Overall, eToro can be summarised as a credible and trustworthy broker and is considered low-risk with super competitive trading fees and spreads. eToro has an overall trust score of 91 out of 99. eToro offers a world-class social trading platform with immediate order execution.
At a Glance
🔎Broker | eToro |
Company Information | |
📅Year Founded | 2007 |
🧑🏻💻Amount of staff | Over 1,200 |
👩💻Amount of active traders | Over 30 million |
🌐Publicly Traded (Listed Company) | No |
Regulation and Security | |
🛡️Regulation | FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), ASIC (Australia) |
🌎Country of regulation | UK, Cyprus, Australia |
💻Account Segregation | Yes |
🪫Negative balance protection | Yes |
🔋Investor Protection Schemes | Yes, through regulatory bodies |
Account Types and Features | |
💳Institutional Accounts | Yes |
👨💼Managed Accounts | No |
📇Minor account currencies | USD |
💰Minimum Deposit | $50 USD |
Trading Conditions | |
🕞Average deposit/withdrawal processing time | 1-5 business days |
🪙Fund Withdrawal Fee | $5 per withdrawal |
📊Spreads from | 1 pip on major currency pairs |
💸Commissions | No direct commissions on trades |
💱Number of base currencies supported | 1 (USD) |
🚀Swap Fees | Yes |
📈Leverage | Up to 30:1 (Retail clients), higher for professional clients |
📏Margin requirements | Variable based on asset and leverage |
☪️Islamic account (swap-free) | Yes, |
💻Demo Account | Yes |
⌛Order Execution Time | Average of 1 second |
📆VPS Hosting | No |
Trading Instruments | |
🧾CFDs-Total Offered | Over 2,000 |
🗠CFD Stock Indices | Yes |
⚖️CFD Commodities | Yes |
📜CFD Shares | Yes |
Deposits and Withdrawals | |
💳Deposit Options | Bank Transfer, Credit/Debit Cards, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller |
💵Withdrawal Options | Bank Transfer, Credit/Debit Cards, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller |
Trading Platforms and Tools | |
💻Trading Platforms | eToro WebTrader, eToro Mobile App |
👩💻OS Compatibility | Web-based (All major browsers), iOS, Android |
🖥️Forex trading tools | CopyTrader, Social Trading, Market Analysis Tools |
Customer Support | |
🗣️Live chat availability | Yes |
📱Customer Support email address | support@etoro.com |
📞Customer Support Contact Number | Not directly provided, contact via support portal |
👾Social media Platforms | Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube |
🗣️Languages supported on Website | English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Arabic, more |
Educational Resources and Support | |
🖺Forex course | Yes |
🧏♀️Webinars | Yes |
📚Educational Resources | eToro Academy, Blog, Guides, Tutorials |
Partnerships and Programs | |
🪪Affiliate program? | Yes |
👨🏫Amount of partners | Not publicly disclosed |
📋IB Program | Yes |
🏃♂️➡️Do they sponsor any notable events or teams? | Yes, sponsored various sports teams and events |
🪙Rebate program | No |
👉Open Account | 👉 Open Account |
Min Deposit
USD 50 in *certain countries
Regulators
FCA, ASIC, CySEC
Trading Platform
Proprietary WebTrader
Crypto
Yes
Total Pairs
0
Islamic Account
Yes
Trading Fees
Low
Account Activation
24 Hours
* Etoro has lowered the amount of the minimum FTD to $ 50 for the following countries: Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Norway, UK, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland.
10 Best Forex Brokers in South Africa for 2025
Rank
Broker
Review
Regulators
Min Deposit
Official Site
eToro Review: A 18 Keypoint Overview
- ☑️Spider Chart
- ☑️Overview
- ☑️Safe or Scam?
- ☑️eToro Account Types
- ☑️How to Open an eToro Account
- ☑️eToro Deposit and Withdrawal
- ☑️eToro Trading Platforms
- ☑️Market Instruments
- ☑️Fees and Spreads
- ☑️Leverage
- ☑️Customer Support
- ☑️Education
- ☑️Research
- ☑️Awards
- ☑️Broker Comparison
- ☑️Customer Reviews
- ☑️Our Findings
- ☑️Pros and Cons
- ☑️Conclusion
- ☑️Disclaimer
- ☑️Frequently Asked Questions
- ☑️References
Spider Chart
Criteria
- Regulatory Standing 4
- Financial Stability 5
- Trading Platform Quality 4
- Customer Support 3
- Educational Resources 5
- Trading Conditions 4
- Withdrawal Speed 4
Overview
According to research in South Africa, eToro is a well-known fintech social trading broker based in Israel. It was established in 2007.
The company boasts one of the world’s largest social trading and investment networks and comprises the following entities:
eToro (Europe) Ltd., a financial services company authorized and regulated by the Cyprus Securities Exchange Commission (CySEC); eToro (UK) Ltd, a financial services company authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
eToro has launched a community-powered network that allows any eToro trader to view, follow, and automatically copy the trades of more experienced traders online. The company opens the international financial markets to any individual trader and makes them easily accessible with its transparent and user-friendly modes of trading currencies, indices,, and commodities online.
eToro’s network is based on a range of advanced web-based and mobile trading software that any customer can effectively use with any level of trading experience. eToro AUS Capital Pty Ltd, authorized by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
What sets eToro apart from other forex and CFD brokers?
They distinguish themselves with their social trading platform, which allows users to observe and mimic the trades of experienced investors while providing a diverse selection of financial instruments for trading.
Is there a demo account option available?
Yes, the broker provides a demo account with a $100,000 virtual balance, allowing users to practice trading methods without risk.
Safe or Scam?
eToro, a well-known fintech start-up company, can be considered safe because top-tier financial authorities regulate its UK and Australian arms.
Since CFDs are complex instruments with a high risk of losing money, potential traders should consider whether they understand how CFDs work and can afford the high risk of losing before trading.
eToro is not a scam, but it is not a fully transparent broker either since it is not listed on any stock exchange or publishes its financial data.
They operate the three legal entities (see above) and serve customers according to their residency, hence defining the amount of protection they get.
The FCA protects citizens of the United Kingdom, ASIC protects/regulates Australian clients, and Cypriot watchdog CySEC protects other investors with their trading accounts with eToro (Europe) Limited.
What measures does eToro take to protect user accounts?
eToro safeguards user accounts with two-factor authentication, high-level encryption, and adherence to top-tier regulatory requirements.
Does eToro offer guidance on securing my trading activities against potential cyber threats?
Yes, eToro provides information on safeguarding trading operations, such as instructional tools for detecting phishing attempts and recommended practices for digital security.
eToro Account Types
📉Standard Live Account | 📉 Professional Account |
🌎 Availability | All traders |
💱 Markets | All |
💸 Commissions | None; only the spread is charged |
💻 Platforms | eToro platform |
📊 Trade Size | From 0.01 lots |
📈 Leverage | Up to 1:400 (Under the Seychelles entity) |
💰 Minimum Deposit | 10 USD (US Clients) |
👉Open an Account | 👉Open Account |
Standard Live Account
The Trading Account is suitable for both beginners and experienced traders. It stands out for its low entrance barrier: 10 USD for US clients and between $50 and $10,000 for other regions.
The broker provides access to over 5,000 financial products and unique features such as copy trading, making it suitable for leveraging collective investing techniques.
Overall, this account uses market execution, which ensures transactions are handled at the best available price, with spreads beginning at 1 pip.
The simple design eliminates the minimum charge per transaction, which aligns with the broker’s user-friendly attitude; nonetheless, traders should be aware of overnight and currency conversion costs linked with their activity.
Demo Account
The Demo Account is a secure platform that allows new traders and seasoned investors to practice their virtual-money trading methods.
A sizeable balance of $100,000 enables users to get familiar with market dynamics without putting any real funds at risk.
Furthermore, the simulated environment mimics actual market scenarios by providing access to assets and tools like those available on the live site. It includes social trading options powered by the brokers’ latest technology.
This feature-packed training ground gives aspiring traders an excellent opportunity to learn before transitioning into active investment activities where they can potentially earn profits or lose capital if they are not careful in their decision-making processes.
Islamic Account
Overall, the Islamic Account meets the specific needs of Muslim traders per Sharia law by abstaining from charging overnight interest and disallowing rollover on contracts that exceed 24 hours.
Furthermore, this account reduces additional rollover expenses while accumulating profits through wider spreads. A deposit of at least $1,000 is necessary, and it grants access to all tradable assets offered by the broker.
The distinguishing feature is its ethical trading assurance, which enables faith-based investors to participate in financial markets without compromising their religious values.
Professional Account
The Professional Account targets discerning traders with substantial financial expertise.
To qualify, applicants must demonstrate a certain level of trading know-how and possess a portfolio worth that enables them to access leverage options up to 1:400—significantly more than standard accounts offer.
Despite the amplified exposure linked to greater leverage, professional account holders benefit from the broker’s negative balance protection.
With proficiency in complex instruments and sophisticated risk management functionalities at their fingertips, this account is tailor-made for advanced traders seeking dynamic approaches while considering stringent qualification requirements.
Can professional traders access higher leverage?
Professional traders can access greater leverage rates, subject to eligibility and qualification requirements.
Does the broker offer PAMM accounts for money managers?
Yes, the broker offers PAMM accounts.
How to Open an eToro Account
The eToro process of opening a new account is fully digital, hassle-free, and fast. It starts with registering with an email account or Facebook or Google+ account, and you can immediately access the trading platform and start trading with a demo account.
Process – Step by Step Guide:
Step 1: Locate the eToro Homepage.
On the eToro homepage, click the “Start investing” tab in the middle of the page.
Step 2: Register an account
New accounts are applied for online. To register, you must fill out the eToro accounts registration page with your username, email address, and password and confirm the terms and conditions.
Step 3: Verify your email address
Verify your email by logging into your mail and verifying your account on the eToro site.
Step 4: When you want to fund it with real money, you have to verify your identity and residency by uploading the following documents: proof of identity (passport or personal ID) and proof of residency with a copy of a utility bill or bank statement.
Step 5: Access your eToro dashboard to start trading.
Min Deposit
USD 50 in *certain countries
Regulators
FCA, ASIC, CySEC
Trading Platform
Proprietary WebTrader
Crypto
Yes
Total Pairs
0
Islamic Account
Yes
Trading Fees
Low
Account Activation
24 Hours
* Etoro has lowered the amount of the minimum FTD to $ 50 for the following countries: Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Norway, UK, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland.
Deposit and Withdrawal
Funding an eToro account is quick and simple, with various payment methods at your disposal.
Depending on your region and country regulations, the minimum first-time deposit varies from $50/R882 ZAR to $10,000/R176,320 ZAR.
Registering a corporate account requires a minimum first-time deposit of $10,000/R176,320 ZAR. eToro reserves the right to change any of the deposit limitations at any time.
All eToro trading accounts use USD, and deposit amounts in a different currency will be converted at the current market rate, subject to a conversion fee.
Customers may withdraw funds from their eToro account at any time. Funds can be withdrawn up to the value of the balance of your eToro account minus the amount of margin used.
Funds withdrawn are sent to the same account used for the deposit, and payments are made in priority order by credit card, PayPal, or bank transfer.
Withdrawal requests can take up to one business day to process, provided all necessary information is available. The estimated time it will take to receive payment will vary according to the provider.
You can reverse withdrawal requests by visiting your withdrawal history under your trading account’s “Withdraw Funds” tab.
All funds, including withdrawal fees, will be returned to your account balance. However, withdrawal requests are subject to a withdrawal processing fee, and withdrawals sent in currencies other than USD are subject to conversion fees.
Are there any fees for depositing funds into an account?
No, depositing funds into an account is free. However, withdrawals are charged, and non-USD contributions may be subject to conversion costs.
How can I withdraw funds from my account?
Withdrawals from the broker may be made in various ways, including bank transfers, credit cards, PayPal, and other e-wallets launched through the platform’s withdrawal area.
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Rank
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Review
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Min Deposit
Official Site
Trading Platforms
The eToro trading platform simplifies data exchange between traders and speeds up sharing experiences. It features advanced and revolutionary currency trading software, enabling FX beginners to quickly enter the world of forex trading via a user-friendly interface and a highly customizable platform.
eToro’s trading software visually represents transactions, which helps with intuitive trading. It also integrates social and promotional features like traders’ community chat and trading contests.
Metatrader and Webtrader include charts and calendars. They are available in a practice account and demo account mode. Their apps are available for Android and iOS.
What trading platforms are offered?
The broker provides a proprietary web-based trading platform and mobile app with a user-friendly UI.
Is there a desktop application for eToro?
No, they do not provide a desktop application; instead, they concentrate on their web-based platform and mobile app to meet their traders’ demands.
Market Instruments
eToro offers hundreds of different financial assets to trade, including commodities, crypto assets, currencies, indices, and ETFs. Each asset class has its characteristics and can be traded using different investment strategies.
Some positions on eToro involve ownership of underlying assets, such as long (BUY) and non-leveraged positions on stocks and cryptos. Others employ CFDs, which enable various options, such as leveraged trades, short (SELL) positions, fractional ownership, and more.
Stocks
These are usually considered suitable for medium- to long-term investments. eToro also offers additional functions using CFD trading. With CFDs, you can open SELL (short) positions, use leverage, and buy fractional shares.
CFDs
CFDs are complex instruments, and due to their leverage, they carry a high risk of rapidly losing money. Seventy percent of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs.
Crypto Assets
These volatile instruments can fluctuate widely quickly and, therefore, are not appropriate for all investors. Other than via CFDs, trading crypto assets is unregulated and, thus, is not supervised by any EU regulatory framework.
Can I trade ETFs?
Yes, the broker has a diverse portfolio of 531 ETFs for trading on its platform.
Does the broker offer trading in stocks and indices?
They trade over 4,610 equities and 21 indices, providing various trading styles.
Fees
eToro does not charge a deposit or clearing fees. eToro charges a flat $5 / ZAR 80 fee on all withdrawals, with the minimum withdrawal amount being $50, equivalent to 800 ZAR. Long (BUY), non-leveraged stock, and ETF positions are not executed as CFDs and do not incur commission but do incur conversion and withdrawal fees.
eToro charges overnight or weekend fees for CFD positions, such as leveraged positions and short (SELL) orders—information regarding the market hours, current spreads, and overnight fees that eToro charges. Since payments are subject to change at any trader, they are encouraged to visit this page to stay updated on current fees.
Does the broker charge commissions on trades?
No, the broker does not collect commission costs for stock trading; instead, it earns from spreads and overnight fees.
How does eToro handle currency conversion fees?
The broker charges conversion fees for deposits and withdrawals in currencies other than USD, which are computed using the current market rate plus a modest margin.
Leverage
Each instrument on eToro has a minimum and maximum leverage, so make sure to choose the right level for you. Leverage may be applied when trading stocks, currencies, ETFs, commodities, indices, and sometimes cryptocurrencies.
Each instrument has maximum industry-guided leverage limitations and eToro’s efforts to promote responsible trading. 67% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. It would be best to consider whether you can afford to risk losing your money.
Are there risks associated with using high leverage?
High leverage can considerably raise potential gains and losses, demanding a prudent risk management plan.
Can I adjust the leverage on my trades?
Under regulatory constraints, the broker lets traders choose their leverage amount for each transaction.
Customer Support
eToro customer service is good and can be reached via several channels for quick and relevant answers.
You can contact eToro’s customer service via live chat and a web-based ticketing system, and you will get an answer by email.
However, you can’t reach them on weekends, and finding the live chat service (hidden under the FAQ under the ‘Help Center’ link) on their customer service webpage may be difficult.
Their customer service is available in 21 languages the web and mobile trading platforms offer.
Education
eToro’s education tools include a demo account, essential educational videos, and an introductory guide to the platform.
The demo account can be used for practice, but the other education tools are weak. A short tutorial shows how to use the platform, and the essential educational videos teach potential traders more about investing and the financial markets.
Are there any real-time market analysis resources available?
The broker’s “News and Analysis” function provides real-time market analysis, keeping traders updated on the latest market events.
Does the broker offer resources for learning about social trading?
They teach users about social trading through platform features like CopyTrader and the community social feed, where traders exchange ideas and techniques.
Research
Traders can stay informed about relevant information that affects their investments with in-depth analysis by eToro’s senior market analyst.
All the research papers can be downloaded for free. The site is user-friendly and offers analyst recommendations, market sentiment indicators, good interactive charts, and trading ideas.
Awards
eToro is nominated for the following recognition awards in 2025:
- Best Investment Trading App
- Best Trading Platform For Day Trading
- Best Trading Platform
- Best Social Trading Platforms
Comparison of eToro vs Other Brokers
🔍 Features | 🥇 eToro | 🥇 FBS | 🥇 Exness |
🏛 Regulation | CySEC, FCA, and MiFID | IFCS | CySEC, FCA, South Africa FSCA, the Seychelles FSA, the BVI Financial Services Commission and the Central Bank of Curacao. |
💰 Minimum Deposit | $50/R882 ZAR | $1/R18 ZAR | $10/R180 ZAR |
💰 Welcome Bonus | Referal: $50 reward /R882 ZAR | $140/R2 470 ZAR | No |
☪️ Islamic Account | Yes | Yes | Yes |
📊 Leverage | 2:1 up to 30:1 | 1:3000 | 1:Unlimited |
💰 Withdrawal Fee | Yes | Yes | Yes |
💰 Spreads | 50 pips | 3 pips | min spread 0.1 pips across all accounts |
💳 Demo Trading Account | Yes | Yes | Yes |
📒 Account Types | Retail, Professional, Crypto Account | Cent, Micro, Standard, Zero, Spread, ECN, and Crypto account | Standard, Cent, Raw, Zero and Professional account |
👉Open Account | 👉Open Account | 👉Open Account | 👉Open Account |
Customer Reviews
🥇Excellent
“I appreciate eToro’s social trading features, which allow me to learn from experienced traders. Their platform is user-friendly, and their regulation provides a sense of security.” Reviewed: Sarah Johnson
🥈Good
“eToro offers a good range of assets, and its social trading features are a great way to learn from others. Their platform is user-friendly, and their regulation provides a sense of security. However, their spreads can be wide, especially for high-volume traders.” Reviewed: Thomas Müller
🥉Service
“I find eToro’s platform to be intuitive and easy to navigate. Their educational resources are comprehensive, and their customer support is helpful.” Reviewed: Emily Chen
Our Findings
eToro has a minimum deposit of $50; it does not offer a welcome bonus. It has relatively less maximum leverage than FBS and Exness, and the average spreads are comparatively higher than FBS, especially in the ECN account type. However, some features that make eToro unique are the simplicity of its platform, the coverage of its asset offering, and the choice of trading instruments.
Pros and Cons
✅ Pros ❌ Cons
Free stock trading High forex fees
Easy Sign-Up Slow Withdrawal
Social Trading Single base currency
Low CFD Fees $5 USD Withdrawal Fee
Conclusion
eToro is a social trading brokerage firm that provides copy-trading services. It takes pride in being the world’s best social trading platform in the way it offers investment opportunities in both stocks and digital currencies (cryptocurrencies).
Currently, eToro focuses on providing social and copy trading services to its more than ten million platforms worldwide.
With its unique platform, account owners can automatically and in real-time mimic the trading strategies of successful clients. The platform also provides other tools to help with trading, such as an economic calendar.
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Disclaimer
eToro is a multi-asset platform that offers investing in stocks and crypto assets and trading CFDs.
Please note that CFDs are complex instruments with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 67% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. It would help to consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to risk losing money.
Past performance is not an indication of future results.
Crypto assets are volatile instruments that fluctuate widely in a concise timeframe and are inappropriate for all investors. Other than via CFDs, trading crypto assets is unregulated and, therefore, is not supervised by any EU regulatory framework.
eToro USA LLC does not offer CFDs, makes no representation, and assumes no liability as to the accuracy or completeness of the content of this publication, which has been prepared by our partner utilizing publicly available non-entity-specific information about eToro.
* Etoro has lowered the minimum FTD to $ 50/R800 ZAR for the following countries: Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Norway, UK, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Etoro’s Overall Review Rating?
9/10
What is the minimum deposit to start trading on Etoro?
$200
Is Etoro safe and secure?
Yes, 100%
Does Etoro offer a demo account?
Yes, they do.
Is Etoro legit?
Yes, they are.
References
Etoro (Europe) Ltd – CySEC
MetaTrader 4 – MT4
MetaTrader 5 – MT5
Etoro makes investing and trading easy with a great mobile appMobile trading with very low fees
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