Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of AvaTrade 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.
AvaTrade and Trading 212 are well-known online brokers that offer a range of trading services but differ significantly in their regulatory standings. Established in 2006, AvaTrade boasts a high Trust Score of 94 from ForexBrokers.com, underlining its strong reputation as a highly trusted broker. AvaTrade's credibility is further supported by its possession of 4 Tier-1 licenses and 3 Tier-2 licenses, which highlight its commitment to compliance and security. Although not publicly traded or a bank, AvaTrade’s regulatory framework is robust, providing traders with peace of mind.
Trading 212, on the other hand, was founded in 2004 and holds a Trust Score of 79, signaling an average risk level according to ForexBrokers.com ratings. This broker holds 2 Tier-1 licenses but lacks any Tier-2 licenses, which suggests a more moderate approach to regulation compared to AvaTrade. Like AvaTrade, Trading 212 is neither publicly traded nor a bank. While it provides essential services for traders, those prioritizing regulatory assurance may find AvaTrade's higher trust score and additional licenses more appealing.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2006 | 2004 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
When comparing AvaTrade and Trading 212, it's clear that both cater to different trader needs, especially when it comes to commissions and fees. AvaTrade is praised for spreads that are close to the industry average, coming in just under one pip at 0.9 pips as of June 2024. This makes it slightly more expensive than competitors like CMC Markets and Tickmill. For professional traders who qualify for AvaTrade's Professional account, the deal is more competitive with spreads of 0.6 pips, comparable to those offered by FP Markets. AvaTrade boasts a strong rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 and is ranked #12 among 62 brokers for commissions and fees by ForexBrokers.com.
On the other hand, Trading 212 offers a no-frills approach with two accounts: Invest for trading shares and CFD for trading Contracts for Difference (CFDs). The minimum deposit is notably low, at just 1 euro for the Invest account and 10 euros for the CFD account. Focusing on the CFD account, Trading 212 markets itself as offering zero-commission trades, though traders will still have to pay a spread. As of January 2024, the average spread for the EUR/USD pair stands at 1.9 pips, noticeably higher than industry standards, which could deter cost-conscious traders. Trading 212 has a 4-star rating and is ranked #43, indicating room for improvement in the Commissions and Fees category.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | €10 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.93 | 1.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.61 | 1.9 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | 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 the investment options provided by AvaTrade and Trading 212, it's clear that each platform caters to different preferences. AvaTrade offers a total of 1,260 tradeable symbols, with a strong focus on forex trading by providing 53 distinct pairs. Their offerings include forex trading as a CFD, and they allow copy trading, making it an attractive choice for those interested primarily in forex and derivatives without direct access to exchange-traded securities.
On the other hand, Trading 212 shines with a expansive range of 8,025 tradeable symbols, including 146 forex pairs, and they stand out by giving investors direct access to buying shares on both U.S. and international exchanges, such as Apple and Vodafone. Although Trading 212 does not support copy trading, its comprehensive access to stocks elevates its appeal. Both brokers allow for trading of cryptocurrency derivatives. Rated higher for its range of investments, Trading 212 earns five stars and ranks 15th on ForexBrokers.com, whereas AvaTrade holds four stars and ranks 32nd, reflecting the broader variety offered by Trading 212.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1260 | 8025 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 53 | 146 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | 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.
AvaTrade and Trading 212 both shine by offering virtual demo accounts that enable users to practice trading with no financial risk, making them appealing for novices eager to hone their skills. They each have proprietary platforms, thoughtfully crafted by their in-house teams, accompanied by web-based trading options accessible through any browser. AvaTrade takes a notable step forward by also supporting Windows-based desktop platforms and advanced trading tools like MetaTrader 4 and 5, alongside specialized services like DupliTrade and ZuluTrade for automated and copy trading strategies. Trading 212, while lacking these latter features, compensates with more drawing tools for technical chart analysis, but falls short in technical sharing indicators which remain unspecified for both brokers.
Users placing a premium on trade execution will find AvaTrade appealing since it allows trades directly from the stock chart and offers a superior number of columns for personalized watch lists. AvaTrade is rated slightly higher with 4.5 stars for its robust platform and toolset, securing a respectable 13th ranking out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, Trading 212 is still a solid contender, boasting a 4-star rating and ranking 21st, making it a capable choice for traders who value an intuitive interface and straightforward functionality.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| DupliTrade | Yes | No |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 80 | 54 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 13 | 20 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 5 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both AvaTrade and Trading 212 provide excellent mobile trading apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices, offering users flexibility across different platforms. Traders can receive stock and forex price alerts on both apps, ensuring they stay up-to-date with market changes. Additionally, both apps feature watchlist symbol syncing, allowing users to maintain consistency between their mobile devices and online accounts. When it comes to charting capabilities, AvaTrade provides 73 technical studies, while Trading 212 offers a greater number of 104, which may appeal to detail-oriented traders. Both apps enable trendline drawing and viewing of multiple time frames, such as daily or weekly, ensuring comprehensive market analysis. However, only Trading 212’s app automatically saves drawings on charts, which could be a useful feature for some users.
For real-time market insights, both AvaTrade and Trading 212 support watchlists with live quotes, aiding traders in making informed decisions quickly. AvaTrade's app earns a slightly higher rating, with 4.5 out of 5 stars for mobile trading, compared to Trading 212’s 4-star rating. In ForexBrokers.com’s extensive review of 62 brokers, AvaTrade ranks higher in the mobile trading apps category at #13, while Trading 212 holds the #17 spot. Users seeking extensive charting tools may prefer Trading 212, but those prioritizing overall app performance might lean towards AvaTrade. In the end, both platforms offer reliable and efficient mobile trading experiences tailored to meet the diverse needs of traders.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 73 | 104 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing AvaTrade and Trading 212 for market research features, both online brokers show some strengths but also have areas where they differ significantly. Neither AvaTrade nor Trading 212 provide daily market commentary, yet both supply forex news from prestigious sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. AvaTrade stands out by offering technical analysis tools from Trading Central, giving traders deeper insights into market trends, a feature that Trading 212 lacks. Additionally, both platforms offer sentiment-based trading tools that display the ratio of long and short positions across various currency pairs, as well as access to an economic calendar outlining key global news events. However, neither broker provides tools from Autochartist, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading.
Overall, AvaTrade slightly outperforms Trading 212 in the research category, receiving a four-star rating compared to Trading 212's 3.5 stars. AvaTrade ranks as the 34th broker out of 62 in ForexBrokers.com's research category, while Trading 212 holds the 46th position. This suggests that those looking for more comprehensive technical analysis resources may find AvaTrade to be a marginally better option. Conversely, users of Trading 212 may need to seek additional sources for market research tools that are not covered by the platform.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | 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.
For those diving into the world of online trading and seeking educational resources, both AvaTrade and Trading 212 offer a commendable array of learning materials tailored for beginners. Each broker provides more than 10 educational resources focusing on forex and CFDs, ranging from articles and videos to archived webinars. They both host regular educational webinars, ensuring clients have ongoing opportunities to expand their knowledge. A particularly useful feature is the searchable archive of these recorded sessions, accessible with both brokers. Additionally, AvaTrade and Trading 212 offer comprehensive educational video series, with each having at least 10 videos specifically developed for beginners wanting to understand the basics of trading.
Going beyond beginner resources, both AvaTrade and Trading 212 also cater to experienced traders by providing advanced educational videos. These videos delve deeper into complex trading concepts, offering insights for those ready to advance their skills. Each platform has an investor dictionary featuring definitions of over 50 investing terms, a handy tool for traders navigating the jargon-heavy world of finance. While both brokers provide strong educational offerings, AvaTrade receives a higher accolade, with a 4-star rating and a #2 ranking in the Education category by ForexBrokers.com, compared to Trading 212's 3.5-star rating and #20 ranking. This subtle difference might guide beginners in choosing a broker that better meets their educational needs.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
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) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that AvaTrade is better than Trading 212. AvaTrade finished with an overall rank of #13, while Trading 212 finished with an overall rank of #31.
AvaTrade is a trusted global brand best known for offering an extensive selection of trading platforms for forex and CFD traders, as well as exceptional educational content that helped it nab Best in Class honors for Beginners in the ForexBrokers.com 2025 Annual Awards.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
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Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 94 | 79 |
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Both AvaTrade and Trading 212 provide the opportunity to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, although neither offers the option to buy actual delivered cryptocurrencies.
When comparing online brokers, AvaTrade supports PayPal, Skrill, and Visa or Mastercard for deposits and withdrawals, but lacks ACH or SEPA transfer options, while Trading 212 offers ACH or SEPA transfers, uses PayPal and Visa or Mastercard like AvaTrade, but does not support Skrill for fund transactions.
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 | AvaTrade | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 94 | 79 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | AvaTrade Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | AvaTrade | Trading 212 | |
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| Regulation | AvaTrade | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 94 | 79 | |
| Year Founded | 2006 | 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 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | AvaTrade | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| 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) | AvaTrade | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | 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 | AvaTrade | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1260 | 8025 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 53 | 146 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | 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 | AvaTrade | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.93 | 1.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.61 | 1.9 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | AvaTrade | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | €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 | AvaTrade | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | Yes | No | |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Trading Tools | AvaTrade | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 5 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 80 | 54 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 13 | 20 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | AvaTrade | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 73 | 104 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | AvaTrade | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | AvaTrade | 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) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | AvaTrade | 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 | AvaTrade Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Overall | AvaTrade | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 94 | 79 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | AvaTrade Review | Trading 212 Review |
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