Is Trading 212 good for investing?
Independent review by Boring Money
29 April, 2026
Investment expert's opinion
This investing app is very good. It's either free or super low-cost. The digital experience is excellent, it's easy to use, and it also offers good cash ISA rates. Investment research could be better, and you can't buy mutual funds here. Lots of customers rave about it, and it has become the one to beat. My only niggle is that I don’t believe there is any such thing as a free lunch - how they make money is a bit opaque, and it's all about taking cuts on foreign exchange or financial jiggery-pokery behind the scenes. None of which is dodgy or unique to them, but I don’t like things which arent super clear to customers.
*This is the view of investment expert Holly Mackay based on her first-hand customer experience as a test account holder. This does not constitute regulated advice. You can read more about Holly's investments here.
Who is Trading 212?
Trading 212 is a fintech (financial technology) company which was originally established in Bulgaria under the name ‘Avus Capital’. It was registered in the UK in 2013 and has since moved its global headquarters here. Its main claim to fame is being the first zero-commission stock trading service in the UK and Europe. Today, Trading 212’s mobile app has been downloaded more than 15 million times and the company as a whole has over 5 million funded accounts and administers over £25 billion worth of assets. Trading 212 states its aim is to “democratise” investing with “free, smart and easy to use apps, enabling anyone to trade”.
Who is Trading 212 good for?
Trading 212 is a good choice for people who want low fees and keen investors who take a real interest in it, thanks to the broad range of investments to choose from and the handy ‘pies’ which enable you to fully customise your portfolio. However, there could be more support for beginner investors. It may also not suit those who prefer investing via computers, as although desktop functionality exists, Trading 212 is very much a mobile-first provider.
Pros and cons
Still not quite sure if Trading 212 is right for you? We’ve broken down the main pros and cons of investing with Trading 212 in the table below. Take a look for a bird’s eye view of the key takeaways.
Investments
Trading 212 customers can choose from a wide range of investments, including:
UK Shares |
Foreign Shares |
ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) |
Investment trusts |
Foreign currency |
Accounts
Trading 212 offers different types of investment accounts – a Stocks & Shares ISA, a Cash ISA, a SIPP, a GIA account (Invest) and a CFD account. The table below shows a breakdown of the key features of these two accounts. Other fees may apply. See fees and charges below.
Account type | ISA | Invest |
Key features | Tax-free investing in shares and ETFs, extended hours trading, minimum £1 investment, 24/7 support, no commission or account fees. | Free investing, extended hours trading, minimum £1 investment, 24/7 support, no commission or account fees. |
Fees and charges
The cost of investing with Trading 212 is very low. The only unavoidable fee is the foreign exchange (forex) fee, which applies to non-UK investments; however, even this is among the cheapest on the market.
Fee type | Amount |
Trading commission | FREE |
Custody fee | FREE |
Forex fee | 0.15% |
Deposits via bank transfer | FREE |
Deposits via Cards, Google Pay, Apple Pay | FREE up to £2,000, then 0.7% |
Withdrawals | FREE |
Customer reviews
Trading 212 is appreciated for its 0% trading commission, live prices, and free fractional shares. Users find the app easy to use and value the 3.8% interest on uninvested funds in Stocks & Shares ISAs. The platform offers various investment options, including cash savings ISAs and stocks ISAs.
However, some users feel that customer service needs improvement, and the app's stock chart graph could be more user-friendly. There are also suggestions for better educational resources and faster customer support. Overall, Trading 212 is seen as a reliable platform, but there is room for improvement in customer support and app features.
Your opinion matters!
Leave a review for Trading 212
31 March 2026
Sadly althoughTrading212 looks good on paper I've found the reality to be different. Signed up on the understanding of an interest rate being 5.2% (including a bonus) but later found they have only paid just over 3% and have NOT paid the promised bonus. Not clear and basically dishonest!
19 December 2025
Flexible, easy to use and very good value.
05 December 2025
I really like how user friendly the app is and range of assets but for beginners like me,i might need a little education and risks and warnings
Most asked questions
Is Trading 212 safe?
Trading 212 is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). If a fund fails due to fraud or mismanagement, you may be eligible for compensation from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). The FSCS protection is capped at £120,000 per person, per fund manager (not per individual fund). However, if your investments lose value due to normal market conditions or your investment choices, this is part of the normal risk of investing and is not covered by FSCS compensation.
Is Trading 212 FCA regulated?
Yes. Trading 212 UK Ltd. is registered in England and Wales, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
How does Trading 212 make money?
Despite being free for many customers, Trading 212 is able to make money in a number of different ways. One source of income is from the spread between the ‘ask’ - the lowest price a seller is willing to sell an investment for - and the ‘bid’ - the highest price a buyer is willing to pay. This spread is generated on CFD accounts, not the ISA or Invest accounts which Trading 212 states have no mark-up. Other generators of income include interest on cash and share lending. Trading 212’s co-founder Ivan Ashminov said in a 2020 interview that the long-term goal for the company is to offer premium features which will help to complement their existing revenue model.
Can you buy penny stocks on Trading 212?
Yes, you can buy penny stocks on Trading 212. Penny stocks are shares traded at less than £1. They typically belong to smaller companies with a market cap of less than £100 million and are considered high risk investments due to their illiquidity and propensity for volatility.
Can you trade forex on Trading 212?
Yes, you can trade forex on Trading 212, although this feature is only available with the CFD account.
Glossary
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All information in this review correct as at 29/04/2026.
