5 key things to consider about trading platforms in 2026

An investor's most powerful tool is their trading platform. We take a look at some of the features that eToro offers.
No matter your level of trading experience, your trading platform is integral to the trading process. It affects the type of assets you can access, the trading times you're able to use, and the tools you have to grow your investing skills.
So whether you're thinking about trading for the first time, are looking to upgrade your current platform or just want to consolidate multiple platforms, it's important to consider the features a new platform can offer.
With eToro, you're able to access a range of features and tools to enhance your trading experience. Let's take a closer look.
1. Get up to $500 USD in stock
For a limited time, when you join eToro as a new member, you can qualify for a tiered stock reward.
To claim your reward, you just need to complete a few steps
- Pick a stock
- Make a qualifying first-time deposit by 31 March 2026.
After you've completed your qualifying deposit and maintained it for 90 days, your selected stock should be credited within 7 days.
You can see below how the tiered rewards work:
| Deposit amount (USD) | Reward |
|---|---|
| $200 - $499 | $10 in stock |
| 500 - $2,499 | $30 in stock |
| $2,500 - $4,999 | $200 in stock |
| $5,000 + | $500 in stock |
Leveraging offers like this can help you continue expanding your portfolio as you transition to a new trading platform.
2. Access to a range of markets
It's important to look for a trading platform that allows you to trade across a broad range of markets and assets.
Opting for a more specialised or limited platform can be understandable when you start trading.
But it can be limiting, too. You also want to think about your long-term goals and aspirations.
Having access to a wider range of markets also tends to mean that you can trade for longer hours, too. This can be useful when trading international markets.
At time of writing, eToro allows you to trade across 20 different exchanges and access over 10,000 assets around the globe.
3. Practice with a demo account
Switching to a new trading platform (or joining one for the first time) also allows you to experiment with new trading techniques.
With this in mind, eToro provides members with a $100K demo account.
This is a virtual account that's tied to real-world values. So you're able to test strategies and explore new markets without needing to put real currency at risk.
eToro's demo account also uses the same layout as its actual trading platform.
So when you're practising with the demo account, you're also learning how the interface itself works when you start trading for real.
Start trading with eToro
💲Get up to $500USD in stock
Join as a new member before 31 March 2026 and make a qualifying deposit, and you could be eligible to receive up to $500USD in stock.
📈 Access to a range of markets and investment categories
Invest in 20 markets worldwide, with more than 10,000 assets across stocks, commodities, currencies and crypto.
📱 Access to a demo account
Test strategies tied to real-world values, without risking real funds with the eToro demo account.
eToro AUS Capital Limited AFSL 491139. eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.
4. Leverage pre-made portfolios and copy-trades
Diversification is a necessary part of investing. But it can also be tricky when you're a new investor, too.
But with the right platform, there are ways to start the process in a straightforward way.
Investment options like eToro Smart Portfolios provide a way for investors to get started with long-term and passive investment strategies across a range of different industries and asset types.
You can use them as a springboard into diversification or simply to grow an existing portfolio.
Additionally, eToro's platform also offers a copy-trade feature.
This lets you look at the trades being performed by popular investors on the platform. Then you can "copy" them to replicate the same trades yourself.
Follow experienced traders and learn from their strategies in real time.
5. Access to investment education resources
Ongoing education is crucial for every investor.
So it's important to look for a trading platform that provides educational tools to support this journey.
With the right support, you should be able to make more informed investing decisions, adjust your strategies to suit wider circumstances, and stay abreast of shifts in the market.
eToro Academy is available to eToro members. It provides a range of courses, webinars and podcasts, to help you stay informed, irrespective of your prior investing experience.
eToro also provides a news feed to let you stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the world of trading.
Learn more about trading with eToro
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How we picked theseFinder Score for share trading platforms
We've scored over 30 share trading platforms assessing them for their core features, fees, customer experience and accessibility. Our experts give each platform a score out of 10.
eToro disclaimer
This document has been prepared for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial product advice, a recommendation, or an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any financial product. It does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs.
Investing in financial markets involves risk. The value of investments can rise and fall, and you may receive back less than you invest. Cryptocurrency assets are particularly volatile. Before making any investment decision, you should read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD). These documents are available at www.etoro.com.
