Updated October 13, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Lightyear vs Moneybox
Lightyear vs Moneybox: the differences
| Compare |  Lightyear |  Moneybox |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, Bonds, FundsCovers more | Stocks, ETFs, Funds |
| Regulators | Estonian Financial Supervision Authority, Estonian Financial Supervision Authority (EFSA) | Financial Conduct Authority |
| Investor protection | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 |
| Account types | Corporate | ISA, Lisa, Jisa, SIPP |
| Stock trade fee | $1 | Not confirmed |
| Account fee | €0 | Not confirmed |
| Inactivity fee | €0 | Not confirmed |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.35% | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free bank transfers in and out | Not confirmed |
| Interest on cash | 2.42% | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Regulators: only Lightyear offers Estonian Financial Supervision Authority, Estonian Financial Supervision Authority (EFSA).
- Regulators: only Moneybox offers Financial Conduct Authority.
- Markets: only Lightyear offers Crypto, Bonds.
- Account types: only Lightyear offers Corporate.
- Account types: only Moneybox offers ISA, Lisa, Jisa.
- Features: only Lightyear offers Crypto.
- Features: only Moneybox offers Mobile app, Demo account.
Our verdict on each
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.
Moneybox
Moneybox trades broad market choice for simplicity by focusing on ISAs, savings and pensions in one place. For newcomers who want everyday saving, first home planning and long term investing guided in plain English, it keeps every goal together for customers across the UK.
Score breakdown
| Area | Lightyear | Moneybox |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1Upkeep at €0 and inactivity at €0 with trades at $1 | Not confirmed |
| Offer | 8.8Covers stocks, ETFs and crypto with fractional shares and crypto access for varied plans | 9.0Higher |
| Trust | 8.7HigherCover through EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 alongside Estonian supervision for reassurance | 8.6 |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Lightyear | Moneybox |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 39 of 471 | 384 of 471 |
| Robo-advisors | 8 of 151 | 122 of 151 |
Sources behind this comparison
Lightyear
- lightyear.com: 12 facts, checked September 29, 2026
Moneybox
- moneyboxapp.com: 8 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- moneybox.co.uk: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Lightyear | Moneybox |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Fractional shares | Mobile app, Fractional shares, Demo account |
| Pricing model | Low fees | Not confirmed |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Digital Moneybox Limited |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United Kingdom |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Help centre |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Lightyear | Moneybox |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum investment | €1 | £1 |
| Portfolio types | ETF, Cash, CryptoCovers more | ETF, Cash |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Lightyear | Moneybox | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | $1highest quarter | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account fee | €0at the median | Not confirmed | €0 |
| Inactivity fee | €0below the median | Not confirmed | €2.45 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.35%below the median | Not confirmed | 0.45% |
| Interest on cash | 2.42%below the median | Not confirmed | 3% |
Median across 91 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
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
Moneybox
Pros
- Covers cash savings, ISAs, first home saving and pensions together
- Supports combining old pensions into one easy to manage plan
- Welcomes beginners with plain guidance for long term goals
Cons
- Focused range around ISAs, savings and pensions only
- UK centred offer for customers planning home and retirement goals
- Long term focus with less choice for active market trading
Who each suits
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
Moneybox
Who it suits
- First home savers planning a deposit
- Beginners building long term ISA investments
- Pension holders wanting combined pots
Who should look elsewhere
- Active traders seeking wide market choice
Country by country
| Country | Lightyear | Moneybox |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | No | Yes |
Questions about each
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.
Moneybox
What accounts can you open with Moneybox?+
You can open a Cash ISA for everyday savings, a Lifetime ISA for a first home, and a Stocks and Shares ISA for long term investing. You can also open a Personal Pension and use general savings accounts to build funds for different life goals.
Which countries does Moneybox serve?+
Moneybox serves customers across the UK who want to save, invest and plan retirement in one place. Its Lifetime ISA content focuses on first time home ownership in the UK. Its pension content focuses on finding and combining existing UK pension pots.
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