Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Plus500 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.
When comparing Plus500 and Trading 212, both online brokers offer unique features that cater to different types of investors. Founded in 2008, Plus500 is a publicly traded company, whereas Trading 212, established in 2004, remains privately held. Neither broker operates as a bank. In terms of regulatory oversight, Plus500 boasts 6 top-tier licenses, which are highly trusted, and 3 second-tier licenses. Trading 212 holds 3 top-tier licenses with no second-tier licenses.
The trust factor is essential when choosing an online broker, and here Plus500 takes a leading position with a perfect Trust Score of 99 out of 99, making it a highly trusted choice according to ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Trading 212 holds a Trust Score of 80, indicating a trusted status but with room for improvement. This comparison highlights Plus500's strong regulatory backing and investor confidence, while Trading 212 offers a solid, albeit less comprehensive, level of trust and regulation.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2004 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
When comparing Plus500 and Trading 212, both brokers offer distinctive approaches to commissions and fees. Plus500's pricing strategy tends to be slightly above the industry average, notably in terms of active trader pricing. Unfortunately, it does not offer discounts to retail clients. However, it does provide cash rebates similar to an active trader program for those who qualify as Professional clients. In April 2024, the average spread for the EUR/USD at Plus500 was 1.5 pips, which is higher than the industry standard. Plus500 has been rated 4.0 stars for commissions and fees and is ranked #25 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
Trading 212, on the other hand, presents a different fee structure with its two account types: Invest and CFD. The focus here is on the CFD account, which requires a minimum deposit of 10 euros. Despite advertising zero-commission trading, Trading 212 still charges a spread on CFDs and forex trades. For increased transparency, it has begun sharing its average spread data, appealing to traders seeking clarity on costs. As of April 2025, the average spread for the EUR/USD pair was 2.7 pips, which is much higher than the industry average, placing Trading 212 at a disadvantage compared to top CFD and forex brokers. Trading 212 has received a 4-star rating for commissions and fees and is ranked #49 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €100 | €1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.5 | 2.7 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.5 | 2.7 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Plus500 and Trading 212 both provide a broad array of investment opportunities, catering to a variety of trading preferences. Plus500 offers over 5,500 tradeable symbols, including 65 forex pairs, and allows users to invest in exchange-traded securities such as Apple shares on U.S. exchanges and Vodafone shares on international markets. The platform permits trading in cryptocurrency derivatives, although it doesn't support buying actual cryptocurrencies. Plus500 is rated 4.5 stars for its range of investments and ranks #24 out of 63 brokers in this category according to ForexBrokers.com.
Trading 212, on the other hand, boasts a more extensive selection with 7,868 tradeable symbols, including 146 forex pairs. Similar to Plus500, Trading 212 enables investment in exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges. While the platform does not provide copy trading or actual cryptocurrency purchases, it does offer trading in cryptocurrency derivatives. Trading 212 is rated 5 stars for its range of investments and holds a higher ranking of #15 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, highlighting its broader selection of tradable instruments.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 7868 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 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) | 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). Non-CFD share trading at Plus500 is only available through the Plus500 Invest account. | 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.
Plus500 and Trading 212 are both popular choices for traders seeking comprehensive online trading platforms. Each broker offers a proprietary platform accessible via web browsers, making it easy for users to trade without needing a desktop download. Both platforms include a virtual demo account, allowing new users to practice trading strategies without financial risk. Plus500 has an edge when it comes to technical capabilities, providing more drawing tools for chart analysis with a total of 36, compared to 20 offered by Trading 212. However, Trading 212 allows users to trade directly from stock charts—a feature not available on Plus500. In terms of watch list customization, Plus500 provides more options with 10 columns (fields) compared to Trading 212's 5.
Neither Plus500 nor Trading 212 supports popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5, nor do they offer services like copy trading or third-party tools such as DupliTrade and ZuluTrade. When comparing their overall ratings, Plus500 ranks slightly higher with 4.5 stars for its trading platforms and tools, placing it 14th out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, while Trading 212 has a 4-star rating, positioned at 20th. This comparison highlights the subtle differences between the two brokers, offering a clear picture of their respective strengths and added features that might appeal to different types of traders.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | 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) | 115 | 54 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 36 | 20 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 5 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both Plus500 and Trading 212 offer impressive mobile trading apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices. Users can enjoy essential features such as stock and forex price alerts, watchlist symbol syncing, and the ability to create watchlists with real-time quotes on both platforms. In terms of technical charting capabilities, Plus500 offers an impressive 115 technical studies compared to Trading 212's 104. Both apps allow for drawing trendlines and viewing multiple time frames on charts, but a notable distinction is that Trading 212's app automatically saves chart drawings, while Plus500's does not.
In terms of user ratings, Plus500 shines with a 4.5-star rating, slightly higher than Trading 212's 4-star rating for mobile trading apps. Plus500 ranks 14th out of 63 brokers as reviewed by ForexBrokers.com in the Mobile Trading Apps category, while Trading 212 ranks 17th. Overall, both apps provide a comprehensive trading experience, but Plus500's higher user rating and broader range of technical studies may appeal to traders interested in more in-depth chart analysis.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
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 | 115 | 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 the market research offerings of Plus500 and Trading 212, one can note some distinct differences. Plus500 provides daily market commentary, which Trading 212 does not, giving its users regular insights into market conditions. On the other hand, Trading 212 excels with forex news from prestigious sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, which Plus500 lacks. Both platforms offer sentiment-based trading tools that help traders understand market positions. However, Plus500 stands out by incorporating technical analysis tools from Trading Central, whereas Trading 212 does not offer comparable features.
Furthermore, both platforms provide an economic calendar to track global economic events, offering traders a comprehensive view of upcoming market influences. Based on ForexBrokers.com's evaluations, Plus500 scores slightly higher with a 4.0-star rating and is ranked 19th out of 63 brokers in research, compared to Trading 212, which has a 3.5-star rating and ranks 44th. These distinctions may guide users in choosing a broker that aligns with their research needs and trading strategies.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing Plus500 and Trading 212 for educational resources tailored for beginners in forex and CFDs, both platforms provide comprehensive educational content with a minimum of 10 pieces such as articles, videos, and archived webinars. Plus500 excels in offering monthly online educational webinars, providing a great opportunity for interactive learning, whereas Trading 212 does not offer this feature. Both platforms have a searchable archive of recorded webinars, making it easy for users to revisit and learn at their own pace.
In terms of video content, both Plus500 and Trading 212 supply at least 10 videos each for beginners and advanced traders willing to deepen their understanding. While Trading 212 stands out with an investor dictionary containing over 50 investing terms, Plus500 does not offer this resource. Despite this, Plus500 boasts a slightly higher education star rating of 4.0 compared to Trading 212’s 3.5. Interestingly, Trading 212 holds a better educational ranking (#20) than Plus500 (#31) according to ForexBrokers.com. Overall, both brokers present valuable educational support to enhance trading knowledge, albeit with slightly different strengths.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
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) | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Plus500 is better than Trading 212. Plus500 finished with an overall rank of #14, while Trading 212 finished with an overall rank of #31.
Plus500 is a trusted global brand that offers an easy-to-use trading platform for online traders, alongside access to a thorough selection of CFDs. Share trading is available, but only via its Plus500 Invest product offering.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 80 |
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Both Plus500 and Trading 212 do not offer the ability to purchase actual cryptocurrency, but they do provide options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers Plus500 and Trading 212, Plus500 supports PayPal, Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires for transactions but lacks ACH or SEPA transfers, whereas Trading 212 offers ACH/SEPA, PayPal, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires, but does not support Skrill.
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 | Plus500 | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Plus500 | Trading 212 | |
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| Regulation | Plus500 | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 80 | |
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2004 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Plus500 | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Plus500 | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Plus500 | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 7868 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 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) | 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). Non-CFD share trading at Plus500 is only available through the Plus500 Invest account. | 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 | Plus500 | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.5 | 2.7 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.5 | 2.7 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Plus500 | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €100 | €1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Plus500 | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | 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 | Plus500 | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 5 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 54 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 36 | 20 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Plus500 | 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 | 115 | 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 | Plus500 | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Plus500 | 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) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Plus500 | 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 | Plus500 Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Overall | Plus500 | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | Trading 212 Review |
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