$Quick answer
DEGIRO stands out for low per-trade commissions (e.g. around €1 + €1 handling on US stocks) and one free ETF trade per month on its “Core Selection” list, but pays no interest on uninvested cash and charges a small connectivity fee per foreign exchange. Freedom24 stands out for IPO access (something DEGIRO doesn’t offer) and alternative commission plans (including occasional 0% promotions), but charges account-closure and securities-transfer fees that DEGIRO doesn’t. Both offer real shares and ETFs (not CFDs) and are regulated within the European Union.
Choosing between Freedom24 and DEGIRO mostly depends on your profile: if you want predictable, low per-trade commissions and don’t need IPO access, DEGIRO tends to be simpler. If you value the ability to participate in initial public offerings, or prefer a volume-based commission plan, Freedom24 may make more sense. This article compares the two side by side, based on data published by both brokers and by specialized broker-comparison sites.
Freedom24 vs DEGIRO: quick comparison
| Criteria | Freedom24 | DEGIRO |
| Regulation | CySEC (Cyprus), MiFID II license; parent company Freedom Holding Corp. listed on NASDAQ | BaFin (Germany), as a branch of flatexDEGIRO Bank; additional oversight from the Dutch AFM/DNB |
| Real shares and ETFs (not CFDs) | Yes: the broker cites over 40,000 available instruments | Yes: access to around 30 exchanges worldwide, per the broker |
| Commissions (stocks/ETFs) | “Smart” plan: around €2 + €0.02/share (min ~€2); or “All Inclusive”: 0.5% of volume + €0.012/share; occasional 0% promotions for new clients | Around €1 + €1 handling on US/Canada stocks; ~€3.90 + €1 on European stocks; 1 free ETF trade per month (Core Selection list, €1,000 minimum order, only €1 handling fee) |
| Inactivity fee | No confirmed inactivity fee found | No confirmed inactivity fee found |
| Interest on uninvested cash | No automatic interest confirmed on the standard account balance (Freedom24 has a separate opt-in savings product, the “D-account”, with its own terms) | According to DEGIRO itself, 0% interest on uninvested cash (as of July 2026) |
| IPO access | Yes: from around $2,000, fee of 3% to 5% depending on balance, plus 0.5% on sale | Not available to retail clients |
| Minimum deposit | No formal minimum stated | No formal minimum stated |
Data collected in August 2026 from official pages and specialized broker-comparison sites (BrokerChooser, InvestingInTheWeb, among others). Commissions and promotional terms change frequently, always check current terms directly on each broker’s website before deciding.
Key differences to consider
- IPOs: Freedom24 lets you participate in initial public offerings before a stock lists on an exchange; DEGIRO does not offer this to retail clients.
- Commission structure: DEGIRO tends to be cheaper for one-off stock trades (a low flat commission per trade) and offers one free ETF trade per month on its “Core Selection” list. Freedom24 uses alternative volume- or per-share-based plans, with occasional 0%-commission promotions for new clients.
- Interest on uninvested cash: DEGIRO publicly confirms paying 0% interest on idle account cash. We couldn’t find a clearly published equivalent from Freedom24 on the standard investment account: it has a separate savings product (the “D-account”) with its own enrollment and terms, which isn’t the same as automatic interest on the investment account balance.
- Exit costs: Freedom24 charges account-closure and securities-transfer fees (around €100 each); we found no equivalent closure fee at DEGIRO, which advertises free withdrawals.
- Connectivity fees: DEGIRO charges a small annual connectivity fee per foreign exchange used (beyond your home market) and a monthly fee for US options/futures, a cost worth factoring in if you trade across several different exchanges.
How to open a Freedom24 account from Portugal
If after this comparison you feel Freedom24’s IPO access fits your profile, our step-by-step guide to opening a Freedom24 account covers the full process, including the required documents. You can also open a Freedom24 account directly here.
Regardless of which broker you choose, gains from stocks (capital gains and any dividends) must be declared on your Portuguese tax return, see our guide on declaring capital gains in Annex J to understand the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, both operate under European regulation. Freedom24 is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus) under MiFID II; DEGIRO operates as a branch of flatexDEGIRO Bank, regulated by Germany's BaFin, with additional oversight from Dutch authorities. Still, investing in stocks always carries risk of capital loss, regardless of the broker.
No: according to data published by DEGIRO itself in July 2026, the interest rate on uninvested cash is 0%. We couldn't find a clearly published equivalent offer from Freedom24 on the standard investment account.
No: according to the sources reviewed, DEGIRO does not offer access to initial public offerings (IPOs) for retail clients. Freedom24 allows this type of investment from around $2,000, with a fee of 3% to 5% depending on balance.
It depends on your trading pattern. For one-off stock trades, DEGIRO tends to be cheaper (a low flat commission per trade, e.g. around €1 + €1 handling in the US). Freedom24 uses alternative volume- or per-share-based plans, with occasional 0%-commission promotions for new clients, it's worth comparing your expected trading volume before deciding.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. Commissions, interest rates, and promotional terms change frequently, always check current terms directly on Freedom24’s and DEGIRO’s official websites before making any decision. Investing in stocks carries risk of capital loss.