Broker Cost Comparison Tool

BROKER COST COMPARISON TOOL (BETA VERSION)

WHY WE CREATED THIS TOOL

Finally Bringing Transparency To Broker Fee Structures

European and UK Brokers tend to have complex fee structures, making them hard to compare. However, most of our readers have simple portfolios and typically buy & hold, which makes it possible to run illustrative scenarios and compare the overall cost in a savings phase of your life (prior retirement).

HOW IT WORKS?

  • Overall Cost for EU and UK Investors – The tool provides an estimate of the overall cost over the simulated investment horizon, with an initial lump sum and monthly investments. It includes transaction fees and any annual fees.
  • Cheapest Accounts For Each Broker – Brokers may offer different account types. The simulation takes into account the most basic and cheapest option for a long term index investor, but typically doesn’t consider options where you need to pay a monthly fee.
  • Tax Wrappers – Currently only UK Tax wrappers are included, but we may expand this functionality in future versions.
  • Types of fees – We include visible fees like Trading Commissions and less visible fees like Custody Fees, Inactivity Fees or any Account Management Fees.
  • Lit Exchanges – We assume an investor only trades through main European Lit Exchanges – Xetra, LSE, Euronext (Paris, Amsterdam), Milan and Six Swiss. We only compare explicit exchange fees and do not account for differences in liquidity/spreads.
  • Payment-for-order Flow Venues – Brokers using those as primary venues (mainly Trade Republic) may be included, but the execution is likely to be negatively affected. If it’s the case, it is flagged in the ‘More Information’ Section.
  • FX – EU Simulations are in EUR, UK in GBP. When exchange fees are in other currencies, we convert them to EUR/GBP to make them comparable. We do not currently add Broker FX fees into our calculation, although this may be added in future versions. 
  • Exclusions – Currently, the tool excludes any withdrawal fees, that are quite rare. We also don’t account for any local taxes and promotional discounts, but these may be noted in the calculator notes, at the bottom of the simulation.

Other considerations should play a role in selecting a broker, including availability of desired investment products, safety or convenience (e.g. language, tax reporting). We have a dedicated section to Brokers on our website.

Important note: this tool was recently released as a beta version, and we are currently working on its next reiteration. It is still in very early testing stages. If you have any questions, notice any inconsistency or want to prioritise your broker as next addition, please contact us.

  • 21/03/2024
    • Updated Engine for single-Exchange Brokers
    • Fixed Custom Custody fees
    • Updated InvestEngine
    • Updated Interactive Investor
    • Updated Hargreaves Lansdown
    • Updated Fidelity UK
    • Updatad AJ Bell
    • Updated IBKR
    • Updated SAXO
    • Updated DEGIRO
  • 22/11/2023
    • Added Renta4
    • Added Fortuneo
    • Added Bourse Direct
    • Added Comdirect
    • Added BoursoBank
    • Added Investengine
    • Added Tastytrade
    • Added Tradestation
    • Added SmartBroker
    • Added DKB
    • Added Banco Carregosa
    • Added Lightyear
    • Added iWeb
    • Added Fineco
    • Added Webank
    • Added Bankinter Portugal
  • 20/11/2023
    • Updated Engine
    • Fixed Compounding Calculator
  • 31/05/2023
    • Added Payment For Order Flow Fee Comparison Warning
    • Added Trade Republic
    • Added IBKR (UK)
    • Added DEGIRO (UK)
    • Added Freetrade
    • Added Interactive Investor
    • Added Vanguard Germany
    • Upgraded Calculation Engine
  •  30/05/2023
    • Updated Bolero
    • Updated RE=BE (Belfius)
  •  29/05/2023
    • Added Medirect
    • Added BUX
    • Added Mexem
    • Added Lynx
    • Added Keytrade Bank
    • Added RE=BE (Belfius)
    • Updated Hargreaves Lansdown
    • Upgraded Calculation Engine
  •  25/04/2023
    • Corrected Same Initial Amount Input Scenario
  •  15/04/2023
    • Added Fidelity UK
    • Added Vanguard UK
    • Added Trading212
    • Updated Hargreaves Lansdown 
  •  10/04/2023
    • Added IG UK
    • Added AJ Bell
    • Added Swissquote Luxembourg
    • Added Scalable Capital
  • 1/4/2023
    • Added Bolero
    • Added DEGIRO
    • Added ING Belgium
    • Added Interactive Brokers
    • Added Swissquote
    • Added SAXO
    • Added IG Markets UK

The information provided by this broker cost comparison tool is for general, educational amd informational purposes only. Broker costs may change at any time, and we cannot guarantee that the above tool will be updated promptly. Any reliance you place on the information provided by our tool is strictly at your own risk. The results provided by our tool are based on a simplified calculation that may not reflect all aspects of your individual circumstances. They should not be considered financial advice, nor should they be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice specific to your own financial situation. We recommend that you seek independent financial advice before making any financial decisions. We do not take any responsibility for any errors or omissions in the information provided by our tool, nor for any losses or damages that may arise from the use of our tool. We reserve the right to modify or discontinue our tool at any time without notice. By using our tool, you acknowledge that you have read and understand this disclaimer and agree to be bound by our terms and conditions.

Before using the tool, read our Guide To Choosing The Cheapest Broker, where we explain the different Broker Fee Structures in Europe and the UK

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