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.
Trading 212 and BDSwiss both provide traders with free virtual demo accounts, which allow new and experienced users to hone their trading skills in a risk-free environment. Each broker also offers a proprietary trading platform developed in-house, catering to unique user needs. However, while BDSwiss provides a Windows-based desktop trading option, Trading 212 opts for accessibility via its web-based platform. Significantly, BDSwiss caters to a wider range of trading preferences by supporting popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, while Trading 212 does not offer these third-party options.
Additionally, BDSwiss gives traders access to copy trading features, allowing users to mirror the strategies of seasoned traders, a service not available with Trading 212. Both platforms support trading directly from stock charts, enhancing user experience. For charting tools, Trading 212 offers a slightly greater number of drawing tools with 20 available, compared to BDSwiss's 15. However, BDSwiss compensates with a more extensive capability in watchlist customization, offering 7 fields compared to the 5 fields from Trading 212. Both brokers receive a robust four-star rating for their trading platforms and tools, though Trading 212 ranks slightly higher at #21, compared to BDSwiss at #24, suggesting small but noteworthy distinctions in their offerings.
| 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 |
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Trading 212 and BDSwiss both provide mobile apps for iPhone and Android devices, allowing users to trade on the go. These apps offer features like stock and forex price alerts and allow users to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on charts. Both platforms support creating watchlists with real-time quotes, yet Trading 212 stands out with its watchlist symbol syncing feature, enabling seamless integration between the mobile app and users' online accounts. This can streamline trading activities by ensuring consistency across devices, something BDSwiss currently lacks.
When it comes to charting capabilities, Trading 212 takes the lead by offering 104 technical studies, compared to BDSwiss' 30. This difference allows for more in-depth analysis on Trading 212’s platform. Despite these differences, both apps auto-save chart drawings, preserving user data and preferences. Rated four stars for their mobile trading experience, Trading 212 ranks #17 while BDSwiss ranks #23 out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. This indicates a slight edge for Trading 212 in offering a more comprehensive and integrated mobile trading experience.
| 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 comparing Trading 212 and BDSwiss for market research offerings, each platform has its own strengths. Trading 212 shines in providing forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, which can be immensely valuable for traders seeking credible and current information. Additionally, Trading 212 offers a sentiment-based trading tool that highlights the ratio of long or short positions across different instruments, a feature that can be quite insightful for market sentiment analysis. For those who rely heavily on economic calendars, both platforms match up by offering this essential tool to track global news events. However, Trading 212 lacks daily market commentary and tools from companies like Autochartist and Trading Central, which BDSwiss provides, enhancing its technical and fundamental analysis capabilities.
BDSwiss offers a more diverse range of technical analysis tools, including those from established providers like Autochartist and Trading Central. Despite not offering forex news from top-tier sources, BDSwiss compensates by providing daily market commentary, which can help keep traders updated on market movements. In terms of research ratings, BDSwiss scores higher with 4 stars against Trading 212's 3.5 stars. This higher rating is reflected in ForexBrokers.com's rankings, where BDSwiss is placed at #23 out of 62 brokers, significantly ahead of Trading 212, which stands at #46. Therefore, for traders looking for a broad array of analysis tools and daily insights, BDSwiss might be more suitable, whereas Trading 212 may appeal to those prioritizing access to top-tier financial news.
| 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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