Item: eToro Review 2025 — Is It Right for You?
Author: Best Brokers LATAM

Question 1

Is eToro good for beginners?

Accepted Answer

Yes, eToro is one of the best platforms for beginners, particularly those interested in social trading and learning from experienced investors. The platform's CopyTrader feature allows you to automatically replicate the trades of successful traders, making it easier to get started without deep market knowledge. The interface is intuitive and user-friendly, with clear visualizations of portfolio performance and risk levels. eToro also offers a free demo account with $100,000 in virtual funds for practice. However, beginners should understand that even when copying experienced traders, there's risk of loss, and it's essential to start with amounts you can afford to lose and diversify across multiple traders.

Question 2

How does eToro CopyTrader work?

Accepted Answer

eToro's CopyTrader allows you to allocate a portion of your funds to automatically mirror the trades of experienced investors on the platform. When you copy a trader, a proportional amount of your allocated funds is used to replicate each of their new positions. For example, if a trader invests 10% of their portfolio in Apple stock, 10% of your allocated copy amount will also be invested in Apple. You can copy multiple traders simultaneously to diversify your strategy, and you maintain full control to stop copying or close individual positions at any time. The platform provides detailed statistics on each trader including their historical performance, risk score, average holding time, and portfolio composition, helping you make informed decisions about who to copy.

Question 3

What is the minimum deposit on eToro?

Accepted Answer

The minimum deposit on eToro varies by country and region, typically ranging from $50 to $200. For most users in the US and Europe, the minimum is $100, while some regions may have a $50 minimum. First-time depositors should verify the exact requirement for their location by logging into their account and checking the deposit page. Once you've made your initial deposit, subsequent deposits often have a lower minimum of $50. It's worth noting that while eToro has one of the lower minimum deposits in the industry, you'll need more capital to effectively diversify when using CopyTrader – many experienced users recommend starting with at least $200-500 to copy 2-3 traders and maintain proper risk management.

Question 4

Does eToro charge withdrawal fees?

Accepted Answer

Yes, eToro charges a flat $5 withdrawal fee regardless of the withdrawal amount, which is one of the platform's notable drawbacks. This means whether you withdraw $100 or $10,000, you'll pay the same $5 fee. To minimize the impact of this fee, it's best to consolidate withdrawals rather than making frequent small withdrawals – for example, a $5 fee on a $1,000 withdrawal is 0.5%, but on a $100 withdrawal it's 5%. Withdrawals are processed within 1-3 business days, and you must withdraw to the same payment method you used to deposit, which is a standard anti-money laundering requirement. There's also a minimum withdrawal amount of $30, and eToro charges a $10 monthly inactivity fee if you don't log in for 12 consecutive months.

Question 5

Can I trade real stocks on eToro?

Accepted Answer

Yes, eToro offers both real stock ownership and stock CFDs, depending on how you open your position. When you open a non-leveraged BUY position on a stock (using 1x leverage), you're purchasing the actual underlying shares and you own them outright – you'll receive dividends and voting rights where applicable. However, if you use any leverage (2x, 5x, etc.) or open a SELL position, you're trading a CFD (Contract for Difference) and don't own the underlying stock. This distinction is important: real stocks can be held indefinitely without fees, while CFD positions incur overnight financing charges. eToro clearly indicates whether you're buying a real asset or CFD before you confirm the trade, and you can see this in your portfolio where real stocks are marked with a stock icon.

Question 6

Is eToro regulated and safe?

Accepted Answer

Yes, eToro is highly regulated and operates under some of the world's most respected financial authorities. Depending on your location, your account is held by eToro (UK) Ltd (regulated by FCA), eToro (Europe) Ltd (regulated by CySEC), eToro AUS Capital Limited (regulated by ASIC), or eToro USA Securities Inc. (regulated by FinCEN and SEC for limited services). These regulations require eToro to segregate client funds from company funds, maintain capital requirements, and provide investor compensation scheme coverage (up to £85,000 in UK, €20,000 in EU, depending on jurisdiction). eToro has been operating since 2007 and serves over 30 million users globally, with a strong track record of regulatory compliance. However, always verify which entity regulates your specific account as protections vary by jurisdiction.

Question 7

How do I open an eToro account?

Accepted Answer

Opening an eToro account is straightforward and typically takes 5-15 minutes. Start by visiting eToro.com and clicking 'Sign Up' – you'll need to provide basic information including your name, email, phone number, and create a password. Next, you'll complete a brief questionnaire about your trading experience and financial situation (required by regulations to assess suitability). After registration, you can immediately access a demo account with virtual funds. To trade with real money, you'll need to verify your identity by uploading a government-issued ID (passport or driver's license) and proof of address (utility bill or bank statement dated within last 6 months). Verification usually completes within 1-2 business days, though it can be instant during business hours. Once verified, you can deposit funds and start trading or copying other traders.

Question 8

What is the minimum amount to copy a trader on eToro?

Accepted Answer

The minimum amount to copy a single trader on eToro is $200 (or equivalent in your currency). This ensures you have enough capital for the copy to work effectively, as positions are opened proportionally to your allocation. If you want to copy multiple traders for diversification, you'll need $200 for each trader – so copying 3 traders requires a minimum of $600. Many successful copy traders recommend allocating $500-1,000 per copied trader to ensure proper position sizing and risk management. You can adjust your allocation amount at any time, and you can stop copying a trader whenever you wish. When you stop copying, you have the option to close all copied positions immediately or keep them open and manage them manually going forward.

Question 9

Does eToro offer cryptocurrency trading?

Accepted Answer

Yes, eToro offers cryptocurrency trading on 80+ digital assets including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Litecoin, Cardano, and many others. Similar to stocks, you can either buy the actual cryptocurrency (real asset ownership) or trade crypto CFDs with leverage. When you open a non-leveraged BUY position, eToro purchases the actual cryptocurrency on your behalf and stores it securely – you can even transfer supported cryptocurrencies to the eToro Money crypto wallet. Leveraged positions and SELL positions are CFDs that allow you to speculate on price movements without owning the coins. Cryptocurrency trading is available 24/7 on eToro, including weekends, with spreads varying by asset. Note that crypto availability varies by region due to different regulations – US users have limited access compared to international users.

Question 10

What is the eToro virtual portfolio?

Accepted Answer

The eToro virtual portfolio is a free practice account that gives you $100,000 in virtual funds to trade with real market prices and conditions. It's an exact replica of the live trading environment, allowing you to test strategies, practice using CopyTrader, and familiarize yourself with the platform without risking real money. The virtual portfolio runs parallel to your real account if you have one – you can switch between them instantly. You can practice trading stocks, crypto, forex, commodities, and indices, and even copy real traders to see how their strategies perform. If you run low on virtual funds, you can reset your balance back to $100,000 at any time. This is highly recommended for beginners to spend at least a few weeks practicing before committing real capital.

Question 11

How long do eToro withdrawals take?

Accepted Answer

eToro processes withdrawal requests within 1-3 business days from approval, though the total time depends on your payment method. E-wallets like PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller are typically fastest (1-2 business days total). Credit/debit card withdrawals usually take 3-8 business days depending on your card issuer. Bank transfers can take 3-8 business days to appear in your account. First-time withdrawals often take longer (up to 5 business days) as eToro conducts additional security verification. You'll receive an email confirmation when your withdrawal is approved and when it's sent. Remember that you must withdraw using the same method you used to deposit, and there's a $5 fee per withdrawal plus a $30 minimum withdrawal amount.

Question 12

Can I use eToro in the United States?

Accepted Answer

eToro is available in the United States, but with significant limitations compared to international users. US users can trade stocks and ETFs through eToro USA Securities, but cannot access CFDs, forex trading, or most cryptocurrency trading due to US regulations. The CopyTrader feature is also not available to US residents. US accounts are held by eToro USA Securities Inc., which is registered with FinCEN and is a member of FINRA/SIPC. If you're a US resident, you'll have access to thousands of stocks and ETFs with zero-commission trading, but you won't be able to use leverage or access the social trading features that eToro is famous for internationally. The minimum deposit for US users is $10, which is lower than the international requirement.

Question 13

What are Smart Portfolios on eToro?

Accepted Answer

Smart Portfolios (formerly CopyPortfolios) are professionally managed investment portfolios that bundle multiple assets or top traders under a single investment strategy. There are three types: Market Portfolios (diversified bundles of stocks, commodities, or crypto following a theme like 'AI Tech' or 'Renewable Energy'), Top Trader Portfolios (combinations of the best performing traders on eToro), and Partner Portfolios (managed by eToro's investment partners using algorithmic strategies). Each Smart Portfolio has a defined investment strategy and risk level. The minimum investment per Smart Portfolio is $500, and they're rebalanced regularly by eToro's investment committee. Smart Portfolios provide instant diversification and professional management, making them popular with investors who want exposure to multiple assets or strategies without manually selecting each position.

Question 14

Does eToro have customer support?

Accepted Answer

Yes, eToro provides customer support through multiple channels, though support quality can vary based on demand. The primary method is through the online ticket system accessible from your account dashboard, which typically responds within 24-48 hours. There's also a comprehensive help center with articles and video tutorials covering most common questions. Live chat support is available for verified account holders during business hours (hours vary by region). Phone support is not offered for most users, which some find frustrating. Premium and Platinum club members (based on account balance) receive priority support with faster response times and dedicated account managers. The platform also has an active community where users help each other. While support is generally helpful once reached, response times can be slow during high-volume periods, so it's best to use the help center first for common issues.

Question 15

What is the eToro inactivity fee?

Accepted Answer

eToro charges a $10 monthly inactivity fee if you don't log in to your account for 12 consecutive months. This fee is automatically deducted from your account balance on a monthly basis after the 12-month threshold. Simply logging into your account resets the inactivity counter – you don't need to make a trade. If your account balance is less than $10, the fee will equal your remaining balance, potentially reducing it to zero. To avoid this fee, set a reminder to log in at least once every few months. If you're planning to be inactive for an extended period, consider withdrawing your funds. The inactivity fee is common in the industry but is higher than many competitors – some brokers charge $5 or have longer grace periods.

eToro Review 2025 — Is It Right for You?

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