The Tool Desk
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Neither broker accepts US persons, so a US resident cannot normally choose between them for a standard brokerage account. Fees, products, tax wrappers, investor protection and the legal entity servicing your account depend on your country. The fee examples below use current UK schedules where a country-specific comparison is necessary.
XTB vs. DEGIRO at a glance
| Requirement | Better fit |
|---|---|
| Fractional investing | XTB |
| Automatic ETF portfolio allocation | XTB |
| Whole-share investing across many markets | DEGIRO |
| Bonds, options and futures | DEGIRO, subject to account restrictions |
| CFDs and forex | XTB |
| No inactivity charge | DEGIRO |
| Small stock or ETF orders with no trading commission | XTB, subject to its monthly threshold and FX charge |
| UK Stocks & Shares ISA | XTB currently advertises one; verify eligibility and terms |
The practical choice depends less on which app looks better and more on how you invest. A buy-and-hold investor building a portfolio of whole shares and ETFs has different requirements from someone investing small monthly amounts, using fractional rights or trading leveraged products.
What can you trade?
XTB
XTB offers real, non-leveraged stocks and ETFs alongside stock and ETF CFDs, forex, index CFDs, commodity CFDs and cryptocurrency CFDs. Its general international product information refers to more than 7,100 stocks across 16 major exchanges, although the exact list depends on your country and XTB entity.
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There is an important distinction between XTB’s real investments and its leveraged derivatives:
STCidentifies a real stock.STC CFDidentifies a stock CFD.
Check the label in the Market Watch tab or the instrument information panel before placing an order. Buying an STC CFD does not give you the same ownership position as buying the corresponding real share.
XTB’s general EU information does not list bonds or options in its current product range. Availability is entity-specific, so a product shown in one country may not be available in another.
DEGIRO
DEGIRO offers shares, ETFs, bonds and derivatives such as options and futures. However, the current UK help centre says futures and options are available only to legacy clients who already have an Active or Trader profile. New clients cannot change a current account to an Active or Trader profile.
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Product verdict: XTB has the broader range if you want both investing and leveraged trading in one platform. DEGIRO is more suitable for conventional securities investing and has the edge if bonds, options or futures are important to your strategy.
Fractional shares: XTB wins, with a qualification
XTB allows fractional investing, but its product is technically a fractional right, not direct legal ownership of a fraction of a share.
For example, if you buy 0.7 of a Tesla share, XTB says it holds one whole share while you receive a fiduciary right to the economic benefits corresponding to 0.7 of that share. That can make it easier to invest a fixed amount or buy expensive shares, but the legal position is not identical to owning a whole share directly.
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DEGIRO does not offer fractional shares. It facilitates trades in whole shares only. A €100 order for a €450 share therefore cannot be filled as a 0.22-share position through DEGIRO.
For investors making small regular contributions, XTB’s fractional-right model is more convenient. Investors who want straightforward legal ownership of whole shares may prefer DEGIRO’s simpler structure.
Fees: neither comparison is as simple as “free” versus “paid”
XTB’s stock and ETF charges
Under the cited UK pricing information, XTB charges:
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- 0% commission on real stocks and ETFs up to the equivalent of €100,000 in cumulative monthly turnover;
- 0.2% above that threshold, with a minimum of €10 per trade or the relevant currency equivalent;
- 0.5% currency conversion when the investment is executed in a currency different from the account’s base currency.
The €100,000 figure is monthly turnover, not the amount held in the account. Buying €5,000 of shares is €5,000 of turnover; selling them later creates another transaction and additional turnover.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsXTB UK offers GBP, EUR and USD investment accounts. Holding the relevant currency can avoid conversion on a trade made in that same currency, although moving money between investment accounts in different currencies can itself incur a charge. The cited general fee information lists 0.5% for such transfers, rising to 0.8% on weekends and holidays in that international schedule.
DEGIRO UK’s charges from January 1, 2026
For the current UK schedule, examples include:
| Transaction | Published UK charge |
|---|---|
| London Stock Exchange shares | £1.75 commission + £1 handling |
| US shares | €1 commission + €1 handling |
| ETF in the current Core Selection | €0 commission + €1 handling, subject to the selection’s rules |
| ETF outside the Core Selection | €2 commission + applicable handling fees |
| Currency conversion | 0.25% |
| Inactivity, deposits, withdrawals and custody | Shown as £0/€0 on the cited UK overview, subject to the detailed schedule |
DEGIRO may also charge an exchange-connection fee of up to 0.25% of portfolio value per exchange per year, capped at €2.50 per exchange, except for the London Stock Exchange.
The current DEGIRO Core Selection is not completely free
DEGIRO’s current UK Core Selection is based on ETFs, ETCs and ETNs listed on Tradegate. It contains more than 1,000 products and charges €1 handling per trade. There is no commission, no Tradegate connectivity fee and no Fair Use Policy restriction under the new rules.
In the platform, go to:
Products → Trackers (ETFs) → Commission type → Core Selection
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You can also select Tradegate AG under the stock-market filter. An ETF that appears on the Core Selection but is traded on another exchange is not automatically covered by the €1 treatment.
Currency conversion, bid-ask spreads and the ETF’s own ongoing costs still apply. Calling the selection “free ETFs” without explaining the €1 handling fee is misleading.
XTB’s inactivity fee
XTB says it may charge €10 per month when both conditions apply:
- You have not opened or closed a position during the previous 365 days; and
- You have made no deposit during the previous 90 days.
The fee is not charged if the account balance is zero. The cited information also says it does not apply to ISA accounts and does not apply while certain open positions remain. Check the terms for your servicing entity before leaving an account dormant.
Fee verdict: XTB is often cheaper for smaller stock and ETF trades, especially when the investment and account currencies match. DEGIRO may be preferable for investors who want to avoid inactivity fees and accept a fixed charge per transaction.
Automatic investing and portfolio plans
XTB Investment Plans
XTB’s Investment Plans let you allocate deposited money among selected ETFs according to percentages you choose. The current cited information states that you can create up to 10 plans, use up to nine ETFs per plan and select from more than 300 ETFs on the relevant UK/European offering.
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The plan does not necessarily pull money from your bank automatically. Instead, when funds are deposited into the plan, XTB allocates them according to your chosen percentages. That is useful for portfolio automation, but it is different from a fully automated direct debit that independently funds and executes purchases.
To create one:
- Mobile app: go to Portfolio → Investment Plans.
- Choose the ETFs and set each percentage allocation.
- Select Create an Investment Plan.
- Choose Top up the Plan when you want to invest cash.
On the web platform, use Left-hand menu → Investment Plans → Create a new Plan, then choose ETFs, set allocations, create the plan and top it up.
Investment Plans are commission-free within the applicable stock and ETF threshold, but the 0.5% currency-conversion charge may apply to foreign-currency ETFs. The cited general help page says Investment Plans are not available for ISA accounts.
DEGIRO does not execute automatic investments
DEGIRO is an execution-only broker. It does not automatically invest a monthly amount or rebalance a portfolio. You must enter each buy or sell order yourself.
You can arrange a recurring bank transfer through your own bank. That only moves money to the account; it does not create an investment order. DEGIRO’s path for its bank-transfer details is:
Deposit/Withdraw → Bank Transfer (SEPA)
Automation verdict: XTB is clearly better for allocating deposits across an ETF portfolio. Neither broker is a complete “set up a direct debit and forget everything” solution based on the cited features.
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Platforms and order types
XTB
XTB provides the proprietary xStation web platform and a mobile app. It supports real stocks and ETFs as well as CFDs, but the interface makes it especially important to check the instrument label before trading.
Trailing stops are available only for selected instruments. XTB’s help centre says they are not available for organized-market instruments—real stocks and ETFs—or for stock and ETF CFDs.
When placing an eligible mobile order, the path is select Stop Loss below the chart → enable Trailing Stop → enter the value. On the web platform, check Stop Loss, expand the order window and edit the Trailing Stop field. To modify an existing position, use Terminal → right-click the open position → Modify.
DEGIRO
DEGIRO lets you start an order from a product page, your favourites, the plus symbol or a chart. The order ticket asks you to select:
- Buy or sell;
- Order type and specifications;
- Number of units;
- Duration: Day or GTC;
- Place order;
- Final confirmation.
Listed order types include Market, Limit, Stop Loss, Stop Limit and Trailing Stop Loss. The current help centre says trailing stops are available only on Xetra and Frankfurt.
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A Day order expires at the end of the relevant trading day if it has not executed. GTC duration depends on routing: Euronext direct-to-market orders can run for up to one year, while orders routed through a prime broker and US-exchange GTC orders last 90 days. Corporate actions or large price movements may still cancel an order.
DEGIRO gives several reasons why an order may be rejected:
- the limit price is outside the exchange’s permitted band;
- a market order’s worst-case value exceeds available funds;
- a stop price is on the wrong side of the current market;
- the price does not match the instrument’s tick size;
- the quantity does not match the exchange’s lot size.
DEGIRO’s platform is more execution-focused. XTB’s interface is more geared towards combining investing with active trading, but that convenience can also make it easier to confuse a real asset with a CFD.
Uninvested cash
DEGIRO currently says it does not pay interest on uninvested cash in its UK help centre. For new UK clients, cash is held in a personal Cash Account at flatexDEGIRO Bank SE. The cited information says this Cash Account became available again for new UK clients in April 2024.
XTB’s treatment of uninvested cash varies by entity and currency. XTB describes some payments as an interest-like benefit rather than conventional bank interest, and rates can depend on currency, client status and the relevant period. Do not use one XTB interest rate as though it applied globally.
Investor protection and legal entities
Protection cannot be judged by comparing the two brand names alone. First identify the country where you live and the legal entity named in your account agreement.
DEGIRO says client investments are held through a separate special-purpose vehicle and remain legally separated from DEGIRO’s own business. Its UK information states that money in the Cash Account is protected up to €100,000 per customer under the German Deposit Guarantee Scheme. If segregated investments cannot be returned, the German Investor Compensation Scheme may compensate 90% of losses, capped at €20,000 per customer.
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These schemes generally address broker failure or inability to return assets; they do not protect you from losses caused by a share price falling or a CFD trade moving against you.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Tax wrappers, dividends and eligibility
XTB UK currently advertises Stocks & Shares ISA and Cash ISA products, but availability and eligibility should be confirmed before opening an account. The cited general XTB help page says Investment Plans are not available for ISA accounts.
DEGIRO’s available tax wrappers depend on the country. Do not assume that an account offered in one jurisdiction has the same ISA, pension or other tax-wrapper functionality elsewhere.
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Dividend treatment can also differ from the simple headline dividend yield:
- DEGIRO says withholding depends on the source country and product, and dividends are generally received net of withholding tax.
- If a DEGIRO position was lent when a dividend was paid, you may receive a dividend substitute payment rather than the actual dividend. DEGIRO says this is generally not subject to withholding tax, and the WebTrader description may not clearly distinguish it.
- XTB says Investment Plans are taxed in the same way as ETF investments held directly with XTB, but the actual tax treatment remains country-specific.
Who should choose XTB?
XTB is likely the better choice if you:
- invest small amounts and want fractional rights;
- want an ETF portfolio that allocates deposits automatically according to target percentages;
- trade forex, CFDs or other leveraged products and understand their risks;
- prefer a modern app and xStation interface;
- can keep your trading and account currencies aligned to reduce conversion charges.
Its main cautions are the fractional-right legal structure, the 0.5% currency-conversion fee, the potential €10 inactivity charge and the need to distinguish real stocks from stock CFDs.
Who should choose DEGIRO?
DEGIRO is likely the better choice if you:
- buy whole shares and ETFs for long-term ownership;
- want access to a broad selection of exchanges;
- need bonds or want options and futures where your account profile permits them;
- prefer a manual, execution-only service;
- want to avoid an inactivity fee.
Its main cautions are fixed dealing and handling charges, no fractional shares, no automatic investment execution, no CFDs and the need to understand exchange-connection and currency-conversion costs.
How to decide before opening an account
- Check eligibility. Neither broker accepts US persons. Confirm that your country is accepted and identify the servicing entity.
- List the instruments you actually need. Do not choose a broker based on a product catalogue if you only plan to buy one or two ETFs.
- Calculate your order size and frequency. Compare a percentage FX fee with fixed dealing charges using your own monthly contribution.
- Check the exact exchange. A product’s fee can change depending on where it is listed and routed.
- Confirm the tax wrapper. ISA and similar products are not universal across countries or entities.
- Read the cash and protection terms. The balance may be held under a different arrangement from the investments.
- Use the correct instrument type. On XTB, verify
STCrather thanSTC CFDif you intend to buy a real share.
FAQ
Is XTB better than DEGIRO for beginners?
It depends on the beginner’s goal. XTB is easier for small, regular ETF contributions because it offers fractional rights and Investment Plans. DEGIRO may be better for someone who wants a straightforward whole-share broker and is comfortable entering orders manually. CFDs and forex on XTB are complex, leveraged products and are not a sensible default for a beginner.
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No. DEGIRO facilitates whole-share trading only. XTB offers fractional investing through fractional rights, which provide economic exposure but are not the same as direct legal ownership of a fraction of a share.
Does DEGIRO have automatic monthly investing?
No. You can arrange a recurring bank transfer through your own bank, but DEGIRO does not automatically place the investment order. Each purchase must be entered manually.
Is XTB commission-free?
XTB’s UK information states that real stocks and ETFs are commission-free up to the equivalent of €100,000 in cumulative monthly turnover. A 0.5% currency-conversion charge can still apply, and commission applies above the threshold. Other products have different charges.
Is DEGIRO’s Core Selection free?
Not completely. Under the current UK rules, the Tradegate-based Core Selection has zero commission but a €1 handling fee per trade. Other costs, including currency conversion, spreads and the ETF’s ongoing fund expenses, may also apply.
Which broker is safer, XTB or DEGIRO?
There is no universal answer because protection depends on the legal entity servicing you. DEGIRO’s UK information refers to German deposit and investor compensation schemes. XTB’s UK entity refers to FSCS protection, while its Cyprus entity refers to the Cyprus Investors Compensation Fund. Compare the rules applying to your own account.
Can US residents open an XTB or DEGIRO account?
Neither broker is a normal option for US persons. DEGIRO explicitly does not accept US persons, and XTB’s cited accepted-country information does not include US residents. Always check the broker’s current eligibility page for your specific status and residence.
The Bottom Line
Choose XTB for fractional investing, automated ETF allocation, forex, CFDs and a more trading-oriented platform. Choose DEGIRO for whole-share investing, broad market access, manual execution and—where your account profile allows it—bonds, options and futures.
Before deciding, compare the price of your actual trades in your country, check the contracting entity and confirm whether you are buying a real asset or a derivative. The headline “commission-free” label does not include every cost, and neither broker’s features should be treated as universal across Europe.
This comparison is for information only and is not personal investment, tax or legal advice. Investing involves risk, and CFDs can result in rapid losses.
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