Choosing the right trading platform in the UK can feel overwhelming. With so many options—from Trading 212 to Freetrade, Hargreaves Lansdown, and IG—eToro consistently shows up as one of the most talked-about platforms. After seeing endless ads and hearing friends rave about the CopyTrading feature, I decided to put it to the test myself.

I’ve now been using eToro for well over a year, and this review is based entirely on my real personal experience as a UK investor—the good, the bad, and everything in between. If you’re wondering whether eToro is the best trading platform in the UK, this breakdown should help you decide.

Why I Decided to Try eToro as a UK Investor

I originally signed up to eToro because I wanted a simple, all-in-one platform where I could buy US stocks, UK stocks, ETFs, and crypto in the same place. A lot of UK brokers offer stocks and ETFs but not crypto, which meant I would have needed multiple apps. eToro was an appealing solution.

While comparing platforms, I noticed a few advantages:

  • £0 commission on stocks (better than many traditional UK brokers like HL or AJ Bell)

  • Huge range of US shares, which I invest in heavily

  • Crypto trading, which was important to me

  • CopyTrading, which I wanted to experiment with to learn from more experienced investors

  • Clean mobile app and modern interface

Signing up was straightforward. Verification took me around 10 minutes, and depositing money was instant with my debit card. First impressions were good—clean layout, easy navigation, and no steep learning curve.

Is eToro Safe and Legit for UK Investors?

Safety was my top concern before depositing any money. eToro operates under eToro (UK) Ltd, which is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)—the same regulator that oversees banks and major UK financial institutions.

This means:

  • They must hold client funds in segregated accounts.

  • They are required to follow strict financial standards.

  • There’s a formal complaint and oversight process.

Additionally, the platform supports two-factor authentication, and I’ve never experienced any security issues personally. Everything from logging in to withdrawing money feels professional, transparent, and trustworthy.

My Hands-On Experience Using eToro

Interface & Ease of Use

eToro is one of the cleanest trading apps I’ve used. The dashboard shows your portfolio, watchlist, trending assets, and markets all in one place. For beginners, this is a bonus—you don’t feel overwhelmed by charts, graphs, and jargon.

The mobile app is especially smooth. I find myself checking my positions on the app far more often than the desktop site. You can also switch between investing and watching other traders’ portfolios with one tap.

CopyTrader & Smart Portfolios

This is the feature that makes eToro stand out.

With CopyTrader, you can choose a trader and automatically mirror their trades—amount, timing, and asset allocation.
I tested CopyTrader with a small amount (£200) just to see how it performed.

My experience:

  • The copying setup was surprisingly easy.

  • You can view the trader’s full stats, performance history, and risk score.

  • Over 6 months, my CopyTrader position gained roughly 8%.

It’s not a magic profit button, but it’s genuinely helpful if you’re learning or want a hands-off approach. Just be aware that losses can still happen—you’re copying another person, not a machine.

Placing Trades

Buying stocks or crypto on eToro is extremely quick:

  • Search the asset

  • Click “Trade”

  • Choose amount (fractional shares allowed)

  • Confirm

Trades execute reliably and without delays. Fractional investing is a massive plus because I don’t always want to commit hundreds to one US share.

Asset Selection: What You Can Trade

eToro offers one of the broadest asset ranges I’ve seen for UK retail traders:

  • Stocks and ETFs (UK, US, EU)

  • Crypto assets

  • Commodities (gold, oil, silver)

  • Indices

  • Forex trading

  • CFDs (for experienced traders only)

From my own experience, I was able to build a diversified portfolio of:

  • Tesla, Apple, Nvidia

  • FTSE 100 ETFs

  • Bitcoin and Ethereum

  • Gold

  • A couple of tech-focused Smart Portfolios

However, some UK-specific ETFs are missing, which might disappoint more advanced UK investors.

Understanding eToro Fees: My Real Costs

This is where the platform gets a bit more complicated for UK investors.

Stock Investing (Commission-Free)

Buying stocks is genuinely commission-free, which saved me a lot in the long run compared to older UK brokers. No surprises here.

FX Conversion Fee

This is the one fee I felt most. When you deposit in GBP, eToro converts it to USD. The current rate is competitive but comes with a small percentage fee. For example:

  • When I deposited £1,000, I paid around £4–£5 in conversion fees.

It’s not huge, but it’s something Trading 212 doesn’t charge.

Withdrawal Fee

Each withdrawal costs $5 (about £3.85).
This annoyed me at first, but it hasn’t been a big issue because I rarely withdraw small amounts.

Crypto Trading Fees

Crypto trades include a spread, which varies by coin.
In my experience, spreads weren’t as high as some exchanges, but they’re not the cheapest in the industry either.

Inactivity Fee

If you don’t log in for 12 months, there’s a £10 monthly fee.
I’ve never been charged because I log in frequently, but it’s worth knowing.

Deposits, Withdrawals & My Customer Support Experience

Deposits

  • Debit card deposits were instant.

  • Bank transfers took around 1–3 days.

  • Minimum deposit for UK users is currently reasonable.

Withdrawals

My withdrawals generally took 2–4 business days to reach my bank. I never had a failed withdrawal or delay beyond this.

Customer Support

This is where eToro could improve.
Support options include:

  • Live chat

  • Support tickets

  • A resource-heavy help centre

Live chat availability can be hit-or-miss, especially during busy periods. When I finally got through, agents were helpful, but response times weren’t the fastest.
Not terrible, but not exceptional either.

Pros & Cons from My Personal Experience

  • Extremely beginner-friendly interface
  • Strong FCA regulation
  • Good range of stocks, ETFs, crypto, and CFDs
  • CopyTrader is genuinely useful and fun
  • Fractional shares available
  • Great mobile app
  • FX conversion costs when depositing GBP
  • $5 withdrawal fee
  • Some UK ETFs are missing
  • Customer support can feel slow

Who Is eToro Best For in the UK?

Based on my personal use, eToro is ideal for:

  • Beginners who want a simple, modern platform

  • Investors who want both stocks and crypto in one app

  • People who want to copy experienced traders

  • Long-term buy-and-hold investors taking advantage of £0 commissions

However, I wouldn’t recommend it for:

  • High-frequency day traders (conversion fees can add up)

  • UK-only investors who want niche local ETFs

  • Traders who want ultra-advanced charting tools

My Final Verdict: Is eToro the Best Trading Platform in the UK?

Overall, I would absolutely recommend eToro to most new and intermediate UK investors. It’s not perfect, and the FX fees are something to keep in mind, but the ease of use, asset range, and CopyTrader feature genuinely make it stand out.

For me personally, eToro has become one of my main long-term investing platforms. I like the mix of stocks, ETFs, and crypto in one place, and I enjoy following other traders’ strategies. The user experience alone makes it one of the best trading apps available in the UK right now.

If you’re looking for a reliable, FCA-regulated, beginner-friendly trading platform with a wide range of assets, eToro is definitely worth trying.

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Disclaimer:
This review is based on my personal experience and does not constitute financial advice. Investing involves risk, including potential loss of capital. Past performance of other traders or assets on eToro does not guarantee future results. Cryptoasset investing is highly volatile and unregulated in the UK. You should only invest money you can afford to lose. Always conduct your own research or consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.

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