Lightyear Review

Cost-conscious long-term investors

FCA EFSA FINRA SIPC

Founded 2020 · Estonia

Why investors choose this broker

No account fee
Free ETF execution and custody
0.35% FX conversion fee
Multi-currency account

Review summary

Low-cost investing platform with free ETFs, multi-currency accounts, fractional investing, savings products, and a 0.35% FX fee.

Pros

No account fee
Free ETF execution and custody
0.35% FX conversion fee
Multi-currency account
Fractional investing
Web, iOS and Android access
Savings Vaults with money market funds
SIPC protection for US securities

Cons

Stock fees vary by instrument
Card deposits cost 0.6%
Crypto assets lack investor compensation cover
Product availability may vary
Money market fund fees apply
Some withdrawals may require currency conversion

Company background

Lightyear is an investment platform for retail and business users. It offers stocks, ETFs, funds, bonds, money market funds, Savings Vaults, investment plans, ready-made portfolios, crypto where available, and a multi-currency account.

The platform focuses on simple portfolio building rather than complex professional trading. Fractional investing is available, so users can invest a chosen amount instead of buying whole shares. Lightyear also supports automated investment plans and ready-made portfolios managed by BlackRock and Vanguard.

Fees and pricing

Lightyear has no account fee and charges no ETF execution or custody fee. Currency conversion costs 0.35% using the live interbank exchange rate.

Stock fees depend on the instrument. US shares cost 0.10% per order with a 0.10 USD minimum and 1 USD maximum. UK shares cost 1 GBP per order. EUR-denominated stocks, bonds, ETNs and ETCs cost 1 EUR per order. Crypto orders cost 0.45%. Local bank transfers in and out are free, while card deposits cost 0.6%.

Regulation and safety

Lightyear is regulated by the FCA and EFSA. US securities are held with Alpaca, which is FINRA regulated and a SIPC member. SIPC protection applies to US securities up to $500,000.

Eligible customer assets are covered up to €20,000 by the Estonian Investor Protection Sectoral Fund. Customer money and investments are held separately from Lightyear assets. Crypto assets are not covered by the investor compensation scheme.

Platform experience

Lightyear is available through a web app, iOS app, and Android app. The platform includes investing tools such as charts, fundamentals, analyst ratings, price targets, financials, news, and Lightyear AI.

The product range is broad for long-term investors who want stocks, ETFs, funds, bonds, savings products, and automated plans in one place. The interface remains focused on investing rather than advanced derivative trading.

Pros and cons

Lightyear combines low headline fees, free ETF execution, a multi-currency account, fractional investing, and savings-style money market fund access. Its main limitations are instrument-specific stock fees, card deposit fees, product availability differences, and no compensation scheme cover for crypto assets.

Ready to open an account at Lightyear?

Open an account directly with the broker. Confirm current fees and account eligibility on the broker's website before depositing.

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Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

Trading fees & commissions

Lightyear has no account fee, free ETF execution and custody, and a 0.35% currency conversion fee. US shares cost 0.10% with a 0.10 USD minimum and 1 USD maximum, UK shares cost 1 GBP, and EUR-denominated stocks, bonds, ETNs and ETCs cost 1 EUR.

Fees

Item	Fee
Crypto	0.45%
Account	Free
Custody	Free
Deposit	Bank transfer in: Free; Deposit via card: 0.6%
Lei Fee	€48 + VAT
Usd Wire	$6.11
Withdrawal	Bank transfer out: Free
Fx Conversion	0.35%
Multi Currency	Free
Money Market Funds	Money market funds (GBP/EUR) annual fee 0.10%; Money market funds (USD) annual fee 0.15%

Trading platform & features

Platforms

Web app
iOS app
Android app

Regulation and investor protection

Lightyear is regulated by the FCA and EFSA. US securities are held with Alpaca, a FINRA-regulated broker and SIPC member, and eligible customer assets are covered up to €20,000 by the Estonian Investor Protection Sectoral Fund.

Broker FAQs

Is Lightyear safe?

Lightyear is regulated by the FCA and EFSA. Client assets are segregated, eligible customer assets are protected up to €20,000, and US securities are held with Alpaca, a FINRA-regulated broker and SIPC member.

Is Lightyear a scam?

No. Lightyear is regulated by the FCA and EFSA, client assets are segregated, and eligible customer assets are protected up to €20,000.

Is Lightyear regulated and by whom?

Lightyear is regulated by the FCA and EFSA. US securities are held with Alpaca, which is regulated by FINRA and is a SIPC member.

What happens to my money if Lightyear goes bankrupt?

Customer assets are held separately from Lightyear assets. Lightyear says customer assets cannot be touched by its creditors and would be returned to customers in the event of insolvency.

Does Lightyear keep client funds in segregated accounts?

Yes. Customer money and investments are held separately from Lightyear assets, and customer assets are kept in separate accounts.

Are there hidden fees at Lightyear?

Lightyear publishes account, trading, ETF, FX, deposit, withdrawal, crypto, and money market fund fees. It also shows a warning when order fees would account for 5% or more of an order value.

What does Lightyear charge for stock trades?

US shares cost 0.10% per order with a 0.10 USD minimum and 1 USD maximum. UK shares cost 1 GBP per order, and EUR-denominated stocks, bonds, ETNs and ETCs cost 1 EUR per order.

What is Lightyear's currency conversion fee?

Lightyear charges 0.35% for currency conversion using the live interbank exchange rate.

Is there a withdrawal fee at Lightyear?

Local bank transfers out are free. Some withdrawals may require currency conversion first, which can trigger the 0.35% FX fee.

What products does Lightyear offer?

Lightyear offers stocks, ETFs, funds, bonds, fractional shares, investment plans, ready-made portfolios, Savings Vaults, money market funds, crypto where available, a multi-currency account, and business accounts.

Does Lightyear offer ETFs?

Yes. Lightyear offers ETFs with free execution and custody. Fund manager fees may still apply.

Does Lightyear offer crypto?

Yes. Lightyear offers crypto where available. Crypto orders cost 0.45%, and crypto assets are not covered by the investor compensation scheme.

Can I buy fractional shares on Lightyear?

Yes. Lightyear supports fractional investing, so users can invest a chosen amount without buying a whole share.

Does Lightyear have a mobile app?

Yes. Lightyear is available on iOS and Android, as well as through a web app.

How long does it take to withdraw from Lightyear?

Withdrawals usually take no more than one or two days. Some withdrawals are normally credited on the same day, while USD payments usually arrive within two days.

Is Lightyear good for beginners?

Lightyear may suit beginners who want a simple platform, free ETF execution, fractional investing, a multi-currency account, and web and mobile access.

Is Lightyear good for long-term investing?

Lightyear is built around long-term investing products such as stocks, ETFs, funds, bonds, Savings Vaults, money market funds, investment plans, and ready-made portfolios.

Bottom line

Lightyear suits cost-conscious investors who want simple access to stocks, ETFs, funds, bonds, savings products, crypto where available, and multi-currency investing. It does not suit users who need a platform centered on advanced derivative trading.

Lightyear

Cost-conscious long-term investors

Open Account

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.