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. FOREX.com earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #15 out of 36 brokers for this category. Its pricing can be a little higher than the industry average on the Standard account, but the RAW account offers lower spreads with a commission, and active traders may qualify for volume-based rebates. For example, its typical EUR/USD spread on the RAW account has been very low, making it a better fit for traders who want tighter pricing and are okay with commission-based costs.
Trading 212 earns 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #29 out of 36 for commissions and fees. While it advertises zero-commission trading, CFD and forex traders still pay the spread, and that spread can be relatively high. In April 2025, its average EUR/USD spread was 2.7 pips, which is well above the industry average and makes it less competitive on trading costs.
In simple terms, FOREX.com offers more account choices, more transparent pricing, and better overall value for active forex traders, especially those looking for lower spreads. Trading 212 may appeal to beginners drawn to its no-commission message, but its wider spreads can make trading more expensive in practice.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | €1 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | 1.00 | 2.7 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 1.13 | 2.7 |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| 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 give traders access to forex as a CFD or spot contract, plus exchange traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges. Neither broker offers copy trading. Both also let you trade cryptocurrency CFDs, but only Trading 212 supports buying actual crypto assets, while FOREX.com does not. For investors who want a mix of forex, shares, and crypto exposure, both platforms cover the main bases.
Trading 212 offers the wider selection overall, with 13,000 tradeable symbols and 180 forex pairs, compared with FOREX.com’s 7,000 symbols and 55 forex pairs. That said, both brokers earn 5 stars for range of investments, and FOREX.com ranks #6 out of 36 brokers in this category, ahead of Trading 212 at #14. In short, Trading 212 has more choice, while FOREX.com still offers a strong lineup for traders looking for a broad market selection.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7000 | 13000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 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 the edge over Trading 212. FOREX.com offers daily market commentary, forex news from top names like Reuters and Bloomberg, Trading Central tools, a sentiment indicator that shows long and short positioning, and an economic calendar with key global events. Trading 212 also gives traders forex news, a sentiment tool, and an economic calendar, but it does not include daily market commentary or Trading Central research tools.
That gap shows up in the ratings and rankings as well. FOREX.com is rated 5 stars for research and ranks #7 out of 36 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while Trading 212 earns 3.5 stars and ranks #31. In simple terms, both brokers provide some useful market research, but FOREX.com offers a wider set of tools and more helpful day-to-day analysis for traders who want deeper market insight.
| 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.
For beginners looking for trading education, FOREX.com has a clear edge over Trading 212. FOREX.com offers forex and CFDs learning materials, runs online educational client webinars at least once a month, and provides plenty of beginner and advanced videos for traders at different skill levels. This wider mix of learning content helps new traders build basic knowledge and keep learning as they gain experience. By comparison, Trading 212 also offers at least 10 beginner and 10 advanced educational videos, but it does not provide monthly educational webinars, which may matter for beginners who prefer live guidance and structured sessions.
The difference shows up in third-party ratings as well. FOREX.com is rated 5 out of 5 stars for Education and ranks #4 out of 36 brokers in the Education category at ForexBrokers.com, while Trading 212 is rated 3.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #23. In simple terms, both brokers give beginners some useful video learning, but FOREX.com offers a broader range of forex and CFDs education overall, making it the stronger choice for traders who want more support as they start out.
| 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.
FOREX.com offers a wider range of funding options than Trading 212, supporting ACH/SEPA transfers, PayPal, Skrill, and bank wires, while Trading 212 only supports bank wires and does not offer PayPal or 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 | 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) | 7000 | 13000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 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) - Spread-only account | 1.00 | 2.7 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 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 (Deposit/Withdraw) | 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 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| 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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