DEGIRO, eToro, Trade Republic and XTB compared — low-fee share and ETF investing, copy trading and simple savings plans, with the risks spelled out.
A generation ago buying shares meant a bank branch and commissions that made small investing pointless; a European broker on your phone now opens dozens of exchanges for a flat fee or nothing at all. Cheap execution does not choose the strategy for you, though: long-term ETF accumulators, hands-on traders and beginners who want to copy someone experienced need different interfaces, and a dollar-denominated account quietly adds currency costs. The four apps in this guide were picked across those investor types for 2026; remember throughout that investing puts your capital at risk.
DEGIRO is the low-cost, no-frills choice for serious long-term portfolios: 45+ exchanges worldwide and a selection of zero-transaction-fee ETFs.
It is among the cheapest regulated brokers in Europe and a favourite for buy-and-hold accounts, opening more than 45 exchanges across 30 countries with very low fees and a core selection of ETFs carrying no transaction fee. The product is deliberately serious rather than gamified — an interface aimed at investors building portfolios, not at day traders — which is exactly why cost-conscious long-term users favour it. The limits define the audience: there is no crypto trading at all, and as with every broker here, markets mean the value of your capital can go down as well as up.
eToro is the social-investing broker: CopyTrading mirrors experienced users automatically, with commission-free shares and ETFs, for learning beginners.
More than 40 million users make up the community behind CopyTrading, its defining feature: instead of choosing every position yourself, you automatically mirror the portfolios of experienced investors, which doubles as a learning mechanism for newcomers who want to watch how decisions are made. Stocks and ETFs trade commission-free, and crypto is also available. The costs arrive in less visible places — the account operates in dollars, so deposits and withdrawals incur currency conversion, a separate withdrawal fee applies, and copied portfolios carry the same market risk as any investment, including loss of capital.
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Questions & answers
Which investing app is best for a beginner?
Trade Republic is the gentlest start: buying an asset takes about three taps, fees are low, and automatic ETF savings plans suit investing little and often. eToro is equally easy and adds the option of copying experienced investors while you learn how portfolios are built.
What fees do these brokers actually charge?
Online brokers are far cheaper than banks, but read every line. XTB charges 0% commission on shares and ETFs up to 100,000 EUR of monthly turnover, Trade Republic takes a small flat fee per order, and DEGIRO combines very low fees with a zero-transaction-fee ETF range. Always check custody, currency conversion on dollar accounts and withdrawal charges before committing.
Is investing through an app safe?
Yes with a regulated broker. The four here are EU-regulated and covered by national investor compensation schemes if a broker fails, up to country-specific limits; note Trade Republic and DEGIRO do not operate in the United States, and DEGIRO left the UK. The real risk is the market itself — investments rise and fall and you can lose capital. Diversify, think long term, and never invest money you will need soon.
More related apps
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