A head-to-head comparison of eToro and Skilling across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Best-in-class social and copy trading on a clean proprietary web/mobile platform. FCA / CySEC / ASIC regulated.
Modern Swedish-founded broker with CySEC and FCA regulation, a visually polished proprietary platform, and cTrader for advanced traders - well-positioned for EU retail clients seeking a contemporary alternative to legacy MetaTrader brokers.
eToro edges ahead with a score of 4.2/5 vs Skilling's 4.1/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Skilling offers tighter spreads from 0.7 pips vs 1 pips for eToro, reducing trading costs.
Both brokers show an equally strong safety profile across regulation, fund protection, and client safeguards.
Skilling has a cost edge: raw/ECN spreads, tighter spreads from 0.7 pips.
Skilling offers more exclusive platform options: MetaTrader 4, cTrader, Skilling Trader, a proprietary platform.
eToro edges out Skilling with a higher editorial score (4.2/5 vs 4.1/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 4.3 / 5 |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 4.1 / 5 |
| Founded | 2007 | 2016 |
| Headquarters | Tel Aviv, Israel | Valletta, Malta |
| Min deposit | $50 | $100 |
| Spreads from | 1 pips | 0.7 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Max leverage | 30:1 | 500:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | USD 5 per withdrawal | Free |
| Regulators | FCA ASIC AMF CySEC FSRA CMVM Finansinspektionen Finanstilsynet ASF FSC CNB MNB KNF Finanstilsynet HCMC MFSA CMA FSA Seychelles | FCA FSCA CySEC |
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | MetaTrader 4 cTrader Skilling Trader |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit eToro | Visit Skilling |
Pros
Social and copy trading leader
Multi-asset (stocks, crypto, FX)
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
24/5 live chat support
Multilingual customer support
Pros
Clean modern Skilling Trader platform - excellent UX for new-to-intermediate traders
cTrader available with raw spreads from 0.0 pips
CySEC and FCA regulation with EU and UK investor protections
Growing Latin American presence with local-language support
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Multilingual customer support
Cons
Wider FX spreads
Withdrawal fee
No raw spread account option
Inactivity fee applies
No MetaTrader support
Limited charting capabilities
Pricing transparency could be improved
No phone support
Cons
$100 minimum deposit on standard accounts
Newer broker - less track record than IG or Pepperstone
Product range narrower than multi-asset brokers
No phone support
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | eToro | Skilling |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Fail | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Fail | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Fail | Fail |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
Based on our independent editorial scoring, eToro ranks higher with a score of 4.2/5 vs 4.1/5 for Skilling. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; eToro and Skilling may each suit different trader profiles.
Skilling offers tighter spreads starting from 0.7 pips, compared to eToro's spreads from 1 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, particularly valuable for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
eToro has a lower minimum deposit of $50, while Skilling requires at least $100. This makes eToro more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both eToro and Skilling hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Both are considered safe. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners: eToro has a lower minimum deposit ($50), lowering the barrier to entry; both brokers offer negative balance protection. Also weigh up educational resources and customer support quality before deciding.
eToro offers maximum leverage of 30:1, while Skilling offers up to 500:1. Available leverage varies by account type, instrument, and jurisdiction. Higher leverage amplifies both potential profits and losses. Always use appropriate risk management.
eToro supports Proprietary Web/Mobile and Skilling offers MetaTrader 4, cTrader, Skilling Trader; eToro exclusively offers Proprietary Web/Mobile; Skilling exclusively offers MetaTrader 4, cTrader, Skilling Trader.
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