Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FOREX.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.
When comparing online brokers FOREX.com and Trading 212, one major distinction lies in their foundation dates and public trading status. FOREX.com, established in 1999, is publicly traded, which can often signal greater transparency and regulatory scrutiny. On the other hand, Trading 212 was founded in 2004 and is not publicly listed. Neither platform operates as a bank, which aligns with their core focus on providing brokerage services to traders.
In terms of regulatory credentials, FOREX.com leads with 7 Tier-1 licenses from top regulatory bodies and an additional Tier-2 license, earning it a near-perfect Trust Score of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, signifying a highly trusted status. In contrast, Trading 212 holds 2 Tier-1 licenses and no Tier-2 licenses, resulting in a Trust Score of 79, indicating an average level of risk according to the same source. This data suggests FOREX.com may offer greater assurance of trustworthiness based on established regulatory credentials and trust ratings.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2004 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of FOREX.com and Trading 212, there are distinct differences that cater to varying trading preferences. FOREX.com, rated 4.5 stars for commissions and fees, stands out as a leading choice for market maker brokers. It offers a range of account types, including the Standard and RAW Spread accounts. The Standard account in the U.S. has relatively high spreads, averaging 1.4 pips on the EUR/USD, while the RAW account provides lower spreads starting at 0.13 pips with a commission of $7 per Standard lot. High-volume traders can benefit from rebates, potentially reducing costs further. Ranked #13 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, FOREX.com is especially attractive for active traders in Canada, the U.S., and the European Union.
On the other hand, Trading 212, rated 4 stars for commissions and fees, offers a streamlined two-account structure: Invest for shares and CFD for trading CFDs. Their CFD account boasts a low deposit requirement of just 10 euros and advertises zero-commission trading. However, spreads apply, with the EUR/USD spread averaging 1.9 pips, higher than the industry standard. While this may not favor Trading 212 in competitive markets, the platform still provides transparent pricing and remains a solid option for budget-conscious traders without high-volume rebates or distinct execution options.
In summary, while FOREX.com provides more options and potential cost savings for high-volume traders, Trading 212 offers a straightforward and low-barrier entry for beginners. FOREX.com's lower spreads and attractive rebates for active traders make it the preferred option for those who can leverage these benefits, evident in its higher ranking of #13 compared to Trading 212's #43 position among 62 brokers in the commissions and fees category.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | €10 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 1.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 1.9 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When it comes to the variety of financial instruments available, FOREX.com and Trading 212 are both highly rated at five stars for their range of investments. FOREX.com offers access to over 5,500 tradeable symbols, including 91 forex pairs, and supports cryptocurrency derivatives. However, it falls short on offering exchange-traded securities, missing out on options like buying shares of U.S. companies such as Apple or international firms like Vodafone directly. This may be a consideration for traders who want access to a wider range of asset types.
On the other hand, Trading 212 impresses with a broader lineup of over 8,025 tradeable symbols, including 146 forex pairs. They also provide an opportunity to invest in exchange-traded securities, allowing traders to acquire shares of both U.S. and international companies directly. Like FOREX.com, Trading 212 offers cryptocurrency derivatives but does not provide copy trading or actual delivery of cryptocurrencies. While both platforms possess strong offerings, FOREX.com ranks higher in the Range of Investments category at #7 compared to Trading 212's rank of #15, potentially due to differing strengths in other areas of financial services.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 8025 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 91 | 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.
When comparing FOREX.com and Trading 212's trading platforms and tools, both brokers offer a range of features tailored for different types of traders. FOREX.com provides its users with a simulated trading experience through a free virtual demo account, which is also available with Trading 212. Each broker has developed its own proprietary platform; however, FOREX.com stands out with a Windows-based desktop platform that Trading 212 does not offer. Both brokers excel in providing web-based trading platforms, allowing seamless trading from any browser. Moreover, FOREX.com gives traditionalists access to MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which Trading 212 does not support.
Charting tools and features vary between the two brokers as well. FOREX.com leads with a wide array of 239 drawing tools compared to Trading 212's 20. Additionally, FOREX.com's offering is further enhanced by allowing direct trading from stock charts, a feature Trading 212 also includes, making the trading experience dynamic. When it comes to organizing and customizing your trading view, FOREX.com offers 20 fields for watch lists, compared to Trading 212's 5, adding more flexibility. With a 5-star rating for trading platforms and tools and ranking 7th out of 62 brokers, FOREX.com holds a stronger position in the industry compared to Trading 212's 4-star rating and 21st place ranking. This detailed breakdown provides a clear picture of what each platform can deliver, helping traders make informed choices about their trading journey.
| Feature |
FOREX.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) | Yes | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 54 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 20 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 20 | 5 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
If you're weighing options between FOREX.com and Trading 212 for their mobile trading apps, both platforms have a lot to offer. Whether you're using an iPhone or Android device, both brokers provide apps that support flexible trading on the go. They each include handy features like stock or forex price alerts, the ability to draw trendlines, and varying time frames for viewing charts. Moreover, FOREX.com and Trading 212 both sync watchlists across devices, ensuring seamless transitions between mobile and online accounts. If creating watchlists with live quotes is important to you, both platforms deliver this functionality.
While Trading 212 offers an impressive 104 technical studies for charting, FOREX.com provides 88. However, it's worth noting that FOREX.com has a higher star rating for mobile trading apps, scoring a perfect 5 out of 5, compared to Trading 212's 4-star rating. In terms of rankings, ForexBrokers.com places FOREX.com at #3 among 62 brokers, whereas Trading 212 stands at #17. So, if charting features are crucial, Trading 212 might be appealing, but FOREX.com's higher user ratings and ranking suggest a slightly more favored experience overall.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
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 | 88 | 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 it comes to market research, FOREX.com provides a more comprehensive suite of tools compared to Trading 212. FOREX.com stands out with its daily market commentary, a feature that Trading 212 doesn't offer. Both platforms provide forex news from major sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. However, FOREX.com goes the extra mile by offering advanced technical analysis tools from Trading Central, which are not available on Trading 212. Additionally, both brokers cater to traders interested in sentiment analysis, offering tools to display long or short position ratios across various instruments.
In terms of research support, FOREX.com and Trading 212 both provide economic calendars to keep users informed about key global events, but neither offers research tools from Autochartist, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading. Due to the enhanced research capabilities, FOREX.com receives a stronger rating of 4.5 stars, compared to Trading 212's 3.5 stars. This is further reflected in their rankings, with FOREX.com positioned at #9 among 62 brokers for research by ForexBrokers.com, while Trading 212 holds the #46 spot. Ultimately, FOREX.com emerges as the better choice for traders seeking detailed market research tools and insights.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | 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.
FOREX.com and Trading 212 both provide ample educational resources aimed at helping beginners understand forex and CFDs trading. Each platform boasts a minimum of ten different educational pieces such as articles, videos, and archived webinars specifically focused on forex or CFDs. Additionally, both brokers run monthly online educational webinars and maintain a searchable archive so learners can revisit previous sessions. This commitment to accessibility is beneficial for newcomers looking for flexible learning schedules.
Beyond foundational content, FOREX.com and Trading 212 cater to more advanced traders by offering at least ten specialized educational videos covering complex trading topics. Both brokers also enhance the beginner experience with an investor dictionary featuring over 50 defined terms, aiding in comprehension of trading jargon. However, FOREX.com has an edge in quality and depth, reflected in its higher education rating of 4.5 stars and a notable ranking of 4th out of 62 brokers. In comparison, Trading 212 is rated 3.5 stars and sits at 20th place. These rankings highlight FOREX.com as a strong choice for those prioritizing educational resources in their trading journey.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
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 FOREX.com is better than Trading 212. FOREX.com finished with an overall rank of #5, while Trading 212 finished with an overall rank of #31.
FOREX.com is a trusted brand that delivers an excellent trading experience for forex and CFDs traders across the globe. It offers a wide range of markets and provides an impressive suite of proprietary platforms – alongside limited access to MetaTrader.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 79 |
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Both FOREX.com and Trading 212 do not provide the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency; however, they both offer the ability to buy cryptocurrency derivatives instead.
Both FOREX.com and Trading 212 offer multiple options for depositing or withdrawing funds, including ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, but neither provides support for Skrill 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 | FOREX.com | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 79 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FOREX.com | Trading 212 | |
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| Regulation | FOREX.com | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 79 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2004 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FOREX.com | 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) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FOREX.com | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | FOREX.com | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 8025 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 91 | 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 | FOREX.com | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 1.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 1.9 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FOREX.com | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | €10 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | FOREX.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) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FOREX.com | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 20 | 5 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 54 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 20 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FOREX.com | 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 | 88 | 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 | FOREX.com | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | 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 | FOREX.com | 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 | FOREX.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 | FOREX.com Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Overall | FOREX.com | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 79 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | Trading 212 Review |
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