The Ultimate Guide to Choosing an Investment Platform

Choosing an investment platform isn’t about finding the perfect option.

It’s about finding one that helps you get started and keeps you going.

The internet is full of rankings, reviews and “top platform” lists, but none of them know your income, your goals or your values.

This guide breaks the decision down into a few clear questions so you can choose a platform with confidence and move on to the part that actually matters: investing.

At the end of this guide, you’ll find a list of investment platforms by country, selected based on where most of our members are located, to help you explore your options.

1. Range

Not all platforms offer the same investments.

Some focus on stocks, others on ETFs or funds, and some offer access to multiple markets worldwide.

Think about what you actually want to invest in right now and remember that fewer options can sometimes make getting started easier.

2. Costs and fees

Trading platforms will vary greatly in the amount they charge.

But here’s for some bad news – there is no such thing as a free platform.

That being said, the fees that are charged are (hopefully) going towards improving features that the platform has, like the range of investments, the user experience and the ongoing regulation needed to have a platform that is safe and secure.

It’s important to note, however, that everyone has a different budget and will be investing different amounts.

This means that you need to assess your own budget in relation to the platforms to work out what is an acceptable level and what you can afford to pay.

Let's take a quick look at the costs or fees that you might be coming up against:‍

• ‍Annual/platform fees: Most platforms will charge an ‘annual’ or ‘platform’ fee often charged monthly to cover the cost of running the platform and managing your investments. These fees can be fixed or a percentage of the value of your holding, and more often than not they’re taken monthly.‍
• Dealing/trading fees: When you buy or sell investments you may have to pay a fee. Some platforms offer a certain number of free trades a month, others don’t charge at all.‍
• Subscription fees: Some platforms offer monthly subscriptions in lieu of platform or trading fees.‍
• FX fees: If buying or selling investments outside your local market, you will have to pay a foreign exchange fee.‍
• Other fees: Some (but not all) platforms charge withdrawal fees for when you want to cash out, inactivity fees if you don’t make a certain number of transactions a month and management fees if you hold funds rather than shares in your portfolio.

3. Minimum deposit

Many platforms require a minimum amount to get started.

Choose a platform that fits your budget and investment plan, not one that pushes you to invest more than you’re ready for.

4. Usability

Let’s be honest, there is nothing worse than finishing a long day at work, only to commence battle number two of the day: navigating your way through a jungle to get to your investments.

For some who spend all day in tech, usability might not be such a worry.

But we all have our own preferences, skills and experience, so make sure that your trading platform is easy and fun to use.

Don’t make it a battle.

Key things to look out for when considering usability are the app and or desktop abilities, investor support, dashboard view, investment filter features and any additional research tools that they offer.

5. Inclusivity and ethics

Last but not least, the way that the platform is run may well need to be factored into your journey.

Because if you want to be investing sustainably but the range of investments only has two or three named sustainable funds, this isn’t going to be the dream match.

Dig around and do some research.

6. Regulation and security

Before opening an account, it’s essential to check that the platform is properly regulated and takes security seriously.

This helps protect both your money and your personal information.

Regulation
Make sure the broker is registered and authorised to sell securities in your country.

Regulation means the platform must follow strict rules around how client money is handled and how the business operates.

Platform security
Look for strong security features such as two-factor authentication (2FA), login alerts via SMS or email, and clear policies on data protection.

Online reviews
Reviews can offer useful insight into how a platform works in practice.

Pay particular attention to feedback on customer service, usability and fees.

Focus on platforms with a large number of reviews, and look for recurring themes consistent complaints about the same issue are often a red flag.

Choosing between investment platforms can feel overwhelming.

That’s why we’ve gathered a selection of platforms we like, to help you explore your options and make an informed decision.

This list isn’t a recommendation or a ranking.

When choosing a platform, it’s important to consider what it offers, how much it costs, how easy it is to use, and whether it aligns with your values.

And remember: the right platform for you might not be the one your colleague, friend or partner uses.

That doesn’t make either choice right or wrong - it simply means you’ve chosen what works best for you.

Below is a list of investment platforms grouped by country. You should only use platforms available where you live - there’s no need to open accounts in other countries.

If your country isn’t included, a simple Google search will help you find local options.

Germany

• Trade Republic: App-based broker offering low-cost access to stocks (€1 per trade), ETFs and derivatives, with a simplified interface and automated savings features.
• Scalable Capital: Low-fee broker (€0.99 per trade) with a flat-rate subscription option and optional automated portfolios, known for its wide ETF offering.
• flatexDEGIRO: Large European broker providing broad access to global exchanges, advanced order types and low-cost execution.
• Select banks with investment platforms: ING, Commerzbank / Comdirect

Netherlands

• DEGIRO: Large European broker providing broad access to global exchanges with low-cost execution.
• Interactive Brokers: Global multi-asset broker offering direct access to markets worldwide across stocks, ETFs, options, futures, FX, bonds and funds.
• bunq: Mobile-first bank allowing users to invest small or recurring amounts into a curated selection of stocks and ETFs.
• Select banks with investment platforms: ABN Amro (Bux by ABN Amro), ING

Australia

• CommSec (Commonwealth Bank): Full-service online broker offering ASX and international shares, ETFs and derivatives, closely integrated with banking accounts.
• NABtrade (National Australia Bank): Bank-linked trading platform providing access to domestic and selected international shares, ETFs, bonds and managed funds.
• CMC Markets Invest: Broad multi-asset trading platform offering shares, ETFs, CFDs and more, with advanced charting and analytical tools.

Ireland

• Trading 212: Commission-free investing platform combining strong usability with a wide selection of stocks, fractional shares and ETFs.
• eToro: Multi-asset platform combining stock and ETF investing with social trading features.
• DEGIRO: Large European broker providing broad access to global exchanges with low-cost execution.
• Other available platforms: Revolut, Lightyear

Spain

• Interactive Brokers: Global multi-asset broker offering access to stocks, ETFs, options, futures, FX, bonds and funds worldwide.
• eToro: Multi-asset platform combining stock and ETF investing with social trading features.
• DEGIRO: Large European broker providing broad access to global exchanges with low-cost execution.
• Select banks with investment platforms: Banco Santander, BBVA (BBVA Trader)
• Other available platforms: Trade Republic, Scalable Capital

France

• Trading 212: Commission-free investing platform offering stocks, fractional shares and ETFs.
• Boursorama (BoursoBank): Online broker with broad product coverage, including stocks, ETFs, funds and PEA tax-advantaged accounts.
• Bourse Direct: Low-fee broker focused on stock and ETF trading.
• Select banks with investment platforms: BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole, Société Générale
• Other available platforms: eToro, Interactive Brokers, Trade Republic

Italy

• Fineco Bank: Large online brokerage and banking platform offering multi-asset access, including equities, funds and derivatives.
• Directa SIM: Online broker focused on active, self-directed investing in Italian and international markets.
• BG Saxo: Multi-asset broker combining international market access with advanced order and research tools.
• Select banks with investment platforms: UniCredit, Intesa Sanpaolo
• Other available platforms: eToro, Interactive Brokers, Trade Republic, Revolut

Canada

• Wealthsimple: Commission-free mobile app offering stock and ETF investing with simple onboarding and integration into a broader financial ecosystem.
• RBC Direct Investing: Online brokerage from a major bank offering equities, ETFs, mutual funds and options.
• Questrade: Independent online broker providing self-directed stock, ETF and options trading with transparent fee structures.
• Select banks with investment platforms: BMO, Scotiabank, TD Bank

Sweden

• Avanza: Large online investment platform offering stocks, funds, ETF savings and pensions, with extensive research tools.
• Nordnet: Pan-Nordic broker with a wide product range and a strong focus on long-term saving through index funds and ISK accounts (Investment Savings Accounts).
• Swedbank (Online Brokerage): Bank-integrated platform offering equity and fund trading within standard account structures.
• Select banks with investment platforms: Handelsbanken, Nordea, SEB
• Other available platforms: Saxo, eToro, Interactive Brokers

Belgium

• Bolero (by KBC): Online broker offering access to European and US equities, ETFs and other listed instruments through a structured research platform.
• Keytrade Bank: Digital bank with a strong brokerage component covering stocks, ETFs, funds and derivatives.
• DEGIRO: Large European broker providing broad access to global exchanges with advanced order types and low-cost execution.
• Select banks with investment platforms: ING, BNP Paribas
• Other available platforms: Saxo, MeDirect

Switzerland

• Swissquote: Online bank and broker offering multi-asset access, including equities, ETFs, funds, FX and crypto, with advanced research options.
• PostFinance E-Trading: Bank-integrated platform providing access to major global exchanges for equities, funds and ETFs.
• neon invest: Mobile-first investing feature within a banking app, offering commission-free investing in Swiss and international stocks and ETFs.
• Other available platforms: DEGIRO, Interactive Brokers, Saxo, Yuh

So where do you go from here?

Before opening an account, pause for a moment and check in with these key factors.

You don’t need everything to be perfect - you just need a platform that works for you.

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1. Is the platform regulated and trusted by other users?

‍Check that the platform is authorised to operate in your country and take a look at customer reviews.

Pay attention to patterns in feedback, especially around customer support, reliability and hidden fees.

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2. Does it offer the investments you actually want to buy?

‍Stocks, ETFs, funds - focus on what you plan to invest in now, rather than everything you might want access to in the future.

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3. Do the fees make sense for your investing style?

‍Look at platform fees and trading costs and consider how they add up over time.

The goal is a fee structure that supports consistent, long-term investing as you probably won't be trading on a daily basis.

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4. Is the platform easy and comfortable to use?

‍A clear app or desktop experience, intuitive navigation and access to support matter far more than advanced features you may never use.

Think about whether the platform makes it easy to invest regularly, stay organised and avoid unnecessary complexity.

The best platform is one you’ll actually use - calmly and consistently.

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If you can answer “yes” to most of these, you’re ready to choose. This doesn’t need to be a perfect or permanent decision.

The right platform is simply the one that helps you get started - and keep going.