DEGIRO review
7.5
(our review)
DEGIRO is an online broker with low transaction fees and a wide range of investment options. In our review DEGIRO scores an 8 out of 10. For this review, two accounts were created, and investments were made over several months in various stocks, ETFs, and options.
Contents:
Please note: investing money involves risks, and you may lose (a part of) your investment.
What defines DEGIRO?
DEGIRO was established as an online excecution-only stock broker for investors who actively trade in stocks, bonds, ETFs, or options at low fees.
It is an excellent choice for investors who prefer to decide for themselves what to trade. In the Netherlands, DEGIRO is even the market leader. By 2025, it plans to offer cryptocurrencies on its platform.
However, there are some disadvantages. DEGIRO does not provide interest on available balances, fractional investing and offers limited advice or customer service options. DEGIRO is often compared to Interactive Brokers, Saxo, Trade Republic and eToro.
User-friendliness of DEGIRO
How easy it is to invest with DEGIRO depends largely on your knowledge and experience. As active users, we trade on the mobile app of DEGIRO. It provides a professional platform with many trading options, yet all buttons and actions are easy to find and navigate quickly.
However, DEGIRO does not provide advice. This means you need to know for yourself what to invest in and search for these investments using the search function. For beginner investors who prefer detailed guidance, DEGIRO may not be the best choice.
The website does include explanations of all investment products, such as ETFs, REITs, and options, along with how they work. Still, you will need to determine which ETF or REIT best fits your goals on your own. If you prefer to discuss transactions with a representative or want advice on building a solid portfolio, another platform might be more suitable.
Buying on DEGIRO
Making an investment as a beginner can take some effort. When purchasing an investment product, you will see a menu with options like “Limit Order,” “Market Order,” “Stop Loss,” or “Stop Limit Order.” These terms are not explained in the app itself. While there are videos with explanations available on the website, it is inconvenient that you cannot access these explanations directly in the app.
Customer service limited as well
Users are sometimes critical of the customer service as well, particularly regarding response times and the quality of replies. Especially beginners, that expect a more warm welcome on the platform. The staff of Investmentplatforms.eu contacted them with questions, we received helpful assistance.
In the Netherlands, were we tested the platform, the service is available by phone in Dutch until 5:30 PM, after which support may be provided in English. While waiting times on the phone can occur, we found email support more convenient.
The customer service was adequate but not outstanding. DEGIRO is especially recommended for those who already have a clear idea of what they want to invest in and are looking for a fast mobile app or online platform that quickly provides the right options. Experienced investors often find the process intuitive and are typically very positive about the platform’s ease of use.
Investment options
DEGIRO offers a wide range of investment products. You can trade on 50 stock exchanges, including Euronext, Xetra, Nasdaq, and NYSE, across 30 countries. For Euronext, it provides free real-time prices. Additionally, DEGIRO offers extensive financial data, ratios, and charts when you explore investment pages.
If you are primarily looking for accurate information on stocks, ETFs, bonds, or options, DEGIRO is highly recommended. In terms of investment products, it is one of the strongest brokers in Europe.
However, it is somewhat traditional. For example, DEGIRO does not offer interest on uninvested balances, fractional investing in stocks or ETFs, or advisory services and recommendations.
Business or joint accounts
DEGIRO is designed for individual investors. In 2018, it tightened its policies in collaboration with the AFM, the financial regulator in the Netherlands. Currently, it does not allow joint accounts, children’s accounts, or business accounts.
Pricing
DEGIRO uses a tiered pricing structure. For example, you pay up to two euros and fifty cents annually for each exchange where you invest, although, at our Dutch account, there are no charges for Euronext Amsterdam (AEX) or Brussels. There are also fees for specific services, such as phone orders, registering for shareholder meetings, or transferring an account.
The main costs for investors typically include transaction fees and administration fees. DEGIRO often highlights only the transaction fees, which makes options like the core selection appear free. However, due to administration fees, you still pay one euro per transaction.
Fees for our Dutch account (including administration costs):
- Stocks
- Netherlands, Belgium: Three euros
- USA, Canada: Two euros
- Europe: Four euros and ninety cents
- Other countries: Six euros
- Trackers (ETFs, ETNs, ETCs):
- DEGIRO ETF Core Selection: One euro
- Worldwide: Three euros
- Bonds:
- Selected countries (including Netherlands, Belgium): Three euros
- Mutual funds:
- Core selection: One euro plus a 0.20 percent service fee for certain funds
- Other funds: Costs vary
- Options:
- Fees vary, typically seventy-five cents per contract.
Reliability and risks
New users must complete a series of tests before gaining full access to the platform’s functionality. Riskier products, such as options, are not immediately available. This approach helps protect inexperienced investors from major risks.
You can also choose between using a cash account or a more high-risk margin account, depending on your investment strategy.
DEGIRO’s growth and vision
In 2019, DEGIRO was acquired by Flatex but continues to operate independently. Over recent years, DEGIRO has been the market leader in the Netherlands and is one of the larger brokers in Europe, with ambitious growth plans.
FlatexDEGIRO is growing by approximately fifty percent annually and aims to serve over three million customers by the end of 2024. The company has even bigger goals for the future: “The group’s vision for 2026 is to serve more than seven million European customers and process over 250 million transactions per year,” according to its own statements.
DEGIRO is considered a robust and secure platform. Your investment account is opened with Flatex, a German bank listed on the SDAX. This means your account is covered by the deposit guarantee scheme. In the Netherlands, DEGIRO is regulated by the Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM).
Review score: 7.5
In our latest review, we rated DEGIRO 7,5 out of 10.It is often the preferred platform for the staff of Investmentplatforms.eu, as it is an excellent choice for more traditional traders. Users who take the time to explore DEGIRO will find it to be a fast, user-friendly, and comprehensive platform for trading stocks and other investments. The mobile app is also highly functional and complete.
Limitations and alternatives
We really enjoy the platform, but in our review we noticed DEGIRO has some drawbacks for new or passive traders. For instance, it does not offer interest on available balances and does not yet support direct cryptocurrency investments like eToro does. However, DEGIRO plans to introduce cryptocurrency trading in 2025.
Fractional investing is also not available on DEGIRO. If you prefer passive investing with fixed monthly amounts in ETFs, Trade Republic could be a good alternative.
DEGIRO is best suited for active investors who prefer to manage their trades independently. While it provides extensive market information, it does not offer personalized advice or recommendations. The customer service focuses solely on questions about the platform itself.