If you’re looking for a broker that bridges the gap between trading and long-term investing, Trading 212 deserves attention.
It impressed me with its huge product range: over 6,000 CFDs plus 10,000+ real stocks and ETFs, along with features like fractional shares and PIE portfolios for investing. Trading 212 is also one of the very few brokers regulated solely by Tier-1 authorities—a rare level of safety in this industry.
That said, fees are where Trading 212 falls behind. While stock trading is cost-effective thanks to zero commissions and tight spreads on share CFDs, I found spreads on forex, indices, and crypto to be well above the industry average. For context, EUR/USD spreads averaged around 1.5 pips in my tests compared to the industry norm of 1.0 pips.
In terms of platforms, I appreciated the Trading 212 Web Trader, powered by TradingView charts and enhanced with AI trading signals. It’s sleek, intuitive, and packed with tools, though the lack of support for MetaTrader or automated trading could be a dealbreaker for advanced traders.
Overall, Trading 212 is an excellent fit for stock investors and casual traders who value safety, ease of use, and variety of trading assets.
| Pros | Cons | 
| 
 | 
 | 
When reviewing a broker, we assess whether it suits different trading strategies and trader profiles. To achieve this, we evaluate the availability of the necessary features and tools. Here’s our verdict about Trading 212:
Trading 212 offers copy trading functionality via its PIEs feature on its platform. A PIE is a diversified portfolio that invests automatically for you. Traders can choose how much to invest per month in their portfolios and the duration of their investment based on projected yearly returns.
Trading 212 features over 10,000 real stocks and ETFs for value investing and portfolio building. It also provides fractional shares for low-scale investing. I also found the PIEs functionality a fitting choice for long-term investors.
Casual traders can start with as little as EUR 10 and gain access to Trading 212’s 6,000+ trading assets. They can also benefit from the broker’s versatile and user-friendly platform. However, the high spreads prevented it from scoring higher.
My live testing revealed that Trading 212’s swaps range from low to high compared to the industry benchmark. This makes the broker a suitable choice for overnight trading. Moreover, Trading 212 provides hundreds of ETFs and other futures contracts, making it a fitting choice for longer-term trading.
Day traders with Trading 212 can benefit from the broker’s proprietary platform, with advanced charting capabilities powered by the seamless TradingView. The platform is also integrated with AI-generated trading signals. The only drawback is Trading 212’s high spreads.
Trading 212’s platform has easily scalable price charts, making it easy for scalpers to spot viable trading opportunities. It also supports one-click trading for instant entries and exits in and out of trades, as well as floating stop orders for advanced risk management.
News traders can utilize Trading 212’s advanced market sentiment gauge and news screener, which are built into the platform. The web trader also features AI-generated trading signals. However, the broker does not incorporate third-party content (e.g., Autochartist or Trading Central) for extra nuance.
Trading 212 does not accommodate automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs).
Trading 212 is making waves in the trading industry with its comprehensive investment solutions. The broker provides thousands of real stocks and ETFs, PIEs portfolios, and fractional shares. This diversity of solutions affords Trading 212’s clients the freedom to choose between trading on and investing in a wide selection of instruments and markets.
I opened a CFD account with the Trading 212 Markets Ltd entity and performed my tests on the web and mobile versions of the Trading 212 Web platform. Some features and services may vary depending on your location.
| ☑️ Regulations | FCA (United Kingdom), FSCB (Bulgaria), CySEC (Cyprus), BaFin (Germany), ASIC (Australia) | 
| 🗺 Supported Languages | Multi-lingual | 
| 💰 Products | Currencies, Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, Bonds, Indices, Commodities | 
| 💵 Min Deposit | $10 | 
| 💹 Max Leverage | 1:30 (FCA), 1:30 (FSCB), 1:30 (CySEC), 1:30 (BaFin), 1:30 (ASIC) | 
| 🖥 Trading Desk Type | No dealing desk | 
| 📊 Trading Platforms | Trading 212 Web Trader, Trading 212 App | 
| 💳 Deposit Options | Wire Transfer, Credit Card, iDeal, E-wallets, Debit Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay | 
| 💳 Withdrawal Options | Wire Transfer, iDeal, Credit Card, E-wallets, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Debit Card | 
| 🤴 Demo Account | Yes | 
| 🗓 Foundation Year | 2003 | 
| 🌎 Headquarters Country | United Kingdom | 
Trading 212 stands out as one of the very few brokers regulated exclusively by Tier-1 authorities—a rare case in the industry. This ensures it operates under the strictest rules, including segregated client funds, negative balance protection, and a high level of transparency, which I confirmed during my review.
| Entity Features | Trading 212 Markets Ltd | Trading 212 UK Ltd | Trading 212 Ltd | FXFlat Bank GmbH | Trading 212 AU Pty Ltd | 
| Country/Region | Cyprus/Limassol | UK/London | Bulgaria/Sofia | Germany/Ratingen | Australia/Sydney | 
| Regulators | CySEC | FCA | FSC | BaFin | ASIC | 
| Tier | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 
| Segregated Funds | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 
| Negative Balance Protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 
| Compensation Scheme | Up to EUR 20,000 under ICF | Up to GBP 85,000 under FSCS | Up to EUR 20,000 under ICF | Up to EUR 20,000 under ICF | No | 
| Maximum Leverage | 1:30 | 1:30 | 1:30 | 1:30 | 1:30 | 
When reviewing brokers, we examine the licenses held by each of their entities to determine how effectively they protect clients. We use a simple three-tier system to rank regulatory bodies, with Tier 1 being the most trusted and offering the highest level of protection.
This is what I discovered about the five entities operating under the Trading 212 trade name:
Brokers operate multiple entities globally, but regulatory protections vary. Some regulators enforce stricter financial standards than others, so traders should understand the safety measures of the entity with which they choose to open an account.
Here is how Trading 212 protects you:
To learn more about the most important safety mechanisms and how they apply to you, click here.
In our Trust category, we assess how stable and transparent a broker is. This includes how long they’ve been in business, the size of the company, and how openly they share important information.
In my research, I found that Trading 212 has been around for over 20 years. According to its LinkedIn page, the broker employs more than 1,200 professionals worldwide, which speaks to the strength of its business model.
I also reviewed the broker’s legal documents and found them clear and well-organized, with essential information easy to access. Another positive is that Trading 212 operates on a “best execution” basis, meaning it is legally required to offer clients the best available spreads under current market conditions.
That said, I did notice a minor transparency gap regarding fees. The average spreads published on the website—for example, a 0.0002-pip EUR/USD spread—were far from what I observed in testing of the CFD account, where the average EUR/USD spread was closer to 1.5 pips. I also noted that current swap rates aren’t published on the site, which could be improved.
I concluded that Trading 212 is very safe due to the following factors:
Trading 212 was the first broker to bring commission-free trading to Europe and the UK, a move that helped it stand out in a crowded market. I found that only share CFD spreads remain competitive, while costs on most other instruments were above the industry average. Swaps vary depending on the asset, but Trading 212 does not charge any non-trading fees, which is a welcome benefit.
I tested Trading 212’s spreads on 7 July 2025 during the London and New York opens. The results are shown in the table below:
| Instrument | Live Spread AM | Live Spread PM | Industry Average | 
| EURUSD | 1.4 pips | 1.6 pips | 1.08 pips | 
| GBPJPY | 5.1 pips | 5.3 pips | 2.44 pips | 
| Gold (XAUUSD) | 67 pips | 88 pips | 23 pips | 
| Crude Oil | 0.03 pips | 0.03 pips | 0.03 pips | 
| Apple | NA | 0.07 points | 0.33 points | 
| Tesla | NA | 0.10 points | 0.50 points | 
| Dow Jones 30 | 5.2 basis points | 5.0 basis points | 3.3 basis points | 
| Germany 40 | 2.2 basis points | 3.2 basis points | 2.4 basis points | 
| Bitcoin | $45.91 | $67.45 | $34 | 
Broken down by asset class and compared to the industry average, Trading 212 charges low share CFDs spreads, average-to-high spreads on commodities and indices, and high spreads on forex pairs and cryptocurrencies.
I determined that the combination of zero commissions and low spreads on share CFDs makes Trading 212 an ideal choice for stock traders.
A swap fee is a trader’s cost for holding an open position overnight because of changing interest rates. Swap long refers to the charge deductible or credit receivable for holding a buy position open overnight. In turn, swap short relates to the charges/credits deductible or receivable for holding a selling position open overnight.
The values listed below are for one full base currency contract (100,000 units).
| Instrument | Swap Long | Swap Short | 
| EURUSD | Charge of $10.8 | Charge of $22.18 | 
| GBPJPY | Charge of $3.03 | Charge of $1.82 | 
| Gold (XAUUSD) | Charge of $36.84 | Charge of $136.15 | 
Live testing revealed that Trading 212 charges low swaps on EURUSD, but high swaps on GBPJPY and XAUUSD compared to the industry benchmark.
Trading 212 keeps things simple when it comes to funding. Deposits and withdrawals are free of charge; however, your bank or payment provider may charge additional fees. The broker also doesn’t impose an inactivity fee, so you won’t be penalized for taking a break from trading.
In my testing, I found that Trading 212’s spreads on popular instruments were noticeably higher than the industry average. On the positive side, the broker excels in stock trading, offering low spreads and zero commissions. Another plus is that Trading 212 charges no non-trading fees, making it cost-friendly for deposits, withdrawals, and account maintenance.
Trading 212’s flagship web platform is powered by TradingView charts and comes integrated with advanced market analytics. The broker also provides a versatile mobile app with a clean and modern design. However, Trading 212 does not support third-party platforms like MetaTrader or cTrader, which may be a drawback for traders who prefer a familiar interface.
| Platform/Tool | Suitable For | 
| Trading 212 Web Trader | Advanced technical analysis, advanced analytics, easy order execution, investing | 
| Trading 212 App | Trading on the go, account management, market research | 
I tested Trading 212’s Web Trader and found that it delivers a streamlined trading experience, providing traders with everything they may need at their fingertips. The layout is clean and easy to navigate, and even first-time traders can quickly learn their way around it. The platform is also integrated with multiple supporting content, like educational videos, allowing users to learn on the way.
Trading 212 Web Trader is available on Windows and Mac and supports 18 languages, including English, French, Spanish, German, Arabic, Chinese, and more.
Trading 212 Web Trader’s features include:
In my estimation, Trading 212 Web Trader is best suited for conducting probing technical analysis thanks to its advanced and easily scalable charts. The only drawback is that the platform does not support automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs).
I have broken down the available analytical tools and chart configurations below:
Trading 212’s charts are fluid and easily scalable, allowing traders to quickly spot viable opportunities. However, the charts cannot be expanded to full screen.
Trading 212 Web Trader features three types of order execution: market, pending, and one-click trading, which support immediate entries at the spot price.
I have broken down the available order types on the platform below:
Trading 212 Web Trader combines user-friendly design, advanced charting capabilities, and robust market research. I especially appreciated the integration of AI-powered trading signals, an advanced news screener, and integrated educational videos. My only gripe is that the platform does not accommodate algorithmic trading via expert advisors.
The Trading 212 mobile app is available on iOS and Android, enabling quick and easy access to the market on the go. It is very useful for opening, terminating, and adjusting open positions. The app also retains the flexibility of its web counterpart.
You can also use the app to place market, limit, and stop orders, as well as to adjust the exposure of your open trades.
The Trading 212 app is all about convenience. It’s super handy for tweaking trades on the go, especially when markets get volatile. Additionally, it incorporates advanced analytics and keeps you informed about the latest market news and trends.
Trading 212 operates on a No-Dealing-Desk (NDD) basis. The broker obtains its liquidity from external providers. When you place a trading order, the broker routes it to its pool of liquidity providers, where it gets filled at the best possible price.
Trading 212 stands out with its massive product range—over 6,000 CFDs plus 10,000+ real stocks and ETFs for investing. The broker covers currency pairs, commodities, shares, indices, cryptocurrencies, bonds, and even futures contracts. This mix strikes a solid balance between low-risk securities for conservative investors and high-risk, high-reward assets for active traders.
| Markets | Number | Types | Contract Type | Industry Average | 
| Forex Pairs | 171 | Major, Minor, and Exotic | Spot | 30 – 75 | 
| Commodities | 43 | Metals, Energies, and Agriculture | CFD, Futures | 5 – 10 | 
| Shares and ETFs | 6000+ | Retail, Tech, Financial, Other | CFD | 100 – 500 | 
| Indices | 22 | US, EU, Asia, Other | CFD, Futures | 10 – 20 | 
| Cryptocurrencies | 15 | Major and Minor | CFD | 10 – 20 | 
| Bonds | 5 | US | CFD | 0 – 5 | 
Trading 212 offers one of the broadest product ranges in the industry, far exceeding the average across most asset classes. With 171 forex pairs, 43 commodities, and over 6,000 shares and ETFs, it provides significantly more choice than the typical broker. The lineup also includes 22 indices, 15 cryptocurrencies, and 5 bonds, giving traders access to both traditional markets and newer asset classes.
CFDs (Contracts for Difference) let you trade on the price movements of assets—like gold—without actually owning them.
For example, if you go long on gold and the price rises, you profit; if it falls, you lose—without ever buying real gold.
The biggest perk? You can jump in or out of the market quickly to take advantage of even the smallest price changes.
| Currency Pairs | Commodities | 
| EURUSD | GBPJPY | EURCHF | AUDCAD | USDMXN | EURJPY | Gold | Crude Oil | Brent Oil | Silver | Wheat | Platinum | Live Cattle | 
| Share & ETF CFDs | Indices | 
| Apple | Tesla | JP Morgan Chase | Netflix | META | Wells Fargo | Amazon.com | Dow Jones 30 | Germany 40 | Australia 200 | Japan 225 | UK 100 | China 50 | 
| Cryptocurrencies | Bonds | 
| Bitcoin | Litecoin | Dash | Cardano | Ripple | Solana | Ethereum | US Treasury Bond | US Treasury Note 5YR | US Treasury Note 10YR | 
One of Trading 212’s biggest strengths is its extensive range of tradable and investing instruments. The broker covers both ends of the spectrum—low-risk securities like ETFs and bonds for cautious investors, and higher-risk assets such as shares and cryptocurrencies for those seeking bigger opportunities. Another standout is its rare selection of exotic currency pairs (e.g., CHF/MXN and CAD/CNH), which most brokers don’t offer.
Trading 212 offers 24/7 customer support via chatbot and email, with service available in English. In my test, the chatbot handled simple questions effectively, but struggled with more complex queries. For broader guidance, the broker’s Help Centre is well-structured and provides plenty of helpful information.
| Live Chat | Phone | |
| 24/7 from the app | By filling out a form here | Not Available | 
When we test a broker’s customer support, we evaluate the agent’s knowledge of their own website, the time it takes them to respond to questions, and the level of detail in their answers.
Since my last review, I was pleased to see that Trading 212 has added a chatbot, available exclusively through its mobile app. I tested it on 7 July at 14:07 CET and found it helpful but fairly basic.
The bot answered simple queries—like whether Trading 212 offers copy trading—without issue. But it struggled with more detailed questions, such as clarifications about the broker’s investing commissions.
Trading 212 accepts payments via bank wire, credit and debit cards, and various e-wallets. It does not impose a handling fee on deposits or withdrawals, though third-party processing fees may apply. Processing times are fast.
| Deposit Method | Fee | Processing Time | 
| Bank Wire | $0 | 2-3 business days | 
| Instant Bank Transfer | $0 | Around 10 minutes | 
| Credit/Debit Card | $0 | Around 10 minutes | 
| OnlineBankingPL | $0 | Instant | 
| Carte Bleue | $0 | Instant | 
| Blik | $0 | Instant | 
| Direct eBanking | $0 | Instant | 
| Apple/Google Pay | $0 | Instant | 
| iDEAL | $0 | Instant | 
| Withdrawal Method | Fee | Processing Time | 
| Bank Wire | $0 | 3-5 business days | 
| Instant Bank Transfer | $0 | 3-5 business days | 
| Credit/Debit Card | $0 | Up to 24 hours | 
| OnlineBankingPL | $0 | Up to 24 hours | 
| Carte Bleue | $0 | Up to 24 hours | 
| Blik | $0 | Up to 24 hours | 
| Direct eBanking | $0 | Up to 24 hours | 
| Apple/Google Pay | $0 | Up to 24 hours | 
| iDEAL | $0 | Up to 24 hours | 
To create an account with Trading 212, follow these simple steps:
| Account Type | CFD | Invest | 
| Spread From | 1.3 pips | NA | 
| Commission* | $0 | $0 | 
| FX Conversion Fee | 0.5% | 0.15% | 
| Base Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, CHF, SEK, NOK, DKK, PLN, HUF, CZK, RON, BGN | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, CHF, SEK, NOK, DKK, PLN, HUF, CZK, RON, BGN | 
| Minimum Deposit | EUR 10 | EUR 10 | 
| Minimum Trade Volume | 0.01 lot | $1 | 
| Standard Contract Size | 100,000 units | NA | 
| Margin Call | 45% | NA | 
| Stop Out | 25% | NA | 
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | No | No | 
| Hedging | Yes | Yes | 
| Swap Free Account | No | No | 
| Demo Account | Yes | Yes | 
*Round-turn per one full contract
With EUR 10 minimum deposit and a variety of base currencies, Trading 212’s CFD account is quite affordable. I also appreciated the combination of a 45% margin call and 25% stop-out, which decreases the risk of a complete account wipeout. As regards Trading 212’s Investing account, you can find additional information here.
Trading 212 offers a demo account that lets traders explore the broker’s available platforms and test their strategies in a risk-free environment. Since markets are always changing, it’s important to keep your skills sharp without risking real money. You can open a demo account before or alongside your live CFD account.
Trading 212 does not offer Islamic accounts for swap-free trading.
Leverage determines a trader’s overall market exposure. When trading Contracts for Difference (CFDs), positions can be opened for a fraction of their value because of leverage. Essentially, the broker lends the trader money, allowing them to open larger positions. Leverage multiplies the profits a trader generates from winning positions, but also the losses incurred from failed trades.
In the table below, I have listed the maximum retail leverage available with Trading 212 Markets Ltd for instruments from different asset classes:
| Asset | Maximum Leverage | 
| Currency Pairs | 1:30 | 
| Metals | 1:20 | 
| Energies | 1:10 | 
| Softs | 1:10 | 
| Share CFDs | 1:5 | 
| Indices | 1:20 | 
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 | 
| ETFs | 1:5 | 
Trading 212 does not accept as clients residents of the United States of America, Canada, Belgium, or any other jurisdiction where trading with leveraged products is prohibited by law.
Trading 212 equips traders with a solid set of research tools. The economic calendar highlights upcoming financial releases that could create trading opportunities, while the news screener keeps users up to date on the latest market developments. An additional sentiment gauge shows the buying and selling pressures behind each instrument.
I was also impressed by the AI-powered trading signals. These not only flag potential setups but also explain how traders might capitalize on them. A nice extra is that the signals are available in audio format, making it easy to stay informed hands-free.
Trading 212’s market research is decent and primarily delivered through its platform. In my view, the most valuable feature is the AI-powered trading signals, which are available in both written and audio formats. On the downside, the broker does not integrate third-party research tools like Autochartist or Trading Central, which could have added extra perspective and depth.
Trading 212 provides a comprehensive educational package, featuring over 400 videos and webinars on its YouTube channel, as well as more than 120 written articles on its website. Most of the content focuses on core investing topics, but there’s also solid coverage of technical and fundamental analysis as well as trading psychology.
Trading 212 delivers a solid range of educational resources. Its YouTube channel hosts 350+ videos covering everything from technical analysis (like how to read price charts) to fundamental analysis (understanding market drivers) and trading psychology (developing the right mindset). On top of that, another 60 videos are available directly through the platform.
Most of the broker’s written content focuses on investing, with beginner-friendly guides on topics like dividends and portfolio building. Overall, I found the education library practical and approachable, making it a strong starting point for newcomers while still offering useful material for more experienced traders.
After thoroughly testing Trading 212, I see it as a broker that excels in safety, accessibility, and product range, but comes with some trade-offs in pricing and functionality.
Being regulated only by Tier-1 authorities makes it one of the safest options in the industry, which gave me confidence during my review. I was especially impressed by its 10,000+ real stocks and ETFs, fractional shares, and PIEs portfolios, which go far beyond what most brokers offer.
On the flip side, my live testing revealed that spreads on forex, indices, and crypto are higher than the industry average, which limits its appeal for cost-sensitive day traders and scalpers. The lack of automated trading tools is another drawback for advanced users.
Overall, I consider Trading 212 an excellent choice for long-term investors and casual traders seeking a secure, beginner-friendly platform with a vast selection of assets. However, if your top priority is ultra-tight spreads or automated strategies, Trading 212 may not be the ideal fit compared to more specialized competitors.
| Headquarters Country | United Kingdom | 
| Foundation Year | 2003 | 
| Regulations | FCA (United Kingdom), FSCB (Bulgaria), CySEC (Cyprus), BaFin (Germany), ASIC (Australia) | 
| Publicly Traded | Yes | 
| Number Of Employees | 1269 | 
| Trading Desk Type | No dealing desk | 
| Trading Platforms | Trading 212 Web Trader, Trading 212 App | 
| Restricted Countries | Canada, United States, Belgium | 
| Supported Languages | Multi-lingual | 
| Min Deposit | $10 | 
| Max Leverage | 1:30 (FCA), 1:30 (FSCB), 1:30 (CySEC), 1:30 (BaFin), 1:30 (ASIC) | 
| Deposit Options | Wire Transfer, Credit Card, iDeal, E-wallets, Debit Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay | 
| Withdrawal Options | Wire Transfer, iDeal, Credit Card, E-wallets, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Debit Card | 
| Time to Withdrawal | 3 | 
| Time to Open an Account | 1 | 
| Crypto | Ethereum, Dogecoin, Bitcoin, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Cardano, Polkadot | 
| Products | Currencies, Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, Bonds, Indices, Commodities | 
| Demo Account | Yes | 
| OCO Orders | Yes | 
| Offers Hedging | Yes | 
| Automated Trading | Yes | 
| API Trading | No | 
| Guaranteed Stop Loss | No | 
| Guaranteed Limit Orders | No | 
| Guaranteed Fills / Liquidity | No | 
| Economic calendar | Yes | 
| Trading From Chart | Yes | 
| One-Click Trading | Yes | 
| Expert Advisor | No | 
| Social Trading | Yes | 
| Autochartist | No | 
| Trading Signals | No | 
| Platform Languages | Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Czech, English, French, Spanish, Russian, German, Bulgarian, Romanian, Polish | 
| 24 Hours Support | Yes | 
| Support During Weekends | Yes | 
| Live Chat | No | 
| Daily Market Commentary | No | 
| News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | 
| Webinars | Yes | 
| Deposit Fee | No | 
| Withdrawal Fee | No | 
| Inactivity Fee | No | 
Having been a retail trader since 2013, Plamen has gained an in-depth understanding of the challenges that novice traders face today. His expertise is swing trading and day trading with a heavy emphasis on psychological and fundamental analysis. Plamen’s favourite trading instruments include FX majors and gold. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics and International Relations. Plamen's broad experience has equipped him with the expertise to recommend the best forex brokers.
At FXEmpire, we strive to provide unbiased, thorough and accurate broker reviews by industry experts to help our users make smarter financial decisions.