Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
CapTrader vs Lightyear
What sets them apart
| Compare |  CapTrader |  Lightyear |
|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | $2 | $1Lower |
| Account fee | $0 | €0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | €0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Options, Futures, Crypto, Bonds, FundsCovers more | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, Bonds, Funds |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free withdrawal, bank transfer deposits | Free bank transfers in and out |
| Minimum deposit | $2,000 | Not confirmed |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | Estonian Financial Supervision Authority, Estonian Financial Supervision Authority (EFSA) |
| Investor protection | Not confirmed | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.35% |
| Options contract fee | €2 | Not confirmed |
| Platforms | Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop, Trading App | Not confirmed |
| Account types | Not confirmed | Corporate |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 2.42% |
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Key differences
- Stock trade fee is lower at Lightyear: $1 vs $2.
- Markets: only CapTrader offers Forex, CFDs, Options.
- Features: only CapTrader offers Demo account, Mobile app.
- Features: only Lightyear offers Crypto.
Our verdict on each
CapTrader
CapTrader suits experienced traders who want stocks, forex, CFDs, options, futures, crypto, bonds and funds under one roof with no account or inactivity fee. The catch is the entry size: a minimum deposit of $2,000 puts it out of reach for a small first account.
Lightyear
Lightyear suits you if you want stocks, ETFs, bonds, funds and crypto in a place with clear upkeep costs and email based help. Your stock trades cost $1, account upkeep sits at €0 and inactivity stays at €0 while cover reaches EU ICS up to EUR 20,000.
Score breakdown
| Area | CapTrader | Lightyear |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.7Account fee and inactivity fee of $0 and $0 set against a $2,000 entry and $2 a trade. | 9.1HigherUpkeep at €0 and inactivity at €0 with trades at $1 |
| Offer | 9.2Higher | 8.8Covers stocks, ETFs and crypto with fractional shares and crypto access for varied plans |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 8.7Cover through EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 alongside Estonian supervision for reassurance |
What each covers
| Markets | CapTrader | Lightyear |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| CFDs | Yes | No |
| Options | Yes | No |
| Futures | Yes | No |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | CapTrader | Lightyear |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 19 of 471 | 38 of 471 |
Sources behind this comparison
CapTrader
- captrader.com: 7 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokerchooser.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Lightyear
- lightyear.com: 12 facts, checked September 29, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | CapTrader | Lightyear |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Mobile app, Fractional shares | Crypto, Fractional shares |
| Pricing model | Low fees | Low fees |
| Support channels | Help centre | Not confirmed |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | CapTrader | Lightyear |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum investment | Not confirmed | €1 |
| Portfolio types | Not confirmed | ETF, Cash, Crypto |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | CapTrader | Lightyear | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $2,000highest quarter | Not confirmed | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $2highest quarter | $1highest quarter | $0 |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.35%below the median | 0.45% |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 2.42%below the median | 3% |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
CapTrader
Pros
- A single account covers stocks, etfs and forex, so instruments do not need splitting across brokers.
- Platform choice of Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop and Trading App covers desktop terminals and mobile trading.
- Trading costs read plainly: $2 a stock trade and €2 an options contract.
Cons
- Minimum deposit of $2,000 ranks 197 of 213 on our data, against $0 at CFI and $5 at Vantage.
- Stock trade fee of $2 ranks 124 of 161, while eToro charges $0 a trade.
- Support runs on help centre only, with no phone or chat channel listed.
Lightyear
Pros
- Account upkeep at €0 and inactivity at €0 keep quiet months calm
- You can hold stocks, ETFs and crypto with fractional shares available for smaller positions
- You can begin from €1, below many peers, with cash interest at 2.42%
Cons
- Stock trades at $1 look pricey beside ActivTrades at $0 for frequent equity orders
- Currency conversion at 0.35% adds cost when you trade outside your base currency
- Support runs on email and help centre only, so you use email and help centre without phone or chat
Who each suits
CapTrader
Who it suits
- Traders running a mixed book of stocks, etfs and forex rather than one narrow market.
- Anyone who dislikes dormant account charges, with an inactivity fee of $0.
- Desktop users who prefer the Trader Workstation TWS or CapTrader Desktop over a simple app.
Who should look elsewhere
- Small first-time accounts: CFI starts at $0 and Vantage at $5, well below CapTrader's $2,000.
- Cost-first stock buyers: eToro charges $0 a trade against CapTrader's $2.
Lightyear
Who it suits
- You want upkeep at €0 and inactivity at €0 and prefer XTB only if ticket fees matter more
- You seek stocks, ETFs and crypto from modest sums starting at €1 rather than eToro style ranged pricing
Who should look elsewhere
- You trade stocks very often and want ticket fees of $0 from ActivTrades rather than fees of $1
- You want phone or chat help rather than help on email and help centre, so XTB may suit you better
Questions about each
CapTrader
What is the minimum deposit?+
The minimum deposit is $2,000, which is the main hurdle for a first account. On our data that places CapTrader at 197 of 213. CFI takes $0 and Vantage $5, so a smaller start is easy elsewhere.
Are there account or inactivity fees?+
Neither applies. The account fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0, so leaving money untouched does not trigger a charge. CapTrader ranks 1 of 138 on account fee and 1 of 56 on inactivity fee.
Lightyear
What will I pay to trade stocks and keep the account open?+
Stock orders carry fees of $1. Account upkeep sits at €0 and inactivity stays at €0. Currency conversion applies at 0.35% when your trade currency differs from your account currency.
Who regulates Lightyear and where can I check it?+
Lightyear names Estonian Financial Supervision Authority and Estonian Financial Supervision Authority (EFSA) as its supervisors. Oversight sits in Estonia under MiCA CASP 254900BBBJZF2IE8EN54. You can check the licence details on the relevant public register before you fund an account.
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