DEGIRO vs eToro: Comparison

DEGIRO and eToro are two of the most popular online brokers available to UK investors. While both offer access to global markets, they differ in features, fees, and account types.

In this comparison, we’ll explore how they stack up — from regulation and safety to products, platforms, and pricing — to help you choose the right one for your investment style.

What are they?

What is DEGIRO?

DEGIRO is a Dutch-born investment platform established in 2008, originally built to serve professional traders before opening to retail investors in 2013. It offers low-cost access to global stock markets and a broad range of financial instruments, including stocks, ETFs, bonds, and derivatives.

DEGIRO is not regulated by the FCA, but is supervised by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) and operates in the UK under EU passporting rules. It's known for its cost efficiency and simple, functional trading platform.

👉Read our DEGIRO review to learn more

What is eToro?

eToro is a multi-asset trading platform known for its pioneering social trading features, allowing users to copy the trades of experienced investors. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Israel, it now operates globally with over 35 million users.

UK clients trade via eToro (UK) Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). eToro offers commission-free trading on stocks, access to ETFs, cryptocurrencies, and unique tools like CopyTrader and Smart Portfolios.

👉Read our eToro review to learn more

Main Features

Pros and Cons

Are they safe?

When choosing an investment platform, regulation and safety are paramount. Both DEGIRO and eToro operate in the UK but differ significantly in regulatory status.

DEGIRO

DEGIRO is a Dutch-based broker that offers services across Europe. Importantly, it is not directly regulated by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Instead, it’s regulated by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) and the Dutch Central Bank (DNB). While DEGIRO does comply with European investor protection rules, UK investors should be aware that in the event of financial issues, protections might differ from FCA-regulated firms.

eToro

In contrast, eToro UK Ltd is fully regulated by the FCA under firm reference number 583263. This means UK users benefit from the FCA’s strict regulatory oversight and protections, including compensation schemes like the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) covering eligible investments up to £85,000.

eToro

• Equities, ETFs, crypto both real and derivatives
• Social trading e copy trading
• User-friendly platform and demo account

Visita

61% of investor accounts lose money by trading CFDs with this provider.

Summary:

Account Types

DEGIRO Account Types

DEGIRO offers a range of account profiles designed to cater to different levels of investor experience and risk tolerance. All accounts are free to open and managed entirely online. The main profiles include:

• Basic Account: This is the default option and best suited for beginners. It allows access to most investment products but does not permit leveraged trading or short selling.

• Active Account: Designed for investors with more experience, this account grants access to leveraged products such as futures and options. Short selling is enabled, but with limited exposure.

• Trader Account: Similar to the Active account, but with higher leverage limits. Investors can take larger short positions and access a wider range of derivatives.

• Day Trader Account: Tailored for those who trade frequently during market hours. It provides the highest leverage and exposure limits, adjusting dynamically throughout the trading day.

Note: UK residents can open any of these accounts, but DEGIRO does not offer ISAs or SIPPs. If you're looking for tax-efficient wrappers, you’ll need to use another provider alongside DEGIRO.

eToro Account Types

eToro keeps things simpler with one main account for retail clients, but it offers additional options depending on the user's needs:

• Retail Account: The standard account, available to all users upon signup. It includes access to all eToro features like stocks, ETFs, crypto, copy trading, and Smart Portfolios. Retail clients are also protected by negative balance protection and limited leverage under FCA rules.

• Demo Account: Every eToro user has access to a free demo account with $100,000 in virtual funds to practise trading in real market conditions. It’s great for beginners or anyone testing strategies.

• Professional Account: Eligible users (meeting specific experience and capital criteria) can apply for a professional account. This removes leverage restrictions but comes with reduced regulatory protections.

• Islamic Account: For clients who require Sharia-compliant investing, eToro offers a swap-free Islamic account upon request.

• Corporate Account: eToro also supports institutional or business investors through corporate accounts, though additional verification is required.

eToro now offers Stocks and Shares ISAs to UK investors. These ISAs are provided in partnership with Moneyfarm, a European digital wealth manager. There are two types available:

• DIY ISA: This option allows investors to build and manage their own investment portfolios within a tax-free ISA wrapper. Users can choose from over 1,000 assets, including UK-listed stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds with global exposure.

• Managed ISA: For those preferring a hands-off approach, this ISA provides professional portfolio management. Moneyfarm's experts create and manage a portfolio tailored to the investor's risk profile and investment goals.

Both ISAs allow users to transfer existing ISAs to their eToro ISA at no cost. Additionally, clients can use both options depending on their investment strategy. Both accounts are regulated by the FCA and allow for transfers from existing ISAs at no cost, adding further appeal for anyone comparing providers of the best Stocks and Shares ISA in the UK.

Fees and Commissions

Costs are often the deciding factor between these platforms. Here’s how they compare for UK investors:

DEGIRO Fees

• Commission: DEGIRO is known for low fees on stock trading. For example, UK stock trading fees start at around €2 + €0.05 per share (converted to GBP), which can be very cheap for large orders.

• No Deposit or Withdrawal Fees: DEGIRO does not charge fees to deposit or withdraw funds.

• Currency Conversion: DEGIRO charges currency conversion fees for trading assets not denominated in your account currency, which can add up.

• No Inactivity Fee: DEGIRO does not charge inactivity fees.

eToro Fees

• Commission-free Trading: eToro offers commission-free stock and ETF trading for UK users, making it attractive for frequent traders.

• Spread Fees: eToro makes money through spreads on other assets like forex and CFDs.

• Withdrawal Fee: There is a £5 withdrawal fee per transaction.

• Inactivity Fee: eToro charges a £10 monthly inactivity fee after 12 months of no login.

• Currency Conversion Fee: eToro charges a 0.5% fee for currency conversion, as accounts are denominated in USD by default.

Investment Options

DEGIRO

• Offers access to 50+ global exchanges.

• Stocks, ETFs, bonds, options, futures.

• No CFDs or cryptocurrency trading.

• No social or copy trading features.

eToro

• Stocks, ETFs, forex, commodities, cryptocurrencies, indices.

• Supports Contracts for Difference (CFDs).

• Experience a unique social trading environment on one of the best copy trading platforms, with features that let you automatically copy top traders.

• Good choice if you want exposure to crypto or forex, which DEGIRO lacks.

eToro

• Equities, ETFs, crypto both real and derivatives
• Social trading e copy trading
• User-friendly platform and demo account

Visita

61% of investor accounts lose money by trading CFDs with this provider.

Deposits and Withdrawals

DEGIRO

• Deposits: Free and quick via bank transfer (SEPA). You can add money only from a bank account in your name for security reasons.

• Withdrawals: Free, typically processed within 1–2 business days. Withdrawals are sent back to the original bank account.

• Minimum Deposit: No minimum deposit requirement, making it accessible for all investors.

eToro

• Deposits: Minimum deposit is £140 for UK users. Deposits can be made via credit/debit card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, or bank transfer.

• Withdrawal Fees: A flat £5 fee applies per withdrawal. Withdrawals typically take 1–2 business days.

• Currency Handling: Since accounts are USD-based, deposits in GBP incur a 0.5% currency conversion fee.

• Withdrawal Limits: No maximum withdrawal limit, but withdrawal methods must be the same as deposits for compliance.

Research and Education

DEGIRO

DEGIRO offers customer support via email and phone during regular business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:00–17:30 CET). While their support team is knowledgeable and professional, some users report slower response times, especially during peak periods.

While some users have noted slower response times and the absence of live chat support, DEGIRO offers a dedicated Learning Centre on its website.

This section includes guides, articles, and tutorials designed to help investors understand investing basics, platform usage, and market concepts, making it a useful resource for those who prefer self-directed learning.

eToro

eToro stands out with its more comprehensive and accessible customer support options. It offers 24/5 live chat support, alongside email and phone support, ensuring quicker responses and easier access to help when needed. Many users praise eToro’s live chat for being prompt and helpful.

Beyond customer support, eToro places a strong emphasis on investor education through eToro Academy, an extensive learning platform with courses, webinars, tutorials, and guides designed to help traders of all levels improve their knowledge and skills.

This makes eToro particularly attractive to beginners or those who value ongoing education and community interaction. In addition, eToro’s platform features social feeds and a copy trading system, which further supports learning through real-time interaction with experienced traders.

Trading Platforms

DEGIRO Platform

DEGIRO offers a clean, no-frills trading platform available on both web and mobile. It’s built with simplicity and speed in mind, focusing on efficient trade execution and keeping costs to a minimum. The interface is easy to navigate, making it suitable for long-term investors who prefer to buy and hold rather than actively trade.

However, DEGIRO’s platform is relatively basic—it lacks advanced charting capabilities, technical indicators, and in-depth research tools, which may be a drawback for traders seeking detailed market analysis or customisable dashboards.

DEGIRO Mobile App

• User-friendly with a clean interface.

• Allows trading, portfolio monitoring, and account management

• Limited charting and research tools.

• Fast execution but lacks social or advanced features.

eToro Platform

In contrast, eToro provides a more dynamic and feature-rich experience, widely recognised as one of the best trading platforms for its emphasis on engagement and usability In addition to interactive charts and a user-friendly trading interface, eToro offers a unique social trading experience. Investors can follow other traders, browse performance stats, and even copy their trades in real-time using the CopyTrader tool. The platform also includes personalised watchlists, portfolio tracking, and news feeds tailored to your interests.

eToro’s layout and community features appeal particularly to beginners and intermediate users who value learning from others and staying connected to market sentiment. While it may not offer the depth or customisability of specialist platforms like MetaTrader, its social trading layer makes it more interactive and educational.

eToro Mobile App

• Highly rated, available on iOS and Android.

• Fully functional with all desktop features.

• Includes social feed, copy trading, news updates, and interactive charts.

• Notifications and real-time price alerts help you stay updated.

• Designed for both beginners and active traders who want a connected experience.

Customer Service

DEGIRO

DEGIRO provides customer support via email and phone during standard business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:00–17:30 CET). While the support team is knowledgeable, some users report slower response times, especially during busy periods. DEGIRO lacks live chat and doesn’t have a UK-based centre, which might be less convenient for British users.

However, their FAQ and educational resources help with common queries.

eToro

eToro offers more accessible support, including 24/5 live chat, email, and an automated chatbot. Although phone support is limited, eToro’s live chat is generally fast and helpful, especially for verified users.

The platform also provides comprehensive self-service resources and educational tools, ideal for beginners needing quick assistance.

eToro

• Equities, ETFs, crypto both real and derivatives
• Social trading e copy trading
• User-friendly platform and demo account

Visita

61% of investor accounts lose money by trading CFDs with this provider.

Final Verdict

For UK investors prioritising regulatory security, ease of use, and access to a wide range of assets, including cryptocurrencies, eToro is the better choice. Its FCA regulation, commission-free stock trading, and unique social features make it appealing, especially to beginners and active traders wanting a community experience.

However, if low fees on European and US stocks, no withdrawal fees, and a straightforward platform without bells and whistles are your priorities, and you’re comfortable with non-FCA regulation, DEGIRO is a solid option. It’s suited for cost-conscious investors focused on stock and ETF trading without needing crypto or social trading.

FAQ

Which platform is better for beginners: DEGIRO or eToro?

eToro is generally better suited for beginners due to its intuitive interface, demo account, and copy trading features. DEGIRO, while cost-effective, has a more traditional interface that may be less user-friendly for new investors.

Does DEGIRO offer copy trading like eToro?

No, DEGIRO does not offer copy trading. eToro is one of the leading platforms for social and copy trading, allowing users to automatically copy the trades of experienced investors through its CopyTrader tool.

Is eToro or DEGIRO better for long-term investing?

DEGIRO may be better for long-term investors due to its low-cost structure and broad access to global markets. eToro can also be suitable, especially for those who value a more interactive, community-driven experience.

Can I open an account easily on both platforms?

Yes, both platforms offer streamlined account opening processes. eToro tends to be faster and more beginner-friendly, while DEGIRO may require more documentation depending on your location.