Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Trading 212 vs Halifax, 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 Halifax 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.
Trading 212 and Halifax each offer distinct advantages for UK investors. Trading 212 allows users to engage in share trading, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), contracts for difference (CFD) trading, and investment trusts. However, it lacks options for trading in cryptocurrencies, funds, corporate bonds, and government bonds. Despite this, Trading 212 excels in providing a diverse set of tools for those interested in share and ETF trading, earning a commendable 4.5-star rating for investment choices from UK.StockBrokers.com, though it ranks 16th out of 21 brokers.
By contrast, Halifax shines with a broader array of investment options, including funds, corporate bonds, government bonds, and investment trusts, although it doesn't support share, crypto, or CFD trading. For those looking for a comprehensive range of traditional investments and advisor services, Halifax is an appealing option, reflected in its perfect 5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com and its 7th place ranking among 21 brokers. This broader selection of investments may suit a more traditional investor, seeking a wide variety of financial products under one roof.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Halifax
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | No |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Mutual Funds | No | Yes |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | Yes |
| 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.
For UK investors comparing Trading 212 vs Halifax on trading tools, both brokers let you trade in a web browser and set price alerts. Trading 212 supplies real-time market data, while Halifax does not, so live pricing and updates will be faster on Trading 212.
On charting, neither platform shows corporate events such as earnings, splits, or dividends, and neither supports index or stock overlays. Trading 212 lets you add notes to charts; Halifax doesn’t. The number of drawing tools and technical indicators is not specified for Trading 212, whereas Halifax offers none. If you value live data and simple note-taking on charts, Trading 212 has the edge; if you only need basic web trading and alerts, both will do.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Halifax
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 0 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 0 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | No |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
When comparing online brokers Trading 212 and Halifax for UK investors interested in retirement accounts, there are key differences to consider. Trading 212 provides Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs), making it a viable option for those looking to save and invest tax-efficiently. However, it does not offer Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) accounts, which might be a drawback for investors focused on building their pension. On the other hand, Halifax caters to both needs by offering both ISAs and SIPP accounts, providing a more comprehensive range of retirement investment options. This flexibility makes Halifax an attractive choice for individuals planning for long-term financial goals through both ISAs and SIPPs.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
When comparing the mobile app offerings of Trading 212 and Halifax, UK investors will find both brokers provide applications for iPhone and Android devices. However, the user experience and quality differ significantly. Trading 212's mobile app shines with a top-tier 5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com, securing an impressive 3rd spot out of 21 brokers in their rankings. In contrast, Halifax's app receives a more modest 3.5-star rating, positioning it at 18th on the same list. This suggests Trading 212's app is more highly valued by users seeking a seamless and effective mobile trading experience.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
For UK beginner investors comparing Trading 212 and Halifax, neither broker offers client webinars or on-demand recordings, and both lack education on funds and retirement. Trading 212 does provide learning content on share trading, while Halifax does not, which aligns with their UK.StockBrokers.com scores: Trading 212 earns 4.5/5 (ranked 13th of 21) versus Halifax’s 3.5/5 (ranked 18th of 21). If you want straightforward share trading guides, Trading 212 is the stronger choice; if you need webinars or broader topics, neither platform currently fits the bill.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Halifax
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | No | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | No |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | No |
| Education (Funds) | No | No |
| Education (Retirement) | No | No |
| Education |
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|
Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When comparing the market research features of Trading 212 and Halifax for UK investors, both platforms have their strengths and limitations. Neither Trading 212 nor Halifax provides research reports for funds. However, Trading 212 allows investors to view portfolio allocation by asset class, a feature absent in Halifax. Both brokers offer research for shares and ETFs, catering to those interested in these specific markets. Yet, while Halifax extends its research offerings to include funds and bonds, Trading 212 does not provide these insights, which could be a consideration for those looking to explore a wider range of investment options.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Halifax
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | No | Yes |
| Research - Funds | No | Yes |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | No | No |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | No |
Which broker is better overall, Trading 212 or Halifax? 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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Halifax
|
|---|---|---|
| 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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When comparing online brokers Trading 212 and Halifax, it is important to note that neither platform currently offers crypto trading options.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Trading 212 | Halifax | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Review | Trading 212 Review | Halifax Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | Trading 212 | Halifax | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | No | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | No | |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds | No | Yes | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | No | Yes | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | Yes | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | No | No | |
| Crypto Trading | |||
| Advisor Services | No | Yes |
| Trading Fees | Trading 212 | Halifax | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £1 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £0 | £9.50 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £0 | £9.50 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £0 | £9.50 | |
| 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 | £36 | |
| Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £250K-£500K | £0 | £36 | |
| Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £500,000 - £1m | £0 | £36 | |
| Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £1m and over | £0 | £36 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | N/A | £9.5 | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | N/A | £9.5 | |
| ETFs - Fee | £0 | £9.5 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | £0 | £9.5 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | N/A | £25 |
| Broker Screenshots | Trading 212 | Halifax | |
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| Platforms & Tools | Trading 212 | Halifax | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 0 | ||
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 0 | ||
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | No | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
| Research | Trading 212 | Halifax | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | |||
| Research - Funds | No | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | No | No | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | No | Yes | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | No |
| Education | Trading 212 | Halifax | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | No | |
| Education (Funds) | No | No | |
| Education (Retirement) | No | No | |
| Client Webinars | No | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | No |
| Overall Summary | Trading 212 | Halifax | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Review | Trading 212 Review | Halifax Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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