DEGIRO
★★★★★4.0/5
Strengths
- 50+ Global Exchanges
- Low Fees
- Options & Futures
- Access to Asian Markets
Weaknesses
- No Savings Plan
- No Crypto
Best for
International Stocks
Go to DEGIRO →* Affiliate link · no extra cost for you
Broker Comparison 2026
DEGIRO vs. Smartbroker+
Detailed comparison of all fees, features, and suitability — updated for 2026.
DEGIRO
vs
Smartbroker+
Our Recommendation
DEGIRO is the better choice for International Stocks, while Smartbroker+ wins for Free Trades. Which one suits you depends on your strategy — the detailed comparison below shows every difference.
Numeric Comparison
| Metric | DEGIRO | Smartbroker+ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Order fee per trade | 2.00 € | 0.00 € | 2.00 € cheaper at Smartbroker+ |
| 10y savings plan cost @ €100/month | 240 € | 0 € | 240 € cheaper at Smartbroker+ |
| Free ETF savings plans | 0 | 2.000 | +2.000 more at Smartbroker+ |
| Available exchanges | 8 | 3 | +5 more at DEGIRO |
| BMInsider rating | 4.0/5 | 4.0/5 | identical |
Bottom line: a €100/month savings plan over 10 years costs 240 € less at Smartbroker+.
Smartbroker+
★★★★★4.0/5
Strengths
- 0€ Trades from €500
- Free Savings Plans
- Xetra Access
- Options Available
Weaknesses
- Relatively New
- App Still in Development
Best for
Free Trades
Go to Smartbroker+ →* Affiliate link · no extra cost for you
Detailed Comparison
All fees, products, and platform features compared side-by-side. The "Winner" column shows which broker leads in each category.
| Feature | DEGIRO | Smartbroker+ | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fees & Costs | |||
| Order Fee | 2€ + 0.03% (Europa) / 2€ + 0.05% (USA) | 0€ (gettex, from 500€) / 4€ (Xetra) | Smartbroker+ |
| ETF Savings Plan Fee | - | 0€ | Smartbroker+ |
| Account Fee | 0€/Year + 2.50€ Connectivity fee/Exchange/Year | 0€/Year | Smartbroker+ |
| Minimum Deposit | 0€ | 0€ | Tie |
| Interest on Cash | 0% | 0% | Tie |
| Product Range | |||
| Stocks | Tie | ||
| ETFs | Tie | ||
| Crypto | Smartbroker+ | ||
| Options | Tie | ||
| CFDs | Tie | ||
| Fractional Shares | Smartbroker+ | ||
| Number of Exchanges | Xetra, Euronext, NYSE | gettex, Xetra, und weitere | DEGIRO |
| Platform & Tools | |||
| Mobile App | Tie | ||
| Desktop Platform | Tie | ||
| Demo Account | Tie | ||
| Security & Regulation | |||
| Regulated by | AFM / BaFin | BaFin | Tie |
| Deposit Protection | 100.000€ | 100.000€ | Tie |
| Founded | 2013 | 2019 | Tie |
| Overall Rating | |||
| Rating | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | Tie |
Which Broker for Whom?
Depending on your strategy and experience, one broker fits better. Here's how to decide:
For Beginners
Smartbroker+
Low barriers, simple app, demo account and no hidden costs — perfect to get started.
More about Smartbroker+ →For Active Traders
Smartbroker+
Low per-order fees, many trading venues and derivatives access — important if you trade regularly.
More about Smartbroker+ →For Long-Term Investors
Smartbroker+
Free savings plans, interest on cash and no custody fee — what matters when you buy & hold.
More about Smartbroker+ →Detailed Assessment
Who is DEGIRO?
DEGIRO offers access to 50+ exchanges worldwide at low fees. Ideal for internationally diversified portfolios.
Strengths in Detail
- 50+ Global Exchanges
- Low Fees
- Options & Futures
- Access to Asian Markets
Weaknesses
- No Savings Plan
- No Crypto
- No Interest on Cash
- Not Tax-Simple for Austria
Who is DEGIRO worth it for?
Particularly suitable for: International Stocks, Active Traders, Advanced Investors.
Who is Smartbroker+?
Smartbroker+ offers free trades from €500 order volume and free Xetra access. A strong competitor to Trade Republic.
Strengths in Detail
- 0€ Trades from €500
- Free Savings Plans
- Xetra Access
- Options Available
Weaknesses
- Relatively New
- App Still in Development
- No Interest on Cash
Who is Smartbroker+ worth it for?
Particularly suitable for: Free Trades, Savings Plan Investors, Cost-Conscious Investors.
DEGIRO vs Smartbroker+ — pan-European discount vs DACH-focused new-gen broker
DEGIRO (Dutch, founded 2013, now part of flatexDEGIRO) and Smartbroker+ (founded 2019, BaFin) target overlapping European retail audiences with different geographic focuses. DEGIRO is the pan-European discount specialist with 50+ exchanges including Asia/Pacific. Smartbroker+ is the DACH-focused new-gen broker with €0 trading on gettex above €500, native crypto, and Eurex options.
The honest framing: Smartbroker+ wins for German tax-resident DIY investors who only need DACH + US markets and value steuereinfach. DEGIRO wins for users who explicitly need Asian/Pacific market access or DIY-tax-file anyway.
When DEGIRO is the better pick
You want non-European market access. DEGIRO routes to Tokyo, Hong Kong, Australia, Toronto, Singapore. Smartbroker+ routes only to gettex, Xetra, and limited German venues.
You want lowest pure commission on European stocks at small order sizes. DEGIRO charges 2 € + 0.03 % regardless of size. Smartbroker+ charges €4 on Xetra below €500 (or €0 on gettex ≥€500). For €100–€499 trades on Xetra, DEGIRO wins.
You want a desktop-first webtrader. DEGIRO's webtrader has more capable charting and order-type support than Smartbroker+'s simpler interface.
You're a DIY tax-filing investor anyway. If you DIY-file with software, DEGIRO's manual reporting is workable and the commission savings on multi-venue trades dominate.
When Smartbroker+ is the better pick
You want German tax-simple status. Smartbroker+ withholds 25 % KESt + 5.5 % Soli automatically. DEGIRO is not steuereinfach — manual Anlage KAP filing required.
You consistently trade ≥€500 orders on gettex. Smartbroker+ charges €0 commission. DEGIRO charges €2 + 0.03 % regardless. For €1 000+ orders, Smartbroker+ saves ~€2.30 per trade.
You want native crypto + fractional shares. Smartbroker+ supports both. DEGIRO offers neither.
You want fee-free ETF savings plans on a broad catalog. Smartbroker+'s €0 savings plan catalog is broader than DEGIRO's Core Selection (which gives one free trade per month, not unlimited).
You don't need exotic markets. If your portfolio is European + US large caps, Smartbroker+'s DACH focus matches your needs without the foreign-broker tax overhead.
Taxes — DACH specifics
Germany — Smartbroker+ is steuereinfach, DEGIRO is not. Smartbroker+ withholds at source. DEGIRO requires manual Anlage KAP filing.
Austria — neither austriakonform. DEGIRO Austria explicitly states it is not steuereinfach for AT. Smartbroker+ has no austriakonform Austrian product.
Vorabpauschale 2026: Smartbroker+ applies automatically. DEGIRO requires manual Anlage KAP-INV filing.
Quellensteuer on US dividends: Smartbroker+ auto-credits the 15 % US withholding. DEGIRO requires manual Anlage KAP claim.
Eurex options: Both offer Eurex options. €20 000 Termingeschäft loss-cap applies to both. Smartbroker+'s German-tax-simple wrapping makes options reporting easier; DEGIRO requires manual classification.
Cost example — €15 000 active investor over 10 years
Profile: 1 monthly ETF savings plan at €100, 6 manual orders/year at €1 000 (gettex above €500), DIY tax filing.
| Item | DEGIRO | Smartbroker+ |
|---|---|---|
| 120× savings-plan equivalent | €0–€60 (Core Selection) | €0 |
| 60× manual orders €1 000 | €138 (€2 + 0.03 % each) | €0 (gettex ≥€500) |
| Connectivity fees | €25 | €0 |
| Net 10-year cost (DIY tax) | €163–€223 | €0 |
Smartbroker+ wins by ~€200 over 10 years on this profile. Add Steuerberater costs (€2 000 over 10y for DEGIRO) and the gap blows out to €2 200. The Smartbroker+ advantage is structurally large for German tax residents.
DEGIRO becomes the right choice only when you (a) need Asian markets that Smartbroker+ doesn't serve, OR (b) you're a non-DACH EU resident where the steuereinfach distinction is irrelevant.
Verdict by investor profile
German tax resident, DACH + US stocks only
Pick: Smartbroker+. Steuereinfach + cheaper net costs.
International stock picker (Asian markets)
Pick: DEGIRO. Smartbroker+ does not route to Tokyo/Hong Kong/ASX.
DIY tax-filing European investor
Pick: Smartbroker+. Even for DIY filers, steuereinfach saves time. DEGIRO only wins on absolute commission for Xetra trades below €500.
Eurex options trader (occasional)
Pick: Smartbroker+. Both support Eurex; Smartbroker+'s tax-simple wrapping is operationally easier.
Beginner with €25–€100/month savings plan
Pick: Smartbroker+. €0 savings plans on a broad catalog, BaFin-regulated, polished interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions about DEGIRO vs Smartbroker+.
For order fees, Smartbroker+ leads at 0€ (gettex, ab 500€) / 4€ (Xetra), while DEGIRO charges 2€ + 0.03% (Europa) / 2€ + 0.05% (USA). Note: with CFD brokers, spreads add hidden cost — the lower nominal price isn't always cheaper overall.
DEGIRO is regulated by AFM / BaFin, Smartbroker+ by BaFin. Both fall under EU oversight. Deposit protection: DEGIRO 100.000€, Smartbroker+ 100.000€.
For German/Austrian customers, language, BaFin regulation and tax-simple status often matter most. Check the 'Regulated by' and 'Languages' rows — DACH-focused brokers usually have the edge.
Smartbroker+ offers free ETF savings plans from 1€. If a savings plan matters to you, that's a clear edge.
Both are covered under their home regulator's deposit protection. DEGIRO: 100.000€, Smartbroker+: 100.000€. Securities are held in segregated accounts and protected in case of broker insolvency.
Neither broker pays meaningful interest on uninvested cash. Look elsewhere if cash yield matters.
Both offer native mobile apps with good app-store ratings. Which is better depends on your needs — try both with a demo account if available.
A second broker makes sense when one offers features the other lacks (e.g. options, crypto, more exchanges). A full switch is only worth it if the cost difference or missing features are significant.
Ready to Get Started?
Sign up with the broker that fits your strategy. Both are regulated and offer a demo account to test risk-free.