$Quick answer
Freedom24 stands out for IPO access (participating in initial public offerings before a company lists on the stock exchange), something XTB doesn’t offer. XTB, on the other hand, has 0% commission on stocks and ETFs up to €100,000 in monthly turnover (above that, 0.2%, minimum €10), while Freedom24 typically uses a per-trade commission structure, with occasional 0% promotions. XTB also pays published interest on uninvested cash (up to 4% in GBP), which we couldn’t confirm for Freedom24. Both brokers offer real shares (not CFDs) and are regulated within the European Union.
Choosing between Freedom24 and XTB mostly depends on what you’re looking for: IPO access and a broader range of international markets (Freedom24), or a simple, free commission structure up to a certain volume, plus interest on uninvested cash (XTB). This article compares the two side by side, based on data published by both brokers.
Freedom24 vs XTB: quick comparison
| Criteria | Freedom24 | XTB |
| Regulation | CySEC (Cyprus), BaFin registration (Germany) | KNF (Poland), FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus) |
| Real shares (not CFDs) | Yes — NASDAQ, NYSE, LSE, Deutsche Börse, and more | Yes — 6,600+ stocks and 1,600+ ETFs across 16 exchanges |
| Commissions (stocks/ETFs) | Per-trade (e.g. 0.5% + fixed fee), with occasional 0% promotions | 0% up to €100,000/month; above that 0.2% (min €10) |
| Inactivity fee | No confirmed inactivity fee found | €10/month, but only after 365+ days without trading and 90+ days without a deposit |
| Interest on uninvested cash | Not confirmed in the sources reviewed | Yes — up to 4% AER in GBP, 3.45% in USD, 2.30% in EUR (variable) |
| IPO access | Yes — from $2,000, fee of 3% to 5% depending on balance | Not available |
| Minimum deposit | None for stocks/ETFs/bonds | No formal minimum (reported as very low) |
Data collected in August 2026 from the official fee pages of Freedom24 and XTB, and from specialized broker-comparison sites. Promotional terms are time-limited and may have already changed — always check current terms directly on each broker’s website before deciding.
Key differences to consider
- IPOs: Freedom24 is one of the few brokers accessible to retail investors in Portugal that lets you participate in initial public offerings before a stock lists on an exchange. XTB doesn’t have this feature.
- Commission structure: XTB offers 0% commission on stocks and ETFs up to €100,000 in monthly trading volume, making it competitive for moderate-volume investors. Freedom24 typically applies a per-trade commission, though it has run temporary 0%-commission promotions.
- Interest on uninvested cash: XTB publishes clear interest rates on idle account cash (up to 4% in pounds, for example). We couldn’t find a clearly published equivalent offer from Freedom24 — if this matters to you, confirm directly with each broker before deciding.
- Exit costs: Freedom24 charges account-closure and securities-transfer fees (around €100/$100 each), worth considering if you might switch brokers in the future.
- Currency exchange: XTB applies a 0.5% currency-conversion margin on foreign-currency transactions; Freedom24 doesn’t formally publish an FX rate, though independent estimates point to a residual value.
How to open a Freedom24 account from Portugal
If after this comparison you feel Freedom24’s IPO access and range of international markets 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) and registered with BaFin (Germany); XTB is regulated by KNF (Poland), FCA (UK), and CySEC (Cyprus). Still, investing in stocks always carries risk of capital loss, regardless of the broker.
It depends on your trading volume. XTB offers 0% commission up to €100,000/month, making it cheaper for most retail investors. Freedom24 typically applies a per-trade commission, though it has run occasional 0%-commission promotions.
No — according to the sources reviewed, XTB does not offer access to initial public offerings (IPOs) for retail clients. Freedom24 is one of the few brokers accessible to Portuguese investors with this feature.
Yes, according to data published by XTB in 2026, it pays automatic interest on uninvested cash balances (up to 4% AER in pounds, for example, at a variable rate). We couldn't find a clearly published equivalent offer from Freedom24.
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 XTB’s official websites before making any decision. Investing in stocks carries risk of capital loss.