This head-to-head compares two popular UK/European brokers on cost, access, and long-term features. The axis centers on price transparency and tax-efficient investing options.
DEGIRO edges Freetrade on overall editorial score, driven by Europe’s low stock commissions and access to 50+ exchanges; Freetrade counters with ISA/SIPP availability and commission-free trades.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Freetrade wins; it offers commission-free trades, reducing ongoing costs.
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | N/A | N/A |
| Spreads from | N/A | N/A |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
| Deposit fee | Free |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | DEGIRO | Freetrade |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Fail | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Pass |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Pass | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Fail |
| Stock screener tool | Pass | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Fail |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Fail |
| Phone support | Fail | Fail |
The scores are close: DEGIRO rates 4.3/5 and Freetrade rates 4/5. DEGIRO has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
Both DEGIRO and Freetrade hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
Minimum deposit and negative balance protection data are not confirmed for this pair. Both hold top-tier regulatory status, meaning client fund protections apply to both. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site.
DEGIRO lists maximum leverage of 1:1, while Freetrade lists up to 1:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
DEGIRO supports DEGIRO Platform, while Freetrade supports Freetrade App. DEGIRO has exclusive access to DEGIRO Platform. Freetrade has exclusive access to Freetrade App.
Yes, you can open an account with Freetrade independently of your DEGIRO account. There is no formal transfer process for open positions; you would need to close existing trades with DEGIRO before funding and trading with Freetrade.
Freetrade offers commission-free stock trading while DEGIRO does not according to our data. Commission-free trading can reduce costs for frequent traders. Always confirm the current fee structure directly on each broker's website.
Freetrade scores higher on investor protection criteria, with compensation scheme coverage and segregated client funds. For stock investors, confirming compensation scheme coverage ensures your assets are protected up to a defined limit if the broker becomes insolvent.
Freetrade benefits from a compensation scheme and FCA oversight.
Freetrade supports ISA and SIPP wrappers for long-term investing.
DEGIRO wins for active traders due to broad exchange access.
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank transfer | Bank transferDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transfer | Bank transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | Yes |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | Yes |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | Yes | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | No |
|---|
| Regulators | BaFin AFM | FCA |
|---|
| Platforms | DEGIRO Platform | Freetrade App |
|---|
| Active bonuses | 2 offers | 2 offers |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4 / 5
Personalised recommendation
Answer 6 quick questions and we’ll match you with the brokers that best fit your trading style, experience level, and country.
Find my broker