Today, we will go over top-rated Trading Platforms in Europe. Europe has one of the greatest and most accessible digital trading markets in the world. It’s a strictly regulated market with many reliable Trading Platforms and Brokers.
Many securities, instruments, and derivatives can be traded in Europe. Before you dive into the trading market, you should inform yourself about the most reliable European Trading Platforms, Trading Apps, and Online Brokers in Europe. This guide will help you do that with extensive information and stats on European brokerage accounts.
List of the Best Trading Platforms in Europe 2023
Below we list the Best Investment Platforms in Europe. These include the best Trading Platforms for Stocks & ETFs, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, and Options.
Here is the list of the Best Online Stock Brokers in Europe.
- Interactive Brokers – Best Online Trading Platform in Europe
- eToro – Best Copy Trading Platform in Europe
- AvaTrade – Best Forex Trading Platform Europe
- DEGIRO – Best ETF Trading Platform Europe
- XTB – Best Day Trading Platform Europe
- Firstrade – Best Options Trading Platform Europe
My Top 3 Picks
Best Forex Broker
PFI Rating 4.9
76% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
Best Overall
PFI Rating 4.9
69.0% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with IBKR.
Copy Trading
PFI Rating 4.9
77% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
While retail investing is not as popular in Europe, the number of online brokers on the European market has steadily risen in recent years.
Some Online Brokers in Europe are better for shares and CFDs, while others are better suited for forex and cryptocurrency trading. That being said, let’s learn more about the Best Trading Platforms for European Investors.
| Broker | Info | Our Score | Accepts Clients | Minimum | Best For | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | eToro | Best Copy Trading Platform Europe | 4.9 | Globally | €100 | Zero-commission Stocks and Copy Trading in Europe |
| #2 | AvaTrade | Best Forex Trading Platform Europe | 4.9 | Globally | €100 | Forex and CFD Trading |
| #3 | Interactive Brokers | International Broker with all Assets Classes | 4.9 | Globally | €0 | Global Markets and all Asset Classes |
| #4 | XTB | Best CFD Broker Europe | 4.8 | Globally | €0 | CFD Trading Europe |
| #5 | DEGIRO | Discount Broker in Europe | 4.7 | Europe | €0 | Low Cost Trading in Europe |
| #6 | Firstrade | Great For Options Trading in Europe | 4.7 | Globally | €0 | Options Trading |
PFI Rating: 4.9/5
1. Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers is the Best Stock Trading Platform for Europeans. It’s the best overall choice for active traders and everyday international investors. Interactive Broker has four decades of experience, low commissions, fees, a strong capital position, a wide range of markets, outstanding research, and Advanced Trading Tools.
On Interactive Brokers' Official Website
They offer investment products such as Stocks, European Shares, ETFs, Forex, Options, Spot Currencies, Cryptocurrencies, Spot Gold, Bonds, Fixed Income, Mutual Funds, and Hedge Funds. What I particularly like about IBKR is the fractional shares that allow you to invest a small percentage before increasing your trading budget.
Interactive Brokers has the best market data providers, but a monthly subscription is required.
IBKR offers European Customers their beginner-friendly IBKR GlobalTrader app and well-known professional Trader Workstation platform.
Their advanced trading tools with over 120 indicators feature highly customizable features.
Interactive Brokers was established in 1987 and has developed into the largest US-based brokerage, with over 790,000 orders executed daily. Further, IBKR is one of the best-regulated brokers worldwide, with licenses from 11 financial authorities, including the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority and US Securities and Exchange Commission.
PFI Rating: 4.9/5
2. eToro
eToro is a multi-asset platform with over 15 million users worldwide because it’s an excellent option for commission-free real stocks and cryptocurrency trading. Launched in 2007, the eToro platform has grown dramatically over the years.
It is the best in the industry for copy trading. eToro has a community of successful investors whose strategies you can copy.
In Addition, eToro is regulated by several top-tier authorities, including the CySEC in Cyprus, the FCA in the UK, the ASIC in Australia, etc. Let’s summarize the main pros and cons of eToro.
Disclaimer: CFDs are complex instruments that come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 81% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. Make sure you understand how CFDs work and if you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
PFI Rating: 4.9/5
3. AvaTrade
AvaTrade is our top pick as the Best Forex Broker in Europe. It has one of the best trading apps. Founded in 2006, this platform has a wide variety of market selections and good customer service. It is a great platform with robust trading tools both for beginner and advanced traders.
71% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
Seven regulatory bodies across six continents accredited AvaTrade, including JSA, FCA, ASIC, and others. The account opening process is straightforward.
One of this Trading Platform's unique features is AvaProtect, a risk management tool that allows clients to keep their trades safe from losses. Yes, clients pay a small fee, but this app will reimburse every client for losing trades up to 1 million in exchange.
PFI Rating: 4.7/5
4. DEGIRO
If you want to decrease the costs for stock trading to a minimum, opt for DEGIRO. It’s a German-Dutch Trading Platform that provides €0 ETF and US stock trades, no maintenance charges, no deposit or withdrawal fees, no inactivity fees, low trading costs for share trading, and over 30 exchanges worldwide.
Thus, it’s the perfect choice for long-term investors with simple needs who don’t want to spend too much money. However, keep in mind that investing includes potential risks.
On DEGIRO Official Website
The platform was established in 2008 and has over 1 million European clients. It’s one of the award-winning trading platforms.
It has received 80 international broker awards, including “Top Rated Overall Investment Platform” by the Financial Times.
In 2021, DEGIRO connected with Flatex, the German giant, to make the flatexDEGIRO Bank AG, making it the largest online execution-only broker with a German banking license.
PFI Rating: 4.7/5
5. XTB
XTB is among the biggest and most reputable European CFD Trading Platforms. XTB is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange.XTB offers a wide selection of financial instruments, including CFDs on about 1,700 stocks and 110 ETF CFDs, crypto, popular commodities, indices, and 48 forex currency pairs, with leverage of 1:30 (as restricted by EU regulation). I find it great for day traders in Europe.
XTB is a transparent business registered with several European financial authorities, including the Polish Financial Supervision Authority, FCA in the UK, and CySEC (Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission).
I also want to mention that XTB doesn’t allow cryptocurrency trading for UK clients because of the FCA restrictions. Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the most important pros and cons of XTB for European day traders.
PFI Rating: 4.7/5
6. Firstrade
Although Firstrade is based in the US, it’s still one of Best Options Trading platforms in Europe. Firstrade accepts clients within the European Union from eligible countries.
It provides free stock trades from the American market. However, this platform is unique; foreign customers can trade US-style options without fees and commissions.
The company was established in 1985. FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) and SEC regulate it. Furthermore, regardless of where customers reside, they’re protected via the SIPC (Security Investor Protection Corporation), which provides protection of up to $500,000 for registered assets or $250,000 for cash.
On Firstrade Official Website
Compare Best Trading Platforms in Europe
You can compare the Best Trading Platforms in Europe below to see how they stack up.
| eToro | AvaTrade | Interactive Brokers | DEGIRO | XTB | Firstrade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our Score: | 4.9/5 | 4.9/5 | 4.9/5 | 4.7/5 | 4.7/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Founded: | 2007 | 2006 | 1978 | 2008 | 2002 | 1985 |
| Regulation: | FCA, CySEC, ASIC, FSAS | CySEC, ASIC,FSCA, FFAJ, ADGM,ISA,Central Bank of Ireland | SEC, CFTC, FCA, NFA, MAS, CBI, IIROC, ASIC, CSSF | Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM), FCA (Financial Conduct Authority), BaFin | FCA, CySEC, IFSC | SEC |
| Headquarters: | Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel | Dublin, Ireland | Greenwich, Connecticut, United States | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Poland | New York, New York, United States |
| EU Clients Allowed: | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Available Outside EU | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum Deposit: | €50 - €10,000 (Israel Only) | €100 | €0 | €0 | €0 | €0 |
| Deposit Methods: | PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Credit Card, Debit Card, Rapid Transfer, iDEAL, Klarna / Sofort Banking, Bank Transfer, Online Banking - Trustly, POLi | Credit/Debit Cards,Neteller,WebMoney,Wire Transfer | Bank Wire, Credit Cards, ACH, Mail a check, Rollover, Online Bill Pay, Trustee-to-Trustee, SEP Contribution | Bank Transfer | Bank Transfer,Credit/Debit Cards,Skrill | ACH, Check, Wire Transfer |
| Min. Trade: | €10 (Stocks, ETFs, Crypto) €1000 on Leverage (Currencies, Commodities, Indices) | Varies | €1 | €0 | 0.01 lots | €0 |
Features Compared
| eToro | AvaTrade | Interactive Brokers | DEGIRO | XTB | Firstrade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demo Account: | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Islamic Account: | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Margin: | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Leverage: | up to 1:30 | up to 1:30 | up to 1:30 | up to 1:30 | up to 1:30 | up to 1:30 |
| Copy Trading: | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Trading Signals: | No (Copy Trading) | Yes | No | No | Yes | No |
Platforms Compared
| eToro | AvaTrade | Interactive Brokers | XTB | DEGIRO | Firstrade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile App: | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (xStation Mobile) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform: | Yes | Yes | Trader Workstation, Client Portal | xStation 5 | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop: | No | Yes | Yes (Trader Workstation) | Yes (xStation 5) | No | Yes |
| cTrader: | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| DupliTrade: | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| MetaTrader4: | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| MetaTrader5: | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Customer Service Compared
| eToro | AvaTrade | Interactive Brokers | XTB | DEGIRO | Firstrade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Email: | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support: | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Live Chat: | No | No | Yes | No | No | No |
Markets Available
Compare the tradeable assets available at each platform below:
| eToro | AvaTrade | Interactive Brokers | XTB | DEGIRO | Firstade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stocks: | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Forex: | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Commodities: | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Indices: | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Cryptocurrencies: | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ADR: | No | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Options: | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Mutual Funds: | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs: | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Binary Options: | No | No | No | No | No | No |
How To Choose an Investment Platform in Europe?
A Trading platform includes financial software and financial research tools that brokerages produce and control to help different types of clients place orders on global markets.
However, remember that platforms differ depending on the provider, so you will want to focus on the brokers that come with the greatest and most reliable trading platform.
The trading platform plays a vital part in linking traders with world markets, which is why you will want to utilize the trading platform, which offers versatility and advanced features.
When choosing the right platform, pay attention to usability. A trading platform should be user-friendly and loaded with intuitive features so that traders of all expertise can use them. Some platforms in the European Union are made with beginners in mind.
Some brokers in Europe provide more complex trading platforms with features suitable for professional and advanced traders and beginners. Other brokers use multiple trading platforms to meet the needs of different users. So, if you’re a newbie, don’t fret as you have many options!
Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the factors you need to consider when choosing the right trading platform in the European Union and all around the world, for that matter.
Regulations
Every broker says they’re the best in their field of expertise. However, you won’t know if they’re honest until you utilize their services.
Thus, always look for brokers regulated by a local regulatory agency. Stick to reliable and safe trading platforms with regulations from large nations like Germany, the UK, etc. The easiest way to determine if a broker is reliable is by checking their licenses.
That way, you will know if they lead a proper operation. Furthermore, stick with companies with a good reputation and track record in offering high-quality trading services in Europe.
If you’re a newbie, opt for brokers who provide tutorials and good customer support. However, if you’re a professional, choose a trading platform in Europe that serves only advanced traders. These platforms have lower fees and don’t provide educational resources.
The quality of the trading service
The best trading platforms in Europe must have access to excellent trading resources like Trading Tools, a wide range of educational resources, audio, video, pdf tutorials, etc. So, consider the trading research tools when choosing a trading platform.
Your needs and requirements
Most European online brokers provide a similar selection of services, such as ETFs, bonds, derivatives, individual stocks, leveraged products, and instruments.
Newbies often pick stocks and ETFs combined. Additionally, keep in mind that hand-picked stocks make a better choice because you can manage your diversified Portfolio more precisely.
Furthermore, the S&P 500 index and other similar ETFs and indexes offer great exposure to a basket of best companies at a low price. They also require fewer trading choices. So, they’re easier to manage, which is why some beginner traders prefer gold ETFs to be able to invest in the market. For Example, the S&P 500 tracks approximately 500 large companies in the US.
Commissions and fees
When choosing the best trading platform in Europe, it’s essential to consider the commissions and fees. Some can be relatively low, while others can be extremely high.
Therefore, if you’re a beginner, it’s better to choose a low-fee broker. Check if the broker charges overnight fees, options contract fees, stock fees, forex fees, and any commission is charged for depositing or withdrawing money.
Overall, you should understand the dynamic of commissions and fees despite what provider you choose. You can also find commission-free providers such as eToro in Europe.
Compare the trading fees below:
| eToro | AvaTrade | Interactive Brokers | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inactivity Fee: | €10/month | €50/quarter | €0 | €10/month (after 1 year of no login activity) |
| Stocks ($1000 APPL Buy and Sell in 1 Week) | 0% for selected real stocks and Spread for Stock CFDs | 0.13% Spread | €0 Commission | 0.03 (CFD) |
| Forex: | Varied Spread | Spread (0.9 - 700) | min. €2/order | 0.5 pip |
| Bonds: | N/A | 0.03 - 0.06 Over Market | €0 per trade (remove liquidity)$0.10 per trade (add liquidity) | N/A |
| ETFs: | Varied Spread | 0.13% - 0.15% | €0 Commission | from 0.08% |
| Crypto: | Varied Spread | 0.2% - 2% Over Market | 0.18% | from 0.22% |
| CDFs: | Varied Spread | Spread | Spread | Spread |
| Withdrawal Fee: | €5 | €0 | €0 | €0 |
| Deposit Fee: | €0 | €0 | €0 | |
| Monthly Fee: | No | No | No | No |
User-friendly design
The trading platform provided by brokers should be loaded with different features. However, they need to have a user-friendly design as well. Meaning they should be easy to use.
The trading platforms often come in two options, including mobile-based and web-based. You can access web-based platforms through a computer or laptop, while mobile-based platforms can be accessed from a mobile device. If you have a busy lifestyle, opt for a mobile-based platform.
Reputation
I highly suggest you read online brokers' reviews from trusted sources like Reddit, Trustpilot, and so on before you open an online Stock Trading Account.
Moreover, stay away from low-profile brokers and pick a reputable broker. That way, you will avoid getting scammed.
European brokers safety
Some brokers can provide the best trading platform with many services and great prices. However, that doesn’t matter if the providers can't guarantee the safety of their clients. For example, in the UK the Financial Services Compensation Scheme may be able to pay compensation in case a broker goes bust.
Therefore, safety should be at top of your priority list when choosing trading platforms or brokers. And the only way you can ensure your safety is to check the regulatory licenses and the online reviews. I also recommend that you opt for older brokerages instead of younger ones.
Furthermore, if you’re a new trader, you need to stick with brokers who deliver simple pricing structures and educational resources. Excellent and fast online support matters as well.
Minimum deposits for trading
When picking the right brokerage for your trades, the minimum deposits play an important part as well. This is because these requirements can be relevant to your initial budget.
Some European trading platforms have minimum deposit requirements, whereas others have very low minimum deposit requirements. I suggest you don’t focus on cheap European brokers but consider only those with the trading options you need to increase your chances of your future trades being fruitful.
Last but not least, I want to mention that you can open a demo account that includes virtual moneyand offers a real trading experience. That way, you can get familiar with the trading process before you start trading with your real capital.
Best Forex Broker
PFI Rating 4.9
76% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
Best Overall
PFI Rating 4.9
69.0% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with IBKR.
Copy Trading
PFI Rating 4.9
77% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
Conclusion
Overall, the Best Trading Platform in Europe is eToro, followed by AvaTrade and Interactive Brokers. The Best Forex Broker in Europe is AvaTrade. Interactive Brokers is the Best Stock Broker in Europe.
To summarize, here is the list of the Best Trading Platforms in Europe
Best Trading Platforms in Europe
| Rank | Trading Platform | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Interactive Brokers | Best Online Broker in Europe Overall |
| #2 | eToro |
Best for Copy Trading in Europe |
| #3 | AvaTrade | Best for Forex Trading in Europe |
| #4 | Degiro | Best for ETF Trading in Europe |
| #5 | XTB | Best CFD Trading Platform in Europe |
| #6 | Firstrade | Best For Options Trading in Europe |
