Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FOREX.com 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.
Comparing online brokers FOREX.com and Trading 212 for regulation and safety: FOREX.com, founded in 1999, is publicly traded, while Trading 212, founded in 2004, is privately held. Neither company is a bank.
Per ForexBrokers.com, Trust Scores of 90–99 are highly trusted, 80–89 trusted, 70–79 average risk, 60–69 high risk, and below 59 not trusted. FOREX.com scores 99 (highly trusted) and holds seven Tier-1 and two Tier-2 licenses. Trading 212 scores 82 (trusted) and holds three Tier-1 licenses and zero Tier-2 licenses. If top-tier regulatory coverage is your priority, FOREX.com has the edge; Trading 212 still earns a trusted rating.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2004 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
When it comes to commissions and fees, FOREX.com comes out ahead of Trading 212 for most active forex and CFD traders. FOREX.com earns a 4.5-star rating and ranks #15 out of 36 brokers for commissions and fees. Its pricing is a mix of spread-based and commission-based accounts, with the RAW account offering low spreads and a per-trade commission. That said, costs can still be a bit higher than the industry average in some regions, especially on the Standard account, which has wider spreads. For U.S. traders, the RAW account’s commission can make the all-in cost similar to the Standard account unless trading volume is very high.
Trading 212 earns 4 stars and ranks #27 out of 36 for commissions and fees. It advertises zero-commission trading, but that mainly applies to its Invest account; CFD and forex traders still pay through the spread. In April 2025, Trading 212 reported an average EUR/USD spread of 2.7 pips, which is noticeably higher than many top brokers. This means the platform may look low-cost at first glance, but forex traders can end up paying more through wider spreads.
In simple terms, FOREX.com is the better pick for traders focused on forex pricing, especially if they want more account choices and tighter spreads on commission-based pricing. Trading 212 can still appeal to beginners who like the idea of zero-commission investing, but for CFD and forex trading, its fees are less competitive. If low trading costs are your priority, FOREX.com is generally the stronger choice between the two.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | €1 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.00 | 2.7 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.13 | 2.7 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
FOREX.com and Trading 212 both give traders access to forex trading, exchange traded shares on U.S. and international exchanges, and cryptocurrency CFDs. When it comes to variety, though, Trading 212 offers a wider menu overall, with about 13,000 tradeable symbols and 180 forex pairs, compared with FOREX.com’s 5,500 symbols and 80 forex pairs. Trading 212 also stands out for letting clients buy actual cryptocurrency, while FOREX.com does not.
Neither broker offers copy trading, so if that feature matters, you will need to look elsewhere. In independent ratings for range of investments, both brokers earn 5 out of 5 stars, but ForexBrokers.com places FOREX.com higher at #6 out of 36 brokers, versus Trading 212 at #15. In short, Trading 212 has the broader selection, while FOREX.com still offers a strong mix of markets and a higher category ranking.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 13000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 180 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | Yes |
| 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.
When comparing FOREX.com vs Trading 212 for trading platforms and tools, both brokers give traders a free demo account, a web-based platform, and the ability to trade directly from charts. However, FOREX.com has a wider platform lineup overall, including its own in-house platform, a Windows desktop download, and support for both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Trading 212 does not offer a desktop app or MetaTrader access, and it also does not provide a proprietary platform of its own.
For platform quality, FOREX.com stands out with a 5-star rating for Trading Platforms and Tools and a #5 ranking out of 36 brokers from ForexBrokers.com, while Trading 212 holds a 4-star rating and ranks #19. Neither broker offers copy trading, so the main difference is that FOREX.com gives active traders more platform choice and more advanced trading software, while Trading 212 keeps things simpler and more browser-focused.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 90 | 102 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
FOREX.com and Trading 212 both give mobile traders the basics they need, with iPhone and Android apps, price alerts, watchlist syncing, trendline drawing, and auto-saving chart drawings. This means you can start tracking markets on your phone and pick up where you left off on the web platform without having to rebuild your watchlists or charts. For everyday mobile trading, both apps cover the key features most people look for.
The main difference shows up in charting depth and overall app quality. Trading 212 offers more technical studies in its mobile charts, with 104 compared with FOREX.com’s 90. Even so, FOREX.com gets the edge in independent ratings, earning 5 out of 5 stars for Mobile Trading Apps and placing #2 out of 36 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while Trading 212 scores 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #17. If you want the stronger-rated mobile app overall, FOREX.com stands out, while Trading 212 may appeal if you want a slightly wider set of chart indicators.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 90 | 104 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When it comes to market research, FOREX.com has a clear edge over Trading 212. Both brokers offer forex news from major sources, a sentiment tool that shows long and short positioning, and an economic calendar for tracking global events. However, FOREX.com also provides daily market commentary and Trading Central tools, which can give traders extra help when looking for trade ideas and market direction. Trading 212 does not offer daily commentary or Trading Central research, so its research section is more limited overall.
This gap is reflected in independent ratings and rankings. FOREX.com earns 5 stars for Research and ranks #7 out of 36 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while Trading 212 is rated 3.5 stars and sits at #32. Neither broker includes Autochartist, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading tools, but FOREX.com still stands out as the stronger choice for traders who want more in-depth market research.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
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 | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to education for beginners, FOREX.com has a clear edge over Trading 212. FOREX.com offers forex and CFDs education, runs online client webinars at least once a month, and provides at least 10 beginner videos plus 10 advanced videos. It is also rated 5 out of 5 stars for Education and ranks #4 out of 36 brokers in the ForexBrokers.com Education category. Trading 212 also offers at least 10 beginner videos and 10 advanced videos, but it does not provide monthly educational webinars and does not meet the same forex or CFDs education standard. Its Education rating is 3.5 out of 5 stars, and it ranks #20 out of 36.
For new traders looking for more guided learning, FOREX.com is the stronger choice overall. Trading 212 still gives beginners useful video content, but FOREX.com offers more ways to learn, especially through its webinar schedule and wider forex and CFDs education coverage. If education is a top priority, FOREX.com stands out as the better broker for beginner-friendly support.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
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 FOREX.com is better than Trading 212. FOREX.com finished with an overall rank of #4, while Trading 212 finished with an overall rank of #25.
FOREX.com is a trusted brand that delivers an excellent trading experience for forex and CFDs traders across the globe. It offers a wide range of markets and provides an impressive suite of proprietary platforms – alongside limited access to MetaTrader.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 82 |
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Compared with online broker FOREX.com, which offers crypto only via CFDs and does not allow buying delivered (actual) cryptocurrencies, Trading 212 lets you buy real cryptocurrencies and also trade crypto CFDs.
In this funding-methods comparison, both FOREX.com and Trading 212 support ACH/SEPA and bank wire deposits and withdrawals, but FOREX.com also offers PayPal and Skrill while Trading 212 does not; Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified for either broker.
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 | FOREX.com | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 82 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FOREX.com | Trading 212 | |
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| Regulation | FOREX.com | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 82 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2004 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FOREX.com | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | ||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FOREX.com | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No |
| Investments | FOREX.com | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 13000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 180 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | FOREX.com | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.00 | 2.7 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.13 | 2.7 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FOREX.com | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | €1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | FOREX.com | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FOREX.com | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 90 | 102 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FOREX.com | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 90 | 104 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | FOREX.com | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FOREX.com | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | FOREX.com | 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 | FOREX.com Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Overall | FOREX.com | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 82 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | Trading 212 Review |
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