GO Markets and Trading 212 clash over regulation, platform depth, and pricing. The tension centers on commission models, access to fractional shares, and global exchange coverage.
Trading 212 earns a higher editorial score than GO Markets, driven by commission-free trading and fractional shares. GO Markets remains competitive with dual regulation and multiple platforms, but Trading 212 leads overall.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose GO Markets if…
Choose GO Markets if you value phone support and the ability to short sell.
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 trading.
| Editorial score | 3.5/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $200 | $1▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | $5/lot | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | GO Markets | 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 | Fail | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
Trading 212 rates 4.2/5 versus 3.5/5 for GO Markets. Trading 212 edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
GO Markets starts from 0. 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 GO Markets requires at least $200. This makes Trading 212 more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both GO Markets 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.
GO Markets lists maximum leverage of 500:1, 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.
GO Markets charges $5 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.
GO Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while Trading 212 supports Trading 212 App. GO Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. Trading 212 has exclusive access to Trading 212 App.
Trading 212 offers commission-free stock trading while GO Markets 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 GO Markets 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.
GO Markets is stronger on regulation with dual ASIC-CySEC oversight and tier-1 coverage.
Trading 212 supports fractional shares and dividend reinvestment.
GO Markets provides MT4/MT5 and cTrader with advanced charting.
Trading 212 suits beginners with a user-friendly app and fractional shares.
GO Markets offers six exchanges, expanding global reach beyond Trading 212.
| 0.5 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPayPal | 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 CySEC FSC | FCA CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | cTrader MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | Trading 212 App |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.5 / 5
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