Head to head · Updated June 15, 2026
eToro vs DEGIRO: which one to choose (2026)?
By Roch de Montesquieu Our synthesis
The verdict of the duel
eToro or DEGIRO? Our pick is clear: eToro at 4.8/5, well ahead of DEGIRO at 2.8/5. eToro gathers in a single account the copy trading that mirrors seasoned investors' portfolios, 0 commission on ETFs, fractional shares from a few dollars, 130+ cryptos held directly under a MiCA licence, and Lloyd's insurance up to $1M per client. DEGIRO competes on one thing, low order fees on stocks and ETFs, but its platform is deliberately bare: no fractional shares, no recurring investment, no copy trading and no crypto held directly, with email-only support. For an all-in-one account that is easy to start with, we recommend eToro.
if you want the most complete all-in-one account: copy trading, commission-free ETFs, fractional shares and crypto held directly, with Lloyd's insurance up to $1M per client.
if your only priority is a low order cost on stocks and ETFs, and you can do without fractional shares, recurring investing, copy trading and responsive support.
Roch de Montesquieu · Research Analyst · Fees, Data, Transparency
Who it is for
Which one is right for you?
eToro
The beginner who wants to learn by copying experienced investors
The investor who wants to avoid currency conversion fees (USD account)
DEGIRO
The self-directed investor who wants a low-cost international securities account
Beginners, and anyone who values fractional shares, recurring buys or responsive support
The pillar duel
Criterion by criterion
The sub-scores from our two review pages, face to face.
Face to face
The essentials, side by side
Data pulled from our two review pages, verified on June 15, 2026.
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| HelloBrokers score | 4.8 | 2.8 |
| Minimum deposit | $50 | $0.01 |
| Regulation | CySEC · FCA · ASIC | AFM · BaFin |
| Fees | Stocks: $1 per order. ETFs: 0 commission. Derivatives: spreads (0.15% stocks, 1% crypto). Spot crypto via spread. | European & US stocks: $2 per order ($1 commission + $1 connectivity fee). 1,000+ ETFs from the selection commission-free ($1 connectivity). |
| Withdrawal fees | $5 (USD account) | Free |
| Demo account | Yes, $100,000 virtual account | No (no demo account) |
| Leverage | ESMA-capped on derivatives (up to 1:30 retail) | — |
| Copy trading | Yes, core of the platform (CopyTrader, Smart Portfolios) | No |
| Mobile apps | Very complete iOS and Android app | iOS and Android app |
| Founded · HQ | 2007 · Tel Aviv, Israel | 2008 · Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Trustpilot | 4.2 / 5 (30,000+) | — |
| Best for | The beginner who wants to learn by copying experienced investors | The self-directed investor who wants a low-cost international securities account |
Safety & regulation
Safety, face to face
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating entity | eToro (Europe) Ltd (Cyprus, CySEC) | DEGIRO (flatexDEGIRO Bank, Netherlands / Germany) |
| Fund segregation | Segregated accounts + Lloyd's insurance up to $1M per client | Guarantee $20,000 (securities) and $100,000 (cash) |
| Negative balance protection | Yes (ESMA framework on derivatives) | — |
| Two-factor authentication | 2FA available | 2FA available |
| Licence | CySEC-regulated (since 2010) | AFM authorisation (Netherlands) |
Referral offer
The eToro offer via HelloBrokers
🎁 Up to $500 welcome bonus
Copy trading included, a $100,000 demo account and Lloyd's insurance up to $1M per client.
- Copy trading included, no access fee
- 0 commission on 900+ ETFs and fractional shares
- $100,000 demo account to practise
- Lloyd's insurance up to $1M per client
- 130+ cryptos held directly (MiCA licence)
- Uninvested cash earning up to around 3%
Sponsored links. Trading leveraged products carries a risk of capital loss.
What users say
What their clients say
Highlights from the public reviews gathered on our two pages.
eToro
★ 4.2 / 5 TrustpilotDEGIRO
Strengths
What each does best
eToro
- Social trading and copy trading: replicate other investors' portfolios
- 0 commission on ETFs, fractional shares available
- Direct crypto custody (130+ coins) with a MiCA licence
- Uninvested cash earns interest (up to ~3%)
- Very accessible interface, ideal for beginners; Lloyd's insurance up to $1M
DEGIRO
- Among the lowest brokerage fees in Europe: $2 on European and US markets
- 1,000+ ETFs accessible with no brokerage fees ($1 connectivity only)
- No custody fees, no inactivity fees, near-zero minimum deposit
- Access to ~20,000 securities across some fifty global exchanges
- Clear platform and transparent execution
Capabilities
What each broker offers
eToro
- Cash stocks / securities account
- ETFs
- Cryptocurrencies held directly
- Fractional shares
- Copy trading
- Thematic portfolios
- Interest on uninvested cash
- Demo account
DEGIRO
- Cash stocks / securities account
- Commission-free ETF selection
- Fractional shares
- Automatic recurring investment
- Demo account
- Copy trading
- Live chat / phone support
- No custody or inactivity fee
Go further
🎁 Up to $500 welcome bonus
Open an account at eToro →Copy trading included, a $100,000 demo account and Lloyd's insurance up to $1M per client.
Read the full eToro review →Sponsored links. Trading leveraged products carries a risk of capital loss.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions about eToro and DEGIRO
Is eToro reliable?
Yes. In Europe eToro is run by eToro (Europe) Ltd, regulated by CySEC since 2010, and NASDAQ-listed since 2025. Client holdings sit behind Lloyd's insurance up to $1M per client, and Trustpilot puts it around 4.2/5 across more than 30,000 reviews.
Why choose eToro?
Social trading is what sets it apart. You can copy experienced investors' portfolios automatically, buy fractional shares from a few dollars, and hold crypto directly, all from one interface built for people starting out.
What are the fees at eToro?
Stock orders run $1 each, ETF purchases come commission-free, and derivatives and crypto trade on spreads. The account is dollar-denominated, so a currency conversion costs 1.5% and a withdrawal from the USD account is a flat $5, easy figures to plan around.
Who is eToro for?
Anyone who wants to learn by copying seasoned investors and reach crypto and fractional shares without a steep learning curve. That beginner-first design is exactly where eToro is strongest.
Is it easy to withdraw from eToro?
Withdrawals go through at any time, a flat $5 from the USD account. Once you have practised on the $100,000 demo, the live flow feels familiar from the first order.
Is DEGIRO reliable?
Yes. DEGIRO operates via flatexDEGIRO Bank, supervised by the AFM (Netherlands) and BaFin (Germany), with securities guaranteed up to $20,000 and cash up to $100,000. It is an established player (2.5M+ clients), with a Trustpilot rating around 3.8/5.
Why choose DEGIRO?
For its fees: DEGIRO is one of the cheapest brokers in Europe, with very broad international access. It's a good choice for a low-cost ordinary securities account.
What are the fees at DEGIRO?
$2 per order on European and US markets ($1 commission + $1 connectivity), 1,000+ ETFs with no brokerage fees, 0.25% currency conversion, no custody or inactivity fees.
Who is DEGIRO for?
The self-directed investor who wants a cheap international securities account.
Is it easy to withdraw from DEGIRO?
Withdrawals are free to your reference account, but several clients report slow support. No withdrawal fees.
Torn between several brokers?
Compare two brokers →