Two brokers frame a clash between fixed spread risk management and activity-focused pricing versus commission-free stock trading and fractional ownership. The tension centers on cost, investment features, and regulatory safety.
Trading 212 leads on the editorial score against easyMarkets, offering commission-free trading and fractional shares while easyMarkets relies on fixed spreads and risk tools.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose easyMarkets if…
Choose easyMarkets if you want 24/5 live chat and phone support for timely assistance. You gain access to short selling and advanced charting, plus four exchanges, and fixed share CFD spreads with dealCancellation acting as risk protection.
Choose Trading 212 if…
Choose Trading 212 if you want commission-free stock trading and access to fractional shares. You also benefit from a Stocks & Shares ISA and a straightforward app experience under FCA regulation and solid support, plus access to a cash account.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Trading 212 is best for low-cost trading due to commission-free stock and ETF trades.
| Editorial score | 3.4/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $25 | $1▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0.7 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
| Deposit fee |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | easyMarkets | 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 |
Trading 212 rates 4.2/5 versus 3.4/5 for easyMarkets. Trading 212 edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
easyMarkets starts from 0.7. 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 easyMarkets requires at least $25. This makes Trading 212 more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both easyMarkets 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.
easyMarkets lists maximum leverage of 400:1, 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.
easyMarkets supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while Trading 212 supports Trading 212 App. easyMarkets has exclusive access to 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 easyMarkets 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 easyMarkets 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.
Equally matched on safety and regulation, both have compensation schemes and multiple regulators.
Trading 212 wins for long-term investors due to fractional shares and ISA access.
easyMarkets suits active traders with advanced charting, short selling, and real-time support.
Trading 212 is best for beginners with a low minimum deposit and simple app.
easyMarkets offers access to four exchanges, expanding global market reach.
| Free |
| 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 CNV HCMC CySEC MNB | FCA CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | 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 3.4 / 5
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