Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of eToro vs Bestinvest, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, investment options, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
Alongside the cost per trade, most UK online brokers also charge a monthly, quarterly, or annual management fee, which varies based on the account type and balance. Based on our thorough review, eToro offers better pricing than Bestinvest for share dealing.
Assuming a £30,000 portfolio size, here are the total annual costs for share dealing with both brokers, given different monthly activity scenarios.
5 trades per year - eToro would cost £0 per year, while Bestinvest would cost £144.75 per year.
12 trades per year - eToro would cost £0 per year, while Bestinvest would cost £119.40 - £179.40 per year.
36 trades per year - eToro would cost £0 per year, while Bestinvest would cost £238.20 - £357.60 per year.
120 trades per year - eToro would cost £0 per year, while Bestinvest would cost £654 - £714 per year.
3 fund trades per year - eToro would cost $50 per year, while Bestinvest would cost £50 per year.
What type of trader are you?
New to the world of investing? See our picks for the Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners. More experienced traders should read our guide to the Best UK Trading Platforms for Active Traders.
For UK investors weighing their options between eToro and Bestinvest, each online broker provides a variety of investment choices tailored to distinct needs. eToro shines in areas such as share and crypto trading, making it a strong contender for those interested in diverse asset classes like cryptocurrencies and contracts for difference (CFDs). It also supports the trading of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), but doesn’t cater to those looking for funds or bonds. Rated at 4.5 stars for investment choices by UK.StockBrokers.com, eToro is ranked 15th out of 18 brokers.
Bestinvest, on the other hand, is better suited for those who prioritize funds and investment trusts, complemented by advisor services to guide investment strategies. Although it lacks options for crypto trading and CFDs, it provides share and ETF trading capabilities. Matching eToro with a 4.5-star rating for investment options, Bestinvest holds a higher rank of 10th among 18 brokers, reflecting its strengths in traditional investment offerings.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | No | Yes |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | No |
| Investment Trusts | No | Yes |
| Spread Betting | No | No |
| Crypto Trading | Yes | No |
| Advisor Services | No | Yes |
| Investment Choices |
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Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
Low-cost US and UK shares.
When evaluating the trading tools of eToro and Bestinvest, eToro stands out for its extensive charting capabilities. eToro provides 56 drawing tools compared to Bestinvest's 9, and offers a substantial 106 technical indicators, far surpassing Bestinvest’s 36. Both platforms allow users to add notes to their charts, but eToro offers extra flexibility by allowing index overlays whereas Bestinvest does not. Additionally, both platforms enable the addition of stock overlays to charts.
Both eToro and Bestinvest offer user-friendly, browser-based trading platforms with the ability to set alerts for stock price updates. However, eToro gives users the advantage of accessing real-time market data, a feature not available with Bestinvest. Neither broker displays corporate events such as earnings or dividends on their charts, but eToro's superior selection of charting tools and real-time data access make it a compelling choice for UK traders seeking a comprehensive online trading experience.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 106 | 36 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 56 | 9 |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | No |
When comparing online brokers eToro and Bestinvest for UK investors seeking retirement account options, notable differences emerge. Both eToro and Bestinvest provide Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs), allowing tax-efficient savings. However, those interested in a Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) will need to look towards Bestinvest, as eToro currently does not offer SIPP accounts. This distinction makes Bestinvest a suitable choice for individuals focused on retirement planning via a SIPP, while eToro remains an option for ISA account holders. Ultimately, your choice will depend on your specific investment needs and retirement goals.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
In the realm of online brokerage mobile apps, both eToro and Bestinvest provide options for iPhone and Android users, ensuring accessibility no matter your device preference. According to UK.StockBrokers.com, eToro receives high praise, boasting a 5-star rating and securing the 5th spot out of 18 brokers for its mobile app. In comparison, Bestinvest holds a 3.5-star rating and is placed at 16th out of 18 brokers. This suggests that eToro may offer a superior mobile experience, appealing to those who prioritize seamless and efficient trading on their smartphones.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When it comes to beginner investor educational resources, UK readers will find key differences between online brokers eToro and Bestinvest. Bestinvest excels with its educational client webinars, including the convenience of on-demand viewing—a feature eToro lacks. Both platforms offer guidance on share trading, but only Bestinvest provides education on funds and retirement. According to UK.StockBrokers.com, eToro receives a commendable 4.5 stars for beginner education, yet Bestinvest edges ahead with a perfect 5 stars. In a ranking of 18 brokers, eToro sits at #11, while Bestinvest secures a respectable #6 spot, making it a top contender for those new to investing.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | No | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Funds) | No | Yes |
| Education (Retirement) | No | Yes |
| Education |
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|
Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When it comes to market research tools, eToro and Bestinvest offer distinct features for UK investors. Both platforms provide access to portfolio allocation by asset class, allowing users to easily manage and track their investments. They also deliver insightful research on shares and ETFs, ensuring informed decision-making. However, when it comes to funds research, Bestinvest takes the lead by offering comprehensive reports that eToro lacks. Conversely, eToro supports CFDs research, which is absent in Bestinvest's offerings. Neither platform provides bonds research, so investors interested in bonds might need to look elsewhere.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | No |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | No | No |
| Research - Funds | No | Yes |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | No | Yes |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
Which broker is better overall, eToro or Bestinvest? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found eToro to be a better trading platform overall.
eToro offers a wide range of assets and instruments and is well-known for its ‘social trading’ approach. It has among the lowest fees and best mobile app experiences of brokers we tested in the U.K., and offers a great starting point for those new to stock trading. Our analysis finds it better suited to short-term traders than long-term investors.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Charges & Fees |
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| Mobile App |
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| Website |
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| Ease of Use |
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While eToro offers cryptocurrency trading options, Bestinvest does not provide this feature, making eToro a more suitable choice for investors seeking access to digital currencies.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | eToro | Bestinvest | |
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| Review | eToro Review | Bestinvest Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | eToro | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | No | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No | |
| Funds | No | Yes | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | No | No | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | No | |
| Investment Trusts | No | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | No | No | |
| Crypto Trading | Yes | No | |
| Advisor Services | No | Yes |
| Trading Fees | eToro | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | £50 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £0 | £0 - £4.95 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £0 | £0 - £4.95 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £0 | £0 - £4.95 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £144.75 | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £119.40 - £179.40 | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £238.20 - £357.60 | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £654 - £714 | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | N/A | £60 or £120 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | £0 | Up to £500 or £1,000 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £0 | £500 - £1,000 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | £0 | £100 - £1,000 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | £0 | £0 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | N/A | £4.95 | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | N/A | £4.95 | |
| ETFs - Fee | £0 | £4.95 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | N/A | £4.95 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | N/A | £30 |
| Broker Screenshots | eToro | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Platforms & Tools | eToro | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 106 | 36 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 56 | 9 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | No |
| Research | eToro | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | No | |
| Research - Funds | No | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | No | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | No | No | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
| Education | eToro | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | No | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes |
| Overall Summary | eToro | Bestinvest | |
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| Review | eToro Review | Bestinvest Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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