Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XTB 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.
XTB and Trading 212 are both established online brokers with XTB founded in 2002 and Trading 212 in 2004. While neither XTB nor Trading 212 operates as a bank, XTB holds the distinction of being publicly traded, a factor that may influence investor confidence. Additionally, XTB holds two Tier-1 licenses, which are considered highly trusted, and has a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 96, placing it in the bracket of brokers deemed highly trusted.
On the other hand, Trading 212, although not publicly traded, holds an impressive three Tier-1 licenses, attesting to its credibility in the trading community. Despite holding more Tier-1 licenses, Trading 212 does not possess any Tier-2 licenses and has a Trust Score of 80, suggesting it is a trusted broker but not as highly rated as XTB in terms of trust. Both companies offer their unique strengths and considerations for potential investors.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2004 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
Comparing commissions and fees, XTB generally undercuts Trading 212 on key forex costs. XTB’s average EUR/USD spread was 1 pip (Q4 2023), while Trading 212 reported an average EUR/USD spread of 2.7 pips in April 2025. In our ratings, XTB earns 4.5 stars and ranks #13 out of 63 brokers for Commissions and Fees at ForexBrokers.com; Trading 212 earns 4 stars and ranks #27 out of 63.
XTB offers a spread-only Standard account and a commission-based Professional account (the Pro option is being phased out and limited to certain elective professional clients in the U.K. and EU). For most retail traders, the Standard account is the practical choice. Minimum deposits start at 250 in your base currency. Active traders can qualify for the Lower Spread Group, which rebates 5% to 30% of the spread once you hit monthly volume tiers (from 20 lots up to 1000 lots). Overall, XTB’s pricing sits around the industry average but isn’t the very cheapest; the rebate program helps narrow the gap for high-volume traders.
Trading 212 offers two accounts: Invest (for shares) with a €1 minimum and CFD with a €10 minimum. It advertises zero-commission trading, but CFD and forex traders pay the spread—and its published average EUR/USD spread of 2.7 pips is notably higher than the industry average, which can make active forex trading more expensive than with top low-cost brokers or XTB’s Standard pricing.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | €1 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.92 | 2.7 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.92 | 2.7 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
XTB and Trading 212 both deliver wide investment lineups. Trading 212 lists slightly more tradeable symbols (7,868) than XTB (7,184), and each broker offers real shares on both U.S. and international exchanges—so you can buy companies like Apple and Vodafone without using CFDs. Both support forex trading as CFDs or spot trades, and both offer crypto via CFDs (not actual coins). Neither platform provides copy trading.
Forex specialists may lean toward Trading 212, which features 146 currency pairs versus XTB’s 71. Even so, both earn 5 stars for Range of Investments. In ForexBrokers.com’s rankings, XTB places #14 and Trading 212 is close behind at #15 out of 63. Choose Trading 212 if you want more currency pairs or XTB if you’re comfortable with a similar breadth and a slightly higher category ranking.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 7868 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 146 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | 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.
XTB and Trading 212 both include free paper-trading demo accounts and run proprietary, in-house platforms. Each offers a web-based trading platform you can use in your browser, and both let you place orders directly from charts. A key difference is desktop access: XTB provides a Windows download platform, while Trading 212 does not. Neither broker supports copy trading, and neither connects to MetaTrader 4 (MT4) or MetaTrader 5 (MT5).
For platform quality, XTB earns 4.5/5 stars and ranks 9th out of 63 brokers for Trading Platforms and Tools, while Trading 212 scores 4/5 stars and ranks 19th. If you want a higher-rated toolkit with a Windows desktop option, XTB is the better fit. If you’re fine working in a browser-only setup, Trading 212 remains a straightforward choice.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 54 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
XTB and Trading 212 both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, with price alerts to track stocks and forex. Each app lets you draw trendlines on charts and automatically saves your drawings. One key difference is watchlists: Trading 212 syncs your watchlist between the mobile app and your online account, while XTB does not.
For charting tools, XTB includes 39 technical studies, whereas Trading 212 offers 104. Despite having fewer studies, XTB earns a higher overall mobile rating at 4.5 stars and ranks #8 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps (ForexBrokers.com). Trading 212 is rated 4 stars and ranks #17. If you want more built-in indicators and synced watchlists, Trading 212 stands out. If app quality and third-party recognition matter more, XTB is the stronger pick.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 104 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
XTB stands out for market research by offering daily market commentary, while Trading 212 does not. Both brokers deliver forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones. Neither platform includes tools from Autochartist, Trading Central, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading. However, both XTB and Trading 212 provide a sentiment tool that shows long/short positioning and an economic calendar to track key events.
According to ForexBrokers.com, XTB earns 5 stars for Research and ranks #9 out of 63 brokers, whereas Trading 212 scores 3.5 stars and ranks #32. In short, XTB offers stronger day‑to‑day coverage and higher‑rated research overall, while Trading 212 still covers the essentials with news, sentiment data, and an economic calendar.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central | No | 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 XTB vs Trading 212 for beginner education, XTB comes out ahead. It offers monthly live client webinars, plus a large library of beginner and advanced video lessons that make it easier to build skills step by step. That focus is reflected in its Education score of 5 out of 5 and a #11 ranking out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com.
Trading 212 also provides plenty of on-demand learning, including at least 10 beginner videos and at least 10 advanced videos. However, it does not host ongoing client webinars, which may matter if you prefer live guidance and Q&A. Its Education score is 3.5 out of 5 with a #20 ranking. If you want live sessions alongside structured videos, choose XTB; if you just need video lessons you can watch anytime, Trading 212 still gets the job done.
| Feature |
XTB
|
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 XTB is better than Trading 212. XTB finished with an overall rank of #7, while Trading 212 finished with an overall rank of #25.
As a trusted multi-asset broker, XTB offers outstanding customer service, a wide variety of forex and CFDs, and an excellent overall trading experience. Its xStation 5 trading platform is well-designed and packed with innovative features, and XTB’s offers comprehensive educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XTB
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Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 80 |
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In an XTB vs Trading 212 comparison: neither broker offers buying actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but both provide cryptocurrency CFD trading.
Comparing funding methods, XTB supports PayPal, Skrill, and bank wire transfers but not ACH/SEPA, while Trading 212 offers ACH/SEPA, PayPal, and bank wires but not Skrill; Visa/Mastercard availability for both 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 | XTB | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XTB | Trading 212 | |
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| Regulation | XTB | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 80 | |
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2004 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | 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 | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XTB | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | 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) | 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) | XTB | 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 | XTB | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 7868 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 146 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | 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 | XTB | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.92 | 2.7 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.92 | 2.7 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XTB | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | €1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | XTB | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | XTB | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 54 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XTB | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 104 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | XTB | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XTB | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | XTB | 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 | XTB Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Overall | XTB | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | Trading 212 Review |
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