Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of BlackBull Markets 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.
BlackBull Markets, established in 2014, operates as a private, non-banking online broker and holds one Tier-1 license, making it highly trusted. With a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 78, it is categorized as average risk. In contrast, Trading 212 was founded earlier in 2004 and also operates privately without being a bank. Impressively, it holds three Tier-1 licenses and boasts a Trust Score of 80, qualifying it as a trusted option according to ForexBrokers.com.
Neither BlackBull Markets nor Trading 212 is listed on a stock exchange, and both lack Tier-2 licenses. Despite their similarities, the main distinction lies in the number of Tier-1 licenses and their trust ratings. Trading 212 edges ahead with a slightly higher Trust Score and more Tier-1 licenses. Thus, while BlackBull Markets provides a secure trading experience, Trading 212 has a slight advantage in regulatory trustworthiness.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2004 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
When diving into the commissions and fees of BlackBull Markets and Trading 212, several key differences emerge, catering to varying types of traders. BlackBull Markets presents three account options, including their Prime account, which stands out for its average spread of 0.16 pips on the EUR/USD pair as of March 2024. This provides an all-in cost of 0.76 after considering a commission of $6 per 10,000 traded. The Prime account requires a $2,000 minimum deposit but is preferred for its competitive rates over the Standard account, which is commission-free but comes with wider spreads. The ECN Institutional account is tailored for active traders with deposits of at least $20,000, offering even lower commissions.
In contrast, Trading 212 provides two main accounts: the Invest account for stock trading, which has a meager minimum deposit of 1 euro, and the CFD account, focused on CFDs with a 10 euro deposit requirement. Notably, Trading 212 promotes a zero-commission approach for its CFDs and forex trades, yet traders still face a spread cost. The average spread for the EUR/USD pair was recorded at 2.7 pips in April 2025, higher than industry norms, which may deter traders seeking the most cost-efficient trading environment.
BlackBull Markets earns a commendable 4.5-star rating for its commissions and fees and is ranked 18th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. Trading 212, while still competitive with a 4-star rating, trails in the rankings at the 49th position. These distinctions make BlackBull Markets a more attractive choice for traders who prioritize low spreads and competitive costs, while Trading 212 may appeal to those seeking a lower entry barrier with its modest deposit requirements.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | €1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.71 | 2.7 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.71 | 2.7 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | 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.
When exploring the available range of investments, BlackBull Markets and Trading 212 both offer a wide array of choices, yet they cater to different investor needs. BlackBull Markets stands out with its impressive 26,000 tradeable symbols, offering clients a vast selection of options. While both brokers provide access to forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, BlackBull Markets offers 72 forex pairs compared to Trading 212's 146. Interestingly, both enable users to purchase exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges, such as Apple and Vodafone shares. However, only BlackBull Markets includes a copy trading feature, potentially attracting traders looking to emulate successful strategies.
Both platforms cater to the growing interest in cryptocurrency derivatives without offering direct cryptocurrency purchases. Despite the different approaches to investment offerings, users rate both BlackBull Markets and Trading 212 at five stars for their range of investments. Yet, BlackBull Markets receives higher recognition, ranking #6 among 63 brokers, while Trading 212 comes in at #15. This distinction underscores BlackBull Markets' commitment to providing an expansive investment environment.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 26000 | 7868 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 72 | 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.
When comparing trading platforms and tools, BlackBull Markets and Trading 212 both offer unique features tailored to different trading needs. BlackBull Markets provides access to popular third-party platforms such as MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, boosting its appeal for traders who prefer established software for technical analysis. Unlike Trading 212, BlackBull Markets offers a Windows-based desktop trading platform, providing flexibility for users who prefer downloadable software. Both brokers offer web-based platforms and demo accounts, enabling newcomers and seasoned traders alike to practice without financial risk. Notably, BlackBull Markets includes copy trading and ZuluTrade services, which are absent in Trading 212, catering to those interested in automated or social replica trading.
In contrast, Trading 212 boasts an exclusive, proprietary platform, providing users with a unique trading experience that cannot be found elsewhere. It also allows trading directly from a stock chart, similar to BlackBull Markets, but lacks the support for MetaTrader platforms, which might be a drawback for traders familiar with these tools. When it comes to charting features, BlackBull Markets provides more drawing tools (60 compared to Trading 212’s 20), enabling a richer analytical experience. Watch list functionality is slightly more robust with BlackBull Markets, offering six columns compared to Trading 212's five. Despite these differences, both platforms are rated four stars for their trading tools, yet Trading 212 ranks higher at 20th compared to BlackBull Markets at 30th out of 63 brokers for trading platforms and tools by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | No | 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 | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 109 | 54 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 60 | 20 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 5 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When choosing a mobile trading app, both BlackBull Markets and Trading 212 offer impressive functionality for both iPhone and Android users, with features such as stock and forex price alerts, trendline drawing, and time frame views on charts. They also both provide watchlist symbol syncing, so your watchlists are automatically updated across devices. BlackBull Markets is equipped with 30 technical studies for charting, whereas Trading 212 offers a more extensive selection with 104 technical studies, allowing for more in-depth analysis. Both apps ensure your drawings are auto-saved, and you can create watchlists with real-time quotes for quick access to market data.
BlackBull Markets and Trading 212 each have a 4-star rating for their mobile trading apps; however, Trading 212 has an edge in the rankings by ForexBrokers.com, placed at #17 compared to BlackBull Markets' position at #32 out of 63 brokers. This suggests a broader user preference for Trading 212’s mobile trading features. Nevertheless, the choice between these platforms may come down to the specific technical tools and analytics you need for your trading strategy.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | 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 it comes to market research, BlackBull Markets and Trading 212 each offer unique features that cater to different trading needs. BlackBull Markets provides daily market commentary, allowing traders to stay informed on market dynamics. They also offer advanced analysis tools from Autochartist and a sentiment-based trading tool, giving traders insights into market trends and position ratios. Additionally, BlackBull Markets includes an economic calendar to track important global news events. While BlackBull Markets excels in certain areas, they do not offer forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg or Reuters.
On the other hand, Trading 212 distinguishes itself by providing forex news from premium sources, ensuring news is both timely and reliable. Similar to BlackBull Markets, Trading 212 offers an economic calendar and a sentiment-based trading tool, but they lack the advanced technical analysis tools from specific brands like Autochartist. With a research rating of 3.5 stars and a ranking of 44 out of 63 brokers, Trading 212's strengths lie in news delivery rather than technical analysis tools, compared to BlackBull Markets' 4-star rating and higher research ranking of 18.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Beginners will find strong education at both BlackBull Markets and Trading 212. Each broker offers a clear library focused on forex and CFDs with at least 10 pieces of content, plus 10+ beginner videos and 10+ advanced videos to keep you learning as you progress. Both also provide a searchable archive of past webinars and an investor dictionary with 50+ terms to help you master the basics. The big difference is live webinars: BlackBull Markets hosts client webinars at least once a month, while Trading 212 does not. For education quality, BlackBull Markets is rated 4 out of 5 stars, and Trading 212 is rated 3.5 out of 5 stars.
If you prefer live, ongoing coaching, BlackBull Markets has the edge thanks to its regular webinars. If you want a self-paced library with strong search tools, Trading 212 is also a good pick. Looking at category placement among 63 brokers, Trading 212 ranks #21 for Education while BlackBull Markets ranks #29, which may appeal to learners who prioritize overall standing. Either way, both platforms give beginners the core tools to get started with forex and CFD learning.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
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 BlackBull Markets is better than Trading 212. BlackBull Markets finished with an overall rank of #24, while Trading 212 finished with an overall rank of #31.
BlackBull Markets is a plain-vanilla MetaTrader broker with a growing range of products and support for a handful of third-party social copy trading platforms.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
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Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 78 | 80 |
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Both BlackBull Markets and Trading 212 do not offer the ability to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do provide options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers BlackBull Markets and Trading 212 in terms of deposit and withdrawal options, BlackBull Markets offers Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires but lacks ACH, SEPA, and PayPal, while Trading 212 provides ACH, SEPA, PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, but does not support Skrill.
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 | BlackBull Markets | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 78 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | BlackBull Markets Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | BlackBull Markets | Trading 212 | |
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| Regulation | BlackBull Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 78 | 80 | |
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2004 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 1 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | BlackBull Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | 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) | No | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | BlackBull Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | BlackBull Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 26000 | 7868 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 72 | 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 | BlackBull Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.71 | 2.7 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.71 | 2.7 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | BlackBull Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | €1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | BlackBull Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | No | 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 | Yes | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Trading Tools | BlackBull Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 5 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 109 | 54 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 60 | 20 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | BlackBull Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | 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 | BlackBull Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | BlackBull Markets | 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 | BlackBull Markets | 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 | BlackBull Markets Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Overall | BlackBull Markets | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 78 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | BlackBull Markets Review | Trading 212 Review |
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