Compare 5 best online brokers in Europe for 2024

By:

James Knight

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.... read more.

Updated: Aug 22, 2024

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The Invezz team of expert traders, data analysts, and financial writers frequently test the best trading platforms. Amongst a range of features, we ranked the top brokers in Europe according to their affordability, security, and available international markets.

In this article, we answer the question: what are the best online brokers in Europe for European users?

What is the best stock trading app in Europe?

Our rankings reveal that the best online broker in Europe is eToro .

Having assessed 100+ brokers, this list represents the three services that top our rankings as the overall best online trading platforms in Europe. 

Most popular

1

Min. Deposit

$ 100

Best offer

User Score

9.9

Up to $240 bonus!

Deposit with ACA, Wire, Pay with my bank

Invest for dividends and get payout on stocks on Ex-Dividend day

Start Trading more info

Payment Methods:

Bank Transfer, Debit Card, PayPal, Credit Card, Wire Transfer

Full Regulations:

CySEC, FCA

eToro offers real assets only, no CFD products. eToro securities trading offered by eToro USA Securities, Inc. (‘the BD”), member of FINRA and SIPC. Investing involves risk, and content is provided for educational purposes only, does not imply a recommendation, and is not a guarantee of future performance. Invezz.com is not an affiliate and may be compensated if you access certain products or services offered by the BD.

2

Min. Deposit

$ 100

Best offer

User Score

9.9

Trade +2000 CFDs on Shares, Options, Commodities & more

Unlimited risk-free Demo Account

0 commissions & attractive spreads with up to 1:5 leverage

Start Trading more info

Payment Methods:

Bank Transfer, Debit Card, PayPal, Credit Card, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Trustly, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Discover, Bank Transfer: SEPA, Bank Transfer: FPS, skrill

Full Regulations:

ASIC, FCA, FSA, MAS, CySEC #250/14

Buy or sell stock CFDs with Plus500. 82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

3

Min. Deposit

$ 0

Best offer

User Score

9.1

Get insights from millions of investors, creators, and analysts

Build your portfolio of stocks, ETFs, and crypto–all in one place

No minimum deposit

Start Trading more info

Payment Methods:

Debit Card, Wire Transfer, Check, Bank Wire

Full Regulations:

Cryptocurrency execution and custody services are provided by Apex Crypto LLC (NMLS ID 1828849) through a software licensing agreement between Apex Crypto LLC and Public Crypto LLC. Crypto trading on Public platforms is served by Public Crypto LLC and offered through APEX Crypto. Please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved before trading.

Top 5 online brokers in Europe, reviewed & compared

1. eToro. Best for beginners, copy-trading & demo-account

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0% commission

Fees

$100

Minimum deposit

1500

No. assets

Yes

Demo/virtual account

Pros & Cons

Great for beginners, simple to set up and get started Competitive, industry-leading commissions Popular ‘Copy Portfolios’ function lets you follow top traders Excellent customer service, with live chat support provided

Comparatively high fees for withdrawals and account inactivity Does not integrate with the MetaTrader platform High spreads on some assets

Overview

We love eToro because it’s a trading platform built with beginners and casual traders in mind. The platform combines an interactive, social trading experience with an easy-to-use interface, making it ideal for novice traders.

The far-reaching catalog of more than 5,500 stocks and ETFs includes big names like Apple and Tesla, as well as smaller companies with high growth potential. You can start trading with as little as $10 using fractional shares if you’re on a tight budget.

One feature we particularly appreciate is the ability to interact with eToro’s 35 million users on any asset, market, or portfolio page. If you find traders whose strategies match your risk tolerance, you can copy their portfolios automatically using eToro’s flagship copy trading functionality. This is a great way to learn and potentially benefit from the expertise of more experienced traders.

If you don’t feel comfortable investing your cash straight away, you can use a free demo account, credited with $100,000 virtual dollars. This offers plenty of opportunities to try out a trading strategy that works for you across stocks, crypto, and options trading markets.

Highlights

Features	eToro summary
No. of tradable assets	3600+
Min. Deposit	$100
ID verification required	Yes
Free demo account	Yes
Supported assets	Stock CFDs, ETF CFDs, Forex CFDs, Crypto CFDs, Index CFDs, Commodity CFDs, NFTs
Mobile trading app	Yes
Web trading platform	Yes
Regulatory bodies	ASIC, FCA, CySEC, FinCEN
View more >	eToro >

Visit eToro eToro Review

eToro offers real assets only, no CFD products. eToro securities trading offered by eToro USA Securities, Inc. (‘the BD”), member of FINRA and SIPC. Investing involves risk, and content is provided for educational purposes only, does not imply a recommendation, and is not a guarantee of future performance. Invezz.com is not an affiliate and may be compensated if you access certain products or services offered by the BD.

2. Plus500. Best for international trading*

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From 0.08%

Fees

$100

Minimum deposit

2800

No. assets

Yes

Demo/virtual account

Pros & Cons

Free demo account for every user Secure broker, licensed by top-tier regulators Wide variety of CFDs to trade Several good risk management tools

No support on trading information and education Website isn’t brilliantly designed to help users find answers to their questions No MetaTrader trading platform compatibility

Overview

We love Plus500 because it is one of the industry’s most transparent and reliable brokers. Its fees are clear and you’ll know exactly what you will be paying before you make a trade. Its technology driven platform gives access to futures contracts for some of the biggest indices.

Plus500 has something for all types of traders, no matter what level of experience. Its low margin requirements (starting at $100) and different contracts make it a top choice for day traders. At the same time, its trading academy is packed with educational content, perfect for beginners just starting. 

One of the features we like most about Plus500 is its bonuses. Not only does it have a low minimum deposit of $100, but you’ll also have the option to receive a bonus the first time you add funds to your account, so you can stretch your money a little further.

For accurate instrument availability, visit plus500.com.

The fees: Plus500 charges a commission of $0.49 per Micro contract and $0.89 per Standard contract (per side). There is an Auto-Liquidation fee of $10 per contract. Other exchange fees may be applicable and can be found on the CME group website. 

*Based on a comparison of 60+ leading brokers and trading platforms.

Highlights

Features	Plus500 summary
No. of tradable assets	2800+
Min. Deposit	$100
ID verification required	Yes
Free demo account	Yes
Supported assets	Stock CFDs, ETF CFDs, Forex CFDs, Crypto CFDs, Index CFDs, Commodity CFDs
Mobile trading app	Yes
Web trading platform	Yes
Regulatory bodies	FSA, ASIC, FMA, FCA, CySEC
View more >	Plus500 >

Visit Plus500 Plus500 Review

Buy or sell stock CFDs with Plus500. 82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

3. Public. Best for AI analysis

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Spreads

Fees

...

Minimum deposit

9,000

No. assets

No

Demo/virtual account

Pros & Cons

Commission free stock and ETF investing Share and compare your portfolio on a social trading platform Trade crypto, fractional shares, and alternative investments

You can't trade on margin or use leverage No forex, options, funds, metals, or bonds

Overview

We love Public because it makes use of cutting-edge AI technology to enhance your trading and investing experience. Public’s AI-powered feature, Public Alpha offers personalized insights and recommendations through its natural language interface in real time. 

Public’s AI technology helps you make more informed decisions by analyzing massive amounts of data and providing actionable insights. These AI-driven insights are easily accessible and give users access to the latest advancements in financial analysis and trading. 

Not only do can you use AI to help your investments, Public is one of the lowest cost brokerage firms out there. You can invest in stocks and ETFs commission free. You can also buy and trade fractional shares and if you want to diversify, you can explore a range of alternative investments including music and film royalties. 

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. 

Highlights

Features	summary
No. of tradable assets	9,000 +
Min. Deposit	$20
ID verification required	Yes
Free demo account	No
Supported assets	Stocks, ETFs, Cryptocurrencies, Options, Bonds, Royalties
Mobile trading app	Yes
Web trading platform	Yes
Regulatory bodies	SEC, FINRA, SIPC
View more >	>

Visit Review

Cryptocurrency execution and custody services are provided by Apex Crypto LLC (NMLS ID 1828849) through a software licensing agreement between Apex Crypto LLC and Public Crypto LLC. Crypto trading on Public platforms is served by Public Crypto LLC and offered through APEX Crypto. Please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved before trading.

How we chose the best online trading platform in Europe

Our reviewing panel is made up of industry experts, including Data Analyst, Dan Ashmore, CFA, our Editor of News, Harsh Vardhan, journalist Katya Stead, and expert trader, Prash Raval. The panel also includes an independent fact checker, Richard Stutely.

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

• Fees. We prioritised European 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 Europe 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 Europe 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 Europe 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 Europe 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 Europe where the majority of European customers had a positive experience.

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

More about stock trading platforms in Europe

What products can I trade with a European stock broker?

You can trade stocks from Europe, or invest in leading companies from around the world. Here’s a breakdown of what (and how) you can trade financial markets with the best online brokers Europe.

Stocks

• European stocks. One investment option is to simply buy and sell stocks that are listed in Europe. Investing in the European market is normally the most straightforward option for European residents, as you can buy shares in any company that’s listed on a European stock exchange.
• US stocks. Some of the best known companies in the world are listed in the United States. The best online broker in Europe 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 Europe.
• 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 Europe offer global stocks, but it may be a limited selection. If you want to buy equities from outside Europe 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. 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 Europe’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 European 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 Europe should allow you to invest in stocks from Europe, 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 Europe offer a variety of assets alongside stocks, funds, and ETFs. With the best European 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 European brokers below.

You should keep in mind, however, that to invest in other financial products from Europe, 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 Europe, for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, the best crypto exchanges in Europe. The best CFD brokers in Europe offer a range of financial assets, including many of the options above.

How much does it cost to use the best online trading platforms in Europe?

It is normally free to sign up to a stock trading platform in Europe. 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 Europe offer completely free trading, while others charge a flat fee or commission per trade.

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

Another way an online broker in Europe 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 European trading platforms.

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 Europe charge, to give you a complete picture of the cost of trading with the top brokers in Europe.

Are stock brokers in Europe regulated?

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 an internationally recognised institution. 

The best brokers in Europe are regulated by tier 1 financial regulators, such as the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), which provide a license for these firms to operate and governs their actions in order to protect investors.

On top of that, many online brokers in Europe 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 Europe and where they’re regulated across the world.

How much money do I need to start using an online broker in Europe?

Typically, the minimum deposit for each European broker is the equivalent of $10. This is a manageable amount for most users, though 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 Europe right here.

How to buy stocks in Europe

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

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

FAQs