Review of the Best Online Brokers in Europe (2025)
This post provides a detailed review of the top five online brokers operating in Europe in 2025: eToro, Plus500, Interactive Brokers (IBKR), XTB, and DEGIRO. It analyzes key aspects such as account types, commissions, spreads, minimum deposits, order execution, and payment methods to help investors choose the best platform for their trading needs. Whether you're a beginner looking for a user-friendly broker or an advanced trader seeking low-cost execution, this guide offers comprehensive insights into each broker's strengths and weaknesses.
ONLINE BROKER REVIEW
2/13/20254 min read
Review of the Best Online Brokers in Europe (2025)
Investors in Europe have a wide range of online brokers to choose from, each offering different services, pricing structures, and trading platforms. Choosing the right broker depends on several key factors, including commission fees, spreads, order execution quality, minimum deposit requirements, and available payment methods. In this detailed review, we examine five of the best online brokers in Europe—eToro, Plus500, Interactive Brokers (IBKR), XTB, and DEGIRO—to help you make an informed decision.
1. eToro
Overview
eToro is one of the most popular social trading platforms, offering an innovative copy trading feature that allows users to replicate the trades of experienced investors. With a user-friendly interface, it appeals to beginners and those looking for an interactive trading experience.
Account Types
eToro offers a standard trading account that provides access to stocks, ETFs, forex, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. The broker also offers Islamic accounts for traders who require Sharia-compliant trading conditions. Additionally, eToro provides a demo account with $100,000 in virtual funds for practice.
Commissions and Spreads
eToro follows a zero-commission model for stocks and ETFs, making it attractive to long-term investors. However, forex and CFD trading involve spreads starting from 1 pip, which are slightly wider than those of some competitors. Cryptocurrency transactions are subject to a 1% trading fee per transaction. The platform charges a $5 withdrawal feeand applies conversion fees for deposits not made in USD.
Minimum Deposit
The minimum deposit varies by country but starts at $10 in certain regions. For European users, the standard minimum deposit is $200.
Order Execution
eToro operates as a market maker, meaning it executes orders internally rather than routing them to an external exchange. While this guarantees liquidity, it may result in slightly wider spreads compared to ECN brokers.
Payment Methods
Deposits and withdrawals can be made via bank transfers, credit/debit cards, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, and other electronic payment methods.
Website
2. Plus500
Overview
Plus500 is a CFD-focused broker known for its simple and efficient trading platform, catering primarily to traders interested in forex, commodities, stocks, cryptocurrencies, and indices.
Account Types
Plus500 provides a single standard account for all traders, along with a demo account for beginners. The platform does not offer specialized accounts for high-volume traders or institutional investors.
Commissions and Spreads
Plus500 operates on a commission-free model, generating revenue through spreads. Forex spreads start from 0.8 pips, while stock and ETF spreads vary by asset. Unlike some competitors, Plus500 does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees but applies an inactivity fee of $10 per month after three months of inactivity.
Minimum Deposit
The minimum deposit required to open an account is $100, making it accessible to most retail investors.
Order Execution
As a market maker, Plus500 executes orders internally, which ensures instant execution but may result in slightly wider spreads.
Payment Methods
Deposits can be made via bank transfers, credit/debit cards, PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller.
Website
3. Interactive Brokers (IBKR)
Overview
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a globally recognized broker offering professional-grade trading tools, access to 150+ markets worldwide, and low-cost trading solutions. It is ideal for experienced traders who require advanced execution and research tools.
Account Types
IBKR provides multiple account types, including individual, joint, retirement, and institutional accounts. Users can choose between IBKR Lite, which offers commission-free trading on U.S. stocks and ETFs, and IBKR Pro, which provides more advanced trading features with lower spreads and direct market access.
Commissions and Spreads
IBKR is known for its low commission structure.
U.S. Stocks and ETFs: Commission-free on IBKR Lite; IBKR Pro charges $0.005 per share.
Forex: Spreads start from 0.1 pips, among the lowest in the industry.
Options: $0.65 per contract.
Futures: $0.85 per contract.
Minimum Deposit
IBKR does not require a minimum deposit for IBKR Lite accounts, but IBKR Pro users may need higher capital depending on their trading strategy.
Order Execution
IBKR offers SmartRouting technology, which searches for the best possible prices across multiple exchanges, ensuring highly competitive execution.
Payment Methods
Deposits are accepted via bank wire transfers, ACH transfers, and Wise (formerly TransferWise) in certain regions.
Website
4. XTB
Overview
XTB is a European-based broker offering competitive spreads, advanced trading platforms, and a strong focus on customer education.
Account Types
XTB provides two account types:
Standard Account: Commission-free trading with wider spreads.
Pro Account: Lower spreads with a commission fee of $3.50 per lot traded.
Commissions and Spreads
For forex trading, spreads start from 0.5 pips for standard accounts and 0.1 pips for pro accounts (plus commission). Stock and ETF CFDs incur a 0.08% commission per trade.
Minimum Deposit
XTB does not have a minimum deposit requirement, making it accessible for all traders.
Order Execution
XTB operates a no-dealing desk (NDD) model, providing direct market access with fast execution times.
Payment Methods
Accepted deposit methods include bank transfers, credit/debit cards, PayPal, and Skrill.
Website
5. DEGIRO
Overview
DEGIRO is a Dutch-based broker known for its low-cost trading solutions and access to global markets, including Europe, the U.S., Asia, and Australia.
Account Types
DEGIRO offers several account types:
Basic Account: Allows trading in stocks, bonds, ETFs, and funds.
Active Account: Offers limited leverage (up to 50% of margin).
Trader Account: Higher leverage (up to 100% of margin).
Day Trader Account: Maximum leverage during trading hours.
Commissions and Spreads
U.S. Stocks: €1.00 per trade + €1.00 handling fee.
ETFs: €2.00 per trade + €1.00 handling fee (some ETFs are commission-free).
Options/Futures: €0.75 per contract.
Bonds: €2.00 per trade.
Minimum Deposit
DEGIRO does not have a minimum deposit requirement, making it highly accessible.
Order Execution
DEGIRO offers direct market access, ensuring tight spreads and competitive execution speeds.
Payment Methods
Deposits are accepted via bank transfers only. No credit/debit cards or e-wallets are supported.
Website
Conclusion
Each of these brokers offers unique advantages, catering to different types of traders. eToro is ideal for social trading, Plus500 for CFD traders, IBKR for professional investors, XTB for competitive forex trading, and DEGIRO for low-cost stock trading. Choosing the right broker depends on your trading style, fee sensitivity, and platform preference.