Trading 212 vs Plus500 Comparison
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Updated 29/01/2025
Quick Answer: Trading 212 or Plus500, Which is Best?
Plus500 is best for traders focused on CFDs and advanced risk management tools. Trading 212, however, is more versatile, offering shares, ETFs, and a tax-efficient ISA. Beginners will appreciate Trading 212’s simplicity and lower fees, while experienced traders may favour Plus500’s advanced features.
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I’ve spent a lot of time using both Trading 212 and Plus500. These two platforms offer unique strengths, but choosing the right one depends on your trading goals.
Whether you’re just starting or are a seasoned trader, this comparison may help you decide. All based on my experiences, data, and industry insights.
Trading 212 and Plus500 Overview
Trading 212 and Plus500 are leading trading platforms in the UK, but they target slightly different audiences.
Trading 212: Known for its accessibility, it allows users to invest in shares, ETFs, and CFDs. It also offers an ISA for UK investors, enabling tax-free returns. The minimum deposit is just £1 for investing accounts, which makes it perfect for beginners.
Plus500: Specialises in CFDs, with a wide range of instruments including forex, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. The platform features advanced tools like trading alerts and guaranteed stop orders, making it a solid choice for experienced traders.
| Feature | Trading 212 | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | Invest, CFD, ISA | Standard, Premium (by invite) |
| Minimum Deposit | £1 (£10 for CFDs) | $100 (card), $500 (bank transfer) |
| Fees | 0.15% currency conversion; no ISA fee | 0.70% currency conversion; $10 inactivity fee |
| Available Markets | Shares, ETFs, CFDs, ISA | CFDs (Indices, Forex, Commodities, Crypto) |
| Customer Support | 24/7 (via app) | 24/7 (multiple channels) |
| Trustpilot Rating | ⭐ 4.6/5 | ⭐ 4.0/5 |
Key Differences
Investment Range: Trading 212 offers shares, ETFs, and ISAs, while Plus500 focuses solely on CFDs.
Fees: Trading 212 has a lower currency conversion fee (0.15%) compared to Plus500’s 0.70%. Plus500 also charges a $10 inactivity fee.
Target Audience: Trading 212 is better for beginners and long-term investors, whereas Plus500 suits experienced CFD traders.
Recommended For
Trading 212: Ideal for beginners and long-term investors seeking simplicity, low fees, and tax-efficient options like an ISA.
Plus500: Best for experienced traders focused on CFDs who need advanced risk management tools and a wide range of derivative products.
Key Metrics: How Trading 212 and Plus500 Compare:
Trading 212 provides an impressive variety of account types, making it versatile for different traders. You can open a CFD account for leveraged trading, an Invest account for shares and ETFs, or an ISA account for tax-efficient investing (for UK residents).
Plus500 is more straightforward, offering just a Standard account for all users, focusing entirely on CFDs. There’s also an exclusive Premium account, available by invitation, which includes added perks for high-volume traders.
| Feature | Trading 212 | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Account Options | Invest, CFD, ISA | Standard, Premium |
| Minimum Deposit | £1 (£10 for CFDs) | $100 (card), $500 (bank transfer) |
| ISA Available? | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Geared Towards Beginners? | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Moderate |
Trading 212’s ISA account is a standout feature, offering UK investors a tax-efficient way to grow their savings. With no platform fees, it’s a highly competitive option for long-term investors. Plus500 doesn’t offer ISAs, limiting its appeal for tax-conscious traders.
Available Markets and Products
Trading 212 stands out for its breadth of offerings, including shares, ETFs, and CFDs across a range of asset classes. The option to invest in fractional shares is ideal for those starting with smaller amounts.
Plus500 specialises in CFDs and offers a wide selection, including indices, forex, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. While its focus is narrower, the variety within CFDs makes it a strong option for experienced traders looking for leveraged instruments.
Comparison Table: Market Access
| Feature | Trading 212 | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Shares/Stocks | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| ETFs | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| CFDs | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Forex | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Commodities | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Cryptocurrencies | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
My Takeaways on Markets and Products
I love Trading 212’s range, especially its ISA and fractional share options. However, Plus500’s strong CFD offering is hard to ignore for those prioritising derivatives. If you prefer ownership of assets, Trading 212 is the better choice.
Fees & Costs
Both platforms rely on spreads instead of commissions, but their additional fees differ significantly.
Trading 212: Charges a 0.15% currency conversion fee and has no inactivity charges. Its ISA accounts also come with zero platform fees, making it cost-effective for long-term investors.
Plus500: Charges a higher 0.70% currency conversion fee and applies a $10 inactivity fee after three months. CFD traders should also account for overnight funding costs, which vary based on the instrument. More on charges here on their website.
Comparison Table: Fee Breakdown
| Fee Type | Trading 212 | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Currency Conversion Fee | 0.15% (for non-base currency trades) | 0.70% (for non-base currency trades) |
| Inactivity Fee | ❌ None | $10/month (after 3 months of inactivity) |
| Overnight Funding (Swap Fees) | ✅ Yes (for CFD positions held overnight; varies by asset) | ✅ Yes (overnight financing applies to all CFDs) |
| Spread Costs | Variable (depends on asset, lower for major stocks) | Variable (higher for exotic CFDs, competitive on forex) |
| Deposit Fees | ❌ None | ❌ None |
| Withdrawal Fees | ❌ None | ❌ None |
| ISA Platform Fee | ❌ None (0% annual management fee) | ❌ Not applicable (no ISA option) |
| Guaranteed Stop Order Fee | ❌ Not offered | ✅ Yes (premium charged for risk protection) |
| Commission on Trades | ❌ None (trades are commission-free) | ❌ None (costs built into spreads) |
| Deposit Methods | Bank transfer, debit/credit card, PayPal, Google Pay | Bank transfer, debit/credit card, PayPal |
| Withdrawal Methods | Same as deposit methods | Same as deposit methods |
My Takeaways on Fees
- Trading 212 is cheaper overall, with lower conversion fees, no inactivity fees, and no platform charges for its ISA.
- Plus500 offers more risk management tools (such as guaranteed stop orders), but charges higher fees, particularly for currency conversion and inactivity.
- Both platforms have no deposit or withdrawal fees, making funding and withdrawing funds cost-effective.
- Plus500’s overnight funding fees may add up for CFD traders who hold positions long term.
Safety & Regulation
Both platforms are heavily regulated, ensuring a high level of safety and transparency.
- Trading 212: Authorised by the FCA (UK) and other European regulators, ensuring compliance with strict safety standards. Funds are kept in segregated accounts, and UK investors benefit from FSCS protection up to £85,000.
- Plus500: Regulated by the FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), and MAS (Singapore). It also offers negative balance protection, ensuring users cannot lose more than their initial deposit.
| Feature | Trading 212 | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Regulators | FCA (UK), CySEC | FCA (UK), ASIC, MAS |
| Investor Protection | FSCS | ✅ Yes |
| Negative Balance Protection | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Segregated Funds | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
My Takeaways on Safety & Regulation
Both platforms are secure and regulated by top-tier authorities. For UK users, Trading 212’s FSCS protection is a significant advantage, while Plus500’s global regulatory coverage makes it equally trustworthy.
Platform and Experience
Trading 212 is designed with beginners in mind. Its interface is clean, intuitive, and easy to navigate, whether you’re on the mobile app or desktop. The platform also includes educational tools, like video guides and tutorials, to help users learn the basics of investing.
Plus500 offers a more professional feel with advanced features such as guaranteed stop orders and trading alerts. Its interface is smooth and responsive, but it can feel overwhelming to new traders. The mobile and desktop platforms are well-integrated, ensuring a seamless experience across devices.
Mobile Platforms
Trading 212’s mobile app is ideal for beginners, offering a clean interface and useful educational features. It’s straightforward and perfect for tracking investments on the go.
Plus500’s mobile app caters to experienced traders, with advanced features like customisable charts and real-time trading alerts. It’s powerful but less beginner-friendly.
Desktop Platforms
The Trading 212 desktop experience is simple and great for casual traders. It’s intuitive and doesn’t overwhelm users with unnecessary features.
Plus500’s desktop platform is more advanced, with customisable layouts and access to professional tools. It’s best suited for active CFD traders.
My Takeaways on Platform and Experience
I found Trading 212’s platform more beginner-friendly, while Plus500’s advanced features are better for experienced traders. Both offer excellent mobile and desktop platforms, but the choice depends on your trading style.
Overall Rating Comparison
The table below summarises how Trading 212 and Plus500 perform across key areas. While both platforms are excellent, they serve different trading needs.
| Criteria | Trading 212 | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Fees & Costs | ⭐ 4.5/5 | ⭐ 4.2/5 |
| Account Types | ⭐ 4.6/5 (ISA available) | ⭐ 4.0/5 (Limited options) |
| Available Markets | ⭐ 4.3/5 | ⭐ 4.5/5 |
| Platform (Mobile) | ⭐ 4.8/5 | ⭐ 4.6/5 |
| Platform (Desktop) | ⭐ 4.5/5 | ⭐ 4.7/5 |
| Education & Tools | ⭐ 4.2/5 | ⭐ 4.0/5 |
| Customer Support | ⭐ 4.3/5 | ⭐ 4.0/5 |
| Safety & Regulation | ⭐ 4.7/5 | ⭐ 4.7/5 |
| Overall Rating | ⭐ 4.1/5 | ⭐ 4.5/5 |
Conclusion: My Final Thoughts on Trading 212 vs Plus500
In my experience, Trading 212 is the best choice for beginners and long-term investors. Its low fees, simple platform, and ISA option make it highly accessible for UK users.
Plus500, on the other hand, is an excellent option for experienced CFD traders. Its advanced tools and wide range of CFD products make it a top contender for active traders. Personally, I’d recommend Trading 212 for those starting their investment journey and Plus500 for traders focusing on leveraged instruments.
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FAQs
Is Trading 212 better than Plus500 for beginners?
Yes, Trading 212 is better for beginners. It offers an easy-to-use platform, a low £1 minimum deposit, and helpful educational tools like tutorials and demo accounts, making it ideal for new traders.
What are the fees associated with Plus500 and Trading 212?
Trading 212 charges a 0.15% currency conversion fee and has no inactivity charges. Plus500 charges a 0.70% conversion fee, a \$10 inactivity fee after 3 months, and overnight fees for CFDs.
Which platform offers more investment options?
Trading 212 provides more options, including shares, ETFs, CFDs, and ISAs. Plus500 focuses on CFDs, offering a broad range of instruments like forex, indices, and commodities.
How secure are Trading 212 and Plus500?
Both platforms are secure and regulated by the FCA in the UK. Trading 212 also offers FSCS protection, while Plus500 provides global coverage with oversight by ASIC and MAS.
Can I trade cryptocurrencies on both platforms?
Yes, both platforms support cryptocurrency trading. Trading 212 offers crypto via CFDs and direct ownership (Invest account), while Plus500 exclusively offers crypto CFDs.
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References:
Statista: Trading Apps in the UK (Popularity)
www.statista.com/statistics/1277267/trading-app-popularity-uk/Statista: Global CFD Market Share
www.statista.com/statistics/1111128/global-cfd-market-share/BBC: Investment Trends in the UK
www.bbc.com/news/business-60250004BBC: FCA Regulation Overview
www.bbc.com/news/business-53516023FCA: Retail CFD Losses Report
www.fca.org.uk/publications/multi-firm-reviews/cfd-retail-losses-reportFCA: Protecting Your Investments
www.fca.org.uk/consumers/how-protect-your-investments
51% of retail CFD accounts lose money when trading CFD’s with this provider.
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