Ethex vs Triodos Crowdfunding
Ethical investment: community share marketplace vs bank-backed crowdfunding
Ethex and Triodos Crowdfunding both serve UK investors who want their money to make a positive social or environmental impact. They're among the most values-driven platforms in the alternative investment space — but they operate quite differently.
Ethex is a positive investment platform that acts as a marketplace for community shares, bonds, and other ethical investment offers. It connects investors directly with social enterprises, community energy projects, and ethical businesses. The platform itself doesn't originate investments — it provides the infrastructure for organisations to raise capital.
Triodos Crowdfunding is the crowdfunding arm of Triodos Bank, one of Europe's leading ethical banks. It offers bonds in carefully selected projects that align with Triodos's values framework: renewable energy, sustainable food, social housing, and arts and culture.
Both platforms attract investors who care about where their money goes. The difference lies in scale, curation, and the range of investment types available.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Ethex | Triodos Crowdfunding |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Investment | £50 | £50 |
| Investment Type | Debt, Equity | Debt, Equity |
| FCA Status | FCA-Regulated | FCA-Regulated |
| Secondary Market | No | No |
| Founded | 2013 | 2015 |
| Regulatory Category | Community Shares | Crowdfunding |
| Asset Types | ESG / Impact | ESG / Impact |
| AUM / Originated | £145M | £75M |
| Geography | UK | UK & Europe |
Data sourced from platform websites and FCA register. Last updated March 2026.
Key Differences
Range and curation define the distinction. Ethex hosts a wide variety of offers — from community shares in local energy cooperatives to bonds in larger social enterprises. The quality and scale of offerings varies. Triodos Crowdfunding is more selective, featuring fewer but larger offerings that have undergone Triodos Bank's due diligence process.
Investment types differ. Ethex offers community shares (a form of withdrawable share capital unique to cooperatives and community benefit societies) alongside bonds and equity. Triodos Crowdfunding primarily offers bonds with fixed terms and rates.
The Triodos name carries weight. As a subsidiary of an established ethical bank, Triodos Crowdfunding benefits from institutional credibility and a structured approach to impact assessment. Ethex's strength is breadth — it gives smaller community organisations a route to raise capital.
Neither platform offers a secondary market. Both are inherently illiquid investments, though community shares on Ethex can sometimes be withdrawn (subject to the issuing organisation's rules).
Who Is Each Platform Best For?
Ethex
- Investors interested in community shares and local projects
- Those wanting a wide range of ethical investment types
- Investors who value supporting smaller social enterprises
Triodos Crowdfunding
- Investors who prefer bank-backed curation and due diligence
- Those seeking structured bonds with defined terms
- Investors drawn to the Triodos values framework
Verdict
Choose Ethex if you want access to a broader range of community-level ethical investments, including community shares. Choose Triodos Crowdfunding if you prefer the curation and institutional backing of an established ethical bank. Both platforms serve investors who prioritise impact alongside financial returns.
Disclaimer: Community shares and crowdfunding bonds are illiquid and carry risk of capital loss. Returns are not guaranteed. This is not investment advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore Each Platform
Read full platform profiles with detailed breakdowns, key metrics, and editorial analysis.