Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Swissquote 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.
Swissquote and Trading 212 are two notable players in the online brokerage world, each with its own features and regulatory standings that are important to note for potential users. Swissquote, established in 1996, stands out with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99, marking it as a highly trusted broker. The company is publicly traded and operates as a bank, securing five Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses, further cementing its solid regulatory framework. On the other hand, Trading 212, founded in 2004, has a Trust Score of 80, which places it in the 'trusted' category. Unlike Swissquote, Trading 212 is not publicly listed nor operates as a bank. It holds three Tier-1 licenses but does not have any Tier-2 licenses.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1996 | 2004 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
When it comes to commissions and fees, Trading 212 and Swissquote take different paths. Trading 212 advertises zero-commission trading on its CFD account, but you still pay the spread. Swissquote’s pricing varies by region and account type, and its costs generally sit above the cheapest brokers. Based on ForexBrokers.com, Trading 212 earns 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #50 of 63 for Commissions and Fees, while Swissquote earns 3.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #54 of 63.
Swissquote’s fees depend on which entity you use. In the U.K., active traders who deposit at least $10,000 may find the Elite account appealing, with lower spreads plus a $5 commission per round-turn trade; Standard starts at 1.3 pips on EUR/USD and Prime advertises a 0.6-pip minimum (note that minimums are not averages). In Luxembourg, minimum spreads run from 1.5 pips (Standard, $1,000 minimum) to 0.8 pips (Prime, $50,000). In Switzerland, forex accounts start at 1.7 pips (Standard, $1,000), 1.4 pips (Premium, $10,000), and 1.1 pips (Prime, $50,000). Overall, Swissquote charges a slight premium tied to its banking pedigree, and its pricing isn’t built to undercut the lowest-cost forex and CFD brokers.
Trading 212 offers two accounts: Invest (shares, 1 euro minimum deposit) and CFD (10 euro minimum). Despite the “zero-commission” label, your main cost on CFDs and forex is the spread. For April 2025, Trading 212’s published average spread on EUR/USD was 2.7 pips, which is higher than the industry average and above the tighter pricing you might access with Swissquote’s top-tier accounts. In practice, that means Trading 212 is easy to start with and simple on fees structure, while Swissquote can be more competitive for larger, active traders who qualify for its lower-spread, commission-based tiers.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1000 | €1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | 2.7 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 2.7 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | 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.
Comparing the range of investments, both Swissquote and Trading 212 earn 5 stars, yet their lineups differ in size and features. Trading 212 lists 7,868 tradeable symbols and 146 forex pairs, compared with Swissquote’s 472 symbols and 80 forex pairs. Both let you trade forex as CFDs or spot, and both provide access to exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges (think Apple on NASDAQ and Vodafone in London). In ForexBrokers.com’s Range of Investments rankings, Swissquote places #2 out of 63 brokers, while Trading 212 ranks #16.
Feature-wise, Swissquote includes copy trading and supports buying actual cryptocurrency, while Trading 212 does not offer copy trading or direct crypto purchases. Both brokers offer cryptocurrency derivatives. Bottom line: choose Swissquote if you want copy trading and direct crypto ownership in one place; pick Trading 212 if you prioritize a larger catalog of symbols and currency pairs.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 472 | 7868 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 146 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | 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.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools of Swissquote and Trading 212, both brokerages offer strong options for traders but with distinct differences. Swissquote excels with its in-house developed platform available for Windows desktop users, offering comprehensive features like copy trading and full support for MetaTrader 4 and 5. In contrast, Trading 212 also boasts a proprietary platform but is limited to web-based access. It does not support MetaTrader versions, nor does it offer copy trading. Both platforms provide web-based trading and simulated accounts for practicing risk-free strategies.
Swissquote impresses with 75 drawing tools for charting, more than triple what Trading 212 offers, and has a broader watch list capability with 11 customizable columns versus Trading 212's 5. Both platforms enable direct trading from stock charts, but Swissquote’s advanced toolset and additional software options place it higher in evaluations. Rated 4.5 stars and ranked 12th by ForexBrokers.com, Swissquote surpasses Trading 212, which is rated 4 stars and ranked 20th, highlighting nuanced differences that could sway traders depending on their specific platform and tool preferences.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 86 | 54 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 75 | 20 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 5 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Swissquote and Trading 212 both offer mobile apps for iPhone and Android users, ensuring accessibility for traders on the go. Both apps allow users to set price alerts for stocks and forex, a handy feature for active traders. While Swissquote provides 30 technical studies for chart analysis, Trading 212 offers a more extensive selection with 104 studies, appealing to those who favor detailed technical analysis. However, Swissquote and Trading 212 both support drawing trendlines and viewing multiple time frames on their charts, and these drawings are saved automatically, so you don't have to worry about redoing them each time.
A key differentiator is the syncing feature for watchlists. Trading 212 allows users to enjoy seamless integration between the mobile app and online accounts, syncing any changes in real time. Swissquote, however, does not offer this syncing feature. In terms of real-time watchlist creation, both apps are equally capable. User ratings can be an important consideration for potential adopters. Swissquote's app is rated at 4.5 stars, just slightly above Trading 212's rating of 4 stars. Additionally, Swissquote is ranked #12 for mobile trading apps by ForexBrokers.com, outperforming Trading 212, which holds the #17 spot. These insights can help traders choose the app that best meets their needs.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 104 |
| 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.
Comparing market research at Swissquote and Trading 212, Swissquote takes a clear lead. It earns 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #16 out of 63 brokers for Research on ForexBrokers.com, while Trading 212 holds 3.5 stars and ranks #45. Both brokers provide forex news from top-tier sources (such as Bloomberg/Reuters/Dow Jones) and include an economic calendar for global events.
The key differences come down to tools and daily insights. Swissquote publishes daily market commentary and offers Autochartist for technical and fundamental ideas—features Trading 212 does not provide. Neither broker includes Trading Central, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading tools. If you want a sentiment-based gauge showing long/short positioning, Trading 212 has it, whereas Swissquote does not. Choose Swissquote for daily analysis and Autochartist, or Trading 212 if trader sentiment is a priority.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Swissquote vs Trading 212: both give beginner traders plenty of education on forex and CFDs, easily meeting the 10+ piece mark through articles, videos, and archived webinars. Each broker offers at least 10 beginner-friendly video lessons, plus advanced videos for later. You’ll also find a searchable archive of past webinars at both, along with an investor dictionary covering 50+ trading terms to simplify the jargon.
Where they differ is live learning. Swissquote runs educational client webinars at least once a month, while Trading 212 does not offer regular live webinars. According to ForexBrokers.com, Swissquote earns 4 stars for Education and ranks #20 out of 63 brokers, while Trading 212 scores 3.5 stars and ranks #21. If live sessions matter to you, Swissquote has the edge; for self-paced videos and a clear glossary, both are strong picks for beginners.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
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 Swissquote is better than Trading 212. Swissquote finished with an overall rank of #11, while Trading 212 finished with an overall rank of #31.
Traders choose Swissquote for its quality research and vast multi-asset offering – as long as they are willing to pay a premium to have their brokerage account held with a Swiss bank.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 80 |
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Swissquote allows users to purchase actual cryptocurrencies and offers cryptocurrency derivatives, whereas Trading 212 specializes only in cryptocurrency derivatives, without the option for buying actual cryptocurrencies.
Both Swissquote and Trading 212 provide options for ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires for depositing or withdrawing account funds, with the key difference being that Swissquote also supports Skrill, whereas Trading 212 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 | Swissquote | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Swissquote Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Swissquote | Trading 212 | |
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| Regulation | Swissquote | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 80 | |
| Year Founded | 1996 | 2004 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Swissquote | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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) | Swissquote | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | Swissquote | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 472 | 7868 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 146 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | 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 | Swissquote | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | 2.7 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 2.7 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Swissquote | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1000 | €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 | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Swissquote | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Swissquote | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 5 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 86 | 54 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 75 | 20 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Swissquote | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 104 | |
| 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 | Swissquote | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Swissquote | 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 | Swissquote | 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 | Swissquote Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Overall | Swissquote | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Swissquote Review | Trading 212 Review |
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