WhichBrokerHead to head · data verified September 2026
Trading 212 vs XM
Trading 212 wins our overall scoring by 0.5 points, but XM still takes specific profiles.
Pillar scores
Side by side
| Criterion | Trading 212 | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 8.7 | 8.2 |
| Founded | 2004 | 2009 |
| Regulation | FCA (UK), CySEC (EU), BaFin (DE), FSC (BG), ASIC (AU) | CySEC (EU), ASIC (AU), DFSA (AE), FSC (BZ) |
| Min. deposit | £1 (bank transfer or card) | $5 |
| Fees | 0% commission on stocks and ETFs; 0.15% FX fee on Invest/ISA, 0.5% on CFD; no custody, inactivity or withdrawal fees; card and e-wallet deposits cost 0.7% once you pass a €2,000 lifetime total | Ultra Low account: spreads from 0.6 pips, no commission; Zero account: from 0.0 pips + commission |
| Platforms | Trading 212 web platform, Trading 212 mobile app (iOS, Android) | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, XM mobile app |
| Markets | 13,000+ stocks and ETFs on Invest and ISA; CFDs on forex, indices, commodities and stocks; crypto ETNs for UK clients | 1,000+ instruments: forex, stock CFDs, indices, commodities, metals, energies |
| Demo account | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Long-term stock investors, Beginners, UK ISA investors | Bonus seekers, Small starting balances, Emerging markets |
Our verdict
Choose Trading 212 if you want long-term stock investors · beginners · uk isa investors — its standout pillar in our scoring is fees.
Choose XM if you want bonus seekers · small starting balances · emerging markets.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Trading 212 or XM?
Trading 212 scores higher overall in our methodology (8.7 vs 8.2). XM can still be the better pick for bonus seekers.
Is Trading 212 safe?
Trading 212 is overseen by FCA (UK), CySEC (EU), BaFin (DE), FSC (BG), ASIC (AU). Our trust score for it is 8.2/10 — see the full Trading 212 review for the reasoning.
Is XM safe?
XM is overseen by CySEC (EU), ASIC (AU), DFSA (AE), FSC (BZ). Our trust score for it is 8.0/10 — see the full XM review for the reasoning.