eToro Review 2026

eToro invented social trading back in 2010, years before most brokers even understood what a social feed was. The concept was radical at the time: what if complete beginners could profit by simply copying traders who actually knew what they were doing? Turns out, that idea was worth billions. Here's the deal with eToro. You're not getting the tightest spreads. You're not getting MT4 or MT5. You're not getting the deepest liquidity pools or the fastest execution. What you ARE getting is the most polished copy trading experience in the industry, a community of 30+ million users, and a platform so simple your parents could use it. I've tested dozens of brokers over the years, and eToro remains the only one I'd recommend to someone who's never traded before. Not because it's perfect—it's not. The fees add up, the spreads are mediocre, and experienced traders will feel handcuffed by the proprietary platform. But for its target audience—people who want exposure to markets without becoming full-time analysts—eToro delivers. FCA, CySEC, and ASIC regulation means you're dealing with a real company, not some offshore operation. They went public in 2021 with an $8.8 billion valuation. They're not going anywhere. The $50 minimum deposit is the lowest I've seen at a major broker, which removes the 'too expensive to try' excuse entirely.

eToro keeps account types simple: Retail, Professional, and Islamic. No confusing tier structures with different spreads and commissions. Retail accounts are what 99% of users have. Standard leverage (1:30 for forex under ESMA rules), access to all instruments, full copy trading features. This is where you'll start and probably where you'll stay unless you're trading serious volume. Professional accounts unlock higher leverage (up to 1:400) but require you to meet at least two of three criteria: relevant work experience in financial services, portfolio over €500,000, or significant trading activity (10+ trades per quarter of significant size). Most retail traders won't qualify, and honestly, most don't need the extra leverage anyway. Higher leverage isn't a benefit if you don't know how to use it. Islamic accounts are swap-free for traders who need to comply with Sharia law. Same features as Retail, just no overnight interest charges. Available on request. The demo account deserves mention: $100,000 virtual money, no time limit, and you can reset it whenever you want. Actually useful for testing strategies, unlike brokers who give you 24 hours before nagging you to deposit.

Here's where eToro is polarizing. They built their own platform from scratch. No MT4 support. No MT5 support. No third-party integrations. If you've been trading for years on MetaTrader, this is probably a dealbreaker. If you're new to trading, it might be exactly what you need. The eToro platform is designed around two things: simplicity and social integration. Every asset has a feed where traders discuss it. Every trader has a profile you can follow. Copy trading is one click. The portfolio view shows everything in clean, understandable charts. A complete beginner can navigate it within minutes. What's missing? Custom indicators. Expert Advisors. Algorithmic trading. Advanced order types. Backtesting. DOM (Depth of Market). If any of these matter to you, eToro isn't your broker. The platform has basic charting from TradingView (decent but not comprehensive), standard order types (market, limit, stop-loss, take-profit), and that's about it. The web platform, desktop app, and mobile app all share the same interface. No learning curve switching between devices. Everything syncs instantly. For the target audience, this consistency matters more than advanced features they'd never use anyway. Execution speed is adequate—not the 50ms you'd get at an ECN broker, but fast enough that slippage isn't a constant complaint. I've had orders fill at expected prices consistently. No accusations of price manipulation or stop hunting that you see with sketchier brokers.

The eToro app might be the best mobile trading experience for casual traders. I don't say that lightly. Everything you can do on desktop, you can do on mobile. Copy traders, manage your portfolio, scroll the social feed, deposit funds, even complete verification. The app isn't a stripped-down afterthought—it's a full trading platform that happens to fit in your pocket. Charting is basic but functional. You can draw trend lines, add common indicators, and analyze price action well enough to make trading decisions. Don't expect multi-timeframe analysis or complex indicator combinations. That's not what eToro's mobile app is for. Push notifications are comprehensive: price alerts, when copied traders open or close positions, when someone you follow posts, dividend payments, everything. You can customize what you receive, which is important because the default settings will blow up your phone. Portfolio management on mobile works smoothly. Adjust copy amounts, set stop-losses on copied traders, close positions—all without needing a computer. Biometric login (Face ID, fingerprint) means you're not typing passwords on a tiny keyboard. One critique: during extreme volatility, the app can lag. Flash crashes or major news events sometimes mean delayed price feeds or slow order execution. This happens on most mobile apps, but it's worth noting if you trade around news releases.

Let's talk about eToro's fees honestly, because this is where the broker catches the most criticism. Spreads are not competitive for active traders. EUR/USD from 1.0 pips sounds okay until you realize ECN brokers offer 0.0-0.2 pips plus small commissions. Gold at 4.5 pips is particularly wide. If you're scalping or day trading dozens of positions, these spreads eat into profits significantly. No commissions sounds appealing, but the spread IS the commission. It's just hidden in the execution price. For buy-and-hold traders or copy traders making fewer trades, this matters less. For active traders, it matters a lot. The withdrawal fee is $5 per withdrawal, regardless of amount. Withdraw $100 or $10,000—same $5. Combined with the $30 minimum withdrawal, this discourages frequent small withdrawals. eToro clearly wants you to keep your money on the platform. Inactivity fee: $10 per month kicks in after 12 months of no login. Easy to avoid by just logging in, but forgetting can drain a dormant account. Currency conversion fees hit hard if your deposit currency doesn't match your account base currency. The conversion happens at eToro's rate, which isn't favorable. If you're depositing GBP into a USD account, you're losing 0.5-1.5% immediately. Overnight fees (swaps) apply to leveraged positions held past market close. These are standard across brokers, but eToro's rates aren't the most competitive. Holding positions for days or weeks? Factor this cost in. Bottom line on fees: eToro is not cheap for active traders. But for copy traders making maybe 10-20 trades per month through copied positions, the costs are acceptable. Know your trading style before committing.

This is why 30 million people use eToro. The CopyTrader feature isn't just marketing—it's genuinely the best copy trading implementation I've used. Here's how it works: Browse thousands of traders called 'Popular Investors.' Filter by performance metrics—return percentage, risk score (1-10), number of copiers, how long they've been trading, what instruments they focus on. Each trader has a full profile showing their trading history, current portfolio, monthly returns, maximum drawdown, everything. Click 'Copy' on any trader. Set your allocation amount (minimum $200). Their trades automatically replicate in your account proportionally. If they risk 2% of their portfolio on a trade, you risk 2% of your copy allocation. You maintain control. Set a stop-loss on the entire copy (e.g., stop copying if the allocation drops 40%). Pause copying anytime. Close individual copied positions if you disagree with a trade. Add or remove funds from the copy. You're not locked in. Popular Investors are incentivized to perform well because they earn commissions when people copy them—up to 1.5% of assets under copy per year. The best Popular Investors treat it like managing a fund. They share analysis, explain their trades, and build genuine followings. Risks? Obviously. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results. I've seen Popular Investors blow up spectacularly—30% drawdowns in a week. The risk score helps, but it's backward-looking. A trader with a risk score of 3 can suddenly start taking 10x leveraged crypto positions. My advice: diversify across multiple traders (3-5 minimum), never allocate more than you can afford to lose, and actually look at what they're trading. Copying someone who only trades meme stocks is very different from copying a conservative forex trader. The social feed integrated into copy trading adds value. Copied traders often explain their reasoning. You learn by watching. It's not a substitute for education, but it's bette... <truncated>

$50 minimum deposit—lowest at any major regulated broker. This matters because it removes the barrier to trying the platform. You can test eToro's features with money you can afford to lose entirely. Deposit methods: Credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard), bank transfer, PayPal (most countries), Skrill, Neteller, and several local payment options depending on your country. Crypto deposits available in some jurisdictions. Deposits are free from eToro's side, but your bank or payment provider might charge. Card deposits are instant. Bank transfers take 4-7 business days. E-wallets are typically instant. Multi-currency considerations: eToro accounts are USD-denominated for most users. If you deposit in EUR, GBP, or other currencies, eToro converts to USD at their exchange rate. This conversion isn't transparent or favorable. If possible, deposit USD or accept the conversion cost as part of using eToro. Verification is required before withdrawing but not before depositing. You can start trading immediately, but gather your ID and proof of address early to avoid withdrawal delays later. Standard KYC—passport or driver's license plus utility bill or bank statement.

Withdrawals are where eToro catches justified criticism. $5 fee per withdrawal, every single time. Whether you withdraw $30 or $30,000—same $5. Minimum withdrawal is $30. Maximum depends on your payment method and verification level. Processing time: eToro claims 1-2 business days for processing. In my experience, it's usually within 24 hours for verified accounts. After processing, funds take additional time depending on method: cards 3-8 business days, bank transfer 4-7 business days, e-wallets 1-2 business days. Withdrawals return to the original deposit method up to the deposited amount. Profits above deposits can be withdrawn to any verified method. This anti-money-laundering requirement is standard across regulated brokers. To withdraw, you must be fully verified. This means ID verification (passport or driver's license), proof of address (utility bill or bank statement dated within 3 months), and sometimes additional documents for larger amounts. Start verification early—don't wait until you need your money urgently. One frustrating aspect: eToro sometimes requests additional verification for large withdrawals, even from fully verified accounts. This is regulatory compliance, but delays are annoying when you want your money. My recommendation: consolidate withdrawals. Instead of withdrawing weekly, withdraw monthly to minimize fees. Accept that eToro isn't designed for frequent fund movement.

Opening an eToro account takes about 5 minutes, with full verification completing within 24-48 hours. **Step 1: Visit eToro.com** Click 'Join Now' or 'Start Trading.' You'll see a simple registration form. **Step 2: Basic registration** Enter your email address and create a password. Alternatively, sign up with Google, Facebook, or Apple ID for faster registration. Accept the terms and conditions. **Step 3: Complete your profile** eToro asks about your trading experience, employment status, and financial situation. These questions are regulatory requirements—answer honestly. They determine your risk warnings and whether you qualify for certain features. **Step 4: Verify your identity** Upload a photo of your passport or driver's license. The document must be valid and clearly readable. eToro uses automated verification that often approves documents within minutes. **Step 5: Verify your address** Upload a utility bill, bank statement, or government letter dated within the last 3 months. Your name and address must be clearly visible. **Step 6: Deposit funds** Once verified (or even before for small amounts), deposit using your preferred method. Minimum $50. You'll see funds in your account instantly for cards and e-wallets. **Step 7: Start trading or copying** Search for instruments to trade manually, or browse Popular Investors to copy. The platform guides you through your first trade with tooltips and explanations. Common issues: blurry document photos (retake in good lighting), address mismatch between ID and proof of address (use documents with matching addresses), and outdated proof of address (must be within 3 months).

Depositing funds on eToro is straightforward, but currency conversion can cost you if you're not careful. **Step 1: Log into your account** Click 'Deposit Funds' button in the bottom left of the platform (or app). **Step 2: Enter amount** Minimum $50 for first deposit. Type your desired amount in USD. The platform shows converted amounts if depositing in other currencies. **Step 3: Select payment method** - **Credit/Debit Card**: Instant deposit, no fees from eToro. Daily limits apply based on verification level. - **Bank Transfer**: 4-7 business days, no fees, higher limits. Wire to eToro's bank with your account reference. - **PayPal**: Instant, no fees, available in most countries. Log into PayPal when prompted. - **Skrill/Neteller**: Instant, no fees. Connect your e-wallet account. **Step 4: Complete payment** Follow prompts for your chosen method. Card deposits require CVV. Bank transfers show wire instructions to save. **Step 5: Funds available** Instant methods: trade immediately. Bank transfer: wait for funds to clear. **Currency conversion warning**: eToro accounts are USD-denominated for most users. Depositing EUR, GBP, or other currencies triggers conversion at eToro's rate, which includes a hidden markup (0.5-1.5%). To minimize costs: use USD if possible, or accept the conversion as a cost of using the platform. **Tip**: Your first deposit method becomes your primary withdrawal method. If you deposit via card, withdrawals up to your deposit amount must return to that card. Plan accordingly.

Withdrawing from eToro with more friction than depositing—by design. **Step 1: Ensure full verification** You cannot withdraw without completing identity and address verification. Check Settings > Account > Verification Status. All items must show green checkmarks. **Step 2: Navigate to withdrawal** Click 'Withdraw Funds' in the bottom left menu (or Settings > Withdraw Funds on mobile). **Step 3: Enter withdrawal amount** Minimum $30. Maximum depends on your available balance (funds not in open positions). The platform shows a $5 fee deduction from your withdrawal. **Step 4: Select withdrawal method** Funds return to your original deposit method up to the deposited amount. This is an anti-money-laundering requirement. Profits above deposits can go to any verified method. If you deposited $1,000 by card and your balance is now $1,500, the first $1,000 must return to the card. The remaining $500 can go to your card, bank account, or e-wallet. **Step 5: Confirm and wait** eToro processes withdrawals within 1-2 business days. After processing, timing depends on method: - Cards: 3-8 business days - Bank transfer: 4-7 business days - E-wallets: 1-2 business days **Step 6: Check your account** You'll receive email confirmation when processed and when funds arrive. **Common issues**: Insufficient available balance (close positions to free up funds), unverified account (complete verification first), withdrawal method declined (update card details or contact support). **Pro tip**: Consolidate withdrawals. Instead of withdrawing weekly, withdraw monthly to minimize fees. Accept that eToro isn't designed for frequent fund movement.

**Leverage** EU/UK retail clients: 1:30 for major forex pairs, 1:20 for minor pairs, 1:10 for commodities, 1:5 for stocks, 1:2 for crypto. These are ESMA limits, not eToro's choice. Professional clients: Up to 1:400 for forex. Requires meeting at least 2 of 3 criteria (work experience, portfolio size, trading volume). **Spreads** Spreads are variable and widen during volatility and off-hours. Typical spreads: - EUR/USD: 1.0 pips (can widen to 2-3 pips during news) - GBP/USD: 2.0 pips - USD/JPY: 1.0 pips - Gold (XAU/USD): 45 pips ($4.50 per 0.1 lot) - Bitcoin: 0.75% of price These are wider than ECN brokers. eToro compensates with zero commissions, but active traders pay more overall. **Execution** Market maker model. eToro is your counterparty on trades. Execution is generally reliable—I haven't experienced significant slippage or requotes during normal conditions. During extreme volatility (flash crashes, major news), expect delays like any broker. **Order types** Basic: Market orders, limit orders, stop-loss, take-profit. No trailing stops on the standard platform (available through copy trading settings). No OCO (one-cancels-other) orders. **Trading hours** Forex: Sunday 5pm - Friday 5pm EST (follows global market hours) Stocks: Exchange hours for each market Crypto: 24/7 **Position Limits:** Maximum varies by instrument. Forex major pairs: high limits rarely hit by retail. Crypto and exotics: lower limits. **Margin call / Stop out** Margin call at 100% margin level. Stop out at 50%—positions automatically close if margin drops below 50%. Negative balance protection means you can lose more than your deposit (EU/UK retail clients).

eToro's regulation is among the strongest in retail trading. Here's what each license actually means for you: **FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) - UK** License: FRN 583263, held by eToro (UK) Ltd The FCA is arguably the world's strictest financial regulator. Requirements include: - £730,000+ minimum capital at all times - Client money segregation in top-tier UK banks - Negative balance protection for retail clients - FSCS coverage up to £85,000 per person if eToro fails - Annual audits and regular reporting - Strict marketing rules (no misleading claims) If you're UK-based, you're trading with one of the most protected retail accounts possible. **CySEC (Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission) - EU** License: 109/10, held by eToro (Europe) Ltd CySEC provides EU-wide passporting under MiFID II. Protections include: - Client fund segregation - Investor Compensation Fund coverage up to €20,000 - Negative balance protection - Leverage restrictions per ESMA guidelines - Best execution requirements EU residents trade through this entity, getting similar protections to UK clients but with lower compensation limits. **ASIC (Australian Securities & Investments Commission)** License: AFSL 491139, held by eToro AUS Capital Pty Ltd ASIC is a tier-1 regulator with strict requirements: - Segregated client funds - Regular audits - Professional indemnity insurance - No compensation scheme (unlike UK/EU), but strong operational requirements **What this means practically** eToro can't take your money and disappear. Segregated funds mean your capital isn't mixed with their operating money. If eToro somehow went bankrupt (unlikely given their size), liquidators would return client funds first. Negative balance protection means a flash crash can't put you in debt. If markets gap past your stop-loss and your account goes negative, eToro absorbs the loss. Regulatory complaints have a path to resolution. If eToro...

eToro is one of the safest retail brokers you can use. That's not marketing—it's regulatory reality. Three tier-1 regulators: FCA (UK), CySEC (EU), and ASIC (Australia). These are among the strictest financial regulators globally. eToro must maintain capital requirements, submit to regular audits, and follow strict conduct rules. Client fund segregation: Your money sits in separate accounts from eToro's operating funds. If eToro somehow went bankrupt (unlikely given their size), your money wouldn't be used to pay their creditors. Negative balance protection: For EU and UK retail clients, you can't lose more than your deposit. If a flash crash somehow sent your account negative, eToro absorbs the loss. Investor compensation: EU clients are covered by the Investor Compensation Fund up to €20,000. UK clients get FSCS coverage up to £85,000. Australian clients don't have compensation schemes, but ASIC regulation provides other protections. eToro went public on NASDAQ in 2021 with an $8.8 billion valuation. Public companies face additional scrutiny—SEC reporting requirements, audited financials, shareholder accountability. They can't pull the shady tactics that offshore brokers sometimes try. The company has been operating since 2007. Eighteen years without major regulatory sanctions or client fund issues. That track record matters.