Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Trading 212 vs LegacyFX, 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.
Trading 212 and LegacyFX are two notable names in the online brokerage landscape. Established in 2004, Trading 212 has built a foundation earning a trust score of 80, falling into the trusted category. LegacyFX, founded in 2012, carries a trust score of 67, indicating a high risk according to ForexBrokers.com. Although neither broker is publicly traded or operates as a bank, they differ in regulatory standing. Trading 212 holds an impressive three Tier-1 licenses, signifying a higher level of trust and safety, while LegacyFX has just one Tier-1 license.
With no Tier-2 licenses for either broker, it's important for potential investors to consider these ratings and licenses as indicators of reliability. Tier-1 licenses generally offer high assurance to investors due to their stringent requirements. The higher number of Tier-1 licenses gives Trading 212 an edge in terms of regulatory strength compared to LegacyFX. Thus, understanding these differences can assist users in making a more informed choice when selecting a broker to trust with their investment needs.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
LegacyFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2004 | 2012 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
When comparing commissions and fees of online brokers, Trading 212 and LegacyFX present distinct structures. Trading 212 offers zero-commission trades but charges a spread for CFD and forex trades. Although they have started publishing their average spreads as part of their transparency efforts, the EUR/USD pair's average spread of 2.7 pips in April 2025 is above the industry average. Consequently, this positions Trading 212 at a disadvantage relative to leading brokers in the field. With a 4-star rating for commissions and fees, Trading 212 ranks #49 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
LegacyFX, regulated by CySEC and offering both EU and international entities, doesn't provide average spread data, making it harder to gauge its true trading costs. In the EU, it features three accounts—Silver, Gold, and Platinum—with minimum deposits ranging from $500 to $25,000, with spreads lowest on Platinum. For international clients in Vanuatu, LegacyFX offers seven account tiers, starting from Standard at $500 to VIP at $50,000. Higher-tier accounts offer enhanced client support and tools. However, LegacyFX’s unattractive spread options earn it a 3.5-star rating and a #57 ranking for commissions and fees by ForexBrokers.com.
Ultimately, both Trading 212 and LegacyFX display varied cost structures, appealing to different trader needs. Trading 212’s no-commission policy is offset by higher-than-average spreads, while LegacyFX offers diverse account types with significant spread costs, especially in lower tiers. Both brokers have room for improvement in transparency and cost efficiency to better serve their clients.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
LegacyFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €1 | $500 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 2.7 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 2.7 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Trading 212 and LegacyFX both offer forex trading as CFDs, yet when it comes to the variety of investment options available, there are notable differences between the two platforms. Trading 212 stands out with an impressive 7,868 tradeable symbols, significantly overshadowing LegacyFX's 425 symbols. This wide selection extends to their forex offerings, where Trading 212 provides access to 146 tradeable forex pairs compared to LegacyFX's 44 pairs. Additionally, Trading 212 allows clients to invest in exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, providing opportunities to purchase renowned shares such as Apple and Vodafone, something that LegacyFX does not offer.
On the other hand, LegacyFX caters to those interested in copy trading, a feature not available with Trading 212. Both platforms enable users to trade cryptocurrency derivatives but lack the option to purchase actual cryptocurrencies. In terms of ratings, Trading 212 boasts an impressive five-star review for its range of investments, ranking 15th out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. LegacyFX, while offering fewer investment choices, garners a respectable 3.5-star rating and ranks 48th. This comparison shows that Trading 212 provides a more extensive range of investment opportunities, making it a strong choice for diversified trading.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
LegacyFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7868 | 425 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 146 | 44 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| 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 Trading 212 and LegacyFX, both offer virtual demo accounts for practice before committing real funds. Trading 212 comes with a unique in-house platform that supports web-based trading, but it lacks a Windows-based desktop download option. LegacyFX, on the other hand, does not have its own proprietary platform but provides a Windows-based desktop download option as well as a web-based platform. While Trading 212 doesn’t support popular tools like MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5, LegacyFX does offer MT5, alongside a copy trading option, which Trading 212 does not provide. Both platforms allow trades directly from stock charts, making the actual trading experience seamless for users.
When it comes to charting tools, Trading 212 leads with 20 available drawing tools compared to LegacyFX's 15. However, LegacyFX provides more fields for watch lists, offering seven columns compared to Trading 212’s five. Trading 212 has earned a slightly higher rating of four stars out of five for its trading platforms and tools, compared to LegacyFX's 3.5 stars. Additionally, Trading 212 ranks higher at #20 out of 63 brokers in this category on ForexBrokers.com, in contrast to LegacyFX, which sits at #60. These distinctions suggest that Trading 212 may be favored by those who prefer a streamlined, online-focused platform, while LegacyFX caters to traders who appreciate more traditional desktop access and advanced tools.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
LegacyFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 54 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When choosing between the mobile trading apps of Trading 212 and LegacyFX, both options are available on iPhone and Android, providing traders with the flexibility to manage their investments on the go. Both apps enable stock and forex price alerts, ensuring that users can stay informed of market changes in real time. Additionally, both Trading 212 and LegacyFX offer the ability to draw trendlines and access multiple time frames on charts, enhancing the overall trading experience. However, a distinct advantage of Trading 212 is its watchlist symbol syncing feature, which allows changes to be mirrored instantly between the mobile app and the user's online account—a feature that LegacyFX does not offer.
Trading 212 also excels in its charting capabilities with a vast selection of 104 technical studies, compared to the 30 offered by LegacyFX. Auto-saving of chart drawings and real-time quote watchlists are standard features across both platforms, providing convenience and speed when analyzing market movements. In terms of overall ratings, Trading 212 holds a solid 4-star rating, placing it at number 17 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, LegacyFX receives a 3.5-star rating and ranks 61st, indicating room for improvement in the overall user experience. Whether prioritizing advanced charting features or seamless app integration, users will find both strengths and areas for consideration when comparing these two mobile trading solutions.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
LegacyFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 104 | 30 |
| 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.
When comparing Trading 212 with LegacyFX in the realm of market research, each platform brings its own strengths to the table. Trading 212 provides robust forex news from leading sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring users stay updated with critical market developments. A valuable sentiment-based trading tool is also available, offering insights into the long and short positions across various instruments. Additionally, Trading 212 features an economic calendar to track global economic events, but lacks daily market commentary and tools from Autochartist and Trading Central, which might limit the depth of analysis for some users.
On the other hand, LegacyFX excels in delivering daily market commentary and offers technical analysis tools from Autochartist, which can be a boon for traders seeking deeper market insights. Similar to Trading 212, LegacyFX also provides forex news from top-tier sources and an economic calendar, but it does not offer a sentiment-based trading tool. Both platforms score similarly in research ratings, with a 3.5-star rating, and are closely ranked, with Trading 212 slightly ahead. Ultimately, the choice between Trading 212 and LegacyFX will depend on the specific market research tools and commentary each trader values most.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
LegacyFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources tailored for beginners, both Trading 212 and LegacyFX offer a solid array of options. Each provides a minimum of 10 educational materials, such as articles and videos, focusing on forex or CFD trading. Both platforms also have a searchable archive of recorded client webinars, allowing users to access past sessions at their convenience. For newcomers eager to learn the ropes, both brokers have curated over 10 beginner-focused video tutorials. They extend their educational reach to accommodate more seasoned traders, offering 10 advanced trading videos as well. Additionally, each platform provides an investor dictionary with over 50 key investment terms, making it easy for traders to familiarize themselves with essential vocabulary.
Despite these similarities, there are some differences in their offerings. LegacyFX hosts live educational webinars at least once a month, providing real-time learning opportunities that Trading 212 currently does not. In terms of educational star ratings, both brokers score 3.5 out of 5. However, according to ForexBrokers.com rankings, Trading 212 secures a higher spot at #20 compared to LegacyFX's #35 in the education category. This suggests that while both brokers have valuable educational resources, Trading 212 might offer a slightly more comprehensive learning experience for traders, despite lacking live monthly webinars.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
LegacyFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | No | Yes |
| 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 Trading 212 is better than LegacyFX. Trading 212 finished with an overall rank of #31, while LegacyFX finished with an overall rank of #63.
Best known for its mobile trading app, Trading 212 offers an easy-to-use trading platform suite for CFD and share trading, as well as a large variety of forex pairs. However, despite its well-designed platform and wide range of symbols, its lack of advanced trading tools and flat research offerings hamper Trading 212’s bid to be considered a top broker.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
LegacyFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 80 | 67 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Neither Trading 212 nor LegacyFX offers the ability to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency, but both platforms provide options to buy cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing Trading 212 and LegacyFX for fund deposit and withdrawal options, Trading 212 supports ACH, SEPA, PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, but not Skrill, whereas LegacyFX offers Visa, Mastercard, bank wires, and Skrill, without ACH, SEPA, or PayPal support.
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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | Trading 212 | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 80 | 67 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Trading 212 Review | LegacyFX Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Trading 212 | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Regulation | Trading 212 | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 80 | 67 | |
| Year Founded | 2004 | 2012 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Trading 212 | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| 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) | Trading 212 | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Trading 212 | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7868 | 425 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 146 | 44 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| 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 | Trading 212 | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 2.7 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 2.7 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Trading 212 | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €1 | $500 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Trading 212 | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Trading 212 | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 54 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Trading 212 | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 104 | 30 | |
| 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 | Trading 212 | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Trading 212 | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | Yes | |
| 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 | Trading 212 | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Trading 212 Review | LegacyFX Review |
| Overall | Trading 212 | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 80 | 67 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Trading 212 Review | LegacyFX Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill