Best Trading 212 Alternatives in the UK 2025
eToro
Investment App Score: 4.9/5
61% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
IG
Investment App Score: 4.7/5
67% of Retail CFD Accounts Lose Money
Quick Answer – What’s the Best Trading 212 Alternative in 2025?
The best Trading 212 alternatives in the UK for 2025 are eToro, IG, XTB, Coinbase, and Uphold—offering better tools, lower fees, or broader asset access depending on your trading style, from social and crypto trading to advanced charting and multi-asset investing.
Why Consider an Alternative to Trading 212?
Trading 212 is great for commission-free UK shares, but FX fees (0.15%), limited crypto, basic research, and occasional outages frustrate some users. If you need deeper tools, richer markets, or better tax/reporting, these alternatives fit specific needs better.
How to Switch from Trading 212 (ISA or Invest)
| Step | Action | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Choose your new platform | Match to your needs: fees, ISA, tools, assets |
| 2 | Decide transfer type | ISA: full vs partial; Invest: sell/withdraw vs in specie (if supported) |
| 3 | Initiate transfer | Start from new provider; provide T212 details and account statement |
| 4 | Expect timelines | ISA transfers ~2–4 weeks; Invest cash outs 1–3 days |
| 5 | Watch for costs | FX on sales, stamp duty on re-buys, market slippage, dividend handling |
Trading 212 Alternatives Comparison Table
| Rank | Platform | Supported Assets | Fees (Average) | Unique Feature | Trustpilot Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | eToro | 78 | 1% (Spread-based) | Best for overall features and social trading | 4.4 |
| 2 | IG | 200+ | 0.1-0.2% | Best for experienced traders seeking advanced tools | 4.3 |
| 3 | XTB | 1,500+ | 0.1-0.2% | Best for low fees and multi-asset trading | 4 |
| 4 | Coinbase | 240 | 1.49% | Ideal for beginners and simplicity | 3.6 |
| 5 | Uphold | 250 | 0%-1.25% | Best for multi-asset trading and cryptocurrency access | 3.8 |
Our Ranked List of the Best Trading 212 Alternatives in the UK
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest FX & Pro Pricing | IG | Tight spreads, professional execution |
| Best ISA Platform | Interactive Investor | Flat fees suit larger portfolios |
| Best for Beginners | eToro | Simple UI, CopyTrader, broad assets |
| Best for Day Trading | IG | ProRealTime, depth, execution quality |
| Best for Multi-Asset (incl. Metals) | Uphold | Crypto + metals + fiat in one app |
| Best for Research & Data | IG | In-depth analysis, calendars, news |
| Best for Crypto-Only | Coinbase | Beginner clarity, Advanced Trade option |
| Best for Low-Fee CFDs | XTB | Competitive costs, xStation platform |
Here Is Our Breakdown of The Best Trading 212’s Alternatives:
Looking for a Trading 212 alternative that better suits your trading needs? After testing various platforms with real funds, I’ve curated a list of the top 3 reputable alternatives in the UK for 2025. These brokers have been carefully evaluated for their features, ease of use, and reliability.
eToro – Best for Overall Features and Social Trading
Authors Comments
eToro offers an enhanced trading experience compared to Trading 212, with social trading tools that allow beginners to copy strategies from experienced traders. It supports more assets, including commodities, forex, and crypto. Its spread-based fees start at 1%, making it a versatile and user-friendly platform.
eToro vs Trading 212 Compared
eToro is a more feature-rich platform with social trading and multi-asset access, making it ideal for those seeking a versatile, all-in-one trading experience. It’s a great alternative for users looking for more than the simple, stock-focused offerings of Trading 212.
Pros & Cons
- Social trading options, including CopyTrader, ideal for beginners.
- Access to multi-asset trading, including stocks and ETFs.
- High Trustpilot score of 4.4, demonstrating user trust.
- Limited altcoin variety compared to MEXC or OKX.
- Spreads can be higher for less liquid assets.
CFDs are complex instruments with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 61% of retail CFD accounts lose money when trading CFD’s with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
IG - Best for Experienced Traders Seeking Advanced Tools
Authors Comments
IG is a great alternative to Trading 212 for experienced traders, offering advanced tools like ProRealTime charting and a wide range of assets. While it may seem overwhelming for beginners, its professional features and market research justify the higher fees for those seeking more control.
IG vs Trading 212 Compared
IG excels in offering more sophisticated tools, making it ideal for traders who want deeper analysis. Unlike Trading 212, which focuses on simplicity, IG provides the robust tools experienced traders need.
Pros & Cons
- Comprehensive range of assets.
- Advanced charting and trading tools with ProRealTime.
- Highly regulated, providing a secure trading environment.
- Fees may be higher compared to some competitors.
- Advanced features may overwhelm beginners.
New to IG? Invest £20+ by 15 Aug 2025, stay invested till 31 Aug, and get up to £100 in free UK shares!
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 67% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
XTB - Best for Low Fees and Multi-Asset Trading
Authors Comments
XTB is a strong alternative to Trading 212, offering competitive spreads and access to over 500 markets, including forex, stocks, and commodities. With low-fee trading and a user-friendly interface, XTB provides more asset diversity and flexibility, making it ideal for traders seeking simplicity without complexity.
XTB vs Trading 212 Compared
XTB stands out with a greater range of assets and lower fees for forex and CFDs. Unlike Trading 212, XTB offers more flexibility and powerful tools, making it a great choice for traders who need diverse assets and low trading costs.
Pros & Cons
- Low fees, especially for forex and CFDs.
- Supports a wide variety of assets, including forex, stocks, and commodities.
- Advanced trading tools with xStation.
- Higher fees for some asset classes.
- Limited crypto offerings compared to Binance.
72% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Coinbase – Ideal for Beginners and Simplicity
Authors Comments
For beginners moving from Trading 212, Coinbase offers a user-friendly platform with access to 240 cryptocurrencies. Coinbase also offers Advanced Trade features, providing more control, lower fees, and professional tools, making it a top choice for those new to crypto trading, despite its higher fees.
Coinbase vs Trading 212 Compared
Coinbase offers a user-friendly design and ease of use, making it ideal for crypto beginners. Compared to Trading 212’s simpler interface, Coinbase focuses on cryptocurrencies and offers more control with Advanced Trade features for those looking to move beyond basic trading.
Pros & Cons
- Beginner-friendly interface, ideal for first-time traders.
- Broad cryptocurrency selection with 240 coins supported
- Strong reputation for security and compliance.
- Advanced Trade feature for lower fees and professional tools.
- Higher fees compared to Binance and other alternatives on the standard platform.
- Advanced Trade tools are less comprehensive than Binance’s suite.
Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more.
Uphold - Best for Multi Asset Trading
Authors Comments
Uphold is a great alternative to Trading 212, offering multi-asset support for stocks, cryptocurrencies, and precious metals all in one place. Unlike Trading 212, Uphold provides access to over 250 cryptocurrencies and various asset classes, making it ideal for users seeking broader investment options despite its 1.25% spread fee.
Uphold vs Trading 212 Compared
Uphold’s multi-asset support gives it a clear advantage over Trading 212, especially for those looking to diversify beyond just stocks. While Trading 212’s offerings are simpler, Uphold allows greater flexibility with assets like crypto and precious metals.
Pros & Cons
- Supports multi-asset trading, including stocks and metals.
- 250 cryptocurrencies available, more than Coinbase.
- Recurring buy options for passive investment strategies.
- 25% spread can be costly for frequent trades.
- Limited staking options compared to OKX.
Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more.
How do these platforms compare for Mobile Trading?
Mobile trading is essential, and each platform offers unique experiences. eToro is great for social trading on the go, XTB provides powerful tools but can overwhelm beginners, while IG is ideal for intermediate to advanced traders needing detailed charts and research.
Which Platform Offers the Best Customer Support?
Customer support is crucial for me, and here’s how the platforms stack up: eToro offers 24/7 support with multiple contact options, XTB is good but slower, and IG provides excellent support through live chat, phone, and email.
What about the Regulations and Safety?
Unlike Trading 212, which is FCA-regulated, only eToro, IG, and XTB hold full UK regulatory status. Uphold and Coinbase are regulated abroad but still offer robust security like 2FA and encryption. While all five platforms prioritise user protection, oversight levels and compliance frameworks vary.
What do I need to know about fees?
Trading 212 offers commission-free stock trading, but lacks broad crypto access. Uphold and eToro charge around 1% spreads on crypto, while Coinbase averages 1.49%. IG and XTB offer tighter spreads for forex and stocks. Unlike others, Uphold doesn’t charge for deposits or withdrawals.
| Platform | Stock Trading Fees | Crypto Fees | Deposit/Withdrawal Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading 212 | 0% commission | Limited access (not specified) | Free |
| Uphold | Not commission-free | ~0.8-1.2% spread | No fees |
| eToro | 0% commission | ~1% spread | $5 withdrawal, free deposits |
| Coinbase | Not commission-free | ~1.49% transaction fee | Variable, often higher |
| IG | ~£3-£8 per stock trade | Limited crypto (via spread) | Free |
| XTB | 0% commission (terms apply) | Limited crypto (via CFDs/ETFs) | Free |
What Are the Risks and Limitations of These Platforms?
Each platform has its risks: eToro’s social trading can lead to overtrading, XTB’s advanced tools may overwhelm beginners, and IG’s powerful tools come with higher fees and complexity. Always be mindful of leverage, costs, and understanding the tools you use.
Summary:
Each platform has its strengths and weaknesses, and choosing the right one really depends on your trading experience and goals. eToro is perfect for beginners who want to learn by copying others. XTB suits experienced traders who need low spreads and advanced tools. IG is ideal for intermediate to advanced traders looking for a range of assets and research tools.
Trade Smarter, not Harder
- Copy Trading
- Competitive Fees
- Multi-Asset Platform
61% of retail CFD accounts lose money when trading CFD’s with this provider.
FAQs
What are the best alternatives to Trading 212 in the UK for 2025?
eToro for social trading, IG for advanced tools, XTB for low fees, and Coinbase/Uphold for simplicity and multi-asset access.
How do XTB’s fees compare to Trading 212?
XTB offers low fees (0.1% spreads for forex and CFDs) and advanced tools, while Trading 212 has zero-commission trades but fewer features.
What makes IG ideal for intermediate to advanced traders?
IG offers a wide range of assets, advanced charting, and research tools, making it ideal for traders seeking deeper analysis.
Can I trade cryptocurrencies on these platforms?
Yes, eToro, XTB, and Coinbase support cryptocurrency trading, with eToro offering social trading and Coinbase specializing in crypto.
Which platform offers the best customer support?
IG offers the best support with live chat, phone, and email. eToro provides 24/7 support, while XTB’s support is slower.
References
- TrustPilot – eToro User Reviews
- TrustPilot – Trading 212 Fees and Features
- FCA Regulation – Overview for UK Traders
