Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Trading 212 vs Vanguard UK Investor, 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 Vanguard UK Investor 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 Vanguard UK Investor would cost N/A per year.
12 trades per year - Trading 212 would cost £0 per year, while Vanguard UK Investor would cost N/A per year.
36 trades per year - Trading 212 would cost £0 per year, while Vanguard UK Investor would cost N/A per year.
120 trades per year - Trading 212 would cost £0 per year, while Vanguard UK Investor would cost N/A per year.
3 fund trades per year - Trading 212 would cost £1 per year, while Vanguard UK Investor would cost £500 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.
For UK investors exploring online broker options, Trading 212 and Vanguard UK Investor present distinct investment choices tailored to different needs. Trading 212 excels in offering share trading, ETF trading, and CFD trading, making it appealing for those who seek a wide variety of stock market interactions and dynamic trading opportunities. On the other hand, Vanguard UK Investor shines in funds trading, delivering a solid option for those interested in long-term investments through their exclusive offerings. Both platforms do not support crypto trading, spread betting, or advisor services.
Despite its broader range of trading choices, Trading 212 ranks 16th among 18 brokers for investment selections but receives a commendable 4.5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com. Conversely, Vanguard UK Investor ranks 18th with a 3.5-star rating, reflecting its more focused yet limited offerings primarily centered on fund investments. Each platform provides unique paths for UK investors, catering to different investment goals and preferences.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Vanguard UK Investor
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | No |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | No | Yes |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | No |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | No |
| Spread Betting | No | No |
| Crypto Trading | No | No |
| Advisor Services | No | No |
| Investment Choices |
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Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
Low-cost US and UK shares.
For UK investors comparing trading tools, Trading 212 stands out with its extensive charting capabilities. Offering 27 drawing tools and 106 technical indicators, Trading 212 provides a rich environment for users looking to analyze market trends. Unique features such as the ability to add notes to charts and create alerts for stock price updates add to its appeal. Trading 212 also provides a browser-based trading platform and delivers real-time market data, enabling investors to stay updated with ease.
Conversely, Vanguard UK Investor presents a more straightforward offering with no capabilities for drawing tools, technical indicators, or adding notes to charts. While it does provide a browser-based trading platform, it lacks functionalities such as creating alerts for stock price updates and real-time market data. As such, investors who prioritise detailed chart analysis and timely market updates may find Trading 212 better suited to their needs.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Vanguard UK Investor
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 106 | 0 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 27 | 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 Vanguard UK Investor, UK users looking for retirement account options should consider their specific offerings. Trading 212 provides ISA accounts, appealing to those interested in tax-efficient savings. However, it does not offer SIPP accounts, which may be a limitation for those specifically seeking retirement savings plans. In contrast, Vanguard UK Investor offers both ISA and SIPP accounts, making it a versatile choice for investors focused on building their retirement savings with a wider range of tax-advantaged accounts. Ultimately, the choice between these two brokers will depend on individual savings goals and the type of account flexibility sought.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
Both Trading 212 and Vanguard UK Investor provide mobile apps for iPhone and Android users, making it easy for investors to manage their portfolios on the go. Trading 212's app receives top praise, earning a 5-star rating and securing the #3 spot out of 18 brokers in UK.StockBrokers.com's mobile app rankings. Meanwhile, Vanguard UK's mobile offering holds a more modest 3.5-star rating and ranks at #19 on the same list. This positions Trading 212 as a more favored choice for UK investors seeking a superior mobile trading experience.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When comparing the beginner investor educational resources of Trading 212 and Vanguard UK Investor, several distinctions emerge. Trading 212 offers instructional content on share trading and funds, albeit lacking webinars, which is balanced against its excellent rating of 4 stars from UK.StockBrokers.com, ranking them 13th out of 18 brokers. In contrast, Vanguard UK Investor focuses on educational resources for funds and retirement, coupled with on-demand webinars ensuring flexible learning. However, this comes with a slightly lower rating of 3.5 stars, ranking it 17th. For those prioritizing share trading education, Trading 212 may be preferable, while Vanguard offers depth in retirement planning resources.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Vanguard UK Investor
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | No | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | No |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Retirement) | No | Yes |
| Education |
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Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When comparing Trading 212 and Vanguard UK Investor for their market research capabilities, there are distinct differences to consider for UK investors. Trading 212 offers a range of research tools, including features for shares, ETFs, and CFDs. It also allows users to view portfolio allocation by asset class but does not provide research reports for funds or bonds. On the other hand, Vanguard UK Investor excels in offering detailed research reports for funds and ETFs, as well as providing insights into portfolio allocation by asset class. However, it lacks research capabilities for shares, CFDs, and bonds. Both platforms cater to different investor needs, making your choice dependent on which research features align best with your investment strategy.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Vanguard UK Investor
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | No |
| 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 Vanguard UK Investor? 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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Vanguard UK Investor
|
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Both Trading 212 and Vanguard UK Investor do not offer crypto trading options, focusing on traditional investment opportunities instead.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Trading 212 | Vanguard UK Investor | |
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| Review | Trading 212 Review | Vanguard UK Investor Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | Trading 212 | Vanguard UK Investor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | No | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | No | |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No | |
| Funds | No | Yes | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | No | No | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | No | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | No | |
| Spread Betting | No | No | |
| Crypto Trading | No | No | |
| Advisor Services | No | No |
| Trading Fees | Trading 212 | Vanguard UK Investor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £1 | £500 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £0 | N/A | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £0 | N/A | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £0 | N/A | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | N/A | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | N/A | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | N/A | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | N/A | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £108 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | £0 | Under £32,000: £48 / Over £32,000: 0.15% | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £0 | £375 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | £0 | £375 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | £0 | £375 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | N/A | N/A | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | N/A | N/A | |
| ETFs - Fee | 0 | 0.02% to 0.14% | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | 0 | N/A | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | N/A | N/A |
| Broker Screenshots | Trading 212 | Vanguard UK Investor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Platforms & Tools | Trading 212 | Vanguard UK Investor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 106 | 0 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 27 | 0 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | No | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
| Research | Trading 212 | Vanguard UK Investor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Vanguard UK Investor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | No | |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes |
| Overall Summary | Trading 212 | Vanguard UK Investor | |
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| Review | Trading 212 Review | Vanguard UK Investor Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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