Why do commissions matter so much?
Brokerage commissions are costs you bear with every transaction. Unlike market losses, commissions are certain — you pay them regardless of investment outcome. With active trading (50-200 transactions per year), commission costs can amount to PLN 1,000-10,000 annually, significantly impacting the final result. That's why choosing a broker with low fees is one of the most effective strategies for improving portfolio profitability.
Commission table — US stocks (NYSE/NASDAQ)
Commissions for US market transactions in 2026: IBKR — $0.0035/share (min. $0.35, max. 1% of value), lowest costs for large orders. XTB — 0% commission up to EUR 100,000 monthly turnover (above: 0.2%), ideal for small and medium portfolios. Degiro — EUR 1 + EUR 1 exchange fee per transaction, simple and predictable costs. Trading 212 — 0% commission (costs included in spread), no minimum fee. Revolut — 0% commission on Metal plan (3 free trades/month on Standard, then EUR 1), depends on subscription plan. eToro — 0% commission on stocks (but 0.15% spread on CFDs), spread-based model.
Currency conversion fees (FX)
FX fees are a hidden cost that many investors overlook. For transactions on foreign markets, the broker must convert currency: IBKR — 0.002% (lowest on the market), min. $2. XTB — 0.5% of transaction value. Degiro — AutoFX: 0.25% automatically per transaction. Trading 212 — 0.15% (among the lowest for commission-free brokers). Revolut — 0.5% (Standard plan), 0% during market hours on Metal plan. eToro — 0.5% (fixed). For a portfolio with PLN 100,000 annual turnover, the FX fee difference between IBKR and XTB is about PLN 498.
Hidden fees: custody and inactivity
Beyond transaction commissions and FX, it's worth checking additional fees: IBKR — no inactivity fees (since 2021), no custody. XTB — no inactivity fees, no custody. Degiro — no inactivity fee, exchange connection fee (EUR 2.50/year per exchange). Trading 212 — no inactivity fees, no custody. Revolut — no custody, inactivity fee depends on plan. eToro — $10/month for inactivity (after 12 months without login), $5 withdrawal fee. eToro's inactivity fees can be significant for passive investors who buy and hold long-term positions.
Which broker is best — investor profiles
There is no single ideal broker — the choice depends on your investment style. Small portfolio (up to PLN 50,000, a few trades per month): XTB or Trading 212 — zero commissions at low volume is the biggest advantage. Medium portfolio (PLN 50,000-500,000, 10-50 trades per month): IBKR — minimal FX fees and transparent pricing. Large portfolio (above PLN 500,000, active trading): IBKR — lowest costs at high volume, advanced tools. Passive investor (buy & hold, a few trades per year): XTB or Trading 212 — no inactivity fees and zero commissions.
Check costs for your transactions
The data presented above is a general comparison. Actual costs depend on your portfolio, transaction frequency, and the markets you invest in. For an exact calculation, use our commission analyzer — upload a CSV file with your transactions or enter parameters manually, and the system will calculate exact costs at each broker.
Broker commissions may change. The data in the table reflects tariffs as of March 2026. Check current terms on the chosen broker's website before opening an account.
Want to know how much you'll save? Use our commission analyzer at /analizator-prowizji — compare costs based on your real transactions.