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 their options, Trading 212 and Vanguard UK Investor present distinct pathways with varying investment choices. Trading 212 shines by offering share trading, a feature not available with Vanguard UK Investor. Both platforms allow ETF trading, yet they diverge with Trading 212 providing the opportunity to engage in CFD and investment trusts trading, while Vanguard UK Investor focuses on trading funds. Neither platform supports crypto trading, spread betting, or trading in bonds or government gilts.
When it comes to investment choice ratings, Trading 212 boasts a 4.5-star rating according to UK.StockBrokers.com, ranking 16th out of 21 brokers. In contrast, Vanguard UK Investor holds a 3.5-star rating, slightly lower but still respectable, ranking 18th. While neither offers advisor services, the selection at Trading 212 is broader in certain areas, suiting investors who prefer a wider array of trading instruments beyond traditional funds.
| 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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Low-cost US and UK shares.
Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
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.
When comparing online brokers Trading 212 and Vanguard UK Investor for mobile app offerings in the UK, both provide apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices. However, Trading 212 stands out with a 5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com and secures the #3 spot among 21 brokers for mobile app excellence. In contrast, Vanguard UK Investor's app receives a 3.5-star rating, placing it at #19 in the same ranking. This suggests that Trading 212's app is likely to deliver a more user-friendly and efficient trading experience for mobile users.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
Comparing Trading 212 and Vanguard UK Investor for educational resources geared towards beginner investors reveals key differences. Trading 212 excels in providing accessible learning for share trading and funds, earning a 4-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com and securing the 13th spot among 21 brokers. Conversely, Vanguard UK Investor, although slightly lower ranked at 17th with a 3.5-star rating, offers comprehensive insight into funds and retirement planning. Notably, Vanguard also archives educational webinars for on-demand viewing, unlike Trading 212. For those starting their investment journey, Trading 212 may appeal to those focused on share trading, while Vanguard might attract those interested in retirement education and the ability to access webinars anytime.
| 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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| Education 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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