European Stock Trading Apps and Online Brokers

#1 Lightyear

Tallinn, Estonia ETFs: no execution or custody fees. US stocks 0.1% (max $1, min $0.10), EUR stocks EUR 1 per order, currency conversion 0.35% Demo on request

Best for: Investors in the EU and UK who mainly buy ETFs and hold more than one currency

• Operating company. Lightyear Europe AS
• Jurisdiction. EU (Estonia)
• Where the data sits. Not stated on the pages checked
• Source code. Closed source
• Replaces. Robinhood, Webull

Lightyear is the broker on this list that publishes its whole fee table in one place, and the table is short. ETF orders carry no execution or custody fees, US stocks cost 0.1% (maximum $1, minimum $0.10), EUR-denominated stocks cost EUR 1 per order, and currency conversion costs 0.35%. Account fees, deposits by bank transfer and the multi-currency account are free, according to the same page.

The EU service comes from Lightyear Europe AS in Tallinn, an investment firm with company number 16235024, licensed by the Estonian Financial Supervision Authority, while Lightyear UK Ltd serves British customers under FCA authorisation. The vendor says customer assets are held apart from the firm's own, that EU customers are covered up to EUR 20,000 by the Estonian Investor Protection Sectoral Fund, and that US securities sit with Alpaca. It is not a bank, so there is no card.

Standout feature. Lightyear is the only broker here that states its US custodian, its conversion cost and its fee list side by side, so you can price a EUR, USD or GBP portfolio before you open an account.

#2 Scalable Capital

Munich, Germany Founded 2014 FREE Broker and PRIME+ at EUR 4.99 per month; savings plan executions EUR 0; trades under EUR 250 cost EUR 0.99 Demo on request

Best for: German-speaking savers who want ETF savings plans plus a trading flat rate

• Operating company. Scalable Capital Bank GmbH
• Jurisdiction. EU (Germany)
• Where the data sits. Not stated on the pages checked
• Source code. Closed source
• Replaces. Robinhood, Webull

Scalable Capital turns the monthly savings habit into the core product: the trading page advertises more than 8,000 stocks and over 2,700 ETFs as savings plans from EUR 1, and plan executions cost EUR 0 in every broker model. Trading is a choice between the FREE Broker, which charges EUR 0.99 for PRIME ETF purchases below EUR 250, and PRIME+ at EUR 4.99 per month with EUR 1.99 on Xetra and gettex.

The imprint names Scalable Capital Bank GmbH, Seitzstrasse 8e in Munich, register number HRB 217778, with BaFin as supervisor. The company dates from 2014 and now runs as a bank, which is why the site also shows overnight cash at 2.60% p.a., fixed-term savings through partner banks and credit of up to EUR 250,000. The English pages translate a service shaped by German retirement and tax products, and derivatives and crypto carry high risk, as the site says.

Standout feature. Scalable Capital is the only broker here where a saver can invest from EUR 1 through a plan that costs nothing to execute and still pick between a free and a flat-rate trading model.

#3 Freetrade

London, United Kingdom Basic GBP 0, Standard GBP 4.99 per month (billed annually), Plus GBP 9.99 per month (billed annually) Demo on request

Best for: UK investors who want a tax-wrapped, app-first account without commission

• Operating company. Freetrade Limited
• Jurisdiction. United Kingdom (adequacy decision, outside the EEA)
• Where the data sits. Not stated on the pages checked
• Source code. Closed source
• Replaces. Robinhood, Webull

Freetrade is a London app that built its name on commission-free shares, and its Basic plan at GBP 0 already holds the ISA, Junior ISA, SIPP and general account. The cost sits in currency and interest: Basic charges 0.99% on non-GBP trades and pays 1% AER on up to GBP 1,000 of cash, Standard (GBP 4.99 billed annually) lowers the fee to 0.59% and Plus (GBP 9.99) to 0.39% with 3.5% AER on up to GBP 3,000.

Freetrade Limited is registered in England and Wales under 09797821, authorised by the FCA under 783189 and a member of the London Stock Exchange. The site lists over 9,000 investment choices, says 1.6 million users chose it and states that it is part of IG Group. Eligible investments are protected up to GBP 85,000 under the FSCS, and the whole service is built around UK residence.

Standout feature. Freetrade is the only broker in this category that puts an ISA, a Junior ISA and a SIPP on its free plan.

#4 Nordnet

Stockholm, Sweden Mini class 0.25% courtage (min SEK 1) on Nordic orders up to SEK 15,600; new customers trade Nordic exchanges free until 30 June 2027 Demo on request

Best for: Nordic residents who want one bank for shares, funds and pensions

• Operating company. Nordnet Bank AB
• Jurisdiction. EU (Sweden)
• Where the data sits. Not stated on the pages checked
• Source code. Closed source
• Replaces. Robinhood, Webull

Nordnet is a bank first and an app second: shares, funds, ETFs, bonds, structured products and crypto share a platform with an investment savings account, endowment insurance and pensions. Pricing uses four courtage classes named Mini, Liten, Mellan and Fast. Mini suits orders up to SEK 15,600 at 0.25% on Nordic exchanges with a SEK 1 minimum, and new customers trade Nordic exchanges commission-free until 30 June 2027.

The provider on the Swedish site is Nordnet Bank AB, Box 30099, Stockholm, with local sites for Sweden and Denmark. The pages we could read were in Swedish and Danish. Beyond plain investing there is Nordnet Social, where members follow other users, Nordnet Markets with Bull and Bear trackers, mini futures and turbos, an Active Trading offer, and mortgages and portfolio loans under lending.

Standout feature. Nordnet is the only broker here that prices by a class chosen from your typical order size, with Nordic pension and ISK accounts behind it.

#5 DEGIRO

Amsterdam, Netherlands Euronext Amsterdam stocks EUR 2 + EUR 1 handling, US stocks EUR 1 + EUR 1 handling, Core Selection ETFs EUR 0 + EUR 1 handling Demo on request

Best for: Dutch and German investors who place few, larger orders

• Operating company. flatexDEGIRO Bank SE (Dutch Branch)
• Jurisdiction. EU (Netherlands)
• Where the data sits. Not stated on the pages checked
• Source code. Closed source
• Replaces. Robinhood, Webull

DEGIRO charges for every transaction, which makes it the opposite of the app model. The Dutch tariff page lists Euronext Amsterdam shares at EUR 2 plus EUR 1 handling, US exchange shares at EUR 1 plus EUR 1 handling, worldwide ETFs at EUR 2 plus EUR 1 handling and Core Selection ETFs at EUR 0 plus EUR 1 handling. Currency, connectivity and third-party product costs may come on top.

The platform began in Amsterdam, joined flatex AG in 2020 and now sits in a group listed in the SDAX index in Germany, so customers deal with flatexDEGIRO Bank SE. BaFin supervises the bank, and the AFM and DNB oversee the Dutch branch, registered under Chamber of Commerce number 82510245. It also offers flatexDEGIRO cash accounts and trading on Tradegate Exchange, including pre-market and after-hours. The checked UK site says the bank is not FCA authorised.

Standout feature. DEGIRO is the only broker here that mixes a EUR 1 US-stock commission with a handling fee on every order, which rewards few and larger trades.

#6 XTB

Warsaw, Poland 0% commission on stocks and ETFs up to EUR 100,000 monthly turnover, then 0.2% (min EUR 10); 0.5% currency conversion Demo on request

Best for: Active investors in the EU who trade stocks, ETFs and forex from one platform

• Operating company. XTB S.A.
• Jurisdiction. EU (Poland)
• Where the data sits. Not stated on the pages checked
• Source code. Closed source
• Replaces. Robinhood, Webull

XTB takes the free-trade promise and puts a ceiling on it: 0% commission on stocks and ETFs up to EUR 100,000 of monthly turnover, then 0.2% with a EUR 10 minimum. Deposits and withdrawals are free, currency conversion costs 0.5%, and the support team speaks 18 languages by email, chat or phone on weekdays. The same app offers forex, which the site says carries a high risk of loss.

XTB S.A. holds a KNF brokerage licence from 2005, has been listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange since 2016 and reports more than 2.9 million investors across 12 markets. The group page also names XTB Limited (FCA, FRN 522157) and XTB Sucursal (CNMV, Spain), so the contracting entity depends on the customer's country. The UK homepage mentions a Flexible Cash ISA with a headline 6% AER.

Standout feature. XTB is the only broker here that is listed on a stock exchange and regulated since 2005 by a single national authority, the Polish KNF, while tying free trading to a turnover limit.

#7 Saxo

Hellerup, Denmark US and Euronext stocks 0.08% (min USD 1 or EUR 2); custody fee 0.15% Classic, 0.12% Platinum, 0.09% VIP Demo on request

Best for: Experienced investors who need many exchanges and APIs

• Operating company. Saxo Bank A/S
• Jurisdiction. EU (Denmark)
• Where the data sits. Not stated on the pages checked
• Source code. Closed source
• Replaces. Robinhood, Webull

Saxo competes on reach: the site lists more than 23,000 stocks on 50 exchanges from one account, plus ETFs and bonds, API access and a TradingView integration. Commission on the main US exchanges and on Euronext in Amsterdam, Lisbon and Paris is 0.08%, with a minimum of USD 1 or EUR 2. Accounts come in Classic, Platinum and VIP tiers that cut the yearly custody fee from 0.15% to 0.12% and 0.09%.

Saxo Bank A/S sits at Philip Heymans Alle 15 in Hellerup. The site says clients may have cash and certain assets covered by the Danish Guarantee Fund, subject to eligibility and limits. The custody fee carries Danish VAT of 25% for individuals residing in the EU, commission minimums weigh on small orders, and fees vary by country of residence, so a beginner with a small portfolio is not the target customer.

Standout feature. Saxo is the only broker here whose pricing falls with account tier and which exposes an API next to 50 exchanges.

#8 BUX

Amsterdam, Netherlands BUX Prime EUR 7.99 per month; 5 commission-free buy orders per month; other fees on the pricing page Demo on request

Best for: Dutch beginners who want an app backed by a large Dutch bank

• Operating company. BUX B.V.
• Jurisdiction. EU (Netherlands)
• Where the data sits. Not stated on the pages checked
• Source code. Closed source
• Replaces. Robinhood, Webull

BUX is a Dutch phone app that reserves its best pricing for a subscription. According to the Prime page, BUX Prime at EUR 7.99 per month brings the lowest commissions, 5 commission-free buy orders a month, investment plans and up to 2.00% interest on uninvested cash. The main pricing URL did not load when we checked, so other fees need confirmation on the vendor site.

BUX B.V. in Amsterdam is registered under Chamber of Commerce number 58403949, regulated by the AFM and described as a fintech scale-up that is a subsidiary of ABN AMRO Bank. The site states that BUX does not give investment advice, and it adds ETF explainers, a glossary and quotes aimed at new investors. The bank parent is a plus for buyers who want an established owner and a minus for those who value independence.

Standout feature. BUX is the only broker here owned by a large bank and sold as a beginner app on iOS and Android, with its cheapest pricing behind a Prime plan.

#9 Swissquote

Switzerland, Switzerland Trading fees from CHF 3, minimum deposit CHF 500 for investing; free bank account with 27+ currencies Demo on request

Best for: Investors who want broker and bank services together under Swiss regulation

• Operating company. Swissquote
• Jurisdiction. Switzerland (adequacy decision, outside the EEA)
• Where the data sits. Not stated on the pages checked
• Source code. Closed source
• Replaces. Robinhood, Webull

Swissquote combines broker and bank under one login. The Swiss site lists trading fees from CHF 3, capped custody fees, a minimum deposit of CHF 500 for investing and a free bank account in 27+ currencies, and free debit cards and zero transaction fees appear under bank pricing. The EU page mentions 40 cryptos, and forex spreads start from 1.1 pip.

It presents itself as a digital bank listed on the Swiss stock exchange and regulated by FINMA. The service is split by region, so for European clients the site names Swissquote Bank Europe, regulated by the CSSF under supervision of the European Central Bank, and a CySEC-regulated entity for forex and CFD products. Switzerland is outside the EEA, and the full commission tables were not visible on the pages we could read.

Standout feature. Swissquote is the only broker here that names a Swiss bank, a CSSF-regulated EU bank and a Cypriot forex entity on one site.

#10 eToro

Limassol, Cyprus Founded 2007 Account opening and management free; withdrawals free or $5; conversion fees apply Demo on request

Best for: Investors who want to copy other traders and hold a USD base account

• Operating company. etoro (Europe) Ltd
• Jurisdiction. EU (Cyprus)
• Where the data sits. Not stated on the pages checked
• Source code. Closed source
• Replaces. Robinhood, Webull

eToro is built around people rather than tickers: CopyTrader, Popular Investor programmes and smart portfolios sit at the centre of the product, and a demo account is available. Account opening and management are free and withdrawals are free or cost $5. Every client can hold a USD account, and eligible clients can also hold GBP, EUR, AUD or DKK accounts, but conversion fees apply when a trade or a transfer crosses currencies.

The company dates from 2007, says it serves millions of users in over 75 countries and went public on Nasdaq in 2025, according to its timeline page. EU customers contract with etoro (Europe) Ltd, authorised by CySEC under licence 109/10 and registered in Cyprus under HE 200585. The legal page states that the crypto service is not governed by a framework such as MiFID, so crypto clients are outside the Cyprus Investor Compensation Fund.

Standout feature. eToro is the only broker here whose core product is copying another investor's portfolio, run through an EU entity in Cyprus.

#11 Trade Republic

Berlin, Germany See website Demo on request

Best for: German-speaking savers who want investing, cash interest and a card in one app

• Operating company. Trade Republic Bank
• Jurisdiction. EU (Germany)
• Where the data sits. Not stated on the pages checked
• Source code. Closed source
• Replaces. Robinhood, Webull

Trade Republic presents one app to invest, spend and bank. Its homepage says you can invest with just EUR 1, earn 2.5% p.a. on cash and use a subscription-free card with 1% Saveback, and the navigation lists Offering, Spend, Save and Trust sections plus a pricing page. We could not read the content of those pages without JavaScript, so no fee, plan or protection figure is quoted here.

The footer names Trade Republic Bank, Brunnenstrasse 19-21, 10119 Berlin, with a 2026 copyright line that points to a banking entity, but the licence text was not readable on the pages checked. The headline interest rate can change, and the product is aimed at German-speaking markets. Check current fees on the vendor site before opening an account.

Standout feature. Trade Republic is the only broker here whose homepage joins a EUR 1 investing minimum, cash interest and a Saveback card in one app.