XTB and Trading 212 are among the top brokers internationally, each offering unique features for traders.
XTB and Trading 212 are among the top brokers internationally, each offering unique features for traders.
We use both brokers and understand how hard it can be to choose which one to use!
This article compares them to help you choose the best platform for your needs.
Quick summary
- XTB: Best for Forex and CFDs.
- Trading 212: Best for commission-free stocks and ETF trading and interest on uninvested cash.
All in all, we would be confident investing with both brokers!
XTB is best for investing in Forex or CFDs (low spreads). It also offers interest on your uninvested cash, but it is lower than Trading 212.
Trading 212 is ideal for commission-free stock and ETF investing, interest on uninvested cash and fractional shares.
Overview comparison table
| Feature | XTB | Trading 212 |
| Founded year | 2002 | 2004 |
| Regulatory entities | FCA, KNF, CySEC, DFSA, FSC | FCA, CySEC, FSC |
| Trading instruments | Stocks, ETFs, CFDs, Forex | Stocks, ETFs, CFDs |
| Minimum deposit | €/$/£0 | €/$/£1 |
| Trading platforms | xStation 5, xStation Mobile | Trading 212 Web, Mobile App |
| Interest on cash | Up to 3.8% (EUR); Up to 5% (USD); Up to 5.2% (GBP) | 4.0% (EUR); Up to 5.1% (USD); Up to 5.1% (GBP) |
| Stocks fees | Commission-free | Commission-free |
| Demo account | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Leverage | Up to 1:500 (varies by jurisdiction) | Up to 1:30 (retail clients) |
Want to see a more in-depth comparison of XTB and Trading 212?
Don’t worry – below we dig deeper and compare XTB vs Trading 212 in terms of fees, safety, products, and more!
XTB overview
Founded in 2002, XTB is a major player in the brokerage industry with extensive worldwide experience, regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) – plus other relevant regulatory bodies – and listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange.
You can invest through xStation 5 and xStation Mobile in different investment products, such as stocks, ETFs, and CFDs on stocks, Forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies (this product offering may vary slightly from country to country).
It offers 0% commission on stocks and ETFs up to €100,000 of monthly volume and interest on uninvested cash (EUR and USD).
For more insights, please check our XTB review.
XTB pros and cons
Pros
- Free stocks trading (only applicable to some countries)
- Customizable trading platform (charts and workspace)
- Low Forex Spreads
- Demo account
- No minimum account deposit
- Valuable education materials
- Top-tier Regulators
Cons
- Complex trading platform for a beginner
- High Stock CFD spreads
- Limited product portfolio
- Withdrawal fees for transfers below $100
- Inactivity fee (€10/monthly after 1+ year with no activity plus no deposit in the last 90 days)
Trading 212 overview
Founded in 2004, Trading 212 is a commission-free trading platform that offers real stocks, ETFs, and CFDs. It’s regulated by the FCA, CySEC and FSC, and it allows access to fractional shares, making it suitable for beginners and seasoned investors alike.
Trading 212 has gained popularity due to its intuitive trading platform and the opportunity to invest with as little as €1.
Check our Trading 212 review for an in-depth analysis.
Trading 212 pros and cons
Pros
- Commission-free Real Stocks and ETFs trading (other fees may apply. See terms and fees)
- AutoInvest & Pies feature
- Fast and easy account opening process
- Demo account
- Top Tier Regulators
- One free share worth up to €100 using the promo code "IITW"
- High interest on uninvested cash
Cons
- Limited product portfolio (no Options, Bonds, Mutual Funds or Futures)
- No relevant Fundamental tools
- 0.15% of Foreign exchange fees
Safety
| Aspect | XTB | Trading 212 |
| Regulatory authorities | FCA, KNF, CySEC, DFSA, FSC | FCA, CySEC, FSC |
| Investor protection | Up to €20,000 (EU clients); Up to £85,000 (UK clients) | Up to €20,000 (EU clients); Up to £85,000 (UK clients) |
| Private insurance | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Asset segregation | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Negative balance protection | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Banking license | ❌ | ❌ |
| Listed on exchange | Yes (Warsaw Stock Exchange) | ❌ |
| Transparency | High | Average |
Both brokers ensure client fund protection through reputable regulatory authorities, but XTB offers greater transparency by being listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange.
Investment products
| Investment products | XTB | Trading 212 |
| Stocks | ✔️ 3,600+ global stocks (real and CFDs) | ✔️ 9,000+ global stocks (real and CFDs) |
| ETFs | ✔️ 350+ ETFs (real and CFDs) | ✔️ 100+ ETFs (real and CFDs) |
| Cryptocurrencies | ✔️ 45+ (CFDs) | ✔️ 15+ cryptos (CFDs) |
| Forex | ✔️ 70+ currency pairs (CFDs) | ✔️ 25+ currency pairs (CFDs) |
| Indices | ✔️ 30+ indices (CFDs) | ✔️ 15+ indices (CFDs) |
| Commodities | ✔️ 25+ commodities (CFDs) | ✔️ 25+ commodities (CFDs) |
| Options | ❌ Not available | ❌ Not available |
| Bonds | ❌ Not available | ❌ Not available |
Trading 212 offers a larger range of stocks, but it is behind in the number of investment products in other assets.
Both brokers lack more complex products such as bonds or options, which makes them a great option for beginner and buy-and-hold investors, but not so much for advanced investors.
Trading platforms
| Feature | XTB | Trading 212 |
| Trading platforms | xStation 5, xStation Mobile | Trading 212 web, mobile app |
| Ease of use | User-friendly, customizable | Extremely user-friendly |
| Tools/indicators | Over 30 technical indicators | Basic, but adequate |
| Mobile trading | xStation Mobile app available | Trading 212 mobile app available |
| Charting | Advanced, multiple timeframes | Basic to intermediate |
XTB’s xStation 5 offers more advanced trading tools and charting, while Trading 212’s platform is simple, intuitive, and ideal for beginners.
Fees & comissions
| Fee type | XTB | Trading 212 |
| Stocks | Commission-free | Commission-free |
| ETFs | Commission-free | Commission-free |
| Crypto | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.50% | 0.15% |
| Spreads | From 0.1 pips (Forex) | From 0.5 pips (Forex) |
| Withdrawal fees | Free over €/$/£100 | Free |
| Inactivity fee | €/$/£10 after 12 months inactivity | None |
XTB is more competitive in offering commission-free trading on stocks and ETFs, while DEGIRO has a transparent fee structure with low transaction costs.
Customer support
- XTB: Offers 24/5 multilingual customer support via live chat, phone, and email, with comprehensive educational resources available.
- Trading 212: Provides customer support via email and chat, with an extensive FAQ section but no phone support.s.
How to invest in the S&P 500 on XTB and Trading 212
Want to learn how to invest in the S&P 500 in both platforms?
Check our step-by-step videos, where we show you how to place your trade using both apps. It might be useful to get a feel of both companies before deciding which one to use!
Bottom line
XTB
Best for Forex and CFDs.Trading 212
Best for commission-free trading and interest on uninvested cash.
All in all, choose XTB if you want a more professional trading environment, competitive fees, and excellent customer service.
Choose Trading 212 if you prefer a simple, user-friendly experience with a broad range of stocks, especially for fractional shares.
Ultimately, the “best” platform depends on your trading style, experience level, and preference for social trading or advanced trading tools.
Want to learn more about other brokers? Check out our in-depth broker reviews, comparison table, and BrokerMatch tool to find the best option for you!
