eToro Review 2026: Features, Fees & Pros & Cons

eToro Review 2026: A Trusted Platform That Keeps Evolving

eToro is one of those brokers that divides opinion online. Scroll through Reddit or Twitter and you'll find plenty of skeptics dismissing it as "that copy trading thing" or assuming it's somehow less legitimate than traditional brokers. We've used eToro for years, and our experience tells a different story.

After 18 years in operation and a successful NASDAQ listing in May 2025, eToro has proven itself as one of the most established retail trading platforms globally. With over 38 million users across 75+ countries, this is not some fly-by-night operation. It's a publicly traded company (ticker: ETOR) with institutional investors like BlackRock and ARK Invest on its shareholder register.

New users can claim up to $500 in free assets when opening an account.

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Why eToro Gets a Bad Rap (And Why It's Undeserved)

The criticism we see online typically comes from people who haven't actually used the platform. They hear "copy trading" and assume it's some get-rich-quick scheme. The reality is quite different.

CopyTrader, eToro's signature feature, allows you to automatically replicate the trades of experienced investors on the platform. These "Popular Investors" have verifiable track records spanning years, and many have consistently outperformed the S&P 500. Is it a guarantee of returns? Absolutely not. But it's a legitimate, well-documented investment approach that has worked for many passive investors who don't want to pick individual stocks themselves.

We don't necessarily recommend copy trading as your primary strategy, but we respect it as a valid option for certain investors. If you're someone who wants market exposure without the time or interest to research individual positions, following a diversified group of experienced traders is a reasonable approach.

The Platform Experience

Where eToro genuinely excels is usability. Both the mobile app and desktop platform are among the most intuitive we've tested. Everything is clearly laid out, order placement is straightforward, and the interface doesn't overwhelm you with unnecessary complexity.

The platform keeps evolving too. Recent additions include instant deposits in many regions (funds appear in your account immediately), improved charting tools, and expanded product offerings. They're not standing still.

For stock and ETF investing, the experience is smooth. You get access to 3,000+ stocks across 17 global exchanges and 260+ ETFs. Fractional shares are available, so you can invest in expensive stocks like Amazon or Berkshire Hathaway with smaller amounts.

Deposit Methods

eToro supports a wide range of deposit options, and availability varies by region:

In many regions, eToro now offers instant deposits, meaning funds appear in your account immediately. This is a significant improvement from the old days of waiting for bank transfers to clear.

The minimum deposit is typically $50-$100 depending on your country, which is lower than many competitors. There are no deposit fees from eToro's side, though your payment provider may charge their own fees.

eToro Fees: The Full Picture

Let's talk about costs, because this is where nuance matters.

The good: ETF trading is completely commission-free. Stock trading has a small commission of $1-$2 per trade depending on your country and the exchange, which was introduced recently. You'll also pay the spread (the difference between buy and sell prices). For long-term investors making occasional trades, this still works out competitively. Check the latest fees for your specific country.

The less good: There are some fees that catch people off guard:

The currency conversion fee is worth understanding. eToro's default account currency is USD. However, in the UK and Europe, you can now open accounts in GBP or EUR respectively. If you do this, you'll avoid conversion fees entirely when depositing and withdrawing in your local currency. This is a significant improvement they've made.

For eToro Club members at Platinum tier ($25,000+ equity) and above, both withdrawal and currency conversion fees are waived entirely.

How eToro Compares to Trading 212

The closest competitor to eToro is Trading 212, which also offers commission-free trading with a user-friendly interface. Here's our honest take:

Trading 212 wins on: Completely fee-free model (no withdrawal fees, no inactivity fees), lower FX conversion (0.15% vs 0.5%), and interest on uninvested cash.

eToro wins on: Platform interface (we prefer it), CopyTrader and Social features, Smart Portfolios for thematic investing, eToro Club rewards for larger accounts, longer track record, and public company transparency.

For smaller accounts focused purely on cost minimization, Trading 212 has the edge. For larger accounts that can benefit from Club perks, or for investors interested in social trading features, eToro offers more value.

Good news: eToro now supports portfolio transfers, so you can move your holdings to another broker if needed. This was a limitation in the past that has since been addressed.

eToro Club: Rewarding Loyal Investors

One feature that doesn't get enough attention is the eToro Club. This tiered loyalty program offers genuine benefits as your account grows:

We're currently at Platinum+ level, and the benefits are noticeable. The VIP events are genuinely interesting (not just sales pitches), and the fee waivers make a real difference. It's a loyalty program that actually rewards you for sticking with the platform.

Customer Service

This is an area where eToro has genuinely improved, and where the Club tiers make a real difference.

For standard accounts, support is available 24/5 via ticket system and live chat. Response times are reasonable, though not instant. The help center covers most common questions well.

Where things get notably better is with Club membership. From Silver tier onwards, you get a dedicated customer success agent. At higher tiers like Platinum+, the support experience is excellent. We have a dedicated account manager we can reach via email or WhatsApp, and we've even had Zoom calls scheduled with them to discuss account questions. That level of personal service is rare in the brokerage industry and something we genuinely appreciate.

If customer service is important to you, there's a real incentive to grow your account into the Club tiers.

Smart Portfolios: Thematic Investing Made Simple

Smart Portfolios are eToro's take on thematic investing. Instead of picking individual stocks, you can invest in curated baskets built around specific themes, sectors, or strategies.

Examples include:

The minimum investment is $500 for most portfolios ($5,000 for Partner Portfolios), and there are no management fees. The portfolios are rebalanced periodically by eToro's investment team.

If you wanted exposure to a specific market or theme without researching individual companies, Smart Portfolios offer a straightforward solution. The UAE-Economy portfolio, for instance, gives you diversified access to Gulf markets that would be difficult to replicate on your own.

eToro for UK Investors

UK investors get some additional features worth noting:

ISA Access: Through a partnership with Moneyfarm, eToro now offers ISA accounts. You can open a Stocks & Shares ISA, a Managed ISA, or a Cash ISA (currently paying 4.67% AER) directly through the eToro app. This lets you invest up to £20,000 per tax year with tax-free returns.

eToro Debit Card: UK Club members (Silver tier and above) can get an eToro Visa debit card that earns 4% back in stock rewards on everyday spending, up to £1,500 per month. There are no currency conversion fees when spending abroad, making it genuinely useful for travel.

GBP Accounts: By opening a GBP-denominated account, UK investors can avoid the 0.5% currency conversion fee entirely.

Regulation: eToro UK is regulated by the FCA, with client funds protected up to £85,000 under the FSCS.

Safety and Regulation

This is where eToro's recent NASDAQ listing matters. As a publicly traded company, eToro now faces enhanced SEC oversight, quarterly financial disclosures, and institutional scrutiny. There's nowhere to hide.

The numbers are reassuring: $931 million in revenue for 2024, $192 million in net income. This is a profitable, stable business, not a startup burning through venture capital.

Regulatory coverage includes:

Platinum+ members and above get an additional €1 million in private insurance coverage. For a detailed breakdown of eToro's safety measures, see our full analysis: Is eToro Safe?

Important: Buying Real Stocks vs CFDs

One thing to be aware of on eToro: it's easy to accidentally buy a CFD instead of the actual underlying stock. Here's how to make sure you're buying real shares:

These settings are easy to adjust, but worth double-checking every time you place an order.

What We Don't Recommend eToro For

Being honest about limitations:

Cryptocurrency: The 1% trading fee is expensive. If crypto is your primary focus, dedicated exchanges like Kraken or Coinbase offer better rates. eToro is fine for holding some crypto alongside stocks, but not ideal as your main crypto platform.

Advanced traders: If you need sophisticated charting, API access, or complex order types, eToro's simplicity becomes a limitation. Interactive Brokers would serve you better.

How to Open an eToro Account

Learning Resources

eToro's educational offering centers around the eToro Academy, providing structured learning for all trader levels. The platform combines theoretical knowledge with practical application through its virtual portfolio system with $100,000 in demo funds.

Current eToro Promotion

eToro is currently offering up to $500 in free assets for new accounts. The exact amount depends on your initial deposit and region. UK investors can receive up to $500 in free stocks through a dedicated UK bonus promotion.

This is a legitimate welcome bonus that has been running for some time. For full details on how to claim it, see our eToro Welcome Bonus guide or the UK-specific bonus page for UK residents. You'll need to open an account through a qualifying link, complete verification, and make a deposit to be eligible.

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Our Verdict

eToro is a solid, trustworthy platform that does what it does well. The user experience is excellent, the company is financially stable and publicly accountable, and the feature set continues to expand.

Is it perfect? No. The withdrawal fees and inactivity fees are worth noting, and the crypto fees are high. But for stock and ETF investors who value usability and appreciate features like CopyTrader, Smart Portfolios, and the Club loyalty program, eToro remains a strong choice.

After 18 years and a NASDAQ listing, eToro has earned the trust that some online critics are too quick to deny it.

Not sure if eToro is right for you? Try our Broker Match Tool to find the best platform for your needs, or browse our complete broker reviews.

FAQ

Is eToro safe to use?

Yes. eToro is regulated by the FCA (UK), CySEC (EU), SEC/FINRA (US), and ASIC (Australia). The company went public on NASDAQ in May 2025, adding institutional oversight and transparency requirements. Client funds are held in segregated accounts, and investors receive protection up to £85,000 (UK), €20,000 (EU), or $500,000 (US) depending on their jurisdiction.

Does eToro charge commission on stocks?

eToro charges a small commission of $1-$2 per stock trade, depending on your country and the exchange. ETF trades remain completely commission-free. You'll also pay the spread (the difference between buy and sell prices), which is built into the quoted price. Check the eToro fees page for the exact rates in your country.

Can I transfer my portfolio out of eToro?

Yes, eToro now supports portfolio transfers. You can move your holdings to another broker if needed. This was a limitation in the past that has since been addressed.

Is eToro's copy trading legitimate?

Yes. CopyTrader has been operating for over a decade with documented track records. Popular Investors must meet strict criteria to be copied, and their full trading history is transparent. While past performance doesn't guarantee future results, many Popular Investors have outperformed market benchmarks over extended periods.

What is the minimum deposit on eToro?

The minimum deposit varies by region, typically starting at $50-$100 (or equivalent in local currency). For some features like Smart Portfolios, higher minimums apply ($500 for most portfolios).

How do I avoid eToro's fees?

Open an account in your local currency (GBP for UK, EUR for EU) to avoid currency conversion fees. Log in at least once per year to avoid the $10/month inactivity fee. Reach Platinum Club tier ($25,000+ equity) to have withdrawal and conversion fees waived entirely.

Does eToro offer an ISA?

Yes, UK investors can open ISA accounts through eToro's partnership with Moneyfarm. Options include a Stocks & Shares ISA, Managed ISA, and Cash ISA. The ISA allowance for 2025/26 is £20,000.

Risk Disclaimer

Trading involves significant risk and may not be suitable for all investors. The value of investments can go down as well as up, and you may lose some or all of your initial investment. Past performance is not indicative of future results. eToro discloses that 51% of retail CFD accounts lose money when trading CFDs with them. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.