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 two online brokers that have attracted attention from both novice and seasoned traders. Founded in 2002, XTB sets itself apart by being a publicly traded company, offering transparency and confidence backed by its presence on a stock exchange. Trading 212, founded in 2004, remains privately owned. Both platforms are not banks but have their own merits regarding trust and regulation. XTB holds an impressive ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 96, signaling it as a highly trusted broker. This rating is supported by its possession of two Tier-1 and two Tier-2 licenses, which indicate strong regulatory approval in the financial industry.
In comparison, Trading 212 has a Trust Score of 79, which places it in the average risk category according to ForexBrokers.com. While it holds two Tier-1 licenses, it lacks Tier-2 licenses, highlighting a potential area for improvement in terms of regulatory backing. Both brokers provide a reliable gateway for trading, but XTB's higher trust rating and regulatory credentials may offer more reassurance for those prioritizing security when choosing a trading platform.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2004 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
When comparing the commissions and fees between online brokers XTB and Trading 212, both companies offer distinct advantages depending on your trading needs. XTB provides a choice between a spread-only Standard account and a commission-based Professional account, primarily for its European and UK clientele. The average forex spread on the EUR/USD pair with XTB was 1 pip in Q4 2023. Although their overall pricing aligns with the industry average, it does lag behind the leading brokers in this category. The Standard account, with a minimum deposit of 250 base currency, is recommended for retail forex traders due to its cost efficiency for smaller trades, as the Pro account is less widely available.
For active traders, XTB offers rebates on the spread ranging from 5% to 30%, based on trading volume, under its Lower Spread Group initiative. This provides competitive pricing against similar programs offered by FXCM, FOREX.com, and CMC Markets. With a 4.5-star rating and a commendable rank of #11 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, XTB stands out in the market for its attractive commissions and fees structure.
In contrast, Trading 212 offers two account types: Invest for stock trading and CFD for trading CFDs with minimum deposits of 1 euro and 10 euros, respectively. While they promote zero-commission trading, spreads are applicable when trading CFDs and forex. As of January 2024, Trading 212's average spread for the EUR/USD was 1.9 pips, which is considerably above the industry average. This places Trading 212 at a competitive disadvantage against top brokers. They receive a 4-star rating and are ranked #43 in the Commissions and Fees category by ForexBrokers.com, indicating room for improvement in their pricing strategy.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | €10 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 1.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | 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 XTB and Trading 212 in terms of their available range of investments, both platforms offer a solid array of options for traders. XTB provides access to 7,184 tradeable symbols, including 71 forex pairs, with the capability to trade forex as Contracts for Difference (CFDs) or spot contracts. Notably, XTB also allows investors to purchase shares of companies listed on U.S. exchanges, such as Apple, as well as access to international exchanges like the London Stock Exchange for holding companies like Vodafone. However, XTB does not support copy trading or the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies, though cryptocurrency derivatives are available.
Similarly, Trading 212 matches XTB's versatility, offering 8,025 symbols for trading, featuring a broader selection of 146 forex pairs. Trading 212 enables forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts and provides access to both U.S. and international exchange-traded securities. While it also limits clients from copy trading and buying actual cryptocurrencies, it does offer cryptocurrency derivatives. Both brokers are rated at five stars for their range of investments, with XTB slightly ahead in the ForexBrokers.com ranking at 14th, compared to Trading 212's 15th position out of 62 brokers.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 8025 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 146 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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 the trading platforms and tools of XTB and Trading 212, both brokers offer free virtual demo accounts and have developed their own proprietary platforms. XTB distinguishes itself by providing a Windows-based desktop download option, while Trading 212 operates without this feature, relying solely on its web-based platform, which both brokers offer. Neither XTB nor Trading 212 supports popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5, and neither broker facilitates copy trading services such as DupliTrade or ZuluTrade. Despite these similarities, XTB delivers a more extensive array of drawing tools for charting, featuring 32 compared to Trading 212's 20. Additionally, XTB excels with eight columns for watch lists, surpassing Trading 212’s five, allowing for a more detailed and organized monitoring experience.
In terms of performance ratings, XTB slightly outshines Trading 212 in the trading platforms and tools category, receiving 4.5 stars compared to Trading 212's 4 stars. This higher performance reflects its broader toolset and additional trading features. Consequently, XTB ranks #9 out of 62 brokers in this category according to ForexBrokers.com, showcasing its strong platform capabilities, whereas Trading 212 is placed at #20. For users prioritizing a variety of charting options and enhanced watch list functionalities, XTB offers a competitive edge, although both platforms ensure ease of direct trading from stock charts.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 54 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 20 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 5 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both XTB and Trading 212 offer mobile apps for iPhone and Android, making them accessible for users of these popular platforms. Users of either app can receive stock and forex price alerts and have the ability to draw trendlines on their charts. Additionally, both apps support viewing multiple time frames on charts and auto-save any drawings made. This means you can keep track of market movements and manage your investments efficiently on the go. In terms of customization, XTB provides 39 technical studies for its charting features, while Trading 212 offers a more extensive range of 104 technical studies.
One area where these two apps differ significantly is in the syncing capability of watchlists. While XTB doesn't offer sync capabilities between the mobile app and online account, Trading 212 does, allowing seamless updates across devices. Both apps allow users to create watchlists with real-time quotes. When it comes to user satisfaction, XTB edges out Trading 212 with a 4.5-star rating versus Trading 212's 4-star rating. Ranked by ForexBrokers.com, XTB holds the 8th position among 62 brokers for mobile trading apps, while Trading 212 takes the 17th spot, highlighting XTB’s slightly superior standing in the mobile trading app category.
| Feature |
XTB
|
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 | 39 | 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 XTB and Trading 212 for market research offerings, XTB clearly has a few more resources that could be beneficial for traders. XTB provides daily market commentary and delivers forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. These features can be invaluable for traders who rely on timely and detailed market insights. Similarly, both platforms offer a sentiment-based trading tool that displays the ratio of long or short positions across currency pairs, enabling traders to gauge market trends and sentiment efficiently. Additionally, both XTB and Trading 212 provide an economic calendar highlighting significant global economic events, which is crucial for planning trades around potential market movements.
However, neither XTB nor Trading 212 offers tools from companies like Autochartist, Trading Central, or Acuity Trading, such as Signal Centre. In terms of ratings, XTB shines with a 5-star rating for research, compared to Trading 212's 3.5 stars, as assessed by ForexBrokers.com. This difference in rating is further reflected in their rankings, where XTB is placed at an impressive #7 out of 62 brokers, while Trading 212 finds itself in the lower end at #46. This suggests that for traders prioritizing research capabilities, XTB may offer a more comprehensive set of tools and insights than Trading 212.
| Feature |
XTB
|
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) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources available for beginners between XTB and Trading 212, both platforms offer extensive content on forex and CFDs. Each broker provides more than 10 educational pieces, including articles, videos, and archived webinars, to help new traders get started. Additionally, both XTB and Trading 212 host at least one online educational webinar per month, which is a great opportunity for interactive learning. They also maintain archives of these webinars, allowing users to access past sessions whenever they like, making learning convenient and flexible.
For video resources, both brokers present over 10 beginner videos focused specifically on trading topics for novices and an additional set of advanced videos for seasoned traders seeking deeper insights. However, a notable difference is in their offering of an investor dictionary; Trading 212 provides definitions for over 50 investing terms, which can be beneficial for new traders trying to understand the jargon, whereas XTB does not offer this feature. Despite this, XTB outshines Trading 212 in overall ratings, securing 5 stars compared to Trading 212's 3.5 stars, and ranks 11th in the Education category on ForexBrokers.com, ahead of Trading 212's 20th place ranking. This suggests that while Trading 212 provides a useful dictionary, XTB's educational offerings are considered more comprehensive overall.
| Feature |
XTB
|
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) | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 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 #31.
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
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 79 |
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Both XTB and Trading 212 allow users to buy cryptocurrency derivatives but do not offer the ability to purchase actual cryptocurrencies directly.
When comparing online brokers XTB and Trading 212, XTB does not support ACH or SEPA transfers but does offer PayPal, Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wire options, while Trading 212 provides ACH and SEPA transfers, supports PayPal, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires, but does not offer Skrill as a transaction option.
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 | 79 | |
| 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 | 79 | |
| 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 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 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 (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) | XTB | 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 | XTB | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 8025 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 146 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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 | XTB | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 1.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | 1.9 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XTB | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | €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 | XTB | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | XTB | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 5 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 54 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 20 | |
| 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 Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 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 | XTB | 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 | XTB | 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) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | XTB | 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 | XTB Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Overall | XTB | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 79 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | Trading 212 Review |
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