Esketit has been through a lot in the past year. AvaFin — the profitable lending group that founded and backed the platform — withdrew from P2P operations in 2025. The MFF loan originator also left. The portfolio dipped from EUR 48 million to EUR 45 million. And there was a CEO change.
None of this means Esketit is done. The platform still holds an ECSP license, still offers 10-14% returns with a buyback guarantee, and is actively adding new originators (Jet Finance launched in February 2026). But if you’ve been investing on Esketit and the shifting ground makes you nervous — or if you simply want to diversify — here are the alternatives I’d consider.
I invest on all of these platforms alongside Esketit.
Quick Comparison: Esketit vs the Alternatives
| Platform | Best For | Avg. Returns | Regulation | Buyback | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mintos | MiFID II regulation + scale | ~12% | MiFID II licensed | Yes (60 days) | Review |
| PeerBerry | Zero defaults, fee-free | ~11% | Not regulated | Yes (60 days) | Review |
| ViaInvest | MiFID II + 13% returns | ~13% | MiFID II regulated | Yes (60 days) | Review |
| Lonvest | Strong newcomer | ~12% | Not regulated | Yes (60 days) | Review |
| Nectaro | ECSP license + secondary market | ~12% | ECSP licensed | Yes (60 days) | Review |
Mintos — The Safe Harbor
If Esketit’s transitional period has you concerned about stability, Mintos is the obvious fallback. It’s the largest P2P platform in Europe (EUR 12 billion+ funded), has been operating since 2015, and holds a MiFID II license — the strongest regulatory framework available.
Why it works as an Esketit alternative: Mintos provides what Esketit is currently lacking: scale, stability, and deep diversification. With 60+ loan originators across 33 countries, no single originator departure can meaningfully impact the platform. Mintos also offers a secondary market, fractional bonds, ETFs, and a Core Loans premade portfolio for hands-off investing.
Key differences from Esketit:
- MiFID II regulation vs Esketit’s ECSP license — MiFID II is stronger
- 60+ originators vs Esketit’s smaller, rebuilding originator base
- EUR 12 billion+ funded vs Esketit’s much smaller portfolio
- 0.29% annual fee on Custom Portfolios (Esketit has no fees)
- EUR 130 million in historical originator defaults — Esketit hasn’t had this problem
- Additional asset classes (bonds, ETFs) beyond P2P loans
Best for: Investors who want maximum stability and diversification while Esketit navigates its independence. I have my largest P2P position on Mintos for exactly this reason.
See my full Mintos review or the Mintos vs Esketit comparison.
PeerBerry — The Clean Track Record
PeerBerry is the opposite of what Esketit has been going through. No originator departures, no CEO changes, no portfolio declines. Just steady ~11% returns across EUR 3.24 billion in funded loans with zero major defaults.
Why it works as an Esketit alternative: If Esketit’s recent turbulence is what’s driving your search, PeerBerry’s stability is the antidote. The platform won’t match Esketit’s potential upside of 14%, but the 11% comes with far less drama.
The trade-off: PeerBerry is not regulated and has no secondary market. Esketit actually beats PeerBerry on both of these dimensions. But PeerBerry’s unblemished track record and consistent returns have their own appeal.
Best for: Investors who prioritize reliability and steady returns over regulatory status or liquidity features.
See my full PeerBerry review or the PeerBerry vs Esketit comparison.
ViaInvest — Regulation Plus Better Returns
If you chose Esketit partly for its ECSP license, ViaInvest goes one step further with MiFID II regulation — the same framework that governs Mintos. And it does this while offering ~13% returns, which beats Esketit’s typical range.
Why it works as an Esketit alternative: Stronger regulation + higher returns. ViaInvest structures investments as Notes (securities) under MiFID II, with the EUR 20,000 investor protection scheme. For regulation-conscious investors who picked Esketit for its license, ViaInvest is an upgrade.
The limitation: ViaInvest is a smaller platform with no secondary market. Esketit offers more liquidity options. But if regulation is your primary concern, ViaInvest wins clearly.
Best for: Regulation-focused investors who want the strongest possible oversight with competitive returns.
See my full ViaInvest review or the Esketit vs ViaInvest comparison.
Lonvest — Fresh Platform, Solid Start
Lonvest launched in 2023 — around the same time Esketit was already established. But where Esketit has faced growing pains, Lonvest has had a clean first chapter. Returns around 12%, a buyback guarantee, and a modern platform design.
Why it works as an Esketit alternative: Different originators, different geography, similar returns. Adding Lonvest alongside (or instead of part of) your Esketit allocation means you’re not exposed to the same originator dynamics that caused Esketit’s recent turbulence.
The caveat: Lonvest is not regulated and has a shorter track record than Esketit. It’s newer, which means less proven but also less baggage.
Best for: Investors seeking fresh originator exposure with competitive returns. Works well as a complement to more established platforms.
See my full Lonvest review or the Esketit vs Lonvest comparison.
Nectaro — Same License, Smoother Ride
Nectaro shares Esketit’s ECSP license but without the AvaFin departure drama. Launched in 2023, it offers ~12% returns with a buyback guarantee and a secondary market. The platform feels like what Esketit might look like if you rebuilt it from scratch today.
Why it works as an Esketit alternative: Same regulatory framework (ECSP), similar returns, similar features (buyback + secondary market), but without the operational uncertainty. If your ECSP-licensed allocation was going to Esketit, Nectaro provides a like-for-like replacement.
Best for: Investors who specifically want an ECSP-licensed platform with a secondary market and don’t want exposure to Esketit’s current transition.
See my full Nectaro review.
Which Esketit Alternative Should You Choose?
If you’re concerned about stability: PeerBerry (zero defaults, consistent returns) or Mintos (scale + regulation).
If you want the same ECSP regulatory framework: Nectaro (ECSP licensed, secondary market, similar features).
If you want even stronger regulation: ViaInvest (MiFID II, ~13% returns) or Mintos (MiFID II, largest platform).
If you want different originator exposure: Lonvest (fresh originators, clean early track record).
I haven’t withdrawn from Esketit — the platform still has an ECSP license, competitive returns, and a buyback guarantee. But I’ve increased my allocations on Mintos and PeerBerry while Esketit works through its transition. That seems like the prudent approach.
For the broader picture, see my ranking of the best European P2P lending platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I withdraw my money from Esketit?
Not necessarily. Esketit still holds an ECSP license, honors its buyback guarantees, and is actively adding new loan originators (Jet Finance launched in February 2026). The AvaFin departure is a meaningful change, but the platform continues to operate. A reasonable approach is to reduce your allocation while maintaining some exposure, and shift funds to more established alternatives like Mintos or PeerBerry. See my full Esketit review for the latest assessment.
What happened with AvaFin and Esketit?
AvaFin (formerly Creamfinance), the lending group that founded Esketit, withdrew from P2P lending operations in 2025. This means Esketit no longer benefits from AvaFin’s financial backing and loan origination. The platform now operates independently and is rebuilding its originator network with new partners.
Is Esketit’s ECSP license still valid?
Yes. The ECSP (European Crowdfunding Service Provider) license is held by the platform itself, not by AvaFin. Esketit retains this regulatory status regardless of the parent company situation. However, ECSP is a lighter regulatory framework than MiFID II. If you want the strongest possible regulation, Mintos or ViaInvest are better options.
Which alternative is closest to Esketit?
Nectaro. It shares the ECSP license, offers similar returns (~12%), has a buyback guarantee, and includes a secondary market. If you’re looking for a like-for-like switch, Nectaro is the closest match.
Can I find higher returns than Esketit’s 10-14% range?
Swaper offers ~14% base returns plus loyalty bonuses up to +2%, which can exceed Esketit’s upper range. However, Swaper is not regulated, so you’re trading regulatory protection for yield. ViaInvest offers ~13% with MiFID II regulation — a strong alternative if you’re currently earning at the lower end of Esketit’s range.
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