Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XM Group 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.
Founded in 2009, XM Group stands out in the online brokerage world with a high Trust Score rating of 93 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, categorizing it as highly trusted. XM Group holds an impressive four Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, indicating its strong regulatory standing. Despite not being publicly traded or classified as a bank, XM Group's regulatory credentials position it as a reliable option for investors seeking assurance.
Trading 212, established in 2004, follows closely as a trusted broker with an 80 out of 99 Trust Score from ForexBrokers.com. This rating places Trading 212 in the trusted category. While it holds three Tier-1 licenses, the absence of Tier-2 licenses suggests a moderate regulatory presence. Like XM Group, Trading 212 is neither publicly traded nor a bank, but its trust score and licenses provide a reasonable level of security for traders.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2004 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
Comparing commissions and fees, both XM Group and Trading 212 earn 4 out of 5 stars, but Trading 212 ranks higher (#27 of 63) than XM Group (#34 of 63) in ForexBrokers.com’s Commissions and Fees category. The key differences come down to spreads and pricing transparency: XM Group’s standard account has pricey spreads and its commission-based XM Zero account does not publish average spreads, while Trading 212 advertises zero-commission trading yet still charges via the spread—and now publishes average spread data.
XM Group: 4/5 stars; ranked #34 of 63 for commissions and fees. Standard account spreads are on the expensive side, and XM does not publish average spread figures for its XM Zero (commission-based) account, making it harder to gauge typical trading costs.
Trading 212: 4/5 stars; ranked #27 of 63 for commissions and fees. It offers two accounts—Invest (min deposit 1 euro) and CFD (min deposit 10 euros). For CFDs and forex, Trading 212 promotes zero-commission trading, but you still pay the spread. The broker has started publishing average spread data; in April 2025, the EUR/USD average was 2.7 pips, which is higher than the industry average and less competitive than top-tier CFD and forex brokers.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | €1 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 2 | 2.7 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 2.7 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Trading 212 offers a wider range of investments than XM Group: 7,868 tradeable symbols and 146 forex pairs, compared with XM’s 1,394 symbols and 55 pairs. Both brokers let you trade forex as CFDs or spot, and both provide access to exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges—so you can buy popular U.S. stocks like Apple and overseas names like Vodafone. Crypto exposure is available at both via cryptocurrency CFDs, but neither supports buying actual, delivered crypto.
Feature differences may sway you: XM Group includes copy trading, while Trading 212 does not. In ForexBrokers.com’s Range of Investments category, Trading 212 earned 5 stars and ranked #15 out of 63 brokers; XM Group scored 4.5 stars and ranked #19. In short, Trading 212 stands out for sheer market coverage, while XM Group appeals if copy trading is a priority.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1394 | 7868 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 146 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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.
XM Group and Trading 212 both let you practice with a free demo (paper) account and support trading directly from charts, plus each offers a web-based platform. The big differences are in platform choice: Trading 212 uses its own proprietary platform and does not offer a Windows desktop download, MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), or copy trading. XM Group does not have a proprietary platform, but it supports a Windows desktop download and provides MT4 and MT5, along with copy trading.
For Trading Platforms and Tools, both brokers earn 4 out of 5 stars. In ForexBrokers.com’s rankings out of 63 brokers, Trading 212 places #19, while XM Group is #27. If you want MT4/MT5 and a downloadable desktop app with copy trading, XM Group is the better fit. If you prefer a streamlined, in-browser experience on a proprietary platform, Trading 212 stands out.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | No | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 54 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
XM Group and Trading 212 both check the basics for mobile trading: each offers an iPhone app and an Android app, plus price alerts, synced watchlists across devices, and the ability to draw trendlines on charts. This makes it easy to track markets, manage lists, and act on opportunities whether you’re on your phone or desktop.
For charting depth, Trading 212 provides 104 technical studies compared with XM Group’s 30, and Trading 212 also auto-saves chart drawings, whereas XM Group does not. Despite these differences, both earn 4 out of 5 stars for Mobile Trading Apps. In ForexBrokers.com’s rankings out of 63 brokers, XM Group is placed at #26, while Trading 212 sits higher at #17, giving Trading 212 a slight edge if you value more built-in indicators and saved drawings.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 104 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Comparing market research at XM Group and Trading 212, XM takes the lead. XM offers daily market commentary and integrates Trading Central tools for added technical and fundamental insight. Both brokers stream forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg or Reuters and include an economic calendar. Each also provides a sentiment tool that shows the ratio of long to short positions. Trading 212, however, does not provide daily commentary and lacks Trading Central.
Neither broker includes Autochartist, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading. The gap shows in third-party ratings: XM Group earns 5 stars for Research and ranks 8th out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while Trading 212 holds 3.5 stars and ranks 32nd. If you want deeper research and frequent guidance, XM is the stronger pick; if you only need basic news, an economic calendar, and sentiment data, Trading 212 covers the essentials.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Comparing XM Group vs Trading 212 for beginner education: both brokers deliver forex and CFD learning materials, including at least 10 beginner videos and 10 advanced videos to help you move from basics to more complex strategies. XM Group goes further with ongoing client webinars (at least one per month), giving newcomers a chance to ask questions and learn in real time, while Trading 212 does not offer recurring educational webinars.
On quality, XM Group earns 5 stars for Education and ranks #5 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, reflecting a deeper, more structured learning experience. Trading 212 scores 3.5 stars and ranks #20 out of 63. If you want live webinars alongside a large video library, XM Group is the stronger pick. If you prefer self-paced videos without live sessions, Trading 212 can still suit your needs.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that XM Group is better than Trading 212. XM Group finished with an overall rank of #16, while Trading 212 finished with an overall rank of #25.
XM Group is a MetaTrader-only broker that offers a strong selection of high-quality educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XM Group
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Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 80 |
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In the XM Group vs Trading 212 comparison, neither online broker offers the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but both support trading cryptocurrency CFDs.
XM Group vs Trading 212 payment methods: Trading 212 supports ACH/SEPA and PayPal alongside bank wire transfers, while XM Group does not support ACH/SEPA or PayPal but does accept Skrill and bank wires; Visa/Mastercard availability for both brokers is not specified.
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 | XM Group | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XM Group | Trading 212 | |
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| Regulation | XM Group | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 93 | 80 | |
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2004 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XM Group | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | No | 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) | XM Group | 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 | XM Group | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1394 | 7868 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 146 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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 | XM Group | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 2 | 2.7 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 2.7 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XM Group | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | €1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | XM Group | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | No | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | XM Group | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 54 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XM Group | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 104 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | XM Group | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XM Group | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | XM Group | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | XM Group Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Overall | XM Group | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review | Trading 212 Review |
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