Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Trading 212 vs Bestinvest, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, investment options, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
Alongside the cost per trade, most UK online brokers also charge a monthly, quarterly, or annual management fee, which varies based on the account type and balance. Based on our thorough review, Trading 212 offers better pricing than Bestinvest for share dealing.
Assuming a £30,000 portfolio size, here are the total annual costs for share dealing with both brokers, given different monthly activity scenarios.
5 trades per year - Trading 212 would cost £0 per year, while Bestinvest would cost £144.75 per year.
12 trades per year - Trading 212 would cost £0 per year, while Bestinvest would cost £119.40 - £179.40 per year.
36 trades per year - Trading 212 would cost £0 per year, while Bestinvest would cost £238.20 - £357.60 per year.
120 trades per year - Trading 212 would cost £0 per year, while Bestinvest would cost £654 - £714 per year.
3 fund trades per year - Trading 212 would cost £1 per year, while Bestinvest would cost £50 per year.
What type of trader are you?
New to the world of investing? See our picks for the Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners. More experienced traders should read our guide to the Best UK Trading Platforms for Active Traders.
Trading 212 and Bestinvest both cater to UK investors, offering share and ETF trading as part of their investment options. While both platforms allow investment in popular choices like shares and ETFs, Trading 212 steps ahead with the availability of CFD trading, which Bestinvest doesn't offer. On the other hand, Bestinvest provides access to funds trading and also extends advisor services, which are not part of Trading 212’s offerings. However, neither of the platforms facilitates crypto trading, spread betting, or the trading of bonds and gilts.
When it comes to ratings and rankings, both brokers receive 4.5 stars for their investment choices from UK.StockBrokers.com. Despite the identical rating, Bestinvest is ranked higher at 10th place out of 21 brokers, while Trading 212 is positioned at 16th. This comparison highlights the nuanced differences in services and investment options, guiding investors in the UK to choose the platform best aligned with their trading preferences and needs.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | No | Yes |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | No |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes |
| Spread Betting | No | No |
| Crypto Trading | No | No |
| Advisor Services | No | Yes |
| Investment Choices |
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Low-cost US and UK shares.
Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
When comparing the trading tools of Trading 212 and Bestinvest, UK investors will find a few notable differences that may influence their choice. Trading 212 shines with a comprehensive suite of charting tools, offering 27 drawing tools and a substantial 106 technical indicators, catering to those who want in-depth market analysis. In contrast, Bestinvest provides 9 drawing tools and 36 technical indicators, which might suit traders who prefer a more straightforward approach. Both platforms allow users to add notes to charts and display information through browser-based systems, ensuring flexibility in trading. However, neither platform enables charts to display corporate events or add index overlays.
Another key difference between the two is Trading 212's capability of providing real-time market data, an essential factor for many active traders seeking timely information. Meanwhile, Bestinvest lacks this feature but compensates with the unique ability to add stock overlays to charts, offering a different layer of market insight. Both brokers allow users to set up alerts for stock price updates, helping investors stay informed about significant market movements. This comparison highlights that while Trading 212 boasts more extensive technical capabilities, Bestinvest may appeal to those who prioritize stock overlay functions.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 106 | 36 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 27 | 9 |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | Yes |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
For UK investors exploring retirement account options, Trading 212 and Bestinvest present different offerings. Both platforms provide ISA accounts, allowing for tax-efficient saving. However, when it comes to SIPP accounts, which are essential for those seeking more flexibility in managing their retirement funds, Trading 212 does not currently offer this option. In contrast, Bestinvest includes SIPP accounts in its services, making it a more comprehensive choice for individuals focused on planning their retirement. Whether prioritizing the flexibility of a SIPP or simply utilizing an ISA, your choice between Trading 212 and Bestinvest depends on the specific retirement savings tools you need.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
When comparing the mobile app offerings of Trading 212 and Bestinvest for UK users, both brokers provide iPhone and Android apps, making them accessible to a wide range of mobile users. However, in terms of app quality, Trading 212 is a standout performer. It boasts a stellar 5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com and is ranked third among 21 brokers for its mobile app experience. In contrast, Bestinvest's mobile app holds a 3.5-star rating and ranks 16th, indicating a less impressive user experience compared to Trading 212. Therefore, for those prioritizing mobile app performance, Trading 212 emerges as the superior option.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When comparing the educational offerings of Trading 212 and Bestinvest for beginner investors in the UK, significant differences emerge. Bestinvest provides a comprehensive suite of learning tools, including live webinars and recorded sessions for on-demand viewing, covering key topics such as share trading, funds, and retirement planning. In contrast, Trading 212 offers educational resources on share trading and funds but lacks webinars and insights on retirement. This focus on education quality is reflected in their UK.StockBrokers.com ratings, where Bestinvest earns a superior 5-star rating and ranks 6th among 21 brokers, whereas Trading 212 holds a 4-star rating, placing 13th. For UK beginners seeking a well-rounded investment education, Bestinvest presents a more extensive offering compared to Trading 212.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | No | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Retirement) | No | Yes |
| Education |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When comparing Trading 212 and Bestinvest based on their market research tools, there are some notable differences. For those interested in fund research, Bestinvest stands out as it provides detailed reports on funds, while Trading 212 does not offer this feature. Both platforms allow users to view portfolio allocations by asset class and provide research on shares and ETFs, making them suitable for diverse investment strategies. However, Trading 212 takes the lead for investors interested in CFDs, offering research in this area, whereas Bestinvest does not. Neither platform caters to bond research, so investors looking for insights into bonds will need to look elsewhere.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | No |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | No | No |
| Research - Funds | No | Yes |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | No | Yes |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
Which broker is better overall, Trading 212 or Bestinvest? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found Trading 212 to be a better trading platform overall.
Trading 212 offers commission-free share dealing and is a great option for those looking to simply execute share or ETF trades. Novice investors or those looking for more diversification through mutual funds may find better options elsewhere.
| Feature |
Trading 212
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Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Charges & Fees |
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| Investment Choices |
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| Mobile App |
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| Website |
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Both Trading 212 and Bestinvest do not offer crypto trading, making them similar options for investors seeking a platform without cryptocurrency features.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Trading 212 | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Review | Trading 212 Review | Bestinvest Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | Trading 212 | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | No | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No | |
| Funds | No | Yes | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | No | No | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | No | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | No | No | |
| Crypto Trading | No | No | |
| Advisor Services | No | Yes |
| Trading Fees | Trading 212 | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £1 | £50 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £0 | £0 - £4.95 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £0 | £0 - £4.95 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £0 | £0 - £4.95 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £144.75 | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £119.40 - £179.40 | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £238.20 - £357.60 | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £654 - £714 | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £60 or £120 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | £0 | Up to £500 or £1,000 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £0 | £500 - £1,000 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | £0 | £100 - £1,000 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | £0 | £0 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | N/A | £4.95 | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | N/A | £4.95 | |
| ETFs - Fee | 0 | £4.95 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | 0 | £4.95 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | N/A | £30 |
| Broker Screenshots | Trading 212 | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
| Platforms & Tools | Trading 212 | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 106 | 36 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 27 | 9 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | Yes | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
| Research | Trading 212 | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | No | |
| Research - Funds | No | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | No | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | No | No | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Trading 212 | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes |
| Overall Summary | Trading 212 | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Review | Trading 212 Review | Bestinvest Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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