10 Best Crowdlending Platforms in Europe – 2023

Are you looking for an alternative and innovative way to grow your money? Crowdlending platforms in Europe offer investors a great way to diversify their portfolios, with the potential to earn higher returns than traditional investments.

This list of the best crowdlending platforms in Europe will provide you with the information you need to get started. With the right platform, you’ll have the potential to build a successful portfolio and start generating passive income.

Hive5

Avg. return:
~15.57%

Available:
Europe

Launched:
2022

Minimum:
€10

Auto-invest:
Yes

Sec. market:
No

Protection:
Buyback

Bonus:
+0.5%

Visit website →

Or see our:
Hive5 review

Debitum

Avg. return:
~12.50%

Available:
Worldwide

Launched:
2018

Minimum:
€10

Auto-invest:
Yes

Sec. market:
Yes

Protection:
Buyback

Bonus:
+ 1%

Visit website →

Or see our:
Debitum Network review

Esketit

Avg. return:
~13.35%

Available:
Europe

Launched:
2020

Minimum:
€10

Auto-invest:
Yes

Sec. market:
Yes

Protection:
Buyback

Bonus:
+1%

Visit website →

Or see our:
Esketit review

Loanch

Avg. return:
~13.50%

Available:
Europe

Launched:
2022

Minimum:
€10

Auto-invest:
Yes

Sec. market:
No

Protection:
Buyback

Bonus:
+1%

Visit website →

Or see our:
Loanch review

Lendermarket

Avg. return:
~13.80%

Available:
Most places

Launched:
2019

Minimum:
€10

Auto-invest:
Yes

Sec. market:
No

Protection:
Buyback

Bonus:
No

Visit website →

Or see our:
Lendermarket review

EstateGuru

Avg. return:
~10.90%

Available:
Globally

Launched:
2014

Minimum:
€50

Auto-invest:
Yes

Sec. market:
Yes

Protection:
Mortgage

Bonus:
0.5%

Visit website →

Or see our:
EstateGuru review

PeerBerry

Avg. return:
~10.91%

Available:
Europe

Launched:
2017

Minimum:
€10

Auto-invest:
Yes

Sec. market:
No

Protection:
Buyback

Bonus:
0-1%

Visit website →

Or see our:
PeerBerry review

Mintos

Avg. return:
~12.40%

Available:
Worldwide

Launched:
2015

Minimum:
€50

Auto-invest:
Yes

Sec. market:
Yes

Protection:
Buyback

Bonus:
No

Visit website →

Or see our:
Mintos review

Lonvest

Avg. return:
~13.54%

Available:
Europe

Launched:
2023

Minimum:
€10

Auto-invest:
Yes

Sec. market:
No

Protection:
Buyback

Bonus:
+1%

Visit website →

Or see our:
Lonvest review

Maclear

Avg. return:
~14.60%

Available:
Europe

Launched:
2023

Minimum:
€50

Auto-invest:
No

Sec. market:
No

Protection:
Multiple

Bonus:
+1.5%

Visit website →

Or see our:
Maclear review

FAQ about crowdlending platforms

Crowdlending, also known as peer-to-peer lending, is a type of financing in which individuals and businesses can borrow money from a pool of investors instead of a traditional lender such as a bank. The loans are typically unsecured and provided to the borrower online through a platform that facilitates crowdlending.

The platform matches lenders, often individuals or entities, with borrowers seeking a loan for business or personal purposes. The lender invests in the loan and is repaid with interest over an agreed period of time. In exchange, the lender earns a return on investment.

The crowdlending process is similar to that of a traditional loan but is often faster, more convenient, and more affordable for the borrower. The platform typically collects a fee for facilitating the process, which is generally a percentage of the amount borrowed.

Investing in crowdlending loans is a great way to diversify your investment portfolio and potentially earn higher returns than other asset classes. Crowdlending platforms in Europe offer investors the opportunity to access a wide variety of loan products from around the world.

Investing in crowdlending loans can potentially provide higher returns than traditional investments because investors are able to lend money directly to borrowers without having to go through banks or other conventional intermediaries. This eliminates the need for high fees and long processing times associated with traditional lending.

Many crowdlending platforms also offer investors the ability to diversify their portfolios by investing in different types of loans, allowing them to spread their risk across multiple asset classes. These platforms offer borrowers access to short-term and long-term loans, as well as a variety of loan types, such as business loans, real estate loans, and consumer loans. This diversification can help to reduce the risk associated with investing in a single type of loan.

When choosing the best crowdlending platform in Europe, there are several key criteria that should be looked at in order to make an informed decision.

Firstly, it is important to consider the types of crowdlending services that the platform offers. Different platforms may offer different services such as peer-to-peer lending, invoice financing, and equity crowdfunding. It is important to find a platform that offers the specific services that are most suitable for your investment objectives.

Secondly, it is important to assess the track record of the platform. Investors should look at the platform’s past success rates and the types of borrowers that it has serviced. Factors such as the platform’s default rates and the number of successful loans should be taken into account.

Thirdly, investors should look at the platform’s fees and charges. Different platforms may have different fee structures and so it is important to find a platform with competitive fees. Furthermore, investors should look at the platform’s risk management procedures. This includes the platform’s policies for dealing with defaults, as well as its measures for assessing borrowers and monitoring loan performance.

Finally, investors should look at the customer service offered by the platform. This includes the platform’s responsiveness to queries, ease of use, and the types of support provided. The level of customer service provided by the platform can be a strong indicator of the quality of the platform and its commitment to providing an optimal experience for its investors.

By considering these criteria, you can ensure that you make an informed decision when choosing the best crowdlending platform in Europe for your needs.

A secondary market is a feature on a crowdlending platform where investors can buy and sell their investments. This is made possible by trading with other investors. A secondary market enables investors to enter and exit their investments more quickly. This is especially useful for investors who want to take advantage of short-term opportunities or exit an investment before it matures.

The best crowdlending platforms in Europe offer a secondary market to their investors, allowing them to buy and sell their investments quickly. It is important to look for a platform with a secondary market with high liquidity, as this allows investors to quickly enter and exit their investments, without having to wait for the end of the crowdlending period.

The best crowdlending platforms in Europe also offer a range of other features, such as portfolio diversification, automated investment management, and comprehensive analytics. These features help investors to make informed decisions and maximize their returns.

A buyback guarantee is a protection mechanism offered by some crowdlending platforms in Europe. It is a guarantee that the platform will buy back a loan in the event of a loan default. This provides investors with additional security and peace of mind when investing in loans on the platform.

The buyback guarantee is typically provided by the platform itself, though some platforms may offer a buyback guarantee from a third-party lender or other entity. The terms and conditions of the buyback guarantee vary from platform to platform, so investors should always check the details before investing.

Often, the buyback guarantee is triggered when a borrower fails to make a payment for a certain period of time, usually 30, 60, or 90 days. When the buyback guarantee is activated, the loan is repurchased from the investor at face value, allowing the investor to recoup their principal investment without any losses.

The buyback guarantee is an important factor for investors to consider when selecting the best crowdlending platform in Europe. It helps to reduce the risk of investing in loan defaults and provides an additional layer of security for investors.

When investing with a buyback guarantee, you should be aware that a guarantee is only valid as long as the one issuing the guarantee is able to fulfill it.

Auto-invest is a tool offered by many of the best crowdlending platforms in Europe. It allows investors to set their own investment criteria and have the platform automatically invest in loans that fit those criteria. The criteria can include loan term, interest rate, loan purpose, loan amount, loan originator, and more.

Auto-invest is a great way to diversify your investment portfolio and make sure you are consistently investing in loans that fit your criteria. It helps you make the most of your investment, as you can invest in loans with different terms, interest rates, and loan originators. This way, you can spread your risk across several different loans, so you don’t have to worry about one loan going bad and causing you to lose a lot of money.

The best crowdlending platforms in Europe offer auto-invest tools that are simple to use and allow you to customize your criteria to fit your investment goals.

It is also a great way to save time, as you don’t have to manually invest in loans. With auto-invest, you can be sure that you are investing in the right loans and making the most of your investments.

If you want to invest completely passively, you can set up an automatic transfer from your bank to the crowdlending platform to ensure that you are consistently investing.

The minimum investment is the smallest amount of money that you can invest in a crowdlending loan.

The minimum investment typically varies depending on the platform and the type of loan being offered. For example, some platforms may require a minimum of €10 for each loan, while others may require a minimum of €100.

You can check the minimum investment for each platform in the overview on this page.

Crowdlending and crowdfunding are two distinct methods of fundraising. Crowdlending, also known as peer-to-peer (P2P) lending, is an online platform that connects investors with borrowers, who then pay back their loans with interest.

Crowdfunding, on the other hand, is a method of raising funds by asking a large number of people to contribute small amounts to a project.

When it comes to the best crowdlending platforms in Europe, some of the most popular ones are Mintos, PeerBerry, Lendermarket, and Esketit. These platforms provide a secure, transparent, and efficient way for investors to invest in P2P loans and passive income.

What is crowdlending and how does it work?

Crowdlending (also known as Peer-to-Peer lending) is a form of online lending that connects borrowers with multiple investors who provide the funding they need. The borrowers may be individuals, companies, or other entities.

Crowdlending is an alternative to traditional or bank-originated loans, as it allows borrowers to access financing quickly and without a credit check or collateral. The investors can be individuals or institutions, and the loan is paid back to them with interest.

Unlike traditional bank loans, crowdlending is more efficient and cost-effective for both borrowers and investors. For borrowers, interest rates and repayment terms are more flexible, and the application process is much simpler. For investors, crowdlending offers the potential to earn higher returns than those offered by traditional lending sources, while also minimizing their risk by investing in a diversified portfolio of loans.

Overall, crowdlending is an attractive option for both borrowers and investors, as it offers a more efficient and cost-effective way to access and provide capital.

Crowdlending vs crowdfunding

Crowdlending and crowdfunding platforms are two different types of platforms that use the internet to connect people who want to raise money with people who are willing to lend it. While the two platforms may seem similar, they have key differences.

Crowdlending platforms are used mainly for loans, while crowdfunding platforms are used mainly for investments. The risk and return of each platform vary, so investors should carefully consider their options before deciding which platform to use.

Crowdlending platforms allow individuals to lend money to other individuals or businesses in exchange for interest payments. These platforms are usually used for business or personal loans, rather than equity investments. The money is generally lent in the form of a loan and must be repaid with interest. Investors typically receive a fixed rate of return and the risk is usually lower than in other types of investments.

Crowdfunding platforms, on the other hand, are usually used for equity investments rather than loans. Investors typically receive a share of the profits or equity in the company. The risk is typically higher than with crowdlending platforms, and investors may not receive a return if the company fails.

There are many different types of crowdfunding platforms. Apart from equity crowdfunding, some are also used for individuals to donate money to a cause, project, or business in exchange for a reward or service. This can be done on platforms like Kickstarter.

Risks of crowdlending platforms in Europe

The risks of crowdlending through European platforms are similar to the risks associated with any other type of investing. These include the potential for default, liquidity risks, and interest rate risks. The best crowdlending platforms in Europe have taken steps to minimize these risks for investors. Here are some of the risks you should consider before investing in a crowdlending platform:

  1. Credit risk: As with any lending investment, the biggest risk is that borrowers will not pay back their loans. Crowdlending platforms have a variety of systems in place to evaluate the creditworthiness of borrowers, but there’s still a chance that one or more of the loans you invest in could default.
  2. Liquidity risk: Crowdlending investments are not as liquid as stocks and bonds, as it can take some time to find buyers for the loans. This is especially true for longer-term loans.
  3. Platform risk: As with any online platform, there’s always the risk that the platform itself could fail. This can be mitigated by investing in multiple platforms and ensuring that the platforms have a robust infrastructure in place.
  4. Regulatory Risk: Crowdlending is still a relatively new industry and the regulatory environment is still in flux. Investing in crowdlending platforms in Europe is subject to the laws and regulations of each country, so investors should be aware of the potential risks.
  5. Interest rate risk: Interest rates can fluctuate, and this could impact the returns of crowdlending investments. Crowdlending platforms tend to offer fixed-rate loans, so the interest rate risk is somewhat limited.
  6. Technology risk: Technology is the backbone of any crowdlending platform, and there is always the risk that technology could fail or be hacked. Platforms need to have robust security systems in place to protect investors’ data and investments.

How to choose a crowdlending platform

When selecting a crowdlending platform in Europe, investors should consider several key factors.

Investors should look for P2P lending sites that have a long track record of successful investment and a good reputation. You should check the platform’s fees and return rates to ensure they are competitive. The crowdlending platform should offer a wide range of investment opportunities and provide a secure and user-friendly platform.

By considering these key factors, you can make an informed decision and choose the best crowdlending platform in Europe for your needs.

Best crowdlending platforms in Europe

Best crowdlending platforms in Europe

Hive5

Avg. return:
~15.57%

Available:
Europe

Launched:
2022

Minimum:
€10

Auto-invest:
Yes

Sec. market:
No

Protection:
Buyback

Bonus:
+0.5%

Visit website →

Or see our:
Hive5 review

Debitum

Avg. return:
~12.50%

Available:
Worldwide

Launched:
2018

Minimum:
€10

Auto-invest:
Yes

Sec. market:
Yes

Protection:
Buyback

Bonus:
+ 1%

Visit website →

Or see our:
Debitum Network review

Esketit

Avg. return:
~13.35%

Available:
Europe

Launched:
2020

Minimum:
€10

Auto-invest:
Yes

Sec. market:
Yes

Protection:
Buyback

Bonus:
+1%

Visit website →

Or see our:
Esketit review

Loanch

Avg. return:
~13.50%

Available:
Europe

Launched:
2022

Minimum:
€10

Auto-invest:
Yes

Sec. market:
No

Protection:
Buyback

Bonus:
+1%

Visit website →

Or see our:
Loanch review

Lendermarket

Avg. return:
~13.80%

Available:
Most places

Launched:
2019

Minimum:
€10

Auto-invest:
Yes

Sec. market:
No

Protection:
Buyback

Bonus:
No

Visit website →

Or see our:
Lendermarket review

Tips for investing in European crowdlending platforms

  1. Investigate the platform: Before investing in any crowdlending platform, it is important to do your research and make sure you understand the platform’s features, terms, and conditions. This includes looking into the platform’s track record, loan criteria, repayment terms, and fees.
  2. Check the loan originator’s background: It is essential to verify the background and experience of the loan originator. This includes looking into their history with issuing loans and managing collections.
  3. Diversify your portfolio: Diversifying your portfolio is important, no matter the type of investment. This includes spreading your investments across different loan originators and borrowers to minimize risk.
  4. Monitor your investments: It is important to stay up to date on the performance of your investments. This includes checking in on the repayment status of your loans on a regular basis.
  5. Consider automating your investments: Automating your investments can help you save time and reduce the risk of human error. Many platforms offer automated investment options such as auto-investing, which allows you to set up a portfolio of investments and have the platform do the work for you.
  6. Understand the taxes: Investing in crowdlending can have implications for your taxes, so it is important to understand the implications before investing.
  7. Compare crowdlending platforms: Comparing different crowdlending platforms in Europe is a great way to find the one that best suits your needs. This includes comparing fees, loan criteria, user reviews on Trustpilot, and more.
  8. Stay up to date on regulations: Crowdlending regulations can change over time, so it is important to stay up to date on the latest regulations. This includes looking into any new laws that may affect the platform you are investing in.
  9. Research the borrowers: Researching the borrowers is essential for understanding the risk of investing in each loan. This includes looking into the borrower’s credit history, employment history, and more.
  10. Set realistic expectations: Crowdlending is not a get-rich-quick scheme and it is important to set realistic expectations when investing. This includes understanding that there is a risk of default and that losses are possible.