Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose ThinkMarkets if you want advanced charting tools and access to 12 exchanges.
Choose if…
Choose Trading 212 if you prefer a Stocks and Shares ISA and fractional shares from €1.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Trading 212 wins for low-cost trading with commission-free stock execution.
| Editorial score | 3.8/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $1 |
| Spreads from | 0.4 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ThinkMarkets | 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: ThinkMarkets 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.
ThinkMarkets starts from 0.4. Current spread data is not available for Trading 212. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
ThinkMarkets has no minimum deposit, while Trading 212 requires at least $1. This makes ThinkMarkets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both ThinkMarkets 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: ThinkMarkets has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
ThinkMarkets 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.
ThinkMarkets charges $7 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.
ThinkMarkets supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while Trading 212 supports Trading 212 App. ThinkMarkets has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and Proprietary Web/Mobile and TradingView and MetaTrader 4. Trading 212 has exclusive access to Trading 212 App.
Trading 212 offers commission-free stock trading while ThinkMarkets 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 ThinkMarkets 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.
ThinkMarkets is regulated by FCA, ASIC, FSCA, and JFSA, offering broader oversight.
Trading 212 supports an ISA and fractional shares for long-term growth.
ThinkMarkets delivers MT4/MT5 and ThinkTrader with a wide share CFD range.
Trading 212 offers a user-friendly app with fractional shares and a low entry point.
ThinkMarkets provides access to 12 exchanges, expanding international reach.
| 1.1 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | 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 | FCA ASIC FSCA JFSA | FCA CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView MetaTrader 4 | Trading 212 App |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
ThinkMarkets and Trading 212 present two distinct paths for equity trading, balancing regulation and access against cost and platform features.
Trading 212 outperforms ThinkMarkets on editorial score due to its commission-free trading and ISA access.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.8 / 5
Score 4.2 / 5
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