Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Trading 212 vs Questrade, 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 weighing the pros and cons of online brokers Trading 212 and Questrade, investors often focus on regulatory trust. Trading 212, founded in 2004, and Questrade, founded in 2000, are both not publicly traded or classified as banks. Each company holds two Tier-1 licenses, signaling a high level of trust. However, neither holds any Tier-2 licenses.
In terms of trust ratings, Questrade scores 86 out of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com, categorizing it as a trusted broker. Trading 212, with a Trust Score of 79, falls into the average risk bracket. These scores highlight Questrade's stronger reputation among investors seeking a more secure online trading experience.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2004 | 2000 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
When comparing online brokers Trading 212 and Questrade, both platforms offer unique advantages and considerations regarding commissions and fees. Trading 212 provides two account types, Invest for trading shares and CFD for trading contracts for difference (CFDs), with a minimal deposit requirement of 1 euro for the Invest account and 10 euros for the CFD account. Although Trading 212 promotes zero-commission trading, traders should consider the spread costs, especially in CFD and forex trading. As of January 2024, their average spread for the EUR/USD pair is 1.9 pips, which is higher than many industry competitors. This positions Trading 212 below the leading brokers in this sector. Trading 212 receives a 4-star rating for commissions and fees, ranked #43 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
Questrade also features higher than average costs, especially when compared to the industry norms. The spreads on currency pairs like EUR/USD matching 1.9 pips highlight this, which can impact traders seeking the most cost-effective trades. With a 3-star rating for its commissions and fees, Questrade is placed at #57 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. The company's competitive ranking and star rating suggest there might be more cost-efficient options for individuals focused on forex and CFD trading specifically.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €10 | $250 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.9 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.9 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| 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 comparing Trading 212 and Questrade in terms of the variety of investments available, both platforms offer impressive options for traders. Trading 212 provides access to 8025 tradeable symbols, with 146 forex pairs available for forex enthusiasts. Similarly, Questrade supports forex trading with 641 tradeable symbols, including 110 forex pairs. Both platforms allow users to engage in forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts, ensuring flexibility for diverse trading strategies. Additionally, both Trading 212 and Questrade allow clients to invest in exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international markets, supporting a broad range of trading opportunities across global equities.
However, neither Trading 212 nor Questrade currently supports copy trading or the purchase of actual delivered cryptocurrencies. Instead, both platforms offer options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives. Despite these similarities, there is a slight difference in their rankings by ForexBrokers.com, with Questrade ranked slightly higher at 11th place, while Trading 212 holds the 15th position for the range of investments. Importantly, both platforms earn a solid five-star rating for their range of investments, underscoring their comprehensive offerings in the investment space. This makes either platform a strong choice depending on specific trading needs and preferences.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8025 | 641 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 146 | 110 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | 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). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
Trading 212 and Questrade both cater to traders seeking versatile platforms with in-house developed solutions. Both brokers offer web-based platforms, making trading accessible wherever you can access the internet. A standout feature for Trading 212 is its free virtual demo account, ideal for beginners to practice trading without risk. While neither supports popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 or 5, Trading 212 allows trading directly from stock charts and provides 20 drawing tools to enhance chart usability. However, it doesn't provide a Windows desktop download platform, unlike Questrade, which offers that option.
Questrade, too, delivers a user-friendly experience with its proprietary platform. Though it lacks support for copy trading and MetaTrader, it provides a wider array of watch list columns compared to Trading 212. Both platforms rate four out of five stars for trading tools, but Trading 212 sits higher in global rankings at #21 compared to Questrade’s #34. Despite this, Questrade has the edge with features like DupliTrade and an extensive 52-field watch list, catering to a more detailed market analysis. Both platforms are well-regarded, but they favor slightly different aspects of the trading experience.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| DupliTrade | No | Yes |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 54 | 64 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 20 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 52 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both Trading 212 and Questrade offer mobile apps for iPhone and Android users, complete with stock and forex price alerts, ensuring you never miss market opportunities. The apps sync watchlists with your online accounts, allowing seamless transitions between devices. Meanwhile, chart enthusiasts will appreciate Trading 212's 104 technical studies compared to Questrade's 64, alongside the ability to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on both platforms. Both apps also auto-save chart drawings, enhancing user convenience.
For those who monitor stocks closely, both Trading 212 and Questrade mobile apps allow the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes. When it comes to ratings, both score 4 out of 5 stars for their mobile trading apps. However, Trading 212 is ranked higher at #17 out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while Questrade holds the #34 spot, highlighting Trading 212's slightly superior mobile app experience according to user feedback and expert analysis.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 104 | 64 |
| 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 evaluating market research offerings, Trading 212 and Questrade each bring unique strengths to the table. Though neither platform provides daily market commentary, Trading 212 stands out by delivering forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones. This advantage is paired with a sentiment-based trading tool that helps users gauge market trends through tracking long or short positions across various instruments. Additionally, both Trading 212 and Questrade offer an economic calendar to help traders track global news events. However, Questrade shines with its integration of technical analysis tools from Autochartist and Trading Central, providing users with detailed insights that Trading 212 lacks.
Furthermore, Questrade enriches its offerings with access to TipRanks market research, providing more layers of information not found on Trading 212. Despite these differing features, both platforms share a 3.5-star rating for research. Trading 212 is ranked slightly higher at #46 compared to Questrade's #51 among 62 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com. Ultimately, both trading platforms offer valuable research tools, catering to different preferences and needs for those seeking to make informed trading decisions.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | Yes |
| 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 exploring forex and CFDs, both Trading 212 and Questrade offer a broad spectrum of content. They each provide a collection of educational materials, including articles, videos, and archives of webinars focusing on forex and CFDs. Trading 212 stands out by offering live webinars each month, a feature Questrade doesn't provide. Both platforms maintain searchable archives of past webinars, allowing users to access valuable content at their convenience. Additionally, Trading 212 and Questrade cater to beginners with a series of educational videos tailored to simplify trading topics, making it easier for newcomers to grasp the essentials.
In terms of catering to more advanced traders, Trading 212 offers a clear advantage with its selection of advanced educational videos. Moreover, their user resources include an investor dictionary with definitions for over 50 investing terms, a feature not available with Questrade. Both platforms receive a similar rating of 3.5 stars for their educational offerings, but their rankings differ; Trading 212 is positioned at number 20 among 62 brokers, whereas Questrade sits at number 36. While both brokers provide valuable resources, Trading 212's commitment to offering advanced content and additional beginner aids could make it a more appealing choice for education-focused traders.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
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 Questrade. Trading 212 finished with an overall rank of #31, while Questrade finished with an overall rank of #32.
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
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 79 | 86 |
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Both Trading 212 and Questrade do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do provide options for purchasing cryptocurrency derivatives.
Trading 212 offers more flexible deposit and withdrawal options, including ACH/SEPA transfers and PayPal, whereas Questrade lacks these options but both platforms provide Visa/Mastercard and bank wire services.
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 | Questrade | |
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| Trust Score | 79 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Trading 212 Review | Questrade Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Trading 212 | Questrade | |
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| Regulation | Trading 212 | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 79 | 86 | |
| Year Founded | 2004 | 2000 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Trading 212 | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Trading 212 | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8025 | 641 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 146 | 110 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | 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). |
| Cost | Trading 212 | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.9 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.9 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | No |
| Funding | Trading 212 | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €10 | $250 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Trading 212 | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | Yes | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Trading 212 | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 52 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 54 | 64 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 20 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Trading 212 | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 104 | 64 | |
| 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 | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | Yes | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Trading 212 | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | Trading 212 | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Questrade Review |
| Overall | Trading 212 | Questrade | |
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| Trust Score | 79 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Trading 212 Review | Questrade Review |
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