Best Day Trading Platforms in Europe in 2024 (compared) (2024)

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Ivo Kolchev| Updated January 16th, 2024

Day trading, with its fast-paced nature and potential for substantial profits, has become an intriguing venture for many Europeans seeking to capitalise on short-term market fluctuations. However, the success of day trading relies not only on a trader’s knowledge and strategies but also on choosing the right broker.

In this hands-on guide, we will go over the best day trading platforms in Europe. Traders need to consider various factors, such as fees, trading features, research resources, and customer support, to ensure they have the necessary tools and support to make informed decisions and successfully navigate the intricate world of day trading.

Before moving on to our list, please remember that day trading is a high-risk, high-reward investment strategy involving buying and selling assets on the same trading day. It can be a great way to make money quickly, but it’s important to remember that there is also a high risk of losing money.

Best European Day Trading Platforms

  1. Interactive Brokers: Best overall
  2. eToro: Best for social trading
  3. Saxo Bank: Best for professional traders
  4. XTB: Best for CFD and Forex
  5. Fusion Markets: Best for beginners
  6. Trading 212: Best signup bonus

#1 Best overall day trading platform

Min. deposit of €0

Offers interest on uninvested cash balances

Excellent reputation (founded in 1978)

View BrokerRead review

Interactive Brokers summary

Trader Workstation is the flagship desktop platform of Interactive Brokers (IBKR), a leading online broker that offers a comprehensive range of day trading capabilities, including stocks, options, ETFs, commodities, forex, and more!

Commission$0.005 per U.S. share with a minimum of $1.00RegulatorsFINRA, SIPC, SEC, CFTC, IIROC, FCA, CBI, AFSL, SFC, SEBI, MAS, and MNB

Product offeringStocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, Forex, Commodities, Bonds, and FundsInterest on uninvested cashUSD: 4.83%; EUR: 3.527%; GBP: 4.759% (as of December 2023)

Currency conversion fee0.002%

#2 Best social day trading platform

Min. deposit of $50 (varies between countries)

Offers interest on uninvested cash balances

Excellent reputation (founded in 2007)

View BrokerRead review

eToro summary

eToro’s platform is unique in that it lets you copy the portfolios of successful traders, providing an endless source of trading ideas! The platform allows you to day trade stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, and CFDs on stocks, ETFs, commodities, forex, indices, and currencies!

Commission$0 (other fees apply)RegulatorsFCA, CySEC, ASIC

Product offeringStocks, Crypto, Commodities, Currencies, Indices, and ETFsInterest on uninvested cashUSD: between 2% and 5.3% (depending on account size, as of December 2023)

Currency conversion fee50 pips (approx. 0.4% of the amount)

76% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

#3 Best day trading platform for professional traders

Min. deposit of €2,000 (varies between countries)

Offers interest on uninvested cash balances

Excellent reputation (founded in 1992)

View BrokerRead review

SaxoTraderGo summary

SaxoTraderGo is the most popular trading platform of Saxo Bank, a sophisticated broker that can take your trading to the next level through its professional trading tools. Saxo Bank offers stocks, ETFs, options, CFDs on indices, commodities, forex, and crypto.

Commission$0.01-0.02 per U.S. share (minimum between $1 and $5 per order, depending on account type)RegulatorsASIC, FSA, FCA, SFC, MAS, FINMA, DFSA

Product offeringStocks, ETFs, Options, CFDs on Indices, Commodities, Forex, and CryptoInterest on uninvested cashUSD: between 2.849% and 4.07% (depending on the account type, as of December 2023)

Currency conversion feeApprox. 0.1%

62% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

Best Day Trading Platforms in Europe in 2024 (compared) (8)

#4 Best forex and CFD day trading platform

Min. deposit of €250

Interest on uninvested cash

Excellent reputation (founded in 2002)

View BrokerBest Day Trading Platforms in Europe in 2024 (compared) (9)Read review

XTB summary

XTB specialises in forex in CFD trading through its proprietary xStation 5 platform. The broker offers day trading in forex, indices, commodities, stocks, and ETFs.

Commission€0 (spreads apply)RegulatorsFCA

Product offeringForex, Indices, Commodities, Stocks, ETFsInterest on uninvested cashUSD: between 2.5% and 5% (depending on account size, as of December 2023)

Currency conversion fee0.5%

76-85% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

#5 Best quick sign-up day trading platform

Min. deposit of $0

Free US share CFD Trading

Excellent reputation (founded in 2017)

View BrokerRead review

Fusion Markets summary

Fusion Markets specialises in forex in CFD trading through its proprietary cTrader platform. The classic MetaTrader 5 platform is also available with the Australian broker. Fusion Markets offers day trading in forex, indices, commodities, stocks, and ETFs.

Commission$4.50RegulatorsAFSL, FSA, VFSC

Product offeringForex, Indices, Commodities, Stocks, ETFsInterest on uninvested cashNot specified

Currency conversion fee$2.25

74-89% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

Best Day Trading Platforms in Europe in 2024 (compared) (12)

#6 Best sign-up bonuses day trading platform

Min. deposit of €10

Interest on uninvested cash

Excellent reputation (founded in 2006)

View BrokerBest Day Trading Platforms in Europe in 2024 (compared) (13)Read review

Trading 212 summary

Trading 212 specialises in forex in CFD trades available with leverage (Trading 212 CFD), but also offers plain stocks and ETFs with zero commissions (Trading 212 Invest).

Commission€0 (spreads apply)RegulatorsFCA, CySEC, FSC

Product offeringStocks, ETFs, and CFDs on stocks, ETFs, indices, treasuries, forex and commoditiesInterest on uninvested cashUSD: 2.25%; EUR: 1.6%; GBP: 2.15% (as of December 2023)

Currency conversion fee0.15%

Investing involves risk of loss.

Best Day Trading Platforms in Europe Compared

Before we delve into the specific features offered by each of the trading platforms, let’s compare how the six brokers stack up:

BrokerMinimum DepositProduct offeringStock commission, USInterest on uninvested cash, EUR (as of January 2024)
Interactive Brokers€0Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, Forex, Commodities, Bonds, and Funds.$0.005 per U.S. share with a minimum of $1.003.483% (over €10,000)

0% (below €10,000)

eToro$50 (varies between countries)Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, and CFDs on Commodities, Currencies, Crypto, Indices, and ETFs$0 (for most U.S. stocks, spreads apply)Not available in €
Saxo Bank€2,000 (varies between countries)Stocks, ETFs, Options, CFDs on Indices, Commodities, Forex, and Crypto.Up to 0.08% (min. $1)Between 1.54% and 2.65% (depending on account type); 0% (below €10,000 for Classic accounts)
XTB€250Forex, Indices, Commodities, Stocks, ETFs$0 (spreads apply)Not available in €
Fusion Markets€0Forex, Indices, Commodities, Stocks, ETFs$4.50 (or $0 with larger spreads)Not specified
Trading 212€10Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, Forex, Treasuries, and ETFs€0 (spreads apply)1.60%

Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a great option for retail investors interested in optimising their trading commissions. It is ideal for beginners or professionals looking for a large number of instruments and a secure broker.On the downside, if you are new to investing, the platform may be a bit complicated with too many buttons and features. Day traders may take advantage of the broker’s diverse market access, allowing them to trade in their preferred time zone.

eToro is the go-to option for social trading, allowing you to copy successful traders or share your own trades with a wider audience. The interface is very user-friendly and ideal for novice investors. However, if you have extensive experience in the markets, you may miss some niche features offered by trading platforms designed for professionals.

Saxo Bank has a product offering very similar to IBKR, albeit with slightly higher commissions. SaxoTraderGO’s functionalities arguably make it more suited to sophisticated investors who can take full advantage of the platform’s functionalities.

XTB is one of the most popular CFD and forex traders. XTB also offers a high rate on uninvested cash – 5% for accounts over $30,000, the second-highest on our list, boosting day traders’ returns should they close all positions and return to cash at the end of the trading day.

Fusion Markets also targets the niche CFD and forex trading field. The broker allows traders to choose between two account types – the Zero account with a fixed $4.50 commission or the Classic trading account for traders who prefer $0 commissions with larger spreads. Lack of disclosure on interest on uninvested cash puts the broker at a clear disadvantage compared to peers, especially if day traders close positions and return to cash at the end of the trading day. On a positive note, the broker boasts a very quick sign-up process.

Trading 212 is a CFD and forex broker that stands out with its attractive free shares for new account offerings – bonuses are as high as 100! You can learn more on Trading 212’s webpage. The broker also offers regular stocks and ETFs (Trading 212 Invest) outside its main levered CFD field (Trading 212 CFD).

Best Day Trading Platforms in Europe Reviewed

#1 Interactive Brokers - Trader Workstation

View Broker

Interactive Brokers at a glance

Desktop, web, and mobile versions

Free software (no fees to use it)

Customisable and user-friendly platform

Education, news, and analysis

Free Demo Account

Trader Workstation (TWS), the proprietary trading platform of Interactive Brokers, is one of the most innovative trading platforms developed by a brokerage firm. It includes two subsets: the “TWS Mosaic”, which displays a fully customisable workspace, and the “Classic TWS”, where you can find more complex/advanced tools for more experienced traders.

You get comprehensive order management, technical charts, watchlists, and other portfolio tools in a single view. You can organise your trading activity by asset classes and, at the same time, keep up to date with relevant market news impacting the markets. TWS offers powerful trading tools like ComboTrader, which helps traders create proprietary combination order strategies or choose from multiple templates with predefined programs to execute day trades.

Interactive Brokers also offers a web-based alternative called “Client Portal”, a “light” version of TWS, which lets you keep track of your portfolio performance and other essential features with few constraints. The same goes for its mobile app, which enables you to check every piece of information on the go.

We opened an account and extensively tested TWS along with the mobile app. For traders looking for advanced charting tools and depth of market information, such as conference call transcripts, news, financial instrument info etc, Trader Workstation is truly indispensable. At the same time, the mobile app came in handy when we had to close a position on the go after a surprising market move. Likewise, the mobile app is excellent when you have idle cash on hand and see a good opportunity during a market pullback. We did have trouble finding specific options contracts on the mobile app, for example – thus, for niche financial instruments in which you have not traded recently and do not have an open position, you need the desktop version to get your work done in a timely manner.

View from Interactive Brokers Web Trader

#2 eToro

View Broker

76% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

eToro at a glance

Web and mobile versions

Free software (no fees to use it)

Customisable and user-friendly platform

Education, news, and analysis

Free Demo Account

eToro offers one of the most intuitive and easy to learn trading platforms for day traders in Europe. The broker’s most distinctive feature is social trading, allowing you to copy the portfolios of successful traders or develop a community around your trading account.

The TipRanks research tab aggregates the cumulative knowledge of investors and experts from some of the world’s leading financial institutions, allowing you to get a quick idea of whether the stock you are trading is a buy, hold, or sell according to analyst consensus.

For traders looking for speed of execution, the platform offers One-click trading, allowing you to open a new position using ready-made parameters with a single click.

eToro is renowned for its user-friendly interface and excellent visualisation. ProCharts is a professional-grade technical analysis tool that compares charts from different financial instruments and/or time frames. Last but not least, the Economic calendar available to traders is one of the platform’s most useful features, allowing you to keep track of earnings reports, dividend payments, economic data releases, and more!

We opened an account and went through the app’s features with ease. Setting up trades is really intuitive, and exploring the stock-specific pages you are interested in is a real joy, bringing you tons of easy to read information. At the same time, the lack of more advanced instrument information may leave some traders disappointed. But for 99% of traders, especially beginners, eToro is an ideal trading platform to get started in the world of day trading!

View from eToro’s economic calendar

#3 SaxoTraderGo

View Broker

62% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

SaxoTraderGo at a glance

Desktop, web and mobile versions

Free software (no fees to use it)

Customisable and user-friendly platform

Education, news, and analysis

Free Demo Account

Features three platforms for trading: SaxoInvestor, SaxoTraderGO, and SaxoTraderPRO. Assuming that most people visiting this page have average knowledge of financial markets, we will focus on the middle one: SaxoTraderGO, which, by the way, is the most popular consumer-facing trading platform of the broker.

SaxoTraderGO is an award-winning web-based platform with crucial features: fundamental and technical analysis tools, an extensive charting package, performance analysis, a comprehensive account overview, and a user-friendly interface.

News and expert research are available through the proprietary SaxoStrats feature, with in-house analysts weighing in on the latest market trends. The Depth Trader feature lets you see all the buy and sell orders waiting to be executed so that you can manage your trades more effectively.

Powerful risk management tools available to European day traders include the Account shield feature, which, if activated, can act as a stop loss on your entire account, closing all open positions and cancelling all orders. Sometimes, it is better to finish trading for the day at a small loss, allowing you to come back to the markets the next day!

Saxo Markets provides 24-hour support and educational resources for all types of traders. VIP traders can receive priority support and exclusive invitations to events.

View from SaxoTraderGO

#4 XTB xStation 5

View Broker

76-85% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

XTB xStation 5 at a glance

Desktop, web and mobile versions

Free software (no fees to use it)

Customisable and user-friendly platform

Education, news, and analysis

Free Demo Account

XTB offers Forex and CFD trading in some 6,000 instruments through its flagship xStation 5 platform. The trading interface has many distinctive features, including market sentiment, which pools the trading bias among all XTB clients on specific instruments, allowing you to get a quick feel on trader consensus.

European day traders can access comprehensive charting tools that incorporate risk management, allowing you to place take profit or stop loss levels directly on the charts you have just created!

The platform also incorporates news from in-house analysts and an economic calendar to keep track of all key financial developments.

View from xStation 5 showing risk management directly on the stock chart

#5 Fusion Markets cTrader

View Broker

74-89% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

Fusion Markets cTrader at a glance

Desktop, web and mobile versions

Free software (no fees to use it)

Customisable and user-friendly platform

Education, news, and analysis

Free Demo Account

Fusion Markets specialises in forex and CFD trading through its proprietary cTrader platform, but also offers the classic MetaTrader 5 for experienced traders.

cTrader prides itself in niche features such as market depth, featuring standard market depth, price depth, as well as volume-weighted average price (VWAP) depth. The charting package is equally comprehensive, offering 26 different timeframes and over 70 inbuilt indicators to give you a more full-bodied overview of the market.

Once you are familiar with the platform, QuickTrade Mode allows you to pre-set your order type settings and risk management levels. Once done, you can execute trades with a single click!

For European day traders looking to complement their routine with algorithmic trading, cAlgo allows you to create powerful automated strategies and install your own trading bots.

View from cTrader showing market sentiment on Apple stock

#6 Trading 212

View Broker

Investing involves risk of loss.

Trading 212 at a glance

Web and mobile versions

Free software (no fees to use it)

Customisable and user-friendly platform

Education, news, and analysis

Free Demo Account

Trading 212 specialises in forex and CFD trading (Trading 212 CFD) but also offers regular stocks and ETFs (Trading 212 Invest). In total, you can access over 10,000 stocks and ETFs.

The broker has a detailed learning section on its website, available here. Novice traders can explore all the basic concepts of moving financial markets and get a quick start in investing.

A unique feature of Trading 212 available to European day traders is trading fractional shares during extended market hours. This gives you an extra nine and a half hours of trading time compared to other brokers.

Trading 212 is also unique in its exclusive sign-up bonuses, which you can access here.

Trading 212 distinguishes itself with free shares sign-up bonuses

The Bottom Line

To sum it up, here’s a brief overview of our findings:

Best Day Trading Platforms in Europe

#1Interactive BrokersBest Overall
#2eToroBest for social trading
#3Saxo BankBest for powerful trading tools
#4XTBBest for Forex and CFDs
#5Fusion MarketsBest for a quick sign-up process
#6Trading 212Best for sign-up bonuses

With our comparison complete, here is what you need to do to get started on day trading in Europe:

  1. Find a suitable broker. Make sure the broker works with residents of your country. Consider the fees and market access of the broker if you are interested in trading niche markets.
  2. Open an account and deposit money: After deciding which broker’s trading platform to use, you must go through the account opening process and deposit money.
  3. You can now day trade in Europe: Having considered the pros and cons of each broker and after going through the account opening process, you can take advantage of the endless possibilities offered by day trading!

We hope that this post addressed some of your concerns. Do your research to find the best investing strategy for you!

Happy investing!

Ivo Kolchev

Investor & Finance Writer

Ivo is a former portfolio manager and financial advisor, turned into a freelance finance writer and stock trader. He enjoys following the financial markets and have invested for over ten years.

Best Day Trading Platforms in Europe in 2024 (compared) (32)

Best Day Trading Platforms in Europe in 2024 (compared) (2024)

FAQs

Best Day Trading Platforms in Europe in 2024 (compared)? ›

Singapore

Singapore is a country very enticing for day traders as they aren't subject to capital gains tax if day trading is their second job. However, regulations for day trading as a primary job are strict. Besides day trading, you can also enjoy a vibrant environment, beautiful places, and good quality of life.

Which trading platform is best in Europe? ›

3 Best Brokers for Trading European Stocks
  • Pepperstone - Best Overall Broker for Trading European Stocks. Pepperstone is highly regarded for providing a robust trading environment for European stock traders. ...
  • Plus500 - Best Broker with Multiple Licenses. ...
  • XM - Best Platform and Excellent Brokerage for Beginners.
Jul 24, 2024

Which platform is best for day trading? ›

Table of Contents
  • Best Day-Trading Platforms of 2024.
  • Best Overall: Interactive Brokers.
  • Best for Platform Options: Charles Schwab.
  • Best for Promos: SoFi Investing.
  • Best for Commission-Free Trading: Fidelity.
  • Best for Mobile App: E*TRADE.
  • Best for Basic Beginners: Ally Invest.
  • Best Bank Pairing: Merrill Edge.
Aug 15, 2024

Which country is best for day trading? ›

Singapore

Singapore is a country very enticing for day traders as they aren't subject to capital gains tax if day trading is their second job. However, regulations for day trading as a primary job are strict. Besides day trading, you can also enjoy a vibrant environment, beautiful places, and good quality of life.

Does the PDT rule apply in Europe? ›

The "Pattern Day Trading (PDT)" rules were issued by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) to ensure that a minimum amount of equity must be deposited and maintained in day trading accounts. This rule only applies to customers residing outside the European Econmic Area (EEA).

What is the best selling platform in Europe? ›

Amazon, The Top Marketplace in Europe

Amazon is the most popular European marketplace. Its 1.2 billion monthly visitors come from the five largest countries alone.

Who is the biggest trader in Europe? ›

List of the largest trading partners of the European Union
RankCountry/districtTotal trade
1China696.1
2United States631.8
3United Kingdom430.5
4Switzerland280.1
7 more rows

What is the most profitable day trading? ›

Best Strategies for Day Trading
  • Momentum Trading. This type of strategy often focuses on high-performing stocks. ...
  • Scalping. ...
  • Trend Following. ...
  • Gap Trading. ...
  • Ichimoku Kinko Hyo Indicator Trading. ...
  • Breakout Trading. ...
  • Range Trading. ...
  • News Trading.
Apr 15, 2024

What broker do professional day traders use? ›

Summary: Best Online Brokers for Day Trading
CompanyForbes Advisor RatingTiered trading commissions
Interactive Brokers4.6$0.0005 to $0.0035 per share
Cobra4.0$0.001 to $0.002 per share
Lightspeed Trading4.0$0.0010 to $0.0045 per share
Cobra4.0$0.001 to $0.002 per share
2 more rows
Jun 17, 2024

What is the best company for day trading? ›

Best platforms for day trading
  • Webull: Best for overall day trading.
  • Fidelity: Best for trading costs.
  • Interactive Brokers: Best for investment offerings.
  • E*Trade from Morgan Stanley: Best for futures trading.
  • eToro: Best for versatility.
  • Charles Schwab: Best overall broker.
  • Robinhood: Best for crypto trading.
Aug 8, 2024

Who is the number one day trader in the world? ›

Of course, George Soros is one of the top Forex traders. Perhaps, he is the best Forex trader in the world, and, for sure, he is the best day trader in the world. Soros was born in 1930 in Hungary. A Jew by nationality, the name given to him at birth was Gyorgy Schwartz.

What strategy do most day traders use? ›

7 Common Day Trading Strategies
  1. Technical Analysis. Technical analysis is a type of trading method that uses price patterns to forecast future movement. ...
  2. Swing Trading. ...
  3. Momentum Trading. ...
  4. Scalp Trading. ...
  5. Penny Stocks. ...
  6. Limit and Market Orders. ...
  7. Margin Trading.

Why do day traders have to have $25,000? ›

Why Do I Have to Maintain Minimum Equity of $25,000? Day trading can be extremely risky—both for the day trader and for the brokerage firm that clears the day trader's transactions. Even if you end the day with no open positions, the trades you made while day trading most likely have not yet settled.

What is the 25k rule? ›

If a customer's account falls below the $25,000 requirement, the customer will not be permitted to day trade until the customer deposits cash or securities into the account to restore the account to the $25,000 minimum equity level.

How can we avoid PDT rule? ›

How to Avoid the Pattern Day Trading Rule
  1. Open a cash account. If a day trader wants to avoid pattern day trader status, they can open cash accounts. ...
  2. Use multiple brokerage accounts to avoid the PDT Rule. ...
  3. Have an offshore account. ...
  4. Trade Forex and Futures to avoid the PDT Rule. ...
  5. Options trading.
Dec 30, 2022

What are the 2 biggest stock exchanges in Europe? ›

European stock exchanges make up two of the top ten global major stock markets. Europe's biggest stock exchanges are the Euronext which combines five markets, and the London Stock Exchange.

What is the best platform to buy US stocks from Europe? ›

Intro and winners
  • Interactive Brokers - the best stock broker for Europeans in 2024. ...
  • eToro - Free stock and ETF trading. ...
  • Fidelity - Commission-free US stocks and ETFs. ...
  • Zacks Trade - Low fees. ...
  • Charles Schwab - Free stock and ETF trading. ...
  • Webull - Free stock/ETF trading and high 5% interest on uninvested cash.
Jun 5, 2024

Which platform are best in foreign trading? ›

The top online brokers in India in 2024 are:
  • CMC Markets - Low forex fees. ...
  • tastytrade - Low trading fees. ...
  • Optimus Futures - Low trading fees and free ACH withdrawal. ...
  • Swissquote - Access to many markets and products. ...
  • TradeStation - Great web and mobile trading platform. ...
  • FP Markets - Low forex fees.
Jun 5, 2024

What is the largest trading center in Europe? ›

London has knocked Amsterdam off its position as Europe's top share trading hub for the first time in nearly three years. The average daily volume of stock trading in London during May was around €9.3bn (£7.9bn), compared to €8.9bn (£7.5bn) in Amsterdam, as reported by Bloomberg.

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