Trading 212
Commission-free investing for everyone.
Capital at Risk
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Full Analysis
Trading 212 has revolutionized the UK brokerage market with its slick app and zero-commission model. It removes the barriers to entry, allowing users to start with as little as £1.
The standout feature is "Pies & AutoInvest", which allows you to build a diversified portfolio and automatically invest funds into it, balancing the weights required.
While it lacks a SIPP and advanced charting tools found on platforms like IBKR, for the vast majority of retail investors, Trading 212 offers an unbeatable combination of value and usability.
Real Investing, Explained
Owning the Company
When you buy a stock (or share), you are buying a tiny slice of a real company. If Apple sells more iPhones, your slice gets more valuable. You might also get paid a "dividend" (profit share) just for holding it.
Unlike CFDs, there is no leverage here. If you buy £100 of stock, you pay £100. The worst that happens is the company goes bust and you lose your £100. You can't lose more than you put in.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- True commission-free trading on stocks and ETFs.
- High-interest paid on uninvested cash (up to 5.2%).
- AutoInvest & Pies feature for passive investing.
- Seamless fractional shares.
Cons
- No SIPP (Self-Invested Personal Pension).
- 0.7% fee on card deposits over £2,000.
- Limited research tools compared to comprehensive brokers.
Best For
Beginners
The interface is incredibly intuitive, making it the perfect starting point for new investors.
Dividend Investors
Create 'Pies' to automate dividend reinvestment and diversify easily with fractional shares.
Cost-Conscious
With zero commission and low FX fees, it's one of the cheapest ways to trade in the UK.