Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of ThinkMarkets 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.
ThinkMarkets and Trading 212 both offer online brokerage services, but they vary significantly in terms of trust and regulatory standing. Founded in 2010, ThinkMarkets holds a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 92, indicating a high level of trust. This score is bolstered by their five Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses, showcasing a strong regulatory framework. In contrast, Trading 212, established in 2004, has a Trust Score of 79, placing it in the average risk category. Trading 212 holds two Tier-1 licenses but does not possess any Tier-2 licenses.
Neither ThinkMarkets nor Trading 212 is publicly traded or categorized as a bank. These factors, alongside their varying licenses, contribute to differing trust perceptions within the investment community. Investors seeking robust regulatory assurances may find ThinkMarkets' higher number of Tier-1 and Tier-2 licenses appealing. Meanwhile, Trading 212 provides a service alternative for those comfortable with an average risk trust score and a simpler licensing structure.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2004 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
When examining commissions and fees, ThinkMarkets earns a respectable rating of 4 out of 5 stars. However, without specific average spread data available, it's challenging to make a detailed comparison based on costs alone. According to ForexBrokers.com, ThinkMarkets holds the 48th position out of 62 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category. This indicates there might be better options for price-sensitive investors.
On the other hand, Trading 212 also receives a 4-star rating for commissions and fees and ranks slightly better at 43rd place out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. Trading 212's CFD account, which requires a minimum deposit of 10 euros, advertises zero-commission trading. However, traders should be aware that they will still incur costs through spreads. Notably, Trading 212 is more transparent than many competitors by publishing average spread data, although their 1.9 pips spread for the EUR/USD pair in January 2024 is higher than the industry average, potentially making it less economical for frequent trading in this category.
In summary, both ThinkMarkets and Trading 212 offer competitive fee structures with 4-star ratings. Still, Trading 212 provides more transparency, albeit with higher than average spreads for popular forex pairs. Investors must carefully consider these factors while assessing which broker aligns best with their trading frequency and strategy.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | €10 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | 1.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 1.9 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | 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.
When comparing the investment offerings of ThinkMarkets and Trading 212, both platforms provide forex trading as a CFD or spot contract. However, the number of tradeable symbols and forex pairs varies significantly between the two. ThinkMarkets gives users access to 4000 tradeable symbols with 46 forex pairs, whereas Trading 212 boasts a larger portfolio with 8025 tradeable symbols, including 146 forex pairs. This substantial difference in diversity contributes to Trading 212’s superior ranking and rating in range of investments, earning 5 stars and a #15 ranking from ForexBrokers.com, compared to ThinkMarkets’ 4.5 stars and #21 ranking.
Trading 212 and ThinkMarkets also differ in their exchange-traded securities offerings. While Trading 212 enables traders to invest in U.S. stocks like Apple on NASDAQ, ThinkMarkets focuses on international exchanges, such as the London Stock Exchange. Notably, Trading 212 does not support copy trading, a feature accessible through ThinkMarkets. Both brokers allow trading in cryptocurrency derivatives but not in actual cryptocurrencies. These offerings underscore each platform's distinct approach, with Trading 212 providing a more extensive variety, thereby appealing to traders seeking broad investment opportunities.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 4000 | 8025 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 146 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | 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 it comes to comparing the trading platforms and tools of ThinkMarkets and Trading 212, both brokers offer unique features that cater to different needs. ThinkMarkets provides a comprehensive trading experience with their proprietary platform, support for both MetaTrader 4 and 5, as well as a Windows-based desktop download. Their web-based trading solution is complemented by a virtual demo account for risk-free practice and copy trading capabilities. Charting tools include 15 drawing options and direct trading from stock charts, with watch lists boasting 15 customizable columns for in-depth market tracking.
On the other hand, Trading 212 distinguishes itself with a simplified, user-friendly proprietary web-based platform but lacks options for MT4, MT5, and a Windows download. While they do not offer copy trading, Trading 212 supports simulated trading with a virtual demo account. Trading 212 excels in chart usability with 20 drawing tools and the ability to trade directly from stock charts. Their watch lists, however, provide only 5 customizable columns. Both brokers receive a solid four-star rating for their trading platforms and tools, yet Trading 212 ranks slightly higher at #21 compared to ThinkMarkets at #27 according to ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 54 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 20 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 15 | 5 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both ThinkMarkets and Trading 212 provide comprehensive mobile trading experiences for iPhone and Android users. Each platform allows users to access stock and forex markets, set price alerts, and draw trendlines on charts. While both apps are rated four stars for mobile trading, Trading 212 has a slight edge in its ranking by ForexBrokers.com, positioned at #17 compared to ThinkMarkets' #20. Trading 212 also outperforms ThinkMarkets with 104 technical studies for charting, compared to ThinkMarkets' 94, and offers the ability for watchlist symbol syncing across devices, a feature lacking in the ThinkMarkets app.
Both apps allow traders to view multiple time frames on charts, auto-save drawn chart elements, and create watchlists with real-time quotes, ensuring traders are well-equipped for market analysis. For users who prioritize seamless watchlist management across platforms, Trading 212 might be the preferable option. However, both apps stand out in delivering user-friendly mobile trading solutions, making them solid choices for traders seeking robust mobile access to financial markets.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
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 | 94 | 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 exploring the market research offerings of online brokers ThinkMarkets and Trading 212, both platforms provide distinct features that cater to different trading needs. ThinkMarkets distinguishes itself by offering daily market commentary and featuring forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. It also provides a sentiment-based trading tool and research tools from Acuity Trading. Additionally, traders can benefit from an economic calendar that highlights global news events. On the other hand, Trading 212 matches ThinkMarkets in providing forex news from reputable sources and a sentiment-based trading tool, while also offering an economic calendar. However, it does not include research tools from Acuity Trading or daily market commentary.
Despite their varying offerings, both brokers receive a research quality rating of 3.5 stars out of five. In the ForexBrokers.com research rankings, ThinkMarkets is positioned at #50 out of 62 brokers, slightly trailing Trading 212, which is ranked #46 in the same category. These rankings reflect the differences in market research tools and features each broker provides, helping traders decide which platform aligns best with their market analysis needs.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to providing educational resources for beginners, both ThinkMarkets and Trading 212 offer a solid selection of materials. Each of these online brokers has at least 10 educational pieces focused on forex and CFDs, such as articles, videos, and webinars. They also host monthly online educational webinars and provide access to a searchable archive of recorded sessions, making it easier for users to learn at their own pace. For those just starting out, both platforms have curated at least 10 beginner-friendly videos that cover essential trading topics, ensuring that new traders have a grounding in the basics.
In addition to beginner resources, ThinkMarkets and Trading 212 also cater to more experienced traders with a collection of advanced educational videos. Each broker also features an investor dictionary with definitions of over 50 investing terms, so beginners can quickly get up to speed with the jargon. Despite both having similar educational offerings, their ratings differ; though both are rated 3.5 out of 5 stars for education, Trading 212 is ranked higher at #20, compared to ThinkMarkets' rank of #52 according to ForexBrokers.com. This suggests that while both provide substantial educational resources, Trading 212 may offer a slightly more well-regarded experience.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
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 ThinkMarkets is better than Trading 212. ThinkMarkets finished with an overall rank of #27, while Trading 212 finished with an overall rank of #31.
ThinkMarkets has multiple regulatory license and offers a proprietary trading platform, as well as the entire MetaTrader suite. The broker has made progress in key areas, such as research and education, and the range of markets available, although trails behind the best brokers in these categories.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 92 | 79 |
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Both ThinkMarkets and Trading 212 do not provide the option to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Comparing online brokers, ThinkMarkets does not support ACH, SEPA, or PayPal transfers, but does offer Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire options for deposits and withdrawals, whereas Trading 212 supports ACH, SEPA, PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, but not 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 | ThinkMarkets | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 92 | 79 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | ThinkMarkets | Trading 212 | |
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| Regulation | ThinkMarkets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 92 | 79 | |
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2004 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | ThinkMarkets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | 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) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | ThinkMarkets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | ThinkMarkets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 4000 | 8025 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 146 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | 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 | ThinkMarkets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | 1.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 1.9 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | ThinkMarkets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | €10 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | 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 | ThinkMarkets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | ThinkMarkets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 15 | 5 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 54 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 20 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | ThinkMarkets | 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 | 94 | 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 | ThinkMarkets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | ThinkMarkets | 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 | ThinkMarkets | 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 | Trading 212 Review |
| Overall | ThinkMarkets | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 92 | 79 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Trading 212 Review |
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