Esketit vs ViaInvest — Which Is Better in 2026?

If you’re comparing Esketit and ViaInvest, you’re looking at two platforms that take regulation seriously — but in very different ways. That’s what makes this comparison interesting.

I’ve been investing on both platforms and watching them evolve. ViaInvest has been a quiet, steady performer backed by the profitable VIA SMS Group since 2016. Esketit, launched in 2020, had a rockier 2025 — AvaFin (its founding lending group) withdrew from P2P operations entirely, leaving the platform to stand on its own for the first time.

Both platforms are regulated, which already puts them ahead of most European P2P platforms. But Esketit holds an ECSP (European Crowdfunding Service Provider) license, while ViaInvest operates under MiFID II — the same framework that governs banks and brokerages. That distinction matters more than most investors realize.

The short version: ViaInvest is the safer, more stable choice thanks to MiFID II regulation and the backing of an established lending group. Esketit offers potentially higher returns and a secondary market, but carries more uncertainty after its 2025 transition. The right pick depends on whether you prioritize regulatory protection or return potential.

Quick Comparison: Esketit vs ViaInvest

Regulation: ECSP vs MiFID II — What’s the Real Difference?

This is the core of this comparison, so let me break it down clearly.

ViaInvest has been regulated by the Latvian central bank (FKTK) under MiFID II since September 2021. MiFID II is the gold standard for investment regulation in Europe — the same framework that governs your stock broker. What does that mean in practice? Investments on ViaInvest are structured as Notes, which are regulated securities under EU law. Investors benefit from an EUR 20,000 compensation scheme through the Latvian investor protection fund. The platform must meet strict capital adequacy and reporting requirements.

Esketit holds an ECSP license — the European Crowdfunding Service Provider regulation that came into effect across the EU. ECSP was specifically designed for crowdfunding and P2P platforms, so it’s relevant regulation, but it’s a lighter framework than MiFID II. It requires transparency, business continuity planning, and investor suitability assessments, but it doesn’t include an investor compensation scheme equivalent to MiFID II’s EUR 20,000 protection.

In plain English: if either platform ran into serious financial trouble tomorrow, ViaInvest investors have a regulatory safety net that Esketit investors don’t. That’s a meaningful difference, especially for larger allocations.

Both platforms are ahead of unregulated competitors like PeerBerry or Swaper. But among regulated platforms, ViaInvest sits at a higher tier alongside Mintos.

Returns and Performance

Esketit advertises returns between 10% and 14%, depending on the loan type and risk level. The range is wide because the platform offers different products — from lower-risk consumer loans to higher-yield vehicle-backed loans from newer originators like Jet Finance.

ViaInvest offers a more consistent ~13% average return. Since the platform focuses on short-term consumer loans from its own group (VIA SMS Group), the return profile is narrower but more predictable. There’s less variance in what you’ll actually earn.

Here’s the practical difference: on ViaInvest, what you see is roughly what you get. Most investors earn close to the advertised 13%. On Esketit, your actual return depends heavily on which loan originators and products you select. Pick carefully, and you could outperform ViaInvest. Pick the wrong originators — especially during a transitional period like the current one — and your returns could disappoint.

Neither platform charges investors any fees, which is a nice commonality. Both also lack loyalty programs, so there’s no bonus for larger portfolios (unlike PeerBerry or Swaper).

Loan Originators and Stability

This is where the comparison gets particularly interesting in 2026.

ViaInvest’s loans come from VIA SMS Group’s own subsidiaries. The group has been operating since 2009 — that’s 17 years of lending experience across Latvia, Poland, Spain, and other European markets. VIA SMS Group is profitable, which means ViaInvest isn’t relying on external capital to sustain operations. When the loan originator and the platform are part of the same group, alignment is tight: they succeed or fail together.

Esketit’s story changed dramatically in 2025. The platform was originally built on the back of AvaFin (formerly Creamfinance), a major international lender. AvaFin’s withdrawal from P2P lending meant Esketit lost its anchor originator. The MFF loan originator also ceased P2P operations. The platform’s total portfolio declined from EUR 48 million to EUR 45 million — its first annual contraction.

Esketit is actively rebuilding. Jet Finance launched on the platform in February 2026, bringing vehicle-backed loans from Central Asia. This diversification into new loan types and geographies is promising, but it’s still early days. The “startup backed by a profitable lending giant” narrative is gone. Now it’s a standalone platform proving it can attract quality originators independently.

For conservative investors, ViaInvest’s integrated model (platform + originator under one profitable group) is clearly more reassuring than Esketit’s current transition.

Liquidity and Features

Both platforms offer secondary markets, which is a genuine advantage over competitors like PeerBerry and Swaper that lock you in until maturity.

ViaInvest’s loans are mostly short-term (30 days or less), so the secondary market is useful but not critical — you’re never far from maturity. ViaInvest also has a faster buyback trigger at 30 days (vs Esketit’s 60 days), which means defaulting loans get resolved quicker.

Esketit’s secondary market becomes more important because it offers a wider range of loan durations, including longer-term auto loans and vehicle-backed products. If you invest in a 12-month vehicle loan on Esketit and need to exit early, the secondary market is your way out.

Both platforms have auto-invest features that work well. Set your criteria, deposit money, and the platform handles the rest. Neither requires much active management, which I appreciate.

One practical difference: ViaInvest provides an annual tax report with all the information you need for filing, and Latvia applies a 5% withholding tax on interest income for non-residents (one of the lowest rates in Europe). Esketit, registered in Ireland, has different tax implications depending on the originator country. Check with your accountant on the specifics.

Platform Maturity and Track Record

ViaInvest has been operating since 2016, with its parent VIA SMS Group active since 2009. That’s a decade and a half of lending operations without major investor incidents. In 2025, ViaInvest was voted the most popular P2P platform by the re:think P2P community — a signal that investors who know the space trust it.

Esketit launched in 2020 and has operated for about five years. The first three years were strong, backed by AvaFin’s origination. But 2025 was a pivotal year: AvaFin’s departure, a CEO change (Ieva Grigalune replaced Vitalijs Zalovs), and the first portfolio decline all represent meaningful shifts.

None of these changes are necessarily fatal — platforms evolve, leadership rotates, and originator mixes change. But they add up to a platform in transition. If you’re investing meaningful sums, you want stability, and right now ViaInvest has more of it.

Who Should Choose Which?

Choose ViaInvest if you:

• Prioritize regulation and investor protection (MiFID II, EUR 20,000 scheme)
• Want predictable, consistent returns (~13%)
• Prefer an integrated model where platform and originator are part of the same group
• Value a longer track record (VIA SMS Group since 2009)
• Want the simplicity of one loan type from a proven lending group

Choose Esketit if you:

• Want exposure to a wider range of loan types (consumer, auto, vehicle-backed)
• Are comfortable with a platform in transition and want potentially higher returns (up to 14%)
• Value the ECSP license as a baseline of regulatory credibility
• Want to diversify across more geographies (Central Asia via Jet Finance)
• Prefer a longer buyback period (60 days vs 30 days) — though this is actually less favorable

Use both if: You want regulatory coverage from ViaInvest as your core P2P holding, with a smaller, opportunistic allocation on Esketit for its higher-yield products and geographic diversity.

Verdict

For most investors in 2026, ViaInvest is the stronger choice. MiFID II regulation, the EUR 20,000 investor protection scheme, a profitable parent company with 17 years of lending history, and consistent ~13% returns make a compelling package. It’s one of the safest ways to earn double-digit returns in European P2P lending.

Esketit isn’t a bad platform — it’s a platform in transition. The ECSP license shows regulatory intent, the new loan originators are expanding the product range, and the team is clearly working to rebuild after AvaFin’s departure. But until that transition is more complete, I’d keep allocations smaller and watch how things develop.

For deeper analysis of each platform, read my full Esketit review and ViaInvest review. For a broader view, see my ranking of the best European P2P lending platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ViaInvest safer than Esketit?

From a regulatory standpoint, yes. ViaInvest operates under MiFID II with EUR 20,000 investor protection, while Esketit holds an ECSP license without an equivalent compensation scheme. ViaInvest is also backed by the profitable VIA SMS Group (operating since 2009), whereas Esketit now operates independently after AvaFin’s withdrawal from P2P in 2025.

What happened to Esketit’s parent company AvaFin?

AvaFin (formerly Creamfinance), the lending group that founded Esketit, withdrew from P2P lending operations in 2025. Esketit now operates independently and is bringing on new loan originators like Jet Finance to replace the departed origination capacity.

Which platform offers better returns — Esketit or ViaInvest?

Esketit advertises 10-14% depending on loan type, while ViaInvest offers a more consistent ~13%. The potential upside is higher on Esketit if you select higher-yielding products, but ViaInvest’s returns are more predictable. Neither platform charges fees or offers a loyalty program.

What’s the difference between ECSP and MiFID II regulation?

ECSP (European Crowdfunding Service Provider) regulation was designed specifically for crowdfunding platforms and requires transparency, business continuity planning, and investor suitability checks. MiFID II is the broader EU investment regulation framework that governs banks and brokerages, requiring stricter capital adequacy, reporting, and including investor compensation schemes (EUR 20,000). MiFID II is a higher level of regulatory protection.

Do both platforms have a buyback guarantee?

Yes, but with different triggers. Esketit’s buyback kicks in after 60 days of default, while ViaInvest’s activates after just 30 days. ViaInvest’s shorter trigger means defaulting loans are resolved faster, which is better for investors.

Can I invest in both Esketit and ViaInvest?

Yes. Using ViaInvest as a core holding for regulatory safety and adding Esketit for its higher-yield products and geographic diversity is a reasonable approach. This also provides platform-level diversification. For more P2P platform options, see the P2P lending guide.

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