Mintos vs ViaInvest — Which Is Better in 2026?

Mintos and ViaInvest are the two most heavily regulated P2P lending platforms in Europe. Both operate under MiFID II — the same regulatory framework that governs traditional banks and brokerages. Both are based in Latvia. Both offer the EUR 20,000 investor compensation scheme.

So why would you choose one over the other?

I’ve invested on Mintos since 2017 (over EUR 150,000 deployed) and have been using ViaInvest as a complementary platform. They occupy different positions in my portfolio for good reasons. Mintos is the diversified multi-asset marketplace. ViaInvest is the focused, single-group operation with slightly higher returns and zero fees.

The short version: Mintos wins on diversification, features, and scale. ViaInvest wins on simplicity, returns, and cost. For investors who care about regulation above all else, both are excellent — and using both is the most logical approach.

Quick Comparison: Mintos vs ViaInvest

Regulation: Both MiFID II, But Different Trajectories

Let me start with what makes this comparison unique: both platforms are MiFID II regulated. In the European P2P space, that’s rare. Most platforms are either unregulated, hold lighter ECSP licenses, or are still in the application process.

Mintos obtained its investment firm license in 2021 and has been expanding its regulatory ambitions since. In February 2026, Mintos announced it’s pursuing a full banking license in Latvia. If successful, this would make Mintos the first P2P-origin platform to become a bank — allowing deposit accounts and potentially other banking services alongside investments. That’s a transformative step.

ViaInvest has been regulated under MiFID II since September 2021 as well, through the Latvian central bank (FKTK). Its approach is different: rather than expanding into banking, ViaInvest focuses on being a well-regulated investment platform within its existing scope. Investments are structured as Notes (regulated securities), same as Mintos.

Both platforms offer the EUR 20,000 investor compensation scheme. Both must meet strict capital adequacy and reporting requirements. On the regulation dimension specifically, they’re on equal footing today — though Mintos’s banking license pursuit could pull it ahead in the future.

This is a notable distinction compared to platforms like PeerBerry (unregulated) or Esketit (ECSP only), where the regulatory gap is significant.

Returns and Performance

Here’s where things get interesting. ViaInvest actually advertises higher average returns than Mintos: ~13% vs ~12%.

But advertised returns tell only part of the story. My personal experience on Mintos over 9 years has averaged around 9% net annually. That factors in the good years (11-12% early on), the COVID disruption, and the Russian originator defaults in 2022 that left around EUR 130 million in unresolved claims across the platform. It’s an honest number for a long-term, diversified investor.

ViaInvest’s returns have been more consistent because the platform has a simpler risk profile. Loans come from one group (VIA SMS Group), the loan types are uniform (short-term consumer), and there haven’t been major originator failures. When your returns come from a narrow, stable source rather than a wide, variable one, they tend to match the advertised rate more closely.

The tradeoff is straightforward: Mintos gives you more potential upside (and downside) through diversification across 60+ originators. ViaInvest gives you a narrower, more predictable return stream. In a good market, Mintos can beat ViaInvest. During periods of originator stress, ViaInvest’s stability looks more attractive.

Diversification: Scale vs Focus

This is where Mintos is in a league of its own — not just compared to ViaInvest, but compared to every P2P platform in Europe.

Mintos offers 60+ loan originators across 33+ countries. Mortgage loans, car loans, business loans, invoice financing, personal loans, agricultural loans, BNPL products — the breadth is unmatched. Add fractional bonds, ETFs, and real estate investments, and Mintos is becoming a multi-asset investment platform rather than a pure P2P marketplace.

ViaInvest takes the opposite approach. All loans originate from VIA SMS Group’s subsidiaries. The loan type is narrow (short-term consumer loans), and the geographic spread is limited to the group’s operating countries. It’s concentrated by design.

For a large portfolio (EUR 50,000+), Mintos’s diversification is a genuine advantage. Spreading capital across dozens of originators and countries reduces the impact of any single originator failure. I keep my Mintos portfolio across 15-20 profitable originators specifically for this reason.

For a smaller allocation (EUR 5,000-20,000), ViaInvest’s concentration isn’t necessarily a problem — especially when the single group behind it is profitable and has been lending since 2009. You’re making a concentrated bet on a proven operator.

Think of it this way: Mintos is the index fund approach (broad, diversified). ViaInvest is the single-stock approach (focused, conviction-based). Both can work — they just suit different portfolio sizes and risk tolerances.

Fees: A Clear Winner

ViaInvest charges zero fees. No investment fees, no secondary market fees, no management fees. Simple.

Mintos has introduced fees over the past two years. Since May 2025, Custom Loan Portfolios carry a 0.29% annual fee. The High-Yield Bonds Portfolio has a 0.39% annual management fee. The secondary market charges 0.85% per transaction.

Let’s run the math on a EUR 50,000 portfolio:

• Mintos: EUR 145/year in platform fees (0.29% on Custom Portfolios), plus secondary market fees if you trade
• ViaInvest: EUR 0/year

Over 5 years, that’s EUR 725+ in fees on Mintos vs nothing on ViaInvest. At higher portfolio sizes, the gap widens further.

Now, Mintos’s fees are reasonable for what you get — 60+ originators, a liquid secondary market, multi-asset capabilities. Compared to a traditional broker or robo-advisor, 0.29% is low. But when the alternative literally costs nothing, it’s worth considering.

One tax note: ViaInvest (through Latvia) applies a 5% withholding tax on interest income for non-resident investors, one of the lowest in Europe. This can usually be credited against your domestic tax liability. Mintos does not withhold taxes — you declare and pay in your country of residence. Check with your accountant, but neither platform creates a tax headache. For more details, see my guide to P2P lending taxes.

Features and Usability

Mintos is the feature-rich option. Custom strategies with granular parameters, Core Loans for hands-off investing, a liquid secondary market, real estate investments, fractional bonds, ETFs — it’s a full investment platform. The downside of all these features is complexity. Building an optimized custom strategy across 60+ originators requires research and ongoing maintenance.

ViaInvest is clean and simple. Set up auto-invest, deposit money, and you’re earning. The interface is straightforward, the loan type is uniform, and there’s not much to optimize. For investors who want passive income without a learning curve, ViaInvest is hard to beat.

Mintos’s secondary market is more developed and liquid — you can sell over EUR 1 million in loans within days. ViaInvest has a secondary market too, but with a smaller investor base (35,000 vs 700,000), liquidity is naturally lower. Since ViaInvest’s loans are mostly 30-day terms, the secondary market matters less — you’re never far from maturity.

ViaInvest’s buyback guarantee triggers at 30 days (vs Mintos’s 60 days), meaning defaulted loans are resolved faster. A small but meaningful difference for cash flow.

Both platforms support SEPA deposits. Both have responsive customer support. ViaInvest provides an annual tax report, which is a nice quality-of-life feature.

Who Should Choose Which?

Choose Mintos if you:

• Want maximum diversification across originators, countries, and loan types
• Have a larger P2P allocation (EUR 50,000+) that benefits from broad spreading
• Need high liquidity through the secondary market
• Want exposure to bonds, ETFs, and real estate beyond loans
• Don’t mind paying modest fees for a full-featured investment platform

Choose ViaInvest if you:

• Want zero fees and slightly higher advertised returns (~13%)
• Prefer simplicity — one group, one loan type, no optimization needed
• Are comfortable concentrating on a proven lending group (VIA SMS since 2009)
• Want a faster buyback trigger (30 days vs 60)
• Have a smaller to medium P2P allocation where concentration risk is manageable

Use both if: You want the best of both worlds — and this is what I’d recommend for any serious P2P investor. Use Mintos for broad diversification and liquidity, and ViaInvest for its zero-fee, high-return simplicity. Both are MiFID II regulated, so you’re not compromising on safety with either. This is also a good way to diversify at the platform level, which matters in P2P investing.

Verdict

This is one of the closer comparisons I’ve written. Both platforms are regulated to the same standard. Both are legitimate, well-run operations with solid track records.

If forced to pick one, I’d lean toward Mintos for its unmatched diversification and the secondary market liquidity that matters at larger portfolio sizes. The fees are a real cost, but the breadth of investment options justifies them.

But ViaInvest makes a strong case, especially for investors who prioritize net returns and simplicity. Zero fees, ~13% consistent returns, a profitable 17-year-old parent company, and minimal time required to manage your investment. It’s a platform that does one thing and does it well.

Read my full Mintos review and ViaInvest review for deeper analysis. If you’re also considering unregulated platforms for higher yield, see the Swaper vs ViaInvest comparison. And for a broader perspective on how these fit into the landscape, see the best European P2P lending platforms ranking and the P2P lending guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Mintos and ViaInvest both regulated?

Yes. Both platforms are regulated under MiFID II by Latvian authorities and both offer the EUR 20,000 investor compensation scheme. They are the two most heavily regulated P2P lending platforms in Europe. Mintos is additionally pursuing a full banking license in Latvia.

Which platform has better returns — Mintos or ViaInvest?

ViaInvest advertises ~13% average returns, compared to Mintos’s ~12%. In practice, ViaInvest’s returns tend to be more consistent because loans come from a single, stable group. Mintos returns are more variable — my personal 9-year average on Mintos is around 9% net, factoring in originator defaults and recovery periods.

Does Mintos charge fees?

Yes. Mintos charges 0.29% annually on Custom Loan Portfolios and 0.85% on secondary market transactions. The High-Yield Bonds Portfolio carries a 0.39% annual management fee. ViaInvest charges zero fees, making it the more cost-effective option for investors focused on net returns.

Which platform offers more diversification?

Mintos, by a wide margin. It offers 60+ loan originators across 33+ countries, plus bonds, ETFs, and real estate. ViaInvest offers loans from a single group (VIA SMS Group) across a few European countries. For investors with larger portfolios who want to spread risk widely, Mintos is the clear choice.

Can I use both Mintos and ViaInvest?

Yes, and this is actually the recommended approach for serious P2P investors. Use Mintos for diversification and liquidity, ViaInvest for higher net returns and simplicity. Both are MiFID II regulated, so combining them gives you platform-level diversification without compromising on safety.

Which platform has better liquidity?

Mintos has a much larger and more liquid secondary market, with over 700,000 registered investors. ViaInvest also has a secondary market, but its smaller investor base (35,000+) means lower liquidity. However, ViaInvest’s focus on short-term loans (30-day maturities) means you’re rarely far from natural maturity anyway.

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