DEGIRO vs Interactive Brokers: The Duel of Two Brokerage Giants
They are both vying for the same crown: the title of the most comprehensive broker in Europe. DEGIRO, backed by the German bank flatexDEGIRO Bank SE, plays the low-cost card to remain accessible to as many people as possible. Interactive Brokers (IBKR), founded in 1978 by Thomas Peterffy and listed on the Nasdaq, leverages institutional-grade technology and access to more than 150 markets in 27 currencies to attract its 3 million accounts. This 2026 comparison settles the score between the two approaches, referring you as needed to our DEGIRO profile and Interactive Brokers profile.
The Matchup at a Glance
| Criteria | DEGIRO | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2008, Amsterdam | 1978, USA |
| Headquarters / Entity | Frankfurt, flatexDEGIRO Bank SE | Greenwich, USA; IBKR Ireland for France |
| Regulators | BaFin, AMF (passporting) | SEC, FINRA, CFTC; Central Bank of Ireland, AMF |
| Minimum Deposit | 0 € | 0 € |
| FR Stock Brokerage | 1.50 € + 0.10% per order | Approx. 3 € per order (flat fee) |
| US Stocks | ~0.50 € + 0.004 $ per share | 0.005 $ per share, 1 $ minimum (Pro Fixed) |
| Markets | Over 50 exchanges | Over 150 markets, 27 currencies |
| CFD | Not offered | Yes, dedicated CFD account |
| Retail Leverage | Virtually none, listed products only | 1:30 on CFD (ESMA limits), margin based on profile |
| Platforms | Web and mobile only | TWS, web, GlobalTrader, mobile |
| Inactivity Fees | None | None since 2021 |
| Other Fees | ~2.50 €/year connectivity, custody ~0.2% | 1 free withdrawal per month, FX commission ~0.002% |
Fees: DEGIRO wins on small orders, IBKR on large volumes
For an order of 500 € or 1,000 € on a French stock, DEGIRO charges about 2 € to 2.50 €, whereas IBKR's standard flat fee hovers around 3 €: DEGIRO wins. However, the ratio flips as soon as the amounts increase: for a position of 50,000 € or 100,000 €, IBKR's flat fee (about 3 €) crushes DEGIRO's 1.50 € + 0.10%, which reaches approximately 52 € to 102 €.
| Order (FR Stock) | DEGIRO | Interactive Brokers | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 € | ~2.50 € | ~3 € | DEGIRO |
| 5,000 € | ~6.50 € | ~3 € | IBKR |
| 10,000 € | ~12.50 € | ~3 € | IBKR |
| 100,000 € | ~102.50 € | ~3 € | IBKR |
| US Stocks, 100 shares (~50 $) | ~0.50 € + 0.40 $ | ~0.50 $ | IBKR |
Another area to watch is currency conversion. DEGIRO charges about 0.25% of the converted amount, compared to an FX commission of about 0.002% at IBKR. For a portfolio regularly funded in dollars, the gap becomes structural. Conversely, DEGIRO retains the advantage on ETFs: one free purchase from the Core Selection each month, which is unbeatable for a monthly DCA strategy.
Markets and products: 50 exchanges vs 150, and the CFD case
DEGIRO covers more than 50 exchanges in Europe, the United States, Asia, and Oceania: stocks, ETFs, bonds, options, futures, warrants, and turbos—amounting to tens of thousands of instruments. IBKR goes broader with over 150 markets in 27 currencies, and most importantly, it offers what DEGIRO refuses: a CFD account with ESMA leverage limits (1:30 on major pairs), institutional-grade margin, and some of the lowest borrowing rates on the market.
The debate is therefore not about market coverage, but about philosophy. DEGIRO focuses on pure execution of listed products, without market debt ho
stock market; IBKR accepts leverage within a regulated framework. If your requirements include leverage and active trading, DEGIRO is off the table: our discussion on prop firm vs. proprietary capital and our XTB 2026 review provide further insight regarding CFDs.Platforms: simplicity versus institutional
DEGIRO only offers its web platform and mobile app: no MetaTrader, no public API, no TradingView integration. Orders are placed in a few clicks, the interface is readable, and this is exactly what an independent investor is looking for. IBKR imposes the exact opposite: Trader Workstation (TWS) is one of the most comprehensive platforms on the market, featuring institutional tools but a significant learning curve. The hidden cost of IBKR is the time spent mastering TWS; for DEGIRO, it is the ceiling on what the tool can actually do.
Regulation and asset security
Both pass the security check with flying colors. DEGIRO operates under a German banking license (BaFin), with German deposit guarantee funds and securities safeguards. IBKR places its French clients under Interactive Brokers Ireland, authorized by the Central Bank of Ireland, with AMF freedom of service, negative balance protection on CFDs, asset segregation, and one of the strongest capitalizations in the sector. Neither shows any notable signs of weakness in 2026.
Deposits, withdrawals, and incidental fees
Neither imposes a minimum deposit or inactivity fees, a notable point in 2026. DEGIRO only accepts bank transfers from a verified account, which are free, with a 1 to 3 business day processing time each way. IBKR accepts bank transfers and offers one free withdrawal per month, after which fees apply. DEGIRO charges approximately €2.50 for annual connectivity and a custody fee of around 0.2% capped on certain securities; IBKR charges neither, but monetizes currency conversion much more cheaply (0.002%) and margin interest. Depending on your actual usage, these details often weigh more than the advertised brokerage fees.
Which broker for which profile?
- Beginner or long-term investor, small and regular orders: DEGIRO. Unbeatable fees on small European orders, free Core Selection ETFs every month, simple interface.
- Large one-off orders or multinational portfolio: Interactive Brokers. Flat rate of €3 per trade, 150 markets, negligible currency conversion fees.
- Active trader with leverage: neither is optimal; IBKR remains the only one of the two to offer a regulated CFD account, but a dedicated CFD broker or a prop firm is often more suitable.
- Algorithm or automation: IBKR and its API; DEGIRO offers none.
FAQ: DEGIRO vs IBKR
Which is cheaper to get started?
DEGIRO. For orders between €500 and €2,000 on European stocks, its €1.50 + 0.10% fee structure remains below IBKR's minimum, and the monthly free ETF Core Selection helps you start a DCA strategy with zero fees.
Can I have both accounts?
Yes, there are no restrictions, and many advanced investors do exactly that: DEGIRO for monthly accumulation, IBKR for large positions and less common markets. Both have no minimum deposit and no inactivity fees, so the cost of maintaining both is virtually nil.
Is IBKR risky because of CFDs?
The CFD account is optional. Without activation, IBKR functions as a simple broker for listed products, and negative balance protection plus ESMA caps regulate CFD leverage for retail investors.
Conclusion
The 2026 duel ends in a division of roles rather than an absolute winner: DEGIRO for the long-term investor and smaller orders, Interactive Brokers for volumes, exotic markets, and sophistication. Regardless of your team, the important thing is not to pay for features you don't use, nor to settle with a broker that caps your strategy. Check out our DEGIRO profile and Interactive Brokers profile, explore alternatives in our other broker profiles, and if your horizon is active trading with larger capital, compare programs on our prop firm comparison.
