Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Lightyear vs Webull
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Lightyear |  Webull |
|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | $1 | $0Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, Bonds, Funds | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, Crypto, Bonds, FundsCovers more |
| Regulators | Estonian Financial Supervision Authority, Estonian Financial Supervision Authority (EFSA) | FINRA, SEC, SIPC |
| Investor protection | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free bank transfers in and out | $0 incoming stock transfer |
| Account types | Corporate | IRA |
| Account fee | €0 | Not confirmed |
| Inactivity fee | €0 | Not confirmed |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.35% | Not confirmed |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | Desktop, Mobile, Web |
| Interest on cash | 2.42% | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Webull scores higher overall: 9.6 vs 8.9.
- Regulators: only Lightyear offers Estonian Financial Supervision Authority, Estonian Financial Supervision Authority (EFSA).
- Regulators: only Webull offers FINRA, SEC, SIPC.
- Stock trade fee is lower at Webull: $0 vs $1.
- Markets: only Webull offers Options, Futures.
- Account types: only Lightyear offers Corporate.
- Account types: only Webull offers IRA.
- Features: only Webull offers Demo account, Options, Futures.
- Pricing model: only Lightyear offers Low fees.
- Pricing model: only Webull offers Commission free.
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.
Webull
Webull suits US retail investors who want a single app for stocks, options, futures, crypto and retirement saving, and the fee line is the draw: a stock trade costs $0. Investor protection is SIPC up to USD 500,000, though the account range is narrow.
Score breakdown
| Area | Lightyear | Webull |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1Upkeep at €0 and inactivity at €0 with trades at $1 | 9.7Higher |
| Offer | 8.8Covers stocks, ETFs and crypto with fractional shares and crypto access for varied plans | 9.3Higher |
| Trust | 8.7Cover through EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 alongside Estonian supervision for reassurance | 9.8Higher |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | Lightyear | Webull |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | No | Yes |
| Futures | No | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Account types | Lightyear | Webull |
|---|---|---|
| IRA | No | Yes |
| Corporate | Yes | No |
Availability and regulation
| Country | Lightyear | Webull |
|---|---|---|
| Estonia | Estonian Financial Supervision Authority (EFSA) MiCA CASP 254900BBBJZF2IE8EN54 | Not confirmed |
| United States | Not confirmed | SIPC SIPC member 71394 |
Where these facts come from
Lightyear
- lightyear.com: 12 facts, checked September 29, 2026
Webull
- webull.com: 9 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokercheck.finra.org: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | Lightyear | Webull |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 38 of 471 | 45 of 471 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Lightyear | Webull |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Fractional shares | Crypto, Demo account, Fractional shares, Options, Futures, Mobile appCovers more |
| Pricing model | Low fees | Commission free |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | WEBULL FINANCIAL LLC |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Email, Phone, Help centre |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Lightyear | Webull |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum investment | €1 | Not confirmed |
| Portfolio types | ETF, Cash, Crypto | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Lightyear | Webull | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | $1highest quarter | $0at the median | $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% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0lowest quarter | $0.625 |
| 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
Webull
Pros
- A stock trade costs $0 and an options contract $0 on the ira account.
- Investor protection is SIPC up to USD 500,000, with registration under FINRA, SEC and SIPC.
- A single app covers stocks, etfs and options, so shares, bonds, funds, options, futures and crypto sit together.
Cons
- Support runs on email, phone and help centre, with no live chat listed.
- Account choice is narrow, with ira the only type listed.
- Across the brokers compared, the middle retail loss share is 70.15% and the top of the range 88%.
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
Webull
Who it suits
- US retail investors who want stocks, options, futures and crypto under a single login
- Beginners using the demo account in crypto, demo account and fractional shares before committing money
- Retirement savers who want $0 stock trades in the same app
Who should look elsewhere
- eToro, if you want forex and CFDs, since stocks, etfs and forex include them
- CFI, if your focus is forex and CFDs rather than stocks, etfs and options
- Vantage, if you trade metals and CFDs, which its forex, cfds and stocks cover
Country by country
| Country | Lightyear | Webull |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 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.
Webull
What does it cost to trade?+
A stock trade costs $0 and an options contract $0, on the ira account. The pricing model is commission free, and incoming stock transfers are free. Costs stay low, though they do not decide whether a trade makes money.
Is my money protected if the firm fails?+
Accounts sit with WEBULL FINANCIAL LLC. Investor protection is SIPC up to USD 500,000, and registration with FINRA, SEC and SIPC applies, with SIPC membership listed as SIPC member 71394. Low costs do not change that, so weigh the retail loss figures before you trade.
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