Home Reviews eToro Review Is eToro Good for Beginners?

Is eToro Good for Beginners in the UK? A Clear, Honest Review

Quick Answer - Is eToro Good For Beginners?

Yes. eToro is beginner-friendly with its user interface, demo account, ISA accountsand CopyTrader. Still, UK users should be aware of spreads, and market risks. Ideal for learning and experimenting with investing.

CFDs are complex instruments with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 61% of retail CFD accounts lose money when trading CFD’s with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

What Is eToro?

eToro is a global trading platform that offers access to stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, and CFDs. It operates under UK regulation and is known for its commission-free stock trades and social investing features.

How Does eToro Work for Beginners?

Beginners can use eToro’s demo account to practise trading risk-free. Real accounts allow buying assets or copying other traders. The platform simplifies investing through one-click trades, mobile access, and educational resources tailored to new users.

What Are the Costs and Fees on eToro?

Commission-free stock trading
FX fee on non-USD deposits and conversions
$5 withdrawal fee
Inactivity fee after 12 months
Wider spreads on crypto and CFD assets compared to traditional stocks

Click here for more information on eToro’s Fees.

Why Is eToro Considered Beginner-Friendly?

eToro is beginner-friendly due to its intuitive design, free demo account, and CopyTrader feature. These tools help first-time investors build confidence, practise trading safely, and learn by observing real-time strategies from experienced traders without needing advanced financial knowledge.

Is eToro Easy to Use?

Yes. eToro’s platform is designed for ease of use, featuring simple navigation, clean visuals, and clear trade execution. Even those with no trading background can start quickly with minimal setup and guidance.

Can Beginners Learn from Others?

Yes. eToro’s CopyTrader lets beginners replicate the trades of top investors automatically. You can view their performance history, risk levels, and strategies before copying, making it easy to learn by example while investing.

What Are the Pros and Cons for New Investors?

Simple onboarding process
Copy trading enables passive investing
Access to stocks, ETFs, crypto, and global markets

No ISA account for UK tax efficiency
All trading is in USD (conversion fees apply)
High-risk CFDs and leverage options not suitable for all beginners

How Does eToro Compare to Other UK Trading Platforms?

While eToro is easier to use and great for learning via CopyTrader, it lacks ISA support and can incur FX fees. IG and XTB offer more traditional structures and educational tools, but with steeper learning curves and no copy trading.

Feature	eToro	IG	XTB
Ease of Use	Very beginner-friendly	Moderate	Moderate
Copy Trading	Yes (CopyTrader)	No	No
ISA Account	No	Yes	Yes
FX Fees (GBP to USD)	Yes	No (GBP available)	No (GBP available)
Minimum Deposit	$50 (around £40)	£250	£0

Does eToro Offer Interest on Uninvested Cash Balances?

eToro rewards users with interest for holding idle USD funds. Eligible clients earn tiered interest between 3.25% and 4.05%, depending on account size. The feature applies only to uninvested USD cash, must be activated manually, and pays monthly into your trading balance.

What’s the Step-by-Step Guide to Starting with eToro?

1. How Do You Register on eToro?

Create an account using your email, Google, or Facebook. The process takes only a few minutes and requires basic personal information.

2. How Do You Verify Your Identity?

To comply with UK regulations, upload a valid photo ID and recent proof of address. Verification usually takes less than 24 hours.

3. How Do You Deposit Funds?

Fund your account in GBP via bank transfer, debit card, or digital wallets like PayPal or Skrill. Minimum deposit is $50.

4. What Can You Do First on the Platform?

Use the demo account to practise, explore top traders with CopyTrader, or buy your first stock with real funds.

What Beginner Mistakes Should You Avoid on eToro?

Using high leverage without understanding the risks
Ignoring fees, FX charges, and spreads
Copying traders without reviewing their strategy or history
Failing to use stop-loss or risk management tools

Is eToro Right for Your Investor Type?

eToro suits casual investors, long-term stock buyers, and passive users leveraging CopyTrader. However, it may not appeal to advanced traders or tax-focused UK investors due to the lack of ISA support and limited customisation for complex strategies.

What's Changed in 2026?

eToro has significantly expanded its UK offering. The DIY Stocks & Shares ISA launched in February 2025, letting users pick from over 1,000 UK and US stocks, ETFs, bonds, and mutual funds within a tax-free wrapper. A Cash ISA followed in November 2025, offering competitive variable rates. Both are powered by Moneyfarm and FSCS protected up to £85,000. CopyTrader and the $50 sign-up bonus (paid in select stocks and ETFs) remain available for new users. Fees haven’t changed — the $5 withdrawal fee and FX conversion costs still apply. Overall, eToro is now a much stronger option for UK beginners looking for tax-efficient investing alongside its social trading features.

Conclusion: Is eToro Worth It for New UK Investors?

Yes. eToro is ideal for UK beginners wanting a user-friendly, feature-rich platform. Just be aware of the costs, lack of ISA, and potential trading risks before getting started. It’s best for learning, experimenting, and low-commitment investing.

eToro is a multi-asset platform which offers both investing in stocks and
cryptoassets, as well as trading CFDs.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money
rapidly due to leverage. 61% of retail investor accounts lose money when
trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you
understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk
of losing your money.
This communication is intended for information and educational purposes
only and should not be considered investment advice or investment
recommendation. Past performance is not an indication of future results.
Copy Trading does not amount to investment advice. The value of your
investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.
Donʼt invest unless youʼre prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a
high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something
goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more.
eToro USA LLC does not offer CFDs and 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.

FAQs

Is eToro Safe for UK Users?

Yes eToro is safe. eToro is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, ensuring high standards of security and compliance. Funds are also protected in segregated accounts for added safety.

How Does eToro’s CopyTrader Feature Work?

The CopyTrader tool allows users to replicate the trades of experienced investors. Simply choose a trader based on their performance, risk score, and portfolio, and allocate funds to start copying their trades automatically.

Does eToro Support Cryptocurrencies?

Absolutely! eToro supports over 70 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana, making it an excellent choice for crypto enthusiasts.

Is eToro safe and legit?

Yes, eToro is a regulated broker licensed by the FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), and CySEC (EU). It has security measures like two-factor authentication (2FA) and SSL encryption, but users should be aware of trading risks.

How long do eToro withdrawals take?

Withdrawals typically take 1–8 business days, depending on the payment method. Bank transfers take longer than PayPal or credit/debit cards. To avoid delays, ensure your account is fully verified before requesting a withdrawal.