DEGIRO vs Trading 212: lower fees or more investment options?
The Strategic Newb
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Translated from the original; figures and sources have been preserved. Read the original →
Dutch examples: Where this article refers to Dutch broker rates, pension rules, taxes or AFM examples, it is explicitly about the Netherlands. A translation does not change that context. Conditions, availability and tax rules can be different in your country of residence.
DEGIRO vs Trading 212 is a choice between two different ways of investing. Trading 212 Invest enables individual purchases of shares and ETFs without a trading commission and provides functions for automatic investments. DEGIRO generally calculates per order, but gives access to many more trading venues and product types. For Dutch investors, DEGIRO also has a separate pension account. Which broker is more advantageous depends on your products, order size, currency and marketplace.
Updated on 29 September 2026. The amounts below are based on the Dutch DEGIRO rates from 1 January 2026 and the verified information from Trading 212. Country-specific conditions may differ. Investing entails a risk of loss; this is not personal advice.
DEGIRO vs Trading 212 at a glance
| Item | DEGIRO | Trading 212 Invest |
|---|---|---|
| Stock order | Fee depends on the exchange, usually plus €1 handling | No trading commission or custody fee; any charges remain possible |
| ETF Order | Core selection on Tradegate: €1 handling costs; other ETF usually €2 plus €1 handling | No trading commission; currency conversion and product costs may apply |
| Currency Exchange | AutoFX 0.25%; manual €10 plus 0.25% | 0.15% on conversion; multiple currencies may hold |
| Products | Shares, ETFs, bonds, funds, options, futures and other products | Invest: mainly shares and ETFs; CFD account is separate and riskier |
| Exchanges | More than 45 markets in 30 countries | Selection of offered shares and ETFs, without the same wide choice of stock exchange |
| Automate | Place your own orders; check available recurring-investment features in your country | Pies and AutoInvest with a custom allocation |
| Dutch pension account | Yes, separate annuity account with own rules and costs | No Dutch annuity account in the standard Invest offer |
| Payment card | No comparable payment card with the investment account | 212 Card, depending on country and conditions |
Sources: DEGIRO Tariff overview 2026, Core Selection, exchanges, Trading 212 Invest- tariffs and Multi-currency account.
Which broker is cheaper for shares?
Trading 212 does not charge a trading commission or custody fee for a standard Invest order. At DEGIRO you pay according to the Dutch price overview for a share on Euronext Amsterdam usually €2 plus €1 handling, so €3 per order. For the aforementioned US exchanges, the rate is usually €1 plus €1 handling, so €2 per order. Product or transaction taxes, currency and spread can be added. DEGIRO rates · Trading 212 rates.
Example: you buy a share on Euronext Amsterdam twelve times a year, then the mentioned fixed DEGIRO order costs amount to about €36. At Trading 212 the trading commission is for the same twelve Invest orders €0. This is only a comparison of the aforementioned broker costs: a different quotation, price, spread or stock exchange charge may change the actual difference.
For small individual orders, fixed costs are relatively heavy. In case of an order of €100, €3 is equal to 3% of the deposit before selling. For an order of €3,000 the same €3 is equal to 0.1%. For larger orders, the wider market access of DEGIRO may outweigh fixed costs for some investors.
ETFs: Core selection is advantageous, but not free
A ETF from the DEGIRO-Core Selection costs according to the current Dutch conditions €1 per transaction when the order is executed on Tradegate. If you choose the same ETF on a different stock exchange, the standard rates can apply. For other ETFs the price overview usually shows €2 transaction rate plus €1 handling. Also compare the spread on the chosen trading venue and the current fund costs of the ETF itself. DEGIRO Core Selection · Note stock exchange condition · tariff overview.
Trading 212 does not charge any trading commission for ETFs in Invest. You can create a portfolio via Pies and automate contributions. For an ETF purchased in euro without currency conversion, this can be beneficial with frequent small purchases. Please check that exactly the same ETF, ISIN and exchange listings are available: two ETFs that follow the same index may have different costs, currency and tax characteristics. Trading 212 rates.
Example: twelve purchases of a qualifying Core Selection-ETF on Tradegate costs at DEGIRO €12 on handling. Twelve euro orders at Trading 212 Invest costs €0 to trading commission. This calculation example ignores spreads, fund-related costs and any external charges; it predicts no return.
Currency costs for US shares
With DEGIRO, automatic currency exchange via AutoFX costs according to the price overview 0.25%, incorporated into the purchase or sale price. Manual change costs €10 plus 0.25%. With Trading 212 the fee for a currency conversion is 0.15%. If you already hold USD and buy a share in USD, that order does not require any additional conversion. DEGIRO tariff statement · Trading 212 multi-currency.
If you convert €1,000, 0.25% will amount to €2.50 at DEGIRO AutoFX and 0.15% at €1.50 at Trading 212. That's a difference of €1 for this one conversion, on top of any order costs. In case of subsequent conversion back to euro, a conversion may take place again. The exchange rate risk of the US share does not disappear with either broker.
Where does DEGIRO offer more possibilities?
DEGIRO lists access to more than 45 markets in 30 countries. Besides shares and ETFs, bonds, investment funds, options and futures are included in the Dutch tariff overview. That choice is relevant if you are looking for a specific exchange, a bond or a product outside the usual ETF selection. More products also bring more complexity and sometimes additional costs. Exchanges · tariffs and products.
For Dutch people, the separate DEGIRO Pension Account is a distinctive product: an annuity account for supplementary pension with tax conditions. That is no ordinary box 3 investment account and the money is not freely withdrawable in the same way. The pension account also has its own tariff structure, including minimum activity costs; assess them separately from the standard account. This advantage does not automatically apply to someone living in Belgium, Germany or another European country. DEGIRO pension account · pension rates.
DEGIRO also charges connection costs of up to €2.50 per exchange per calendar year for some foreign exchanges, with a limit of 0.25% of the annual maximum account value. The exemptions in the tariff overview include Euronext Amsterdam, Euronext Brussels and the ETF Core Selection. DEGIRO tariff overview.
Where is Trading 212 stronger?
Trading 212 Invest focuses on accessible share and ETF investing. Pies and AutoInvest let you make recurring contributions to a custom investment mix. A multi-currency account lets you hold supported currencies. Watch conversions for foreign holdings in Pies: they use the primary account currency, including for automatic dividend reinvestment. Trading 212 multi-currency and Pies
The 212 Card allows payment from the linked card environment, where DEGIRO does not offer a similar card to the investment account. However, a card does not directly make equity capital available for use: if necessary, you must first sell and wait until the funds are available. Cashback, card conditions and availability may vary by country or promotion. Trading 212 card.
Deposits: Trading 212 card deposits and certain fast methods are free up to a cumulative total of €2,000; after that, a 0.7% fee applies. Bank transfers are free according to Trading 212. Regular larger contributions can avoid this particular deposit fee by using bank transfers. Trading 212 deposit fee
Security: Compare the account you actually open
DEGIRO operates through the Dutch branch of flatexDEGIRO Bank SE; Trading 212 works with several regulated entities. Which entity, the protection of uninvested cash and investor compensation scheme apply to you depends on the agreement when you open your account. Deposit protection and investor compensation shall not cover ordinary price losses. Read your country's current client documentation before holding large amounts. DEGIRO tariff document and entity · Trading 212 entities.
Final verdict: DEGIRO or Trading 212?
Trading 212 is probably the logical choice if you buy shares and ETFs, invests small amounts periodically and values automation and a payment card. The absence of trading commission can be noticeable with many small orders, as long as you control conversion and deposit costs.
DEGIRO probably fits better if you want to use specific international exchanges, bonds, investment funds or options, or if you are looking for a separate pension account in the Netherlands. The fixed order costs are clear, but add in small or frequent transactions.
For European readers, the practical question is: Which products do I want to buy, on which stock exchange and in which currency, how often do I trade and which account is available in my country of residence? Compare the total costs of exactly the same investment. A rate of €0 says little about the final purchase price.
Frequently asked questions
Is Trading 212 cheaper than DEGIRO?
For a standard equity or ETF order in Invest, Trading 212 does not charge a trading commission; DEGIRO usually charges a transaction and/or handling rate. The total difference also depends on spread, currency conversion, taxes, product costs and the chosen exchange.
Is the DEGIRO Core Selection free?
No. Qualifying products on Tradegate are subject to the Dutch conditions €1 handling per transaction. Standard costs may apply at other exchanges.
Which broker is better for monthly ETF investment?
Trading 212 can be attractive due to commission-free purchases and AutoInvest. At DEGIRO, an appropriate Core Selection ETF can be purchased on Tradegate at €1 per order. Check the same ISIN, listing, spread and fund costs before deciding.
Can I use Trading 212 for pension investing as I can with DEGIRO?
For Dutch investors, DEGIRO offers a separate annuity account. An ordinary Trading 212 Invest account is not an equivalent Dutch tax pension product. Compare the specific pension conditions and rates at DEGIRO.
Do both brokers have a payment card?
Trading 212 offers a 212 Card where it is available. DEGIRO does not offer a similar payment card to the investment account. Check the current terms of your country.
Sources and conditions
The comparison is based on the DEGIRO tariff overview, the Core Selection Conditions, pension rates, Trading 212 Invest costs and deposit conditions. Before ordering, check the current cost statement for your account.