Two brokers face off over stock trading approaches and cost structures. The tension centers on commissions, access to global exchanges, and safety schemes.
eToro is the overall winner on editorial score, reflecting stronger trust/regulation and broader exchange access.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose easyMarkets if…
Choose easyMarkets if you value direct phone support and the ability to short sell, features that help you manage positions in volatile markets. You also access advanced charting and fixed share CFD spreads, with a 400:1 maximum leverage that appeals to aggressive traders.
Choose eToro if…
Choose eToro if you want commission-free real stock trading and the option to buy fractional shares, which lowers barriers for new investors. The platform also offers a beginner-friendly interface and access to a broad network of exchanges, expanding your global market reach.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
eToro wins for low-cost trading because it offers commission-free real stocks.
| Editorial score | 3.4/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $25▼ lower | $50 |
| Spreads from | 0.7 pips▼ lower | 1 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | $10/month (after 12 months) |
| Deposit fee |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | easyMarkets | eToro |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Pass | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Pass |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Fail |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
eToro rates 4.1/5 versus 3.4/5 for easyMarkets. eToro edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
easyMarkets lists tighter spreads from 0.7, compared with eToro's 1. For stock trading, also factor in any per-trade or per-share commissions — spreads and commissions together determine the true cost per trade.
easyMarkets has $25, while eToro requires at least $50. This makes easyMarkets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both easyMarkets and eToro hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, two factors stand out: easyMarkets requires a lower minimum deposit ($25), lowering the barrier to entry, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
easyMarkets lists maximum leverage of 400:1, while eToro lists up to 1:5. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
easyMarkets supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while eToro supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. easyMarkets has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4.
eToro offers commission-free stock trading while easyMarkets does not according to our data. Commission-free trading can reduce costs for frequent traders. Always confirm the current fee structure directly on each broker's website.
Both easyMarkets and eToro are covered by a compensation scheme according to our data, providing an additional safety net for your stock investments. Confirm the specific scheme and coverage limit that applies to your account before depositing.
eToro wins safety and regulation, with higher trust ratings and strong regulator coverage.
eToro wins for long-term investors with fractional shares enabling diversification.
easyMarkets is best for active traders thanks to short selling and advanced charting.
eToro wins for beginners with a simple interface and social trading features.
eToro offers broader global market access with 17 exchanges.
| Free |
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrillApple PayGoogle Pay |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardPayPalSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | USD 5 per withdrawal |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | Yes |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | Yes |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | No |
|---|
| Regulators | CNV ASIC HCMC CySEC MNB | FCA CNB CMVM ASIC HCMC AMF FSA Seychelles FSRA CySEC Finanstilsynet Finanstilsynet ASF MFSA Finansinspektionen FSC MNB KNF CMA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.4 / 5
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