Comparison of AvaTrade and Trading 212
| Feature | AvaTrade | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
| Broker | ||
| Year Founded | 2006 | 2006 |
| Broker Type | MM | MM |
| Dealing | B-book | B-book |
| Execution | Market | Instant |
| Regulation | Central Bank of Ireland, KNF, FCA, BVIFSC, ASIC, FSCA, JFSA, JFFA, FSRA, ISA, CIRO | FCA, FSC, CySEC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), AvaTradeGO | Trading 212 |
| Spread | ⬊ Low | ⮕ Average |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:400 | 1:30 |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $10 |
| Base Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, SEK, NOK, CZK, PLN |
| Funding Methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, Perfect Money, PayPal | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal |
| Inactivity Fee | $50 per month after 3 months | ✖ |
| Interest on Margin | ✖ | ✖ |
| Withdrawal Fee | ✖ | ✖ |
| Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), The Investor Compensation Company DAC (ICCL) | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) |
| Protection Size | £85 000 / €20 000 | £85 000 / €20 000 |
| Segregated Accounts | ✔ | ✔ |
| Negative Balance Protection | ✔ | ✔ |
| Guaranteed Stop Loss | ✖ | ✖ |
| Copy Trading | ✔ | ✔ |
| VPS | ✖ | ✖ |
| MAM/PAMM | ✖ | ✖ |
| Scalping Allowed | ✔ | ✖ |
| EAs/Robots | ✔ | ✖ |
| Depth of Market (DOM) | ✔ | ✖ |
| Tradable Assets (CFDs) | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities |
| Review | AvaTrade Review | Trading 212 Review |
About AvaTrade
AvaTrade is a well-established Forex and CFD broker recognized for its comprehensive trading platforms, diverse range of financial instruments, and robust regulatory framework. Founded in 2006, AvaTrade serves clients worldwide, offering access to major and minor currency pairs, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies, and more. The broker supports multiple trading platforms, including the popular MetaTrader 4 and 5, as well as its proprietary AvaTradeGo app, catering to both desktop and mobile traders. AvaTrade is regulated by several reputable authorities, ensuring a high level of security and trust for its clients. Additionally, the broker provides a variety of account types to suit different trading styles and experience levels, along with extensive educational resources and customer support to assist traders in making informed decisions. With competitive spreads, flexible leverage options, and efficient withdrawal processes, AvaTrade stands out as a reliable choice for both novice and experienced Forex traders.
Pros
- Regulated by multiple top-tier financial authorities
- Offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and AvaTradeGo app
- Provides access to Forex, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies
- Extensive tutorials, webinars, and market analysis available
- Offers tight spreads across numerous trading instruments
- Free demo accounts available for practice trading
- Multilingual support available through various channels
Cons
- Maximum leverage may be lower than what some traders desire
- AvaTradeGo app offers fewer customization options
About Trading 212
Trading 212 is a reputable online broker established in 2004, offering a versatile platform that caters to both CFD and direct share trading. Renowned for its user-friendly interface and intuitive mobile application, Trading 212 provides access to a broad spectrum of financial instruments, including forex, stocks, commodities, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies. Operating as a Market Maker (MM), the broker ensures competitive spreads and seamless trade executions, complemented by features such as a free demo account for practice, zero-commission trading on Invest accounts, and the ability to trade fractional shares. Regulated by esteemed authorities like the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, Trading 212 prioritizes security and transparency. Additionally, it offers a suite of educational resources and real-time news feeds to empower traders with informed decision-making tools. However, its Market Maker model and limited advanced trading functionalities may not fully meet the demands of professional traders seeking direct market access and more sophisticated analytical tools.
Pros
- Intuitive interface and mobile app suitable for all experience levels
- Offers both CFD and direct share (Invest) trading across various asset classes
- No fees on Invest accounts, making it cost-effective for long-term investors
- Ability to trade fractional shares, allowing for greater investment flexibility
- Free practice account available to hone trading skills without financial risk
- Attractive spreads and flexible leverage options enhance trading efficiency
- Licensed by reputable authorities such as the FCA, ensuring a secure trading environment
Cons
- Potential conflicts of interest as the broker acts as the counterparty to trades
- Lacks some of the sophisticated trading tools and analytics preferred by professional traders
- Customer service may not always meet the expectations of all users
- Withdrawal processing can sometimes be slower than desired
- Fewer interactive educational sessions compared to other brokers
AvaTrade & Trading 212 Regulation
| Feature | AvaTrade | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
Companies | Ava Trade EU Ltd, Ava Trade Markets Ltd, Ava Capital Markets Australia Pty Ltd, Ava Capital Markets Pty, Ava Trade Japan K.K., AVA Trade Middle East Ltd, ATrade Ltd, Friedberg Mercantile Group Ltd. | Trading 212 UK Ltd, Trading 212 Ltd, Trading 212 Markets Ltd. |
Countries | Ireland, British Virgin Islands, Australia, South Africa, Japan, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Canada | United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Cyprus |
Regulators | Central Bank of Ireland, KNF, FCA, BVIFSC, ASIC, FSCA, JFSA, JFFA, FSRA, ISA, CIRO | FCA, FSC, CySEC |
Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), The Investor Compensation Company DAC (ICCL) | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) |
Investor Protection Size | £85 000 / €20 000 | £85 000 / €20 000 |
Publicly Traded | ||
Segregated Accounts | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Negative Balance Protection |
Account Types
| Account | AvaTrade | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
Market Maker Account | ||
| Account Name | Standard | CFD |
| Min Deposit | $100 | $10 |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | Floating | Floating |
| Execution | Market | Instant |
| Min Spread | 0.6 | 1.2 |
| Fee | No | No |
| Max Leverage | 1:400 | 1:30 |
| Stop Out | 50% | 25% |
| Margin Call | 100% | 45% |
| Additional Features | ||
| Demo Account | ||
| VIP Account | ||
| Swap-Free Account | ||
| Copy Trading | ||
| VPS | ||
| PAMM/MAM Accounts | ||
Funding and Fees
| Feature | AvaTrade | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
Base currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, SEK, NOK, CZK, PLN |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, Perfect Money, PayPal | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal |
Inactivity fee | $50 per month after 3 months | |
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee |
Trading Platforms and Conditions
| Feature | AvaTrade | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), AvaTradeGO | Trading 212 |
Execution Speed | 0 ms | 0 ms |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | low | average |
Trading Assets
| Asset | AvaTrade | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
Currencies | 53 | 31 |
Indices | 46 | 30 |
Stocks | 614 | 3000 |
Cryptocurrencies | 20 | 0 |
Bonds | 2 | 100 |
Metals | 7 | 8 |
Energies | 5 | 10 |
Soft Commodities | 7 | 23 |
ETFs | 61 | 50 |
Education and Analytics
| Feature | AvaTrade | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Customer Support
| Contact | AvaTrade | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
Email | customer@avatrade.com | info@trading212.com |
Phone | +3228080310 | — |
Telegram | Telegram | — |
Facebook | ||
LinkedIn | — | |
YouTube | YouTube | YouTube |
Instagram | ||
Twitter |
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing AvaTrade and Trading 212, AvaTrade comes out ahead as our overall pick. It ranks higher in our internal scoring and delivers a stronger balance of pricing (spreads/fees), platform experience, and product range. That said, the runner-up may still be a better fit if you prioritize specific needs—like a particular account type, funding method, or niche instruments. This is not financial advice; always choose a broker that matches your goals and local regulatory requirements.
More Comparisons
Andriy Bondarenko
Broker Analyst
Andriy is a seasoned expert in broker reviews with over a decade of experience in finance and trading. Under his leadership, the team produces in-depth and unbiased analyses of leading trading platforms.