Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Capital.com 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.
Capital.com, founded in 2016, has swiftly carved a niche for itself in the world of online trading. Despite not being publicly traded or a bank, it has secured trustworthiness with 3 Tier-1 licenses and 1 Tier-2 license, demonstrating a high level of regulatory compliance. As a result, Capital.com enjoys a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 87, reflecting a strong position in the trusted category and offering users a sense of security when trading on their platform.
Founded in 2004, Trading 212 is a well-established player in the trading arena, though it does not trade publicly nor operates as a bank. It holds 2 Tier-1 licenses, indicating a commendable level of regulatory regard, although it has no Tier-2 licenses. With a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 79, Trading 212 is seen as having an average risk. This suggests that while it is a viable option for traders, potential users should weigh their need for trust against the scores of other platforms.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2016 | 2004 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
When it comes to comparing commissions and fees between online brokers, Capital.com stands out with its competitive pricing that is better than the industry average. The platform provides both a universal account for retail traders and a professional account for those who qualify, although professional clients do lose some regulatory protection. Capital.com's average spread for EUR/USD is 0.67 pips, verified as its average for April 2024, making it an excellent choice for low-cost forex trading. Rated at 5 stars for commissions and fees and ranked third among 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, Capital.com is a top-tier option for cost-conscious traders.
On the other hand, Trading 212 offers two types of accounts: the Invest account for shares and the CFD account specifically for CFDs. With a modest minimum deposit requirement of just 1 euro for the Invest account and 10 euros for the CFD account, Trading 212 promotes accessibility. While the broker claims zero-commission trading, traders should be mindful of the spreads. The average spread for EUR/USD in January 2024 was 1.9 pips, which is higher than the industry norm, making it less attractive in this department. With a 4-star rating and a ranking of 43rd out of 62 brokers for commissions and fees, Trading 212 may not be the optimal choice if low fees are your priority.
In summary, Capital.com provides a more cost-effective trading experience, particularly for forex traders seeking lower spreads. Its stellar 5-star rating and high ranking underscore its financial advantages. Meanwhile, Trading 212's higher spreads and lower ranking suggest it may be better suited for traders who prioritize other features over cost efficiency.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $20 | €10 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.67 | 1.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.67 | 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.
Capital.com and Trading 212 both offer online trading services, but their range of investments varies significantly. Capital.com provides access to 3,007 tradeable symbols, including 125 forex pairs. While it offers forex trading as a CFD and cryptocurrency derivatives, it lacks direct access to exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international markets, meaning you can't directly buy shares like Apple or Vodafone. On the other hand, Trading 212 offers a broader selection with 8,025 tradeable symbols and 146 forex pairs. Additionally, it allows users to purchase actual shares on U.S. and international exchanges, expanding your investment options beyond CFDs and cryptocurrency derivatives.
The difference in the range of investments reflects in their ratings, with Capital.com scoring 4.5 stars and Trading 212 earning a perfect 5 stars for this category. According to ForexBrokers.com, Capital.com ranks #22 out of 62 brokers, while Trading 212 stands at a more favorable #15. In summary, Trading 212 appears to provide a more extensive selection of investments compared to Capital.com, particularly for investors interested in actual exchange-traded securities. However, both platforms excel in offering forex trading and cryptocurrency derivatives, catering to different investment preferences.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3007 | 8025 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 125 | 146 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| 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.
Both Capital.com and Trading 212 offer excellent trading platforms and tools, but they cater to different user preferences. Capital.com shines with its proprietary platform available across Windows-based desktop, web, and mobile apps, offering seamless versatility for traders who prefer using different devices. Their platform also supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4), a favored choice for many forex traders, but it does not include MetaTrader 5 (MT5). Both platforms provide free virtual demo accounts, allowing users to hone their skills before risking real money. However, Trading 212 lacks a desktop application, requiring users to rely on its web and mobile platforms, which are proprietary in nature.
When it comes to charting tools, Trading 212 offers a slight edge over Capital.com, featuring 20 drawing tools compared to Capital.com's 18. Both platforms enable users to trade directly from stock charts, streamlining the trading process. Capital.com outpaces Trading 212 with more comprehensive watch list options, providing 11 fields compared to Trading 212's five. While neither broker allows for copy trading or integrates social trading platforms like ZuluTrade or DupliTrade, Capital.com receives a higher rating of 4.5 stars for its trading platforms and tools, compared to Trading 212’s 4 stars. Consequently, Capital.com is ranked 12th out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while Trading 212 sits at 21st. This suggests that while both platforms are strong contenders, Capital.com might offer a slight advantage for those seeking a more diverse desktop experience and advanced functionality in watch lists.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 83 | 54 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 18 | 20 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 5 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both Capital.com and Trading 212 offer impressive mobile trading apps for both iPhone and Android users. They each provide features that are important to traders, such as the ability to set alerts for stock or forex prices, draw trendlines on charts, and view multiple time frames for better trade insights. Both apps support real-time quote watchlists and automatically save chart drawings, ensuring your analysis is never lost. However, one key difference is that Trading 212 allows for watchlist symbol syncing between its mobile app and the user's online account. This feature is not available with Capital.com, making Trading 212 slightly more convenient for those who regularly switch between devices.
When it comes to charting capabilities, Trading 212 stands out by offering a whopping 104 technical studies compared to Capital.com's 30. Despite this advantage, Capital.com scores higher in customer satisfaction, with a solid 4.5-star rating out of five for its mobile trading app, compared to Trading 212's 4-star rating. Additionally, Capital.com ranks 12th among 62 brokers for its mobile app, while Trading 212 is positioned at 17th place according to ForexBrokers.com. In conclusion, both apps are excellent choices, but your preference may depend on the specific features and user ratings that matter most to your trading needs.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 104 |
| 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 Capital.com and Trading 212 for market research, it’s clear that both platforms offer unique strengths. Capital.com provides daily market commentary, a valuable feature for traders seeking regular updates, while also offering a sentiment-based trading tool to give insights into market dynamics. Although it lacks forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, Capital.com compensates with market research from TipRanks and an inclusive economic calendar to keep users informed about global financial events. This suite of resources earns Capital.com a commendable 4.5-star rating for research and a strong 14th place ranking out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com.
Trading 212, on the other hand, provides forex news from well-regarded sources, which is an asset for investors focused on forex markets. The platform also offers a sentiment-based trading tool and an economic calendar, aligning with the needs of traders interested in understanding market sentiment and staying updated on economic developments. However, Trading 212 lags in offering daily market commentary and certain specialized research tools, which are aspects that see its research rating at 3.5 stars and a ranking of 46th among brokers by ForexBrokers.com. These differences highlight the strengths and limitations of each broker, allowing traders to choose based on specific research preferences and needs.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | 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 in forex and CFDs, both Capital.com and Trading 212 are strong contenders. Capital.com excels in offering an impressive array of at least 10 educational pieces such as articles, videos, and archived webinars focusing on forex and CFDs. They enhance their offerings with over 10 beginner-focused videos and an extensive investor dictionary boasting more than 50 definitions. Although they lack monthly educational webinars, their searchable archive of past webinars is a valuable tool for learners. With a 4.5-star rating for education and a commendable #8 ranking among 62 brokers, Capital.com clearly stands out in delivering quality educational resources.
On the other hand, Trading 212 also provides a substantial collection of educational materials, including a minimum of 10 detailed pieces on forex and CFDs, beginner and advanced videos, and a well-rounded investor dictionary. What sets Trading 212 apart is their commitment to monthly live webinars, coupled with an easily accessible archive of past webinars, adding depth to their educational approach. However, they trail slightly behind with a 3.5-star rating and a #20 ranking in education. Both brokers offer valuable resources, but Capital.com appears to have a slight edge in comprehensive educational support for newcomers.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | No | 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 Capital.com is better than Trading 212. Capital.com finished with an overall rank of #10, while Trading 212 finished with an overall rank of #31.
Capital.com stands out for its quality research, strong educational content, and innovative web platform. Capital.com holds fewer regulatory licenses and offers a narrower range of markets than some of the best brokers, but still significantly outperforms the industry average.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 87 | 79 |
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Both Capital.com and Trading 212 do not support the purchase of actual cryptocurrency, but they do offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, providing users with options for engaging in crypto markets without owning the actual digital coins.
When comparing online brokers Capital.com and Trading 212, it's important to note that while both platforms support popular deposit and withdrawal methods such as PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, only Trading 212 offers ACH or SEPA transfers, whereas Capital.com uniquely supports Skrill.
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 | Capital.com | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 87 | 79 | |
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| Review | Capital.com Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Capital.com | Trading 212 | |
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| Regulation | Capital.com | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 87 | 79 | |
| Year Founded | 2016 | 2004 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Capital.com | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | 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) | Capital.com | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Capital.com | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3007 | 8025 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 125 | 146 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | Capital.com | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.67 | 1.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.67 | 1.9 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Capital.com | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $20 | €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 | Capital.com | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Capital.com | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 5 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 83 | 54 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 18 | 20 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Capital.com | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 104 | |
| 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 | Capital.com | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Capital.com | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | 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 | Capital.com | 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 | Capital.com Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Overall | Capital.com | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 87 | 79 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Capital.com Review | Trading 212 Review |
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