Best Stock Brokers Europe ⭕️ I tested them x You (Trading Apps + ETF)

❌ Warning: choosing the best stock broker in Europe is NOT easy.
The reason is that there are dozens of them and most are US stock brokers that you cannot use in Europe.

I have personally tested dozens of global brokers and have had experience with all of them.
As you can imagine, most of these investment sites are not suitable for you, so I will now help you quickly choose the right one.

Especially those who want to start trading stocks need a simple and intuitive platform.
More experienced traders have different needs, so they need a sophisticated broker with an appropriate commission structure.

Top 5 European stock brokers for retail investors

• Freedom24 (best overall, US ETFs NOT-UCITS available, 3% return on uninvested money accrued daily)
• eToro (the most popular, copy trading and US equities available)
• DEGIRO (a safe bet with a bank behind it, not the cheapest)
• XTB (a popular choice for CFD traders)
• Interactive Brokers (a very old global stock broker, but not suitable for beginners)

Compare European Broker Table

Here is a list of what are undoubtedly considered the best brokers for European investors.

Introducing the Best 5 Stock Brokers for Europeans

Let’s see them one by one.

1 – Freedom24

This broker is fairly new but is now the best in Europe for several reasons.

It offers non-UCITS ETFs and gives access to many different markets around the world, such as Hong Kong and many others.

Commissions are quite low, considering that it offers some all-inclusive packages for demanding traders and investors.

Uninvested money is rewarded with a 3% return calculated daily.

Freedom24 has been licensed by CySEC since 2015.

Freedom24 is part of Freedom Holding Corp, a US public company listed on NASDAQ since 2019 (FRHC).

• Regulated by: CySEC (Chipre) and FINRA partner (USA)
• Platform: Has its mobile App
• Financial assets available : Actions and ETFs, futures, options
• Trading ommissions: From €0.008 (min €1.20)
  

Pros:

• Minimum deposit 1€
• award-winning customer service
• Account manager available to help
• Savings accounts with interest up to 6%
• Local offices in many European countries
• Introductory demo platform with 12.000 USD and 10.000 €
• Recommended stocks and reliable analyses are available weekly
• EU-based broker belonging to a company listed on the NASDAQ

Cons:

• There is a fixed 7 eur fee to for cash withdrawal
• It is a broker that is only recently becoming popular (active in Europe since 2019)

2 – eToro

It is one of the most popular stock brokers in the world.

eToro has 30 million customers worldwide and is famous for its social trading function.

Indeed, the huge investor base actively exchanges information about what they are investing in.

eToro offers its users the possibility to copy other traders at no cost.

Pros:

• Free trading on stocks and ETF
• Demo account available to practice (100.000 USD)
• CopyTradind and Smart Portfolios
• LLoyds insurance on specific accounts up to 1 million
• Some educational resources available

Cons:

• There is a small fee for inactive accounts
• There in 5 USD fee to cash out money
• Only US dollars account available

Read more: is eToro safe?

Disclaimer: 74% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

3 – DEGIRO

If I feel safer having a broker backed by a bank, DEGIRO is for me.

DEGIRO used to be the cheapest ETF broker in Europe. Now it has a huge user base and is preferred by many Europeans for long-term investments.

Pros:

• Backed by a bank
• The minimum deposit is only 1 euro cent
• Access to many markets
• advanced trading options

Cons:

• No demo account
• No chances to set price alerts
• Not too user-friendly interface for beginners

4 – XTB

If you are serious about trading and want a high-performance CFD platform, XTB is for you.

Pros:

• Top-notch customer service 24/7
• High-performance trading platform
• Fractional shares available
• Educational material

Cons:

• Withdrawal commissions may apply

5 – Interactive Brokers

It is an established broker with a good international reputation. It has numerous assets and gives access to many markets. It is highly appreciated by experienced investors. It is a regulated broker, which means that it has to pass regular inspections.

On the other hand, some aspects might put you off. Because it offers so many assets and markets, it is not easy to understand its commission plan. Also, it is not famous for being the easiest trading platform, I found it difficult at first.

⚡️ Fast comparison table for traders

The best European trading platforms suited to the type of investor

Let’s not beat around the bush.
Some brokers will seem cooler than others, but often this perception will make you make the wrong choice.

In fact, you need to choose the best broker for your needs, not the coolest of them all.

That is why I have divided the lists of the best brokers by user type, not by features.

Come with me.

What are the best European stock brokers for beginners?

You may be wondering: which stock broker should I use as a beginner?

The best stock broker for beginners might be Freedom24.
The main reason is that many beginning traders do not know what to invest in, so they make costly mistakes.

With freedom24 you get an account manager you can talk to, moreover, the liquidity is remunerated.
Freedom24 provides a free package for those who only make a few trades and therefore you only pay if you trade.
No maintenance fee is hidden behind the lines.

Another broker that appeals to beginners in trading is eToro.
Its copy trading function helps those who are not sure where to start.

❌ Don’t take my word for it and do your research.

What is the best European stock broker for ETFs?

The most famous online broker for ETFs is DEGIRO.
It has a good selection of exchange traded funds and some have no trading commissions.
DEGIRO is popular with long-term investors in Europe and investors in dividend stocks.

Of course, Freedom24 and Interactive Brokers can also serve this purpose with competitive fees.

Trade republic is very beginner-friendly and useful to buy ETFs to invest long-term. It works only via app and it is one of the coolest in Europe.

If I am building a dovidend portfolio I should have a look at JEPI review and also to the best dividend ETF for european investors list.

Best trading platforms for CFDs

Those who trade CFDs must be experienced traders who know exactly what they have to do.
This profile generally uses platforms such as XTB and eToro.

Trading in CFDs involves very high risks.
Consider if you can take the risk of losing money.

Best stock brokers to create savings plans

European investors are increasingly awake and aware.
They have all realised that making an accumulation plan with the bank can be ridiculously expensive in the long run. Expensive plans may kill your chances to build compound interest.
That is why everyone is looking for the best online broker to make savings plans in euros and ETFs.

The best online brokers for creating long-term savings plans with low costs are these:

• Trade Republic
• Degiro
• Freedom24
• Scalable Capital (may not be available in your country yet)

eToro is not perfect for creating savings plans because the securities I buy there are not exportable. So one day if I wanted to transfer my portfolio elsewhere I would have no choice but to sell everything and to buy it back on the new broker.

What European stockbroker offers the lowest fees?

Some online brokers in Europe offer commission-free trading.
This might seem strange because then one wonders how the broker makes money if he gives us everything for free.
Commission-free trading sometimes is not really commission-free.
You pay in other ways, such as the spread between prices or the proximity to a specific stock exchange in a specific country with which you make agreements.

Here is a list of the stock brokers that are offering the lowest fees now:

• eToro (zero commission on many securities, but it acts as a market maker so it earns from the spread)
• Freedom24 (4 service plans that are tailored around your needs)
• Trade Republic (low fees especially for savings plans and ETFs)
• DEGIRO (once had the lowest commissions, now it does not stand out for that)
• Scalable Capital (fast-growing German broker in Europe)
• Trading212 (popular broker in the UK and Portugal, less known elsewhere)
• Plus500 (like eToro, is free, but it is it gains from the spread between prices)

Don’t just obsess about commissions.
After all, you want the cheapest car or one that is also safe?
I prioritise security and stability when choosing my trading broker.

Who are the largest brokerage firms in Europe?

The largest trading brokers for retail investors in Europe are undoubtedly:

1. Interactive Brokers
2. Etoro
3. Plus500
4. Saxo Group
5. Trading 212

The fastest-growing trading brokers in Europe are Freedom24, Trade Republic and Scalable Capital

Can I invest in US stocks from Europe?

YES, European investors can invest in US stocks from Europe.

Many major US stocks are also listed on European markets and in euros.
This makes it easy for us Europeans to access the US markets.
If, however, I seek exposure to US stocks in US dollars, that changes.
In that case, I need a broker who gives me access to the US markets.

The most commonly used brokers for investing in US stocks directly on the US stock exchanges are:

• Freedom24
• eToro

The best international brokers accessible in the Netherlands

The best trading platforms in the Netherlands are these:

• Freedom24
• eToro
• XTB
• Plus500
• Saxo Bank
• TastyTrade
• TraderStation
• Trade Republic
• Alpaca Trading

Best international Stockbroker in Portugal

Among the best international stock brokers in Portugal are:

• eToro
• Freedom24
• Trade Republic
• XTB
• Trading212
• Plus500

Best German Brokers

The most popular German Brokers in Europe are:

• Trade Republic
• Finanzen
• Flatex
• Comdirect
• Scalable Capital
• eToro (available in Germany)

Best trading platforms in the UK

The most used brokers in the UK are without a doubt:

• Trading212
• eToro (which has a London office)
• Hargreaves Lansdown
• Interactive Brokers
• FreeTrade
• Avatrade
• Saxo
• IG

In the UK many investors use robo advisors like Moneyfarm to invest in ETF.

Best US stock brokers

Most American brokers cannot be used by us Europeans.
There is a lot of distorted information on this point online.

List of popular US stock brokers:

• Fidelity
• E*TRADE
• Merrill Edge
• TD Ameritrade
• Charles Schwab

These brokers do not yet work in Europe, so it is pointless to consider them for trading.
They do not accept non-US resident investors and it is not a good idea to pretend to be a US resident to register.

The only US broker that offers trading in Europe is IBRK.

How did I pick the best brokers to invest in Funds?

Trading investment funds may seem like a nostalgic thing to do, but it is not always wrong.
For example, for tax reasons, it may make sense to prefer mutual funds to ETFs in certain countries in Europe.

Of course, when buying funds we have to prepare for higher expenses than with exchange traded funds.

The easiest way for European investors to buy mutual funds is to use the broker DEGIRO.
To trade mutual funds some investors also like to use:

• IBKR
• Flatex
• Swissquote
• Saxo bank

Is it better to invest with an online stock broker or with my bank?

Here’s how to make a decision based on objective facts.

1. The type of product you intend to invest in

If you are looking for a stock investment, the bank might offer you access to the most popular domestic and international stocks, but with high costs and almost no analysis tools. Moreover, the range of stocks is limited, so you will probably not find all the US stocks you would like to look for.

In addition, buying and selling shares in a bank usually involves high costs.

Typically, a competitive online broker will not charge maintenance and custody fees and will only charge commissions at the time of trading, i.e. when buying and when selling.

If you have a more sophisticated investment profile, you might consider leveraged investing, short trading or diversifying your portfolio into assets such as gold, oil, cryptocurrencies, derivatives or indices like the Nasdaq or the Dow Jones.

In this case, only an online broker specialising in derivatives can offer you access to this wide range of investments.

Should you want to buy Amazon shares? Ok, so don’t consider yourself a conservative trader.

2. The frequency with which you intend to invest

If you intend to invest very occasionally, it may be more convenient to have all your capital in the same entity, your bank.

If, on the other hand, you intend to trade more frequently, or even intraday, you should opt for an online broker, due to the low trading fees and better technical analysis tools on the charting platforms.

3. The security you need

Regardless of the investment risk one is willing to take, there is a perception that having one’s capital in the bank is ‘safer‘.

This is not always true, as the best brokers in Europe are subject to stringent regulations.
Moreover, in case of failure of the online broker, the securities in our portfolio remain ours.
That is unless you use a broker that acts as a market maker.

4. The duration of the investment

On the one hand, if the investment has a long-term duration, you might think it is fine to use the bank’s trading tools.

You always have to do the math and not only consider the trading commissions but also the other possible expenses generated.

5. Your investment experience

Novice investors often start by trying to invest from their bank, for convenience and because they do not know all the advantages of online brokers.

Later on, they find out they are paying a lot to get less. The value of DIY investing with knowledge is huge and one-click trading is not the solution. The best investment ever might be learning to invest on your down.

Most user-friendly trading platforms in Europe

Being user-friendly is fundamental for a broker who wants to service the beginner, but not only.

This is not the major quality of the popular IBKR.

Among the most user-friendly stock brokers are:

• Trade Republic
• eToro
• Plus500

The account opening process with these websites is known to be fast.

Trading Platforms Tailored to Trading Experience

Many platforms can accompany the trader’s evolution from when he starts out to when he becomes more mature and demanding.
Similar platforms are also capable of offering a pricing structure that adapts to the user while he or she is using it.

The platforms I have noticed that have the most flexibility in terms of commission and long-term plans are:

• Freedom24 (4 plans)
• Scalable Capital (3 plans)

Stock broker safety and regulation

In the US, brokers are regulated by FINRA and the SEC.
In Europe, the investor compensation scheme works differently due to the union of states.
If a broker is regulated in one European country, that licence to operate can be extended to all other countries, as long as the regulator of that country allows it.

In the US, broker clients are covered in case of bankruptcy by the SIPC (Securities Investor Protection Corporation) up to USD 250,000.
In Europe, there is the Broker Protection Fund, which only covers up to EUR 20,000.

This does not mean that all investors’ money over 20,000 euros goes up in smoke if the broker goes bankrupt.
Money invested in stocks, exchange traded funds and other assets remains the property of the European investor.

List of the best mobile trading apps in Europe

The best trading apps in Europe are from these brokers:

• eToro
• DEGIRO
• Freedom24
• Trade Republic
• XTB
• IBKR

How I compile this list of European stock trading brokers?

Aside from my direct experience with the best trading platforms I mention, I have used other objective parameters to establish with absolute certainty which are the best trading platforms in Europe.

Here’s what my workflow was for writing this article I have:

• checked whether the broker is regulated by a trusted regulator and since when
• tried to compare the fees. This is not too easy, because they offer different products and services in plans. For instance, I have checked inactivity fees, the spreads, some withdrawal fees, all commissions and fake announcements of low trading fees
• took a look into the minimum deposit requirements
• opened an account and performed, whenever possible, my personal test over months of heavy usage (charting, features, usability) with real money and also demo accounts if offered

In addition to this, I have sent dozens of communications to customer support, testing all the communication channels that these online brokers offer.
I have already closed some of these services to ensure that closing the account is also a simple process.
In reality, I have also closed some of these broker accounts because …my accountant can no longer handle the accounting of dozens of trading sites for me and has threatened to leave me.

Finally, I carried out anti-scam tests for all the sites in question on multiple anti-fraud engines.
I did all this after having checked that all the brokers analyzed were regularly registered and authorized without limitations in one or more European countries, including the UK.

⚠️ If you think something is missing from my investigation please write it in the comments below. You would help me and other readers.

What requirements should a stockbroker have in Europe to be good?

To draw up this list of the best brokers I took also other specific elements into consideration.
These are the crucial facts that distinguish a good online broker from a bad fraudulent platform with which you could lose money.

# Security

A safe broker must be regulated by a recognised body, which guarantees the protection of funds and transparency of transactions.

Some of the most recognised are:

• BaFiN (Germany)
• CySEC (Cyprus)
• CNMV (Spain)
• KNV (Poland)
• ICB (Ireland)
• SEC (USA)
• FCA (UK)
• FINRA (USA)
• Consob (Italy)
• ASIC (Australia)

# Affordable commissions

A broker with low commissions can save you a lot of money in the long run.

It is important to consider not only buying and selling commissions but also other more hidden commissions such as:

• Custody fees
• Dividends treatment
• Currency exchange

# Variety of products and markets

A good broker should offer a wide range of financial products and have access to major global markets so that you can diversify your investment portfolio and take advantage of opportunities as they arise.

Most brokers the i have tested and that I mention allow to invest in european shares but also in US assets like Google stocks.

It is cruciai to know that some brokers offer commodity trading, others just Gold ETF investing or specific ETFs on commodities.

The same is for real estate investing. It is possible to trade REITs on all the platforms I have mentioned here.

# User experience on the platform

The platform should be easy to use, with an intuitive interface that allows you to trade quickly and efficiently. It is also important that the platform has useful tools and resources, such as charts, knowledge material, etc.

Video best brokers in Europe on YouTube

Here is a video on YouTube about online stock brokers for European residents:

Disclaimer notes from the brokers I’ve mentioned

Scalable Capital: Investing involves risk. Invest the money you can afford to lose. Your capital is at risk.
Interactive Brokers: Trading in the financial markets involves risk. Invest the money you are willing to lose.

DEGIRO: Investing involves risk. You can lose part or all of your deposit. Your money is at risk. Stop loss are not guaranteed stops.

eToro is a multi-asset platform that offers the ability to invest in stocks and crypto assets, as well as trade CFDs. CFDs are complex instruments and carry a high risk of losing money quickly due to leverage. 77% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You need to consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Past performance is not an indicator of future performance. Your capital is at risk.

Freedom24: Investments in securities and other financial instruments always carry the risk of losing your money. Forecasts or past performance are no guarantee of future result. It is essential to carry out your own analysis before making any investment. This article is for informational and educational purposes only. Readers should not consider this publication as an offer of personalised investment advice. Freedom24 is an authorised broker in Europe to which the ICF guarantee of up to €20,000 applies.

⚠️ This article is for information and educational purposes only. RevenueLand is NOT an investment advisor. Readers should not consider this publication to be an offer of personalised investment advice. Any future investments should be discussed with your financial advisor. In most cases, in Europa the ICF with protection applies up to a maximum of €20,000.

It is important to do your own analysis before making any investment.

Let’s sum up: The best stock trading platforms in Europe

To date, with the data we have and after the tests I have done, I can say that the best choice is to use Freedom24 in Europe to trade.
There are more popular trading platforms, but none put together everything that Freedom24 offers at the moment.
As I said, I find it essential to have access to ETFs that are only available in the US and this broker offers them to me.

Those who are just starting out and simply want to copy other traders while ‘learning the trade’ could take a look at eToro.

Those who already know that they will invest mainly in ETFs and from smartphones will certainly do well with Trade Repulic, DEGIRO and Scalable Capital.

FAQ