Best Platforms for U.S. Options Trading in Europe in 2026

Quick summary (complete analysis below):

• Interactive Brokers (IBKR): The best options broker overall. Access to options on markets worldwide, low fees ($0.65 per contract or less) and a globally trusted institution.
• DEGIRO: The most user-friendly. Simple platform, good track record and €0.75 per contract, although US options carry a monthly connectivity fee.
• Freedom24: A good choice for beginners. User-friendly app, a large selection of US options and a welcome offer of up to 20 gift shares for new clients until 31 October 2026.
• Saxo: Best for advanced investors. A professional-grade platform with a massive product range and a top-tier reputation. Options are more expensive unless you reach the higher account tiers.

Note: Robinhood and Webull are very popular in the US for options trading, but they are not an option for most Europeans. Robinhood does not offer options in the EU, and Webull only offers them to residents of the Netherlands. That’s why we focus on platforms legally accessible to European investors across the EU.

How to choose the right options trading platform

Choosing a trading platform can be confusing, especially if you’re just getting started. Which broker can you trust with your money? How can you avoid unnecessary fees? How do you pick an app that’s user-friendly yet offers the products and tools you need?

Over the past few years, we’ve spent countless hours researching and comparing brokers and trading apps across Europe. These are the key factors we focused on:

• Safety and reputation: regulation, track record and market credibility.
• Costs and fees: fees per contract, minimum commissions, connectivity fees and currency conversion costs.
• Product range: access to US-listed options, plus other assets if you want to diversify.
• Ease of use and tools: interface design, education, research tools and customer support.

We also highlight where you can earn interest on idle cash or take advantage of a welcome offer.

Side-by-side comparison

Broker	US options fee	Interest on cash	Other products
IBKR	$0.65 per contract (Fixed) or $0.15 to $0.65 (Tiered), min. $1 per order	Yes, on EUR above €10,000 (full rate from $100,000 NAV)	Stocks, ETFs, bonds, futures, FX, funds
DEGIRO	€0.75 per contract + €5 per month per US options exchange	No	Stocks, ETFs, bonds, funds, futures, leveraged products
Freedom24	$0.65 per contract (Smart plan)	No	Stocks, ETFs, bonds
Saxo	$2 per contract (Classic), down to $0.75 (VIP)	No on Classic accounts	Stocks, ETFs, bonds, futures, FX, CFDs, funds

Fees checked in September 2026. Exchange and regulatory fees may apply. Always check the broker’s official fee schedule for the current rates.

Interactive Brokers (IBKR): best overall

Founded in 1978 and listed on the Nasdaq, Interactive Brokers is a global powerhouse. It offers a vast range of products (stocks, ETFs, bonds, forex, futures and, of course, US-listed options) and a robust trading platform with advanced analytical tools. European clients are served by Interactive Brokers Ireland Limited, regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

US options cost $0.65 per contract on the Fixed plan, with a minimum of $1 per order. On the Tiered plan, the fee falls from $0.65 to $0.15 per contract as your monthly volume grows, with exchange and regulatory fees passed through. IBKR also pays interest on uninvested cash: there is no interest on the first €10,000, and the balance above earns 1.688% on EUR (as of 18 September 2026) if your account is worth at least $100,000, or a proportionally lower rate below that.

Pros:

• Excellent reputation and safety profile
• Low options fees and options on markets worldwide
• Extremely wide product selection for diversification
• Paper trading account to practise strategies
• Interest on uninvested cash

Cons:

• The main platforms can be complex for beginners
• Account opening takes a bit more time and effort

IBKR is best for long-term investors and experienced traders who value a reputable, global institution with a massive selection of assets. It’s ideal if you’re willing to invest time in mastering a more sophisticated interface.

DEGIRO: best for simplicity

DEGIRO was among the first low-cost brokers in Europe, and today it is the brand of flatexDEGIRO Bank SE, supervised by BaFin. Its platform is simple and well known, which makes it a solid choice if you prefer a straightforward approach.

Options cost €0.75 per contract, and DEGIRO gives access to US options exchanges such as CBOE, CME and NYMEX. However, US options markets carry a connectivity fee of €5 per exchange per calendar month, charged whenever you trade or hold positions there, and exercising or being assigned costs €1 per contract. Also note that new clients start on the Basic account, which does not allow options, so you need to upgrade your profile first after answering a few questions about your knowledge and experience.

DEGIRO doesn’t offer as many advanced trading tools as IBKR or Saxo, so it might not be the best fit for highly experienced traders looking for complex features.

Pros:

• Well established and trusted in Europe
• Low fee per contract
• Good range of products (stocks, ETFs, bonds, futures)
• Simple web and mobile platform

Cons:

• €5 monthly connectivity fee per US options exchange
• €1 per contract on exercise or assignment
• No interest on idle cash
• Fewer advanced tools than IBKR

DEGIRO is best for investors looking for a straightforward, well-known European broker with moderate fees and a user-friendly platform. For a closer look at how it compares with a popular rival, read our XTB vs DEGIRO comparison.

Freedom24: best for beginners and extra perks

Freedom24 has operated in Europe since 2015 and is part of Freedom Holding Corp, listed on the Nasdaq. It is run by Freedom Finance Europe Ltd, regulated by CySEC (licence 275/15). Its app gives access to stocks, ETFs and bonds on exchanges in the US, Europe and Asia, as well as a large selection of US options.

On the Smart plan, US options cost $0.65 per contract. New clients who register between 1 June and 31 October 2026 can also get up to 20 gift shares, depending on the size of their first deposit (from €1,000). The gift shares are allocated randomly and their value varies. Terms apply, and the promotion is not available in every country.

Pros:

• User-friendly app and web platform
• Competitive options fees on the Smart plan (always check the full fee table)
• Welcome offer of up to 20 gift shares

Cons:

• Shorter track record in Europe than IBKR or DEGIRO
• Fees depend on the plan you choose
• €7 withdrawal fee

Want to know more? Read our Freedom24 review.

Saxo: best for advanced investors

Saxo Bank, founded in Denmark, is a well-established financial institution offering a wide range of products: stocks, ETFs, bonds, forex, CFDs, futures, funds and more than 3,100 listed options from 20 exchanges. Its platform is professional-grade and caters to experienced investors who need robust tools.

The trade-off is cost. On the Classic account, US options cost $2 per contract, and the fee only drops to $0.75 on the VIP tier, which requires around €1 million in assets. Saxo also offers a demo account to practise before committing real money.

Pros:

• Highly reputable and established bank
• Extensive product range and global market access
• Professional-level platform and tools

Cons:

• Options fees are higher than IBKR, DEGIRO or Freedom24 on the Classic account
• No interest on cash on Classic accounts
• More complex for beginners

Saxo is best for advanced investors who value a top-tier European institution and advanced tools, and don’t mind paying more for a professional experience or want to spread their holdings across brokers.

Also worth knowing: XTB

In 2026, XTB started offering American-style options on 110 US-listed stocks and ETFs in Cyprus, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Portugal, Slovakia and Spain. The offer is limited: you can only buy contracts (no selling or writing options), and they are cash-settled. It can be a simple way to start with options if you already use XTB, but it is not an alternative for more advanced strategies.

Robinhood and Webull are not the best choices in Europe

US-based platforms like Robinhood and Webull are known for commission-free options trading. However, most European residents can’t trade options with them:

• Robinhood: in the EU, it offers crypto and stock tokens, but no options (options are only available to its UK customers). See our guide on Robinhood in Europe.
• Webull: it launched in the EU in September 2025 through Webull Securities (Europe) B.V., regulated by the Dutch AFM, and offers US options only to residents of the Netherlands so far. See our guide on Webull in Europe.

European investors should therefore focus on platforms available and regulated in their country, such as the ones mentioned above.

Before you trade options

Options are complex instruments. EU brokers must check whether they are appropriate for you, so expect a short questionnaire about your knowledge and experience before you can trade them. Start with small positions, learn how assignment and expiry work at your broker, and remember that buying options can lose the entire premium, while selling options can lead to losses larger than your initial investment.

Conclusion

Your ideal platform depends on what you care about most:

• Want everything under one roof and don’t mind complexity? IBKR.
• Need something simple and proven? DEGIRO.
• Want a simple app and a welcome offer? Freedom24.
• Are you an advanced trader who wants a premium experience? Saxo.

My advice: start small and test the waters. See if you like the interface, check how the support team responds and then decide if it’s the right long-term home for your trading. For a wider comparison, see our ranking of the best online brokers for European investors.

Common questions

Can I trade US options from Europe?

Yes. Brokers such as IBKR, DEGIRO, Freedom24 and Saxo give European residents access to US-listed options, as long as you pass the appropriateness assessment. Robinhood does not offer options in the EU, and Webull only offers them in the Netherlands.

Which broker has the lowest fees for US options in Europe?

IBKR and Freedom24 charge $0.65 per contract or less (IBKR’s Tiered plan goes down to $0.15). DEGIRO charges €0.75 per contract, but its €5 monthly connectivity fee per US options exchange makes it more expensive if you only trade occasionally. Saxo is the most expensive on its Classic account.

Can I practise options trading without real money?

Yes. IBKR offers a paper trading account and Saxo offers a demo account, so you can test strategies with simulated funds before committing real money.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Options are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money. All investments carry the risk of loss. Always conduct your own research and, if necessary, consult a qualified professional before making investment decisions.