Hargreaves Lansdown
Best for beginners (Capital at risk)
Open an account, get some tips from the experts and trade anytime and anywhere when you download the app.
eToro vs Trading 212
Both of these platforms let you trade without any fees so how do they compare?
What's in this guide?
eToro is a trading platform that you can use to buy and sell stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), cryptocurrencies, commodities and currencies. It offers low-cost investing and an OpenBook trading platform. Trading 212 allows you to trade over 1,800 cryptocurrencies, stocks, commodities and currencies.
With the current market volatility and poor returns on cash savings, it’s no surprise that people are turning to investing with the hope that stocks will bounce back in due course.
So, how do eToro and Trading 212 compare?
eToro vs Trading 212
 |  | |
| Overall rating | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Markets and products rating | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Costs rating | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Mobile and web features rating | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Learning resources and tools rating | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Go to site More Info | Go to site More Info |
What markets and products do they cover?
| | |
| Rating | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Share dealing | ||
| Stocks and shares ISA | ||
| Pension (SIPP) | ||
| Lifetime ISA (LISA) | ||
| Fractional shares | ||
| Ready-made portfolios | ||
| DIY portfolios | ||
| Ethical investing | ||
| Available markets | US, UK, DE, FR, NL, SP, CH | |
| Go to site More Info | Go to site More Info |
Mobile and web features
| | |
| Rating | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Desktop app | ||
| Web app | ||
| iPhone | ||
| Android | ||
| Share price notifications | ||
| Go to site More Info | Go to site More Info |
Learning resources
| | |
| Rating | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Info on share trading | ||
| Info on funds | ||
| Info on retirement | ||
| Videos | ||
| Go to site More Info | Go to site More Info |
Hargreaves Lansdown
IG
Best for US shares (Capital at risk)
Create a share dealing account at IG and pay maximum of £8 commission when you buy or sell UK shares. Click the button to get to know more!
eToro
Best for social trading (Capital at risk)
Click the button and open an account at eToro to start investing! You won't pay any fees for setting up your account!
eToro vs Trading 212: Costs
It’s difficult to compare the costs of both of these platforms, as they’re both free trading platforms. While Trading 212 has no charges for anything, with only restrictions on withdrawal and deposit amounts, eToro does have a couple of charges.
Basic trades are free with eToro, but there is a withdrawal fee of US$5 and an inactivity fee of US$10.
eToro vs Trading 212: Demo account
Both of these platforms have demo accounts available, meaning you can practise trading without using real money. Once you’ve got the hang of it, you can try it out for real!
eToro’s demo account can only be accessed after signing up, while Trading 212 lets you have a go without even giving up an email address. Of course, if you want to keep an eye on your imaginary stocks for days, weeks or months, you’ll have to sign up.
On both platforms, there is no obligation to go ahead and trade real money. You can make imaginary trades for life, if you want.
Our verdict: Is eToro better than Trading 212?
As it goes, these are both good options for free trading and they are very similar. Both of these platforms offer a huge range of stocks, commission free trades and no trading limits. There aren’t any pre-made portfolios available though, so if you’re not keen on creating your own, neither of these would be suitable for you.
These are both great for beginners, as they allow you to give it a go for free and with fake money, making them both pretty good educational resources, too.
The only thing that really puts Trading 212 in the top spot is its ISA. It’s completely free, which is a rarity.
Compare platforms similar to eToro and Trading 212
Table: sorted by promoted deals first
All investing should be regarded as longer term. The value of your investments can go up and down, and you may get back less than you invest. Capital is at risk.
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