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 |
Comparing commissions and fees, both FXCM and Trading 212 earn 4 out of 5 stars, but FXCM ranks higher for value: FXCM is #17 of 63 brokers in ForexBrokers.com’s Commissions and Fees category, while Trading 212 is #27 of 63. FXCM’s pricing is slightly above the industry average overall, yet its spreads on key forex pairs are generally far lower than Trading 212’s headline “zero-commission” CFD pricing once you account for the spread.
FXCM’s May 2024 time-weighted average spreads on EUR/USD were 0.78 pips for its EU, U.K., and Australia offerings (and 1.38 pips under its St. Vincent and the Grenadines entity). Its commission-based accounts averaged a low 0.28 pips before commissions, with an effective cost closer to about 0.74 pips after adding the commission. Active traders may lower costs further via FXCM’s five-tier rebate program (not available in the U.K. or EU), which pays $5–$25 per million traded if you do at least $10 million in monthly volume; for example, high-volume U.K. clients can see commissions of $2.5 per side with sufficient balance and volume. As with most brokers, expect spreads to widen during rollover or unusual market conditions.
Trading 212’s CFD account advertises zero commission, but you pay the spread. Its newly published average spread data shows EUR/USD at 2.7 pips in April 2025—well above the industry average and meaningfully costlier than FXCM on that pair. While the transparency is welcome, the wider spread leaves Trading 212 at a disadvantage for frequent forex and CFD traders. Ratings and rankings: FXCM — 4/5 stars, #17/63; Trading 212 — 4/5 stars, #27/63 in ForexBrokers.com’s Commissions and Fees category.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | €1 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.9 | 2.7 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 2.7 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
In the FXCM vs Trading 212 comparison for range of investments, both brokers support forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts. The key difference is scale: FXCM offers 440 tradeable symbols with 46 forex pairs, while Trading 212 lists 7,868 symbols and 146 forex pairs. Trading 212 also lets you buy exchange‑traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, whereas FXCM does not. Neither broker lets you buy actual cryptocurrency, but both offer cryptocurrency CFDs.
Feature-wise, FXCM supports copy trading and Trading 212 does not. For Range of Investments, ForexBrokers.com rates FXCM at 3.5/5 stars and ranks it #21 out of 63 brokers, while Trading 212 earns 5/5 stars and ranks #15 out of 63. In short, FXCM may suit traders focused on CFDs, forex, and copy strategies, whereas Trading 212 is better for those who want a very large selection of markets plus access to U.S. and international shares alongside forex and crypto CFDs.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 7868 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 146 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | Yes |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No |
| 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.
FXCM and Trading 212 both check key boxes for beginners and casual traders: each offers a free paper trading demo and a proprietary platform with a web-based interface, plus the ability to place orders directly from charts. FXCM stands out for platform variety, adding a Windows desktop download platform, copy trading, and MetaTrader 4 (MT4) support. Trading 212 does not offer a Windows desktop platform, copy trading, or MT4, and neither broker supports MetaTrader 5 (MT5).
For trading platforms and tools, ForexBrokers.com rates FXCM at 5 stars (ranked #4 of 63 brokers) versus Trading 212 at 4 stars (ranked #19 of 63). In short, choose FXCM if you want MT4, copy trading, or a downloadable desktop platform; pick Trading 212 if a clean, web-first experience with chart trading and a free demo account fits your style.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 54 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Comparing FXCM vs Trading 212 for mobile trading, both brokers offer iPhone and Android apps, along with price alerts to help you track stocks and forex pairs in real time. Each app supports watchlist syncing, so any changes you make on your phone or your online account appear everywhere—handy for staying organized across devices.
For charting, both apps let you draw trendlines and automatically save your annotations. FXCM includes 59 technical studies, while Trading 212 offers 104, giving more options for indicator-based analysis. In overall quality, FXCM is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #16 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps on ForexBrokers.com, edging out Trading 212, which holds 4 stars and ranks #17. In short, Trading 212 packs more indicators, while FXCM scores slightly higher in expert reviews.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
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 | 59 | 104 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
FXCM offers a stronger mix of market research than Trading 212. FXCM is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #11 out of 63 brokers for Research on ForexBrokers.com, while Trading 212 scores 3.5 stars and ranks #32. If in-depth tools and daily insights matter to you, FXCM is the more feature-rich choice; Trading 212 covers the basics well but is lighter on advanced extras.
Feature by feature: FXCM provides daily market commentary (Trading 212 does not). Both brokers deliver forex news from top-tier sources. Neither offers Autochartist. FXCM includes Trading Central tools, whereas Trading 212 does not. Each broker has a sentiment tool showing long/short positioning. FXCM adds TipRanks research; Trading 212 does not. Neither integrates Acuity Trading. Both include an economic calendar for upcoming global events. In short, both platforms supply core news and calendars, but FXCM layers on more research tools for active traders who want deeper analysis.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
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 | Yes | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginner traders comparing FXCM vs Trading 212 on education, both brokers deliver plenty of learning materials. Each offers 10+ beginner video lessons and 10+ advanced videos that explain trading concepts in clear terms—useful if you’re starting out with forex or CFD topics and want to grow into more advanced strategies. FXCM adds live learning with monthly client webinars, giving newcomers a chance to ask questions and learn in real time; Trading 212 does not currently run monthly educational webinars.
Independent ratings reflect these differences: FXCM earns 4.5 out of 5 stars for Education and ranks 13th out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while Trading 212 scores 3.5 stars and ranks 20th. If you want a strong video library plus regular webinars, FXCM is the better fit. If you primarily need on-demand videos, Trading 212 still provides solid beginner coverage.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
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 FXCM is better than Trading 212. FXCM finished with an overall rank of #10, while Trading 212 finished with an overall rank of #25.
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
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Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 80 |
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FXCM vs Trading 212 comparison: both online brokers do not support buying actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but each offers cryptocurrency CFD trading.
Comparing online brokers FXCM and Trading 212 for deposits and withdrawals: both support ACH/SEPA transfers, PayPal, and bank wire options, but only FXCM offers Skrill, while Visa/Mastercard availability for either broker is not specified.
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 (FSA 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. Stocks (Shares) | No | Yes | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No | |
| 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 | FXCM | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.9 | 2.7 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 2.7 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | Yes | |
| Order 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 | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | FXCM | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FXCM | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 54 | |
| 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 Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | 104 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | FXCM | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FXCM | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | FXCM | 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 | 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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