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 and Trading 212 are both popular choices for online trading, yet they differ significantly in their approach to commissions and fees. Interactive Brokers garners an impressive 5-star rating for its pricing, offering competitive rates with an effective all-in spread of 0.59 pips for the EUR/USD pair. Although average spread data is not always readily available, Interactive Brokers' commission structure boasts starting fees of 0.2 basis points with a $2 minimum per order. For exceptionally active traders, this commission can drop further. The broker's compilation of prices from major interbank dealers ensures reliable pricing, making it a preferred choice for many forex traders. Ranked #2 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for its commission and fees, Interactive Brokers meets the needs of various traders through its varied pricing model.
On the other hand, Trading 212, rated 4 stars, presents itself as a zero-commission broker but charges a spread on CFD and forex trading. For the EUR/USD pair, Trading 212’s average spread is 2.7 pips, which is higher than the industry standard. This makes it less competitive in terms of raw pricing for experienced traders focused on forex and CFD markets. Although it provides transparency by publishing its average spreads, Trading 212 does not quite match the value per trade that Interactive Brokers offers. Consequently, it ranks lower at #49 out of 63 brokers in the commissions and fees category by ForexBrokers.com.
Overall, while Interactive Brokers excels in providing a low-cost trading environment for forex through favorable commission structures and pricing strategies, Trading 212 remains a viable option for those interested in commission-free trading at a more accessible entry level, albeit at higher spreads. Each platform caters to different priorities, making it crucial for traders to consider their trading habits and financial goals when choosing between them.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | €1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.59 | 2.7 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.59 | 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.
When comparing the range of investments available through Interactive Brokers and Trading 212, both platforms offer notable options for diverse trading needs. Interactive Brokers provides access to 8,500 tradeable symbols, while Trading 212 features 7,868. Both brokers support forex trading through CFDs, with Trading 212 offering a wider selection of forex pairs, totaling 146, compared to Interactive Brokers' 90. Additionally, both platforms allow users to trade U.S. and international exchange-traded securities, giving investors the flexibility to buy shares like Apple on NASDAQ and Vodafone on the London Stock Exchange. However, neither Interactive Brokers nor Trading 212 offers copy trading functionalities.
For cryptocurrency enthusiasts, Interactive Brokers allows the purchase of both actual cryptocurrencies and derivatives, whereas Trading 212 focuses solely on cryptocurrency derivatives. Both brokers receive a five-star rating for their range of investments, but their rankings differ significantly; Interactive Brokers claims the top spot in ForexBrokers.com's category ranking, whereas Trading 212 holds the 15th position. Ultimately, the choice between these two brokers might hinge on the user's preference for cryptocurrency offerings or the broader selection of tradeable symbols available with Interactive Brokers.
| 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) | 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.
When comparing market research capabilities, Interactive Brokers stands out against Trading 212 in several areas. Interactive Brokers excels with services such as daily market commentary, access to top-tier forex news, and multiple research tools from reputable sources like Trading Central and TipRanks. Additionally, its market insights are further enhanced with sentiment-based trading tools and resources from Acuity Trading, providing a comprehensive research suite that caters to informed decision-making. In contrast, while Trading 212 offers essential forex news from renowned providers and sentiment analysis tools, it lacks the depth in research tools that its counterpart provides, including the absence of reports from TipRanks and resources from Acuity Trading.
Both brokers offer an economic calendar to keep traders informed about global events impacting financial markets. However, the differences in their research offerings are reflected in their ratings. Interactive Brokers achieves an impressive five-star ranking for research, positioning itself as the number three broker out of 63 in the ForexBrokers.com comparison. Meanwhile, Trading 212 earned a reasonable but lesser 3.5-star rating, landing it at the 44th spot. This distinction highlights Interactive Brokers as the more comprehensive choice for traders valuing extensive and varied market research tools.
| 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 provide a range of educational resources for those eager to dive into forex and CFDs. Both platforms ensure users have access to over ten educational pieces, including articles, videos, and archived webinars focusing on forex and CFDs, making learning straightforward for beginners. While both brokers offer searchable archives of past webinars, only Interactive Brokers provides ongoing monthly webinars, creating more opportunities for live learning sessions.
Additionally, both Interactive Brokers and Trading 212 supply an array of over ten beginner videos, as well as advanced educational content, catering to the varying needs of novice and experienced traders alike. They each offer comprehensive investor dictionaries boasting over 50 investment terms, assisting beginners in familiarizing themselves with trading jargon. However, Interactive Brokers rates higher in educational quality, earning five stars and ranking third among 63 brokers, compared to Trading 212's 3.5-star rating and 20th place ranking. This distinction highlights Interactive Brokers as a more extensive option for educational resources.
| 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
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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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 | No | |
| 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) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| 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 | 0.59 | 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) | 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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