Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Trading 212 vs BDSwiss, 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 and BDSwiss are online brokers, each with their own strengths and considerations, particularly in terms of trust and regulation. Trading 212 was founded in 2004 and is not publicly traded, nor is it a bank. It boasts two Tier-1 licenses, the highest level of trust according to ForexBrokers.com, and holds a Trust Score of 79 out of 99. This places Trading 212 in the average risk category, signaling a moderate level of reliability for users.
BDSwiss, established in 2012, shares similar characteristics with Trading 212 by not being a publicly traded entity or a banking institution. It carries one Tier-1 license and also lacks Tier-2 licenses, resulting in a Trust Score of 73 out of 99. This positions BDSwiss slightly lower in trust compared to Trading 212 but still within the average risk range. Both platforms offer users potential despite their moderate scores, reflecting their status and the regulatory environments in which they operate.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2004 | 2012 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
When comparing Trading 212 and BDSwiss for their commissions and fees, both platforms offer competitive but varied pricing structures. Trading 212 is known for its zero-commission claims; however, trading CFDs and forex incurs a spread cost. With a minimum deposit requirement of 10 euros for its CFD account, Trading 212’s average spread for the EUR/USD pair was 1.9 pips as of January 2024, slightly higher than the industry norm, which affects its competitiveness in the market. Trading 212's commissions and fees are rated at 4 stars, ranking 43rd out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
BDSwiss, on the other hand, is recognized for its efficient order execution but features spreads higher than some industry leaders. Its Classic account spread for the EUR/USD pair is priced at 1.5 pips. The more specialized Raw account offers tighter spreads at 0.3 pips plus a $5 commission per trade, resulting in an effective spread of 1.3, while the VIP account offers a 1.2 pip rate. Despite the relatively higher costs, BDSwiss also garners a 4-star rating for commissions and fees, ranking 29th among 62 brokers, according to ForexBrokers.com.
Both Trading 212 and BDSwiss provide distinct advantages and drawbacks in terms of their commission structures and trading costs. While Trading 212 captures interest with zero-commission marketing, BDSwiss offers varied account options with potentially lower effective spreads for more active traders. Users should assess their personal trading needs and strategies to determine which broker aligns best with their financial goals.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €10 | $10-$5000 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.9 | 1.6 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.9 | 1.3 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| 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 Trading 212 and BDSwiss, one can see significant differences in the range of available investments. Trading 212 stands out with an impressive array of 8,025 tradeable symbols, including access to both U.S. and international exchange-traded securities. This means investors can buy shares of major companies like Apple and Vodafone. Additionally, Trading 212 offers 146 tradeable forex pairs, enabling a broad spectrum of currency trading. Meanwhile, while BDSwiss provides a more limited selection with 1,081 tradeable symbols and 53 forex pairs, it does cater to those interested in forex and CFD trading, which like Trading 212, supports cryptocurrency derivatives but not the actual coins themselves. Notably, BDSwiss includes a copy trading feature, allowing users to mimic the trades of successful investors, a service Trading 212 does not offer.
In terms of star ratings for the range of investments, Trading 212 receives a commendable 5-star score, reflecting its extensive offering that puts it at the 15th rank among 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. BDSwiss, on the other hand, attains a 4-star rating and is ranked 34th in the same category. So, while both brokers facilitate forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts effectively, those seeking a broader selection might be more inclined toward Trading 212, especially if they prioritize a wider variety of tradeable assets and the ability to invest in well-known international equities.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8025 | 1081 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 146 | 53 |
| 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 Trading 212 and BDSwiss, both brokers provide traders with robust tools and platforms for a comprehensive trading experience. Each offers a proprietary platform and a web-based trading option, allowing for flexibility in how you trade. They also both support simulated trading with virtual demo accounts, which is beneficial for beginners who are not yet ready to dive into real trading. However, one area where BDSwiss stands out is its offerings for advanced traders, such as its additional support for MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), along with the availability of copy trading. In contrast, Trading 212 does not support these platforms or features, focusing more on a streamlined and user-friendly experience.
In terms of trading tools, Trading 212 offers an edge with 20 drawing tools for charting compared to BDSwiss's 15. Both brokers allow trading directly from stock charts and create watch lists with customizable fields, though BDSwiss offers slightly more with 7 columns versus Trading 212’s 5. Despite these differences, both platforms are rated equally with 4 stars for their trading platforms and tools. Their rankings by ForexBrokers.com place Trading 212 at #20 and BDSwiss at #24 out of 62 brokers, indicating a slight preference for Trading 212. Ultimately, your choice between these brokers might hinge on specific platform needs and the value of features like desktop accessibility and advanced trading options.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| 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 BDSwiss offer convenient mobile trading apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices, making it easy for traders to access financial markets on the go. They both support stock and forex price alerts to keep users informed about market movements, and they allow drawing trendlines and viewing various time frames on charts. However, when it comes to syncing watchlist symbols with the online account, Trading 212 provides this seamless feature, whereas BDSwiss does not. This might be a key deciding factor for those who prioritize unified account management.
Chart enthusiasts will appreciate that Trading 212 offers 104 technical studies, significantly more than the 30 provided by BDSwiss, providing a richer analytical experience. Despite these differences, both apps have user-friendly features, such as auto-saving drawings and real-time quote watchlists, contributing to their solid four-star ratings for mobile trading. In terms of rankings, Trading 212 stands at #17, a notch above BDSwiss, which is ranked #24 out of 62 brokers as reviewed by ForexBrokers.com. This higher rank for Trading 212 may indicate slightly better overall user satisfaction and feature offerings for mobile trading.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 104 | 30 |
| 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 examining the market research offerings of Trading 212 and BDSwiss, notable differences arise that cater to diverse trading needs. Trading 212 provides access to forex news from esteemed sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, essential for staying informed on market movements. Additionally, Trading 212 delivers a sentiment-based trading tool, giving users insight into long or short positions across different currency pairs. Their economic calendar further supports traders by highlighting relevant global news events. However, Trading 212 does not include daily market commentary or specialized research tools from companies like Autochartist or Trading Central, which could be a limitation for those seeking in-depth analysis.
BDSwiss, on the other hand, enriches its offering with daily market commentary and technical analysis resources from Autochartist and Trading Central, making it appealing for traders emphasizing analytical tools. While it lacks forex news from top-tier sources, BDSwiss provides users with a comprehensive economic calendar. This blend of tools and commentary helps explain why BDSwiss has a higher research rating of 4 stars, compared to Trading 212's 3.5 stars. In the broader brokerage landscape, BDSwiss holds a higher rank at #24 for research, contrasting with Trading 212's position at #46, highlighting its stronger emphasis on market research capabilities.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 BDSwiss stand out as reliable platforms. Each broker offers an array of resources, from at least ten educational pieces focused on forex and CFDs to monthly online educational webinars. Both platforms also provide a searchable archive of past webinars, ensuring that learners can access previous sessions at their convenience. For those just starting their trading journey, each broker offers more than ten beginner-friendly educational videos, breaking down complex trading topics into digestible information.
Those with more experience aren't left out either, as both Trading 212 and BDSwiss provide a variety of videos covering advanced trading topics. Additionally, their investor dictionaries contain definitions for more than 50 key investing terms, enriching the user learning experience. While both brokers offer extensive resources, BDSwiss slightly edges out with a higher education rating of 4 stars compared to Trading 212's 3.5 stars. This is reflected in their rankings, with BDSwiss positioned at #19 and Trading 212 at #20 among 62 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com for education.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 Trading 212 is better than BDSwiss. Trading 212 finished with an overall rank of #31, while BDSwiss finished with an overall rank of #36.
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
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 79 | 73 |
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Trading 212 and BDSwiss both do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they each provide options to invest in cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers Trading 212 and BDSwiss, both platforms support ACH and SEPA transfers, Visa and Mastercard, as well as bank wires for deposits and withdrawals, but Trading 212 offers PayPal, which BDSwiss does not, while BDSwiss provides Skrill as a payment option, which Trading 212 lacks.
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 | BDSwiss | |
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| Trust Score | 79 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Trading 212 Review | BDSwiss Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Trading 212 | BDSwiss | |
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| Regulation | Trading 212 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 79 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 2004 | 2012 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Trading 212 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | Trading 212 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Trading 212 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8025 | 1081 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 146 | 53 | |
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.9 | 1.6 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.9 | 1.3 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | No |
| Funding | Trading 212 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €10 | $10-$5000 | |
| 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 | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Trading 212 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 30 | |
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Trading 212 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BDSwiss Review |
| Overall | Trading 212 | BDSwiss | |
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| Trust Score | 79 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Trading 212 Review | BDSwiss Review |
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