8 Best investing apps in Europe

Europe is the home of modern civilisation and investing as we know it. After all, the idea of pooling resources together to buy stocks was first pioneered here. Fast forward to today, and European investors have access to a wide array of modern investing apps and platforms that make it easier than ever to build wealth, wherever you live across the continent.

Whether you're after a clean, intuitive mobile app, a full-featured trading platform with advanced tools, a low-cost broker for long-term investing, or something that blends all of the above, you’re in the right place.

Of course, low fees are important, but choosing the right investing app is about much more than just cutting costs. It’s about finding a platform that aligns with your investment goals, desired strategy, and level of investing knowledge. Without sounding too vague, an investing app also has to feel good to use from a user experience standpoint.

In this guide, we’ll break down the best investing apps in Europe, comparing features, fees, safety and security (how they’re regulated), and ease of use. Hopefully, this will help you choose the platform that suits you best if you’re looking to invest with confidence right at your fingertips.

The best trading apps in Europe

• Interactive Brokers: The most complete broker in Europe, you can choose between two investing apps, IBKR Mobile or IBKR GlobalTrader (based on your level of experience). 
• eToro: Best if you want social elements with your investing app, eToro has in-built features like CopyTrader and News Feed to copy and learn from other investors. On the downside, it's primarily a CFD broker.
• XTB: Best app for commission-free stock and ETF investing (some conditions apply), plus CFDs. The xStation app is most suitable for forex/short-term traders.
• DEGIRO: A European favourite. Great mobile app with a strong reputation. However, it can be more expensive than other apps and doesn't pay interest on cash.
• Trading 212: Best app for beginners and earning interest on cash. Trading 212 is gaining popularity across Europe as a straightforward platform for investing. New users earn a free share.
• Lightyear: Offers cheap investing, high interest rates, and an excellent app with plenty of features. However, it has some limitations around investment options.
• Trade Republic: Ideal for those just starting and looking for an app to earn interest on uninvested cash. On the downside, the app is fairly basic.
• Scalable Capital: An affordable investing app popular with Europeans, but it does have some unsavoury fees to watch out for.

For larger amounts, Interactive Brokers is a solid solution. It offers two different mobile apps, and it’s the broker with the highest level of assets under management and the most well-established.

Trade Republic and Trading 212 are great for earning interest.

If you’re a beginner or want to invest with low commissions, any of the other options are valid. 

In addition to transaction fees, you may also encounter other costs, such as a connectivity fee or platform fees. In this case, DEGIRO is the only broker charging a connectivity fee (€2.50 per year per exchange).

Review of each broker

Interactive Brokers (IBKR)

• Minimum deposit: €0
• Currency conversion fee: 0.002% ($2 min.)
• Regulator in Europe: Central Bank of Ireland (CBI)
• Demo account: Yes

Founded in 1978 and listed on NASDAQ (ticker: IBKR), Interactive Brokers is one of the most renowned and innovative brokers globally. It’s the industry benchmark when it comes to top-tier trading platforms.

Unlike most other platforms here, Interactive Brokers offers the option of using two separate apps, depending on your level of investing experience:

• IBKR Mobile: This is for more experienced investors and is a mobile version of the flagship IBKR desktop platform. It has plenty of functionality for those who need full asset access on the go and want advanced tools and charts at their fingertips.‍
• IBKR GlobalTrader: This is ideal for those new to investing or those who prefer a straightforward strategy, investing in stocks, ETFs, and options. It’s designed with simplicity in mind, with a more stripped-back approach.

Here’s a quick look at IBKR Mobile:

Here’s a quick look at IBKR GlobalTrader:

Interactive Brokers’ investment offering is unmatched in terms of global asset diversity, including stocks, ETFs, bonds, mutual funds, options, futures, and forex. For European investors seeking international exposure or looking to actively trade, IBKR stands out as a premium choice.

Along with the choice of two investing apps, Interactive Brokers offers one of the most competitive fee structures available to European investors. For US stocks, commissions start at $0.005 per share ($0.35 minimum), while for European ETFs, costs are 0.05% of the order value (€1.25 minimum, €29 maximum). Alternatively, if you’re looking to invest in funds, Interactive Brokers offers a wide selection with zero commission, and others are €4.95 per trade.

In terms of regulation, "Interactive Brokers Ireland Limited," the subsidiary through which European investors register, is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI). Assets (including cash) are protected up to €20,000 as part of the Investor Compensation Scheme (ICCL).

In summary, Interactive Brokers is an excellent choice for beginner or experienced European investors and traders seeking a user-friendly, secure, and versatile apps for global investing.

Note: Interactive Brokers offers two commission plans: "Tiered" and "Fixed". The commissions mentioned here refer to the "Tiered" plan, which, based on our experience, is the most cost-effective option.

Pros

• Two apps to choose from: IBKR Mobile and IBKR GlobalTrader
• Low commissions for US stocks
• No commissions for some funds
• Wide range of global assets
• Demo account available
• Excellent reputation (founded in 1978)
• Comprehensive research and educational tools
• Supports multiple currencies and pays interest on uninvested cash

Cons

• Complicated and time-consuming account opening process (but entirely online)
• Steep learning curve for beginners
• Difficult-to-navigate website
• Calculating fees can be complex
• Not the most intuitive mobile interface

eToro

• Minimum deposit: $50
• Currency conversion fee: 0.5% (EUR to USD)
• Regulator in Europe: Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC)
• Demo account: Yes

Founded in 2007, eToro has grown into one of the most widely used and beginner-friendly trading platforms globally. It recently went public with an initial public offering (IPO) listing on the Nasdaq exchange in the US (ticker: ETOR). It’s particularly well-known for pioneering social trading with its in-app “CopyTrader” feature, which allows users to follow and automatically copy the trades of other investors.

For European investors, eToro presents a compelling option, particularly for those new to investing or interested in global markets, cryptocurrencies, or copying the trades of others. The eToro app supports investing in stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, and CFDs across various global markets. eToro has gained a loyal following in Europe for its simple interface, low minimum deposit, and low commissions for stock investing.

Here’s a quick look at the eToro investing app:

eToro’s biggest strength is its zero commissions on ETFs, making it a cost-effective way for European investors to build a diversified portfolio. However, it’s no longer completely commission-free with most stock trades costing $1, and trades on Australia, Hong Kong, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi exchanges costing $2 per trade. 

It's important to note that all accounts are USD-based, meaning a 0.5% currency conversion fee applies when depositing or withdrawing euros. This can be avoided if you deposit in Euros using eToro’s Money wallet (a separate app).

In Europe, eToro operates under a European license via CySEC, ensuring compliance with MiFID II regulations. This means that investor protection is in place, with compensation available for up to €20,000 under the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) in Cyprus.

The platform is best suited for casual and beginner investors, thanks to its intuitive app, ready-made “Smart Portfolios”, and active investor community. For those looking to try before committing funds, eToro offers a demo account with $100,000 in virtual funds.

In summary, eToro is an ideal investing app for European investors seeking a user-friendly platform with a strong community aspect, access to a diverse range of markets, and the ability to copy experienced traders.

Pros

• Commission-free trading on ETFs
• User-friendly app interface
• Invest from $10
• Low commission for stocks
• Social and copy trading features
• Broad selection of cryptocurrencies and CFDs
• Demo account available
• Innovative thematic “Smart Portfolios”
• Regulated within the EU (CySEC)

Cons

• 0.5% EUR currency conversion fee on deposits/withdrawals - can be avoided by depositing using eToro Money wallet
• No access to European stocks or full European exchange coverage
• Limited advanced charting and research tools
• Withdrawal fee of $5
• Inactivity fee of $10 per month after 12 months
• USD-only account base

XTB

• Minimum deposit: €0
• Currency conversion fee: 0.5%
• Regulator in Europe: CySEC, KNF and other local regulators
• Demo account: Yes

Founded in 2002, XTB is a publicly traded company listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange and a global broker based in Poland, known for its robust trading app and extensive educational resources. It offers a wide range of over 7,000+ financial instruments, including stocks, ETFs, forex, commodities, and indices. The platform is particularly appealing to active traders and those interested in CFD trading.

For beginners, XTB offers a demo account that allows trading with virtual funds, providing hands-on experience with the platform. XTB's xStation is a natively designed mobile app optimized for mobile trading with its full range of assets. Suitable for both beginners and experienced traders based in Europe, XTB is probably best suited to intermediate-level investors.

You can see what the XTB investing app looks like here:

For European investors, XTB’s app offers commission-free trading on stocks and ETFs, with a monthly turnover limit of €100,000. Beyond this threshold, a commission of 0.2% (€10 minimum) applies. There’s no platform fee to use XTB’s mobile trading app, and it doesn’t charge any fees for account maintenance or withdrawals above €50. 

XTB also pays interest on uninvested funds and offers an eWallet, which provides a multi-currency card, allowing you to make payments without any account maintenance fees. One downside is that XTB charges an inactivity fee of €10 per month after one year of no transactions, and if no deposits have been made in the last 90 days.

XTB, under the subsidiary “XTB Limited”, operates under the supervision of the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). However, please not that XTB may be supervised by the local regulator in some countries (you can check that in the XTB website footer). Investors throughout Europe can access XTB's services through the European Union's passporting system, which allows financial firms regulated in one EU country to operate in other EU countries.

In summary, XTB is a strong choice for European investors seeking a comprehensive and robust investing app with a wide range of instruments and charting tools, particularly for those interested in active trading and CFDs.

If you want to find out more, you can read our in-depth XTB review.

Pros

• Commission-free trading on stocks and ETFs (up to €100,000 monthly turnover)
• Advanced trading platform with comprehensive tools
• Natively designed mobile app optimised for investing
• Wide range of tradable instruments
• Extensive educational resources
• No account opening or maintenance fees

Cons

• 0.5% currency conversion fee 
• Limited product offerings for long-term investors
• Withdrawals under €50 cost €5
• Inactivity fee of €10 per month if your account is inactive for 12 months

DEGIRO

• Minimum deposit: €0
• Currency conversion fee: 0.25%
• Regulator in Europe: Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin)/Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) and De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB)
• Demo account: No

DEGIRO, founded in 2008 and headquartered in Amsterdam, the heart of Europe, is a popular broker among European investors. It offers a broad range of investment products, including stocks, ETFs, bonds, options, and futures, across various global markets. However, there is a unique annual connectivity fee of €2.50 per exchange.

The platform is best known for its low-cost fee structure, which offers competitive fees on trades and no additional charges for account opening, inactivity, or withdrawals. DEGIRO provides access to a selection of €1 commission ETFs through its Core Selection, although external fees may apply. Stocks listed on Euronext Amsterdam and global ETFs incur a cost of €3 (€2 commission + €1 handling), while US stocks cost €2 (€1 commission + €1 handling).

Here’s what the DEGIRO investing app looks like from a user’s perspective:

While DEGIRO does not offer a demo account, it provides plenty of educational resources through its Investor's Academy, helping investors understand various financial products and strategies. The DEGIRO investing app is packed with features such as:

• Favourite lists
• The ability to write notes
• Economic calendar
• Interactive graphs
• ESG ratings
• Analyst views
• Dark mode

DEGIRO operates as the European branch of flatexDEGIRO Bank AG, which is primarily supervised by the German financial regulator BaFin. In the Netherlands, DEGIRO is registered with the De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) and is under the supervision of the Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM).

In summary, DEGIRO’s investing app is an excellent choice for European investors seeking a low-cost, no-frills platform with access to a broad range of global markets.

Pros

• Low trading fees and transparent pricing
• Plenty of in-app tools and features 
• Access to a wide range of global markets
• Cheap ETFs available through Core Selection
• No account opening, inactivity, or withdrawal fees
• Regulated by European financial authorities

Cons

• 0.25% currency conversion fee
• No demo account available
• Limited customer support options
• No access to more complex assets
• Fee structure is quite unusual 
• €2.50 connectivity fees for each exchange where you are invested
• Doesn’t pay interest on uninvested cash

Trading 212

• Minimum deposit: €1 (€10 for CFD accounts)
• Currency conversion fee: 0.15%
• Regulator in Europe: Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC)
• Demo account: Yes

Trading 212 is a UK-based fintech company that offers commission-free trading on stocks, ETFs, and CFDs. The platform is designed to be user-friendly, making it suitable for beginners and casual investors just starting out. The platform also offers a free stock worth up to €100!

Opening an account is quick and easy. Within the app, you will have access to two different account types:

• Trading 212 Invest: Allows commission-free trading of stocks and ETFs.
• Trading 212 CFD: Allows trading of leveraged financial products (CFDs).

One of Trading 212's standout features is its multi-currency account, allowing users to hold and trade in multiple currencies, potentially reducing currency conversion costs. It even offers a Trading 212 debit card, with no currency conversion fee for payments in different currencies. Additionally, you can earn 0.5% cashback on purchases, up to a maximum of €23 per month.

Here’s a quick glimpse of what the Trading 212 investing app looks like:

For European investors, Trading 212 provides access to a wide range of European and US stocks and ETFs. The platform charges a currency conversion fee of 0.15% when trading assets in a different currency from your base currency. The platform also supports fractional share trading and offers an automatic investment system, as well as its “Pies”, which enable you to build and share custom portfolios.

In Europe, Trading 212 operates under the supervision of the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). Check our in-depth analysis on the safety of Trading 212 if you want to know more.

In summary, Trading 212 is an ideal choice for European investors seeking a user-friendly investing app with commission-free trading and features like fractional shares and Pies.

Pros

• Commission-free trading on stocks and ETFs
• User-friendly mobile interface, easy for beginners
• Supports fractional shares and auto-investing
• Multi-currency account reduces FX costs
• Demo account available
• Unique customisable Pies feature
• Offers a free fractional share worth up to €100 with a promo code

Cons

• Limited advanced trading tools for experienced traders
• The mobile app is fairly basic in terms of charts and tools
• Fairly limited range of asset types
• Customer support can be slow during peak times

Lightyear

• Minimum deposit: €0
• Currency conversion fee: 0.35%
• Regulator in Europe: Estonian Financial Supervision Authority (EFSA)
• Demo account: No

Launched in Europe in 2022, Lightyear is an investment app designed for simplicity and transparency. It offers no Lightyear execution fee trading on a range of ETFs and low commissions for stocks, making it an appealing choice for European investors on a budget.

The platform supports fractional share trading for stocks, allowing investors to buy portions of high-priced shares. However, fractional trading is not yet available for the ETFs. With over 5,000 stocks available from the US, UK, and European markets, Lightyear is a solid option for gaining broad exposure to international stocks. The commissions are:

• European stocks: €1 per order
• UK stocks: £1 per order
  US stocks: 0.1% ($0.10 minimum, $1 maximum) per order
• ETFs: €0
  

It’s one of the slickest trading apps available when it comes to ease of use. There’s also plenty of free stock analysis packed into the app with access to financials and professional analyst opinions, for no extra cost. Lightyear has also made waves for offering some of the highest interest rates around on cash (whether that's Euros, Dollars, or Pounds).

Here’s a sneak peek to show you what the Lightyear investing app looks like:

Lightyear is regulated by the Estonian Financial Supervision Authority (EFSA). Regardless of your country, most European investors can access Lightyear's services through the European Union's passporting system.

Overall, Lightyear offers a straightforward and cost-effective app for European investors, with no Lightyear execution fees when investing in ETFs, along with the benefits of low-cost trading in international stocks and high interest rates on uninvested cash.

Pros

• Commission-free trading on a wide range of ETFs
• Fractional share trading for stocks
• Easy-to-navigate app with free analyst insights
• Free deposits (via bank transfer) and withdrawals
• High rates of interest on EUR/USD/GBP
• Free in-app stock analysis insights

Cons

• No fractional trading for ETFs
• No demo account for the app
• Limited advanced trading tools
• Fairly basic price charts
• Customer support is only via email
• Small commissions for stocks
• Recent company (short track record)

Trade Republic

• Minimum deposit: €1
• Currency conversion fee: Not applicable (for investments)
• Regulator in Europe: Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin)
• Demo account: No

Founded in 2015, Trade Republic is a low-cost brokerage based in Berlin, Germany. It offers an increasingly popular investing app that focuses on five types of financial assets: stocks, ETFs, bonds, cryptocurrencies, and derivatives.

Adopting the slogan "The smartest way to invest, spend, and save", Trade Republic’s investing app stands out as a commission-free platform for European investors. However, it applies an external settlement fee of €1 per transaction (except for savings plans), meaning that, in practice, you will pay at least €2 (€1 to buy and €1 to sell). Despite this, it remains competitive, although not entirely fee-free. You can also invest in corporate and government bonds starting from just €1.

Here’s what Trade Republic’s investing and saving app looks like:

It also offers a virtual debit card (free), a Classic card (€5 to order), and a Mirror card (€50 to order). If you withdraw more than €100 from ATMs, you pay no fee. If you make a purchase in a currency other than euros, the exchange rate applied is the market rate. It also offers unlimited 2% interest on uninvested cash in your current account.

Trade Republic operates under the supervision of the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) and the Deutsche Bundesbank. If you would like to learn more about the platform's security, you can read our article analyzing Trade Republic's safety.

To summarise, Trade Republic is a compelling option for European investors seeking a low-cost, mobile-first platform with a broad range of investment products, other financial capabilities, and attractive interest rates on cash.

Pros

• Investments starting from €1
• Commission-free savings plans for stocks and ETFs
• High interest rates on uninvested cash
• Wide range of investment assets
• User-friendly mobile app for investing
• Automatic savings plans

Cons

• Fixed external fee of €1 per transaction (except for savings plans)
• No demo account 
• The app is relatively basic for investing and saving
• Customer support is limited to email
• Additional fees for outgoing transfers of investments (€25 per position)
• Only one base currency (EUR)
• No direct access to U.S. stock exchanges

Scalable Capital 

• Minimum deposit: €1
• Currency conversion fee: N/A (European investments only)
• Regulator in Europe: Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin)
• Demo account: No

‍Scalable Capital is a German-based investment platform with over 1 million users, offering a low-cost brokerage platform for European investors. It provides access to a wide range of ETFs, stocks, and cryptocurrency, with a focus on long-term investing. It also offers an automated robo-advisor investing service, but this is not available in all European countries.

The Scalable Capital investing app offers a solid 2.00% interest on uninvested cash and savings plans starting from €1. There are over 8,000 stocks, 2,300 ETFs, and 1,900 funds - so plenty of choice to help you build a diverse portfolio. 

You can take a look at the Scalable Capital investing app here to see how it looks:

The free account with Scalable Capital costs a flat €0.99 per trade, making it excellent value if you’re placing larger trades. But, it’s €0 for purchases of PRIME ETFs (all Amundi, iShares, Xtrackers ETFs) of €250 or more. If you subscribe to PRIME+ for €4.99 per month, you get access to more analyst insights and €0 for trades of €250 or more, otherwise €0.99.

However, the small print is a bit sneaky with Scalable Capital. For investments bought and sold on the Xetra exchange, a €3.99 order fee applies to all clients, including those using the PRIME+ Broker. Additionally, a trading venue fee of 0.01% of the executed volume (with a minimum of €1.50) is charged.

For European investors, Scalable Capital offers an app with a user-friendly interface and easy access to European markets. Scalable Capital is regulated by the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) and the Deutsche Bundesbank.

The bottom line is that Scalable Capital is a strong option for European investors seeking a cost-effective investing app (although with a slightly complex fee structure) that offers a wide range of investment assets. However, it is expensive if you want to invest in the Xetra exchange.

Pros

• Flat-fee €0.99 pricing model for many investments
• Access to a wide range of investments
• Excellent mobile app that’s very user-friendly
• High interest paid on cash
• Savings plans from €1

Cons

• 0.15% Currency conversion fee
• No demo account available in the app
• Limited access to non-European markets
• €4.99 monthly fee for PRIME+
• Robo-advisor not available in some countries
• Additional fees for trading on the Xetra exchange

Criteria for the best investing apps in Europe

The summary of the broker selection in the list above was based on criteria that, in our view, meet the needs of most investors reading this article.

With that in mind, here are the factors considered:

1. Security and asset protection (including uninvested cash)

All selected investment apps available in Europe are regulated by a European Union country. We also analyzed fund protection mechanisms, such as deposit insurance or account segregation, to ensure that investors' assets are properly safeguarded.

2. Costs and fees

Costs can significantly impact any investor's returns. We evaluated trading fees (including spreads and commissions per trade), inactivity fees, currency exchange fees, platform fees, and any other associated charges for using these apps. Priority was given to brokers with competitive costs or even commission-free structures for certain products, such as stocks and ETFs.

3. Variety of available products

The diversity of assets available on any mobile trading platform is crucial for catering to different investor profiles. We considered platforms that offer European investors a broad range of products, including stocks, ETFs, bonds, and more specialised products such as CFDs (derivatives) and cryptocurrencies.

4. Ease of use

User experience is crucial, especially when you’re using an app to invest. We evaluated the platform's usability, from account registration and deposit process to trade execution and advanced features for experienced investors. Simple and intuitive interfaces were considered a positive factor as these elements are particularly helpful for beginners.

5. Quality of customer support

Customer support can make a difference in critical situations. We analyzed availability, speed, and effectiveness in resolving issues, as well as the available communication channels - whether that’s in-app chat, email, or over the phone.

Investor compensation scheme

The Investor Compensation Scheme (ICS) is the last safeguard for investors. When everything goes wrong, the ICS steps in to provide protection.

In the table below, we highlight the regulators of origin for each broker and the coverage limits (those applicable to European investors):

Which investment app to choose in Europe?

Choosing the best investing app isn’t a simple task, but your first decision to help you narrow down your options should be whether you want an app designed for beginner investors or more experienced traders. It’s also important to consider security, cost-effectiveness, and the selection of available assets in the app. 

Unfortunately, there’s no single "perfect" European investing app; each has its strengths and weaknesses. Interactive Brokers is an excellent choice for both beginners and more experienced investors who want to select an app tailored to their needs. 

For those who prefer simple and accessible platforms, brokers like Trade Republic, Trading 212, or Lightyear are good options. However, if you're looking for an intermediate app, XTB is a solid option. Alternatively, if you’re interested in using your smartphone to access more niche assets, such as cryptocurrency, it may be worth considering eToro and Scalable Capital. 

Regardless of your choice, it’s essential to consider factors such as security, costs, and available features when picking the best investing app or platform for your needs. Remember that a well-informed decision today can have a lasting impact on your investment portfolio. Carefully evaluate your options and choose the app that best suits your needs and financial goals.