Best online brokers for European investors in 2026

Quick summary (complete analysis below):

• Interactive Brokers (IBKR): The best overall broker in Europe, with the widest product range and very low fees.
• Trade Republic: Great for earning interest on idle cash and super simple to use.
• Lightyear: A modern, low-cost investing app. No commission on ETFs (fund manager fees apply) and a Savings feature through money market funds. Use our Lightyear promo code for a signup bonus.
• Trading 212*: Perfect for ease of use, commission-free investing (other fees may apply), interest on idle cash and a free fractional share with our promo code “FINTECH”.
• DEGIRO: Good for low-cost investing across many exchanges, with an established track record.
• Freedom24: Good for a signup bonus (up to 20 gift shares until 31 October 2026) and access to bonds and US options.
• XTB: Great for commission-free stocks and ETFs (up to €100,000 of monthly turnover) and interest on cash. It also offers CFDs, which are high-risk products.
• eToro: Great for beginners, social trading and crypto, with no commission on ETFs. eToro offers a welcome bonus worth up to $500 in eligible countries.

eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.

*Capital at Risk. Sponsored Link. To get free fractional shares worth up to 100 EUR/GBP, you can open an account with Trading 212 through this link. Most users (80%) receive a share worth between €8 and €25. Terms apply.

How to choose the right online broker

Choosing a trading platform can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re just getting started. Which broker can you trust with your money? How do you avoid unnecessary fees? And how do you pick an app that’s user-friendly while still offering the products you need?

Over the past few years, we’ve spent countless hours researching and comparing dozens of online brokers and trading apps across Europe, and I’ve personally tested these platforms. In this article, I share my top picks for European investors, focusing on security, fees, product range and ease of use. I also point out where you can earn interest on idle cash or get a signup bonus.

Side-by-side comparison

Broker	Interest on cash	Fees	Products
IBKR	Yes, 1.688% on EUR above €10,000 (full rate from $100,000 NAV)	US stocks: $0.0005 to $0.0035 per share, min. $0.35 (Tiered) EU stocks and ETFs: 0.05%, min. €1.25 (Tiered) FX: 0.002% max. (min. $2)	Stocks, ETFs, bonds, options, futures, funds, FX
Trade Republic	Yes, 2.50% (3.00% on up to €50,000 for new clients in several countries)	Stocks and ETFs: €1 per trade, free savings plans	Stocks, ETFs, bonds, crypto, derivatives
Lightyear	Savings via money market funds: 2.38% APY (BlackRock) or 2.37% APY (J.P. Morgan), depending on country	US stocks: 0.1% (min. $0.10, max. $1) EU stocks: €1 ETFs: no commission FX: 0.35%	Stocks, ETFs, money market funds, crypto
Trading 212	Yes, 4.20% promo for new Trading 212 EU GmbH clients (4 months) or 2.50% at Trading 212 Markets Ltd	Stocks and ETFs: commission-free (other fees may apply, see terms and fees) FX: 0.15%	Stocks, ETFs, fractional shares
DEGIRO	No	US stocks: €2 EU stocks: €3 on most exchanges ETFs: €1 (Core Selection) or €3 FX: 0.25%	Stocks, ETFs, funds, bonds, options, futures, crypto (selected countries)
Freedom24	No	US and EU stocks: €2 + €0.02 per share (Smart plan)	Stocks, ETFs, bonds, US options
XTB	Yes, higher rate in the first 90 days (varies by country)	Stocks and ETFs: 0% up to €100,000 monthly turnover, then 0.2% (min. €10) FX: 0.5%	Stocks, ETFs, options (7 countries), CFDs
eToro	Only on USD cash, depending on Club tier	ETFs: no commission Stocks: $1 to $2 per trade in most countries FX: 0.75% (EUR account)	Stocks, ETFs, crypto, CFDs, Smart Portfolios

Fees and rates checked in September 2026. Interest rates are variable and may no longer be current.

Interactive Brokers (IBKR)

A globally recognised broker founded in 1978 and listed on the Nasdaq. IBKR offers one of the widest product ranges, very competitive fees and interest on idle cash. European clients are served by Interactive Brokers Ireland Limited, regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

• Why it’s best: an incredible range of financial products on markets worldwide, very low fees and interest on uninvested cash (no interest on the first €10,000, and a proportionally lower rate for accounts under $100,000). It’s ideal if you’re serious about investing over the long term.
• Downside: the main platforms can be complex, especially for beginners, although the IBKR GlobalTrader app is simpler.
• Who it’s for: long-term investors, experienced traders and those who value reputation, security and a massive product range above all else.

Trade Republic

A German broker founded in 2015 and a fully licensed bank since December 2023. It charges a flat €1 per trade for stocks and ETFs, offers free savings plans and pays interest on idle cash at the ECB deposit facility rate, currently 2.50% with no balance limit. New clients in several countries (not Germany) get a promotional 3.00% on up to €50,000.

• Why it’s great: it makes investing easy, you can start with just a few euros, and your cash is covered up to €100,000 by the German deposit guarantee scheme. Since July 2026, it is also rolling out direct trading on US exchanges for €2 per order.
• Downside: fewer advanced features and a more limited choice of exchanges than IBKR or DEGIRO, and no options or futures.
• Who it’s for: beginners who value simplicity and want to earn interest on money not currently invested. Looking for something similar? See our list of Trade Republic alternatives.

Lightyear

Lightyear is a modern investing app built for European investors who want a simple, low-cost way to invest. It gives access to more than 6,000 stocks and ETFs, charges no commission on ETFs (fund manager fees apply) and €1 per European stock trade. For idle cash, it offers Savings through money market funds managed by BlackRock (2.38% APY) or J.P. Morgan Asset Management (2.37% APY), depending on your country. Rates are net of fees, variable and were checked in September 2026. Money market funds are investment products, not cash deposits.

• Why it’s great: no commission on ETFs, low stock fees, a Savings feature and a clean, intuitive app. Lightyear Europe AS is regulated by the Estonian Financial Supervision Authority, and assets are covered up to €20,000 by the Estonian Investor Protection Sectoral Fund.
• Downside: shorter track record than established brokers, a 0.35% FX fee and a product range that is still more limited than IBKR’s (no bonds, options or futures).
• Who it’s for: European investors who want a modern, low-cost platform with a focus on simplicity and transparency.

Use our Lightyear promo code to get a bonus when you sign up, or read our full Lightyear review. Capital at risk. T&Cs apply.

Trading 212

A user-friendly platform offering commission-free investing in stocks and ETFs (other fees may apply, see terms and fees) and fractional shares. 0.15% FX fee applies when converting funds. Other fees may apply.

Trading 212 also pays interest on uninvested cash, and the EUR rate depends on the entity that holds your account. New clients of Trading 212 EU GmbH (BaFin) get a promotional 4.20% for 4 months if they open an Invest account between 16 September and 2 November 2026 and meet the conditions, while Trading 212 Markets Ltd (CySEC) clients earn 2.50%. Rates are variable and were checked in September 2026. When investing, your capital is at risk. If you enable interest, Trading 212 will hold your cash in qualifying money market funds and banks. Otherwise, your cash will be held only in banks. Interest applies on cash in an investment account. Terms apply. The rates shown may no longer be current. Please refer to Trading 212’s Terms and Fees page for the live rates.

• Why it’s great: one of the most user-friendly apps in Europe, with commission-free investing, fractional shares and interest on cash balances. With our promo code “FINTECH“, you can get a free fractional share worth up to €100 when you sign up.* Doesn’t work? Try the code “IITW” instead.
• Downside: limited product range (no bonds or options, for example).
• Who it’s for: beginners who want a straightforward experience and a nice signup perk.

*Sponsored Link. To get free fractional shares worth up to 100 EUR/GBP, you can open an account with Trading 212 through this link. Terms apply.

Risk disclaimer: When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested. Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.

DEGIRO

One of the first low-cost European brokers and today the brand of flatexDEGIRO Bank SE, supervised by BaFin. DEGIRO is well known and trusted and offers a wide range of products. Its fees are low compared to traditional banks, and its ETF Core Selection gives access to more than 1,000 ETFs on Tradegate for a €1 handling fee.

• Why it’s good: well known, trusted and part of a bank, with a broad range of products: stocks, ETFs, bonds, funds, options and futures (with a profile upgrade) and crypto in selected countries.
• Downside: no interest on idle cash, €2.50 annual connectivity fee for each exchange outside your home market, and fees are not always the lowest among newer apps.
• Who it’s for: investors who prefer an established broker with a solid track record. See how it compares in our XTB vs DEGIRO article.

Freedom24

Freedom24 has operated in Europe since 2015 and is run by Freedom Finance Europe Ltd, regulated by CySEC (licence 275/15). It gives access to stocks, ETFs and bonds on exchanges in the US, Europe and Asia, as well as US options. On the Smart plan, US and European stocks cost €2 plus €0.02 per share.

• Why it’s good: new clients who register between 1 June and 31 October 2026 can get up to 20 gift shares through the welcome promotion, depending on the size of their first deposit (from €1,000). Gift shares are allocated randomly and their value varies. Terms apply, and the promotion is not available in every country.
• Downside: shorter track record than IBKR or DEGIRO, fees depend on the plan you choose and withdrawals cost €7.
• Who it’s for: investors who want stocks, ETFs, bonds and options in one place, and a bonus when signing up. Read our Freedom24 review for more details.

XTB

A long-standing European broker listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. Most EU clients are served by XTB S.A., supervised by the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF). XTB offers commission-free stock and ETF trading up to €100,000 of monthly turnover, Investment Plans for regular ETF purchases from €15 and automatic interest on idle cash, with a higher rate during your first 90 days.

• Why it’s good: no commission on stocks and ETFs for most investors, interest on cash, a demo account and, since 2026, American-style options on 110 US stocks and ETFs in seven EU countries.
• Downside: 0.5% currency conversion fee, a €10 monthly inactivity fee after 12 months without trades (and no deposit in the last 90 days), and a platform that can feel complex for newcomers.
• Who it’s for: investors who buy EUR-listed stocks and ETFs and want interest on cash, and those interested in forex or CFD trading who understand the risks.

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 74% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

eToro

Famous for its social trading features, eToro lets you invest in stocks, ETFs, crypto and CFDs. It is listed on the Nasdaq since 2025, and EU clients are served by eToro (Europe) Ltd, regulated by CySEC. ETFs carry no commission, but stock trades cost $1 to $2 in most countries, and currency conversion costs 0.75% on EUR accounts.

• Why it’s popular: the social trading features let you copy other investors, which is appealing if you’re new and want some guidance. Copy trading is not investment advice and your capital is at risk. There is no inactivity fee since May 2026.
• Downside: currency conversion and spread costs, and you need to be careful to buy the real asset, not a CFD.
• Who it’s for: beginners who like the idea of social trading and who are interested in cryptocurrencies.

eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk. CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 51% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Conclusion

Each broker has its own strengths and weaknesses. If you prioritise safety, long-term trust and a broad range of products, Interactive Brokers is our top pick. If you’re a beginner who wants simplicity, interest on idle funds and a small bonus, Trading 212 (with promo code “FINTECH”) or Trade Republic are great starting points. Lightyear is another modern option with no commission on ETFs and a promo code bonus. DEGIRO is a stable, well-known option, while Freedom24 and XTB offer their own advantages. If you love the idea of social trading or crypto investing, eToro might suit you best.

Ultimately, the best broker depends on your investing style, goals and preferences. Take your time, compare a few and try demo accounts where available before committing. If you mainly invest from your phone, see also our ranking of the best trading apps for European investors.

Common questions

Which broker in Europe pays the most interest on cash?

It depends on your country and account. In September 2026, new Trading 212 EU GmbH clients get a 4.20% promotional EUR rate for 4 months, Trade Republic pays 3.00% to eligible new clients on up to €50,000 and 2.50% as standard, and Lightyear’s Savings pay 2.38% APY (BlackRock) or 2.37% APY (J.P. Morgan) through money market funds, depending on your country. IBKR only pays on EUR above €10,000, and DEGIRO and Freedom24 pay nothing. All rates are variable.

Which is the cheapest broker for ETFs in Europe?

Trading 212 (commission-free, other fees may apply), XTB (0% up to €100,000 of monthly turnover) and Lightyear (no commission on ETFs) are the cheapest for buying ETFs, especially EUR-listed ones that avoid currency conversion. Trade Republic’s savings plans are also free.

Is my money safe with a European online broker?

Regulated EU brokers must keep client assets separate from their own. If a broker fails, investor compensation schemes cover up to €20,000 in most EU countries, and brokers that are banks, such as Trade Republic and DEGIRO’s parent, also cover cash up to €100,000 under the deposit guarantee scheme.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not financial advice. All investments carry risk. Always do your own research and, if necessary, seek independent financial advice before making any investment decisions.