Two brokers compete for stock exposure and cost structure. AvaTrade offers fixed spreads on 600+ stock CFDs across MT4, MT5 and AvaTradeGO, while Trading 212 promotes commission-free real stock trading.
Trading 212 edges AvaTrade on editorial score, while AvaTrade offers fixed spreads and broad regulation.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose AvaTrade if…
Choose AvaTrade if you want fixed spreads on 600+ stock CFDs and access via MT4, MT5, and AvaTradeGO.
Choose Trading 212 if…
Choose Trading 212 if you want commission-free real stock trading, fractional shares, and a Stocks & Shares ISA.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Trading 212 wins for low-cost trading due to commission-free stock trading.
| Editorial score | 3.8/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $100 | $1▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0.9 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | $50/month (after 3 months) | None |
| Deposit fee |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | AvaTrade | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Pass | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Pass |
| No deposit fee | — | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Pass |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Pass |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Fail |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
The scores are close: AvaTrade rates 3.8/5 and Trading 212 rates 4.2/5. Trading 212 has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
AvaTrade starts from 0.9. Current spread data is not available for Trading 212. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
Trading 212 has $1, while AvaTrade requires at least $100. This makes Trading 212 more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both AvaTrade and Trading 212 hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, two factors stand out: Trading 212 requires a lower minimum deposit ($1), lowering the barrier to entry, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
AvaTrade lists maximum leverage of 20:1, while Trading 212 lists up to 1:5. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
AvaTrade supports ZuluTrade, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while Trading 212 supports Trading 212 App. AvaTrade has exclusive access to ZuluTrade and MetaTrader 5 and Proprietary Web/Mobile and MetaTrader 4. Trading 212 has exclusive access to Trading 212 App.
Trading 212 offers commission-free stock trading while AvaTrade does not according to our data. Commission-free trading can reduce costs for frequent traders. Always confirm the current fee structure directly on each broker's website.
Both AvaTrade and Trading 212 are covered by a compensation scheme according to our data, providing an additional safety net for your stock investments. Confirm the specific scheme and coverage limit that applies to your account before depositing.
AvaTrade wins safety & regulation for its multiple regulators.
Trading 212 wins for long-term investing with fractional shares and an ISA.
AvaTrade wins for active trading with fixed spreads and multi-platform access.
Trading 212 is best for beginners due to fractional shares and an ISA.
AvaTrade wins for global market access with 10 exchanges.
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardApple PayGoogle Pay |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardApple PayGoogle Pay |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | Yes |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | Yes |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | Yes |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | No |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC FSCA MFSA CBI ADGM | FCA CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | ZuluTrade MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | Trading 212 App |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.8 / 5
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