BROKER COMPARISON
DEGIRO vs Trading 212: EU ETF investing vs app-first automation
Both target European investors, but the workflow is different. DEGIRO is closer to a classic broker (manual buys, “broker-y” controls). Trading 212 is app-first (fractional investing, recurring automation, easier consistency).
Educational content only. Not personalized investment advice.
Pricing, FX markups, and availability can change. Verify current terms on each broker’s official site before funding an account.
Consistency beats micro-optimizing. Pick the broker you’ll actually use every month.
Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you open an account using our links. You do not pay extra.
TL;DR
PICK DEGIRO IF…
- You want a more traditional broker workflow (manual buys, more “broker” controls).
- You’re fine placing limit orders and doing a monthly routine manually.
- You’re focused on a small UCITS ETF set and can follow any program rules you rely on.
PICK TRADING 212 IF…
- You want the simplest app UX and low-friction monthly investing.
- You invest small amounts and want fractional investing by default.
- You value automation (recurring contributions) over manual control.
Quick comparison
| Category | DEGIRO | Trading 212 | Quick take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Manual UCITS ETF investors | App-first recurring investors | Choose the workflow you’ll repeat monthly. |
| Recurring investing | More manual steps | Designed for automation | Trading 212 usually wins for consistency. |
| Fractional investing | Often limited | Core feature | Fractionals reduce cash drag on small buys. |
| UX & simplicity | Broker-style UI | App-first UX | If friction causes missed months, you lose. |
| Product focus | More “broker-y” breadth | Simpler product focus | If you only need stocks/ETFs, keep it simple. |
| Cost model | More line-item style | Feels “simple” | Real costs: spread + FX + behavior. |
| FX sensitivity | OK if you keep currency simple | OK for recurring buys; verify FX terms | FX workflow matters more than “commission”. |
Fees that actually matter
Ignore “$0 commission” marketing. For long-term ETF investors the real drag is usually: FX costs, spreads, and missed contributions.
DEGIRO cost pattern
- More traditional fee tables with line items by market/product.
- Works best when you trade deliberately (planned monthly/quarterly buys).
- Can be cost-effective if your workflow stays simple and repeatable.
Trading 212 cost pattern
- Feels “simple”, but the real costs are typically spread + FX where relevant.
- Strong for small recurring buys because fractionals reduce idle cash.
- Best when automation prevents missed months.
If you want the “why” with numbers: Study: fees compound · Study: cash drag.
FX and currency conversion
Many Europeans fund in EUR but buy assets priced in USD/GBP. Your outcome depends on: how often you convert, the FX markup, and whether the broker makes the routine painless.
- DEGIRO: best when you keep the workflow simple and convert/trade deliberately.
- Trading 212: best when you automate recurring contributions and want frictionless execution.
- Rule: optimize the workflow you repeat 120+ times (10 years of monthly deposits).
ETF investing workflow
DEGIRO: “broker routine”
Best for investors who are comfortable doing the steps: deposit → convert (if needed) → place a planned order → repeat monthly. Keep it to 1–4 UCITS ETFs and treat it like a boring routine.
Read DEGIRO review →Trading 212: “app routine”
Designed to reduce friction: fractionals help deploy every euro and automation reduces missed months. This matters most when you invest small amounts consistently.
Read Trading 212 review →If you’re investing €50–€300 per month, fractionals can reduce cash drag. If you invest large lump sums, the workflow matters less.
Recurring investing & automation
This is the real separator. If your plan is “€X every month into ETFs”, the broker that makes it painless tends to win in real life.
DEGIRO
- Manual routine (you drive the process).
- Good if you like control and won’t skip months.
- Less aligned to “set-and-forget” automation.
Trading 212
- App-first automation (recurring contributions are the point).
- Fractionals support consistent deployment of small deposits.
- If it prevents missed months, it usually beats fee-optimization.
CLUSTER
Next steps: decide by workflow
Good exchange access and basic investing tools. Know the frictions and fees.
Beginner-friendly UI and recurring investing—costs often hide in spread and FX.
If you invest monthly, prioritize repeatability, deposits, FX handling, and spreads.
If simplicity matters most, compare the “everyday usability” trade-offs here.
CLUSTER
Next steps: costs that hide
Commission-free headlines vs spread, FX conversion, and execution reality.
The true total cost is TER + spread + FX + friction, not just commissions.
Translate fee schedules into the costs you actually feel as an investor.
Execution is a cost. Control it when spreads are wide or liquidity is thin.
FAQ: DEGIRO vs Trading 212
Is Trading 212 really “free”? +
Is DEGIRO cheaper for ETFs? +
Which is better for recurring investing? +
Does fractional investing matter? +
Which should a beginner choose? +
Verdict If automation makes you invest every month, Trading 212 usually wins in practice. If you prefer a classic broker routine and you’ll execute manually anyway, DEGIRO is often the better fit.
Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you open an account using our links. You do not pay extra.
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Educational content only. Not personalized investment advice.
Investments can lose value and past performance does not guarantee future results. You are responsible for your own decisions and for confirming tax and legal rules in your country.