Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Trading 212 vs ATFX, 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, is an online broker that operates privately and does not function as a bank. It holds two Tier-1 licenses, indicating a level of compliance that is regarded as highly trustworthy by industry standards. However, the absence of any Tier-2 licenses may leave some potential users seeking broader coverage in regulation. With a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 79 out of 99, Trading 212 falls into the category of average risk, suggesting that users should carefully consider their options when choosing this platform for trading activities.
In comparison, ATFX, which entered the market in 2017, is also privately operated and not associated with banking services. ATFX distinguishes itself with four Tier-1 licenses and an additional two Tier-2 licenses, portraying a comprehensive compliance stance in the financial industry. With a Trust Score of 85 out of 99 on ForexBrokers.com, ATFX is rated as trusted, giving potential traders more assurance in its regulatory framework. While both brokers are not publicly traded or banks, ATFX's higher trust score and larger number of licenses may offer a more secure choice for users who prioritize regulatory credentials.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2004 | 2017 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of Trading 212 and ATFX for forex and CFD trading, Trading 212 provides a more transparent pricing approach. Trading 212 offers an Invest account with a 1 euro minimum deposit and a CFD account requiring a 10 euro deposit. Although they advertise zero-commission trading, traders still encounter costs through spreads. In January 2024, the average spread for the EUR/USD pair was 1.9 pips—higher than the industry norm, making it less competitive among top brokers in this category. Trading 212 earns a commendable 4-star rating for its commissions and fees, ranking 43rd out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com.
Conversely, ATFX does not provide average spread data, which might make assessing their overall trading cost slightly opaque. As a result, ATFX receives a 3-star rating for its commissions and fees, ranked 59th out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. The absence of detailed spread data could be a factor for cost-conscious traders to consider when evaluating the overall value offered by ATFX.
In summary, Trading 212 seems to outshine ATFX in terms of fee transparency, though its higher-than-average spreads are worth noting. Both brokers present their own set of advantages and potential drawbacks, depending on a trader’s priorities related to cost, transparency, and overall ranking within the industry. With these details in mind, traders can better navigate the decision-making process when choosing between these two brokers.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €10 | $500 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.9 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.9 | 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.
In comparing Trading 212 and ATFX, Trading 212 stands out with an extensive range of investment options. Trading 212 offers an impressive 8,025 tradeable symbols, including 146 forex pairs, allowing clients significant diversity in their trading endeavors. In contrast, ATFX provides access to 150 tradeable symbols with 44 forex pairs. Both platforms support forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts, but Trading 212 provides a broader market reach by enabling purchases of exchange traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges. In comparison, ATFX does not offer access to these exchange traded securities, limiting trading options for its users.
Neither Trading 212 nor ATFX allows the buying of actual cryptocurrency, although they do offer cryptocurrency derivatives for those interested in digital currency trading. A key differentiator is that ATFX supports copy trading, a feature not available with Trading 212. In terms of ratings, Trading 212 is given a high 5-star rating for its range of investments, ranking 15th out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. ATFX, while rated 3.5 stars and ranked 57th among the same brokers, lacks the comprehensive investment offerings seen with Trading 212, making it potentially less appealing for those seeking a wide variety of trading opportunities.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8025 | 150 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 146 | 44 |
| 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.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools of Trading 212 and ATFX, both brokers offer free virtual demo accounts, allowing users to practice with simulated trading. Trading 212 stands out with its proprietary platform developed in-house, available as a web-based platform but not for Windows-based desktop downloads. In contrast, ATFX does not have its own proprietary platform; however, it provides a Windows-based desktop download option and web-based platform access. Notably, ATFX supports MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, popular among forex traders, while Trading 212 does not support these trading platforms.
Trading 212 focuses on delivering a streamlined experience with 20 drawing tools for charting, compared to ATFX's 15. Both brokers allow trading directly from stock charts, enhancing the trading experience. In terms of watchlist customization, ATFX offers more fields with a total of 7 columns, while Trading 212 includes 5 columns. However, despite these differences, Trading 212 receives a slightly higher rating of 4 out of 5 stars for its trading platforms and tools compared to ATFX’s 3.5 stars. Furthermore, Trading 212 is ranked 20th by ForexBrokers.com among 62 brokers, while ATFX holds the 61st position, reflecting a stronger overall platform and tool offering by Trading 212.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| 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.
Both Trading 212 and ATFX provide feature-rich mobile trading apps suitable for iPhone and Android devices. Both apps offer essential functionalities like price alerts and the ability to draw trendlines on charts. However, Trading 212 stands out with its watchlist symbol syncing feature, allowing users to seamlessly synchronize their watchlists between the mobile app and their online account. ATFX lacks this functionality, which may be a crucial consideration for users who trade on different devices.
When it comes to analyzing charts, Trading 212 offers a significant advantage, providing 104 technical studies compared to ATFX's 7. Both platforms allow users to view multiple time frames and auto-save chart drawings. Both apps also offer real-time quotes, enabling users to create dynamic watchlists. Despite similarities, Trading 212 holds a higher rating of 4 stars compared to ATFX’s 3.5 stars, and it ranks 17th out of 62 brokers, whereas ATFX ranks last in the category according to ForexBrokers.com. These rankings could influence traders in choosing a platform that aligns better with their needs for mobile trading.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 104 | 7 |
| 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 Trading 212 and ATFX in terms of market research offerings, there are several key differences and similarities to consider. Trading 212 shines in providing forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, a feature ATFX does not offer. However, ATFX takes the lead with daily market commentary, which Trading 212 lacks. For traders relying on sentiment-based tools, Trading 212 provides insights into long and short positions, while ATFX does not include this feature.
ATFX excels in offering advanced research tools from renowned companies like Autochartist and Trading Central, a service Trading 212 doesn't provide. Both platforms feature an economic calendar to keep users informed about global economic events. Despite these differences, Trading 212 and ATFX both do not offer market research from TipRanks or any tools from Acuity Trading. Based on these offerings, Trading 212 holds a slight edge in research ratings with 3.5 stars, compared to ATFX's 3 stars, and ranks higher at #46 among 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, whereas ATFX is positioned at #54.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| 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 for beginners, both Trading 212 and ATFX make efforts to provide valuable content, but there are key differences that set them apart. Trading 212 delivers a broad array of educational materials, including more than 10 pieces focusing on forex or CFDs through articles, videos, and archived webinars. They provide at least 10 beginner-friendly videos tailored to newcomers. Trading 212 also stands out by offering online client webinars each month, as well as a searchable archive of these sessions. Furthermore, their resources extend to advanced trading topics, with over 10 in-depth videos available for experienced traders. They even include an investor dictionary with definitions of over 50 investing terms.
ATFX similarly supplies a comprehensive suite of educational content, meeting the threshold of 10 forex or CFDs-focused pieces and beginner videos. They also provide a searchable archive of past webinars. However, they fall short in offering monthly live webinars and advanced-level video content for sophisticated traders. Both brokers feature investor dictionaries with a wealth of definitions. Based on education ratings, Trading 212 holds a slight edge with a 3.5-star rating and a #20 rank from ForexBrokers.com, compared to ATFX's 3-star rating and #28 rank. These rankings indicate Trading 212’s enhanced focus on comprehensive educational offerings tailored for various skill levels.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
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 ATFX. Trading 212 finished with an overall rank of #31, while ATFX finished with an overall rank of #51.
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
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 79 | 85 |
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Both Trading 212 and ATFX do not offer the option to buy actual delivered cryptocurrencies, but they do provide the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, allowing investors to engage in crypto trading without owning the underlying assets.
When comparing online brokers, Trading 212 offers versatile account funding options via ACH, SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, whereas ATFX supports deposits and withdrawals via Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, lacking both ACH, SEPA transfers and PayPal, which makes Trading 212 more accessible for users seeking diverse payment methods.
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 | ATFX | |
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| Trust Score | 79 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Trading 212 | ATFX | |
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| Regulation | Trading 212 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 79 | 85 | |
| Year Founded | 2004 | 2017 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Trading 212 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| 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) | Trading 212 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8025 | 150 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 146 | 44 | |
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.9 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.9 | 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €10 | $500 | |
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Trading 212 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 7 | |
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Trading 212 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Trading 212 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Overall | Trading 212 | ATFX | |
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| Trust Score | 79 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Trading 212 Review |
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