eToro Review UK
eToro is often recognised as the world’s largest social investing community, serving millions of traders and investors worldwide. In the UK, it has gained significant attention thanks to its user-friendly design, social features, and commission-free stock and ETF trading. Below is an in-depth look at eToro’s key offerings, fees, pros and cons, and overall user experience.
Quick Facts
Minimum Deposit: 50 USD (around £40)
ISA Available: Yes (in partnership with Moneyfarm)
SIPP Available: No
Trading and Investment Options: Stocks, ETFs, CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Cryptocurrencies
Mobile App Ratings: 4.0/5 (from over 145,600 reviews on iOS and Android combined)
Notable Fees: $5 withdrawal fee, currency conversion fees, spread charges on CFDs
Regulation & Protection: Regulated by the FCA in the UK; client funds protected up to £85,000 under FSCS
Key Features
1. Social Investing Community
eToro’s standout feature is social investing. You can view and even copy other traders’ portfolios in real time. Known as CopyTrader, this tool lets you track top-performing investors, set your own risk parameters, and automatically replicate their trades if you wish.
2. Wide Range of Assets
eToro offers:
Stocks and ETFs: Over 3,000 stocks and 400+ ETFs, commission-free for UK traders when trading in GBP.
Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin, Ethereum, and many other popular coins are available.
Forex, Commodities, Indices, and CFDs: For more advanced traders, eToro supports leveraged CFD trading, although this carries higher risk.
3. eToro ISA
For UK users wanting to invest in a tax-efficient way, eToro now has an ISA option through a partnership with Moneyfarm. This lets you invest in shares and funds without having to pay capital gains or dividend tax on any growth, though fees can be around 1% per year.
4. Mobile App
Both Android and iOS users have given strong feedback on eToro’s mobile apps, with an overall 4.0 rating from more than 145,600 reviews. Some user comments include:
“Wow. Best platform ever guys, invest now.” – Who lnows (Apple App Store)
“Easy to use. The app contains a lot of useful trading information allowing for better-informed choices.” – SajimusMaximus (Apple App Store)
“Dark mode. Why isn’t dark mode an option?” – Paul McCartney (Apple App Store)
Besides the occasional wish for dark mode, most reviews highlight the app’s intuitive layout, speed of transactions, and smooth deposit/withdrawal process.
5. CopyTrader and Smart Portfolios
CopyTrader: Lets you replicate the strategies of other users. Simply choose a trader based on risk appetite and returns, then allocate a portion of your funds to copy their trades.
Smart Portfolios: Ready-made themed portfolios (e.g., AI, real estate, tech). These can be good if you prefer a diversified basket of assets managed by specialists. Minimum investment is $500.
Fees and Charges
Commission-Free Stocks & ETFs
No trading commissions for purchasing stocks or ETFs in GBP.
Currency Conversion Fees
Most trading on eToro is in USD, so depositing/withdrawing GBP can incur a conversion fee.
However, eToro now supports a GBP wallet option, so you can bypass or reduce these charges.
Withdrawal Fee
A flat $5 fee (around £4) per withdrawal.
Minimum withdrawal amount is $30.
Crypto Trading Fees
A 1% buy/sell fee for cryptocurrencies, included in the displayed market price.
ISA Fees
Annual average of around 1% in management costs via eToro’s partnership with Moneyfarm.
Potentially pricier for large portfolios compared to some flat-fee ISA providers.
Overnight & Inactivity Charges
CFDs: Overnight holding fees (varies by asset type).
Inactivity Fee: $10 per month if you fail to log in for 12 months.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Commission-Free Share Dealing
No trading charge for stocks and ETFs; no annual custody fees.Low Minimum Deposit
You can open an account with as little as $50, which is appealing to newer or small-scale investors.Social and Copy Trading Tools
Ideal for those who want to learn from more experienced investors or simply mirror successful strategies.Excellent Mobile Experience
A well-rated app offering charting tools, watchlists, and easy trade execution.ISA Option
eToro now offers an ISA for UK investors looking for tax-efficient growth.
Cons
Limited Investment Universe
No direct mutual funds, bonds, or investment trusts – so more traditional, long-term investors may feel restricted.Hidden/Additional Fees
Withdrawal and conversion fees, plus a 1% crypto buy/sell fee.No SIPP Option
Pension investors cannot open a SIPP on eToro, which is a drawback if you want the tax benefits of a pension wrapper.
Platform and User Experience
Web Platform
The web interface offers clear navigation, customisable watchlists, and an engaging social feed. An integrated “news feed” helps you see trending stories, upcoming earnings, or big market movers, plus commentary from peers.
Mobile Trading
Many of the platform’s advanced tools – such as charting indicators and drawing tools – are available on mobile. You can also set up watchlists and price alerts, deposit or withdraw funds, and read market news on the go.
eToro Wallet
For UK users looking to reduce currency conversion fees, there is now an eToro Money account and debit card, letting you hold GBP and deposit instantly into your investment account.
Safety and Regulation
FCA-Regulated: eToro is regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority, meaning your funds are protected up to £85,000 under the FSCS if the company were to fail.
Segregated Funds: Client money is kept separate from the firm’s finances.
Two-Factor Authentication: Additional layer of account security via mobile verification codes.
Who Might Like eToro
Beginners
Straightforward interface, commission-free stock trading, and a virtual account feature that helps newcomers practise without risking real money.
Social Traders
Unique copy-trading and social feed means you can interact with other traders, share ideas, and replicate their strategies.
Short-Term and Crypto Traders
Leverage options, quick order execution, and wide crypto offering can appeal to more active traders or those focusing on digital assets.
Final Thoughts
Overall, eToro provides an accessible entry into the world of investing, especially for beginners or those intrigued by the concept of social and copy trading. While it may lack certain traditional investing options (like mutual funds, bonds, or SIPPs), and there are some fees to keep an eye on (withdrawal, conversion, crypto fees), the platform’s user-friendly interface and vibrant community stand out.
For many in the UK, the addition of an ISA and GBP wallet significantly improves its appeal, allowing for tax-efficient investing and reduced foreign exchange costs. However, if you prefer a wider array of funds or a dedicated pension account, you might find other brokers more suitable. As always, consider your goals, risk tolerance, and the specific fees you might incur before settling on any platform.
eToro UK Review at a Glance
Is eToro any good for beginners in the UK?
eToro is a popular stock broker with over 20 million users in 100 countries including the United Kingdom, which is fully regulated and secure and also offers insurance of up to 1 million from Lloyds of London.
eToro is an all-in-one trading platform where you can buy stocks, commodities, currencies, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies and also has the option of copy trading.
eToro offers an easy to use commission-free stock trading platform that is suited to beginners, with seamless account set-up and a social media-type feed for trading
How to set-up an eToro account in the UK?
Sign up with all required personal details such as name and email address.
Verify your eToro account with Proof of Identity such as your passport, Also verify proof of address by uploading a copy of a recent bank statement, etc.
Make a first-time deposit, The minimum amount starts at $50 in the UK, but after the first deposit, it's only $10.
Start trading and buying stocks.
How to buy stocks on eToro UK for beginners?
Select your investment amount, remember to start with disposable income, or even start with the virtual money account that eToro UK offers.
Buy stocks that are high-capital and that you are familiar with or use their products such as Apple, Colgate Amazon, etc.
Buy at least 5 stocks in different business categories to diversify and for risk management.
Remember to buy stocks when they're down and sell when they rise, always research stocks before buying.
How to buy stocks on eToro UK using Finviz?
My stock trading strategy and watchlists.
Go to Finviz stock screener and search for high-capital stocks that are oversold and below the RSI line of 30.
Research that the stock has an analyst rating of buy and the current price is near the lowest analyst expectation for the next 12 months.
Research the stock news on Google to make the reason why the stock dropped in price is short-term and then I buy the stock.
eToro Copy Trading UK
What is eToro Copy Trading UK?
eToro copy trading UK enables you to copy popular experience eToro traders by replicating everything they do on their account, when they buy and sell stocks your selected investment amount copies the trades automatically.
Essentially you can have other people trade on your behalf. It doesn't cost anything extra but you will pay the normal spread fees when you buy and sell stocks.
Before you copy a popular investor you can view all their past trading activities and gains, their risk score, and their profile to learn about their trading strategy. The minimum investment to get started in the United Kingdom is $200.
Reviews of some of the popular investors you can copy on eToro UK
Rubymza is a solid long-term investor that uses fundamental and machine learning to research stocks, she focuses on a diverse portfolio to lower risk while offering great returns. Rubymza is originally from South Africa but lives in the U.K. and has an MBA degree in machine learning. She recommends you copy open trades with at least $1000 for 3 years plus.
Campervans is a long-term trader specializing in stocks and ETFs, he is a private banker from the U.K but lives in the United Arab Emirates that has managed the wealth of some of the Forbes top ten rich list. He uses a core and satellite strategy and invests in forward-thinking and growth stocks. He recommends copying open trades with at least $500.
eToro Day Trading UK
eToro Day trading in the UK is the process of buying and selling a stock within one day. It is one of my favorite ways to trade as it can be very lucrative but can have challenges for newbies and takes time to master before you perfect and practice your strategy.
Day traders use support and resistance levels and news-based trading, for the most part, to determine when to buy and sell stocks. Day trading is not for the faint of heart and requires skill and a level head as it can be very risky, but can offer a full-time career when done right.
I would say to start with small amounts of virtual money and when you are profitable five out of the seven days start with larger amounts. To be honest, it took me at least six months to become confident to even consider day trading as a full-time career.
eToro Review UK FAQs
Is eToro safe to buy stocks in the UK?
Yes, eToro is where I bought my first stocks and learned how to trade, I would recommend it to family and friends. It is fully regulated by the FCA in the UK, CySEC in Cyprus, and ASIC in Australia which is very important, also They offer free insurance from Lloyd’s of London which gives coverage of up to 1 million.
The CEO Yoni Assia is a down-to-earth, inspirational man who has been trading since he was 14 years old, and his goal is to make trading accessible to everyone. There are over 20 million registered users from over 100 countries, so going by the wisdom of the crowd, eToro is very safe.
Who to copy on eToro UK?
First of all, I would recommend you copy at least two to five popular investors on eToro to diversify and spread the risk. (Even better to copy multiple investors with different trading strategies and stocks).
Currently, I am copying Jaynemesis & JeppeKirkBonde who are currently copy blocked unfortunately due to hitting their AUM (Investment amount under management limit).
But from the popular investors that I have done a deep dive research of for my YouTube channel, I would be confident to copy Heloïse Greeff - Rubymza and James Campion - Campervans.
Using the wisdom of the crowd and searching for the most copied investors and the percentage of profitable trades is a good place to start when choosing a popular investor to copy.
Recommended Trading Platforms in the UK
eToro is a multi-asset platform which offers both investing in stocks and cryptoassets, as well as trading CFDs.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 51% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Cryptoasset investing is highly volatile and unregulated in some EU countries. Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment, and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more. No consumer protection. Tax on profits may apply.This communication is intended for information and educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice or investment recommendation. Past performance is not an indication of future results.
Copy Trading does not amount to investment advice. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.
eToro USA LLC does not offer CFDs and neither does it represent or assume any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the content of this publication, prepared by What is Bitcoin, as a partner, using information available and public and not specific to the eToro entity