Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Trading 212 vs Interactive Brokers, 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 Interactive Brokers 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 Interactive Brokers both let UK investors buy shares, ETFs, CFDs and investment trusts, so either platform can suit someone looking for the main building blocks of a portfolio. Trading 212 does not offer funds, corporate bonds or government bonds (gilts), while Interactive Brokers does, which gives it a wider range of investment choices for people who want more than just shares and ETFs. Neither broker offers adviser services, and neither is shown here as offering crypto trading or spread betting.
For investment choice, Interactive Brokers comes out ahead with a 5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com and a #1 ranking out of 21 brokers, compared with Trading 212’s 4.5 stars and #10 ranking. If you want a simpler account with core investments, Trading 212 may be enough; if you want access to a broader list of assets, Interactive Brokers is the stronger option.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Interactive Brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Mutual Funds | No | Yes |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | Yes |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes |
| Spread Betting | No | No |
| Crypto Trading | ||
| Advisor Services | No | No |
| Investment Choices |
|
|
Low-cost US and UK shares.
Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
When it comes to trading tools, Interactive Brokers gives UK investors more choice on the charts than Trading 212. It shows corporate events such as earnings, splits and dividends on charts, while Trading 212 does not. Interactive Brokers also offers a wider set of charting features, with 85 drawing tools and 155 technical indicators, compared with 15 drawing tools and 104 indicators on Trading 212. Both platforms let you add notes to charts, use a browser-based trading platform, and set price alerts.
Trading 212 does have one advantage for traders who want up-to-date pricing, as it offers real-time market data, while Interactive Brokers does not. But if you want more advanced chart options, Interactive Brokers is the stronger pick overall, with support for index overlays and stock overlays too, which Trading 212 does not provide.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Interactive Brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 104 | 155 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 15 | 85 |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | Yes |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | Yes |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | Yes |
Trading 212 and Interactive Brokers both offer UK retirement account options, including ISA and SIPP accounts, so each platform can suit investors looking to save or invest tax-efficiently. Trading 212 may appeal to beginners who want a simple, easy-to-use app, while Interactive Brokers is often chosen by more experienced investors who want a wider range of tools and market access. For UK savers, the key difference is less about whether these accounts are available and more about which platform feels easier to manage and better fits your investing style.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
UK investors comparing online brokers Trading 212 and Interactive Brokers for mobile trading will find both offer iPhone and Android apps and each earns 5/5 stars from UK.StockBrokers.com. However, Trading 212 ranks 3rd out of 21 brokers for Mobile Apps, while Interactive Brokers ranks 5th, giving Trading 212 a slight edge. If you want a highly rated trading app on iOS or Android, either platform works well, with Trading 212 placing higher in the latest UK mobile app rankings.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
For beginner investor education, Trading 212 and Interactive Brokers both cover key topics such as share trading, funds and retirement, but Interactive Brokers goes further with live educational client webinars and archived replays you can watch later, which Trading 212 does not offer. This extra learning support helps explain why UK.StockBrokers.com rates Interactive Brokers higher for beginner education, giving it 5 stars and a #4 ranking out of 21 brokers, compared with Trading 212’s 4.5 stars and #10 ranking.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Interactive Brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | No | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes |
| Education |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When comparing Trading 212 and Interactive Brokers for market research capabilities, UK investors will find notable differences between the two. Trading 212 provides research and analysis on shares and ETFs, along with insights into portfolio allocation by asset class. However, it falls short in offering research reports for funds and bonds. On the other hand, Interactive Brokers offers a more comprehensive selection, including detailed research reports for funds and bonds, in addition to shares and ETFs. Both platforms allow users to view portfolio allocation by asset class, but those seeking in-depth research across a wider range of financial products may find Interactive Brokers more appealing.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Interactive Brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | No | Yes |
| Research - Funds | No | Yes |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | No | Yes |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
Which broker is better overall, Trading 212 or Interactive Brokers? 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 is a popular investing platform best known for its commission-free trading, easy-to-use mobile app, and support for low-cost investing in stocks and ETFs.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Interactive Brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Charges & Fees |
|
|
| Investment Choices |
|
|
| Mobile App |
|
|
| Website |
|
|
| Ease of Use |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Trading 212 does not offer crypto trading, while Interactive Brokers does offer cryptocurrency trading in select regions through approved exchanges and account eligibility, making Interactive Brokers the stronger choice for investors seeking access to crypto alongside traditional markets.
We reviewed and compared over 20 of the top U.K. brokerage firms to create our list of the best U.K. investment platforms for beginner investors.
Elizabeth Anderson March 02, 2026
Choosing the best broker can be crucial to your success as a day trader in the U.K., as the needs of active traders can be drastically different from those of passive investors. See our top picks, based on hands-on testing and analysis.
Steven Hatzakis February 28, 2026
The best UK mobile trading apps appeal to all levels of trading skill — beginner, active trader, and longer-term investor. Check out our top picks here.
Elizabeth Anderson February 27, 2026
AJ Bell review 2025: Explore ISAs, SIPPs, fees, app features, and ratings. Find out if AJ Bell is the best UK investing platform today.
Elizabeth Anderson December 30, 2025
Revolut offers easy app-based investing with commission-free trades and a new stocks & shares ISA. See whether Revolut is the right platform for your portfolio.
Elizabeth Anderson December 30, 2025
Fidelity offers thousands of investments and also offers financial advice for those wanting direction. My view is that Fidelity is most suited to traditional investors who hold a range of accounts through the platform.
Elizabeth Anderson December 30, 2025
Compare eToro’s ISA fees, trading costs, social trading tools, and investment options. Read our review to decide if eToro is right for you.
Elizabeth Anderson February 26, 2026
Saxo review: Compare ISAs, fees, and trading tools. Discover if Saxo’s global platform is right for your investing goals today.
Elizabeth Anderson December 30, 2025
Hargreaves Lansdown offers top research and a quality app but higher fees. Learn more about its features and if it’s right for your portfolio.
Elizabeth Anderson February 17, 2026
Charles Stanley Direct is an online investment platform where you can invest in a wide range of products, including stocks and ETFs, using various accounts like tax-advantaged ISAs and SIPPs.
Elizabeth Anderson December 30, 2025
Trade U.K. and U.S. shares commission-free with CMC Invest. Backed by CMC Markets. Explore if it’s the right app for your portfolio today.
Elizabeth Anderson December 30, 2025
Interactive Investor offers flat fees, wide investment choice, and strong research tools. See who ii is best for and whether it’s the right platform for you.
Elizabeth Anderson February 05, 2026
IG is a trading platform for experienced investors, offering shares, ETFs, spread betting, and CFDs on an easy-to-use interface.
Elizabeth Anderson March 05, 2026
Explore Halifax Share Dealing’s flat fees, ISA options, and ready-made portfolios. Find out whether Halifax offers good value for your investing style.
Elizabeth Anderson December 30, 2025
Barclays Smart Investor is an investment platform offered by Barclays Bank that offers a wide range of investments and accounts. Non-Barclays customers may find it complicated to open an account. Barclays is good value whether you are a beginner investor or have a large portfolio as its fees are, overall, very low.
Elizabeth Anderson December 30, 2025
Capital.com is a U.K. broker primarily known for CFDs (contracts for difference) and spread betting. While it previously offered the chance to buy and sell shares commission-free, you can no longer buy shares directly through Capital.com. Trading is limited to an unleveraged CFD account.
Elizabeth Anderson July 29, 2025
Robinhood is great for trading US stocks and for beginners who want to learn the basics without worrying about small trades being swallowed up by hefty fees.
Elizabeth Anderson December 30, 2025
Trading 212 offers commission-free trading, but lacks mutual funds. See if it’s the right low-cost platform for your investing goals.
Elizabeth Anderson December 30, 2025
Webull has a good app, desktop platform, and low fees, but is limited in the UK by offering only US stocks with no products offered from other markets.
Elizabeth Anderson December 30, 2025
Bestinvest appeals to a wide range of investors. Fees are competitive, particularly if you invest in funds or US shares, and investment options are extensive.
Elizabeth Anderson December 30, 2025
Review Freetrade’s fees, ISA costs, and investment options. Learn whether Freetrade’s commission-free trading is the right choice for your portfolio.
Elizabeth Anderson January 21, 2026
Review Lloyds’ investing platform, ISA fees, SIPP costs, and investment options. See if Lloyds is the right low-cost choice for your portfolio.
Elizabeth Anderson December 30, 2025
XTB’s low fees and solid education make it ideal for new investors. Learn more about its features and drawbacks in our full XTB review.
Elizabeth Anderson December 30, 2025
Review Vanguard’s low fees, ISA and SIPP options, and simple long-term investing funds. See if Vanguard is the right low-cost platform for your portfolio.
Elizabeth Anderson December 30, 2025Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | Trading 212 | Interactive Brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Charges & Fees |
|
| |
| Investment Choices |
|
| |
| Mobile App |
|
| |
| Website |
|
| |
| Ease of Use |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Review | Trading 212 Review | Interactive Brokers Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | Trading 212 | Interactive Brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | Yes | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | Yes | ||
| Advisor Services | No | No |
| Trading Fees | Trading 212 | Interactive Brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £1 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £0 | £3 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £0 | £3 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £0 | £3 | |
| 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 | £0 | |
| Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £250K-£500K | £0 | £0 | |
| Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £500,000 - £1m | £0 | £0 | |
| Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £1m and over | £0 | £0 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | N/A | 0.1% (for <10,000 EUR) 0.025% (for >10,000 EUR) | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | N/A | 0.1% (for <10,000 EUR) 0.025% (for >10,000 EUR) | |
| ETFs - Fee | £0 | £3 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | £0 | £3 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | N/A | $30 |
| Broker Screenshots | Trading 212 | Interactive Brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| Platforms & Tools | Trading 212 | Interactive Brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 104 | 155 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 15 | 85 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | Yes | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | Yes | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | Yes |
| Research | Trading 212 | Interactive Brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | |||
| Research - Funds | No | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | No | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | No | Yes | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Trading 212 | Interactive Brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes |
| Overall Summary | Trading 212 | Interactive Brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Charges & Fees |
|
| |
| Investment Choices |
|
| |
| Mobile App |
|
| |
| Website |
|
| |
| Ease of Use |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Review | Trading 212 Review | Interactive Brokers Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
Trading 212 Review
IG Group Review
Interactive Brokers Review
Freetrade Review
XTB Review
Hargreaves Lansdown Review
Saxo Review
eToro Review
Halifax Review
Vanguard Review
CMC Invest Review