Low Cost Broker
Cheapest online broker — total cost compared
The cheapest broker depends on how you invest. We break down every fee type — trading commissions, custody costs, currency margins, inactivity charges — so you can see what the real cost is for your situation, not just the marketed headline.
Fee types we track
Trading commission per order
Annual custody / depot fee
Currency conversion margin
Inactivity fee
Withdrawal fee
Market data / real-time quotes fee
Frequently asked questions
What does "low cost" actually mean for a broker?
A broker advertising zero trading commissions may still charge annual depot fees, wide currency conversion margins, or real-time data subscription fees that dwarf what a flat-commission broker costs. True low-cost comparison looks at the total annual cost for your specific trading pattern — not just the headline commission number.
Are zero-commission brokers genuinely free?
No broker operates without revenue. Zero-commission models typically earn through payment for order flow (PFOF — banned in the EU from 2026 under MiCA), wider bid-ask spreads, interest on uninvested cash, or premium subscription tiers. Understanding where the revenue comes from tells you whether the 'free' model creates any conflict with your interests.
Does the cheapest broker change depending on how often I trade?
Yes — significantly. A broker with no annual fee but a €5/order commission is cheaper for someone who trades once a month than for someone trading daily. Conversely, a €50/year depot fee is trivial for an active trader but material for a buy-and-hold investor who only makes a few trades a year. The full analysis lets you see the complete fee breakdown per broker and form your own judgement.
