PeerBerry vs Esketit — Which Is Better in 2026?

PeerBerry and Esketit target a similar type of investor — someone looking for solid returns on European consumer loans without the complexity of a mega-platform like Mintos. I’ve invested on both, and until recently, I would have called them roughly comparable options with different strengths. But 2025 changed the equation.

PeerBerry has continued its steady growth — EUR 3.24 billion funded, 110,000+ investors, zero fees, and a loyalty program that rewards bigger allocations. Esketit, on the other hand, went through a significant transition when its parent company AvaFin withdrew from P2P operations and a key loan originator (MFF) also departed.

The short version: PeerBerry is the more stable choice right now. It has a longer track record, stronger backing from profitable lending groups, and a simpler proposition. Esketit has the edge on regulation (ECSP license) and features (secondary market), but its ongoing transition introduces uncertainty. Both can work in a diversified P2P portfolio, but your allocation sizing should reflect this difference in stability.

Quick Comparison: PeerBerry vs Esketit

Returns and Performance

The headline returns are similar. PeerBerry advertises ~11% with the potential to reach 12% through its loyalty program. Esketit advertises 10-14%, with actual returns depending on the loan types and risk levels you select.

Where things diverge is consistency. PeerBerry’s returns have been remarkably steady since the platform launched in 2017. Even during COVID and the geopolitical disruptions of 2022, PeerBerry maintained payouts without major incidents. The loyalty program adds a meaningful boost for committed investors: +0.5% at the Silver level (EUR 10,000+), +0.75% at Gold (EUR 25,000+), and +1% at Platinum (EUR 40,000+). That means a Platinum investor earning 11% on base rates effectively gets 12% — competitive with most P2P platforms.

Esketit’s returns have also been competitive, but the platform is younger and has less of a track record. The 10-14% range is real — you can hit the higher end on shorter-term, higher-risk loans — but it requires more active management of your auto-invest settings. The platform also experienced its first annual portfolio decline in 2025 (from EUR 48 million to EUR 45 million), which suggests some investors pulled back during the AvaFin transition.

For investors who value predictability, PeerBerry has the edge. For those comfortable with more variance in exchange for potentially higher returns on specific loan types, Esketit can deliver.

Regulation and Safety

This is the one area where Esketit clearly leads. Esketit holds an ECSP (European Crowdfunding Service Provider) license, which provides formal regulatory oversight, investor protection requirements, and transparency obligations under EU law. It’s not the heavyweight MiFID II framework that Mintos operates under, but it’s genuine EU-level regulation.

PeerBerry is not regulated under MiFID II or ECSP. It operates under Lithuanian licensing, which provides some basic oversight but falls well short of a formal investment services framework. There’s no investor compensation scheme if something goes wrong at the platform level.

However, regulation isn’t the only measure of safety. PeerBerry’s main loan originator, Aventus Group, accounts for 80% of all loans on the platform and is both profitable and audited. Gofingo contributes another 15%. In 2019, Aventus Group posted a net profit of EUR 12.6 million with equity of EUR 14.3 million. These are healthy numbers that suggest the company could cover investor liabilities if needed.

Esketit’s safety profile has changed. When AvaFin backed the platform, you had the comfort of a profitable parent company standing behind investor funds. That backing is gone. Esketit now operates independently, and while the ECSP license provides regulatory protection, the platform needs to prove it can build a sustainable business on its own. The leadership change (new CEO Ieva Grigalune replaced Vitalijs Zalovs in July 2025) adds another variable during a critical period.

So which is actually safer? It depends on what type of risk concerns you more. If you worry about regulatory protection and legal recourse, Esketit’s ECSP license gives it an edge. If you worry about the financial stability of the entities behind your loans, PeerBerry’s Aventus Group backing is currently more reassuring than Esketit’s independent status.

Diversification and Loan Types

Neither platform offers anything like the diversification you’d get on Mintos, but they take different approaches.

PeerBerry has 12 loan originators across 8 countries, offering short-term consumer loans, long-term loans, real estate loans, and leasing products. The concentration is the main issue — Aventus Group at 80% and Gofingo at 15% mean two entities control 95% of the loan supply. That’s a structural risk. If Aventus stumbles, PeerBerry’s entire ecosystem is affected. Most loans mature in about 30 days, making them short-term and full-bullet in nature.

Esketit offers consumer loans, auto loans, and vehicle-backed loans (the latter added through Jet Finance in February 2026). The platform is actively rebuilding its originator network after losing AvaFin and MFF. The variety of loan types is comparable to PeerBerry’s, and the addition of vehicle-backed loans from Central Asia adds geographic diversification that PeerBerry doesn’t have.

Both platforms have concentration risk, just in different forms. PeerBerry’s risk is concentrated in Aventus Group. Esketit’s risk is concentrated in the uncertainty of its rebuilding phase. Neither gives you the broad diversification that would let you sleep soundly with a six-figure allocation.

Ease of Use and Features

Both platforms are clean and straightforward, especially compared to the complexity of larger marketplaces. But there are meaningful differences in features.

PeerBerry’s auto-invest is simple to configure — set your criteria (interest rate, term, countries, originators) and let it run. The platform is fast, the interface is clean, and loan information is clearly presented. There’s no secondary market, which means once you’re invested, you hold until maturity. Given that most PeerBerry loans mature in 30 days, this is rarely a problem. For longer-term loans, the lack of an exit option is more of a concern.

Esketit also offers a smooth auto-invest feature. The interface is modern and well-designed — I’d actually give Esketit a slight edge on UI/UX. Loan information is detailed, including borrower credit scores and repayment histories. The secondary market is a meaningful feature advantage. If you need to exit positions before maturity, you can — something PeerBerry simply doesn’t offer.

Customer support on both platforms has been responsive in my experience. PeerBerry offers online chat and email; Esketit provides email, phone, and live chat.

The secondary market is the decisive feature difference. If you value liquidity and the ability to exit investments early, Esketit wins this round. If you’re a set-it-and-forget-it investor focused on short-term loans, PeerBerry’s simplicity is hard to beat.

Fees and Cost Structure

This is a tie. Both platforms charge zero fees to investors. No investment fees, no withdrawal fees, no management fees. It’s one of the things that makes mid-tier P2P platforms attractive compared to Mintos, which has introduced a 0.29% annual fee on Custom Loan Portfolios.

The difference is in bonuses. PeerBerry’s loyalty program permanently increases your returns based on portfolio size: +0.5% (Silver, EUR 10,000+), +0.75% (Gold, EUR 25,000+), or +1% (Platinum, EUR 40,000+). This is an ongoing benefit for committed investors.

Esketit doesn’t have a loyalty program, but offers new investors a 0.5% cashback bonus for the first 90 days after registration. It’s a nice incentive to get started, but it’s temporary — not a permanent return boost like PeerBerry’s loyalty tiers.

For investors planning to commit a meaningful amount long-term, PeerBerry’s loyalty program makes a real difference. An extra 1% per year on a EUR 40,000+ portfolio is EUR 400+ in additional annual returns, compounding year after year.

Who Should Choose Which?

Choose PeerBerry if you:

• Want a stable platform backed by profitable lending groups (Aventus + Gofingo)
• Prefer a hands-off approach with short-term loans (mostly 30-day maturities)
• Plan to invest EUR 10,000+ and want the loyalty program return boost
• Value zero fees and consistent returns over maximum flexibility
• Are comfortable without a secondary market

Choose Esketit if you:

• Value EU-level regulation (ECSP license) over informal lending group backing
• Want a secondary market for early exit options
• Are interested in auto loans and vehicle-backed loans alongside consumer loans
• Believe in the platform’s ability to build a strong independent originator network
• Want potentially higher returns (up to 14%) on select loan types

Use both if: You’re building a diversified P2P portfolio and want exposure to different platform risk profiles. PeerBerry gives you stability and the loyalty program; Esketit gives you regulation and a secondary market. Together, they cover each other’s weaknesses. I’d weight PeerBerry more heavily right now given its stability, with a smaller Esketit allocation that you monitor as the transition unfolds.

Verdict

In 2026, PeerBerry is the safer bet of the two. The Aventus Group backing, consistent returns, loyalty program, and 8-year track record give it a stability advantage that Esketit can’t match during its current transition. If I had to pick just one, PeerBerry gets the nod for reliability.

But Esketit has something PeerBerry doesn’t: formal EU regulation via its ECSP license, plus a secondary market. These are meaningful structural advantages. If the platform successfully navigates its post-AvaFin transition and builds a diversified originator base, it could become the stronger platform long-term. That’s a bet on the future, though — not a certainty.

For the full picture on each platform, read my detailed PeerBerry review and Esketit review. For broader context, see my guide to the best European P2P lending platforms and my guide to P2P lending. You might also find the Mintos vs PeerBerry comparison useful if you’re evaluating the market leader.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PeerBerry safer than Esketit?

It depends on what you mean by “safe.” PeerBerry has stronger backing from profitable lending groups (Aventus Group and Gofingo) and a longer track record (since 2017). Esketit has an ECSP license, which provides formal EU-level regulatory protection that PeerBerry lacks. PeerBerry is currently more stable; Esketit has stronger regulatory safeguards. Both offer 60-day buyback guarantees.

Which platform has better returns — PeerBerry or Esketit?

Both offer competitive returns. PeerBerry averages ~11%, with the loyalty program adding up to 1% for larger investors (EUR 40,000+). Esketit advertises 10-14%, with higher returns available on riskier loan types. PeerBerry’s returns have been more consistent; Esketit offers higher upside with more variance.

Does PeerBerry have a secondary market?

No. PeerBerry does not offer a secondary market, meaning you cannot sell loans before maturity. Since most PeerBerry loans have 30-day maturities, this is rarely a practical issue. Esketit does offer a secondary market, which is a meaningful advantage for investors who need liquidity or want to exit positions early.

What happened to Esketit’s parent company?

AvaFin (formerly Creamfinance), the lending group that founded Esketit, withdrew from P2P operations in 2025. Esketit now operates independently and is rebuilding its loan originator network. Jet Finance was added in February 2026 with vehicle-backed loans from Central Asia. The platform holds an ECSP license and continues to operate, but its risk profile has changed.

Which platform is better for beginners?

PeerBerry is slightly easier to get started with — the interface is simple, most loans are short-term, and the auto-invest feature requires minimal configuration. Esketit is also beginner-friendly with a clean interface and detailed loan information. Both have EUR 10 minimum investments. PeerBerry’s lack of a secondary market actually simplifies things for beginners who might overthink exit strategies.

Can I invest on both PeerBerry and Esketit?

Yes, and they complement each other well. PeerBerry provides stability and the loyalty program; Esketit provides regulation and a secondary market. Using both gives you platform-level diversification, which is important in P2P investing. Weight your allocation based on your risk tolerance — more to PeerBerry for stability, more to Esketit if you’re comfortable with transition-phase risk.

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