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.
Interactive Brokers, founded in 1977, is a publicly traded online broker; Trading 212, founded in 2004, is privately held. Neither company is a bank. Based on ForexBrokers.com’s Trust Score (out of 99), Interactive Brokers scores 99, which falls in the 90–99 range and is considered highly trusted, while Trading 212 scores 82, in the 80–89 range and considered trusted.
Looking at regulation, Interactive Brokers holds 8 Tier-1 licenses and 2 Tier-2 licenses, indicating extensive oversight by top-tier and trusted regulators. Trading 212 holds 3 Tier-1 licenses and 0 Tier-2 licenses. In general, more Tier-1 licenses can signal broader supervision and may boost confidence in a broker’s safety profile.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1977 | 2004 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
When comparing commissions and fees, Interactive Brokers comes out ahead of Trading 212 for cost-conscious traders, especially in forex. Interactive Brokers charges a low commission-based structure rather than simply widening spreads, and in Q3 2024 its average EUR/USD spread was 0.19 pips, or about 0.59 pips all-in after commission. It also offers lower pricing for very active traders, though its $2 minimum charge per side can make smaller forex trades less efficient. Interactive Brokers earns 5 stars and ranks #1 out of 36 for commissions and fees.
Trading 212 markets its CFD account as zero-commission, but traders still pay the spread, which can add up quickly. In April 2025, Trading 212’s average EUR/USD spread was 2.7 pips, which is much higher than the industry average and less attractive for frequent forex and CFD trading. While the broker’s pricing is simple to understand and it has started publishing average spread data, the overall cost is not as competitive as Interactive Brokers. Trading 212 earns 4 stars and ranks #28 out of 36 for commissions and fees.
In short, Interactive Brokers is the stronger choice for lower trading costs, especially for forex, while Trading 212 may appeal to beginners who want a simple zero-commission message but should watch the wider spreads. If keeping fees low is your top priority, Interactive Brokers is the better pick.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | €1 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | N/A | 2.7 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 0.626 | 2.7 |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Interactive Brokers and Trading 212 both give investors access to a wide mix of markets, including forex, U.S. shares, international shares, and real cryptocurrency. Each broker also offers spot or CFD forex trading, while neither supports copy trading. For people who want to buy listed stocks on major exchanges, both platforms let you purchase real, exchange traded securities rather than just derivatives.
Where they differ is in the size and style of their product lists. Trading 212 offers more total tradeable symbols overall, with 13,000 compared with Interactive Brokers’ 8,500, and it also lists more forex pairs, at 180 versus 100. Trading 212 additionally offers cryptocurrency CFDs, while Interactive Brokers does not. Even so, Interactive Brokers is ranked higher by ForexBrokers.com for range of investments, placing first out of 36 brokers, compared with Trading 212 at 14th, and both receive a 5-star rating for this category.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8500 | 13000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 100 | 180 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | No | 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 give traders a free paper trading account, plus web-based platforms and the ability to place trades directly from a stock chart. Neither broker supports copy trading, MetaTrader 4, or MetaTrader 5. For users who want to test strategies before using real money, both platforms offer a helpful demo-style experience.
Where Interactive Brokers stands out is its proprietary platform and Windows desktop trading software, which Trading 212 does not offer. That added platform choice helps explain why Interactive Brokers earns a 5-star rating for trading platforms and tools and ranks #2 out of 36 brokers, while Trading 212 is rated 4 stars and ranks #19. In simple terms, Trading 212 covers the basics well, but Interactive Brokers gives more options for active traders who want a wider range of tools.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
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) | No | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 155 | 102 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Interactive Brokers and Trading 212 both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, along with stock and forex price alerts and watchlist syncing between the app and online account. Each app also lets users draw trendlines on charts, making both platforms useful for traders who want to follow the markets on the go. For everyday mobile trading needs, the two brokers cover the core features most people look for.
The main differences show up in charting depth and overall app quality. Interactive Brokers offers 155 technical studies in its mobile charting tools, compared with 104 at Trading 212, and it also earns a 5-star Mobile Trading Apps rating from ForexBrokers.com versus Trading 212’s 4 stars. In the same category, Interactive Brokers is ranked #4 out of 36 brokers, while Trading 212 sits at #17. One standout advantage for Trading 212 is that its mobile app auto-saves chart drawings, while Interactive Brokers does not.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
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 | 155 | 104 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing Interactive Brokers vs Trading 212 for market research, Interactive Brokers offers a wider range of tools and deeper research coverage overall. It provides daily market commentary, top-tier forex news from sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, Trading Central research, TipRanks insights, Acuity Trading tools, a sentiment-based trading gauge, and an economic calendar. Trading 212 also includes forex news, sentiment data, and an economic calendar, but it does not offer daily market commentary, Trading Central, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading research.
These differences help explain why Interactive Brokers scores higher for research, with a 5-star rating and a #3 ranking out of 36 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while Trading 212 holds a 3.5-star rating and ranks #31. For traders who want more market insight and research tools, Interactive Brokers is the stronger choice, while Trading 212 covers the basics well but with fewer extras.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
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 | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners looking for learning support, Interactive Brokers has the edge over Trading 212. Interactive Brokers offers forex and CFDs education, monthly online client webinars, and at least 10 beginner videos, along with at least 10 advanced videos for more experienced traders. It is also rated 5 stars for Education and ranks #1 out of 36 brokers in ForexBrokers.com’s Education category. Trading 212 also provides at least 10 beginner videos and at least 10 advanced videos, but it does not offer monthly educational webinars and does not appear to match Interactive Brokers on forex or CFDs learning content. Its Education rating is 3.5 stars, with a ranking of #23 out of 36 brokers.
In simple terms, both brokers give new traders video-based help, but Interactive Brokers offers a wider range of learning tools and more frequent live education. That makes it a stronger choice for beginners who want more guidance on trading basics, forex, and CFDs before getting started.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
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 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 #25.
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
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 82 |
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Among online brokers, Interactive Brokers and Trading 212 both support buying actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but only Trading 212 offers cryptocurrency CFDs, whereas Interactive Brokers does not.
Interactive Brokers and Trading 212 both support bank wire transfers for depositing and withdrawing funds, but Interactive Brokers also offers ACH and SEPA transfers, while neither broker supports PayPal or Skrill, and card funding via Visa or Mastercard is not available from either platform.
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 | 82 | |
| 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 | 82 | |
| 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 | 8 | 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 (FSA 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 CMA 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 | 13000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 100 | 180 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | No | 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) - Spread-only account | N/A | 2.7 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 0.626 | 2.7 | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | No | Yes |
| Funding | Interactive Brokers | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | €1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Interactive Brokers | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Interactive Brokers | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 155 | 102 | |
| 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 Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 155 | 104 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Interactive Brokers | 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 | Interactive Brokers | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Interactive Brokers | 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 | Interactive Brokers Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Overall | Interactive Brokers | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 82 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Interactive Brokers Review | Trading 212 Review |
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