Trading 212 Review 2023
United States not accepted.- Daytrading Review TeamTrading212 falls short of the standards we expect from online brokers. A subpar mobile trading app and questionable changes to margin requirements have eroded user confidence. There are better alternatives for day traders.
Trading 212 is a European-regulated CFD, stock and ETF broker that also offers ISA accounts. Traders can access markets through a proprietary trading platform and speculate on the movements of 1800+ tradeable instruments including forex, stocks, ETFs and commodities.
and 7 more
Trade 170+ major, minor and exotic forex pairs with floating spreads and leverage up to 1:30. Forex futures are also available on some currency pairs. However the forex broker has a track record of amending margin requirements without appropriate notice.
Trade CFDs on 1500+ equities from diverse global markets including the US, UK, EU, China and Japan. Trading 212 also supports direct share trading on 8500+ global stocks in investment accounts and tax-efficient ISAs for UK customers.
Trade leveraged CFDs on thousands of instruments, including forex, equities, commodities, indices, bonds and futures. The selection of asset classes is decent, but the trading software, particularly the mobile app, lags behind competitors.
Trading 212 offers a portfolio copy trading service which is user-friendly and suitable for beginners
✓ Pros
- Demo account with virtual funds
- Portfolio copy trading functionality
- Low minimum deposit requirement
- A suite of educational resources
- Commission-free trading across a range of assets
✗ Cons
- No access to MT4 or MT5
- Execution-only brokerage with no managed account option
- Questionable operating practices and treatment of customers
- Some products such as options and cryptocurrency are not offered
- Low account and fund safety score
Trading 212 is a European brokerage and fintech company that enables investors to trade several asset classes on a straightforward mobile platform. The app has been downloaded more than 14,000,000 times, making it one of the most recognized trading platforms in the investing world.
This Trading 212 service review will cover platform features, trading fees, account types including the demo profile, minimum deposit requirements and accepted payment methods. We also review the mobile app in detail and flag any concerns investors should know before signing up with Trading 212.
Company Details
Trading 212 operates across three trading entities; Trading 212 UK Ltd, Trading 212 Markets Ltd, and Trading 212 Ltd. With this, it is regulated across Europe to provide services internationally.
The broker was founded in Bulgaria as a company called Avus Capital before being incorporated in 2013 and is now headquartered in London, UK. Clients can trade several asset classes including CFDs on forex pairs, stocks and indices, plus day traders can access real stocks and ETFs.
Over the last five years, Trading 212 has rapidly grown its user base with 1.5 million active customers today. The broker has processed £3 billion in customer assets since it launched, making it one of the most well-known trading brokers in the world. It has also ranked as the UK’s #1 trading app since 2016 and reached the #1 title in Germany in 2017.
Trading Platform
Trading 212 offers a proprietary trading terminal. Optimized for the mobile user’s experience, our experts were pleased that the platform is simple to navigate, yet offers a decent range of features, charts and analysis tools without feeling clunky or overburdened.
The intuitive design is one of the key advantages, with fully customizable tiles and viewpoints.
Additionally, when using the Trading 212 platform, traders benefit from alerts, notifications, and portfolio and fee reports giving you direct access to your investment performance.
One strong feature when using the Trading 212 platform is the ability to place trades in multiple ways and perform several operations on the same trading pair simultaneously.
Some investors may prefer more complex or feature-rich platforms, often found on MT4 – but equally, many will appreciate the custom-built, bespoke feel of the Trading 212 app.
It is worth noting that the WebTrader has been disabled to ‘increase our focus and efforts focussing on the main mobile and web app’. Nonetheless, it is quick and simple to register for the web app, with compatibility across all major web browsers including Google Chrome and Safari. Investors can also switch between two ‘views’ based on trading experience.
How To Place A Trade
Once you have registered for a Trading 212 account, verified your identity and added funds, you can begin trading. To make a trade:
- Find an asset using the navigational search bar or browse ‘top winners’ ‘top losers’, ‘popular’ for inspiration
- Select the ‘buy’ icon
- An order window will appear
- Complete new order details including volume, order type and relevant risk management tools
While using the proprietary trading platform, our experts found the software relatively easy to make trades through. However, experienced investors may want to consider switching to ‘advanced view’ to access better trading tools and analysis features.
Assets & Markets
Trading 212 offers over 1800 tradable assets, though this varies by account type. Nonetheless, investors can access 1500+ stock CFDs, 170+ currency pairs, 35 stock index CFDs, 25 ETF CFDs, and 28 commodities.
Trading 212 retail clients can also invest in real stocks and ETFs. This includes access to more than 8500 stocks. You can also trade fractional shares with as little as £1, which is ideal for beginners or those with limited capital.
In 2021, Trading 212 restricted its offering of cryptocurrency trading, following the prohibition of the sale of the asset to retail clients set by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
This included removing opportunities to trade Bitcoin, Ethereum and Ripple. At the moment the brokerage still does not offer access to any form of crypto investments.
Spreads & Fees
Trading 212 offers relatively tight spreads, although not the best in the market. Other brokers offer cheaper trading. Nonetheless, the broker offers commission-free stock and ETF trading, and it is good to see there are no fees for deposits and withdrawals or charges for dormant accounts.
The minimum deposit requirement is £1 or equivalent currency for the Invest account and £10 for the CFD account, meaning it is accessible for beginners. The broker uses a spread-based pricing structure for currency pair trading and announced 50% tighter spreads on forex CFDs at the end of 2021. The GBP/USD currency pair, for example, is offered at an average spread of 0.00028 pips.
The fees applied to trade global exchanges should be considered. This includes a $0.0000207 transaction charge on all NYSE stocks set by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These exchange costs are presented in the order screen before confirming a position.
Note, when investing in an instrument in a currency other than you account denomination, a conversion fee will be applied. This is calculated at the spot exchange rate + a 0.15% FX fee (varies between accounts). International day traders should bear this in mind when it comes to global exchange trading. Overnight swap fees also apply.
In late 2020, the brand suddenly raised margin requirements to 50%. This kind of change, completely out of the blue, left traders with considerable uncertainty over their capital requirements.
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Leverage Review
As Trading 212 is regulated in the EU, retail investors will be impacted by ESMA’s leverage capping restrictions. This means a maximum leverage of 1:30 is available, though this varies by asset class. Note, the maximum leverage does not need to be used for every trade and this can be removed completely if desired.
Leverage increases the risk of losses, as well as profits, so traders must use it wisely. Utilize appropriate risk management tools.
Mobile App
The Trading 212 mobile application is the flagship product of the fintech company. The app is available for free download to iOS and Android (APK) devices, and offers the full functionality found on the web app. The bespoke mobile app has been designed with small screens in mind, with zoom and scroll functionality enabled.
When using the Trading 212 app, day traders get a stable user experience, with clear navigation and data visualizations. However, we don’t feel it matches competitors’ mobile trading applications. eToro, for instance, offers a more intuitive and powerful trading software for mobile and tablet devices in our opinion.
Trading 212 Payment Methods
Deposits
Trading 212 offers various payment options, though these may vary depending on your country of residency and account type. The broker does not charge any fees, though third-party costs may apply.
Funding your account via credit/debit cards, Google Pay, Apple Pay, iDeal, DotPay GiroPay and Sofort is fee-free only until £2,000 has been funded in total. A 0.7% fee will apply thereafter.
Processing times vary by deposit method, with credit/debit card payments and e-wallets often providing almost instant funding.
It is worth enabling mobile app notifications as alerts can be released once funds are available within your account.
Accepted methods include:
- Blik
- Skrill
- iDEAL
- PayPal
- Dotpay
- Giropay
- Carte Bleue
- Direct eBanking
- Credit/debit cards
- Bank wire transfers
- Apple / Google Pay
How To Deposit Funds
To make a payment on the mobile app:
- Click on the account menu at the bottom right corner of your mobile app screen (the logo is three horizontal lines)
- Select ‘Deposit Funds’
- Choose your payment method from the screen
- Enter the funding amount
- Based on your selected deposit method, complete all relevant details and press ‘next’
- Complete your funding and wait for money to clear into your live trading account
Withdrawals
Fund withdrawals must be made back to the same payment method used to add money to an account. As with deposits, Trading 212 does not charge for fund removals.
It can take up to three working days for Trading 212 to process a withdrawal, though the time taken for funds to clear will vary depending on the payment method.
There is a minimum withdrawal limit of £1 or equivalent currency for Invest and ISA accounts or a £10 minimum limit for a CFD profile.
How To Withdraw Funds
- Click on the account menu at the bottom right corner of your mobile app screen
- Select ‘Manage Funds’ and then ‘Withdraw Funds’
- Confirm your password
- Confirm the amount of money to be withdrawn
- Choose the payment method
- Approve the withdrawal
Demo Account
Trading 212 offers unlimited free access to a demo account. New clients can practice trading risk-free with £50,000 virtual funds. When using the demo account, users can easily toggle between ‘real’ and ‘practice’ accounts, removing the hassle of setting up two separate profiles. This means you can have continued access to a simulated environment to finesse strategies or confirm a trade plan before committing personal capital.
Our experts found the setup to be quick and simple, requiring just basic personal information.
Deals & Promotions
At the time of writing, Trading 212 isn’t running any active bonus or promo codes. This includes no deposit bonuses and welcome funds.
Regulation & Licensing
Trading 212 operates across three trading entities; Trading 212 UK Ltd, Trading 212 Markets Ltd, and Trading 212 Ltd. With this, it holds licensing from several financial bodies:
- Trading 212 Ltd is regulated by the Financial Supervision Commission in Bulgaria under company number 8590005
- Trading 212 UK Ltd is regulated and authorized by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under firm reference number 609146
- Trading 212 Markets Ltd is authorized and regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission under license number 398/21
Trading 212 is fully compliant with the latest EU regulations including those sanctioned by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). Our experts confirm that the company has suitable financial controls and measures in place to ensure it remains fully compliant with the latest regulations.
Day traders also receive negative balance protection, segregated client funds and access to investor compensation schemes.
Additional Features
Trading212 offers several auxiliary features to support its core trading app. These include a detailed economic calendar, daily financial news updates, an in-depth education section with detailed explanations and tutorials on how various elements of trading work, summaries of key industry concepts and terms, and guides on how to use charts to conduct analysis.
The ‘watch and learn’ YouTube channel means you can learn how to trade and use platform features in real-time. Users can also browse comprehensive forums for further advice, and the FAQ section is extensive.
Other features include:
- 212 Hotlist – View stock leaderboards including risers and fallers based on how many retail traders have invested. Track ownerships from other like-minded traders to support your investment decisions
- Social Communities – Access a social feed and community forum with trade ideas, insights and questions from retail investors. You can customize feeds based on your interests or join ‘communities’ based on key topics that you want to follow. Popular channels include ‘Penny Stocks’, ‘Dividends’ and ‘Tesla’
- Pies & Autoinvest – Build a diverse portfolio and customize it to your unique financial goals and budget. The Autoinvest function does all the hard work for you and recommends the best way to invest your money based on your aspirations. Add additional funds at any time without interfering with your ongoing investment plan. You can also copy other ‘pro’ traders pies and apply it to your own portfolio.
Account Types At Trading212
Trading 212 offers three account types; the ‘Invest’ account, the ‘CFD’ profile and the ‘ISA’ account. The majority of features are similar which fits in with the company ethos of ‘democratizing trading’. It is simple to switch between ‘demo mode’ and real mode.
CFD Account
- No commission fees
- Overnight swap fees apply
- 0.5% currency conversion charge
- Minimum deposit amount of £10 or equivalent currency
ISA Account
- No commission charges
- £1 minimum buy/sell order
- 0.15% currency conversion charge
- Minimum deposit amount of £1 or equivalent currency
Invest Account
- No commission charges
- No overnight rollover fees
- £1 minimum buy/sell order
- 0.15% currency conversion charge
- Minimum deposit amount of £1 or equivalent currency
Trading Hours
The platform is available 24/7. However, markets for different asset classes are open at a variety of times, so there is a knock-on effect on users’ ability to trade some financial instruments during particular periods.
Use the broker’s economic calendar and published trading calendar for details of upcoming market closures and public holidays.
Customer Service
Trading 212 has a responsive customer service team with an average response time of just 29 seconds. Contact methods are accessible 24/7 and include live chat and an online contact form.
You can reach the broker’s multilingual customer support team directly through the platform with help available in 16 different languages and support centers spread all over the globe.
Security & Safety
The Trading 212 app has been downloaded several million times, with huge numbers of transactions being processed every day. The core systems underpinning the broker’s service are relatively secure. The broker uses external security firms to perform regular penetration tests of the trading applications and infrastructure. Additionally, a 24/7 security operations team monitors and analyzes suspicious app traffic and alerts customers in real-time of any risk.
You can increase the security of your trading account by adding a passcode lock to your mobile device or enabling face ID recognition. Two-factor authentication (2FA) is an optional layer of security offered to all Trading 212 clients, meaning you will need to provide a six-digit authentication code to access your account or make major changes.
Note, the firm did stop onboarding new clients during the Gamestop / Reddit volatility, and with this, some customers question the sincerity of the brokerage.
Trading 212 Verdict
Trading 212 is an online brokerage with a popular mobile app, commission-free trading, a simple account structure and a host of additional educational features. Trading 212 also offers decent customer support and easy withdrawal of funds. On the flip side, some potential investors may prefer a more browser-based broker or advanced features such as algorithmic trading or the option of managed accounts. In addition, concerns over the broker’s behavior in terms of changing margin requirements is a serious red flag.
FAQs
Is Trading 212 Regulated?
Yes – Trading 212 is regulated by several European financial bodies including the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC).
Does Trading 212 Offer A Demo Profile?
Yes – Trading 212 offers a practice profile with £50,000 in virtual funds. You can also toggle between a ‘real’ and ‘demo’ account, removing the hassle of setting up two separate profiles.
What Trading Platforms Does Trading 212 Offer?
Trading 212 offers retail clients the opportunity to trade on a proprietary web or mobile app. These can be accessed via all major web browsers or downloaded to iOS or Android devices.
Does Trading 212 Offer Free Deposits & Withdrawals?
Yes – Trading 212 offers free deposits and withdrawals, though third-party charges may apply. However, a 0.7% fee applies for some payment methods after £2,000 has been deposited. This includes deposits via credit/debit cards, Google Pay, Apple Pay and Sofort.
What Is The Minimum Deposit Requirement For A Trading 212 Account?
Trading 212 minimum deposit requirements vary by account type. The lowest is just £1 or equivalent currency for the standard ‘Invest’ profile.
Accepted Countries
Trading 212 accepts traders from Australia, Thailand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Singapore, Hong Kong, India, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Italy, Denmark, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Qatar and most other countries.
Traders can not use Trading 212 from United States, Canada.
Payment Methods
- Skrill
- Visa
- PayPal
- Apple Pay
- Google Wallet
- Credit Card
- Mastercard
- iDeal
- Sofort
- Giropay
- Wire Transfer
- Debit Card
Trading 212 Details
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
|---|---|
| Regulated By | FCA, CySEC, FSC |
| Account Types |
|
| Islamic Account | No |
| Mobile Apps | iOS & Android |
| Margin Trading | Yes |
| Volatility Index | No |
| Spot Trading | No |
| Perpetual Swaps | No |
| ELWs | No |
| REITs | No |
| AI / Machine Learning | No |
| Robo Advisor | No |
| P2P Trading | No |
| Negative Balance Protection | Yes |
| VPS Hosting | No |
| Tournaments | No |
| Demo Competitions | No |
| Managed Accounts | No |
| Market Maker | No |
| Auto Trading | AutoInvest portfolio |
| Social Trading | Yes |
| Guaranteed Stop Loss | No |
| Stock Exchanges |
|
| Commodities |
|
CFD Trading Details
| FTSE Spread | 2.5 points |
|---|---|
| GBPUSD Spread | 0.00028 pips |
| Oil Spread | 0.4 pips |
| Stocks Spread | 0.2% Var |
| Leverage | 1:30 |
Forex Trading Details
| GBPUSD Spread | 0.00028 pips |
|---|---|
| EURUSD Spread | 0.00015 pips |
| EURGBP Spread | 0.00044 pips |
| Assets | 170+ |
Top 3 Alternatives to Trading 212
Compare Trading 212 with the top 3 similar brokers that accept traders from your location.
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IG Group – IG is an award-winning broker that has an excellent reputation globally. The brand-US offers spread betting, CFD and forex trading across a comprehensive suite of markets. IG is also multi-regulated, provides a great trading app and has 50 years experience.
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Interactive Brokers – Interactive Brokers is a leading global brokerage that provides access to a comprehensive offering of stocks as well as forex, futures, metals, bonds and cryptos. The firm has over 40 years experience in the online trading industry and is heavily regulated by SEC, FCA, IIROC, and SFC. Day traders can use the proprietary Trader Workstation and can access powerful tools and data feeds as well as comprehensive educational resources.
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Kwakol Markets – Kwakol Markets is a Nigerian headquartered broker with strong regulatory oversight in Australia and Canada. A great selection of day trading assets are available, including synthetic products that simulate realistic market activity. Clients can trade on the MT4, MT5 and cTrader platforms, as well as a copy trading solution whereby a fee is only paid on profitable trades.
Go to Kwakol Markets
Trading 212 Comparison Table
| Trading 212 | IG Group | Interactive Brokers | Kwakol Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 1.5 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.5 |
| Markets | Forex, CFDs, Indices, Shares, Commodities, ETFs | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting | Forex, Stocks, Commodities, Crypto | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto |
| Demo Account | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum Deposit | $1 | $0 | $0 | $1 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots | 0.01 Lots | $100 | 0.01 Lots |
| Regulators | FCA, CySEC, FSC | FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA | SEC, FCA, IIROC, SFC | ASIC, FINTRAC |
| Bonus | – | – | – | – |
| Education | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Platforms | Own | MT4, AutoChartist, TradingCentral | AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, eSignal, TradingCentral | MT4, MT5, cTrader, AutoChartist |
| Leverage | 1:30 | 1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro) | 1:50 | 1:1000 |
| Payment Methods | 12 | 6 | 11 | 4 |
| Visit | – | Visit | Visit | Visit |
| Review | – | IG Group Review |
Interactive Brokers Review |
Kwakol Markets Review |
Compare Trading Instruments
Compare the markets and instruments offered by Trading 212 and its competitors. Please note, some markets may only be available via CFDs or other derivatives.
| Trading 212 | IG Group | Interactive Brokers | Kwakol Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CFD | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stocks | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Commodities | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Oil | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Gold | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Copper | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Silver | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Corn | Yes | No | No | No |
| Crypto | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Futures | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Options | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Bonds | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Warrants | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Spreadbetting | No | Yes | No | No |
| Volatility Index | No | Yes | No | No |
Trading 212 vs Other Brokers
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| Trading 212 is a European-regulated CFD, stock and ETF broker that also offers ISA accounts. Traders can access markets through a proprietary trading platform and speculate on the movements of 1800+ tradeable instruments including forex, stocks, ETFs and commodities. | ||
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