Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FXCM 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.
FXCM, founded in 1999 and listed on a stock exchange, presents itself as a highly trusted choice among online brokers. It boasts a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 95 out of 99, supported by its possession of four Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses. Despite not being a bank, FXCM's regulatory standing and public trading status contribute to its perception as a secure and reliable platform for online trading.
In contrast, Trading 212, established in 2004, is not publicly traded but still secures a trustworthy spot in the market with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 80 out of 99. Although it holds one less Tier-1 license compared to FXCM, with three in total, Trading 212 lacks Tier-2 licenses. Like its counterpart, Trading 212 is not a bank, yet it remains a trusted name due to its solid regulatory framework and market presence.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2004 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
When evaluating FXCM against Trading 212 for their commissions and fees, several key differences emerge, providing traders with various options depending on their trading needs. FXCM's pricing for forex trading tends to be slightly higher than the industry average. Using data from May 2024, FXCM's average spread on the EUR/USD pair for its EU, U.K., and Australia clients was 0.78 pips, while its St. Vincent and the Grenadines entity offered a higher average spread of 1.38 pips. Notably, FXCM provides a commission-based account with an average spread of 0.28 pips, although traders must consider an effective spread closer to 0.74 pips when accounting for a round-turn commission equivalent. FXCM also offers an Active Trader Rebate Program in certain regions, with rebates from $5 to $25 per million traded, influenced by trading volume and tier levels.
On the other hand, Trading 212 offers two main accounts, the Invest account and the CFD account. For this comparison, we focus on the CFD account, which requires a minimum deposit of 10 euros. Trading 212 promotes a zero-commission structure but imposes a spread when trading CFDs and forex. In April 2025, the average spread on the EUR/USD pair for Trading 212 was 2.7 pips, which significantly exceeds the industry average, positioning Trading 212 less favorably against other top CFD and forex brokers in terms of pricing.
Both FXCM and Trading 212 receive similar ratings of four out of five stars in the commissions and fees category. However, FXCM is ranked higher, sitting at #24 out of 63 brokers per ForexBrokers.com, compared to Trading 212's position at #49. This indicates that while both brokers offer competitive pricing structures, FXCM is generally regarded as offering better value in this category.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | €1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.78 | 2.7 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.78 | 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 FXCM and Trading 212, both brokers offer forex trading through CFDs, but the range of available investments vastly differs. FXCM provides access to 440 tradeable symbols, including 43 forex pairs, making it a solid choice for forex enthusiasts. On the other hand, Trading 212 boasts a significant edge with 7,868 tradeable symbols and 146 forex pairs, giving traders a wider selection. However, while FXCM supports copy trading, Trading 212 does not currently offer this feature, catering differently to traders looking to leverage community-based insights.
For those interested in exchange-traded securities, Trading 212 allows clients to invest directly in shares on both U.S. and international exchanges, such as Apple and Vodafone, enhancing its appeal. In contrast, FXCM focuses more on derivatives and doesn't enable direct stock purchases. Both platforms offer cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither allows for the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. In terms of ratings, FXCM scores 3.5 stars, while Trading 212 shines with a full 5-star rating for their range of investments, claiming the 15th spot among 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com—an indicator of its comprehensive offerings compared to FXCM's 47th position.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 7868 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 43 | 146 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | 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 FXCM and Trading 212 for their trading platforms and tools, both brokers offer a range of features that cater to different trader needs. FXCM stands out with its proprietary platform available for Windows desktop download and a web-based platform. It supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and offers unique tools like ZuluTrade for copy trading. FXCM accounts include a virtual demo option for simulated trading, providing an excellent opportunity for beginners to practice. On the charting front, FXCM provides 10 drawing tools, and its watch lists are highly customizable with up to 13 available columns, contributing to its perfect five-star rating for Trading Platforms and Tools.
Trading 212, on the other hand, also impressed with its user-friendly proprietary web-based platform and a virtual demo account for practice trading. Unlike FXCM, Trading 212 doesn't support MetaTrader platforms or copy trading features such as ZuluTrade. However, it compensates with more extensive charting options, offering 20 drawing tools. Despite having fewer customizable watch list columns (5), Trading 212 maintains a strong four-star rating. Ranked #20 by ForexBrokers.com in the Trading Platforms and Tools category, Trading 212 provides a solid choice for traders seeking straightforward platform functionality without the advanced features that FXCM offers, which places it at #6 in the same category.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 54 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 10 | 20 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 13 | 5 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
FXCM and Trading 212 both provide mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android users, supporting stock and forex traders on the go. Both platforms allow users to receive price alerts and sync watchlists across devices, ensuring seamless transitions between mobile and web experiences. They also offer the ability to draw trendlines and view charts in multiple time frames, with the convenience of auto-saving your work. However, when it comes to technical studies, Trading 212 takes the lead with 104 options compared to FXCM’s 59.
For those who like to keep an eye on real-time market quotes, both apps support creating watchlists. In terms of user ratings, FXCM scores slightly higher with 4.5 stars versus Trading 212’s 4 stars. According to rankings by ForexBrokers.com, FXCM secures the 16th spot among 63 brokers for mobile trading, while Trading 212 follows closely at 17th place. Whether you choose FXCM or Trading 212, you’ll find a capable app to handle your trading on the move.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
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 | 59 | 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 FXCM and Trading 212 in terms of market research offerings, there are several key differences to note. FXCM stands out with its daily market commentary and comprehensive news coverage from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. In contrast, Trading 212 offers news from similar prestigious sources but lacks the daily commentary component. FXCM provides advanced technical analysis tools through Trading Central and also integrates sentiment-based trading insights, both of which remain absent in Trading 212's offering. Moreover, FXCM supports market research via TipRanks, while Trading 212 does not, although both brokers share access to an economic calendar showcasing global news events.
From a ratings perspective, FXCM outshines Trading 212, earning a research rating of 4.5 stars compared to Trading 212's 3.5 stars. Reflecting these capabilities, FXCM ranks at #11 out of 63 brokers evaluated by ForexBrokers.com in the Research category, significantly outperforming Trading 212, which holds the #44 spot. This comprehensive market insight makes FXCM a compelling choice for traders seeking deeper research functionalities and market analysis tools.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
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 | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing FXCM and Trading 212 for educational resources aimed at beginners, both online brokers offer more than 10 educational pieces, including articles, videos, and archived webinars, focused on forex and CFDs. This makes them valuable resources for new traders. FXCM stands out by providing monthly online webinars that clients can attend to gain real-time insights, a feature that Trading 212 does not offer. Both brokers, however, maintain searchable archives of past webinars, making it simple for learners to access a wealth of information at their convenience.
FXCM and Trading 212 each offer over 10 educational videos tailored for both beginner and advanced traders. These videos provide detailed explanations to help users at different stages of their trading journey. Additionally, both platforms feature investor dictionaries with definitions of more than 50 investing terms, useful for those looking to build a solid foundation in trading terminology. Despite the similarities, FXCM earns a higher education rating of 4.5 stars compared to Trading 212's 3.5 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, FXCM ranks 14th out of 63 brokers for education, placing it ahead of Trading 212, which ranks 20th.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
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 FXCM is better than Trading 212. FXCM finished with an overall rank of #15, while Trading 212 finished with an overall rank of #31.
For traders who appreciate advanced trading tools and quality market research, FXCM is a winner, especially for algorithmic trading. Its range of tradeable markets is fairly narrow, however, and the pricing at FXCM is just average.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 95 | 80 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both FXCM and Trading 212 do not provide the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrencies, but they do offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both FXCM and Trading 212 support ACH, SEPA, PayPal, and bank wire transactions for deposits and withdrawals, with FXCM also offering Skrill, a service not available on Trading 212, while both platforms accept Visa and Mastercard.
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 | FXCM | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 95 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FXCM | 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 | FXCM | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 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 | 4 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FXCM | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | 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) | FXCM | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | FXCM | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 7868 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 43 | 146 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | 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 | FXCM | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.78 | 2.7 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.78 | 2.7 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FXCM | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | €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 | FXCM | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Trading Tools | FXCM | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 13 | 5 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 54 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 10 | 20 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FXCM | 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 | 59 | 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 | FXCM | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FXCM | 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 | FXCM | 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 | FXCM Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Overall | FXCM | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 95 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | Trading 212 Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill