Esketit vs Lonvest — Which Is Better in 2026?

I invest on both Esketit and Lonvest, and the dynamic between these two platforms is one of the more interesting stories in European P2P lending right now. Esketit has been around since 2020 and was once the well-backed platform with AvaFin (formerly Creamfinance) standing behind it. That changed in 2025 when AvaFin withdrew from P2P lending entirely, leaving Esketit to chart its own course with new loan originators.

Lonvest, meanwhile, launched in 2023 as the new kid — but with a team that has over a decade of experience running lending operations across multiple countries. The SpaceCrew Finance group behind Lonvest has been doing this quietly and profitably for years. Sometimes the “new” platform is backed by the more experienced team.

The short version: Esketit offers wider loan variety and holds an ECSP license, but it’s navigating a difficult transition. Lonvest is smaller and unregulated, but its parent group’s track record and returns (~12%) make it a compelling option for investors building a diversified P2P portfolio. Both deserve consideration, but for different reasons.

Quick Comparison: Esketit vs Lonvest

Returns and Performance

Both platforms advertise attractive returns in the 10-14% range, which is consistent with the broader European P2P market for consumer loans with buyback guarantees.

Esketit’s returns vary depending on which loan originator and loan type you select. The range is genuinely wide — from around 10% on lower-risk consumer loans to 14% on some vehicle-backed products. That flexibility is useful if you want to fine-tune your risk exposure. However, the departure of AvaFin and the MFF loan originator in 2025 reduced the loan supply, and the total portfolio shrank from EUR 48 million to EUR 45 million. When loan supply tightens, your money can sit uninvested for longer, dragging down effective returns.

Lonvest targets an average annual yield of 12% for investors, with some loans paying up to 13%. The returns have been consistent since launch, partly because all loan originators are within the same corporate group (SpaceCrew Finance), giving Lonvest direct control over pricing and loan quality. There is no third-party originator volatility to deal with.

In terms of consistency, Lonvest has the edge right now. Esketit’s returns are potentially higher at the top end, but the platform’s transition period introduces uncertainty about sustained loan supply. If you need your money working at all times with minimal cash drag, Lonvest’s in-house originator model helps.

Regulation and Safety

This is where the comparison gets interesting, because the platform with the license is actually the one going through more turbulence.

Esketit holds a European Crowdfunding Service Provider (ECSP) license, which provides regulatory oversight and means the platform meets certain standards for investor protection, operational transparency, and disclosure. This is a genuine advantage — ECSP-licensed platforms undergo regulatory scrutiny that unregulated platforms do not.

But regulation doesn’t eliminate risk. Esketit’s biggest safety question in 2026 isn’t about the platform’s license — it’s about the business transition. AvaFin’s withdrawal meant losing the “profitable parent company” safety net that many investors relied on. The founders, Davis Barons and Matiss Ansviesulis, still have skin in the game, and new leadership under CEO Ieva Grigalune is working to diversify originators (Jet Finance launched in February 2026). But the platform is in flux, and that’s worth acknowledging.

Lonvest is not regulated. The platform is registered in Croatia, where there is no regulatory compliance requirement for P2P operations. The team has said they are pursuing a European license, but that hasn’t materialized yet. From a pure regulatory standpoint, Esketit is clearly ahead.

What Lonvest does offer is a different kind of safety: vertical integration. Because all loan originators are part of the SpaceCrew Finance group, there is a group guarantee on all loans in addition to the standard buyback guarantee. The team behind Lonvest has been running lending operations profitably for over 10 years. It’s not the same as a license, but it’s meaningful context.

If regulation is your primary concern, Esketit wins this section. If operational track record matters more to you, Lonvest’s parent group has a longer history of profitable lending than Esketit’s current structure.

Loan Types and Diversification

Esketit offers more variety in terms of what you can invest in. The platform lists consumer loans, auto loans, and vehicle-backed loans across multiple markets. The addition of Jet Finance in February 2026 brought vehicle-backed loans from Central Asia, expanding both the geographic and asset type range. For investors who like to build granular portfolios with different risk levels and loan categories, Esketit provides more options.

Lonvest takes the opposite approach. All loans come from within the SpaceCrew Finance group, operating across Sri Lanka, Poland, the Philippines, and Vietnam. The loan types are primarily consumer loans. There are no vehicle-backed products or business loans. The geographic diversification across emerging markets is interesting — especially for investors whose other P2P allocations are heavily European — but the product range itself is narrow.

The trade-off is quality control. Esketit’s open platform model means working with third-party originators, each with their own underwriting standards and financial health. When AvaFin left, it demonstrated how originator dependency can create problems. Lonvest’s closed model means fewer options but tighter control over what investors are actually funding.

For most P2P investors, this comes down to a philosophical question: do you prefer a wider menu with more variables, or a smaller menu where you trust the chef?

Ease of Use and Features

Both platforms have clean, modern interfaces that make the basics — registration, deposits, auto-invest setup — straightforward. Neither will frustrate a beginner.

Esketit’s edge is its secondary market. If you need to exit a position before the loan matures, you can sell it to another investor. This is a real advantage for larger portfolios or investors who might need liquidity on short notice. The auto-invest feature works well, and the platform provides detailed loan information including borrower credit scores and repayment history.

Lonvest does not have a secondary market, which is its biggest feature gap. You invest in a loan and you hold it until maturity. For short-term loans (30-day maturities), this is manageable — you’re never locked in for very long. But if you’re investing five figures and value the ability to exit at will, the lack of a secondary market is a real limitation.

On the usability side, Lonvest’s team clearly comes from a tech background, and it shows. The platform is available in English, Spanish, and German, the registration process is fast (KYC via Veriff takes minutes), and the overall experience is polished. Esketit is similarly well-designed — both platforms benefit from founders who understand that a good user experience matters in this space.

One point in Lonvest’s favor: the automated investment strategies are particularly well-designed for beginners, with clear options starting from 30-day terms. Esketit’s auto-invest requires a bit more configuration.

Track Record and Trust

Here’s where the conversation gets nuanced. Esketit has been operating since 2020 — five years of history. That’s a meaningful track record in P2P lending. The platform honored buyback guarantees, paid returns consistently, and grew its portfolio for several years. But 2025 was a turning point. AvaFin’s exit, the loss of MFF as an originator, a CEO change, and the first portfolio decline all represent a break from the growth narrative.

The platform isn’t failing — it’s adapting. But “platform in transition” is a different risk profile than “platform backed by profitable lending group.”

Lonvest launched in 2023, so it has roughly two years of operating history. That’s thin by P2P standards. However, the SpaceCrew Finance group behind it has been running lending operations for over 10 years across multiple countries. I’ve met the founder, Roman Katerynchyk, and was impressed by his depth of knowledge on both the tech and finance sides. The team isn’t a startup learning on the job — they are experienced operators who built a new frontend for an existing business.

If you only look at platform age, Esketit wins. If you look at the team’s lending experience, Lonvest’s parent group has a deeper track record. Neither assessment tells the whole story.

Who Should Choose Which?

Choose Esketit if you:

• Value regulatory oversight (ECSP license matters to you)
• Want access to a secondary market for early exit flexibility
• Prefer a wider variety of loan types (consumer, auto, vehicle-backed)
• Are comfortable with a platform that’s navigating a transition period
• Want to take advantage of the 0.5% cashback bonus for new investors

Choose Lonvest if you:

• Prioritize consistent returns (~12%) with minimal cash drag
• Like the in-house originator model (group guarantee + direct quality control)
• Want geographic diversification into emerging markets (Sri Lanka, Philippines, Vietnam)
• Are comfortable with shorter-term loans (30 days) and no secondary market
• Value a team with 10+ years of lending experience

Use both if: You’re building a diversified P2P portfolio across 3-5 platforms and want exposure to different risk profiles. Esketit and Lonvest don’t overlap much in terms of loan geography, and using both gives you the regulatory protection of one alongside the operational stability of the other. This is actually what I do — allocating across multiple European P2P platforms to spread platform-level risk.

Verdict

If I were starting fresh today and had to pick just one, I’d lean toward Lonvest. The parent group’s 10+ year track record, the in-house originator model that eliminates third-party risk, consistent ~12% returns, and the double guarantee structure (buyback + group guarantee) add up to a compelling package for a newer platform.

Esketit has real strengths — the ECSP license, the secondary market, and broader loan variety. But the AvaFin departure in 2025 changed the equation. The platform is in a rebuilding phase, and while the early signs (Jet Finance launch, new leadership) are encouraging, I’d want to see 12-18 months of stable operations under the new structure before increasing my allocation.

For a deeper look at each platform, read my full Esketit review and Lonvest review. And if you’re comparing other platforms, check out my Mintos vs PeerBerry comparison and my complete guide to P2P lending.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Esketit or Lonvest safer?

Esketit holds an ECSP license, giving it a regulatory edge. Lonvest is not regulated but benefits from a group guarantee through its parent company, SpaceCrew Finance, which has over 10 years of profitable lending history. Both platforms offer buyback guarantees. Esketit is safer from a regulatory perspective; Lonvest’s strength is the operational track record of the team behind it.

What happened with AvaFin and Esketit?

AvaFin (formerly Creamfinance), the lending group that founded Esketit, withdrew from P2P lending operations in 2025. Esketit now operates independently with new loan originators. The MFF originator also ceased P2P operations, reducing loan supply. Jet Finance launched on the platform in February 2026, offering vehicle-backed loans from Central Asia.

Does Lonvest have a secondary market?

No, Lonvest does not currently have a secondary market. You hold loans until maturity. Since most loans are short-term (30 days), the lack of a secondary market is less of an issue than on platforms with longer loan terms, but it’s still something to consider for larger portfolios.

Which platform offers better returns?

Both platforms offer returns in the 10-14% range. Esketit’s range is wider depending on loan type, while Lonvest targets a more consistent ~12% average. In practice, Lonvest’s returns have been more predictable since launch, while Esketit’s effective returns can be affected by cash drag during the transition period.

Can I use both Esketit and Lonvest?

Yes, and this is a reasonable approach. The two platforms have different loan geographies and originator structures, so using both provides genuine diversification. Most experienced P2P investors spread their allocation across 3-5 platforms to manage platform-level risk.

Is Lonvest too new to trust?

Lonvest the platform launched in 2023, so it has a limited track record. However, the SpaceCrew Finance group behind it has been running lending operations profitably for over 10 years across multiple countries. The team is experienced even if the platform is young. That said, newer platforms always carry more uncertainty, so sizing your allocation accordingly is prudent.

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