Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Mintos vs UNest
Where Mintos and UNest differ
| Compare |  Mintos |  UNest |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | €50 | $25 |
| Account fee | €0 | $24 |
| Markets | Bonds, ETFs, CryptoCovers more | ETFs |
| Regulators | Latvijas Banka, LV LV | SEC, SIPC |
| Investor protection | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free bank transfer withdrawal; 2% card deposits | No withdrawal fee |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | iOS app, Android app, Web |
| Inactivity fee | €4.90 | Not confirmed |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5% | Not confirmed |
| Interest on cash | 2.5% | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Mintos scores higher overall: 9.0 vs 8.6.
- Regulators: only Mintos offers Latvijas Banka, LV LV.
- Regulators: only UNest offers SEC, SIPC.
- Markets: only Mintos offers Bonds, Crypto.
- Platforms: only Mintos offers iOS, Android.
- Platforms: only UNest offers iOS app, Android app.
- Features: only Mintos offers Crypto.
- Pricing model: only Mintos offers Commission free.
- Pricing model: only UNest offers Low fees.
Our verdict on each
Mintos
Mintos is a cheap, commission-free platform for lending money to businesses through their loan marketplace, with an account fee of €0 and a secondary market for exiting early. It suits investors who want lending exposure in euro-denominated loans rather than a share dealing account, and accept that the money carries borrower default risk.
UNest
UNest suits parents and guardians saving for children through guided ETF portfolios on mobile and web, with support through help centre access for account questions. The pricing centres on management fee of 0.25% alongside account fee of $24, with minimum investment of $25 to start building balances over time.
Score breakdown
| Area | Mintos | UNest |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.9HigherAccount fee of €0, an inactivity fee of €4.90 and a minimum deposit of €50. | 8.5Management fee sits at 0.25% with account fee of $24 shaping ongoing pricing |
| Offer | 9.2HigherMinimum investment of €50, target return of 9.2% and a secondary market. | 8.5Coverage centres on ETFs with portfolio choice across ETF and ESG via iOS app, Android app and web |
| Trust | 9.0Higher | 8.8Oversight listed as SEC and SIPC with cover noted as SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | Mintos | UNest |
|---|---|---|
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | No |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Mintos | UNest |
|---|---|---|
| Latvia | LV_LV PSD_EMI LV_FCMC!723 | Not confirmed |
| United States | Not confirmed | SIPC SIPC member 70576 |
How they place
| Ranking | Mintos | UNest |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 9 of 490 | 5 of 490 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Mintos | UNest |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Mobile appCovers more | Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Low fees |
| Legal entity | SIA Mintos Payments | Not confirmed |
| Headquarters | Latvia | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 2015 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre, Community | Not confirmed |
P2P lending
| Fact | Mintos | UNest |
|---|---|---|
| Target return | 9.2% | Not confirmed |
| Minimum investment | €50 | $25 |
| Secondary market | Yes | Not confirmed |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Mintos | UNest |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | Not confirmed | 0.25% |
| Portfolio types | Not confirmed | ETF, ESG |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Mintos | UNest | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inactivity fee | €4.90above the median | Not confirmed | €0 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5%above the median | Not confirmed | 0.4% |
| Interest on cash | 2.5%below the median | Not confirmed | 3% |
Median across 34 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Mintos
Pros
- The account fee is €0, and Mintos ranks at 1 of 138 brands on that measure
- Investing is commission-free, and the minimum investment is €50
- A secondary market is available, so loans can be sold before they mature
Cons
- Card deposits cost Free bank transfer withdrawal; 2% card deposits, so topping up is dearer than a bank transfer
- An inactivity fee of €4.90 applies, against an inactivity fee position of 33 of 56
- The minimum deposit of €50 sits far above a site minimum deposit median of €4.64
UNest
Pros
- Minimum investment of $25 and minimum deposit of $25 allow modest starts for child saving
- ETF and ESG choice through ETF and ESG supports values aligned portfolios for young savers
- Access across iOS app, Android app and web gives app led monitoring for busy parents
Cons
- Account fee of $24 adds to management fee of 0.25%, while ActivTrades asks minimum deposit of $0
- Market scope stays limited to ETFs, without stocks or bonds for wider allocation
- Support runs on help centre only, which limits direct contact for urgent queries
Who each suits
Mintos
Who it suits
- Investors who want to lend to businesses and earn a target return of 9.2%
- Lenders who want a secondary market to sell a loan before it matures
- Euro-based investors who accept that defaults can reduce returns
Who should look elsewhere
- Share traders, who should look at eToro with a commission-free model and a wider market list
- Anyone wanting to start with a very small sum, since CFI takes a minimum deposit of $0
- Lenders who need a guaranteed buyback, as the return of 9.2% is a target rather than a promise
UNest
Who it suits
- Parents saving for children through ETFs, where eToro offers broader markets but less child focus
- Values led savers seeking ESG options, where XTB suits wider trading rather than guided portfolios
Who should look elsewhere
- Active traders seeking broad markets, where eToro may fit better than UNest markets of ETFs
- Direct equity buyers seeking stocks, where ActivTrades may fit better than ETF only coverage
Country by country
| Country | Mintos | UNest |
|---|---|---|
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
Mintos
What fees does Mintos charge on an account?+
The account fee is €0, and the platform is commission-free, so there is no dealing charge on an investment. The charges that apply are a currency conversion fee of 0.5%, card deposit costs set out as Free bank transfer withdrawal; 2% card deposits, and an inactivity fee of €4.90.
How much do I need to put in to start lending?+
The minimum deposit is €50, and the smallest single investment is €50. The two figures are close, so funding to the deposit minimum is enough to purchase a loan. For scale, the site median for a minimum investment is €25.
UNest
What does UNest charge to manage an account+
UNest charges management fee of 0.25% plus account fee of $24. That mix matters for small balances, as flat charges weigh more when balances stay modest. Check how regular contributions interact with those charges before you commit.
What minimum applies to open and fund an account+
UNest sets minimum deposit of $25 and minimum investment of $25. Those thresholds allow modest opening contributions and regular additions. You can plan contributions around those levels rather than larger lump sums.
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