The best alternative to eToro – top picks to consider in 2026

TOP-5 Crypto Exchanges

Best

Binance

4.4

Binance

4.4

Fees

4/5

Liquidity

5/5

Binance Exchange Review (2026)

4.4

Fees

4/5

Liquidity

5/5

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Bybit

4.3

Bybit

4.3

Fees

4/5

Liquidity

5/5

Bybit Review 2026: Is It the Best All-Rounder for Traders?

4.3

Fees

4/5

Liquidity

5/5

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WhiteBIT

4.1

WhiteBIT

4.1

Fees

3.8/5

Liquidity

4/5

WhiteBIT Exchange Review 2026

4.1

Fees

3.8/5

Liquidity

4/5

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Coinbase

4

Coinbase

4

Fees

2/5

Liquidity

5/5

Coinbase Review 2026: Is It the Right Platform for You?

4

Fees

2/5

Liquidity

5/5

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OKX

3.5

OKX

3.5

Fees

3.5/5

Liquidity

4.2/5

OKX Exchange Review 2026

3.5

Fees

3.5/5

Liquidity

4.2/5

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Why consider an alternative?

We get it – leaving a platform where you have established a history and maybe even a following is hard. But often, the decision to look for the best eToro alternative comes down to a few nagging frustrations that simply don’t go away.

It usually starts with the costs that aren’t immediately obvious. While eToro markets “commission-free” stocks, their crypto trading carries a flat 1% fee on top of the spread. That might not sound like much, but if you are trading frequently, it eats into your margins significantly faster than the 0.10% maker fees found on pro-tier exchanges.

Then there is the issue of control eToro is designed as a “walled garden.” Moving your crypto off the platform to a personal cold wallet involves jumping through hoops with a secondary app and paying transfer fees. If you are someone who believes in “not your keys, not your crypto,” this friction is a dealbreaker.

Finally, there is the “conversion trap”. Since eToro’s native currency is USD, depositing euros, pounds, or other local currencies often triggers a conversion fee at the door. By the time you start trading, your capital has already taken a hit. We realized that to truly maximize our efficiency, we needed platforms that offer native fiat support, lower fees, and professional-grade charting tools that go beyond simple line graphs.

Below, we’ve put together a list of the best alternatives that have the guts to compete. These are the platforms we use and trust when we want more than just a social feed.

Phemex

If you are a high-volume trader looking for speed and efficiency, Phemex is a mathematical no-brainer, which stands out among eToro alternatives by focusing entirely on raw performance and cost reduction. The platform is built for active users, offering a unique membership model that allows you to trade spot markets with zero fees – an edge that few other exchanges can match.

Overall Score

4.3

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Benefits:

The standout feature is the “Premium” membership, which unlocks 0% trading fees on spot pairs, potentially saving active traders thousands of dollars. The “CrossEngine” is blistering fast (300,000 TPS), ensuring instant execution with zero slippage even during high volatility. Additionally, the dashboard is fully customizable with integrated TradingView charts, creating a pro-grade workspace that you can tailor to your specific needs.

Limitations:

The biggest downside is the lack of native fiat rails; buying crypto via credit card relies on third-party processors and incurs steep fees (approx. 3.5%). Phemex also suffered a hot wallet security incident in early 2025, which casts a shadow on its track record. Furthermore, it is strictly unavailable in the US and UK due to regulatory restrictions.

Best for:

Active traders and derivatives users who want institutional execution speed and zero fees via subscription.

MEXC

If you feel restricted by eToro’s limited crypto selection, MEXC is the polar opposite. It is the “wild west”, designed for traders who want to hunt for hidden gems long before they hit the mainstream. While it lacks the social polish of its competitor, it compensates with an overwhelming variety of assets and some of the lowest trading costs in the entire industry.

Overall Score

3.62

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Benefits:

MEXC is famous for listing everything. With over 2,000+ cryptocurrencies supported, it is the go-to place for finding low-cap altcoins that eToro would never touch. The fee structure is aggressive: 0.00% maker fees and 0.05% taker fees make it nearly free to trade if you provide liquidity. Furthermore, basic spot trading is often accessible without mandatory KYC, offering a level of privacy that regulated brokers cannot match.

Limitations:

The trade-off for this freedom is safety. MEXC operates with offshore entities and lacks licenses in major jurisdictions like the US, UK, or EU. The customer support quality is inconsistent, and because they list so many new projects, the risk of buying into a “rug pull” or failed token is significantly higher than on curated platforms.

Best for:

Risk-tolerant traders and “gem hunters” looking for micro-cap tokens and zero-fee spot trading.

HTX

Formerly known as Huobi, HTX is a veteran exchange that has rebranded to focus on international growth and asset variety. If you are looking for alternatives that keep the “copy trading” spirit alive but offer significantly more freedom with asset selection, HTX is a top contender. It mirrors the social aspect you might love on eToro but pairs it with professional-grade derivatives and a much deeper list of altcoins.

Overall Score

4.1

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Benefits:

The platform’s strongest selling point is its massive asset list, supporting over 700+ cryptocurrencies. Unlike eToro’s closed system, HTX offers a robust “Copy Trading” feature for futures, allowing you to follow top strategies while retaining full control over your crypto in a real exchange wallet. Additionally, their “Earn” section is comprehensive, offering high-yield staking and dual-investment products that often beat standard broker rates.

Limitations:

HTX is not for everyone; it is strictly unavailable to users in the US and UK due to regulatory hurdles. While fees are competitive (starting at 0.20%), withdrawal costs can be variable and sometimes higher than average depending on the network. The interface is also far more complex than eToro’s, designed for experienced traders rather than casual investors.

Best for:

International traders who want copy trading features combined with access to hundreds of rare altcoins.

WhiteBIT

If you value European compliance and a clean, “Apple-like” interface, WhiteBIT is a refreshing change of pace. As one of the fastest-growing exchanges in Europe, it strikes a rare balance: it is simple enough for beginners but powerful enough for pros. It offers the high-leverage tools that eToro lacks, all wrapped in a security framework that keeps 96% of funds in cold storage.

Overall Score

4.1

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Benefits:

WhiteBIT is Europe’s largest exchange by traffic for a reason: it just works. The platform supports 330+ assets and offers a wide range of products, including spot, margin, and USDT-settled futures with up to 100x leverage. Unlike eToro’s closed ecosystem, WhiteBIT encourages you to earn extra yield through crypto lending, tournaments, and a “holdings” program. It also features a fully functional demo mode, allowing you to practice with virtual assets before committing real funds.

Limitations:

The main drawback is the cost of moving fiat money. Direct bank card deposits can be pricey, often incurring fees between 0.7% and 1.5% depending on the provider. Liquidity can also be thinner on smaller trading pairs, leading to wider spreads. Additionally, due to strict compliance, it is unavailable to residents of the United States.

Best for:

European traders and security-conscious users who want a polished, all-in-one platform for spot and futures.

Final thoughts & recommendations

Leaving the comfort of eToro’s social feed can be daunting. To ensure you land on a platform that actually upgrades your experience, you need to ignore the marketing hype and focus on the mechanics of the exchange.

When we evaluate alternatives to eToro, we look for three specific upgrades:

The fee check – spreads vs commissions

eToro typically makes money via a “Spread” (the difference between the buy and sell price) plus a flat 1% fee on crypto. This means you are often down ~1.5% the moment you open a trade.

• The pro standard: Look for exchanges with a Maker/Taker model.
  • Makers (adding liquidity) should pay 0.10% or less.
  • Takers (market buying) should rarely pay more than 0.10% – 0.20%.
• The math: If you trade $1,000 on eToro, you pay ~$10+. On a pro exchange like Phemex or MEXC, you pay ~$1 or less.

The tool check – social feeds vs technical charts

eToro simplifies trading into a “Buy/Sell” button and a news feed. A real alternative needs to offer granular control.

• Chart quality: Ensure the platform integrates TradingView, allowing you to use indicators (RSI, Bollinger Bands) that eToro hides or simplifies.
• Order types: You need more than just “Stop Loss.” Look for OCO(One-Cancels-the-Other) and Trailing Stops to automate your exit strategy without constantly watching the screen.

Quick decision criteria

If you are still undecided, use this cheat sheet to match your trading style to the platform:

• If you want raw speed and zero fees: Choose Phemex (Premium membership).
• If you want to hunt obscure “moonshot” coins: Choose MEXC.
• If you want to keep using Copy Trading features: Choose HTX.
• If you want European compliance and a clean interface: Choose WhiteBIT.