, DEGIRO is usually the better fit. For someone who values a simpler app, fractional investing, copy portfolios or crypto access, eToro may be more appealing. Neither broker is automatically cheaper or safer for every customer: fees, products, tax wrappers, investor protection and the legal entity providing the service depend on where you live.
eToro vs DEGIRO at a glance
| Feature | eToro | DEGIRO |
|---|---|---|
| Best known for | Social investing, copy trading and a simple multi-asset app | Low-cost execution across a wide range of exchanges |
| Shares and ETFs | Available, including fractional exposure in many cases | Whole shares and ETFs; availability depends on the exchange and country |
| Fractional investing | Available for selected instruments, but the legal and operational treatment varies | Generally not available |
| Crypto | Available in selected jurisdictions | Not generally a core DEGIRO product |
| CFDs and leverage | Available to eligible customers in selected jurisdictions | Does not focus on CFDs |
| Options and futures | Limited compared with a specialist traditional broker | Available in some markets and account profiles |
| Copy trading | One of eToro’s defining features | Not offered |
| Automatic portfolio features | CopyTrader and copy portfolios, subject to availability and risk | Primarily manual order execution |
| Tax wrappers | Country-specific | Country-specific |
The main difference between eToro and DEGIRO
DEGIRO is designed mainly for investors who choose an instrument, place an order and manage the portfolio themselves. Its appeal is the breadth of markets and products available through a conventional brokerage account.
eToro combines brokerage with a social network. Users can view other investors’ portfolios, discuss markets and copy selected traders or portfolios. That can make investing more accessible, but it can also encourage decisions based on popularity, recent performance or influencer-style commentary rather than a properly researched plan.
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This distinction matters more than a small difference in dealing fees. A low-cost broker is not necessarily the right choice if its platform encourages you to trade more frequently than intended.
Investment products
eToro
eToro’s product range commonly includes real shares, ETFs, cryptoassets and leveraged products such as CFDs, although the exact offering depends on the customer’s country and regulatory entity. Some instruments displayed on the platform may be bought directly, while others provide price exposure through a derivative.
Read the order ticket carefully. A position that looks like an ordinary stock trade may have different costs, ownership rights, leverage or overnight charges if it is a CFD. A leveraged CFD is not a substitute for buying the underlying share for a long-term portfolio.
eToro also offers fractional exposure to selected shares and ETFs. Fractional investing allows a user to invest a fixed amount, such as £25, without purchasing a complete share. However, a fractional position may not provide exactly the same legal rights as a whole share, particularly for voting, transfers and corporate actions.
DEGIRO
DEGIRO is generally stronger for conventional exchange-traded investing. Depending on the local product catalogue, investors may find shares, ETFs, bonds, investment funds and derivatives such as options or futures. Availability can be restricted by the account profile, knowledge and experience assessment, exchange or local regulations.
DEGIRO does not generally offer fractional shares. If one share costs €800, an investor normally needs enough money to buy one whole share, plus any applicable costs. That makes regular small contributions less convenient than on a platform offering fractional exposure.
DEGIRO is also not a typical choice for crypto trading or CFD speculation. That narrower product emphasis can be a benefit for investors who want fewer distractions.
Fees: compare the full cost, not just the headline commission
Published fees differ by country and change regularly, so check the schedule for the account you would actually open. The most important comparison points are:
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems- Trading commission: the amount charged when buying or selling.
- Spread: the difference between the buying and selling price. This can matter even where the advertised commission is zero.
- Currency conversion: relevant when your account currency differs from the instrument’s trading currency.
- Exchange or connectivity charges: some brokers pass on annual or per-market charges.
- Withdrawal fees: check the current policy and any minimum withdrawal amount.
- Inactivity charges: these may apply after a period without activity, depending on the jurisdiction.
- CFD financing: leveraged positions held overnight can incur recurring financing charges.
- Fund costs: ETF and fund ongoing charges are built into the product and are not usually broker commissions.
Where eToro can be cheaper
eToro may be attractive for small, occasional investments when its local commission-free or low-commission share terms apply. Fractional purchases can also reduce the practical cost of building a diversified portfolio with limited capital.
But “commission-free” does not mean cost-free. Currency conversion, spreads, withdrawals, inactivity rules and costs attached to CFDs or crypto can materially change the result. A trader who buys US shares from a euro or pound account should pay particular attention to the conversion charge.
Where DEGIRO can be cheaper
DEGIRO can be cost-effective for investors placing manual orders on supported exchanges, especially when they use an ETF or exchange pricing category with a low fixed charge. Its costs may be less attractive for very small trades if a fixed commission represents a large percentage of the investment.
For example, a €2 dealing fee on a €100 purchase is already 2% before any spread or fund cost. A broker with a percentage-based or zero dealing fee may be more suitable for that transaction, provided its currency and other charges do not outweigh the saving.
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Do not assume that an ETF promotion applies to every listing of the same fund. The exchange, currency, order route and local fee schedule can affect the price.
Copy trading and portfolio automation
eToro’s CopyTrader lets customers allocate money to replicate the trades of another investor. Copy portfolios provide a more packaged approach, sometimes grouping assets or traders around a theme.
Copying is not the same as outsourcing investment management to a guaranteed professional. The copied investor can change strategy, take concentrated positions, use leverage or suffer losses. Past performance is not a reliable indication of future results. Before copying, examine the person’s risk score, maximum drawdown, use of leverage, portfolio concentration, trading history and time horizon.
DEGIRO is better suited to a do-it-yourself investor. It does not revolve around a social feed or copy-trading marketplace. You normally select the asset and submit each order yourself. An investor can automate a bank transfer independently, but that does not necessarily create an automatic purchase inside the brokerage account.
Which platform is easier to use?
eToro generally has the more approachable interface for beginners. Prices, watchlists, portfolio screens and community features are presented in an app-oriented format. The same simplicity can hide important distinctions between real assets, CFDs and crypto products, so new users should confirm the product type before placing an order.
DEGIRO’s interface is more utilitarian. It is suited to searching for a specific security, reviewing exchange information and entering an order with a chosen quantity, order type and duration. That may feel less polished, but it can encourage more deliberate execution.
Whichever platform you use, a limit order can help control the maximum purchase price, while a market order prioritises execution but does not guarantee the price. Thinly traded securities can have wide spreads, and an order placed outside the relevant market’s trading hours may behave differently from one placed during normal trading.
Safety, regulation and investor protection
Neither brand has one universal protection regime. Your protection depends on the legal entity named in the account agreement, where that entity is regulated and whether the issue concerns investments, cash or a broker failure.
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Before opening an account, identify:
- the legal name of the company contracting with you;
- the regulator supervising that company;
- the compensation scheme that applies if the firm cannot return assets or cash;
- the limit and exclusions of that scheme;
- how uninvested cash is held and whether it earns interest.
Do not compare a protection limit from eToro in one country with a DEGIRO limit in another. That produces a misleading result.
Tax, ISAs and other wrappers
Tax treatment is one of the biggest practical differences between countries. A broker may offer a tax-advantaged account in one market but not another. The availability of an ISA, pension account or equivalent wrapper should be confirmed during the application process and in the broker’s current local terms.
If you invest outside a wrapper, you may need to track dividends, interest, realised gains, currency movements and withholding tax. A broker’s tax statement can help, but it does not guarantee that your local tax return is complete.
Dividend withholding can vary according to the company’s country, your residency, the broker’s custody arrangement and the paperwork submitted. For US-listed shares, for example, the withholding outcome may depend on whether the correct residency documentation is in place. Seek professional tax advice if your circumstances involve multiple countries, US-person status, employment shares or frequent trading.
eToro advantages and disadvantages
Advantages
- Accessible app and simple portfolio interface.
- Fractional investing for selected instruments.
- CopyTrader and themed copy portfolios.
- Access to a broader mix of investments, potentially including crypto and CFDs, in eligible countries.
- Useful for investors who want to invest small amounts across several assets.
Disadvantages
- Social features can encourage impulsive or performance-chasing decisions.
- Real assets, CFDs and crypto products have different risks and costs.
- Currency conversion and other non-commission costs can be significant.
- Product availability and account features vary by country.
- Copy trading does not remove investment risk or guarantee diversification.
DEGIRO advantages and disadvantages
Advantages
- Strong fit for manual, whole-share investing.
- Broad exchange and product access in many European markets.
- Can be suitable for shares, ETFs, bonds and selected derivatives.
- Less emphasis on social trading and speculative features.
- Order-entry tools are appropriate for investors who want to control execution themselves.
Disadvantages
- No general fractional-share facility.
- No built-in copy trading.
- Small trades can be disproportionately affected by fixed fees.
- Options and futures may require a suitable account profile and may not be available to new or lower-experience customers.
- Local pricing, tax features and product availability must be checked separately.
Which broker should you choose?
| Your priority | More likely to fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Investing €25 or £25 at a time | eToro | Fractional investing can make small contributions practical. |
| Buying whole shares and ETFs across several exchanges | DEGIRO | It is designed around conventional execution and broad market access. |
| Copying another investor | eToro | CopyTrader is a central platform feature. |
| Trading options or futures | DEGIRO, subject to eligibility | It generally offers a wider traditional derivatives range. |
| Trading crypto or CFDs | eToro, where available | These products are part of its multi-asset offering. |
| Keeping the platform focused and non-social | DEGIRO | It does not centre the experience on a social feed or copied portfolios. |
| Using a tax wrapper | Check both locally | Availability depends on residence and the servicing entity. |
How to make the final choice
- Confirm eligibility. Enter your country of residence and check whether the broker accepts your nationality, tax status and account type.
- List the instruments you actually need. Do not choose a broker for access to CFDs or options if your plan is simply to buy diversified ETFs.
- Calculate a realistic trade. Add commission, spread, currency conversion, exchange charges and fund expenses to a typical purchase.
- Check the exact security. Confirm the exchange, currency, product type and whether you are buying the real asset or a derivative.
- Read the cash and protection terms. Find out where uninvested money is held and which compensation scheme applies.
- Test the workflow. Make sure you can find statements, tax documents, deposits, withdrawals and order confirmations before committing a large balance.
FAQ
Is eToro better than DEGIRO for beginners?
eToro is usually easier to navigate and supports fractional investing, but its social and leveraged products can add risk. DEGIRO may be better for a beginner who wants to learn conventional, manual investing without copy trading or CFDs.
Is DEGIRO cheaper than eToro?
There is no universal winner. DEGIRO can be cost-effective for certain exchange-listed shares and ETFs, while eToro may suit small purchases where fractional investing and low dealing commissions apply. Compare currency conversion, spreads, fixed fees, withdrawals, inactivity charges and product costs for your country.
Can you buy fractional shares on DEGIRO?
DEGIRO generally supports whole shares rather than fractional shares. eToro offers fractional exposure for selected instruments, although the legal rights and treatment may differ from owning a whole share.
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Does DEGIRO offer copy trading?
No. DEGIRO is primarily an execution-only broker. You select and place trades yourself rather than copying another customer’s portfolio.
Can I trade CFDs on eToro and DEGIRO?
eToro offers CFDs to eligible customers in selected jurisdictions. DEGIRO is not generally a CFD platform. CFDs are leveraged derivatives and can produce rapid losses, including losses that exceed the amount a long-term investor would normally risk in an unleveraged share purchase.
Are eToro and DEGIRO safe?
Both operate through regulated entities and generally segregate client assets, but the precise rules depend on your country and contracting entity. Regulation does not protect you from normal investment losses, and compensation schemes have limits and exclusions.
Which broker is better for long-term ETF investing?
DEGIRO is often the better fit for an investor who wants whole ETF units, broad exchange access and manual control. eToro can be convenient for small recurring amounts if the relevant ETFs are available fractionally and the currency and other charges are acceptable.
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Choose DEGIRO if you want a conventional broker for whole shares, ETFs and a wider traditional product range, and you are comfortable placing trades yourself. Choose eToro if fractional investing, a beginner-friendly app, copy portfolios, crypto or CFDs are central to your plan.
For most long-term investors, the decisive test is not the most attractive headline fee. It is whether the broker supports the assets, account wrapper, currency and investing habits you will actually use—at a total cost you can verify in your country.
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