Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Trading 212 vs Xtrade, 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, established in 2004, and Xtrade, founded in 2003, are both well-known online brokers that aren't publicly traded companies. Neither holds banking status. If you're considering trust levels, Trading 212 boasts three Tier-1 licenses, showcasing a high degree of reliability, whereas Xtrade has one, reflecting a moderate level of trust. Additionally, Xtrade possesses one Tier-2 license, whereas Trading 212 does not hold any. According to ForexBrokers.com, Trading 212 earns a Trust Score of 80, categorizing it as trusted, while Xtrade scores 74, indicating an average risk.
Both trading platforms provide comprehensive online brokerage services but differ in regulatory strength and trustworthiness. Trading 212's Trust Score suggests a trustworthy reputation bolstered by multiple top-tier licenses. Meanwhile, Xtrade presents an average risk level with a mix of Tier-1 and Tier-2 licenses. For potential investors, these distinctions play a crucial role in choosing a broker that aligns with their priorities and comfort levels in the trading world.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2004 | 2003 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
When it comes to comparing the commissions and fees for Trading 212 and Xtrade, there are notable differences that could sway your decision based on your trading needs. Trading 212 offers an Invest account for share trading and a CFD account for trading contracts for difference, with the latter requiring a minimum deposit of 10 euros. While Trading 212 touts zero-commission trading, this is somewhat mitigated by the spreads you pay on CFDs and forex trades. The broker's average spread for the EUR/USD pair, as of April 2025, stood at 2.7 pips, which is higher than the industry average. This factor places Trading 212 at a disadvantage when compared to top-tier brokers in this category.
Xtrade, on the other hand, does not provide average spread data, which makes it difficult to assess its competitiveness in terms of trading costs. Notably, transparency in pricing is less apparent with Xtrade, adding an element of uncertainty for potential traders. This lack of information could be a crucial consideration depending on the trader's priorities regarding cost predictability and clarity.
In terms of ratings, Trading 212 receives 4 stars out of 5 for commissions and fees, ranking it at #49 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Xtrade, however, trails behind with a 2.5-star rating, positioning it at the bottom rank of #63. These rankings underline the importance of comparing not just the absolute cost but also the overall trading environment, transparency, and value for money each broker provides.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €1 | $250 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 2.7 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 2.7 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| 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 Xtrade, there are some notable differences. Trading 212 provides an extensive variety of investment options, boasting 7,868 tradeable symbols, including 146 forex pairs accessible through CFDs. In contrast, Xtrade offers a total of 482 tradeable symbols with 56 forex pairs. This broader range of options places Trading 212 ahead, especially for those interested in forex trading via CFDs, which both platforms support.
Trading 212 is a compelling choice for investors who wish to trade exchange-traded securities, as it supports buying shares on both U.S. and international exchanges, unlike Xtrade which does not offer this service. Moreover, while neither platform allows the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies, both provide the opportunity to invest in cryptocurrency derivatives. Overall, Trading 212's wider selection of investment opportunities earns it a 5-star rating for range of investments, ranking 15th out of 63 brokers, whereas Xtrade is rated 3.5 stars and holds the 49th position in the same category.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7868 | 482 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 146 | 56 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| 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 offered by Trading 212 and Xtrade, both brokers provide users with simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts, making it easy for new traders to practice without financial risk. Trading 212 and Xtrade both boast proprietary platforms, developed in-house, which offer web-based access for trading from any browser without the need for downloads, making it convenient for users to trade from various devices. However, neither broker supports popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5, and copy trading features are also unavailable on both platforms.
In terms of analytical tools, Trading 212 offers 20 drawing tools for charting, while Xtrade provides a more extensive selection with 100 drawing tools. Both platforms enable trading directly from stock charts, simplifying direct engagement with market data. For customizing watch lists, Trading 212 provides up to 5 fields, whereas Xtrade offers more flexibility with 9 fields. Despite Xtrade's broader range of features, Trading 212 is rated higher with 4 stars compared to Xtrade's 3.5 stars for trading platforms and tools by ForexBrokers.com, and ranks significantly better at #20 versus Xtrade's #58 out of 63 brokers.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | 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) | 54 | N/A |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 100 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 9 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When it comes to mobile trading apps, both Trading 212 and Xtrade offer compatibility with iPhone and Android devices. However, Trading 212 stands out with a range of features tailored to active traders and investors. It offers stock and forex price alerts, watchlist symbol syncing, and an impressive 104 technical studies for charting. The app allows users to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on stock or forex charts, capabilities not available with Xtrade. Additionally, Trading 212 excels in providing real-time quotes on customized watchlists, ensuring a seamless integration between devices and a smooth trading experience.
On the other hand, Xtrade's mobile app lacks several of these features, such as charting tools, trendline drawing, and real-time price alerts. Despite earning a four-star rating, equal to Trading 212, Xtrade is ranked significantly lower in comparison, positioned at #53 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while Trading 212 holds a commendable #17 ranking. This comparison highlights Trading 212 as a preferred choice for traders seeking comprehensive tools and synchronization features in their mobile trading platform.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 104 | N/A |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing Trading 212 and Xtrade for market research offerings, there are distinct differences between the two brokers. Trading 212 provides forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters and features a sentiment-based trading tool that illustrates the ratio of long or short positions across currencies. Additionally, Trading 212 offers an economic calendar that highlights global news events. However, it lacks daily market commentary, as well as research tools from companies like Autochartist and Trading Central. Despite these limitations, Trading 212 manages to secure a research rating of 3.5 stars, placing it at 44th out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
In contrast, Xtrade delivers daily market commentary and also offers forex news from respected sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters. Like Trading 212, Xtrade includes an economic calendar for global events but does not provide sentiment-based trading tools or research tools from Autochartist and Trading Central. Xtrade's combined services earn it a research rating of 3.5 stars, slightly trailing behind Trading 212 in the rankings at 52nd place out of 63 brokers. Both platforms offer a comprehensive range of information, yet each has unique strengths that may appeal to different kinds of traders.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| 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 available to beginners, Trading 212 and Xtrade both offer a variety of materials, but the quality and breadth of these materials differ between the two online brokers. Trading 212 provides a comprehensive range of educational content, including over ten beginner-targeted videos and advanced trading videos, making it a useful platform for both novices and those with some trading experience. Unlike Xtrade, Trading 212 also features a searchable archive of previously recorded client webinars, which can be a valuable tool for learners who prefer an on-demand approach to education. Both brokers meet the minimum threshold of ten educational pieces on forex or CFDs and offer an investor dictionary with over fifty definitions, making them decent starting points for new traders.
However, Xtrade lags behind Trading 212 in several areas that could be crucial for beginners. For instance, Xtrade does not match Trading 212's offering of beginner and advanced educational videos, which could leave new traders without key visual learning opportunities. Additionally, Xtrade lacks a searchable archive of past webinars, potentially limiting users' ability to revisit past learning sessions for further understanding. Despite being equally rated at 3.5 stars out of five, Xtrade ranks significantly lower at #46 compared to Trading 212's #20 position in the education category. This suggests that while both brokers provide fundamental educational resources, Trading 212 may have a more well-rounded offering for those new to trading.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | No | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| 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 Trading 212 is better than Xtrade. Trading 212 finished with an overall rank of #31, while Xtrade finished with an overall rank of #60.
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
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 80 | 74 |
| Range of Investments |
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Both Trading 212 and Xtrade do not offer the ability to purchase actual cryptocurrencies, but they do provide options to invest in cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers, Trading 212 provides more diverse options for depositing or withdrawing account funds by supporting ACH, SEPA, PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, whereas Xtrade offers fund transfer options via Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires but lacks ACH, SEPA, and PayPal support.
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 | Xtrade | |
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| Trust Score | 80 | 74 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Trading 212 Review | Xtrade Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Trading 212 | Xtrade | |
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| Regulation | Trading 212 | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 80 | 74 | |
| Year Founded | 2004 | 2003 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Trading 212 | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Trading 212 | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7868 | 482 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 146 | 56 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Trading 212 | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 2.7 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 2.7 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Trading 212 | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €1 | $250 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | 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 | Trading 212 | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 9 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 54 | N/A | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 100 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | No |
| Mobile Trading | Trading 212 | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | No | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 104 | N/A | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | Trading 212 | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Trading 212 | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Trading 212 | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Xtrade Review |
| Overall | Trading 212 | Xtrade | |
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| Trust Score | 80 | 74 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Trading 212 Review | Xtrade Review |
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