eToro vs Cex.Io: Fees, Security, Features & Which to Choose (2025)

Trying to choose between eToro and Cex.Io This side-by-side comparison reveals total cost (fees + spreads), security & licenses, coins/derivatives, deposits/withdrawals, and app quality. In 2 minutes you’ll see who wins for beginners, active traders, and long-term holders. Clear pros/cons, a quick verdict, and safe links to get started.

Last updated on August 16, 2025

eToro

Cex.Io

⚠️ We look for what’s best for you.

₿ Getting into crypto? With eToro you can start in minutes: buy/sell top coins, set recurring buys, track markets, and use Social/CopyTrader features.

👉 Start here and explore the crypto offer.

Available Countries

United States

Yes

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

Yes

China

Canada

United Kingdom

Yes

United States

Yes

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

Yes

China

Canada

Yes

United Kingdom

Thinking about starting with crypto? This is for you.

In select regions, eToro offers a $10 welcome bonus when you open an account today.*

🎯 An account built to help you start with crypto—without the hassle.

➕ Buy and sell top cryptocurrencies in minutes

➕ Recurring buys, price alerts, and advanced charts

➕ Social/CopyTrader™ to follow experienced investors

➕ One of the largest and most trusted platforms worldwide

Limited-time promotion — still available.

*Offer subject to terms, eligibility and regional availability. Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest.

eToro is ideal if:

All-in-one, intuitive platform You can trade multiple asset types and tap into a global trading community, all from a single, streamlined interface.
Social investing with guided learning You can mirror real investors through CopyTrader and learn via interactive education—perfect if you prefer peer-driven discovery.
Begin with confidence using demo tools Access a generous virtual demo account from day one, letting you practice with zero risk before investing real money.

Cex.Io is ideal if:

Great for beginners seeking simplicity: Offers intuitive fiat-to-crypto access and easy navigation, making first-time buying or selling smooth and straightforward.
Useful for users valuing regulatory compliance: Holds multiple licenses and registrations, which adds credibility and reassurance for those prioritizing security.
Suited to flexible and evolving needs: Includes features like staking, margin options, and mobile trading—helpful as your crypto journey grows.

eToro isn’t ideal if:

Serious day traders might feel constrained platform performance may lag, and its simplicity could limit sophisticated short-term strategies (like scalping).
Advanced traders may find tools lacking there's no support for third-party platforms like MetaTrader or advanced order types ideal for expert users.
U.S. crypto enthusiasts face restrictions regulatory constraints limit available tokens and access compared to many global markets.

Cex.Io isn’t ideal if:

Not suited for fee-sensitive traders: Deposit and withdrawal costs—especially from credit cards or SWIFT transfers—can be on the higher side.
Less ideal for altcoin hunters: Coin selection is solid for mainstream assets but may feel restrictive for those seeking niche or emerging tokens.
Not optimized for advanced traders: Lacks advanced order types and demo environments, and interface may feel cluttered during complex trading sessions.

Fees & Total Costs

Spot Maker/Take

eToro doesn’t follow the traditional maker/taker pricing model; instead, all spot crypto trades are subject to a flat buy/sell fee, which simplifies the pricing structure without requiring volume-based tiers or native token discounts.

CEX.IO’s spot trading fees begin at 0.25% for taker orders and 0.15% for maker orders, and progressively decrease as your 30-day trading volume rises—reaching lower bands (like around 0.10%) at higher volumes, with no discounts tied to a native token.

Futures/Derivatives

eToro offers derivative trading through CFDs, without separate maker/taker charges—instead, costs arise from built-in spreads and overnight funding or weekend rollover fees on leveraged positions.

CEX.IO separates its derivatives platform from spot trading and applies different fee structures, but publicly available information on specific maker, taker, or funding rates is limited (often requiring account access or direct inquiry for clarity).

Average Spreads on Liquid Pairs

While eToro doesn’t list minute-by-minute spread values by pair publicly, it applies market spreads plus its flat fee, leading to competitive but not razor-thin spreads on top crypto pairs.

Spreads for major pairs like BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT on CEX.IO are generally tight and in line with competitive market norms, helping ensure that trading costs remain low for highly liquid assets.

Fiat Deposits & Withdrawals

Deposits into eToro are free via common methods (cards, bank transfers, e-wallets) with varying processing times; fiat withdrawals carry a standard flat fee (e.g., USD) and may be instantaneous or take a few business days depending on method and region.

You can fund your account using various options—credit/debit cards, bank transfers (SEPA, SWIFT, ACH), digital wallets, and alternative services—with timing and fees varying by method and region, and listed transparently during transaction setup.

On-chain Withdrawals

For transferring crypto on-chain, eToro applies a wallet transfer commission—independent of the blockchain network—while the underlying blockchain network fee (e.g., BTC, ETH) is dynamic and paid separately.

On-chain withdrawal fees differ depending on the blockchain (BTC, ETH, TRX, etc.) and are dynamically adjusted based on network conditions, rather than using a one-size-fits-all flat fee.

Hidden Costs

Beyond trading, costs can include currency conversion charges when operating non-base currencies, a monthly inactivity fee for dormant accounts, and any optional accelerated verification services, though those tend to be avoidable with minimal activity.

Beyond trading and transfer fees, there may be extra charges lurking in currency conversion margins, inactivity fees, or expedited KYC processing—but these are typically disclosed at the relevant step, not built into everyday trading.

Real-World Cost Example: “€500 BTC

Buying €500 worth of BTC would typically involve the flat crypto buy/sell fee folded into the transaction price plus any spread effect, and if you later withdrew funds in crypto, you’d face the wallet transfer charge plus the dynamic network fee—altogether representing a single, compounded cost experience.

If you were to convert €500 into BTC, your total cost would combine the spot maker/taker fee, the market spread, and any withdrawal or conversion fee—resulting in a composite cost slightly above the raw crypto amount, depending on your payment method and network chosen.

Crypto Offering & Trading Features

Number of Coins & Pairs

eToro offers over 120 cryptocurrencies across its global platform, and although a ranked top-20 list isn’t publicly detailed, it typically includes the most liquid names like BTC, ETH, SOL, ADA, DOT, and a handful of high-volume altcoins.

CEX.IO currently lists around 280 cryptocurrencies across approximately 829 trading pairs, with its highest-volume pairs including BTC/USD, ETH/USDT, ETH/USD, XRP/USD, LINK/USD—forming the bulk of daily activity.

Product Range

eToro supports spot crypto trading, CopyTrader social investing, and Smart Portfolios, along with crypto staking; it offers ETFs, stocks, options, and CFDs in regions where enabled, but does not provide margin, futures, perpetuals, loans, grid bots, or automated DCA tools.

CEX.IO supports spot trading, margin trading with up to 10x leverage, crypto staking and savings, and lending services; however, it does not currently offer perpetuals, options, ETFs, automated DCA, grid bots, or copy trading tools.

Liquidity

Specific liquidity metrics aren’t displayed publicly, but eToro’s scale and regulated status suggest solid 24-hour crypto volumes and sufficient order-book depth in major pairs like BTC and ETH, offering dependable execution for most retail traders.

Reported 24-hour trading volume on CEX.IO ranges in the tens to hundreds of millions of USD, with robust liquidity in major pairs like BTC and ETH—offering sufficient depth for swift execution without significant price impact.

Tools

The platform features standard order types such as market and limit, plus alerts and built-in charting with indicators; while it lacks native TradingView integration and public API access, it offers intuitive chart tools suitable for mainstream users.

The platform provides basic order types such as limit and stop (plus OCO where available), access to advanced charting via its trading terminal, real-time price tracking, alerts, and full-featured APIs (REST, WebSocket, FIX on Prime) ideal for automated strategies.

Geographic Restrictions by Product

Offering varies significantly by user location—derivatives like CFDs and options may be unavailable or limited depending on local regulations, while staking and certain crypto products may also be restricted in regions like the UK or UAE.

Certain features—including margin trading, staking, savings, and advanced product access—are restricted or unavailable in specific countries due to jurisdictional licensing and compliance requirements.

Innovation

Although eToro does not currently support launchpad or launchpool-style token offerings, it provides flexible, opt-in staking rewards on assets like ETH, ADA, SOL, DOT, and others, allowing users to participate or withdraw at their discretion.

CEX.IO offers flexible staking and savings options under its “Earn” program that allow on-demand access to funds; however, it does not currently support token launchpad or launchpool initiatives.

Security, Regulation & Custody

Operating Entity & Jurisdiction

eToro Group Ltd was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel. Its European arm, eToro (Europe) Ltd, is based in Limassol, Cyprus, operating under CySEC, and it also maintains legal entities across the UK, UAE, Australia, Malta, and Seychelles, reflecting a broad and multi-jurisdictional operational structure.

CEX.IO operates through several entities

Licenses/Registration

eToro (Europe) Ltd holds a CySEC license and is registered as a Digital Asset Service Provider in France (AMF), in Spain via Bank of Spain as a VASP, and operates under the EU-wide MiCA framework, enabling compliant crypto services across the European Union.

The exchange holds a U.S. Money Services Business registration with FinCEN and multiple state-level money transmitter licenses, a Gibraltar DLT provider license, Spanish VASP registration, and Lithuanian VASP status, reflecting a broad regulatory coverage across major markets.

Custody

Customer crypto assets are held in omnibus digital wallets in custody by eToro (Europe) Ltd, with private keys retained by the platform—not the user—and segregated from corporate reserves; although eToro doesn’t publicly publish proof-of-reserves or cold-storage percentages, this structure aims to reduce client-side risks.

CEX.IO maintains a layered custody model—hot wallets with PCI DSS-compliant security and cold wallets secured via multi-signature and manual controls; fiat is held in segregated bank accounts—though no formal public proof-of-reserves disclosures or third-party audits are noted.

Insurance & Protection Funds

For higher-tier members like Platinum and above, eToro offers private insurance via Lloyd’s of London covering cash, CFDs, and securities in case of insolvency; additionally, clients may access compensation from relevant investor compensation schemes governed by their regulatory body.

While CEX.IO provides FDIC insurance for USD balances held within participating U.S. banks up to typical limits, there is no general insurance for crypto assets beyond its rigorous internal security protocols.

Incident History

eToro has no major recent hacks, but it faced a €1.3 million fine in Italy for misleading promotion practices and settled with the U.S. SEC in 2024 for operating as an unregistered broker; it also has a history of regulatory actions including fines and blacklisting in Quebec and Canada.

The platform maintains a clean operational record with no major security breaches, public incidents, service suspensions, or regulatory penalties reported to date, underlining its reputation for reliability.

Risk Controls

eToro provides standard security measures such as 2FA and anti-phishing mechanisms; however, it doesn’t offer features like sub-accounts, granular API permissions, or whitelisting yet—keeping risk controls accessible but basic. (No citation available.)

User protection is reinforced with mandatory KYC/AML procedures, two-factor authentication, address whitelisting, a proprietary transaction-monitoring system, and granular APIs aimed at enhancing security and user control.

Transparency

While eToro does not disclose public wallet addresses or monthly reserves reports, it supports transparency through Key Information Documents (KIDs) and SEC filings, but it doesn’t offer service-level agreements or public audit trails tied specifically to crypto custody.

CEX.IO does not publish monthly financial or operational reports, nor provide public wallet addresses or formal service-level agreements (SLAs), although its regulatory compliance and security stance contribute to overall trust.

Deposits, Withdrawals, KYC & Support

Fiat Deposit Methods

eToro accepts a variety of funding methods, including bank transfers, debit/credit cards, and e-wallets like PayPal or Skrill, with minimum first deposits ranging from about $50 to several thousand depending on your country and method, daily or transaction limits often apply, and deposit times vary from immediate (cards and e-wallets) to a few business days (bank transfers).

CEX.IO allows fiat deposits via bank cards (Visa/Mastercard), bank transfers (SWIFT, SEPA, ACH, Faster Payments), and e-wallets like Skrill and PayPal; limits depend on verification level—new users may be capped at around $1,000 daily and $3,000 monthly, with standard limits applied after three months—and deposits typically arrive instantly (for cards/e-wallets) or within 1–3 business days (for bank transfers) depending on the method and region.

Supported Fiat Currencies & Conversion

KYC (Verification Levels)

On opening, unverified accounts are subject to lower deposit limits (e.g., around $2,000); full identity verification lifts those constraints—though eToro doesn’t generally publish tier names like “basic” or “advanced,” completing KYC empowers higher funding and withdrawal options.

CEX.IO enforces at least identity verification for full access to fiat features like card and transfer services; preliminary verification allows limited use, while higher account tiers—such as Enhanced or Corporate—lift deposit/withdrawal limits and enable large-scale operations.

Withdrawals

Limits, Times, Networks

Limits, Timing & Networks

Customer Support

eToro offers help via email and a comprehensive online help center with articles, though live chat availability can vary by region; response times generally range from a few hours to a couple of business days depending on complexity and support volume.

Users have access to help via live chat (mobile and web), email support, and an extensive knowledge base containing guides and FAQs—but response times vary and are influenced by location and request complexity.

Languages & Localization

eToro supports multiple language interfaces including Spanish, displays fees and balances in your preferred fiat (like EUR), and aligns its offerings with local regulatory requirements to ensure regional compliance.

The platform is fully available in English (as its primary language), and shows amounts in USD or EUR depending on region; local regulatory compliance is reflected in the user’s jurisdiction which affects available payment methods and features.

App Quality & Stability

The mobile app is frequently updated, offering a stable experience on iOS and Android; while official crash-rate statistics aren’t shared, user feedback suggests solid performance and consistent feature enhancements over time.

The CEX.IO app boasts a solid level of stability with regular updates; while precise crash rates aren’t publicly disclosed, the platform emphasizes performance enhancements and bug fixes in app release notes to deliver a smooth user experience.

Experience, Performance & Ecosystem

UX/UI

eToro’s interface is clean and intuitive, designed so that beginners can feel comfortable right away; while there isn’t a formal “Lite” vs “Pro” mode, advanced users can dive deeper via more detailed chart tools and layout options that gradually reveal themselves as you get more experienced.

CEX.IO offers a single unified interface rather than separate “Lite” or “Pro” views, relying on straightforward layout and intuitive navigation to help both new and experienced users pick up functionality quickly and seamlessly.

Performance

Order execution is generally smooth, but during extreme price swings or system maintenance you might notice slight latency; the platform reliability is strong overall, though KYC reviews can occasionally take longer during periods of high account openings—especially in bull market surges.

The platform benefits from institutional-grade infrastructure designed to minimize order latency, but like many exchanges, occasional slowdowns can surface during extreme market volatility; onboarding generally remains efficient even during high-demand periods.

Education

eToro provides a comprehensive Academy with video lessons, podcasts, and articles, and a $100,000 virtual portfolio simulator to practice trading; while most content is in English, platform navigation and key resources are also available in Spanish to support Spanish-speaking users.

CEX.IO University delivers free, beginner-friendly crypto education with a comprehensive glossary and lessons ranging from basic to advanced levels—though it currently lacks a live demo or simulator, and content in Spanish is available through its educational portal.

Community

There’s a built-in social network where you can comment on trades, follow investors, and invite friends via referral links—though it doesn’t rely on external forums or Telegram for community features, everything is kept within the platform to foster interaction.

The ecosystem includes an affiliate and referral program to reward users for spreading the word, but it does not prominently feature official forums or active Discord/Telegram communities as part of its outreach.

Integrations

eToro doesn’t support direct TradingView embedding, external bot automation, or built-in tax/accounting tools, so you’ll need to rely on third-party services to analyze charts or manage your portfolio’s tax reporting externally.

The platform integrates TradingView for charting, offers fully featured APIs for external bot support, and allows data export for tax and accounting purposes, making it viable for integration into broader trading and reporting workflows.

Who Each One Is Best For

eToro is ideal for traders who value simplicity, social features, and all-in-one access to assets—even if that means fewer professional-grade tools; active day traders or institutional users might find it less fitting due to lack of algorithmic support or deep integration capabilities.

CEX.IO is particularly well-suited for users seeking a balanced and compliant entry into crypto—from beginners who want ease of use and educational resources to semi-advanced traders needing reliable tools and external integration capabilities.