Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Tickmill 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.
Tickmill, founded in 2014, and Trading 212, founded a decade earlier in 2004, are both distinguished players in the online brokerage scene. Neither broker is publicly traded or operates as a bank. In the realm of regulation, both hold two Tier-1 licenses, which signals a high degree of trust. However, Tickmill edges ahead by also securing two Tier-2 licenses, enhancing its reliability profile compared to Trading 212, which holds none.
When it comes to trust scores from ForexBrokers.com, Tickmill obtains a commendable rating of 86 out of 99, categorizing it as a trusted broker. In contrast, Trading 212 sits in the average risk category with a score of 79. These ratings provide insights into the trustworthiness of each platform, aiding potential users in making informed brokerage choices.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2004 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of online brokers Tickmill and Trading 212, Tickmill emerges as a favored choice for active traders mainly due to its competitive pricing structure. Tickmill offers two distinct accounts: the Classic and Raw accounts. The Classic account is commission-free, requiring traders to pay only the bid/ask spread. However, this comes at a cost of higher average spreads, around 1.76 pips for EUR/USD as of August 2023. Meanwhile, the Raw account offers more attractive spreads, typically 0.11 pips for EUR/USD, combined with a per-trade commission of $3 per side for a standard lot, totaling 0.71 pips when considering all costs. Even with the recent commission increase, Tickmill's Raw account keeps its standing as a top choice for many traders who value low spreads and a minimum deposit threshold of just $100. Tickmill is rated 5 stars for its commissions and fees, ranking 4th among 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
Conversely, Trading 212 provides two account options, with their CFD and forex offerings reviewed. Although Trading 212 touts zero-commission trading, traders must navigate spreads, which on average are higher than Tickmill’s. With an average spread of 1.9 pips for the EUR/USD pair, Trading 212 falls behind industry standards in this regard, making it less ideal for traders looking to maximize cost-efficiency. Despite this, Trading 212 offers certain advantages like a low minimum deposit of 10 euros for its CFD account. For commissions and fees, Trading 212 is rated 4 stars and ranks 43rd out of 62 brokers, as assessed by ForexBrokers.com.
In summary, while both brokers offer appealing options for different types of trading, Tickmill stands out for users focused on minimizing trading costs, notably through its Raw account. In contrast, Trading 212 appeals to traders who prefer the flexibility of low initial deposits but may face higher spread costs in the long run. Both platforms provide viable options depending on the trader's priorities, yet Tickmill provides a more compelling option for those chiefly concerned with tight spreads and low overall trading costs.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | €10 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.51 | 1.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.31 | 1.9 |
| 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.
When comparing Tickmill and Trading 212 based on their range of investments, it's evident that each platform has unique strengths. Tickmill provides access to 725 tradeable symbols, including 63 forex pairs, focusing primarily on forex as CFDs or spot contracts. Additionally, Tickmill offers copy trading and allows dealing with cryptocurrency derivatives. However, it doesn’t offer exchange traded securities on either U.S. or international exchanges, so investors looking to directly buy stocks like Apple or Vodafone might find Tickmill limiting. As a result, Tickmill is rated 3.5 stars for its range of investments and holds the #42 spot out of 62 brokers in this category according to ForexBrokers.com.
In contrast, Trading 212 offers a significantly wider selection with 8,025 tradeable symbols and 146 forex pairs. Besides offering forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, Trading 212 stands out by allowing customers to directly purchase exchange traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges. Despite not supporting the acquisition of delivered cryptocurrency, it does permit trading in cryptocurrency derivatives. While Trading 212 lacks copy trading functionality, its extensive offering gives it a top rating of 5 stars for the range of investments, placing it #15 on ForexBrokers.com's rankings for this category.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 725 | 8025 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 63 | 146 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | 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). | 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.
Tickmill and Trading 212 both offer the convenience of free virtual demo accounts, allowing traders to practice and familiarize themselves with their respective platforms. While Trading 212 features its own proprietary web-based platform for ease of access, Tickmill relies on widely-used MetaTrader platforms (MT4 and MT5) for both web and Windows desktop trading. Tickmill further stands out with its integration of copy trading features, offering greater flexibility for those looking to replicate successful strategies from other traders. In contrast, Trading 212 does not support any copy trading functions.
For charting tools, Tickmill provides 15 drawing tools, slightly fewer than the 20 offered by Trading 212, but both brokers allow trading directly from stock charts. Tickmill offers more detailed watch lists with 7 available columns compared to Trading 212's 5. Despite both brokers earning a four-star rating for their trading platforms and tools, Trading 212 edges ahead with a #20 ranking by ForexBrokers.com, compared to Tickmill's #32. Overall, Tickmill might appeal more to traditional MetaTrader users and those interested in copy trading, while Trading 212's proprietary platform could be preferred by traders seeking a streamlined, browser-based experience.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | No | 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) | 30 | 54 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 20 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 5 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of Tickmill and Trading 212, both platforms are available for iPhone and Android devices and provide comprehensive features such as price alerts, multiple time frame viewing options, and the ability to draw trendlines on charts. Both apps also allow users to create watchlists with real-time quotes and offer auto-saving for chart drawings. However, Trading 212 stands out with its advanced charting capabilities, offering 104 technical studies compared to Tickmill's 30. Additionally, Trading 212 allows watchlist symbol syncing across devices, a feature not available on Tickmill's mobile app.
In terms of user ratings, both apps receive solid scores of 4 out of 5 stars, indicating high customer satisfaction. However, Trading 212 is ranked higher at #17, compared to Tickmill's #32 ranking, according to ForexBrokers.com. This ranking suggests that Trading 212 offers a slightly superior mobile trading experience, largely attributed to its more extensive charting options and watchlist syncing capability, which provides convenience and flexibility for traders on the go.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
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 research offerings of Tickmill and Trading 212, there are several distinctions to consider. Tickmill provides daily market commentary and accesses exclusive forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters, similar to Trading 212. However, Tickmill sets itself apart by offering a sentiment-based trading tool as well as research tools from Acuity Trading, features absent from Trading 212. Additionally, customers of both platforms benefit from a comprehensive economic calendar. While neither broker offers technical analysis tools from Autochartist or Trading Central, Tickmill provides a broader range of tools, making it more appealing for those seeking in-depth insights.
Looking at research ratings, Tickmill edges ahead with a 4-star rating compared to Trading 212's 3.5 stars. In a ranking by ForexBrokers.com, Tickmill scores the 22nd spot out of 62 brokers, considerably higher than Trading 212, which stands at 46th. This ranking suggests that Tickmill may be a more suitable choice for traders focused on gaining access to superior research tools and detailed market analysis. Such offerings could provide more informed decision-making capabilities, especially for those heavily involved in the forex market.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources tailored for beginners, both Tickmill and Trading 212 provide strong offerings for new traders looking to dive into forex and CFDs trading. Tickmill ensures a comprehensive learning experience with more than 10 educational materials like articles, videos, and archived webinars focused on forex or CFDs. Trading 212 matches this effort by offering similar educational resources, ensuring beginners have enough material to get started confidently.
Both platforms host at least one educational webinar each month and maintain a searchable archive of past webinars, making it easy for users to find information at their convenience. Additionally, both Tickmill and Trading 212 provide at least 10 beginner and advanced educational videos, and offer an investor dictionary with over 50 essential trading terms. Despite the similarities, Tickmill is slightly ahead of Trading 212, as indicated by its 4-star rating and 15th ranking among 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, compared to Trading 212's 3.5-star rating and 20th position.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | 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 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Tickmill is better than Trading 212. Tickmill finished with an overall rank of #22, while Trading 212 finished with an overall rank of #31.
Tickmill is a run-of-the-mill MetaTrader broker that offers a limited selection of tradeable securities. The broker does offer very competitive commission-based pricing for professionals through its VIP and Pro accounts.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 79 |
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Both Tickmill and Trading 212 do not provide the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they each offer the ability to invest in cryptocurrency derivatives.
Tickmill and Trading 212 both offer PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire options for deposits and withdrawals, but while Trading 212 also supports ACH and SEPA transfers, Tickmill uniquely provides Skrill as a method, which Trading 212 does not offer.
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 | Tickmill | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 79 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Tickmill Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Tickmill | Trading 212 | |
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| Regulation | Tickmill | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 86 | 79 | |
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2004 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Tickmill | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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) | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 725 | 8025 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 63 | 146 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | 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). | 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 | Tickmill | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.51 | 1.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.31 | 1.9 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Tickmill | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | €10 | |
| 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 | Tickmill | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | No | 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 | Tickmill | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 5 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 54 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 20 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Tickmill | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | 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 | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Overall | Tickmill | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 79 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Tickmill Review | Trading 212 Review |
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