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.
When considering investment options, Trading 212 and Bestinvest offer distinct features to suit various investor needs. Both platforms provide opportunities for share trading and access to Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) and investment trusts, offering a solid foundation for traditional investments. Unlike Bestinvest, Trading 212 extends its services to include CFD trading, catering to those interested in derivative trading. However, Bestinvest distinguishes itself by offering fund trading and advisory services, ideal for investors seeking guidance and managed fund options.
Despite their differences, both Trading 212 and Bestinvest receive a commendable 4.5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com for investment choices. While Trading 212 ranks #16 out of 18 brokers, Bestinvest scores a higher rank at #10, reflecting its broader range of services. This variance highlights the importance of aligning investment strategies with the offerings of the chosen broker to maximize one’s investment potential. Whether prioritizing direct share and ETF access with Trading 212 or opting for a comprehensive advisory and fund service with Bestinvest, investors have the flexibility to choose a platform that best suits their financial goals.
| 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 |
|
|
Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
Low-cost US and UK shares.
When comparing trading tools between Trading 212 and Bestinvest, there are distinct differences to note. Trading 212 stands out with an impressive arsenal of 27 drawing tools and 106 technical indicators for charting, compared to Bestinvest's modest offer of 9 drawing tools and 36 technical indicators. Both platforms support the addition of notes to charts and allow the creation of alerts for stock price updates. However, Trading 212 edges ahead by providing real-time market data, whereas Bestinvest does not offer this feature.
In terms of chart overlays, Bestinvest has the upper hand by allowing stock overlays on charts, while Trading 212 does not offer this option. Neither platform provides the capability to display corporate events like earnings and dividends directly on charts or add index overlays. On the whole, both Trading 212 and Bestinvest operate through browser-based trading platforms, providing flexible and accessible trading solutions for users.
| 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 |
When comparing online brokers, Trading 212 and Bestinvest both offer ISA accounts, allowing users to make tax-efficient investments. However, for those looking to open a Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) account, Bestinvest is the clear choice as it provides this retirement savings option, while Trading 212 does not offer SIPP accounts. This distinction may be important for investors planning their retirement strategies, as SIPPs offer flexibility in managing and choosing investments for retirement. By understanding these differences, you can make a better-informed decision based on your individual investment goals.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
Both Trading 212 and Bestinvest offer iPhone and Android apps, making them accessible for mobile trading on the go. However, when comparing user experience, Trading 212 stands out with a 5-star rating on UK.StockBrokers.com, ranking third among 18 brokers for mobile apps. In contrast, Bestinvest holds a 3.5-star rating and is ranked 16th, suggesting Trading 212 may offer a superior mobile trading experience.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When comparing educational resources for beginner investors, Trading 212 and Bestinvest offer distinct advantages. Bestinvest distinguishes itself by hosting educational client webinars, including those available for on-demand viewing, whereas Trading 212 does not provide this feature. Both platforms cover essential investment topics like share trading and funds; however, Bestinvest adds value by also offering resources on retirement planning, which Trading 212 lacks. In terms of user experience, UK.StockBrokers.com rates Bestinvest higher with five stars, positioning it 6th among 18 brokers, while Trading 212 receives four stars, ranking 13th. Overall, Bestinvest presents a more comprehensive educational offering for beginner investors.
| 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 for their market research features, both platforms offer research tools for shares and ETFs, catering to investors looking to analyze stocks and exchange-traded funds. Additionally, both provide insights into portfolio allocation by asset class, helping users understand how their investments are distributed. Notably, Bestinvest stands out for offering research reports on funds, an area where Trading 212 falls short. Conversely, Trading 212 provides research on CFDs, a feature missing from Bestinvest. Neither platform offers research on bonds. Overall, Bestinvest may appeal more to those focused on fund research, while Trading 212 offers broader options for traders interested in CFDs.
| 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
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Charges & Fees |
|
|
| Investment Choices |
|
|
| Mobile App |
|
|
| Website |
|
|
| Ease of Use |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both Trading 212 and Bestinvest do not offer crypto trading, making them similar options for investors seeking a platform without cryptocurrency features.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | Trading 212 | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Charges & Fees |
|
| |
| Investment Choices |
|
| |
| Mobile App |
|
| |
| Website |
|
| |
| Ease of Use |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| 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) |
| ||
| Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Charges & Fees |
|
| |
| Investment Choices |
|
| |
| Mobile App |
|
| |
| Website |
|
| |
| Ease of Use |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Review | Trading 212 Review | Bestinvest Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
Trading 212 Review
Interactive Brokers Review
Hargreaves Lansdown Review
XTB Review
IG Group Review
eToro Review
Saxo Review
CMC Invest Review
Freetrade Review
Halifax Review
Vanguard Review