Forex.com and Trading 212 are two prominent names in the online trading world, but they appeal to very different types of traders. Forex.com has built a legacy of regulatory trust and professional-grade platforms, while Trading 212 rose to popularity through commission-free investing and mobile-first simplicity. In this 2025 comparison, we explore which broker might be a better fit for your goals, based on real features and market usage.
Broker Review Contents
Company overview
Forex.com, a subsidiary of NASDAQ-listed StoneX Group, has been a cornerstone of forex and CFD trading since 2001. It focuses on a professional and globally regulated experience for both beginner and advanced traders.
Trading 212, founded in 2004 and based in London and Sofia, made a name by democratizing access to stocks, ETFs, and forex via its intuitive mobile platform. Known for zero-commission stock trading, it primarily attracts retail investors in Europe.
| Feature | Forex.com | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2001 | 2004 |
| Headquarters | USA | UK & Bulgaria |
| Parent Company | StoneX Group (NASDAQ: SNEX) | Trading 212 Ltd |
| Client Focus | Traders (Forex/CFDs) | Investors & casual traders |
| Global Clients | 300,000+ | 1.5 million+ |
Regulation and security
Forex.com is regulated by:
- CFTC and NFA (USA)
- FCA (UK)
- ASIC (Australia)
- IIROC (Canada)
- CySEC (EU)
Trading 212 holds:
- FCA (UK)
- FSC (Bulgaria)
Forex.com leads in regulatory breadth, especially for traders in the U.S., Canada, and Asia-Pacific. Trading 212 maintains strong European regulation but lacks global licenses.
Platforms and interface
Forex.com offers:
- MetaTrader 4 and 5
- Advanced Trading Platform (Web/Desktop)
- TradingView integration
- WebTrader and mobile app
Trading 212 provides:
- Proprietary app-based platform (Invest, ISA, CFD)
- Web version
- No MetaTrader support
Forex.com supports more advanced tools and integrations suitable for scalping, automation, and strategy backtesting. Trading 212’s sleek interface is great for casual users but lacks professional-level tools.
Tradable instruments
| Asset Type | Forex.com | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Pairs | 80+ | 180+ (CFD) |
| Indices | Yes | Yes |
| Commodities | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrencies | Yes | Yes (CFD only) |
| Stocks (CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Real Stocks | No | Yes (Invest/ISA accounts) |
| Futures | No | No |
Forex.com provides a deeper suite of professional CFDs. Trading 212 offers real stocks and ETFs, which Forex.com does not, making it ideal for passive investors.
Account types and minimum deposit
Forex.com accounts:
- Standard
- Commission-based
- DMA (Direct Market Access)
- Islamic (swap-free)
Trading 212 accounts:
- Invest (for real stocks/ETFs)
- ISA (UK tax-free wrapper)
- CFD (for leveraged trading)
Minimum deposit:
- Forex.com: $100
- Trading 212: €10 (or local equivalent)
Trading 212 is more accessible to beginners, especially for passive investing, while Forex.com serves traders seeking execution quality and platform control.
Spreads and fees
Forex.com pricing:
- Spreads from 1.0 pip (standard)
- From 0.2 pip + $5/lot (commission account)
- No deposit/withdrawal fees
- Inactivity fees after 12 months
Trading 212 fees:
- Zero commissions on stocks and ETFs
- CFD spreads start from ~1.0 pip
- No deposit or inactivity fees
- Currency conversion fees for non-GBP/EUR/USD assets
Forex.com is better for active forex traders and scalpers. Trading 212 remains appealing for buy-and-hold investors due to zero commissions.
Leverage and risk
| Region | Forex.com | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
| UK Retail | Up to 1:30 | Up to 1:30 (CFD) |
| Pro Clients | Up to 1:200 | Up to 1:200 |
| US Traders | Yes (via Gain Capital) | No |
Forex.com offers access to leverage based on global region, and includes U.S. traders. Trading 212 serves only European markets and is unavailable in the U.S.
Tools and research
Forex.com tools:
- Autochartist
- Trading Central
- Strategy optimizer
- TradingView analysis
- Market news and economic calendars
Trading 212 tools:
- Basic economic calendar
- Integrated news feed
- Price alerts
- No advanced technical tools
Forex.com is far ahead in research and third-party analytics. Trading 212 suits self-directed investors who aren’t actively analyzing charts or deploying complex strategies.
Mobile trading experience
Forex.com mobile app:
- Charting, price alerts, economic news, fast order execution
Trading 212 app:
- Sleek design
- User-friendly stock and ETF investing
- Fast account setup
Trading 212 dominates in terms of UX and onboarding. However, Forex.com wins for active traders needing high functionality and charting control.
Customer support
Forex.com:
- 24/5 support via live chat, email, and phone
- Global service centers
- Dedicated onboarding support
Trading 212:
- Chat and email support
- Slower ticket resolution (based on user feedback)
- Extensive help center for self-service
Forex.com delivers faster and more professional support for active traders. Trading 212 is efficient for passive investing but slower on CFD-related queries.
Summary table
| Feature | Forex.com | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation | Global Tier-1 | EU and UK only |
| Platform Variety | MT4/MT5, Advanced, TradingView | Proprietary only |
| Stocks & ETFs (Real) | No | Yes |
| Crypto Trading | Yes | Yes (CFD only) |
| Spreads & Commissions | Variable + commission options | Zero-commission investing |
| Mobile Experience | Advanced charting | Ultra user-friendly |
| Educational Tools | Rich and extensive | Basic |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | €10 |
| Best for Passive Investors | No | Yes |
| Best for Active Traders | Yes | No |
Which broker should you choose in 2025?
Choose Forex.com if you:
- Are an active forex or CFD trader
- Want access to MT4/MT5, DMA, and TradingView
- Prefer strong global regulation and professional-grade research
- Need tools for strategy optimization and automation
Choose Trading 212 if you:
- Want commission-free investing in stocks and ETFs
- Prefer a simple, mobile-first platform
- Are based in Europe or the UK
- Focus on passive, long-term growth
