eToro Review

Our Verdict

eToro is the best platform for social and copy trading, making investing accessible to beginners who can learn from and mirror experienced traders. While fees are moderate and the US version is crypto-only, the unique social features and multi-asset coverage make it compelling for international investors.

GetASearch Score: 7.8/10

Rating: 4/5 (1245 reviews)

Score Breakdown

What is eToro?

eToro pioneered social trading in 2007 and has grown to serve 30+ million users across 100 countries. The platform uniquely combines traditional brokerage with copy trading - letting you automatically replicate the portfolios and trades of top-performing investors in real time. This makes it one of the best options for beginners who want market exposure without deep expertise. The platform offers commission-free stock and ETF trading (in supported regions), 80+ cryptocurrencies, and CFDs on forex, commodities, and indices. The CopyTrader feature is the centerpiece: browse verified traders by performance, risk score, and asset allocation, then allocate funds to automatically mirror their moves. CopyPortfolios bundle themed strategies (e.g., "Top Tech Stocks," "Crypto Portfolio") managed by eToro's investment committee. Fees vary by asset class: stocks and ETFs are commission-free in most countries, crypto carries a 1% spread, and CFDs have variable spreads. A $5 withdrawal fee and $10 inactivity fee (after 12 months) apply. The interface is clean and mobile-first, with a social feed where traders share insights and analysis. eToro is regulated by the FCA (UK), CySEC (EU), ASIC (Australia), and FinCEN (US), providing strong investor protections. However, the US version is limited to crypto trading only - US users cannot trade stocks or CFDs on eToro. Advanced traders may find the charting tools basic compared to dedicated platforms like TradingView or Interactive Brokers.

Integrations: TradingView, Apple Pay

Interface & Usability

eToro's interface is built around the concept of social trading, making it feel more like a financial social network than a traditional brokerage. The main feed shows posts from other traders, market news, and portfolio updates from popular investors you follow. The trading interface is clean and beginner-friendly. Searching for an asset, viewing its chart, and placing a trade takes just a few taps. The "Virtual Portfolio" (demo account) with $100,000 in paper money lets newcomers practice without risk, which is one of the best onboarding experiences in the industry. The CopyTrader feature is the platform's signature: browse top-performing traders by return, risk score, and asset allocation, then allocate funds to automatically mirror their trades in real time. The minimum copy amount is $200, and you can stop copying at any time. For beginners who lack confidence in their own analysis, this is genuinely valuable. The mobile app mirrors the web experience faithfully, with push notifications for copied trader activity, price alerts, and social interactions. Charts offer basic technical indicators but lack the depth of TradingView or Interactive Brokers' platforms.

Social & Copy Trading

eToro pioneered social trading and remains the market leader. The CopyTrader system lets you allocate a portion of your portfolio to mirror experienced traders automatically. Key metrics for evaluating traders include: - **Risk Score**: 1-10 scale measuring portfolio volatility - **Return history**: Performance over 1, 6, 12, and 24 months - **Copiers count**: How many users are currently copying - **Portfolio composition**: What assets the trader holds - **Max drawdown**: Largest peak-to-trough decline Smart Portfolios (formerly CopyPortfolios) bundle multiple assets or traders into thematic investment strategies, such as "Big Tech," "Crypto Portfolio," or "Warren Buffett inspired." These are managed and rebalanced by eToro's investment committee. The social feed allows traders to share analysis, discuss market moves, and build followings. Popular Investors earn additional compensation based on copier assets, creating an incentive structure that rewards consistent, transparent performance.

Security & Regulation

eToro operates under multiple regulatory frameworks globally: - **FCA** (UK): Financial Conduct Authority regulation for UK clients - **CySEC** (EU): Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission for European clients - **ASIC** (Australia): Australian Securities and Investments Commission - **FinCEN** (US): Registered Money Services Business for US crypto trading Client funds are held in segregated accounts at tier-1 banks. European clients benefit from the Investor Compensation Fund (up to EUR 20,000). The platform uses SSL encryption, two-factor authentication, and account verification (KYC) for all users. eToro's US offering is limited to cryptocurrency trading only, as the company does not hold a US broker-dealer license for stocks and ETFs. This is an important distinction: US users cannot access the full eToro platform that international users enjoy.

Customer Support

eToro provides customer support through a tiered system based on account level: - **Standard accounts**: Access to help center articles and a ticketing system with typical response times of 1-3 business days - **Silver/Gold/Platinum tiers**: Faster response times and access to a dedicated account manager - **Diamond/Platinum+ tiers**: Priority support with direct phone access The help center is comprehensive, covering account setup, trading guides, and troubleshooting. Live chat is available during business hours for verified accounts. Community forums provide peer-to-peer support for common questions. One common criticism is that standard-tier support can be slow during high-volume periods. Users report wait times of several days for ticket responses during market volatility events. The tiered support model incentivizes higher deposits, which some users find frustrating.

eToro Features

Key Specifications

eToro Pricing

• Stocks: 0% commission
• Crypto: 1% spread
• Withdrawal: $5 fee

Best For

• Beginners wanting to copy experienced traders
• Social trading enthusiasts
• International investors wanting multi-asset access
• Passive investors preferring managed strategies

Not Ideal For

• US users wanting stock trading
• Advanced traders needing professional charting
• Fee-sensitive crypto traders
• Day traders requiring Level 2 data

Final Verdict

eToro is the best platform for social and copy trading, making investing accessible to beginners who can learn from and mirror experienced traders. While fees are moderate and the US version is crypto-only, the unique social features and multi-asset coverage make it compelling for international investors.

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Frequently Asked Questions