Two brokers face off over cost structures, long-term features, and platform options. The tension centers on whether commission-free stock trading and fractional shares outweigh platform variety and regulatory depth.
eToro edges GO Markets on editorial score due to its commission-free stock trading and fractional shares.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose eToro if…
Choose eToro if you want commission-free real stock trading and fractional shares on a proprietary platform.
Choose GO Markets if…
Choose GO Markets if you want MT4/MT5 and cTrader with advanced charting. You also benefit from dual regulation by ASIC and CySEC.
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 stock trading.
| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 3.5/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $50▼ lower | $200 |
| Spreads from | 1 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $5/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | eToro | GO Markets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass | Fail |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Pass | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Fail | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
eToro rates 4.1/5 versus 3.5/5 for GO Markets. eToro edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
GO Markets lists tighter spreads from 0, 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.
eToro has $50, while GO Markets requires at least $200. This makes eToro more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both eToro and GO Markets 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: eToro requires a lower minimum deposit ($50), lowering the barrier to entry, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
eToro lists maximum leverage of 1:5, while GO Markets lists up to 500:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
GO Markets charges $5 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for eToro are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
eToro supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while GO Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. eToro has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile. GO Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4.
eToro offers commission-free stock trading while GO Markets 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 eToro and GO Markets 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.
GO Markets gains for safety due to dual ASIC and CySEC regulation.
eToro wins for long-term investing with fractional shares.
GO Markets wins for active traders with MT4/MT5 and cTrader.
eToro wins for beginners with a clean interface and social copy-trading features.
eToro wins for global market access with coverage across 17 exchanges.
| N/A |
| 0.5 pips |
| Inactivity fee | $10/month (after 12 months) | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrillApple PayGoogle Pay | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPayPal |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardPayPalSkrill | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | USD 5 per withdrawal | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | Yes | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | Yes | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | No | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA ASIC CNB CMVM AMF FSRA FSA Seychelles Finanstilsynet HCMC CySEC Finanstilsynet ASF MFSA Finansinspektionen FSC MNB KNF CMA | ASIC CySEC FSC |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | cTrader MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses | 2 offers | None |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.5 / 5
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