eToro vs Trading 212: Which is the best option for you?

2 min Read Published: 26 Feb 2024

eToro vs Trading 212If you are trying to choose between investment platforms eToro and Trading 212 as the best way to invest in shares, ETFs, cryptocurrencies and CFDs, this article helps highlight the similarities and differences. We look at the services, products and fees of both propositions, as well as how they are each viewed by their current users.

eToro vs Trading 212 - which is better?

eToro Trading 212 
Services Investing in shares, ETFs, commodities, currencies, CFDs and cryptocurrencies

CopyTrader

CopyPortfolios

Virtual portfolios

Fractional shares

eToro Academy

 

Investing in shares, ETFs, CFDs, gold and cryptocurrencies

Fractional shares

Virtual portfolios

Video guides

Community forum

 

Products ISA and SIPP accounts available via the Moneyfarm partnership

eToro CFD trading account

eToro Money account

Trading 212 CFD

Trading 212 Invest

Trading 212 ISA

Trading 212 Pro Account

Minimum investment $10 USD £1 (£10 for CFDs)
Fees Buying and selling - free

Currency conversion fee - 1.5% to 3.0%

Inactivity fee - $10 USD per month after 1 year of inactivity

Withdrawal fee - $5 USD per withdrawal (minimum $30)

No platform charge for ISA

No fees for buying and selling shares in same currency as account

0.15% fee for trades in other currencies

Customer reviews (Trustpilot) 4.3/5.0 4.6/5.0

eToro vs Trading 212 - services

Both eToro and Trading 212 have a good range of investments available, including more esoteric assets, such as CFDs and cryptocurrencies. They also both allow investments in fractional shares, which makes more expensive options more easily accessible to investors. The key difference between the two platforms is the inclusion of "copycat" options with eToro, where users can view and mimic the portfolios of experienced and successful investors, as well as the eToro Academy, which helps educate new investors.

eToro vs Trading 212 - products

While both eToro and Trading 212 have general investment accounts in the form of their basic accounts, they also have dedicated accounts for more experienced investors or those looking specifically to trade in CFDs. Both eToro and Trading 212 offer ways to save tax-efficiently via their ISA offering. eToro partnered with Moneyfarm in 2023 to offer its UK customers investment products like ISAs. Trading 212 doesn't charge platform fees for its ISAs, while eToro's ISAs are managed by Moneyfarm and therefore Moneyfarm's fee structure applies.

eToro vs Trading 212 - minimum investment

Trading 212 allows users to open an account with a deposit of just £1 - or £10 for CFDs - so it may appeal to those who want to try trading shares without tying up too much money in the process. Alternatively, eToro requires a minimum deposit of $10 USD, with users also having to factor in withdrawal charges, something that Trading 212 doesn't charge.

eToro vs Trading 212 - fees

Buying and selling is free with both eToro and Trading 212, although they each charge for currency conversions, with eToro charging 0.50% and Trading 212 only 0.15% per transaction. Interestingly, Trading 212 doesn't have a platform fee for its ISA, making it a very cost-effective way to invest. It also doesn't have withdrawal fees or inactivity fees like eToro does, which may make it more attractive to those looking to keep costs down.

eToro vs Trading 212 - customer reviews

According to independent customer review site Trustpilot, Trading 212 slightly edges ahead of eToro, scoring 4.6 out of 5 stars compared with 4.3 out of 5.0 stars for its rival. Overall, 76% of respondents classified Trading 212 as "Excellent", while 64% thought the same of eToro. eToro got particular praise for the fact customers are assigned an account manager, who can help resolve any issues and provide guidance on how best to use its services. Trading 212, meanwhile, is also praised for its customer service, as well as its low-cost approach.

Summary: eToro vs Trading 212

Both eToro and Trading 212 have a good range of options for investors looking to trade in shares, cryptocurrencies and CFDs. The choice of which platform to opt for really comes down to whether you want the support provided by eToro with its Academy and the capacity to mimic existing successful portfolios, or whether low fees and the ability to open an ISA are more important to you, in which Trading 212 may be better.