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 comparing Swissquote and Trading 212 for their commissions and fees, each platform brings its unique offerings to the table. Swissquote, linked with the prestige of a Swiss banking giant, offers a variety of accounts across its U.K., Switzerland, and Luxembourg entities. Swissquote’s U.K. branch provides its most economical trading options, with the Elite account offering competitive spreads for active traders who can deposit $10,000. However, standard account spreads are higher at both the U.K. and Luxembourg branches, starting at 1.3 and 1.5 pips respectively, which isn't ideal for those seeking cost-effective trading. Swissquote earns a 3.5-star rating for its commissions and fees, ranking 53rd out of 63 brokers as reviewed by ForexBrokers.com.
On the other hand, Trading 212 offers a more straightforward fee structure with its zero-commission setup for its Invest and CFD accounts, though spreads still apply. Despite claiming zero commissions, the spreads for Trading 212’s CFD account, notably 2.7 pips on the EUR/USD pair, sit above the industry average. This can be a downside for cost-conscious traders seeking the top forex and CFD brokers within this financial bracket. Yet, for its transparent approach and competitive entry-level requirements, Trading 212 has received a 4-star rating and ranks slightly higher than Swissquote at 49th out of 63 brokers, according to ForexBrokers.com.
Ultimately, while Swissquote offers the appeal of a Swiss financial institution, its trading costs may not be its strongest asset. In contrast, Trading 212 attracts with its zero-commission stance, although its higher than average spreads might offset some of the advantages. Both brokers have their pros and cons, so the choice may depend largely on which financial features align best with your trading needs.
| 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.
When considering online broker options, Swissquote and Trading 212 both provide comprehensive investment opportunities, but they cater to different trading needs. Trading 212 boasts an impressive selection with 7,868 tradeable symbols including 146 forex pairs, making it an excellent option for traders seeking significant variety. Meanwhile, Swissquote offers a more concentrated range with 472 tradeable symbols and 80 forex pairs. Both platforms allow trading of forex as CFDs or spot contracts and provide access to U.S. and international exchange-traded securities, enabling investors to purchase shares in companies like Apple and Vodafone.
Unique features set these brokers apart. Swissquote supports copy trading, a valuable tool for investors looking to mirror experienced traders’ strategies, whereas Trading 212 does not offer this service. For cryptocurrency enthusiasts, Swissquote facilitates the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies and derivatives, whereas Trading 212 limits clients to trading cryptocurrency derivatives. Both brokers are highly rated with five stars for their range of investments, but Swissquote ranks #2 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, compared to Trading 212's #15 position, indicating Swissquote's strong standing in the industry.
| 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.
When comparing the market research offerings of online brokers Swissquote and Trading 212, several distinctions emerge that cater to different trader preferences. Swissquote stands out by offering daily market commentary and exceptional forex news from renowned sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. This gives their users a detailed perspective on market movements. Swissquote also integrates tools from Autochartist, enhancing users' ability to execute thorough technical analysis. However, Swissquote lacks a sentiment-based trading tool. In contrast, Trading 212 does provide this sentiment feature, offering insights into market trends with data on long and short positions across currency pairs. Both platforms offer economic calendars, ensuring traders stay updated on global news events, though Swissquote's broader array of resources has earned it a higher research rating overall.
Despite Swissquote receiving a higher rating of four out of five stars for research, compared to Trading 212's 3.5 stars, both platforms maintain reputable forex news services. Swissquote's comprehensive suite earned it the 16th spot in ForexBrokers.com's research category rankings out of 63 brokers, while Trading 212 ranks 44th. Neither broker utilizes services from companies like Trading Central, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading, which may motivate users to look elsewhere for those specific tools. Ultimately, Swissquote offers a more extensive selection of research tools, providing a richer resource for traders who prioritize in-depth market commentary and technical analysis.
| 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.
When comparing Swissquote and Trading 212, both online brokers provide a variety of educational resources aimed at facilitating learning for beginners interested in forex and CFDs. Both platforms meet the basic educational criteria by offering at least ten educational pieces such as articles, videos, or archived webinars focused on these topics. Moreover, they furnish an array of beginner and advanced videos designed to guide investors through various trading strategies. Adding further value, both Swissquote and Trading 212 feature an investor dictionary with over 50 commonly used investing terms, ensuring learners can easily familiarize themselves with trading jargon.
However, a closer look reveals some distinguishing aspects between the two. Swissquote stands out by hosting online educational client webinars regularly, with at least one session per month, a feature that Trading 212 lacks. Additionally, while both brokers provide searchable archives of recorded webinars, Swissquote's consistent live educational offerings may add more interactive value for beginners seeking real-time engagement. Despite these differences, Trading 212 edges slightly ahead in the ForexBrokers.com Education category, securing the 20th spot compared to Swissquote's 21st, even though Swissquote is rated slightly higher with four stars versus Trading 212’s 3.5 stars for their educational content.
| 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 | No | |
| 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) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | 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 | 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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