Trade Republic vs DEGIRO (2026):
Fees, savings plans, and who wins
Two of the most popular brokers for European investors — but built around completely different philosophies. Trade Republic is a mobile-first neo-broker with free savings plans, fractional shares, and banking features. DEGIRO is a no-frills execution platform with access to 18+ exchanges and a much wider asset universe. Choosing between them comes down to how you invest.
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TL;DR
- You want automated savings plans (free, monthly DCA).
- You invest small regular amounts where fractional shares matter.
- You want interest on uninvested cash and banking features in one app.
- You’re a passive ETF investor who values simplicity and automation.
- You need access to specific exchanges across Europe and the US.
- You want options, futures, or a broader asset universe beyond ETFs.
- You make larger, less frequent lump-sum purchases.
- You already have a separate bank account and don’t need brokerage banking.
Feature snapshot
The differences that matter most for a long-term European investor.
| Feature | Trade Republic | DEGIRO |
|---|---|---|
| Trade fee (ETFs) | €1 per trade (settlement fee) | €0 + €0.50 (free ETF list) €3 + 0.03% otherwise |
| Savings plans | ✅ Free, automated | ❌ Not available |
| Fractional shares | ✅ Yes | ❌ Whole units only |
| Interest on cash | ✅ Yes (ECB-linked) | ❌ No |
| Debit card / IBAN | ✅ Full banking features | ❌ No |
| Exchange access | LS Exchange / XETRA | 18+ exchanges (EU + US) |
| ETF range | ~2,000+ UCITS ETFs | ~5,000+ ETFs & ETPs |
| Stocks | ~8,000+ | ~15,000+ incl. ADRs |
| Options / Futures | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (with permission) |
| Minimum deposit | €10 | €0 |
| Custody fee | Free | Free (€2.50/yr connectivity may apply) |
| Regulation | BaFin — licensed bank | BaFin + AFM (flatexDEGIRO Bank) |
| Deposit protection | Up to €100,000 (German DGS) | Up to €100,000 (German DGS via flatex) |
What you actually pay
Neither broker is truly “free” — but the costs fall in different places depending on how you invest.
- €1 per manual trade — third-party settlement cost (LS Exchange), not a broker commission.
- Savings plans: €0 — no settlement charge on automated contributions.
- No custody fee, no inactivity fee, no annual maintenance fee.
- Earns revenue via PFOF and the interest spread on cash balances.
- Free ETF list: €0 + €0.50 per ETF per month (one free trade, then €0.50).
- All other ETFs/stocks: €3 + 0.03% per trade (exchange-capped).
- US stocks add a €0.50 exchange connectivity charge.
- €2.50/year per non-home exchange connectivity fee.
Savings plans: Trade Republic’s defining advantage
This is the starkest difference between the two platforms — and for most passive investors, it’s the most important one.
- Fully automated savings plans on ETFs, stocks, and crypto.
- Set an amount (from €1), pick weekly / bi-weekly / monthly.
- Executes automatically at zero commission.
- Removes behavioural friction — you stay invested during downturns.
- No savings plan feature — all trades placed manually.
- Every monthly contribution requires a login and a deliberate order.
- Trade fee applied each time (unless on free ETF list).
- Higher behavioural risk — easier to skip or react to market moves.
ETF range & exchange access
Both cover what most passive investors need — but DEGIRO goes significantly deeper for anyone who wants more control.
~2,000+ UCITS ETFs covering the major index strategies: MSCI World, S&P 500, FTSE All-World, EM, small-cap, sector, factor, and sustainable ETFs. Orders route through LS Exchange or XETRA.
No direct access to other exchanges — you cannot route an order to Euronext Amsterdam or the London Stock Exchange specifically. For the vast majority of retail ETF investors, the range is more than sufficient.
Connects to 18+ exchanges including Euronext, XETRA, LSE, NASDAQ, NYSE, Borsa Italiana. ~5,000+ ETFs and ETPs. Also covers individual bonds, options, futures, and leveraged products (with appropriate profile).
Better if you need specific ETF share classes on particular exchanges, or if you invest in asset classes beyond vanilla index ETFs.
Banking features & fractional shares
Two areas where Trade Republic has a clear structural lead for retail investors starting out or investing smaller monthly amounts.
- Free IBAN and bank account — receive salary directly.
- Mastercard debit card (physical + virtual) with 1% cashback in shares.
- Interest on uninvested cash — ECB-linked, paid daily.
- €100,000 cash deposit guarantee (German DGS — licensed bank).
- SEPA Instant transfers.
- Fractional shares from €1 — invest exact euro amounts into any ETF.
- No IBAN, no debit card, no banking features.
- Uninvested cash earns no interest.
- Fund via bank transfer; withdraw via bank transfer — that’s it.
- No fractional shares — purchases in whole units only.
- At €80/unit for a MSCI World ETF, a €250 contribution leaves €10 uninvested.
Who should choose which
- Passive ETF investors following a regular DCA strategy.
- Anyone investing €10–€500/month where fractional shares and free savings plans genuinely save money.
- Investors who want to consolidate savings, investing, and everyday spending in one app.
- EU beginners who want low friction and maximum automation.
- Investors who need access to specific exchanges for particular ETF share classes.
- Those who trade options, futures, or structured products.
- Investors making larger, infrequent lump-sum purchases (where fractional shares matter less).
- More active or experienced investors who want granular execution control.
Yes — and many European investors do. A common setup: Trade Republic for monthly automated savings plan contributions into a core ETF portfolio, and DEGIRO for occasional lump-sum purchases in specific ETFs listed on particular exchanges, or for options and specialist positions. Both accounts are free to open and maintain.
Open your account
Both are free to open with no minimum commitment. Check current fees and terms on each broker’s site before deciding.
Go deeper
Frequently asked questions
Is Trade Republic better than DEGIRO for long-term ETF investors?
For passive investors who want automated savings plans and zero-cost investing, Trade Republic is usually the better fit. DEGIRO suits investors who want access to multiple exchanges and a broader asset universe, but require more hands-on management.
Does DEGIRO offer savings plans like Trade Republic?
No. DEGIRO does not offer automated recurring investment plans (savings plans). All purchases on DEGIRO are placed manually. Trade Republic’s savings plans are one of its defining features for passive investors.
Which broker has lower fees — Trade Republic or DEGIRO?
Trade Republic is generally cheaper for most EU investors. It charges €1 per trade (a third-party settlement fee, not a broker fee) and savings plans are free. DEGIRO charges a small fee per trade and additional exchange connectivity fees, which can add up for frequent traders or multi-exchange use.
Does Trade Republic pay interest on uninvested cash?
Yes. Trade Republic pays interest on uninvested cash held in your account (rate varies by ECB policy). It also offers a debit card and IBAN, making it function partly as a banking alternative. DEGIRO does not pay interest on cash and offers no banking features.
Can I hold fractional shares on DEGIRO or Trade Republic?
Trade Republic supports fractional shares on many ETFs and stocks, making it easier to invest small amounts regularly. DEGIRO does not offer fractional shares — you must purchase whole units.
Which broker is safer — Trade Republic or DEGIRO?
Both brokers are regulated within the EU. Trade Republic is regulated by BaFin (Germany) and is a licensed bank, so cash deposits up to €100,000 are covered by the German deposit guarantee scheme. DEGIRO is regulated by BaFin and AFM (Netherlands) and is part of flatexDEGIRO Bank. Securities at both brokers are held separately from company assets.
QuantRoutine provides educational content only. Nothing on this page is an offer, solicitation, or recommendation to buy or sell any security or to open an account with any specific broker. Investments can lose value, and past performance does not guarantee future results. You are responsible for your own investment, tax, and legal decisions. Always review each broker’s current terms, fees, and eligibility on their official website before opening or funding an account.