Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of eToro 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.
Founded in 2007, eToro is a prominent online brokerage that benefits from being publicly traded. With a strong regulatory backing, eToro holds three Tier-1 licenses, indicating a high level of trust. Adding to its credibility, eToro also possesses one Tier-2 license. This solid regulatory framework supports its impressive Trust Score of 96, as rated by ForexBrokers.com. For those seeking a trusted platform in the online trading world, eToro stands out with these credentials.
Trading 212, established in 2004, serves as a competitive alternative in the online trading landscape. While not publicly traded, Trading 212 matches eToro by holding three Tier-1 licenses, reflecting its commitment to maintaining trust with users. However, unlike eToro, it does not have any Tier-2 licenses. With a Trust Score of 80 from ForexBrokers.com, Trading 212 is considered a trusted broker, though it falls slightly behind eToro in this regard. For individuals looking for a reliable trading platform, Trading 212 offers a commendable option.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2004 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
When it comes to comparing the commissions and fees between eToro and Trading 212, there are notable differences that can influence your choice based on trading preferences. eToro operates as a market-maker broker, offering a variable spread of 1 pip on the EUR/USD, which is slightly above the industry average. Instead of its spreads, traders are drawn to eToro mainly for its innovative social copy trading platform. On the other hand, eToro provides a VIP club with tiered memberships ranging from Silver to Diamond, requiring balances from $5,000 to $250,000, each offering varied benefits like access to Trading Central and discounted fees, enhancing the overall trading experience.
Trading 212 offers two primary account options for traders: the Invest account for shares and the CFD account for contracts for difference. While they advertise a zero-commission trading model, traders should be aware of the necessary spreads when engaging in CFD and forex trading. As of April 2025, Trading 212’s average spread for the EUR/USD pair was 2.7 pips, substantially more than the industry standard, which may be a drawback for those prioritizing low spreads. Nevertheless, Trading 212's increased transparency through average spread publication is a notable step forward for user clarity.
In terms of rankings and user ratings, eToro stands out with a 4.5-star rating for commissions and fees, achieving the 22nd position out of 63 brokers as per ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, Trading 212 has garnered a 4-star rating, securing the 49th spot. These rankings reflect the brokers' competitive nature in pricing and the diverse features each platform offers, which can significantly impact traders' experiences and decision-making.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50-$10,000 | €1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1 | 2.7 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 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.
When comparing eToro and Trading 212, both online brokers provide a comprehensive range of investment options that cater to various trading needs. eToro offers forex trading through CFDs and covers 5,461 tradeable symbols. In contrast, Trading 212 surpasses eToro by offering 7,868 tradeable symbols. However, eToro provides 55 forex pairs, while Trading 212 significantly exceeds this number with 146 forex pairs available for trading. Both platforms allow investors to access exchange-traded securities from U.S. and international exchanges, enabling users to purchase shares like Apple and Vodafone directly. eToro stands out with its copy trading feature, allowing users to mimic the trades of successful investors, a feature absent in Trading 212.
In the realm of cryptocurrency, eToro offers the unique advantage of purchasing actual cryptocurrencies, as well as cryptocurrency derivatives. Trading 212, on the other hand, limits its users to trading cryptocurrency derivatives only. Despite these differences, both platforms are highly rated for their range of investments, each earning a solid 5-star rating. However, eToro edges out with a higher ranking, positioned at #10 compared to Trading 212's #15 in the Range of Investments category according to ForexBrokers.com. This comparison highlights eToro's innovative features, while Trading 212 captures a broader array of tradeable symbols, offering diverse choices for investors.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5461 | 7868 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 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) | Yes | 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.
eToro and Trading 212 both offer accessible trading platforms that include key features for new traders, such as simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts. Both platforms are web-based, eliminating the need for Windows desktop downloads. However, eToro stands out with its copy trading feature, allowing users to mimic successful traders' strategies, a benefit not available on Trading 212. Although neither broker integrates with MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), DupliTrade, or ZuluTrade, eToro provides a more extensive suite of drawing tools for charting with 161 options, compared to Trading 212's 20. In contrast, Trading 212 offers the convenience of trading directly from stock charts, enhancing the platform's usability for some users.
When it comes to organizing your trading environment, eToro offers slightly more versatility with six columns in its watch lists compared to Trading 212’s five. According to ForexBrokers.com, eToro is ranked 8th among 63 brokers for its Trading Platforms and Tools, earning a commendable 4.5 stars. On the other hand, Trading 212 is ranked 20th, with a respectable 4-star rating. These differences highlight eToro's slight edge in terms of platform features and tools, making it a favored choice for those looking for more comprehensive trading capabilities, while Trading 212 caters well to users seeking streamlined chart trading features.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 104 | 54 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 161 | 20 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 5 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
eToro and Trading 212 both offer iPhone and Android apps perfect for the modern trader. Each platform provides essential features like stock and forex price alerts, and the ability to create watchlists with real-time quotes. Both apps sync watchlist symbols across devices, ensuring users stay updated whether they're at their desk or on the move. When it comes to charting tools, eToro and Trading 212 offer an impressive selection of 104 technical studies. While both allow users to view stock or forex charts in various time frames, Trading 212 has the edge with the ability to draw trendlines and save drawings automatically, a feature eToro currently lacks.
When looking at user ratings for mobile trading apps, eToro boasts a slight lead with a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, compared to Trading 212’s 4-star rating. This difference in ratings is also mirrored in their rankings; eToro is ranked #10 by ForexBrokers.com, while Trading 212 holds the #17 spot. While both have strong offerings, these distinctions highlight eToro's mobile trading app as slightly more favored among users and reviewers alike.
| Feature |
eToro
|
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 | 104 | 104 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When it comes to market research offerings, eToro stands out compared to Trading 212 by providing daily market commentary, a feature not available with Trading 212. While eToro lacks forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg or Reuters, it compensates with advanced research tools like Technical Analytics from Trading Central and market research insights from TipRanks. Both platforms offer sentiment-based trading tools and economic calendars to keep you informed about global news events.
Despite Trading 212's advantage in delivering forex news from top-tier sources, it lags behind eToro in research accolades as reflected by their ratings. eToro earns 4.5 stars for its research capabilities and ranks #13 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while Trading 212 receives a 3.5-star rating and ranks #44. For traders prioritizing comprehensive research features, eToro provides a more robust toolkit, which may appeal to those who rely heavily on detailed market insights.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources available for beginners on eToro and Trading 212, both platforms offer an impressive suite of learning materials related to forex and CFDs, including articles, videos, and archived webinars. This makes both suitable for users who are looking to strengthen their understanding of these trading areas. Additionally, each platform features more than ten beginner-oriented trading videos, catering specifically to novices just starting their trading journey. However, eToro stands out in this comparison by hosting monthly online educational webinars and providing an easily accessible archive of these sessions, features that are not available with Trading 212.
Advanced traders aren't left behind either, since both eToro and Trading 212 offer a range of educational videos tailored for experienced traders. Also, each platform includes an investor dictionary that defines at least 50 investing terms, which further supports beginner education. Despite these similarities, eToro garners a higher educational rating of 4.5 stars compared to Trading 212's 3.5 stars and ranks higher in the Education category by ForexBrokers.com, coming in at number five out of 63 brokers, while Trading 212 is ranked twentieth. This suggests eToro provides a slightly more comprehensive and user-focused learning experience for traders at different levels.
| Feature |
eToro
|
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 eToro is better than Trading 212. eToro finished with an overall rank of #9, while Trading 212 finished with an overall rank of #31.
eToro is a winner for its easy-to-use copy-trading platform, where traders can copy the trades of experienced investors – or receive exclusive perks for sharing their own trading strategies.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 96 | 80 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
eToro allows users to purchase both actual cryptocurrencies and cryptocurrency derivatives, whereas Trading 212 offers only cryptocurrency derivatives, not the actual cryptocurrencies.
Both eToro and Trading 212 offer multiple options for depositing and withdrawing funds, including ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, and Visa or Mastercard, with eToro additionally supporting Skrill for enhanced flexibility, unlike Trading 212.
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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | eToro | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 96 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | eToro Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | eToro | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Regulation | eToro | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 80 | |
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2004 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | eToro | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | 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) | 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) | eToro | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| 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) | No | No |
| Investments | eToro | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5461 | 7868 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 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) | Yes | 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 | eToro | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1 | 2.7 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 2.7 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | eToro | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50-$10,000 | €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 | eToro | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | eToro | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 5 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 104 | 54 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 161 | 20 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | eToro | 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 | 104 | 104 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | No | Yes |
| Research | eToro | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | eToro | 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 | eToro | 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 | eToro Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Overall | eToro | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 96 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | eToro Review | Trading 212 Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill