Investous vs eToro
If you are reading this article, you’re likely having trouble deciding whether Investous or eToro is the better Forex trading platform for you. While both platforms generally provide positive user experiences, there are some essential differences to note.
In this Investous vs eToro review, we outline the highlights of each trading platform to help you make a more informed decision. We evaluate:
- Features and Platforms
- Available Markets
- Typical Spreads and Fees
- Security and Trust
- Investous vs eToro - Verdict
 |  | |
Headquarters | Israel | Belize |
Regulators | ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSA | CySEC, FSC Belize |
Tier 1 Regulator(s)? | ||
Owned by Public Company? | ||
Year Established | 2007 | 2018 |
Execution Type(s) | Market Maker | Market Maker |
Minimum Deposit | $50 - $10,000 | $250 |
Negative Balance Protection | N/A | |
Trading Platform(s) | Proprietary platform | MetaTrader 4, Web-based |
Average Trading Cost EUR/USD | 1.0 pips | 2.3 pips ($23.00) |
Average Trading Cost GBP/USD | 2.2 pips | 2.5 pips ($25.00) |
Average Trading Cost WTI Crude Oil | $0.05 | $0.08 |
Average Trading Cost Gold | $0.45 | $0.59 |
Retail Loss Rate | 74% | N/A |
Minimum Raw Spreads | 0.8 pips | N/A |
Minimum Standard Spreads | 1.3 pips | N/A |
Minimum Commission for Forex | $0.00 | N/A |
Islamic Account | ||
Signals | ||
US Persons Accepted? | ||
Managed Accounts | ||
| Get Started | Get Started |
Features and Platforms
| | |
MT4 | ||
MT5 | ||
MT4/MT5 Add-Ons | N/A | |
cTrader | ||
Proprietary Platform | ||
Automated Trading | ||
Social/Copy Trading | N/A | |
DOM? | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Scalping | ||
Hedging | ||
One-Click Trading | ||
OCO Orders | ||
Interest on Margin | ||
| Get Started | Get Started |
Investous offers its sub-standard web-based trading platform alongside MT4. Trading Central, one of the most established third-party providers of add-on services, remains the primary asset at Investous. It also has an unexplained relationship with numerous known scam brokers. eToro established itself as one of the leaders in social trading, with a community exceeding 13 million traders. CopyTrader and CopyPortfolios remain the primary services at eToro, as MT4/MT5 is notably missing. eToro became a dominant broker for cryptocurrency CFDs, offering the most assets among non-cryptocurrency-brokers. It also began to work on educational tools.
Available Markets
| | |
Currency Pairs | N/A | |
Cryptocurrencies | N/A | |
Commodities | ||
Crude Oil | ||
Gold | ||
Metals | ||
Equity Indices | ||
Stocks | N/A | |
Stocks (non-CFDs) | ||
Bonds | N/A | |
ETFs | ||
Options | N/A | |
Futures | ||
Synthetics | ||
| Get Started | Get Started |
Forex traders get 55 currency pairs and four mini contracts, ideal for traders with smaller portfolios, plus 45 cryptocurrency CFDs. The 34 commodities, which also include mini-contracts, provide excellent diversification opportunities. The bulk of assets consist of 200 equity CFDs, 36 index CFDs, and three ETFs. eToro only maintains 49 currency pairs but a market-leading selection of cryptocurrencies with 93. Traders also have access to 31 commodity and 13 index CFDs. eToro additionally presents 2,000+ equity CFDs. Both brokers offer a well-balanced selection of available markets, with eToro ahead due to its choice of cryptocurrency and equity CFDs.
Typical Spreads and Fees
| | |
Average Trading Cost EUR/USD | 1.0 pips | 2.3 pips ($23.00) |
Average Trading Cost GBP/USD | 2.2 pips | 2.5 pips ($25.00) |
Average Trading Cost WTI Crude Oil | $0.05 | $0.08 |
Average Trading Cost Gold | $0.45 | $0.59 |
Average Trading Cost Bitcoin | $574 | N/A |
Minimum Raw Spreads | 0.8 pips | N/A |
Minimum Standard Spreads | 1.3 pips | N/A |
Minimum Commission for Forex | $0.00 | N/A |
Deposit Fee | N/A | |
Withdrawal Fee | N/A | |
Inactivity Fee | $10 monthly after 12 monthd | N/A |
| Get Started | Get Started |
The commission-free cost structure at Investous starts from a minimum spread of 0.6 pips or $6 per 1.0 standard lot. eToro implements a significantly more expensive pricing environment with a minimum mark-up of 1.0 pips or $10 per 1.0 lot. Equity CFDs remain free of costs except for high spreads at Investous. eToro advertises 0% commission trading, but it only applies to leverage-free buy positions. Otherwise, a 0.09% commission applies with higher mark-ups. Swap rates on leveraged overnight positions and third-party payment processor fees exist at both, but eToro also levies an internal cost of $5.
Security and Trust
| | |
Country of the Regulator | Australia, Cyprus, Seychelles, United Kingdom | Belize, Cyprus |
Name of the Regulator | ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSA | CySEC, FSC Belize |
Regulatory License Number | 491139, 109/10, 583263, SD076 | 000349/173, 267/15 |
Regulatory Tier | N/A | 4, 1 |
| Get Started | Get Started |
IOS INVESTMENTS Limited, the owner of Investous, is a Belize investment firm operating with a license from the International Financial Services Commission (IFSC) of Belize. LEVELTIME SERVICES Limited is the Cyprus-based payment processor of Investous. eToro has oversight from the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Additionally, eToro is a FinCEN registered Money Services Business in the US. Both brokers segregate client deposits and offer negative balance protection. Investous maintains an unexplained relationship with numerous, often fraudulent, brokers using the same business template.
eToro vs Investous – Verdict
Traders at Investous get a well-balanced asset selection with a competitive pricing environment. With the full suite of Trading Central services from the MT4 trading platform, Investous presents a core trading environment that deserves consideration. The web-based trading platform remains sub-standard, and Investous does not present quality in-house research or an educational section. Regrettably, the unexplained relationship between Investous and numerous other brokers using the same business template remains a drawback, together with the high minimum deposit of $250. eToro started to work on its educational section and announced its planned IPO via a reverse merger with a SPAC. Traders must accept an expensive cost structure and low leverage for retail traders, plus a high minimum deposit of $200 for most traders, as low as $50 and as high as $10,000. The absence of MT4 for algorithmic trading is notable, but eToro remains superior to Investous.
You might also be interested in reviewing the below broker comparisons:
Traders at Investous get 55 currency pairs and 318 CFDs. eToro counters with 49 and 2,100+, respectively.
FAQs
What are the minimum deposits for these brokers?
Investous asks for a minimum deposit of $250 versus $200 for most traders at eToro. Following the initial deposit, the minimum at eToro drops to $50. Neither broker remains competitive in this category.
Is Investous or eToro safer for Forex and CFDs trading?
eToro scores notably higher in safety and trust, being regulated in numerous jurisdictions. Traders should not ignore the affiliation between Investous and numerous questionable brokers.
How many Forex pairs and CFDs are available to trade?
Traders at Investous get 55 currency pairs and 318 CFDs. eToro counters with 49 and 2,100+, respectively.
Which broker is better for beginner traders?
While neither presents a high-quality educational section, eToro began work on an offer for beginner traders. Investous provides the full suite of Trading Central, which includes education, granting it a temporary advance until eToro completes its anticipated educational section.