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.
Your capital is at risk.
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.
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.
For UK investors navigating the online trading scene, Trading 212 and Bestinvest present distinct offerings. Both platforms excel in providing share and ETF trading, reflecting their commitment to versatile investment strategies. However, Trading 212 distinguishes itself with CFD trading capabilities, a feature Bestinvest lacks. On the other hand, those keen on fund trading will find Bestinvest appealing, as Trading 212 does not extend its reach into this area. While neither platform supports crypto trading or bond investments, they both facilitate investment trust trading. Additionally, Bestinvest extends its services with advisor options, adding a layer of personalized guidance absent from Trading 212.
Despite these differences, both brokers enjoy a commendable 4.5-star rating for investment choices from UK.StockBrokers.com. However, when it comes to ranking, Bestinvest edges ahead, securing the 10th spot among 21 brokers, while Trading 212 settles at 16th. This positioning underscores Bestinvest's broader investment reach and advisor services appealing to those seeking diverse investment routes and expert guidance. In contrast, Trading 212 remains a strong contender with its focus on simplified trading and CFD options, making it a popular choice for traders interested in direct investments without additional advisory services.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Mutual 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.
Trading 212 vs Bestinvest for trading tools: both offer a browser-based platform and price alerts, and both let you add notes to charts. Neither platform shows corporate events (like earnings, splits or dividends) on charts, and neither supports index overlays. Bestinvest does allow stock overlays, while Trading 212 does not. For live pricing, Trading 212 provides real-time market data, whereas Bestinvest does not—useful if you want up-to-the-second quotes.
On charting features, Bestinvest lists 9 drawing tools and 36 technical indicators. Trading 212 doesn’t provide a published count for its drawing tools or indicators in this comparison. If you want to compare one share against another on the same chart, Bestinvest’s stock overlays help; if live prices matter more, Trading 212’s real-time data is the draw for UK investors.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 36 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 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.
Comparing beginner education at Trading 212 and Bestinvest, Bestinvest is stronger overall: it hosts educational webinars, offers on-demand replays, and covers share trading, funds and retirement, earning 5/5 and ranking 6th of 21 on UK.StockBrokers.com. Trading 212 provides helpful share trading content but has no webinars, no on-demand archive, and no education on funds or retirement; it scores 4.5/5 and ranks 13th of 21. For live and catch-up learning across more topics, choose Bestinvest; for straightforward share trading basics, Trading 212 fits the bill.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | No | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Funds) | No | Yes |
| Education (Retirement) | No | Yes |
| Education |
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Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
In the UK market, when it comes to online brokers, Trading 212 and Bestinvest have varied offerings for investors looking for market research features. Both platforms provide the ability to view portfolio allocations by asset class, and they offer research on shares and ETFs, which are essential for making informed investment decisions. However, when it comes to research reports for funds, Bestinvest takes the lead by providing comprehensive reports, whereas Trading 212 does not offer this feature. Neither platform provides research on bonds, so those specifically interested in bond research may need to look elsewhere. Overall, while Trading 212 covers the basics, Bestinvest offers a more detailed insight into funds for investors seeking deeper analysis.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| 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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| Ease of Use |
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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 | |
| Mutual 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 | |||
| 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) | |||
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | |||
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | |||
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | |||
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | |||
| Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £0 - £250,000 | £0 | Up to £500 or £1,000 | |
| Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £250K-£500K | £0 | £500 - £1,000 | |
| Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £500,000 - £1m | £0 | £100 - £1,000 | |
| Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £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 | 36 | ||
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 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 | |||
| 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) | No | 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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