5 Best Online Brokers in Belgium for 2025

In this guide, we rate, review, and recommend the 5 best online brokers in Belgium to buy, sell and trade stocks for beginners.
Written by
Updated on Nov 8, 2024
Reading time 0 minutes

Our rankings reveal that the best online broker in Belgium is IG Markets .

That recommendation comes from our panel of trading experts, based on what we feel is most important: cost, security, and easy access to international markets.

We frequently test the best trading platforms & online brokers, and survey our Belgian users to gather their thoughts and feedback on each of the top trading apps in Belgium.

Armed with that information we created a final ranking to answer the question: what are the best online brokers in Belgium for Belgian users?

What is the best stock trading app in Belgium?

Copy link to section

These are the brokers that we rank as the overall best online trading platforms in Belgium. 

We found 7 online brokers for users based in

IG review
4.4
IG Markets
Min. Deposit n/a
Fees Spread only
No. assets 17000+
Demo account Yes

IG review

Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Eightcap review
4.5
Eightcap
Min. Deposit $100
Fees Up to $3.5 RT
No. assets 800+
Demo account Yes

Eightcap review

74-89% of retail CFD accounts lose money
XTB review
3.8
XTB Online Investing
Min. Deposit n/a
Fees 8.1 pips
No. assets 1600+
Demo account Yes

XTB review

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 76-83% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Top 5 online brokers in Belgium, reviewed & compared

Copy link to section

We found 7 online brokers for users based in

1. IG Markets: Best for trusted and transparent trading

Copy link to section
4
Ratings

$-

Min. deposit

From 0.5%

Fees

17,000

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love IG because it’s one of the most established and reputable names in the online trading industry, known for its reliability, comprehensive market offerings, and strong regulatory compliance. IG offers CFD trading in stocks, forex, commodities, indices, ETFs and more, with plenty of useful plugins and integrations to improve the trading experience.

One of the key strengths of IG Markets is its seamless integration with MetaTrader 4 (MT4), a popular third-party trading platform favored by many traders for its advanced charting tools, automated trading capabilities, and custom indicators. This integration allows users to leverage MT4’s sophisticated features while benefiting from IG Markets’ competitive pricing, reliable execution, and extensive market access.

Beyond its product range and platform integrations, IG Markets stands out for its commitment to education and customer support. The company offers a wealth of educational resources, such as webinars, tutorials, and market analysis, which help traders of all levels improve their knowledge and skills.

The fees: For most assets, you don’t pay a trading fee but will be charged through the spread instead. That’s the difference between the buy and sell price of an asset. IG’s spreads are competitive but variable: you’ll pay a smaller spread on popular assets compared to less popular ones. Share trading works differently, and you’ll be charged a minimum fee on each trade of at least $15.

Highlights

Fees & Costs

Pros & Cons

Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

2. Eightcap. Best online broker for choice of trading platform

Copy link to section
4.5
Ratings

$100

Min. deposit

Up to $3.5 RT

Fees

800

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love Eightcap because you have several trading platforms to choose from. You can choose between MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and TradingView. All of these platforms are favourites among retail traders. With the MetaTrade suite of platforms, you can access lots of technical indicators, custom tools, and expert advisors. 

TradingView with Eightcap allows you to trade directly from your charts while accessing the hundreds of tools and features available. Eightcap has over 900 markets available including stocks, forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. 

The fees: Eightcap is a CFD broker and charges spreads, commissions, or a combination of both. There are two account types available, RAW, and Standard. The RAW account has ultra-low spreads starting from 0.0 pips but charges $3.5 RT per lot. The standard account is commission-free for most assets and spreads start from 1 pip.

Highlights

Fees & Costs

Pros & Cons

74-89% of retail CFD accounts lose money

3. XTB: Best for offering global CFD markets to retail traders

Copy link to section
3.5
Ratings

€-

Min. deposit

0.2 pips

Fees

1,600

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love XTB because of its extensive range of international CFD markets, allowing retail traders to buy and sell popular cryptocurrencies at competitive prices. XTB offers 48 of the most popular cryptos via CFDs. 

This broad selection allows you to diversify your portfolio and explore several trading opportunities across different markets. Whether you are interested in the biggest coins like BTC, or altcoins like Dogecoin, XTB’s comprehensive offering means you have the tools and resources needed to trade effectively.

XTB combines beginner-friendly, introductory tools and resources with a scaling system of accounts that allow experienced traders to access high rates of leverage and advanced analytical tools. 

With more than 180 pre-installed indicators and chart types, its bespoke xStation platform allows for intricate analysis, while beginners can access its Trading Central service, where trade ideas, forecasts, and risk analyses are available for anyone to look through.

The fees: XTB’s fees start from 8.1 pips on popular cryptos, such as Bitcoin. Spreads on less liquid assets may be significantly higher.

Highlights

Fees & Costs

Pros & Cons

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 76-83% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Which trading app in Belgium has the best user reviews?

Copy link to section

As part of our research process we gathered up reviews and feedback from Belgian users to help us finalise the rankings.

Below is a summary of the feedback and ratings for each platform.

Review source IG Markets rating Eightcap rating XTB rating
Trustpilot 4.0 4.3
Google Play Store 4.3 4.1
App Store 4.6 3.8
View more > IG Markets > Eightcap > XTB >

Are stock brokers in Belgium regulated?

Copy link to section

Yes, online brokers have to be regulated in order to offer share dealing services.

Ideally, you want to find a broker that offers top-tier regulatory protection either through your local regulator, or through another internationally recognised institution. 

The best brokers in Belgium are regulated by the Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA), which provides a license for these firms to operate and governs their actions in order to protect investors.

Use the Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) database to check if your favourite online broker is regulated to operate in Belgium (each company has a registration number, and you can search this to find out if it’s got a license).

On top of that, many online brokers in Belgium are based elsewhere but regulated to operate internationally through institutions such as CySEC (the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission). 

Here are the best online brokers in Belgium and where they’re regulated across the world.

Region IG Markets regulators Eightcap regulators XTB regulators
Africa FSCA
Asia MAS
Australasia FMA, ASIC ASIC
Europe FCA, BaFin, FINMA FCA, CySEC CySEC, FCA, KNF
International DFSA, BMA
North America CFTC, NFA
South America
View more > IG Markets > Eightcap > XTB >

How much does it cost to use an online trading platform in Belgium?

Copy link to section

It is normally free to sign up to a stock trading platform in Belgium.

The main cost comes in the form of trading fees, which depend on the platform and on what you want to trade. Some of the best stock trading apps in Belgium offer completely free trading, while others charge a flat fee or commission per trade.

On average, this usually adds up to about 1-2% of your total trade value.

Here’s a comparison of the trading fees across our highest rated Belgian brokers.

Asset IG Markets fees Eightcap fees XTB fees
Crypto Spread only Up to $3.5 RT 8.1 pips
Commodities Spread only Up to $3.5 RT 2 pips
Spread only Up to $3.5 RT 0.02 pips
Index prices Spread only Up to $3.5 RT 0.2 pips
Stocks From 0.5% Up to $3.5 RT 0.2 pips
View more > IG Markets > Eightcap > XTB >

Another way an online broker in Belgium might charge you is via the spread.

The spread is the difference between the buy and sell price of an asset, and effectively serves as a commission the broker is charging you on top of the market price.

The smaller the spread, the better value you’re getting from your broker.

Here’s a comparison of the spreads across the top Belgian trading platforms.

Product IG Markets spreads Eightcap spreads XTB spreads
Stock CFDs 0.10% From 1.2 pts
0.10%
Forex CFDs 0.6 pips From 0.0pips
Crypto CFDs Variable From 0.5%
Index CFDs 0.10% From 1.2 USD
0.3 pts From 0.12 USD
View all tradable assets > IG Markets > Eightcap > XTB >

On top of the trading fees and spreads, there may be other charges for using your online broker account.

These can include inactivity fees, where you’re charged if you don’t use your account for a period of time (usually 3-6 months), as well as overnight fees, which only apply if the broker is also a CFD platform, or even an account maintenance fee.

Here’s a look at the types of fees different brokers in Belgium charge, to give you a complete picture of the cost of trading with the top brokers in Belgium.

Fee IG Markets fees Eightcap fees XTB fees
Trading fees Yes Yes Yes
Inactivity fees Yes No Yes
Rollover/overnight fees Yes Yes, on certain assets Yes
Withdrawal fees No Yes, for certain payment methods Yes
Spreads Yes Yes Yes
Conversion fees Yes Yes, currency dependent Yes
View more > IG Markets > Eightcap > XTB >

How much money do I need to start trading?

Copy link to section

Typically, the minimum deposit for each Belgian broker is the equivalent of $10.

If this is all you can manage: great, and you can get started with that.

But you probably want to start with a larger amount of money, or a plan to add more over time, otherwise it’s going to be difficult to grow your wealth in any significant way.

You don’t need a lot to start, but you do need to invest a reasonable amount of money to generate substantial returns.

A great way to do this is to invest a fixed amount at regular intervals, a concept known as Dollar-Cost Averaging.

This means that you can start with a small investment and the amount you invest can be adjusted depending on your circumstances.

You should also consider the minimum trade size on each platform. This governs the smallest investment you can make, so if you plan to invest small amounts then it is a crucial number to think about.

Compare the minimum and maximum trade sizes for each top broker in Belgium right here.

Product IG Markets minimum trade Eightcap minimum trade XTB minimum trade
Stock CFDs From £1 1 share
From £1
Forex CFDs From £1 0.01 lots
Crypto CFDs From £1 Variable
Index CFDs From £1 1 share
From £1 0.01 lots
View more > IG Markets > Eightcap > XTB >

Reduced minimums available for the first 31 days of account opening.

More about stock trading platforms in Belgium

Copy link to section

What products can I trade?

Copy link to section

For most people, the key question is whether you can trade stocks from other countries, as well as Belgium. The answer is yes, with some caveats.

Most of the brokers we recommend are global platforms, that offer stocks from around the world (particularly the US market, which is by far the most popular and – in our experience – what you’re likely to be interested in!).

However, there can be limitations. For example, you might have to make deposits in US Dollars in order to trade those stocks or to use the platform, and that’s not always an option.

Your broker might offer currency conversion services, but they can be expensive.

In general though, you certainly can trade global stocks through a Belgian stock broker. And you often aren’t limited to stocks, there are other options as well – including things like ETFs, which are super simple to buy.

Stocks

  • Belgian stocks. One investment option is to simply buy and sell stocks that are listed in Belgium. Investing in the Belgian market is normally the most straightforward option for Belgian residents, as you can buy shares in any company that’s listed on a Belgian stock exchange.
  • US stocks. Some of the best known companies in the world are listed in the United States. The best online broker in Belgium will also let you invest in stocks that are listed on the NYSE or the NASDAQ exchange in the US, but it depends on the legal restrictions in Belgium.
  • International stocks. You may also be able to buy shares in companies that are based in the rest of the world. The best international brokers in Belgium offer global stocks, but it may be a limited selection. If you want to buy equities from outside Belgium or the US, be sure to check those stocks are available through your online broker before you sign up.

ETFs

ETFs (exchange traded funds) are investment funds that pool money together from lots of different investors and use it to track a particular index, like the S&P 500.

This kind of investing has exploded over the last decade. The largest ETF in the world, which invests in the S&P 500 – the famous US index that contains companies like Apple, Tesla, and Alphabet – holds more than half a billion dollars worth of investor money on its own.

If you’ve ever used a round-up investment app like Acorns or Moneybox, they are almost certainly investing in ETFs on your behalf. Many pension schemes use them now as well. This is for two main reasons: they’re simple to use, and they’re cheap.

Even if you can’t invest in every stock from every country, you can usually find an alternative in an ETF that tracks the performance of Belgium’s top stock exchanges and indexes. 

Mutual funds

Mutual funds are professionally managed investments. You buy shares in the fund through an investment platform and the manager decides what to invest it in.

Typically, a fund manager chooses a mixture of global stocks, local Belgian stocks, and ETFs that track global indices from across the world.

Mutual funds and ETFs are similar, but the former are managed by a professional who tries to beat the market, while the latter buy and sell stocks automatically based on a set of fixed criteria.

Typically a mutual fund charges higher management fees every year because of the extra work involved. The best stock broker in Belgium should allow you to invest in stocks from Belgium, as well as ETFs and mutual funds.

Futures and options

Futures and options contracts involve making an agreement to purchase a stock in the future at an agreed price. They’re favoured by stock traders and can be used as a way of speculating on how you think a company’s price might change in the future.

Other assets

Most trading platforms in Belgium offer a variety of assets alongside stocks, funds, and ETFs. With the best Belgian brokers you can create a diversified portfolio made up of leading global stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, and dabble with trading currency pairs and commodities as well.

Compare the assets available with each of the top Belgian brokers below.

Product IG Markets assets Eightcap assets XTB assets
Stock CFDs 17,000 + 590
ETFs 5,400 163
Forex CFDs 99 56
Crypto CFDs 10 122
Index CFDs 80 + 16 (17 on TradingView)
Commodities 35 28
View more > IG Markets > Eightcap > XTB >

You should keep in mind, however, that to invest in other financial products from Belgium, you may be better off using a different type of trading platform.

For example, for trading currency pairs you want one of the best forex brokers in Belgium, for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, the best crypto exchanges in Belgium. The best crypto exchanges in Belgium offer a range of financial assets, including many of the options above.

How to buy stocks in Belgium

Copy link to section

Every stock trading app in Belgium is designed to help you invest with the minimum of fuss. 

Follow this six step guide to learn how to buy shares online in Belgium for the first time.

1. Find a Belgian trading app

Copy link to section

Compare the best online stock brokers in Belgium and choose your favourite from the list at the top of this page.

2. Create an account

Copy link to section

Once you’ve chosen the best broker Belgium, set up an account by supplying your email address and password. Fill in personal details like your name and address.

3. Verify the broker account

Copy link to section

Before you use an online trading platform in Belgium you need to verify your identity.

Upload a copy of your driving licence or passport to do this. The verification process can take up to 24 hours, but is often much quicker than that.

4. Deposit money into your trading account

Copy link to section

You can make your initial deposit via a card payment, bank transfer, or an alternative payment method.

Many of the best online brokers in Belgium accept PayPal and similar e-wallets, but you should check this ahead of time.

5. Search for a stock and place your trade

Copy link to section

Find the stocks you want to trade using their ticker symbol. Enter the details of your trade, and hit ‘buy’ to execute it.

6. Monitor your investment

Copy link to section

Check up on your investment regularly. Use the latest news and stock market research to help you decide when to sell your shares, and lock in a profit or loss.

How we chose the best online trading platform in Belgium

Copy link to section

Our reviewing panel is made up of industry experts, including our Director Michael Charalambous, Editor of News, Harsh Vardhan, Editor of Education, James Knight, and long-time trader and Platform Reviewer, Prash Raval. The panel also includes an independent fact checker, Richard Stutely.

We work with many financial experts across the world, and we tap into their expertise to give us an insight into the particular trading environment of each country, and what’s important to users in Belgium compared to everywhere else.

All that breaks down into a list of criteria that we use to form a final ranking.

Here are the key factors that played into our final ranking of the best stock brokers in Belgium.

  • Fees. We prioritised Belgian brokers that offer commission-free trading, charge low trading fees, don’t charge deposit or withdrawal fees, and don’t charge any hidden fees.
  • Device availability. An online trading platform that is available across all devices as a mobile app deserves a boost. In a mobile world, you need the best stock trading app in Belgium to work across mobile, tablet, and desktop. 
  • Platform security. All services we recommend are regulated by respected financial institutions and provide investor protection in the event that anything goes wrong.
  • Free demo accounts. All the best stockbrokers in Belgium should offer the chance to test their service before you pay for it. We gave the brokers with the best demo accounts a boost in our rankings.
  • Access to global markets. International stock brokers in Belgium that allow you to invest in global markets, particularly popular ones like the United States, scored well in our reviews.
  • Trading and analysis tools. An online stock broker that offers analysis tools makes it easier to do all your research and trading in one place. Any online broker that offered this convenience scored well.
  • Third-party integrations. You might want to use a piece of downloadable, third-party software like MetaTrader 4, MT5, or cTrader to place your trades. The best trading software in Belgium should integrate with these services and those that did so received a higher ranking. 
  • Customer reviews. Finally, we looked into customer reviews, to make sure that we only recommend the best investment platforms in Belgium where the majority of Belgian customers had a positive experience.

Find out more about how we rate, rank, and review platforms.

FAQs

Copy link to section
01

What’s the best broker for beginners in Belgium?

02

What’s the best investment platform in Belgium?

03

What’s the cheapest online broker Belgium with the lowest fees?

04

Which trading app is best in Belgium?

05

Which investment platform in Belgium has the best demo account?

06

What’s the safest broker in Belgium?

07

Is it legal to trade stocks in Belgium?


Sources & references

James Knight

James Knight

Editor of Education

  • Stock Market
  • Cryptocurrencies
  • Commodities
  • Investing
  • Sport
James is the Editor of Education for Invezz, where he covers topics from across the financial world, from the stock market, to cryptocurrency, to macroeconomic markets. His main focus is on improving financial literacy among casual investors. He has been with Invezz since the start of 2021 and has been...