$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.