Comparison of Interactive Brokers and Trading 212
| Feature | Interactive Brokers | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
| Broker | ||
| Year Founded | 1977 | 2006 |
| Broker Type | DMA | MM |
| Dealing | A-book | B-book |
| Execution | Market | Instant |
| Regulation | SEC, FINRA, FCA, CBI, CIRO, ASIC, SFC, SEBI, JFSA, MAS | FCA, FSC, CySEC |
| Platforms | Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Mobile, Client Portal, IBKR GlobalTrader, FXTrader | Trading 212 |
| Spread | ⬊ Low | ⮕ Average |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:50 | 1:30 |
| Minimum Deposit | $1 | $10 |
| Base Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CHF, JPY, HKD, SGD, SEK, NOK, DKK, NZD, PLN, HUF, CZK, MXN, ZAR, TRY, ILS, KRW, CNH, AED, SAR, MYR, TWD | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, SEK, NOK, CZK, PLN |
| Funding Methods | Bank Wire, ACH, SEPA/Bank Transfer, Check, Wise/Instarem, Online Bill Pay | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal |
| Inactivity Fee | ✖ | ✖ |
| Interest on Margin | ✔ | ✖ |
| Withdrawal Fee | First withdrawal each month free; subsequent bank wires ~ $10 | ✖ |
| Investor Protection | SIPC, FSCS, ICS | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) |
| Protection Size | $500 000 / £85 000 | £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) | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, Forex, Bonds, Mutual Funds, Cryptocurrencies, Commodities, CFDs | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities |
| Review | Interactive Brokers Review | Trading 212 Review |
About Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a global multi-asset broker founded in 1977. Regulated on four continents, IBKR offers direct market access to 150+ exchanges in 33 countries, tight pricing on FX, and some of the lowest commissions in the industry. Clients trade via the powerful Trader Workstation, streamlined Client Portal, or mobile apps, choose from 20+ base currencies, and benefit from SIPC/FSCS investor protection and ESMA-mandated negative balance protection for CFDs.
Pros
- Tier-1 regulation in the US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, Asia
- Access to 150+ markets across 33 countries and 26 currencies
- Ultra-low spreads and volume-based commissions
- Advanced Trader Workstation plus simple mobile & web platforms
- No minimum deposit for cash accounts and no inactivity fee
- Negative balance protection for EU retail CFD traders
Cons
- Minimum FX order size ~ 20 000 units limits small accounts
- Trader Workstation has a steep learning curve
- No credit/debit-card funding options
- Customer support is not 24/7
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
Interactive Brokers & Trading 212 Regulation
| Feature | Interactive Brokers | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
Companies | Interactive Brokers LLC, Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Ltd, Interactive Brokers Ireland Ltd, Interactive Brokers Canada Inc., Interactive Brokers Australia Pty Ltd, Interactive Brokers Hong Kong Ltd, Interactive Brokers India Pvt. Ltd, Interactive Brokers Securities Japan Inc, Interactive Brokers Singapore Pte. Ltd | Trading 212 UK Ltd, Trading 212 Ltd, Trading 212 Markets Ltd. |
Countries | United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia | United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Cyprus |
Regulators | SEC, FINRA, FCA, CBI, CIRO, ASIC, SFC, SEBI, JFSA, MAS | FCA, FSC, CySEC |
Investor Protection | SIPC, FSCS, ICS | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) |
Investor Protection Size | $500 000 / £85 000 | £85 000 / €20 000 |
Publicly Traded | ||
Segregated Accounts | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Negative Balance Protection |
Companies
Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers LLC, Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Ltd, Interactive Brokers Ireland Ltd, Interactive Brokers Canada Inc., Interactive Brokers Australia Pty Ltd, Interactive Brokers Hong Kong Ltd, Interactive Brokers India Pvt. Ltd, Interactive Brokers Securities Japan Inc, Interactive Brokers Singapore Pte. Ltd
Trading 212
Trading 212 UK Ltd, Trading 212 Ltd, Trading 212 Markets Ltd.
Countries
Interactive Brokers
United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia
Trading 212
United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Cyprus
Regulators
Interactive Brokers
SEC, FINRA, FCA, CBI, CIRO, ASIC, SFC, SEBI, JFSA, MAS
Trading 212
FCA, FSC, CySEC
Investor Protection
Interactive Brokers
SIPC, FSCS, ICS
Trading 212
UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF)
Investor Protection Size
Interactive Brokers
$500 000 / £85 000
Trading 212
£85 000 / €20 000
Publicly Traded
Interactive Brokers
Trading 212
Segregated Accounts
Interactive Brokers
Trading 212
Guaranteed Stop Loss
Interactive Brokers
Trading 212
Negative Balance Protection
Interactive Brokers
Trading 212
Account Types
| Account | Interactive Brokers | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
Market Maker Account | ||
| Account Name | — | CFD |
| Min Deposit | — | $10 |
| Lot Size | — | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | — | Floating |
| Execution | — | Instant |
| Min Spread | — | 1.2 |
| Fee | — | No |
| Max Leverage | — | 1:30 |
| Stop Out | — | 25% |
| Margin Call | — | 45% |
DMA Account | ||
| Account Name | IBKR Pro | — |
| Min Deposit | $0 | — |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | — |
| Spread Type | Floating | — |
| Execution | Market | — |
| Min Spread | 0.1 | — |
| Fee | $4 per 1 lot | — |
| Max Leverage | 1:50 | — |
| Stop Out | 50% | — |
| Margin Call | 100% | — |
| Additional Features | ||
| Demo Account | ||
| VIP Account | ||
| Swap-Free Account | ||
| Copy Trading | ||
| VPS | ||
| PAMM/MAM Accounts | ||
Market Maker Account
Account Name
Interactive Brokers
—
Trading 212
CFD
Min Deposit
Interactive Brokers
—
Trading 212
$10
Lot Size
Interactive Brokers
—
Trading 212
0.01
Spread Type
Interactive Brokers
—
Trading 212
Floating
Execution
Interactive Brokers
—
Trading 212
Instant
Min Spread
Interactive Brokers
—
Trading 212
1.2
Fee
Interactive Brokers
—
Trading 212
No
Max Leverage
Interactive Brokers
—
Trading 212
1:30
Stop Out
Interactive Brokers
—
Trading 212
25%
Margin Call
Interactive Brokers
—
Trading 212
45%
DMA Account
Account Name
Interactive Brokers
IBKR Pro
Trading 212
—
Min Deposit
Interactive Brokers
$0
Trading 212
—
Lot Size
Interactive Brokers
0.01
Trading 212
—
Spread Type
Interactive Brokers
Floating
Trading 212
—
Execution
Interactive Brokers
Market
Trading 212
—
Min Spread
Interactive Brokers
0.1
Trading 212
—
Fee
Interactive Brokers
$4 per 1 lot
Trading 212
—
Max Leverage
Interactive Brokers
1:50
Trading 212
—
Stop Out
Interactive Brokers
50%
Trading 212
—
Margin Call
Interactive Brokers
100%
Trading 212
—
Additional Features
Demo Account
Interactive Brokers
Trading 212
VIP Account
Interactive Brokers
Trading 212
Swap-Free Account
Interactive Brokers
Trading 212
Copy Trading
Interactive Brokers
Trading 212
VPS
Interactive Brokers
Trading 212
PAMM/MAM Accounts
Interactive Brokers
Trading 212
Funding and Fees
| Feature | Interactive Brokers | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
Base currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CHF, JPY, HKD, SGD, SEK, NOK, DKK, NZD, PLN, HUF, CZK, MXN, ZAR, TRY, ILS, KRW, CNH, AED, SAR, MYR, TWD | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, SEK, NOK, CZK, PLN |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Bank Wire, ACH, SEPA/Bank Transfer, Check, Wise/Instarem, Online Bill Pay | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal |
Inactivity fee | ||
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee | First withdrawal each month free; subsequent bank wires ~ $10 |
Base currencies
Interactive Brokers
USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CHF, JPY, HKD, SGD, SEK, NOK, DKK, NZD, PLN, HUF, CZK, MXN, ZAR, TRY, ILS, KRW, CNH, AED, SAR, MYR, TWD
Trading 212
USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, SEK, NOK, CZK, PLN
Deposit and withdrawal methods
Interactive Brokers
Bank Wire, ACH, SEPA/Bank Transfer, Check, Wise/Instarem, Online Bill Pay
Trading 212
Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal
Inactivity fee
Interactive Brokers
Trading 212
Interest on margin
Interactive Brokers
Trading 212
Withdrawal fee
Interactive Brokers
First withdrawal each month free; subsequent bank wires ~ $10
Trading 212
Trading Platforms and Conditions
| Feature | Interactive Brokers | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Mobile, Client Portal, IBKR GlobalTrader, FXTrader | Trading 212 |
Execution Speed | 4 ms | 0 ms |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | low | average |
Trading Platforms
Interactive Brokers
Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Mobile, Client Portal, IBKR GlobalTrader, FXTrader
Trading 212
Trading 212
Execution Speed
Interactive Brokers
4 ms
Trading 212
0 ms
Scalping
Interactive Brokers
Trading 212
Expert Advisors (EAs)
Interactive Brokers
Trading 212
Depth of Market (DOM)
Interactive Brokers
Trading 212
Spread
Interactive Brokers
low
Trading 212
average
Trading Assets
| Asset | Interactive Brokers | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
Currencies | 87 | 31 |
Indices | 23 | 30 |
Stocks | 8139 | 3000 |
Cryptocurrencies | 11 | 0 |
Bonds | 87 | 100 |
Metals | 4 | 8 |
Energies | 10 | 10 |
Soft Commodities | 15 | 23 |
ETFs | 532 | 50 |
Currencies
Interactive Brokers
87
Trading 212
31
Indices
Interactive Brokers
23
Trading 212
30
Stocks
Interactive Brokers
8139
Trading 212
3000
Cryptocurrencies
Interactive Brokers
11
Trading 212
0
Bonds
Interactive Brokers
87
Trading 212
100
Metals
Interactive Brokers
4
Trading 212
8
Energies
Interactive Brokers
10
Trading 212
10
Soft Commodities
Interactive Brokers
15
Trading 212
23
ETFs
Interactive Brokers
532
Trading 212
50
Education and Analytics
| Feature | Interactive Brokers | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Economic Calendar
Interactive Brokers
Trading 212
Indicators
Interactive Brokers
Trading 212
Robots
Interactive Brokers
Trading 212
Signals
Interactive Brokers
Trading 212
Autochartist
Interactive Brokers
Trading 212
Expert Analytics
Interactive Brokers
Trading 212
News Feed
Interactive Brokers
Trading 212
Education Articles
Interactive Brokers
Trading 212
Webinars
Interactive Brokers
Trading 212
Seminars
Interactive Brokers
Trading 212
Customer Support
| Contact | Interactive Brokers | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
Email | help@interactivebrokers.com | info@trading212.com |
Phone | +18774422757 | — |
Facebook | ||
LinkedIn | — | |
YouTube | YouTube | YouTube |
Instagram | ||
Twitter |
Email
Interactive Brokers
Trading 212
Phone
Interactive Brokers
Trading 212
—
LinkedIn
Interactive Brokers
Trading 212
—
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing Interactive Brokers and Trading 212, Interactive Brokers 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.
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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.