In page navigation
- 1. Compare the 10 best ETF platforms in 2023
- 2. Best ETF platforms for 2023
- 3. What are the best ETF platforms?
- 4. Top ETF brokers
- 5. What is an ETF platform?
- 6. How does an ETF broker work?
- 7. How should I choose an ETF provider?
- 8. Should I use an ETF platform?
- 9. Methodology: How did we choose the best ETF platforms?
- 10. FAQs
Compare the 10 best ETF platforms in 2023
Invezz is an independent platform with the goal of helping users achieve financial freedom. In order to fund our work, we partner with advertisers who compensate us for users that Invezz refers to their services. While our reviews and assessments of each product on the site are independent and unbiased, brands may pay to appear higher up our table rankings or place ads in specific areas of the site. The order in which products and services appear on Invezz does not represent an endorsement from us, and please be aware that there may be other platforms available to you than the products and services that appear on our website. Read more about how we make money >
Investing in ETFs is the easiest way to speculate on specific financial sectors, industries, or assets. To buy or sell ETFs (exchange traded funds) you need to use a broker or a trading platform. This beginner-friendly guide compares the best ETF brokers to help you choose the most suitable option.
Best ETF platforms for 2023
What are the best ETF platforms?
Our investment experts have selected the top ETF investing platforms around and you can get started in just a few minutes by clicking any of the links below. If you want to read our comparisons then continue scrolling to learn more.
77% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
Top ETF brokers
1. eToro. Best for beginners, copy-trading & demo-account
2900
No. assets
$10
Minimum deposit
Stocks
Platform type
Pros & Cons
Overview
We love eToro because you can trade more than 3,000 stocks, commission free. When you buy stocks on eToro, you’re buying the underlying asset, which means you can earn dividends. Or you can trade fractional shares, which means you can invest in even the most expensive stock from just $10.
As well as being a broker that offers lots of investor protection, eToro offers a very social trading experience. You can easily see what’s trending on the stock market every day, browse the latest analyst opinion about every one of those stocks, and copy other people’s trade suggestions from your desktop or the eToro app.
The fees: Stock and ETF trades are commission free. Stock CFDs are charged a 0.15% spread and overnight fees can apply. You can deposit money for free but you have to pay $5 per withdrawal, and there’s a minimum withdrawal of $30. A $10 per month activity fee is charged if you don’t log in for a year.
77% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
2. Public. Best for sharing beginner trading ideas
...
No. assets
...
Minimum deposit
Stocks
Platform type
Pros & Cons
Overview
We love Public because it’s a social platform where you can share trading tips and get ideas from other people. Public offers 9,000+ financial instruments, including cryptocurrencies and stocks from around the world.
Alongside a community of other investors all sharing their ideas, Public offers real time news and information so that you can see the full picture before you invest. And the assets don’t just include your run-of-the-mill assets; you can make alternative investments in things like handbags and comic books as well.
The fees: There are no fees for investing in stocks during regular trading hours in the US – 9.30am-4pm EST. There is a $2.99 fee for trades outside of regular hours.
What is an ETF platform?
An ETF platform or ETF broker is a financial services company that you use to invest in exchange traded funds. These ETF providers are normally stock brokers, as investing in an ETF is more or less the same process as buying individual stocks. You need the broker to display the latest ETF prices, place an order on the stock exchange on your behalf, and then store the details of your new ETF in your online account.
How does an ETF broker work?
It works by allowing you to access an exchange or market via a piece of software that you either access through a web browser, mobile device, or through an application that you download onto your desktop. To trade ETFs through an ETF platform you will first need to register. The broker will have its own proprietary software which bridges the gap between you and a stock exchange.
Traditionally, investments or traders were made via a telephone, however advances in technology have streamlined the process with the use of electronic trading platforms. The best ETF platforms have additional features such as technical indicators, market analysis, and copy trading tools.
How should I choose an ETF provider?
In our comparisons above we’ve included some of the things to look out for when selecting an ETF platform. In the section below we’ve included a few more of the key factors to consider when selecting an ETF platform.
- Fees. ETFs are just like stocks or shares, in that when investing in them you’ll be required to pay some fees. ETF fees can include spreads and commissions, or just one of the two. Make sure you check out your platforms fee schedule prior to registering, as there is a big difference in terms of what each ETF broker charges. You may be able to invest in commission free ETFs, or you may be charged fees of up to a few pounds each time you invest.
- Supported ETFs. One of the biggest pros of investing in an ETF is the way it gives you easy access to a diversified portfolio. You want an ETF broker that lets you take advantage of this by investing in companies from a wide range of stock exchanges around the world.
- Spreads. The spread is the difference between the buy and sell price of any financial instrument. For ETFs, spreads are variable, and you should avoid ETF platforms that have a high spread, because that is effectively like paying a large trading fee. You should check your chosen platform’s average spread size to get an idea of what’s on offer.
- Regulation. All of the best platforms are regulated but some have weaker regulation than others. Regulation is a good way to ensure you’re protected if anything goes wrong, so make sure your chosen ETF broker is regulated in your region.
- Leverage. Leverage is a way to magnify your gains (as well as losses), by borrowing money in order to make larger trades. There are some ETF brokers that offer leveraged ETFs, which take on debt and use derivatives (like futures and options) to try to make bigger gains from a particular index. Leveraged ETFs are a lot more risky than regular, passive ETFs and should be used with caution.
- Security. The best ETF platforms come with additional security features to help keep your details and money safe. You should only use ETF brokers that offer features like Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), which gives you a one time passcode each time you log into your account, in order to maximise your protection.
- Customer support. All ETF brokers offer customer support in some form or other. Some may be 24/7 while others only operate at specific times. If support is important to you make sure you select a platform that offers it around the clock.
Should I use an ETF platform?
If you plan on investing in, or trading an exchange traded fund then yes, you should use an ETF broker. Using a platform is the only way you’ll be able to access ETFs so you should make sure to register with one that fits your requirements. If you’re unsure which platform to use, you can scroll higher to read our comparisons of the best ones around.
What are the risks of using brokers for ETF trading?
When you trade ETFs there are always some risks involved, although generally ETF platforms are safe to use. There is always the risk that you could lose some or all of your money. ETF platforms can also go down from time to time which could cause problems if you’re in the middle of buying or selling.
Some ETF platforms also make it very difficult to withdraw profits, however this is only the case for unregulated firms. It’s always recommended that you use a platform that is regulated in your country, while staying away from platforms that are either unregulated or regulated in a country known for its lax laws. Below are some benefits and risk to think about.
Pros
- You can start with very little initial investment, from as low as £10
- ETFs give access to specific sectors, industries, or indexes
- You can trade ETFs that follow just about any asset class, sector, or index
- ETF fees are usually lower than you would pay for investing in lots of stocks
- ETFs with a high net asset value are generally more stable than individual stocks
Cons
What are the fees for using an ETF platform?
Each platform will have its own fee structure so it varies. When you buy ETFs you are normally charged a fee or commission, but with some online brokers it’s completely free. With ETFs, however, you also need to consider the management or service charges from the ETF itself.
Running an ETF involves ongoing charges; like with mutual funds, these include the fees the fund manager has to pay for buying or selling the underlying assets, and the management fee the company charges to run it. They are referred to collectively as the Total Expense Ratio. Expense ratios are a calculated annually and are charged regardless of the ETF performance. These are also different depending on the ETF, so you can shop around to find the ETFs that charge the lowest expense ratios.
Methodology: How did we choose the best ETF platforms?
We employ a strict process when choosing the best online brokers. Each platform on our list has been extensively tested and reviewed by our trading and investment experts. A full length review is available for each platform on our website. A range of factors are considered when we select platforms.
These include registering an account, making a deposit, searching for an ETF, trading ETFs themselves, and withdrawing funds. Each process is ranked and we use online research to compare platforms against each other. Finally, we use trustworthy review websites in addition to our own research to determine a ranking.
Our rankings or reviews are not influenced by any of the platforms you see on this page, however we may earn a commission if you click on a link and register an account. To learn more about this, you can visit our full review process.
FAQs
More of the best ETFs
Invezz is a place where people can find reliable, unbiased information about finance, trading, and investing – but we do not offer financial advice and users should always carry out their own research. The assets covered on this website, including stocks, cryptocurrencies, and commodities can be highly volatile and new investors often lose money. Success in the financial markets is not guaranteed, and users should never invest more than they can afford to lose. You should consider your own personal circumstances and take the time to explore all your options before making any investment. Read our risk disclaimer >