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.
When it comes to choosing a reliable online broker, regulatory oversight is crucial, and both FOREX.com and Trading 212 offer notable credentials in this area. FOREX.com, founded in 1999, holds an impressive Trust Score of 99 out of 99, indicating a high level of trust according to ForexBrokers.com. It is publicly traded and holds seven Tier-1 licenses, making it a trustworthy option for traders. Despite not being a bank, its strong regulatory framework sets it apart as a secure choice.
On the other hand, Trading 212, established in 2004, has a Trust Score of 80, reflecting a solid level of trust. While it is not publicly traded and holds no Tier-2 licenses, Trading 212 does maintain three Tier-1 licenses. Both brokers ensure users that they operate under strict guidelines, offering peace of mind for both new and seasoned investors. Nonetheless, the higher Trust Score and number of licenses give FOREX.com a competitive edge in terms of perceived security and regulation.
| 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 | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of FOREX.com and Trading 212, it becomes evident that each broker has its own strengths and challenges. FOREX.com offers a range of account types and features that cater to different trading needs. Its Standard account, which is available on MetaTrader, carries higher average spreads of 1.4 pips on the EUR/USD pair, particularly for U.S. traders as of July 2023. For those who trade more actively, the newly introduced RAW Spread account offers lower spreads around 0.13 pips, though it comes with a base commission of $7 per Standard lot. This account is suitable for high-volume traders who can benefit from volume tier rebates, but for U.S. residents trading under $50 million a month, the cost remains similar to the Standard account. FOREX.com earns a commendable 4.5 stars for its commission and fee structure and ranks #13 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
On the other hand, Trading 212 focuses on simplicity and accessibility with its CFD and Invest accounts. The CFD account is particularly noted for its zero-commission trading, though this does not eliminate the cost of spreads. In April 2025, the average spread for the EUR/USD pair was reported at 2.7 pips, which is higher than the industry norm, putting Trading 212 at a competitive disadvantage in this area. The CFD account requires a minimum deposit of 10 euros, keeping the entry bar low for new traders. While Trading 212 offers transparency by publishing its spread data, the higher spreads are something potential clients should consider. Trading 212 garners a 4-star rating for commissions and fees, ranking #49 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | €1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 2.7 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 2.7 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When it comes to the range of investments, both FOREX.com and Trading 212 stand out with strong offerings. FOREX.com provides a commendable variety with 5,500 tradeable symbols, including 80 forex pairs available as CFDs or spot contracts. However, it doesn't extend its services to acquiring exchange-traded securities from U.S. or international markets, such as purchasing Apple or Vodafone shares directly. On the other hand, Trading 212 offers a wider selection of 7,868 tradeable symbols with 146 forex pairs, along with the ability to buy U.S. and international exchange-traded securities, providing a broader reach for those interested in diversifying their portfolios with global stocks like Apple or Vodafone.
Both platforms offer cryptocurrency derivatives for those interested in exploring digital assets, though neither allows the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. Despite the absence of copy trading features, both FOREX.com and Trading 212 have received top ratings of five stars for their investment ranges. However, when it comes to overall rankings, FOREX.com edges out with a #7 spot compared to Trading 212's #15, reflecting subtle differences in their offerings despite both being reputable choices for investors.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 7868 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 146 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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 FOREX.com and Trading 212 for their trading platforms and tools, both brokers offer simulated trading with free virtual demo accounts, providing an excellent way for users to practice without risking real money. Both platforms have developed their proprietary trading technologies, but FOREX.com takes the lead with more options. It offers a desktop download for Windows users, which Trading 212 does not. Additionally, FOREX.com supports MetaTrader 4 and 5, popular among experienced traders, while Trading 212 does not support these platforms.
Charting capabilities are another area where FOREX.com stands out, offering significantly more drawing tools—239 compared to Trading 212's 20. Both platforms allow trading directly from charts, but FOREX.com provides a more detailed watchlist experience with 20 columns compared to Trading 212's 5. This may explain ForexBrokers.com's rating of 5 stars for FOREX.com, which ranks 7th out of 63 brokers, whereas Trading 212 has 4 stars and ranks 20th. If having a broad suite of tools matters to you, FOREX.com clearly offers a more comprehensive trading experience.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 54 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 20 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 20 | 5 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When choosing between the mobile trading apps of FOREX.com and Trading 212, both offer seamless experiences for iPhone and Android users. They support essential features such as price alerts, trendline drawing, and the ability to view various time frames on stock or forex charts. One standout feature both platforms provide is watchlist symbol syncing, allowing users to keep their preferences consistent across devices. For traders seeking real-time market insights, both apps support watchlists with up-to-the-minute quotes.
Technical analysis fans might lean towards Trading 212, which offers 104 technical studies for chart analysis compared to the 88 available on FOREX.com. Despite this, FOREX.com takes the lead in overall rankings and user satisfaction. It is rated 5 stars, securing the #3 spot out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. Trading 212, while still a strong choice, garners a 4-star rating and ranks #17. Choosing between these apps ultimately depends on whether you prioritize higher technical study options or overall app performance and rating.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
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 | 88 | 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 market research options between FOREX.com and Trading 212, several key differences stand out. FOREX.com excels with daily market commentary and provides forex news from premier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. It also features robust tools from Trading Central, offering advanced technical analytics not found with Trading 212. Both platforms offer sentiment-based trading tools and economic calendars to keep traders informed about major global events.
However, Trading 212 falls short in delivering the comprehensive research experience that FOREX.com offers. With a research rating of 4.5 stars, FOREX.com ranks #9 out of 63 brokers in the research category according to ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Trading 212 only garners 3.5 stars, placing it at #44. For those seeking in-depth market insights, FOREX.com clearly leads the way, offering traders essential tools to stay ahead in the financial markets.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
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 | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing FOREX.com and Trading 212 in terms of educational resources available to beginners, both platforms provide a wide array of learning materials focused on forex and CFDs, each offering at least ten articles, videos, or webinars to kickstart your trading journey. However, FOREX.com distinguishes itself by hosting monthly online educational webinars, which Trading 212 does not provide. This allows for a unique opportunity to learn in real-time with live experts. Both brokers offer a searchable archive of recorded webinars, making it easy for users to find past sessions and revisit important topics at their convenience.
Moreover, each broker has catered to both novice and seasoned traders by offering ten or more educational videos specifically designed for beginners and advanced traders. They also provide an investor dictionary with over 50 investing terms, ensuring a clear understanding of trading jargon. Based on educational offerings, FOREX.com enjoys a higher rating of 4.5 stars compared to Trading 212's 3.5 stars. Additionally, FOREX.com is ranked #4 out of 63 brokers in the Education category on ForexBrokers.com, while Trading 212 is further down the list at #20, showcasing a significant difference in their perceived educational support.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
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 FOREX.com is better than Trading 212. FOREX.com finished with an overall rank of #5, while Trading 212 finished with an overall rank of #31.
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 |
|
|
| Trust Score | 99 | 80 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both FOREX.com and Trading 212 do not provide the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency; however, they both offer the ability to buy cryptocurrency derivatives instead.
Both FOREX.com and Trading 212 offer multiple options for depositing or withdrawing funds, including ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, but neither provides support for Skrill transactions.
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 | FOREX.com | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FOREX.com | 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 | FOREX.com | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 80 | |
| 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 | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 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 (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | 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 | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | FOREX.com | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 7868 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 146 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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 | FOREX.com | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 2.7 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 2.7 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FOREX.com | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | €1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | FOREX.com | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FOREX.com | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 20 | 5 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 54 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 20 | |
| 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 Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 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 | FOREX.com | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FOREX.com | 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 | FOREX.com | 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 | FOREX.com Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Overall | FOREX.com | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | Trading 212 Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill