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 |
Both FXCM and Trading 212 earn 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees, but FXCM ranks higher in this category (#25 of 63) than Trading 212 (#50 of 63). In simple terms, FXCM’s pricing is closer to the industry norm, while Trading 212’s spreads on key forex pairs like EUR/USD tend to be higher.
FXCM’s standard account spreads on EUR/USD averaged 0.78 pips in May 2024 for its EU, U.K., and Australia entities, and 1.38 pips for its St. Vincent and the Grenadines entity. Its commission-based accounts averaged 0.28 pips before commissions, with an effective spread around 0.74 pips once the commission-equivalent is included. FXCM also offers an Active Trader Rebate Program (not available in the U.K. or EU) that pays $5–$25 per million traded, with discounts tied to monthly volume. As an example, a U.K. account with a $25,000 balance and $50 million in monthly volume sees commissions drop to $2.50 per side ($5 round-turn), bringing the effective EUR/USD spread to about 0.78 pips. As with most brokers, spreads can widen during rollover or volatile markets.
Trading 212 promotes zero-commission CFD and forex trading, but your cost is the spread. For April 2025, its average EUR/USD spread was 2.7 pips—well above the industry average and less competitive than top CFD and forex brokers. Trading 212 has improved transparency by publishing average spreads. It offers two accounts: Invest (shares) with a €1 minimum and CFD with a €10 minimum; this comparison centers on the CFD account where spreads are the main cost.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | €1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.9 | 2.7 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 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.
FXCM vs Trading 212: when it comes to the range of investments, Trading 212 offers far more choice. Trading 212 lists 7,868 tradeable symbols and 146 forex pairs, while FXCM offers 440 symbols and 46 forex pairs. Both support forex trading via CFDs/spot. A big difference is share dealing: Trading 212 lets you buy real exchange‑traded stocks on U.S. and international markets (think Apple or Vodafone), while FXCM does not.
Both brokers let you trade cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither lets you buy actual coins. FXCM supports copy trading; Trading 212 does not. Reflecting the broader lineup, ForexBrokers.com rates Trading 212 at 5 stars for Range of Investments (ranked #16 of 63), compared with FXCM’s 3.5 stars (ranked #48). If you want the largest selection of stocks and forex pairs, Trading 212 stands out; if copy trading matters more, FXCM may fit better.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 7868 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 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.
Comparing market research at FXCM vs Trading 212: FXCM offers daily market commentary, while Trading 212 does not. Both brokers stream forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, include an economic calendar, and provide a sentiment tool that shows the long/short ratio. Neither platform integrates Autochartist or Acuity Trading. FXCM adds Trading Central for technical and fundamental analysis and includes TipRanks research, whereas Trading 212 lacks both.
For overall research quality, FXCM earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #11 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. Trading 212 scores 3.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #45. In short, FXCM is better suited if you want deeper built-in research and analysis, while Trading 212 covers the basics with news, calendar, and sentiment data.
| 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.
FXCM and Trading 212 both deliver beginner-friendly education on forex and CFDs, meeting the bar of at least 10 learning pieces each. Both brokers provide 10+ beginner videos, 10+ advanced videos, and a searchable archive of recorded webinars, plus a large investing dictionary with 50+ terms. The key difference is live learning: FXCM runs client webinars at least once a month, while Trading 212 does not host ongoing live webinars.
Ratings reflect that gap. FXCM earns 4.5 out of 5 stars for Education and ranks #14 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. Trading 212 scores 3.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #21. For beginners who value live Q&A and guided sessions, FXCM has the edge. If you prefer on-demand videos and a handy glossary without live events, both platforms cover the basics well.
| 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 |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 80 |
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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.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | FXCM | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FXCM | Trading 212 | |
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| 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) | |||
| 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) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | FXCM | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 7868 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 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 | 0.9 | 2.7 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 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 | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | Trading 212 Review |
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