Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Trading 212 vs TopFX, 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.
Trading 212 and TopFX are popular online brokers, each offering unique advantages tailored to different investor needs. Founded in 2004, Trading 212 boasts two Tier-1 licenses, underscoring its commitment to secure trading. With a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 79 out of 99, Trading 212 is seen as an average risk option for traders, even without being publicly listed or operating as a bank.
TopFX, incepted in 2010, also follows a strong regulatory framework, holding one Tier-1 license to ensure a level of trust. Scoring a 67 out of 99 on ForexBrokers.com's Trust Score, TopFX is classified as higher risk compared to Trading 212. Like Trading 212, TopFX is neither publicly traded nor a banking institution. Investors should consider these trust indicators when choosing between the two brokers.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
TopFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2004 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
When it comes to commissions and fees, Trading 212 offers two account types: the Invest account and the CFD account. The focus here is on the CFD account, which requires a minimum deposit of 10 euros. While Trading 212 advertises zero-commission trading, traders still pay a spread. As of January 2024, the average spread for the EUR/USD pair was 1.9 pips, which is considerably higher than the industry average. This makes Trading 212 less competitive compared to top brokers in the CFD and forex sectors. Trading 212 has earned a 4-star rating for commissions and fees but ranks #43 out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
TopFX provides traders with two account options: the spread-only ZERO account and the commission-based RAW account. The RAW account features a commission of 2.75 EUR per side, equating to 5.50 per round turn for a standard lot. With an average spread of 0.33 pips for the EUR/USD in July 2024, the all-in cost is about 0.88 pips, aligning with the industry standard. The ZERO account, on the other hand, is commission-free but averages at higher spreads of 1.03 pips for the EUR/USD pair. Like Trading 212, TopFX also scores a 4-star rating for commissions and fees but holds a slightly better ranking at #40 out of 62 brokers.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
TopFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €10 | Depends on payment method |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.9 | 1.03 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.9 | 0.88 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing the range of investments offered by Trading 212 and TopFX, Trading 212 clearly stands out with a variety of options. Trading 212 provides a substantial selection of 8025 tradeable symbols, which is significantly larger than TopFX’s 655. For those interested in forex trading, Trading 212 offers 146 forex pairs, while TopFX provides access to just 60 pairs. Furthermore, Trading 212 allows investors to purchase exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, enabling clients to buy shares like Apple and Vodafone. On the other hand, TopFX does not offer this feature, focusing more on CFD trading.
Both platforms allow clients to trade forex as CFDs or spot contracts and offer cryptocurrency derivatives, albeit not actual cryptocurrencies. Notably, TopFX includes copy trading in its offerings, whereas Trading 212 does not. In terms of expert opinions, Trading 212 is ranked higher by ForexBrokers.com, earning a #15 spot under the Range of Investments category, compared to TopFX's position at #46. Overall, Trading 212 receives a 5-star rating for its range of investments, while TopFX garners a 3.5-star rating, reflecting the broader and more diverse investment opportunities available with Trading 212.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
TopFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8025 | 655 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 146 | 60 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| 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.
Trading 212 and TopFX both offer free demo accounts, allowing users to practice trading in a risk-free environment. Trading 212 provides its own platform developed in-house for a tailored experience, while TopFX does not have a proprietary platform and relies on third-party solutions such as MetaTrader 4 (MT4). Unlike Trading 212, which does not support desktop software for Windows, TopFX offers a downloadable platform for Windows users. Both brokers feature web-based platforms, facilitating access to trading from any modern browser. Additionally, TopFX supports copy trading, which is not an option with Trading 212.
While neither broker offers MetaTrader 5 (MT5), both allow trading directly from charts, enhancing user convenience. Trading 212 offers 20 chart drawing tools compared to TopFX's 15, though TopFX provides a more extensive watchlist with seven fields instead of Trading 212’s five. Both brokers are rated four stars for their platforms and tools, however, on ForexBrokers.com's list, Trading 212 ranks 20th out of 62 brokers for trading platforms, whereas TopFX is ranked 45th. This suggests that while both brokers offer solid platforms, Trading 212 holds a higher position in the market for trading platforms and tools.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
TopFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 54 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of Trading 212 and TopFX, both platforms offer comprehensive experiences on iPhone and Android devices, including essential features like price alerts and the ability to draw trendlines on charts. However, Trading 212 stands out with its watchlist symbol syncing feature, enabling seamless updates between the mobile app and the client’s online account, a convenience not available with TopFX. Additionally, Trading 212 offers an extensive range of 104 technical studies in its charting tools, significantly more than the 30 available through TopFX. Both apps provide the function to create watchlists with real-time quotes and support multiple time frames for chart analysis.
In terms of user ratings, both Trading 212 and TopFX receive four out of five stars for their mobile trading apps. However, ForexBrokers.com ranks Trading 212 higher in the Mobile Trading Apps category at #17 out of 62 brokers, compared to TopFX's ranking at #51. This could be attributed to Trading 212’s more extensive feature set and greater flexibility, making it a preferable choice for traders seeking a more integrated and feature-rich mobile trading experience.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
TopFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 104 | 30 |
| 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 Trading 212 and TopFX, both brokers have their unique strengths. Trading 212 and TopFX both provide forex news from renowned sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, so traders can keep updated with the latest developments. They also offer economic calendars that display significant global news events, aiding users in making informed decisions. However, neither provides daily market commentary or market research from TipRanks or Acuity Trading tools.
Where they differ is in the availability of technical analysis tools. Trading 212 falls short in this area, offering no tools from companies like Autochartist or Trading Central. In contrast, TopFX provides access to these essential research tools, which can be beneficial for traders seeking deeper technical insights. Both platforms offer sentiment-based trading tools that reflect trader positions across various instruments. Despite these offerings, Trading 212 edges ahead in research ratings with 3.5 out of 5 stars and is ranked 46th out of 62 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com, while TopFX holds a 3-star rating and ranks 59th.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
TopFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| 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 it comes to educational resources for beginners, Trading 212 stands out as a viable choice compared to TopFX. Trading 212 offers comprehensive educational materials, including over ten articles, videos, and webinars focused on Forex and CFDs, which are essential for aspiring traders looking to learn these markets. They provide live webinars every month and maintain a searchable archive of previous sessions, allowing users to access a vast repository of information at their convenience. For those just starting out, Trading 212 includes at least ten beginner-friendly videos, ensuring foundational trading concepts are well-covered. Furthermore, Trading 212 also caters to more seasoned traders with a selection of advanced educational videos. Additionally, their investor dictionary, featuring definitions of over 50 investing terms, aids in building financial literacy for newcomers.
In contrast, TopFX appears to lag behind in terms of educational offerings for beginners. Unlike Trading 212, TopFX does not provide the same extent of resources, lacking the minimum of ten pieces of educational content on Forex or CFDs. They also do not offer monthly webinars or archived webinar access. Video content for beginners and advanced traders is notably absent, limiting the learning opportunities for users at different experience levels. Additionally, TopFX does not have an extensive investor dictionary to help users with technical terms and concepts. Reflecting these differences, Trading 212 achieves a higher education rating of 3.5 stars from ForexBrokers.com and ranks 20th among 62 brokers, whereas TopFX is rated at 3 stars and holds the 60th position, indicating more limited support for educational growth with TopFX.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
TopFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Trading 212 is better than TopFX. Trading 212 finished with an overall rank of #31, while TopFX finished with an overall rank of #61.
Best known for its mobile trading app, Trading 212 offers an easy-to-use trading platform suite for CFD and share trading, as well as a large variety of forex pairs. However, despite its well-designed platform and wide range of symbols, its lack of advanced trading tools and flat research offerings hamper Trading 212’s bid to be considered a top broker.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
TopFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 79 | 67 |
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Both Trading 212 and TopFX do not offer the ability to purchase actual, delivered cryptocurrency, yet they both provide options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives.
Trading 212 and TopFX both provide options for PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires for depositing or withdrawing funds, but Trading 212 additionally supports ACH or SEPA transfers, whereas TopFX offers the unique option of using Skrill instead.
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 | Trading 212 | TopFX | |
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| Trust Score | 79 | 67 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Trading 212 Review | TopFX Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Trading 212 | TopFX | |
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| Regulation | Trading 212 | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 79 | 67 | |
| Year Founded | 2004 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Trading 212 | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| 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) | Trading 212 | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Trading 212 | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8025 | 655 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 146 | 60 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| 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 | Trading 212 | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.9 | 1.03 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.9 | 0.88 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Trading 212 | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €10 | Depends on payment method | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Trading 212 | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | Yes | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Trading 212 | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 54 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Trading 212 | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 104 | 30 | |
| 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 | Trading 212 | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Trading 212 | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | Trading 212 | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Trading 212 Review | TopFX Review |
| Overall | Trading 212 | TopFX | |
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| Trust Score | 79 | 67 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Trading 212 Review | TopFX Review |
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