DEGIRO vs eToro: Which Broker Should You Choose?

DEGIRO is a Dutch broker offering access to a wide range of stock markets. eToro is a Cypriot broker and a leader in social trading. Which should you choose? In this DEGIRO vs eToro comparison, find out what you need to make your choice.

DEGIRO vs eToro Review

The Dutch broker and the Cypriot broker are completely different online brokers. In this DEGIRO vs eToro article, we analysed their respective offerings:

DEGIRO is a leading broker for ETFs and stocks. Its services have the advantage of being aimed at traders of all levels, and it has made a name for itself with its attractive pricing.
eToro is a broker for novice traders. Its services are open to all clients whatever their level, but the benefits it offers are aimed particularly at beginners. A demo account, varied educational content and social trading features all help newcomers progress quickly.

In our view, the choice between these two brokers depends on the investor’s profile and needs.

*68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

To go further, also read our guides “eToro vs Libertex” and “AvaTrade vs eToro Comparison”.

DEGIRO vs eToro: Key Information

To start this eToro vs DEGIRO match-up, it’s essential to compare the key facts about both providers.

Here Is a Summary of DEGIRO:

DEGIRO is an online broker based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
It was launched in 2008, but initially only professional investors had access to its services. It wasn’t until 2013 that the broker opened its doors to retail traders.
It recently merged with flatexDEGIRO Bank AG, becoming one of the largest online brokers in Europe. It also holds a banking licence.
The Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets regulates its activities. It is also registered with the AMF and the ACPR.
Today, it operates in 18 European countries, including France.
It claims more than one million investors,
It offers more than fifty financial markets.

Here Is Some Information About eToro:

eToro was founded in 2007,
It is based in Cyprus,
It specialises in forex, stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies and CFDs,
To date, it claims more than 20,000,000 users from more than 140 countries,
Its offices are located in Cyprus, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia,
Several financial authorities have granted it a licence, including CySEC in Cyprus, the FCA in the United Kingdom, the FSAS in the Seychelles and ASIC in Australia.

*68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

eToro or DEGIRO: Awards

Prizes and awards of all kinds can be seen as proof of a broker’s reliability, which is why we included them in this eToro vs DEGIRO match-up. We found that both brokers have won many awards.

To date, DEGIRO has won more than 80 international awards,
More discreet on this point, eToro has also won awards, notably for its in-house platform.

*68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

DEGIRO vs eToro: Security Measures

Choosing a broker depends above all on the security it offers, not only for accounts but especially for funds and personal data. Comparing the measures taken by both brokers in this DEGIRO vs eToro comparison, we found several similarities:

Both seem to do everything by the book and have obtained the necessary authorisations to offer their services legally. The AFM in the Netherlands supervises DEGIRO, while the FCA in the United Kingdom, CySEC in Cyprus, ASIC in Australia and the FSAS in the Seychelles regulate eToro. Both have the advantage of being recognised by the AMF, France’s financial markets authority.
Both brokers keep their clients’ funds safe, segregated from their own capital.
If either becomes insolvent, traders’ funds remain covered. eToro has taken out free insurance of up to 1 million euros. At DEGIRO, the German investor compensation scheme guarantees traders’ funds up to 90%, with a maximum of 20,000 euros.
In line with European rules, both brokers offer negative balance protection.
At DEGIRO, traders have several options for holding uninvested cash: a personal cash account with an IBAN provided by flatexDEGIRO Bank AG, or money market funds.

eToro vs DEGIRO: Available Assets

Not all brokers necessarily offer the same financial assets, which is why we compared this point in this DEGIRO vs eToro match-up.

Assets at DEGIRO

By opening an account with DEGIRO, traders get access to stock markets around the world, including European, US, Chinese, Japanese and Australian markets.

No fewer than 2 million products are available to traders.
Around fifty exchanges are accessible on its platform, including 30 stock markets, 200 ETFs, 640 bonds, more than 5,400 ETFs, 12 options markets, 14 futures markets and more than 64 mutual fund managers.

Assets at eToro

At eToro, traders have access to a wide range of financial assets, including 249 ETFs, 49 currency pairs, 13 stock indices, 15 cryptocurrencies, 2,000 stocks and 6 commodities. These numbers are constantly growing.

*68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

eToro or DEGIRO: Trading

Trading offerings differ from broker to broker. In this DEGIRO vs eToro comparison, we compared the models used by both:

Both are leveraged brokers. At DEGIRO, retail traders can use maximum leverage of 1:5, while eToro’s have access to higher leverage of 1:30.
eToro is known worldwide for its social trading offering: clients can copy other users’ trades and strategies. This isn’t available at the Dutch broker.
Traders with both can use automated trading.
They can also set several orders, including stop loss, limit orders and take profit.
Neither allows scalping.

*68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

DEGIRO vs eToro: Deposits and Withdrawals

Each broker has its own deposit and withdrawal systems, which are worth comparing. We noted a few points in this eToro vs DEGIRO match-up:

Unlike its competitor, DEGIRO doesn’t impose any minimum deposit. However, it uses the first transfer to confirm a new trader’s identity.
DEGIRO’s traders can fund their account in euros, but they can also open sub-accounts in other currencies such as GBP, USD, SEK, HUF, CHF, DKK and NOK. The Cypriot broker only accepts one account currency: USD.
At eToro, traders have more choice of payment methods for deposits and withdrawals. Its competitor’s traders can only fund their account and withdraw by bank transfer.

eToro vs DEGIRO: Fees

Before opening an account with a broker, checking its pricing is an essential step, as the various fees charged can have a major impact on returns. So, naturally, this eToro vs DEGIRO match-up includes a comparison of both brokers’ pricing.

The two brokers have opted for very different pricing structures. Generally, the Dutch broker charges fixed fees per order or contract, to which commissions may be added. eToro earns its money mainly from spreads.

DEGIRO is one of the cheapest brokers on the market. What’s more, it charges no fees for deposits, withdrawals, account management, account closure, inactivity, custody, unexecuted or cancelled orders, coupon and dividend distributions, or incoming portfolio transfers. Its traders have access to the most popular ETFs with no brokerage fees.
Like its competitor, eToro focuses on full transparency. It charges $5 on withdrawals, at least 50 pips in conversion fees and $10 per month for inactivity. However, opening and managing an account and making deposits are free, and traders who invest in stocks pay no commission.

*68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

eToro vs DEGIRO: Trading Accounts

Trading accounts can differ from broker to broker, and on this point our eToro vs DEGIRO match-up revealed several differences:

Like many well-known brokers, eToro has a demo account available to everyone for free. DEGIRO has chosen not to offer one and only provides a live account.
Unlike its competitor, the Cypriot broker also offers an Islamic account for Muslim traders.
Both brokers offer an account for retail clients and another for professional traders.
eToro has only one live account, a standard account.
The Dutch broker offers 5 different account types: Basic, Active, Custody, Trader and Day Trader. The instruments available, services offered and access to leverage vary from one account to another. Traders have access to an ordinary securities account.

*68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

DEGIRO vs eToro: Trading Platforms

Whether beginners or experienced, traders look for the best platforms to trade in good conditions. We compared what the two brokers offer in this eToro vs DEGIRO comparison:

The two brokers have several things in common: both have developed in-house platforms, and with neither can traders use the popular MetaTrader platforms.
DEGIRO chose to develop its own web platform so it is free to improve it as it sees fit. It also comes in a mobile version. Both are simple to use, high-performing and user-friendly, and were designed to meet traders’ needs. However, the broker doesn’t offer a desktop app.
eToro also offers its own trading platform and app, which are intuitive, user-friendly and easy to use. They also come with the innovative CopyTrader and CopyPortfolios features for social trading. The first lets traders replicate other traders’ actions in real time; the second consists of ready-made investment strategies.

eToro or DEGIRO: Trading Tools

Understanding the market better, improving performance, increasing your chances: there are many reasons why tools are essential. We therefore compared the tools offered by both in this eToro vs DEGIRO match-up.

DEGIRO stands out for its fee calculator, which lets traders simulate the cost of their investment. The broker also provides market analysis, news, mobile alerts and technical indicators, and its charting module is regularly improved. However, there are no trading signals.
eToro offers several tools, including an economic calendar, a trading calculator and a research tab. The broker also relies on its innovative CopyTrader and CopyPortfolios features to attract traders, letting them do social trading in good conditions.

*68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

DEGIRO vs eToro: Education

To support traders, brokers include all kinds of educational content in their offering. Comparing the two in this DEGIRO vs eToro match-up, we noted a number of important points:

The Dutch broker has developed an Investor Academy covering investing basics, how tools work, investment products, order types and various strategies. As well as basic lessons, tutorials help users learn how to use DEGIRO’s in-house platform, tools and features.
eToro has also set up a trading academy with several learning tools, such as videos, online courses and webinars. Traders also have access to a free demo account with $100,000 in virtual funds.

*68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

eToro or DEGIRO: Customer Support

The quality of customer support says a lot about a broker, and traders of any level may need to contact advisers. In this eToro vs DEGIRO match-up, we compared both competitors’ customer support:

Both brokers offer the usual communication channels (phone and email) for clients to contact customer support. eToro’s traders can also use live chat.
Their websites have been translated into several languages, including French and English,
Their advisers are also multilingual, and French-speaking advisers are available. However, at DEGIRO, English-speaking advisers handle customer service after 5:30 pm.
They are available Monday to Friday. However, while eToro’s advisers are available 24 hours a day, DEGIRO’s are available from 8 am to 10 pm.
Each has an FAQ section answering users’ most frequently asked questions.
Neither has a branch in France.

DEGIRO vs eToro: Pros and Cons

To wrap up this eToro vs DEGIRO comparison, we’ve listed some positives and negatives for these two foreign brokers:

DEGIRO is best known for its ultra-competitive brokerage fees. It requires no minimum deposit, so anyone can easily open an account. Although it has no presence in France, its advisers speak French. However, it doesn’t offer a demo account, payment methods are limited to bank transfers and, although a wide range of instruments is available, it offers neither CFDs nor forex pairs.
eToro has made a name for itself in social trading and is a strongly regulated broker. Its easy-to-use platform, quality technical support and commission-free stocks are among its strengths. However, its fees are high and its education is mainly aimed at beginners.

If you’re still undecided, you can also read eToro vs DEGIRO reviews on Reddit or broaden the comparison with eToro vs DEGIRO vs Plus500.

*68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

DEGIRO vs eToro: Our Verdict

At the end of this DEGIRO vs eToro comparison, we can say that the choice between the two depends on the investor’s profile.

Both brokers are reliable and are recognised by the French financial authorities.
DEGIRO is ideal for experienced traders with fairly substantial capital,
eToro is better suited to traders who are new to the field, as well as those who want to do social trading or invest commission-free in a wide choice of stocks.

*68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

eToro is a multi-asset platform offering both stock investing and CFD trading.

Please note that CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Past performance is not an indication of future results. The trading history presented is less than 5 complete years and may not suffice as a basis for investment decisions.

Copy trading is a portfolio management service provided by eToro (Europe) Ltd., which is authorised and regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission.

eToro USA LLC does not offer CFDs and makes no representation and assumes no liability as to the accuracy or completeness of the content of this publication, which has been prepared by our partner utilising publicly available non-entity specific information about eToro.