ActivTrades vs Trading 212 Comparison
Compare trading conditions, commissions and platforms of Forex brokers ActivTrades and Trading 212. Find out which broker is best for you.
We test brokers on real accounts using our own methodology, evaluating the quality of order execution, trading conditions, platforms and customer support.
Who is better - ActivTrades or Trading 212?
Our pick: ActivTrades
Based on multiple factors - spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, execution quality, platform usability, support level, and educational resources - ActivTrades looks preferable to Trading 212.
ActivTrades scored 4.3/5 and ranks 28 in our all Forex brokers list, whereas Trading 212 has 4.3/5 and ranks 34.
This is not financial advice. See the full comparison below.
Who is ActivTrades suitable for?
ActivTrades is suitable for beginners who value simplicity and educational materials and experienced traders who prefer MetaTrader and a wide range of instruments.
Who is Trading 212 suitable for?
Trading 212 is suitable for beginners thanks to educational materials and a low minimum deposit, and for experienced traders looking for affordability and simplicity
Comparison Table of ActivTrades and Trading 212
| Broker | ActivTrades | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2001 | 2004 |
| Regulated in Countries | Bahamas, United Kingdom, Portugal, Luxembourg, Brazil | United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Australia, Germany |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
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| Spread | from 0.5 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:400 | 1:30 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Review | ActivTrades Review | Trading 212 Review |
ActivTrades Review
ActivTrades is suitable for beginner traders who value simplicity and intuitive trading platforms, as well as a variety of educational materials to improve their skills. Moreover, this broker can be a suitable option for experienced traders who prefer to trade various instruments and use the powerful features of the MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and TradingView platforms.
However, for traders with more specific requirements, such as a variety of trading accounts or individual conditions for professional traders, ActivTrades may be less attractive.
Pros and Cons of ActivTrades
Pros
- Wide range of trading assets.
- A wide variety of trading platforms.
- Extensive training materials including webinars, videos, articles and guides.
- Professional Support Team.
Cons
- Lack of diversity in trading accounts.
ActivTrades is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
Trading 212 Review
Trading 212 is a convenient and modern broker primarily aimed at retail investors and beginner traders. The platform combines ease of use, a low entry threshold, and zero commissions on stocks and ETFs, making it attractive for long-term investing and gradual portfolio building.
The broker is best suited for:
- beginner investors
- users with limited capital
- those who invest in stocks and ETFs
- traders who value a simple interface
Trading 212 is less suitable for active traders and professionals who need tight spreads, advanced platforms (MetaTrader, cTrader), and a wider selection of derivatives.
Pros and Cons of Trading 212
Pros
- Zero commissions on stocks and ETFs.
- Low minimum deposit.
- Convenient and easy-to-use platform.
- Fractional shares.
- No deposit and withdrawal fees.
- Regulation in leading financial jurisdictions.
Cons
- Wide spreads on CFDs.
- No MetaTrader or cTrader.
- Limited analytics.
- No live chat or phone support.
- Currency conversion fee.
Reliability
| Broker | ActivTrades | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2001 | 2004 |
| Regulated in Countries | Bahamas, United Kingdom, Portugal, Luxembourg, Brazil | United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Australia, Germany |
| Regulators |
ActivTrades
ActivTrades - highly regulated, transparent broker with a good reputation. International regulation and client fund protection make it a reliable choice.
Trading 212
Trading 212 demonstrates a high level of reliability thanks to regulation in the EU, Australia, and the UK, as well as participation in an investor compensation scheme.
Pros
- Regulated by FCA, ASIC, BaFin, CySEC
- Participation in the FSCS compensation scheme
- Transparent terms and oversight by regulators
Account Opening
| Broker | ActivTrades | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 4/5 | 4.8/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
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ActivTrades
The account opening process at ActivTrades is quite accessible for most traders, but verification can take a significant amount of time.
Trading 212
Opening an account with Trading 212 is a quick and simple process: registration is fully online, verification takes up to 1 day, and the low minimum deposit makes getting started highly accessible.
Pros
- Fully online registration
- Fast verification
- Low minimum deposit
Cons
- Mandatory KYC verification
- Verification delays are possible
Account Types
| Broker | ActivTrades | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
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| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0.5 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:400 | 1:30 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Demo Account | ||
| Swap-free Account |
ActivTrades
ActivTrades offers 2 trading accounts suitable for most traders, but some options are missing.
Pros
- Availability of an Islamic account.
Cons
- No STP/ECN accounts.
- Lack of fixed spread accounts.
- Investment accounts (PAMM, copy trading) are not offered.
Trading 212
Trading 212 account types cover the main use cases—trading and investing. The lineup is simple and convenient, but it lags behind competitors in flexibility and lacks specialized accounts.
Pros
- CFD and Invest accounts are available
- Suitable for beginners and investors
- Demo account available
Cons
- Limited account variety
- ISA is available only in the UK
Commissions
| Broker | ActivTrades | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 3.7/5 | 4/5 |
| Spread | from 0.5 points | from 0 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 1 | 1.2 |
| Commission per Lot |
ActivTrades
ActivTrades offers average commissions with tight spreads, but high swap rates and inactivity fees.
Trading 212
Trading 212's fees are below average thanks to zero commissions on Invest, but spreads and currency conversion reduce the overall attractiveness, especially for active CFD trading.
Pros
- Zero commissions on Invest/ISA
- No deposit/withdrawal fees
- Transparent fee structure
Cons
- CFD spreads are above average
- Currency conversion fee
Deposit and Withdrawal
| Broker | ActivTrades | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
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ActivTrades
ActivTrades offers a variety of convenient methods for depositing and withdrawing funds.
Pros
- Diversity of payment systems.
- Most transactions are commission-free.
- Fast processing of requests.
Cons
- No options for using cryptocurrencies.
Trading 212
Deposits and withdrawals at Trading 212 are convenient and cost-effective: a wide range of methods with no fees and fast processing. A minor drawback is the lack of cryptocurrencies.
Pros
- No deposit/withdrawal fees
- Convenient methods (cards, PayPal, Apple Pay)
- Fast transactions
Cons
- No cryptocurrencies
- Bank transfers are slower
Markets and Products
| Broker | ActivTrades | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Forex | 49 | 35 |
| Precious Metals | 3 | 3 |
| Energy Carriers | 7 | 2 |
| Soft Commodities | 9 | 3 |
| Indices | 31 | 8 |
| Stocks | 1035 | 51 |
| ETF | 75 | 5 |
| Bonds | 6 | - |
| Cryptocurrency | 12 | 22 |
ActivTrades
ActivTrades offers a wide range of trading instruments, providing access to all major markets, making it attractive to various traders.
Trading 212
Trading 212's markets and products cover key assets—stocks, ETFs, Forex, and CFDs. The offering is broad enough for most needs, but the lack of futures and options reduces versatility.
Pros
- Large selection of stocks and ETFs
- Access to international exchanges
- Suitable for investing and trading
Cons
- No futures or options
Trading Platforms
| Broker | ActivTrades | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
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ActivTrades
ActivTrades offers diverse trading platforms, each catering to different trading needs, combining efficiency, advanced features, and user-friendly interfaces.
Pros
- Multiple platforms including MT4, MT5, ActivTrader, and TradingView integration.
- Advanced tools and features for comprehensive market analysis.
- Customization options and social trading aspects in TradingView.
Trading 212
Trading 212's platforms are convenient and easy to understand, suitable for most users. The functionality is sufficient for trading, but the limited choice lowers the score.
Pros
- Simple and user-friendly interface
- Web and mobile versions available
- Suitable for beginners
Cons
- No MetaTrader/cTrader
- Limited features for professionals
Analytics
| Broker | ActivTrades | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 3.5/5 |
ActivTrades
ActivTrades provides extensive analytical resources, including market analysis, economic calendar, technical analysis tools, trading signals, and ideas.
Trading 212
Trading 212's analytics are suitable for self-directed analysis: there are charts and data. But the lack of news and signals makes this section limited.
Pros
- Convenient charts
- Fundamental data available
- Suitable for basic analysis
Cons
- No news feed
- No expert analysis
Education
| Broker | ActivTrades | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 3.7/5 |
ActivTrades
ActivTrades offers high-quality and diverse educational materials that will be useful for traders of any level.
Trading 212
Trading 212's education is at a good level: plenty of videos and basic materials. It suits beginners, but it lacks depth and advanced content.
Pros
- Many educational videos
- FAQ and articles available
- Active forum
Cons
- No webinars
- Few advanced materials
Customer Support
| Broker | ActivTrades | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Email Support |
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| Hotline Phones |
| — |
| Social Media |
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
LinkedIn
InstagramActivTrades
ActivTrades' technical support is commendable for its professionalism, diverse communication channels, and 24/5 availability.
Pros
- Highly professional and knowledgeable staff.
- Multiple contact options including phone, chat, and email.
- 24/5 availability.
Trading 212
Trading 212 support works 24/7 and is generally effective, but the lack of live chat and a phone line reduces the speed of resolving urgent issues.
Pros
- 24/7 support
- High-quality answers
Cons
- No live chat
- No phone support
Comparisons of ActivTrades and Trading 212 with other brokers
Conclusion
ActivTrades stands out as the better overall pick, while Trading 212 trails on aggregate criteria.
ActivTrades scored 4.3/5 and ranks 28 in our rating; Trading 212 has 4.3/5 and ranks 34.
We explain the reasons above in detail — fees, platforms, reliability, support, and more.
FAQ
Which broker is better: ActivTrades or Trading 212?
ActivTrades comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.3/5, position 28) versus Trading 212 (score 4.3/5, position 34).
Which broker is better for beginners: ActivTrades or Trading 212?
ActivTrades is often a smoother start thanks to simpler onboarding and stronger baseline metrics. Still, your tools and budget should drive the final choice.
Who has lower typical trading costs (spreads/commissions) — ActivTrades or Trading 212?
It depends on the instrument and account type. Compare the live conditions in the “Commissions” section on this page — we break down the nuances category by category.
What trading platforms are available with ActivTrades and Trading 212?
ActivTrades: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, ActivTrader, TradingView. Trading 212: Trading 212. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with ActivTrades and Trading 212?
ActivTrades: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Bonds, Cryptocurrency. Trading 212: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Cryptocurrency. Full lists and differences are in the “Markets” section.
What account types are offered by ActivTrades and Trading 212?
ActivTrades: Individual, Pro. Trading 212: INVEST, ISA, CFD. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by ActivTrades and Trading 212?
ActivTrades: Neteller, Skrill, AstroPay, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard. Trading 212: Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Bank Transfer, Credit and Debit Cards, Giropay, Dotpay, iDeal. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — ActivTrades or Trading 212 — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
