Trading 212
A UK favourite: buy stocks and ETFs without commission in a simple app, and trade CFDs from a second account.
Fact sheet
What kind of broker is it?
Trading 212 is really two products in one app. 'Invest' is for buying stocks and ETFs outright, with no leverage. 'CFD' is for leveraged trading in forex and CFDs. The company was a pioneer of commission-free stock investing in Europe and brought fractional shares to ordinary retail users through a mobile-first interface that stays simple. The FCA and CySEC regulate it, and the FSCS protects UK clients up to £85,000. Where it falls short is advanced charting and order types.
Where the points come from
These points measure fit, not rank. When a broker gets 5.0 for something, we judged it by the demands of its own category and did not compare it with every other broker.
The good and the not so good
In its favour
- Invest product: 12,000+ stocks and ETFs, commission-free
- Buy a fraction of a share with as little as $1
- FCA and CySEC: tier-1 on both counts
- Up to £85,000 protected by the FSCS
- Build portfolios automatically with AutoInvest 'Pies'
- Almost nothing stands between you and a first trade
Against it
- Invest and CFD are different accounts you move between
- MT4/MT5 not supported; you use the house app
- Thin on advanced charts and on order types
- Replies from support may take a while
- Multi-currency operations carry an FX spread
Is it right for you?
Best for retail investors at beginner or intermediate level who mostly want a simple phone app and stocks without commission. Treat the CFD side as a tool for an occasional leveraged trade; active scalpers need something else.
Trading CFDs means trading with leverage, and losing money is a real and high risk. Check that this broker may legally serve residents of your country before you deposit. Its full risk warning is on its official website.