Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
BUX vs Lime Financial
Where BUX and Lime Financial differ
| Compare |  BUX |  Lime Financial |
|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | €3.99 | $0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs | Stocks, ETFs, Options, FuturesCovers more |
| Regulators | Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) | FINRA, NFA |
| Investor protection | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Platforms | BUX app | Lime Trader, Lime Trader Web, Lime Trader Mobile, Lime Direct, Sterling, CQG, TakeProfit |
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $30,000 |
| Account fee | €2.99 | Not confirmed |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.75% | Not confirmed |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 12.5% |
| Account types | Not confirmed | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint, Corporate |
| Interest on cash | 2% | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Lime Financial scores higher overall: 9.1 vs 8.6.
- Regulators: only BUX offers Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM).
- Regulators: only Lime Financial offers FINRA, NFA.
- Founded is lower at Lime Financial: 2000 vs 2013.
- Markets: only Lime Financial offers Options, Futures.
- Platforms: only BUX offers BUX app.
- Platforms: only Lime Financial offers Lime Trader, Lime Trader Web, Lime Trader Mobile.
- Support channels: only BUX offers Chat.
- Support channels: only Lime Financial offers Phone.
- Features: only BUX offers Fractional shares.
Our verdict on each
BUX
BUX suits investors who want a Dutch broker for stocks and ETFs and accept a set fee per trade. It charges an account fee of €2.99 and a stock trade fee of €3.99, which is why the offer score sits at 2.1 and the overall score at 2.1.
Lime Financial
Lime Financial suits experienced traders and active day traders who want options and futures on a commission-free basis. Stock trades cost $0 and the account is regulated by FINRA and NFA with SIPC protection, but the account starts at $30,000, so the entry point is the trade-off.
Score breakdown
| Area | BUX | Lime Financial |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.4 | 8.5HigherStock trades cost $0 and the model is commission-free, but opening requires $30,000, well past the €4.64 site median. |
| Offer | 8.7 | 9.6Higher |
| Trust | 8.7 | 9.4Higher |
Feature by feature
| Markets | BUX | Lime Financial |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | No | Yes |
| Futures | No | Yes |
What we checked
BUX
- bux.com: 14 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- fxverify.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Lime Financial
- lime.co: 13 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokercheck.finra.org: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | BUX | Lime Financial |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 203 of 471 | 118 of 471 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | BUX | Lime Financial |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Fractional shares, Mobile app | Options, Futures, Demo account, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Low fees | Commission free |
| Audience | Beginners, Experienced | Experienced, Day traders |
| Legal entity | BUX B.V. | Lime Trading Corp. |
| Headquarters | Netherlands | United States |
| Founded | 2013 | 2000Lower |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Help centre | Email, Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | BUX | Lime Financial | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $30,000highest quarter | $25 |
| Account fee | €2.99highest quarter | Not confirmed | €0 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.75%highest quarter | Not confirmed | 0.45% |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 12.5%highest quarter | 8.75% |
| Interest on cash | 2%lowest quarter | Not confirmed | 3% |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
BUX
Pros
- Fees follow a low-fee model: a stock trade fee of €3.99 per trade, an account fee of €2.99 and a currency exchange fee of 0.75%.
- Regulated by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM), with money held under the EU ICS up to EUR 20,000.
- Aimed at both beginners and experienced investors, with fractional shares and a mobile app listed in fractional shares and mobile app.
Cons
- The account fee of €2.99 applies on top of a stock trade fee of €3.99, so frequent trading costs add up.
- On stock trade fee it ranks 136 of 161, so cheaper share dealing sits elsewhere.
- Markets are limited to stocks and etfs, where CFI offers stocks, etfs and forex.
Lime Financial
Pros
- Stock trades cost $0 on a commission-free model, so no per-trade charge
- Options and futures are available alongside stocks, etfs and options
- Regulated by FINRA and NFA, with investor protection of SIPC up to USD 500,000
Cons
- The minimum deposit of $30,000 puts Lime Financial beyond most starter accounts, ranking 210 of 213 on this measure
- Support runs on email, phone and help centre with no live chat listed
Who each suits
BUX
Who it suits
- Investors who want a regulated European broker covering stocks and etfs at a flat fee per trade.
- People who prefer mobile investing, since fractional shares and mobile app includes fractional shares and a mobile app.
- Readers who weigh protection first, since money sits under the EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 at a broker regulated by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM).
Who should look elsewhere
- Traders who want forex, contracts for difference or crypto, since CFI covers stocks, etfs and forex and BUX covers stocks and etfs.
- Share dealing fans after a free stock trade fee, since eToro lists $0 against the €3.99 here.
- Anyone put off by a standing charge, given the account fee of €2.99 where Vantage lists $0.
Lime Financial
Who it suits
- Experienced traders who want commission-free options and futures
- Day traders working across Lime Trader, Lime Trader Web and Lime Trader Mobile
- US accounts holders wanting SIPC protection
Who should look elsewhere
- Beginners building a first portfolio, who should look at CFI with a $0 entry point
- Small savers, who should compare Vantage at $5
- Readers wanting forex, CFDs or crypto, which sit outside stocks, etfs and options
Country by country
| Country | BUX | Lime Financial |
|---|---|---|
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
BUX
How much does it cost to buy a share at BUX?+
A stock trade costs €3.99 per trade under a low-fee model, and a currency exchange fee of 0.75% applies on currency conversions. Because the trade fee is a flat amount rather than a percentage, the cost does not grow with the size of the order. A flat account fee of €2.99 also applies to the account.
Is there an account or inactivity fee?+
There is an account fee of €2.99, charged on the account regardless of how much it holds. That is a flat charge rather than a percentage, so it does not rise as the portfolio grows. BUX ranks 108 of 138 on this line, which places it towards the expensive end of the brands compared here.
Lime Financial
What does it cost to trade stocks at Lime Financial?+
Stock trades cost $0, and the account runs on a commission-free model. There is no per-trade charge for equities. The catch is the entry requirement: a minimum deposit of $30,000 to open the account.
How much do I need to open an account?+
The minimum deposit is $30,000. That is a high bar for a first account, ranking 210 of 213 brands on this comparison. Readers with a smaller starting balance would be better served elsewhere.
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