Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Admirals vs Trading 212, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Admirals and Trading 212 both emerged in the early 2000s, with Admirals founded in 2001 and Trading 212 in 2004. Neither of these platforms is publicly traded or functions as a bank. In terms of regulatory credentials, Admirals holds a slight edge with four Tier-1 licenses and three Tier-2 licenses, which contribute to its confidence-inspiring Trust Score of 93, as rated by ForexBrokers.com. This signifies that Admirals is considered highly trusted in the realm of online brokers.
Trading 212, on the other hand, boasts three Tier-1 licenses but lacks Tier-2 licenses entirely, resulting in a Trust Score of 80 on ForexBrokers.com. This places Trading 212 within the trusted category, though it ranks just below Admirals in this regard. Whether you're deciding based on trustworthiness or regulatory oversight, both platforms offer solid choices, yet Admirals possesses a slight advantage in safety ratings.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2001 | 2004 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
When comparing Admirals and Trading 212 regarding commissions and fees, Admirals stands out with competitive pricing strategies. The company offers typical spreads of 0.8 on its Trade account, alongside similar pricing for its Zero account type, providing attractive options for traders. Admirals enjoys a strong reputation, earning 4.5 stars for commissions and fees and ranking #17 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
On the other hand, Trading 212 provides traders with two account choices: Invest, which is used for trading shares, and CFD for trading contracts for difference (CFDs). The Invest account requires a minimal deposit of 1 euro, whereas the CFD account needs a 10 euro deposit. Although Trading 212 promotes zero-commission trading, the reality is that traders still need to account for spreads when dealing with CFDs and forex. The average spread for the EUR/USD pair was reported at 2.7 pips, significantly higher than the industry average, which could deter cost-conscious traders.
In terms of ratings, Trading 212 received 4 stars for commissions and fees but is ranked lower at #49 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. While both brokers come with their own set of benefits, Admirals scores higher in both ranking and star ratings, potentially making it the more cost-effective choice for traders focusing on commissions and fees.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | €1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.8 | 2.7 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 2.7 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Admirals and Trading 212 both provide opportunities for forex trading as CFDs, but they have different offerings when it comes to tradeable symbols. Admirals features an impressive range of 8,702 symbols, while Trading 212 offers 7,868 symbols. For those focused on forex pairs, Trading 212 takes the lead with 146 available options compared to Admirals' 82 pairs. Both platforms allow investors to purchase exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges, making it possible to invest directly in companies like Apple or Vodafone. Admirals, however, stands out with its copy trading feature, which is not available on Trading 212. Neither broker offers the option to buy actual cryptocurrencies, though both provide cryptocurrency derivatives.
When evaluating their range of investments, Trading 212 earns a perfect 5-star rating, while Admirals boasts a commendable 4.5 stars. In rankings provided by ForexBrokers.com, Trading 212 stands at the 15th position, slightly ahead of Admirals at 19th. Each broker has its strengths, yet Trading 212's higher overall rating may appeal to those seeking a wider array of forex pairs alongside diverse investment opportunities.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8702 | 7868 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 82 | 146 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
Admirals and Trading 212 both cater to traders who are looking for versatile trading platforms and tools. Admirals stands out by offering both a proprietary platform and popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 options, providing traders with numerous choices, including a Windows-based desktop version. While both Admirals and Trading 212 offer web-based platforms and free virtual demo accounts for simulated trading, only Admirals supports MetaTrader software and the option to engage in copy trading. Moreover, Admirals excels in providing advanced charting capabilities with 106 drawing tools, significantly more than Trading 212's 20, as well as the functionality to trade directly from stock charts.
Both brokers are rated four stars for their trading platforms and tools, reflecting their broad appeal and functionality. However, the functionalities available on Admirals may offer more diverse options for experienced traders, demonstrated by its higher rank of 19 out of 63 brokers in the ForexBrokers.com rankings, just ahead of Trading 212, which is ranked 20th. Admirals also provides a wider array of watch list columns with seven fields compared to Trading 212's five, which can enhance the monitoring and organization of market data for traders. While each broker brings something unique to the table, Admirals might be more appealing to those who prioritize a feature-rich environment and advanced trading tools.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 54 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 106 | 20 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 5 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Admirals and Trading 212 both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android users, complete with essential features like stock and forex price alerts. Users of both platforms can enjoy drawing trendlines on charts, viewing multiple time frames, and setting up watchlists with real-time quotes—features that cater to both new and seasoned traders. One key difference lies in the charting tools: Trading 212 offers 104 technical studies, significantly more than the 30 available on Admirals, potentially providing more options for traders who rely heavily on technical analysis.
When it comes to syncing watchlist symbols between the mobile app and online account, Trading 212 offers this functionality, while Admirals does not. This could be a crucial feature for those who frequently switch between devices. Both platforms auto-save chart drawings, ensuring your technical analyses remain intact. Admirals and Trading 212 each received a four-star rating for their mobile trading apps. However, in ForexBrokers.com's rankings, Trading 212 edges out slightly, securing the 17th spot compared to Admirals' 23rd out of 63 brokers, highlighting a marginal edge in satisfaction or feature set.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 104 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing Admirals and Trading 212 in terms of market research offerings, Admirals stands out with its daily market commentary, which Trading 212 does not provide. Both brokers offer forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring up-to-date information for traders. However, Admirals takes the lead with access to Trading Central's technical analytics tools and exclusive market research from TipRanks, neither of which are available through Trading 212. Furthermore, Admirals includes research tools from Acuity Trading, enhancing the depth of insights available to its users.
Both Admirals and Trading 212 provide a sentiment-based trading tool, alongside an economic calendar featuring global news events. However, due to Admirals' broader research offerings, it holds a higher rating of 4 stars compared to Trading 212’s 3.5 stars from ForexBrokers.com. Admirals is ranked #15 out of 63 brokers for research, significantly ahead of Trading 212, which is positioned at #44. These distinctions highlight Admirals' commitment to equipping traders with comprehensive market insights.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Admirals and Trading 212 both provide educational resources aimed at helping beginners in the world of forex and CFDs trading. Each offers a variety of educational content, such as articles and videos, ensuring that beginners have at least ten pieces of material to work with. Admirals stands out by hosting monthly online webinars, which Trading 212 does not offer. However, both platforms provide a searchable archive of recorded webinars for clients to access at their convenience. When it comes to beginner-friendly content, both platforms excel by delivering numerous educational videos dedicated to explaining trading topics, yet Admirals tends to attract higher ratings for its educational offerings.
In terms of more advanced trading education, Admirals and Trading 212 both cater to experienced traders with more than ten comprehensive videos. Additionally, each platform includes an investor dictionary that defines over fifty trading terms, supporting users' journey towards becoming informed traders. Admirals receives a higher rating of 4 stars for its educational content, compared to Trading 212's 3.5 stars, and ranks 12th among 63 brokers in the education category by ForexBrokers.com. On the other hand, Trading 212 holds the 20th position in the same ranking, indicating that while it provides valuable resources, it might not be as comprehensive as Admirals for those seeking detailed trading education.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Admirals is better than Trading 212. Admirals finished with an overall rank of #18, while Trading 212 finished with an overall rank of #31.
Traders choose Admirals for its excellent investor education and advanced MetaTrader features – such as the Supreme add-ons – alongside an extensive range of shares, forex and CFD markets, and premium research content.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 80 |
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Both Admirals and Trading 212 allow investors to purchase cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither platform offers the option to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies.
Admirals and Trading 212 both offer ACH/SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires for deposit and withdrawal options, but only Admirals offers Skrill as a payment method.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Admirals | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Admirals Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Admirals | Trading 212 | |
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| Regulation | Admirals | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 93 | 80 | |
| Year Founded | 2001 | 2004 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Admirals | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Admirals | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | Yes | No |
| Investments | Admirals | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8702 | 7868 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 82 | 146 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | Admirals | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.8 | 2.7 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 2.7 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Admirals | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | €1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Admirals | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Admirals | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 5 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 54 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 106 | 20 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Admirals | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 104 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Admirals | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Admirals | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Admirals | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | Admirals Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Overall | Admirals | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Admirals Review | Trading 212 Review |
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