Best investing apps in Europe (2026 comparison)

How we compared the best investing apps in Europe

The best investing apps in Europe for most beginners are the ones that make low-cost, regular investing in ETFs easy, are properly regulated, and don't tempt you into risky products. ETFs (exchange-traded funds) let you buy hundreds of companies in one go; if you're new, start with what an ETF is.

We looked at five widely available apps and compared only what each provider publishes on its own site: fees, who regulates it, how your money is protected, and the downsides. We don't rank them, because the best choice for a €50-a-month saver is different from the best choice for someone buying bonds and US options.

Checked November 2026: fees change, so check the provider's site before you sign up. Several figures below come from a specific country's site (noted in each section). Fees differ by country.

Trading 212

Best for: people investing small amounts often, who want fractional shares and automatic investing.

Key fees: no commission on the Invest account. Trading 212 says its main revenue there is a 0.15% currency fee (charged when you buy or sell in a currency different from your account) and share lending.

Regulation and protection: Trading 212 EU GmbH is regulated by BaFin; investments are covered by the German investor scheme (EdW) for 90% up to €20,000, and uninvested cash is held at German partner banks with protection up to €100,000 per partner bank. Trading 212 Markets Ltd (Cyprus) is covered by the Investors Compensation Fund up to €20,000; Trading 212 UK Ltd by the FSCS.

Extras: Pies (portfolios with target weights), AutoInvest, fractional shares on most instruments, and opt-in interest on cash.

Downsides: the product range is narrower than DEGIRO's, and the same app sells CFDs.

For a head-to-head, see Trading 212 vs DEGIRO.

DEGIRO

Best for: investors who want many exchanges and product types and trade a few times a year.

Key fees (DEGIRO Ireland, updated 1 October 2025): ETF Core Selection €0 commission plus €1 handling; other ETFs €2 plus €1; US shares €1 plus €1. Currency conversion 0.25%. A connectivity fee of 0.25% of account value, capped at €2.50 a year, for each foreign exchange you use. No custody or inactivity fee.

Regulation and protection: DEGIRO is the Dutch branch of flatexDEGIRO Bank SE, supervised mainly by BaFin, with the Dutch branch supervised by the AFM and DNB. Investments are covered by the German investor compensation scheme (90% up to €20,000) and uninvested cash by the German deposit guarantee up to €100,000.

Downsides: no interest on uninvested cash, no automatic savings plan or fractional shares advertised, and per-trade fees bite on small orders.

Scalable Capital

Best for: monthly ETF savers, and frequent traders who prefer a flat monthly fee.

Key fees (Dutch site): two plans. FREE costs €0 a month: trades cost €0.99, but buying ETFs from Amundi, iShares, Vanguard or Xtrackers is free from €250. PRIME+ costs €4.99 a month and makes trades of €250 or more free; smaller trades still cost €0.99. Savings plans are free on both plans, from €1. Trades on gettex or Xetra carry a €1.99 venue fee. No custody fee.

Interest: its Dutch site lists 2.60% a year on the overnight account from 1 September 2026, variable. With PRIME+, cash can be spread over up to five banks for up to 5 × €100,000 deposit protection. Without PRIME+, cash may sit with banks or in money market funds, which are investments rather than protected deposits.

Regulation: Scalable Capital Bank GmbH, a credit institution supervised by BaFin and the Deutsche Bundesbank.

Downsides: fees depend on the plan, the order size and where the trade runs, which takes some reading. Selling ETFs is not free on FREE.

Trade Republic

Best for: people who want investing, saving and a current account with a card in one simple app.

Key fees (Dutch price list, February 2026): no order commission, but a €1 trade settlement fee per trade. Savings plans for ETFs and shares are free, from €10 to €10,000 per execution. Custody is free. Card top-ups after your first deposit cost 1% of the amount, so use bank transfers instead.

Interest and protection: in July 2025 Trade Republic said it pays the ECB rate on all cash (then 2%), with money held at partner banks and protected up to €100,000 by deposit guarantee schemes. Check the current rate in the app.

Regulation: Trade Republic Bank GmbH, supervised by BaFin and the Deutsche Bundesbank, operating in the Netherlands through a Dutch branch.

Downsides: the €1 fee adds up if you place lots of small one-off orders, card top-ups cost 1% after the first, and the same app offers derivatives and crypto, which are high risk.

eToro

Best for: people who want to follow other investors and hold several asset types in one app.

Key fees: eToro says it charges zero commission on ETF trades, and that "a commission fee of $1 or $2 may apply" when opening and closing a share position, depending on country and exchange. Withdrawals from a USD account cost $5. Currency conversion fees vary by location, payment method and club level. Crypto trades cost 1% per position for most members.

Regulation and protection: eToro (Europe) Ltd is regulated by CySEC (licence 109/10), with the Cyprus Investor Compensation Fund covering up to €20,000; eToro (UK) Ltd is regulated by the FCA. eToro says its crypto services are not covered by these schemes. Details are on its regulation page.

Downsides: currency conversion fees aren't a single published rate, share commissions depend on your country, and CFDs and crypto sit next to ordinary investing in the same app.

What it costs in practice

A €1 fee is 1% of a €100 order but only 0.1% of a €1,000 order, so the cheapest app for monthly €100 plans may not be the cheapest for occasional large trades. Not sure how much to start with? See how much money you need to start investing.

How to choose

1. Costs for how you invest. Add up order fees, currency fees, venue fees, card top-up fees and monthly subscriptions for your typical month.
2. Product range. If you only want a world ETF, almost any app works. If you want bonds, specific exchanges or options, check the list first.
3. Protection. Find out which company you'd sign up with, who regulates it, and which compensation and deposit schemes apply in your country.
4. Tax reporting. Some brokers provide country-specific tax reports; others give a general annual statement and leave the rest to you. Check what you'd get for your country.
5. Temptation. An app that makes CFDs, crypto or day trading one tap away isn't ideal if you want to buy and hold.

Official sites: trading212.com, degiro.com, scalable.capital, traderepublic.com and etoro.com.