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, stands out as a trusted online broker with a Trust Score of 86, indicating a high level of reliability. Although not publicly traded or a bank, Tickmill holds two Tier-1 licenses, which reflects its strong standing in the industry for trustworthiness. In addition, it holds two Tier-2 licenses, further reinforcing its reputation as a secure platform for trading.
Founded in 2004, Trading 212 is also a non-publicly traded online broker which is not classified as a bank. It holds a Trust Score of 80, placing it in the trusted category. Notably, Trading 212 has secured three Tier-1 licenses, demonstrating a commendable level of trust. However, it does not possess any Tier-2 licenses. Both brokers offer a secure trading experience, but a close look at their regulatory licenses and trust scores can help traders make a more informed choice.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2004 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
When comparing commissions and fees between Tickmill and Trading 212, Tickmill offers two main types of accounts: the Classic and the Raw. The Classic account features a commission-free trading experience where traders only contend with the bid/ask spread, albeit a higher average spread of 1.76 pips as of August 2023. On the other hand, the Raw account, which replaced the Pro account, introduced a commission of $3 per side or $6 per standard lot, but still manages to offer low average spreads. This pricing structure has earned Tickmill a stellar rating of 5 stars for commissions and fees, ranking it #4 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
Trading 212 provides an attractive no-commission trading model through its Invest and CFD accounts. However, despite not charging commissions, traders do experience costs through spreads—particularly in the CFD account, which records a relatively high average spread of 2.7 pips for the EUR/USD pair as of April 2025. This can be seen as a downside when compared to more competitive brokers in the industry. Consequently, Trading 212 receives a solid 4-star rating for its commissions and fees, but ranks lower at #49 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
In summary, while both brokers provide valuable offerings to traders, Tickmill stands out for its cost-effective structure, especially in its Raw account, making it a superior choice for active traders seeking low all-in costs. Conversely, Trading 212 may appeal to those drawn to zero-commission trading, although its relatively higher spreads could impact overall trading costs. Overall, Tickmill is a more suitable option for traders prioritizing competitive pricing and transparency.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | €1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.51 | 2.7 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.31 | 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.
When comparing the investment offerings of Tickmill and Trading 212, it's clear that Trading 212 has a broader range for investors. Tickmill provides 725 tradeable symbols, including 63 forex pairs available as CFDs, while Trading 212 offers an impressive 7,868 tradeable symbols and 146 forex pairs also available as CFDs. Despite both platforms providing options for forex trading and crypto derivatives (not actual currency purchases), Trading 212 stands out by also offering exchange-traded securities from both U.S. and international exchanges—an option not available with Tickmill.
Moreover, Trading 212's extensive investment offerings have earned it a top rating of 5 stars in the Range of Investments category, ranking #15 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Tickmill is rated 3.5 stars, placing it at #42 in the same category. While Tickmill does offer copy trading, which might appeal to those looking to replicate successful trades, Trading 212 excels in the variety of its investment options, making it an attractive choice for investors seeking diversity in their portfolios.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 725 | 7868 |
| 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.
When comparing Tickmill and Trading 212, both brokers offer free virtual demo accounts, making it easier for beginners to practice their trading skills without financial risks. Tickmill stands out by providing access to MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, which are popular for their comprehensive features and tools. Although Tickmill does not offer a proprietary platform, it supports a Windows-based desktop download, which Trading 212 lacks. Both platforms offer web-based trading, but Tickmill additionally provides a copy trading feature that Trading 212 does not. Despite its advantages, Tickmill ranks slightly lower than Trading 212 in the Trading Platforms and Tools category by ForexBrokers.com.
Trading 212 offers a seamless experience with its proprietary platform, designed to meet various trading needs directly in the browser. Although it does not support MetaTrader options like Tickmill, its platform is well-regarded for ease of use and features like direct trading from stock charts. With 20 drawing tools for charting, Trading 212 provides a versatile set of tools for technical analysis compared to the 15 offered by Tickmill. Additionally, Trading 212 offers a streamlined watchlist with five customizable fields, whereas Tickmill provides seven. Both platforms receive a four-star rating for their trading tools, reflecting their robust functionality and user satisfaction.
| 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 picking a mobile trading app, Tickmill and Trading 212 offer distinct features that may sway your choice. Both platforms are available on iPhone and Android, allowing traders to monitor and manage their investments on the go. Users will find that both apps deliver stock and forex price alerts, which can help make timely trading decisions. However, one significant difference lies in watchlist synchronization. Trading 212 offers seamless syncing between the mobile app and online account, ensuring that any changes in your watchlist update across platforms. In contrast, Tickmill lacks this feature, which may require manual adjustments.
Both Tickmill and Trading 212 come with the ability to create watchlists with real-time quotes and to draw trendlines for more accurate analysis. In terms of charting tools, Tickmill provides 30 technical studies, while Trading 212 offers a much wider array of 104 studies, catering to more technically inclined traders. This breadth in features might contribute to Trading 212's higher ranking of #17 in the Mobile Trading Apps category by ForexBrokers.com, compared to Tickmill's rank of #32. Both platforms receive a solid rating of 4 out of 5 stars, making them strong, yet distinct, contenders in the mobile trading world.
| 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 evaluating market research offerings between Tickmill and Trading 212, some notable differences emerge. Tickmill stands out with its provision of daily market commentary and an economic calendar, both valuable tools for traders seeking to stay informed on global economic events. Additionally, Tickmill provides forex news sourced from leading information providers like Bloomberg and Reuters, enhancing its appeal for those interested in comprehensive news coverage. A significant advantage for Tickmill users is access to research tools from Acuity Trading, such as Signal Centre, which Trading 212 does not offer.
Although both brokers provide sentiment-based trading tools and forex news from top-tier sources, Trading 212's research offerings show some limitations compared to Tickmill. For instance, Trading 212 lacks daily market commentary and access to unique research tools like those from Acuity Trading. These differences are reflected in their respective ratings and rankings by ForexBrokers.com, with Tickmill receiving a research rating of four stars and ranking #22 out of 63 brokers, while Trading 212 garners a slightly lower rating of 3.5 stars and ranks #44. Overall, Tickmill appears to offer a more comprehensive suite of market research tools, contributing to a more informed trading experience.
| 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 resources for beginners, Tickmill and Trading 212 both provide a wealth of educational materials about forex and CFDs, each offering more than ten pieces such as articles, videos, and archived webinars. However, Tickmill hosts monthly online educational webinars, while Trading 212 does not, which might appeal to those who prefer live learning sessions. Both platforms offer a library of previously recorded webinars, making it easy for users to catch up on past sessions.
For video content, each broker supplies at least ten beginner and advanced educational videos tailored to enhance your knowledge. Moreover, their comprehensive investor dictionaries feature over 50 investing terms. Despite these similarities, Tickmill slightly edges out Trading 212 in educational ratings; it boasts 4 stars compared to Trading 212's 3.5 stars. Additionally, according to ForexBrokers.com, Tickmill ranks 15th among 63 brokers in the Education category, while Trading 212 holds the 20th spot, suggesting Tickmill may have a slight advantage for those prioritizing high-quality educational resources.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
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 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 | 80 |
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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 | 80 | |
| 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 | 80 | |
| 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 | 3 | |
| 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 | 7868 | |
| 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 | 2.7 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.31 | 2.7 | |
| 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 | €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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Tickmill Review | Trading 212 Review |
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