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 |
Admirals vs Trading 212 on commissions and fees: Admirals offers competitive pricing, with a typical spread around 0.8 pips on its Trade account and similar pricing on its Zero account. Trading 212 advertises zero-commission trading on its CFD platform, but costs are built into the spread. In April 2025, Trading 212 reported an average EUR/USD spread of 2.7 pips, which is higher than the industry average and notably wider than Admirals’ typical spread.
Trading 212 provides two account types: Invest (for shares) with a €1 minimum deposit, and CFD (for derivatives) with a €10 minimum; the CFD account is the focus for fees here. While there’s no commission headline on CFDs, you still pay the spread. Admirals keeps things competitive across its Trade and Zero accounts, appealing to spread-conscious forex and CFD traders.
Ratings and rankings for commissions and fees: Admirals earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #18 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com. Trading 212 earns 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #50 out of 63. If minimizing spreads is your priority, Admirals generally comes out ahead; Trading 212’s pricing is straightforward but its average spreads are higher.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | €1 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.8 | 2.7 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 2.7 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Comparing Admirals vs Trading 212 on range of investments, both brokers support forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts and let you buy exchange-traded stocks on U.S. and international markets. Admirals lists 8,702 tradeable symbols, edging out Trading 212’s 7,868. However, Trading 212 offers more forex pairs (146 vs 82), which may appeal to currency-focused traders.
For crypto, neither broker offers actual coins, but both provide cryptocurrency CFDs. Admirals includes copy trading, while Trading 212 does not. Based on ForexBrokers.com, Admirals earns 4.5/5 stars and ranks #20 of 63 for Range of Investments, whereas Trading 212 scores 5/5 stars and ranks #16. Pick Trading 212 if you want more forex pairs, or choose Admirals if you value copy trading and a slightly wider overall symbol list.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8702 | 7868 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 82 | 146 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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 offer free demo (paper) accounts and proprietary platforms alongside user-friendly web-based platforms. Admirals also delivers a Windows desktop platform and supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which will appeal to traders who want advanced workflows and third‑party tools. Trading 212 does not provide a Windows download or MetaTrader access. Both brokers let you place trades directly from charts. For social features, Admirals includes copy trading, while Trading 212 does not.
In the Trading Platforms and Tools category, ForexBrokers.com rates both brokers at 4 stars, with Admirals ranked #19 out of 63 and Trading 212 close behind at #20. If you want MT4/MT5 and copy trading, Admirals is the better fit. If you prefer a streamlined, browser-based experience without installing software, Trading 212 is a solid choice. Either way, you can practice first using a free demo account and explore built-in charting and watch list features before committing.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 54 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Admirals and Trading 212 both offer iPhone and Android trading apps. Each app supports price alerts for stocks and forex, lets you draw trendlines on charts, and auto-saves those drawings. Both brokers earned 4 out of 5 stars for their mobile trading apps.
The key differences show up in syncing and charting depth. Trading 212 syncs watchlists between mobile and web, while Admirals does not. For technical studies, Admirals includes 30 indicators, compared with 104 on Trading 212. In ForexBrokers.com’s Mobile Trading Apps rankings out of 63 brokers, Admirals is #23 and Trading 212 is #17. In short, Trading 212 offers more built-in indicators and cross-device watchlist syncing, while both deliver solid mobile trading experiences.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 104 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
In this Admirals vs Trading 212 market research comparison, Admirals pulls ahead on depth and variety. Admirals publishes daily market commentary, while Trading 212 does not. Both brokers provide forex news from top-tier sources, an economic calendar, and a sentiment tool that shows long/short positioning across instruments. Neither offers Autochartist. Admirals goes further with Trading Central analytics, TipRanks insights, and Acuity Trading (Signal Centre) tools—features not available at Trading 212.
The results show in independent ratings: Admirals earns 4 stars for Research and ranks 15th out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, whereas Trading 212 scores 3.5 stars and ranks 45th. Choose Admirals if you want daily commentary plus added third‑party research and trade ideas; Trading 212 suits traders who are fine with core news, sentiment, and an economic calendar.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Acuity Trading | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Admirals vs Trading 212 for beginner education: both brokers provide plenty of trading lessons, with at least 10 beginner videos and at least 10 advanced videos that help you grow from basics to more complex strategies. A key difference is live learning. Admirals hosts online client webinars at least once a month, giving beginners a chance to ask questions and learn in real time, while Trading 212 does not run monthly educational webinars. If you prefer a mix of on-demand videos and live classes, Admirals has the edge; if you mainly want a video library you can watch anytime, both platforms deliver.
Independent ratings back this up: Admirals earns 4 stars for Education and ranks #12 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while Trading 212 scores 3.5 stars and ranks #21. For beginners seeking a stronger path into forex and CFD learning with live touchpoints, Admirals is likely the better fit; for those satisfied with primarily video-based education, Trading 212 remains a capable option.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | 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
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Trading 212
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|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 93 | 80 |
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Neither online broker Admirals nor Trading 212 lets you buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but both brokers offer cryptocurrency CFD trading.
Admirals vs Trading 212: both brokers support ACH/SEPA transfers, PayPal, and bank wire deposits/withdrawals, while only Admirals offers Skrill, and card (Visa/Mastercard) availability is not specified for either.
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) | |||
| 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 | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | Yes |
| Investments | Admirals | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8702 | 7868 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 82 | 146 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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 account | 0.8 | 2.7 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 2.7 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Admirals | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | €1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Admirals | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Admirals | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 54 | |
| 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 Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 104 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Admirals | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Admirals | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Admirals | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| 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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