Avanza vs Nordnet

Courtage and fees: Both brokers offer a commission-free entry for Swedish stocks — Avanza at 0 SEK courtage, Nordnet at 0 SEK on Nordnet Markets (otherwise from 39 SEK per trade). International stocks cost from $1 per trade at Avanza, and on foreign-currency purchases Swedish brokers generally levy a currency-exchange fee (valutaväxlingsavgift) that raises the total cost on US or euro shares. Minimum deposit is 0 SEK at both.

Account type — ISK, AF or KF: In Sweden the account choice often drives the tax outcome. The ISK (Investeringssparkonto) is taxed on a flat notional (schablon) basis regardless of realized gains — no declaring individual sales, ideal for long-term buy-and-hold investors and frequent traders in rising markets. The AF (aktie- & fondkonto) is a regular taxable account where each realized gain and dividend is taxed as capital income and losses are deductible — useful when you want to offset losses. The KF (kapitalförsäkring) is an insurance wrapper, also flat-taxed like the ISK but held by the provider for you as beneficiary — helpful for foreign withholding tax and estate planning. Both brokers offer all three account forms.

Common question — Avanza or Nordnet for ISK savings plans? For pure Swedish stock and fund savings plans inside an ISK, Avanza is especially simple thanks to 0 SEK courtage and its award-winning app; Nordnet is likewise free via Månadsspar and offers more for active investors with Nordic options (Avanza: Swedish options) and deeper research. Common question — is there a valutaväxlingsavgift? Yes, whenever you buy in a foreign currency; it does not apply to purely Swedish securities.