Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Interactive Brokers 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.
Founded in 1977, Interactive Brokers emerges as a highly trusted name in online brokerage, reflected by its nearly perfect Trust Score of 99 from ForexBrokers.com. Despite not functioning as a bank, the firm distinguishes itself with its publicly traded status and impressive regulatory footing, boasting nine Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses. This extensive regulatory compliance places it in a league favored by investors seeking a reliable and transparent trading platform.
Conversely, Trading 212, established in 2004, holds a Trust Score of 80, positioning it as trusted but not as secure as its competitor. The private company holds three Tier-1 licenses and lacks any Tier-2 licenses, which might be a consideration for those prioritizing regulatory oversight in their brokerage choice. While not a bank, Trading 212 still manages to maintain a presence in the online trading community, appealing to investors with different priorities.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1977 | 2004 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 9 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) and Trading 212 take different paths on pricing. IBKR charges a small commission and shows very tight forex spreads, while Trading 212 advertises zero commission on CFDs but relies on wider spreads. In our ratings, IBKR earns 5 stars for Commissions and Fees and ranks #2 out of 63 brokers, while Trading 212 earns 4 stars and ranks #50 out of 63.
At IBKR, EUR/USD averaged 0.19 pips in Q3 2024, with an effective all‑in cost around 0.59 pips after commission. Forex commissions start at 0.00002 (0.2 bps) of the U.S. dollar trade value per side with a $2 minimum per order ($4 round turn), which equates to roughly 0.40 pips on a $100,000 EUR/USD trade. IBKR aggregates quotes from 17 major dealers and does not mark up spreads; commissions range from $16–$40 per million round turn, with volume discounts that can lower the minimum to $1–$1.50 per order for very high monthly volumes. Note that the $2 per‑side minimum makes smaller trade sizes proportionally pricier.
Trading 212’s CFD and forex pricing hinges on the spread. It has begun publishing average spreads, and for April 2025 the EUR/USD averaged 2.7 pips—well above the industry average and far wider than IBKR’s all‑in cost. While there’s no extra commission on CFDs at Trading 212, the wider spread generally means higher trading costs than IBKR for the same forex trade size. (Trading 212 also offers an Invest account with a €1 minimum and a CFD account with a €10 minimum deposit.)
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | €1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.59 | 2.7 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.65 | 2.7 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Interactive Brokers and Trading 212 both offer a broad range of investments. Each supports forex trading (CFD or spot), plus access to U.S. and international exchange-traded shares. Interactive Brokers lists about 8,500 tradeable symbols versus 7,868 at Trading 212. When it comes to currency markets, Trading 212 offers more choice with 146 forex pairs compared with 90 at Interactive Brokers. For crypto, Interactive Brokers lets you buy actual cryptocurrency as well as crypto derivatives, while Trading 212 limits crypto to derivatives only. Neither platform offers copy trading.
Both brokers earn 5 stars for Range of Investments, yet Interactive Brokers ranks #1 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while Trading 212 ranks #16. In short, pick Interactive Brokers if you want more overall products and the ability to buy real crypto; choose Trading 212 if a larger selection of forex pairs is a priority.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8500 | 7868 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 90 | 146 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | 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.
Interactive Brokers and Trading 212 both provide compelling options for those looking to engage in online trading, with each offering different strengths in terms of their trading platforms and tools. Interactive Brokers offers a robust proprietary platform that supports desktop download for Windows, catering to traders who prefer a more traditional trading setup. Additionally, it provides a web-based platform, and allows users to engage in simulated paper trading, making it a versatile choice for both novice and experienced traders alike. Its offerings in technical charting include 85 drawing tools and extensive customization options for watch lists, boasting 659 fields. These comprehensive features have earned Interactive Brokers an impressive 5-star rating and a top-three ranking for trading platforms and tools by ForexBrokers.com.
In contrast, Trading 212 excels with its user-friendly web-based trading platform, which is also developed in-house. It supports paper trading as well, providing a welcoming environment for beginners to learn without financial risk. While it does not feature a Windows-based desktop application or support for platforms like MetaTrader, Trading 212 simplifies the trading experience. It offers 20 drawing tools for charting and a straightforward watch list setup with five fields. Although it does not support copy trading or integration with third-party software like ZuluTrade or DupliTrade, it still scores a respectable 4 stars and ranks 20th among 63 brokers for its trading platforms and tools. This makes Trading 212 a sound choice for those who prefer a streamlined, browser-based interface.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
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) | No | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 155 | 54 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) [DELETED] | 85 | 20 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 659 | 5 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of Interactive Brokers and Trading 212, both platforms offer compatible apps for iPhone and Android users. Users of these apps can enjoy features such as stock and forex price alerts, watchlist symbol syncing with their online accounts, and the ability to draw trendlines on charts. Interactive Brokers provides access to 97 technical studies, while Trading 212 offers slightly more with 104 studies. Both apps allow traders to switch between multiple time frames on charts, but where Trading 212 has an edge is its feature to auto-save drawings on charts, something Interactive Brokers currently lacks.
Both Interactive Brokers and Trading 212 allow you to create a watchlist with real-time quotes, making monitoring stocks and forex straightforward. Despite Trading 212 offering advanced features like auto-saving chart drawings, Interactive Brokers takes the lead in user satisfaction, earning a five-star rating against Trading 212's four stars. In terms of ranking among mobile trading apps, Interactive Brokers is positioned at a strong #4 out of 63 brokers, showcasing its popularity and reliability, while Trading 212 holds the #17 spot, highlighting it as a solid, albeit less favored choice among traders.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
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 | 97 | 104 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Interactive Brokers vs Trading 212: market research comparison. Interactive Brokers provides daily market commentary and forex news from top-tier outlets like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones. It also includes Trading Central analysis tools, a sentiment gauge, TipRanks insights, Acuity Trading’s Signal Centre, and an economic calendar. Trading 212 offers forex news from leading sources, a sentiment tool, and an economic calendar, but it lacks daily commentary, Trading Central, TipRanks, and Acuity Trading. Neither broker offers Autochartist.
For research depth, Interactive Brokers is rated 5 stars and ranks #3 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while Trading 212 is rated 3.5 stars and ranks #45. If you want daily commentary and a wider set of third‑party research tools, Interactive Brokers stands out. If you only need news headlines, market sentiment, and a calendar, Trading 212 may cover the basics.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
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) | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Interactive Brokers and Trading 212 both give beginners plenty to learn from. Each offers dedicated forex and CFD education with at least 10 pieces, more than 10 beginner videos, and more than 10 advanced videos. Both also provide a searchable archive of past webinars and an investor dictionary covering 50+ terms, making it easier to look up jargon and build skills at your own pace.
The biggest difference is live education: Interactive Brokers runs client webinars at least once a month, while Trading 212 does not. That live touch helps IBKR stand out, earning it 5 out of 5 stars for Education and a #3 ranking out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. By comparison, Trading 212 earns 3.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #21 out of 63. If you value regular live sessions along with deep on-demand content, Interactive Brokers is the stronger pick; if you’re fine learning mostly through videos and archives, Trading 212 still covers the basics well.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
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 Interactive Brokers is better than Trading 212. Interactive Brokers finished with an overall rank of #2, while Trading 212 finished with an overall rank of #31.
Interactive Brokers is a highly trusted multi-asset broker with an extensive offering of tradeable global markets. It delivers competitive fees and high-quality research and education, as well as a modern, institutional-grade trading platform suite.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
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Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 99 | 80 |
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Interactive Brokers allows customers to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency and offers cryptocurrency derivatives, while Trading 212 provides access only to cryptocurrency derivatives but not to actual delivered cryptocurrency.
When comparing Interactive Brokers and Trading 212 for depositing or withdrawing account funds, both offer ACH and SEPA transfers and bank wires, but only Trading 212 provides the convenience of using PayPal, Skrill, Visa, and Mastercard, while Interactive Brokers does not.
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 | Interactive Brokers | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Interactive Brokers Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Interactive Brokers | Trading 212 | |
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| Regulation | Interactive Brokers | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 80 | |
| Year Founded | 1977 | 2004 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 9 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Interactive Brokers | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| 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) | Interactive Brokers | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | Interactive Brokers | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8500 | 7868 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 90 | 146 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | 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 | Interactive Brokers | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.59 | 2.7 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.65 | 2.7 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | No | Yes |
| Funding | Interactive Brokers | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | €1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Interactive Brokers | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Interactive Brokers | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 659 | 5 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 155 | 54 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) [DELETED] | 85 | 20 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Interactive Brokers | 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 | 97 | 104 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Interactive Brokers | 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 | Interactive Brokers | 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 | Interactive Brokers | 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 | Interactive Brokers Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Overall | Interactive Brokers | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Interactive Brokers Review | Trading 212 Review |
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