In this comparison, FBS and Trading 212 duel over price models, stock access, and regulatory reach. The matchup highlights how each broker shapes equity trading for different investor needs.
Trading 212 outperforms FBS on editorial score and offers commission-free trading with fractional shares.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose FBS if…
Choose FBS if you need 24/7 live chat and phone support and advanced charting.
Choose Trading 212 if…
Choose Trading 212 if you want commission-free stock trading and fractional shares.
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 and ETF trades.
| Editorial score | 3.3/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $1 | $1 |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | $20/lot | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | FBS | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Fail | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Fail | 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 3.3/5 for FBS. Trading 212 edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
FBS starts from 0. Current spread data is not available for Trading 212. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
Both FBS and Trading 212 require a minimum deposit of $1 to open a live trading account.
Trading 212 holds top-tier regulation (FCA, CySEC), providing stronger investor protections. FBS may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Verify regulatory status on each regulator's public register before depositing funds.
For beginners, Trading 212 provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
FBS lists maximum leverage of 3000:1, 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.
FBS charges $20 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for Trading 212 are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
FBS supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while Trading 212 supports Trading 212 App. FBS has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. Trading 212 has exclusive access to Trading 212 App.
Trading 212 offers commission-free stock trading while FBS 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.
Trading 212 scores higher on investor protection criteria, with compensation scheme coverage and segregated client funds. For stock investors, confirming compensation scheme coverage ensures your assets are protected up to a defined limit if the broker becomes insolvent.
Trading 212 wins for safety and regulation due to top-tier oversight.
Trading 212 suits long-term investors with fractional shares and ISA options.
FBS is best for active traders thanks to MT4/MT5 with EA support and advanced charting.
Trading 212 is better for beginners with fractional shares and an ISA.
FBS wins for global market access with wide equity CFD availability.
| 2 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayPerfect Money | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardApple PayGoogle Pay |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayPerfect Money | 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 | FSCA CySEC IFSC | FCA CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | Trading 212 App |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.3 / 5
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