Best stock brokers for Europeans in 2020

To help you to find the best stock broker in Europe, we went ahead and did the research for you. First, we selected more than 71 quality stock brokers, then we checked and compared their fees, market and product coverage, trading platform and more. We went deep, so you won't have to.

5 made it to the top in Europe. We highly recommend all 5 to you. And now, without further ado...

Our top 5 picks for the best stock brokers of 2020 for citizens in Europe:

1. DEGIRO is the winner. One of the lowest fees on the market. Regulated by multiple top-tier regulators. Easy-to-use web and mobile platform.
2. Interactive Brokers in the second place. Low trading fees. Wide range of products. Many great research tools.
3. TradeStation Global rounded out the top three. Low trading fees. Wide range of products. Fast customer service.
4. LYNX, numero quatro. Wide range of markets and products. Low stock and ETF trading fees. Great mobile platform.
5. Revolut. Free stock trading. Fast and easy account opening. Great mobile trading platform. Just made it to the list with being number five.

What makes a good stock broker? First, they need to offer fair fees. They should also offer access to a lot of markets and need to have a great platform. Easy to list, but hard to figure it out. We are testing brokers along ~100 criteria with real accounts and real money. We know what's up.

Not sure which broker? For a tailored recommendation, check out the broker finder tool. You can enter your country and it will show only the relevant brokers. Want more details? Compare brokers with this detailed comparison table.

Boring, but important stuff: Some of the brokers' portfolio contains CFD products. They are complex and very risky, thus not suitable for everyone. You can easily lose all of your invested money. If you don't have clue what a CFD is, start with these CFD trading tips.

And now, let's see the best stock brokers in Europe one by one, starting with the winner, DEGIRO.

DEGIRO is a Dutch online discount broker. It is privately owned and was established in 2008 by former employees of another brokerage company.

DEGIRO is regulated by top-tier financial authorities such as the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) and the Dutch Central Bank (DNB). It is registered with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Amsterdam.

As of July 2020, DEGIRO no longer keeps a waiting list for new clients.

Recommended for price-sensitive buy-and-hold investors and traders looking only to carry out transactions

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#1 DEGIRO
Stock trading fees

DEGIRO stock trading fees are low.

It is not so easy to compare trading fees for stock trading. What did we do at BrokerChooser? Instead of quoting long fee tables, we compare brokers by calculating all fees of a typical trade for two popular markets, the US and the UK.

A typical trade means that you buy and sell the shares for $2,000.

This super catch-all benchmark fee includes spreads, financing costs (if applies) and commission for all brokers.

Here is the verdict:

All spreads, commissions and financing rate for opening a position, holding for a week, and closing.

Want to check the pricing by yourself? Here you go:

Non-trading fees

DEGIRO has low non-trading fees.

Feel free to check out more about brokerage fees if your want to learn more.

#1 DEGIRO
Account opening

5.0

DEGIRO no longer keeps a waiting list for new users, and no minimum deposit is required. The account creation process is once again fast and fully digital.

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#1 DEGIRO
Deposit and withdrawal

3.3

DEGIRO deposits and withdrawals are free of charge via bank transfer. On the other hand, you cannot deposit funds using a credit or debit card.

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#1 DEGIRO
Markets and products

3.6

At DEGIRO, you can access many markets and trade a lot of different products. CFD and forex are not available, though.

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#1 DEGIRO
Web trading platform

3.9

DEGIRO's web platform is simple and easy to use, even for beginners. On the negative side, you cannot set price alerts.

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#1 DEGIRO
Verdict

DEGIRO is a good choice if you want a simple platform and don’t want to spend too much on fees.

Transaction costs are generally very low. DEGIRO also has one of the best trading platforms for Europeans. In addition, the account opening process is now fast again, as a recent temporary waiting list has been scrapped.

On the other hand, education and research tools are limited. We should also mention that there is no forex trading, and most clients can only deposit and withdraw by bank transfer.

All in all, DEGIRO is a great online broker. There is no minimum deposit and no inactivity fee, so feel free to go ahead and give it a try.

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Interactive Brokers was founded in 1978 and is one of the biggest US-based discount brokers. The broker is regulated by several financial authorities globally, including top-tier ones like the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

As it has licenses from multiple top-tier regulators, Interactive Brokers is considered safe. Having a long track record and publicly disclosed financials while being listed on a stock exchange are also great signs for its safety.

Recommended for traders looking for low fees and a professional trading environment

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#2 Interactive Brokers
Stock trading fees

Interactive Brokers stock trading fees are low.

It is not so easy to compare trading fees for stock trading. What did we do at BrokerChooser? Instead of quoting long fee tables, we compare brokers by calculating all fees of a typical trade for two popular markets, the US and the UK.

A typical trade means that you buy and sell the shares for $2,000.

This super catch-all benchmark fee includes spreads, financing costs (if applies) and commission for all brokers.

Here is the verdict:

All spreads, commissions and financing rate for opening a position, holding for a week, and closing.

Want to check the pricing by yourself? Here you go:

Non-trading fees

Interactive Brokers has average non-trading fees.

Feel free to check out more about brokerage fees if your want to learn more.

#2 Interactive Brokers
Account opening

3.4

IB's account opening process is fully digital and the required minimum deposit is low. On the negative side, the process is complicated, and account verification takes relatively long.

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#2 Interactive Brokers
Deposit and withdrawal

2.5

Interactive Brokers offers many account base currency options and one free withdrawal per month. The main drawbacks are that you can only use bank transfer, and the process is not user-friendly.

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#2 Interactive Brokers
Markets and products

5.0

Through Interactive Brokers you can access an extremely wide range of markets and all product types are available.

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#2 Interactive Brokers
Web trading platform

4.3

Interactive Brokers's web platform is simple and easy to use, even for beginners. On the negative side, it is not customizable.

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#2 Interactive Brokers
Verdict

Interactive Brokers is one of the biggest US-based discount brokers, regulated by several top-tier regulators globally. We recommend this broker for advanced traders.

On the plus side, IB has low fees, a vast range of markets and products available with diverse research tools. 

There are some drawbacks though: there is a high inactivity fee and the account opening process is complicated. The desktop platform is complex and hard to get a handle on, especially for beginners.

If you have experience navigating complex platforms and enjoy transparent, low-cost trading, Interactive Brokers could be a great fit for you.

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TradeStation Global is the brand of TradeStation International Ltd, which is based in the UK and is regulated by the top-tier Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

TradeStation Global is a combined product offered by Interactive Brokers (IB) and TradeStation. Here are its most important elements:

• The account opening, deposit/withdrawal options, and available products are the same as at Interactive Brokers.
• You can use both Interactive Brokers's and TradeStation's own desktop platform.
• TradeStation Global charges its own fees, and offers its own customer support and educational tools.

Both Interactive Brokers and TradeStation are reputable brokers, regulated by top-tier financial authorities. While Interactive Brokers is listed on the NASDAQ, TradeStation itself is not: only TradeStation's parent company Monex is listed, on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Recommended for traders and investors looking for low fees and a wide selection of products

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#3 TradeStation Global
Stock trading fees

TradeStation Global stock trading fees are low.

It is not so easy to compare trading fees for stock trading. What did we do at BrokerChooser? Instead of quoting long fee tables, we compare brokers by calculating all fees of a typical trade for two popular markets, the US and the UK.

A typical trade means that you buy and sell the shares for $2,000.

This super catch-all benchmark fee includes spreads, financing costs (if applies) and commission for all brokers.

Here is the verdict:

All spreads, commissions and financing rate for opening a position, holding for a week, and closing.

Want to check the pricing by yourself? Here you go:

Non-trading fees

TradeStation Global has low non-trading fees.

Feel free to check out more about brokerage fees if your want to learn more.

#3 TradeStation Global
Account opening

2.8

TradeStation Global's account opening is fully digital and fast. On the negative side, the process is complicated and there is a high, $1,000 minimum deposit required in order to use TSG's own desktop platform.

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#3 TradeStation Global
Deposit and withdrawal

2.5

TradeStation Global offers many account base currency options and one free withdrawal per month. The main drawbacks are that you can only use bank transfer and the process is not user-friendly.

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#3 TradeStation Global
Markets and products

5.0

With TradeStation Global, you can access the same range of product types and exchanges as at Interactive Brokers. This selection is one of the widest among online brokers.

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#3 TradeStation Global
Web trading platform

4.3

You can use your TradeStation Global account to log in to the Interactive Brokers web trading platform. The TSG Client Portal is simple and easy to use even for beginners. On the negative side, it is not customizable.

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#3 TradeStation Global
Verdict

TradeStation Global has low trading fees, provides access to a lot of products and markets and has great customer support. The TradeStation Global desktop platform has great charting tools, plenty of indicators, highly customizable watchlists (Radar Screen) and a great programming tool (EasyLanguage).

On the other hand, the deposit and withdrawal process is not user-friendly and you can use only bank transfer. The account opening is complicated and for full account verification to use the TSG desktop trading platform, a minimum deposit of $1,000 is required. Margin rates are higher than at Interactive Brokers (IB). Lastly, the education section could be expanded with more materials, as it is quite limited.

If you want access to IB's product range and an account without inactivity fees, feel free to try TradeStation Global.

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LYNX is a Netherlands-based stockbroker founded in 2006.

LYNX is also an introducing broker of Interactive Brokers. This practically means that your deposited funds will be held at Interactive Brokers' accounts but the fees are charged by LYNX. You can also use IB's trading platforms. 

LYNX is considered safe because both LYNX and Interactive Brokers are regulated by top-tier regulators.

Recommended for european traders looking for low stock and etf fees and a good mobile trading platform

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#4 LYNX
Stock trading fees

LYNX stock trading fees are low.

It is not so easy to compare trading fees for stock trading. What did we do at BrokerChooser? Instead of quoting long fee tables, we compare brokers by calculating all fees of a typical trade for two popular markets, the US and the UK.

A typical trade means that you buy and sell the shares for $2,000.

This super catch-all benchmark fee includes spreads, financing costs (if applies) and commission for all brokers.

Here is the verdict:

All spreads, commissions and financing rate for opening a position, holding for a week, and closing.

Want to check the pricing by yourself? Here you go:

Non-trading fees

LYNX has average non-trading fees.

Feel free to check out more about brokerage fees if your want to learn more.

#4 LYNX
Account opening

2.5

LYNX's account opening is fully digital and user-friendly. However, there is a €3,000 minimum deposit and the account opening took us over three days.

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#4 LYNX
Deposit and withdrawal

2.5

You can fund your account in many base currencies and there is also one free withdrawal per month. However, you can only use bank transfer and the process is not user-friendly.

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#4 LYNX
Markets and products

5.0

At LYNX you can trade with all the asset classes and reach many markets.

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#4 LYNX
Web trading platform

3.3

The LYNX web trading platform is simple and easy to use. You can execute your order via several order types and access a clear fee report. On the negative side, it lacks the two-step login, customizability, and price alerts.

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#4 LYNX
Verdict

LYNX has low stock and ETF trading fees, a great mobile trading platform, and offers a wide range of markets and products. 

On the other hand, the deposit and withdrawal options are limited. There is also a €3,000 minimum deposit and its desktop platform is quite complicated.

Feel free to try LYNX if you are a European client and prefer low stock and ETF trading fees and a good mobile trading platform.

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Revolut is a fast-growing fintech startup founded in 2015 and mainly known for its banking and payment services. In 2019, the company also launched its commission-free stock trading, which is provided by Revolut Trading Ltd. 

Revolut is regulated by multiple top-tier regulators, including the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Clients' assets are protected up to $500,000 ($250,000 cash) under the Securities Investment Protection Corporation's (SIPC) insurance. Revolut is also regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). 

Recommended for beginners looking for free trading and a great mobile-only trading platform

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#5 Revolut
Stock trading fees

Revolut stock trading fees are low.

It is not so easy to compare trading fees for stock trading. What did we do at BrokerChooser? Instead of quoting long fee tables, we compare brokers by calculating all fees of a typical trade for two popular markets, the US and the UK.

A typical trade means that you buy and sell the shares for $2,000.

This super catch-all benchmark fee includes spreads, financing costs (if applies) and commission for all brokers.

Here is the verdict:

All spreads, commissions and financing rate for opening a position, holding for a week, and closing.

Want to check the pricing by yourself? Here you go:

Non-trading fees

Revolut has low non-trading fees.

Feel free to check out more about brokerage fees if your want to learn more.

#5 Revolut
Account opening

5.0

Revolut has an easy, fast, and fully digital account opening, requiring no minimum account balance.

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#5 Revolut
Deposit and withdrawal

3.5

Revolut offers several deposit options, and both deposits and withdrawals are free even when using wire transfers. On the negative side, you can only use a USD-based account for trading.

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#5 Revolut
Markets and products

2.0

Revolut has a limited product portfolio, as you can only trade certain US stocks, cryptos and gold. It lacks other popular asset classes like mutual funds, bonds or options.

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#5 Revolut
Web trading platform

Revolut does not offer a web trading platform, as it's available only on mobile. This is a drawback, as web-based applications are convenient to use and accessible from all devices.

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#5 Revolut
Verdict

Revolut's fees are great. With all three types of accounts, you can trade US stocks for free (though monthly limits may apply). Account opening is easy, fully digital, and fast. You can use an awesome and user-friendly mobile trading platform.

Revolut has some drawbacks though. The product portfolio covers only US stocks and some crypto currencies. There are only a few research tools, while it offers no educational material at all. Customer service could also be improved. 

If you want to trade US stocks for free and are looking for an easy-to-use mobile platform, Revolut is a great choice.

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Now you know the top 5. You are probably curious about how we came up with this list. Let's go through a few points quickly. What is a stock broker? Why do we think these brokers are safe? What are the most important factors when selecting the best stock brokers?

What is a stock broker?

Thirty years ago if you wanted to buy a stock, you had to pick up the phone and call your broker, who executed the transaction in return for a commission. Brokers were like in the Wolf of Wall Street movie. They were checking the stocks' prices while holding a telephone and shouting. Everything changed after the internet appeared. Nowadays if you want to buy Apple shares, you open online an account, deposit money, and make the order through the brokers' online platform. These brokers are the online brokers. Online brokers help you buying and selling securities, like stocks. After making your order, the online broker executes it immediately. Everything is online.

Are these brokers safe?

Yes, they are considered safe. You can be sure none of them is a scam. They are regulated by top-tier regulators. Some of them are also listed on an exchange, and some have a banking background.

However, also brokerage companies can go down. Remember Lehman Brothers? In these cases, it is important to know what happens with your securities and cash. These are usually held in segregated accounts, so even in case of a broker bankruptcy, you are safe.

If everything goes very bad and for example, the broker steals your assets, then you have a last resort, the compensation fund of the country where the broker is regulated.

How did BrokerChooser pick the best international stock brokers for a citizen in Europe?

At BrokerChooser we test online brokers along ~100 criteria, with a real account and real money. Not to overwhelm you we list the five most important criteria.

The 5 most important criteria for stock brokers are:

You saw the details, now let's zoom out. Here are the best stock brokers of 2020 in Europe:

DEGIRO is our winner, the best stock broker in Europe for 2020. One of the lowest fees on the market. Regulated by multiple top-tier regulators. Easy-to-use web and mobile platform.

All stock brokers are considered a great choice. Pick the winner, or any runner-up and take the next step in your investment journey. Let us know what you think in the comment section.

Still unsure? Use the broker finder and find the best broker for you or learn more about investing your money