XTB vs Trading212: Fees, Security, Features & Which to Choose (2025)

Trying to choose between XTB and Trading212 This side-by-side comparison reveals total cost (fees + spreads), security & licenses, coins/derivatives, deposits/withdrawals, and app quality. In 2 minutes you’ll see who wins for beginners, active traders, and long-term holders. Clear pros/cons, a quick verdict, and safe links to get started.

Last updated on August 16, 2025

XTB

Trading212

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Available Countries

United States

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

China

Yes

Canada

United Kingdom

Yes

United States

Yes

Europe

Yes

Latin America

India

China

Canada

Yes

United Kingdom

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XTB is ideal if:

Beginners and hands-on learners will find XTB well-suited, thanks to its intuitive xStation platform and extensive educational tools designed to build confidence and trading skills.
Traders seeking a secure, transparent broker will appreciate that XTB is exchange-listed with strong regulation across multiple jurisdictions, ensuring accountability and trust.
Active traders looking for diverse assets can benefit from access to thousands of CFDs plus real stocks and ETFs, all within a modern, customizable environment built for efficiency.

Trading212 is ideal if:

Great if you want hands-off investing – Trading 212 offers features like automated “Pies” portfolios and recurring contributions to simplify building a diversified portfolio.
Ideal for multi-currency flexibility – You can hold and invest in multiple currencies within a single account, which helps reduce foreign exchange friction.
Best suited for casual or beginner investors – The platform’s intuitive interface, fractional share access, and educational tools make it a friendly environment for those starting out or preferring simplicity.

XTB isn’t ideal if:

You prefer passive investing or long-term mutual funds, as XTB focuses on active CFD and Forex trading—not traditional mutual funds or bonds.
You want to automate or mirror trades, since XTB lacks features like copy trading or social trading capabilities.
Advanced pro traders needing extreme platform customization (e.g. strategy backtesting or Level II data) might find xStation’s tooling a bit limited.

Trading212 isn’t ideal if:

Not for advanced traders seeking sophisticated tools – lacks algorithmic trading, advanced order types, and third-party platforms like MT4/MT5.
Limited asset variety available – missing options like bonds, mutual funds, options, and has a narrow selection of cryptocurrencies.
CFDs carry high risk and hidden costs – volatility-prone leveraged instruments, wider spreads, and FX conversion expenses may deter cautious or risk-averse investors.

Fees & Total Costs

Spot Maker/Take

XTB doesn’t use a traditional maker/taker pricing model or native token discounts—instead, typical spot instruments are offered as CFDs, with costs embedded in floating spreads and without separate maker/taker fees or token-based rebates.

Trading 212 doesn’t operate on a typical maker/taker fee model or tiered volumes, nor does it offer discounts using a native token—fees are built into spreads and FX conversions, keeping the pricing straightforward and flat across all users.

Futures/Derivatives

Futures or derivatives—like CFDs on commodities, indices, or crypto—don’t follow a maker/taker structure

Trading 212 does not provide traditional futures or derivatives with maker/taker pricing or funding rates; instead, it offers CFDs with dynamic spreads and overnight holding fees, avoiding explicit derivative-style fee structures.

Average Spreads on Liquid Pairs

On crypto CFDs like Bitcoin and Ethereum, spreads are competitive—starting around 0.22% of the market price on liquid pairs such as BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT—and vary dynamically with market liquidity.

While specific BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT spreads aren’t published publicly, Trading 212’s CFD spreads are dynamic and vary based on market conditions—more liquid instruments tend to carry narrower spreads, visible directly in the app’s instrument details.

Fiat Deposits & Withdrawals

Deposits via bank transfer, cards, and e-wallets (e.g. PayU, PayPal, Skrill) are generally free from XTB’s side; withdrawals above a certain amount are also free and processed quickly, while smaller withdrawals may incur a nominal fee.

Trading 212 supports multiple deposit and withdrawal methods—bank transfers, cards, e-wallets, etc.—typically with no service charges, and withdrawals are often processed quickly by the platform, though third-party or bank processing fees may apply depending on your provider and location.

On-chain Withdrawals

XTB doesn’t support direct on-chain cryptocurrency withdrawals—since trading is conducted via CFDs, there are no network-based crypto withdrawal fees (neither fixed nor variable).

Trading 212 does not support on-chain crypto withdrawals (e.g., to external wallets on Bitcoin, Ethereum, TRX networks), so there are no network-based fees to report.

Hidden Costs

A modest currency conversion spread (around 0.5%) applies when trading in non-base currencies, and an inactivity fee may apply after prolonged dormancy, but there are no extra express KYC charges; overall, XTB emphasizes transparency in these miscellaneous costs.

While Trading 212 charges no inactivity or express KYC fees, the primary less-obvious cost comes from its currency conversion fee whenever you trade or fund in a currency different from your account base—this is the main “hidden” expense to watch.

Real-World Cost Example: “€500 BTC

For a €500 crypto-CFD purchase, you’d pay the spread embedded in the execution price (around 0.22%), and if you subsequently withdraw below the threshold, you might pay a small withdrawal fee—but there’s no separate trading commission or network fee, making it straightforward and relatively transparent.

Let’s say you purchase €500 worth of BTC via Trading 212’s CFD interface—your cost includes the dynamic spread embedded in the buying price plus a small FX conversion if your account isn’t denominated in euros, making up the total cost you’ll see reflected after execution.

Crypto Offering & Trading Features

Number of Coins & Pairs

XTB offers just over 40 crypto CFDs—including 9 major coins like BTC, ETH, XRP, LTC, BCH, and additional crosses—though only a handful (such as BTC/USD, ETH/USD) comprise the top-liquid 20 by trading volume.

Trading 212 no longer offers direct cryptocurrency trading; previously it provided a limited selection of major crypto CFDs (roughly 10–15), without extensive pair support or detailed volume rankings available to users.

Product Range

XTB specializes in CFD-based crypto trading with spot-like long/short positions and modest leverage; it does not offer real crypto spot, perpetuals, options, ETFs, staking, lending, copy trading, bot strategies, or automated DCA features.

Trading 212 currently offers only CFD-based cryptocurrency exposure—no spot crypto, margin, perpetuals, options, crypto ETFs, staking, lending, copy trading, grid bots, or automatic DCA are available.

Liquidity

While specific figures aren’t published, XTB provides competitive liquidity on its BTC and ETH CFDs—figures implied by tight, dynamic spreads and real-time execution suggest good 24-hour volume and depth, comparable with leading CFD brokers.

As Trading 212 doesn’t support actual crypto spot markets, there’s no public data for liquidity, 24-hour volumes, or order-book depth for BTC or ETH—you’re instead trading over-the-counter CFDs.

Tools

XTB’s xStation platform includes limit, stop-loss, OCO, and take-profit automation; custom alerts; rich charting with technical indicators; but no public API or native TradingView integration, in line with its updated platform focus.

Trading 212 includes basic tools like limit and stop orders and charting on web/mobile, plus alerts and AutoInvest functionality, but lacks advanced features such as OCO orders, native TradingView integration, or a public API/WebSocket.

Geographic Restrictions by Product

Depending on jurisdiction, some instrument types (like crypto CFDs or leveraged products) may be restricted—for instance, XTB may disable crypto trading in regions where regulations don’t permit such derivatives.

Certain products—especially crypto and crypto-derivative CFDs—are restricted in some regions like the UK due to local regulation, although crypto CFD access is expanding in jurisdictions with CySEC oversight.

Innovation

XTB does not feature crypto-native innovations like launchpads or launchpools, nor does it offer staking or earn products of any kind—its crypto offerings remain purely CFD-based with no yield-generating or token launch services.

Trading 212 doesn’t offer features like launchpads or launchpools nor differentiated earn products (flexible vs locked); innovation has focused instead on user-friendly automation tools like Pies and AutoInvest.

Security, Regulation & Custody

Operating Entity & Jurisdiction

XTB is operated by XTB S.A., a publicly listed Polish joint-stock company founded in 2002 and headquartered in Warsaw, serving global clients across multiple licensed subsidiaries.

The platform operates through several legally registered entities—Trading 212 UK Ltd (UK, regulated by the FCA), Trading 212 Markets Ltd (Cyprus, regulated by CySEC), FXFlat Bank GmbH (Germany, regulated by BaFin), and a branch in Australia (ASIC oversight)—all under the umbrella of Trading 212 Group Limited, founded in 2004 with current headquarters in London.

Licenses/Registration

It holds regulatory licenses from key authorities including Poland’s KNF, the UK’s FCA, and Cyprus’s CySEC, ensuring compliance across Europe, though it is not registered as a crypto-specific VASP (virtual asset service provider).

Trading 212 is authorised under major financial regulators: FCA in the UK, CySEC in the EU (subject to MiFID II), BaFin in Germany, and ASIC in Australia; while it is not a VASP, its EU operations align with MiCA’s regulatory architecture.

Custody

As a CFD broker, XTB does not hold or custody real cryptocurrencies—instead, all client trading is synthetic, so there’s no need for cold storage, external custodian, or proof-of-reserves protocols.

Client assets and cash are held in segregated accounts with trusted third-party custodians—such as Interactive Brokers and Bank of New York Mellon—with daily reconciliations and both internal and external audits by firms like Buzzacott; there’s no public Proof of Reserves or cold storage percentage disclosed.

Insurance & Protection Funds

Client funds are safeguarded through strict segregation and, in certain regions like the UK, fall under compensation schemes, but there’s no direct insurance policy specifically for crypto assets.

Clients benefit from compensation schemes: up to £85,000 under the UK’s FSCS via FCA regulation, up to €20,000 under the ICF in Cyprus via CySEC, and coverage under Germany’s EdW scheme via BaFin; in addition, CySEC-covered clients may receive extra insurance up to €1M per client.

Incident History

XTB has experienced regulatory scrutiny (e.g., fines for pricing practices) but no major hack or crypto breach; a recent allegation of unauthorized client trading prompted immediate tightening of security controls.

Trading 212 maintains a largely clean track record; there are no publicly reported major hacks, platform-wide freezes, or regulatory fines—a testament to its stable operations and longstanding regulatory compliance.

Risk Controls

The platform supports robust risk measures including encrypted connections, mandatory two-factor authentication (2FA), multi-contact verification, and cybersecurity monitoring—though API whitelists or sub-accounts aren’t broadly offered.

The platform offers standard protections such as two-factor authentication, anti-phishing advice, and strong infrastructure defence (like WAFs, DDoS mitigation, and penetration testing), though it lacks sub-account segregation or granular API permission options for users.

Transparency

As a publicly traded entity, XTB publishes regular financial updates and reports; while there’s no public crypto wallet tracking or service-level-agreement metrics, overall operational transparency is solid.

Trading 212 publishes annual financial statements and audit oversight but does not offer public wallet addresses or monthly reporting for users, nor a formal service-level agreement (SLA) publicly—though its regulatory disclosures offer a degree of transparency.

Deposits, Withdrawals, KYC & Support

Fiat Deposit Methods

XTB supports deposits via bank transfer, credit/debit cards, PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller (depending on your region); there’s no fixed minimum deposit set by the broker, card and e-wallet deposits are usually instant, while bank transfers can take from same day up to 2–5 business days depending on origin.

Users can fund accounts via a wide range of payment methods—including bank transfers, instant bank transfers, cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, iDEAL, and regional options like Carte Bleue or Blik; minimum amounts depend on account type but generally must be whole numbers (with exceptions for specific formats like ISA), and deposits are credited swiftly depending on method and region.

Supported Fiat Currencies & Conversion

KYC (Verification Levels)

XTB requires full KYC completion—identity and bank verification—for live accounts; there’s no tiered “basic” or “advanced” structure openly published—all clients must verify identity to deposit or withdraw, with no anonymous access.

The platform enforces mandatory verification procedures that align with AML regulation; while they don’t advertise tiered KYC levels (like Basic/Advanced) publicly, completing verification fully—including adding and verifying payment methods—lifts limitations on withdrawals and access to features.

Withdrawals

Withdrawals go only to your verified bank account, and are free above thresholds like €50–100 depending on the entity; requests before local cut-off (~1 pm) are usually processed same-day (or next-day depending on entity), with processing time typically within 1 business day.

Withdrawals must respect the original deposit method and are subject to method-specific limits until verification is complete; typical processing takes up to three business days, followed by transfer times that vary by provider—there’s no crypto-on-chain withdrawal functionality, so network distinctions like ERC-20 or TRC-20 don’t apply.

Customer Support

XTB offers 24/5 live chat, email support, and an extensive self-service help center via its Client Office; response times are typically efficient, backed by a well-organized knowledge base for common queries.

Support is accessible via the app’s “Contact us” button or official form, and also by email or community forums; live chat availability fluctuates based on load, response times can vary during high volume, but there’s an extensive self-help knowledge base with detailed guidance on common queries.

Languages & Localization

The platform is fully localized in Spanish, with fees and balances shown in Europe-centric currencies (€, £, $) depending on your region, and adheres to local regulatory frameworks across its European branches.

The app interface supports multiple languages—including native Spanish—so users can navigate in their preferred language, with fees and amounts displayed in their account’s currency (e.g., euros), and client services and regulation adapted to each user’s jurisdiction based on where they register.

App Quality & Stability

The xStation mobile app is stable and regularly updated across Android and iOS, offering dark mode, push alerts, Apple Watch support, and smooth performance with rare crashes—designed for reliable trading on the go.

Trading 212’s apps are regularly updated across iOS and Android, with stability improved over time via interface enhancements like streamlined withdrawal flows; while there’s no public crash rate figure, development notes suggest a focus on reliability and responsiveness.

Experience, Performance & Ecosystem

UX/UI

The xStation platform is praised for its intuitive design and fully customizable layout, enabling users to quickly personalize their workspace with different chart layouts and toolbars—though there’s no explicit “Lite” or “Pro” mode toggle; instead, functionality scales naturally as you explore deeper features.

Trading 212 delivers an intuitive interface that lets users switch effortlessly between Invest and CFD modes, with a low barrier to entry for beginners; while there’s no official “Lite/Pro” toggle yet, a community-proposed “Pro mode” aimed at power users is under review.

Performance

Execution is generally fast and stable, with xStation optimized for smooth performance even during active market conditions—though, as with any platform, extreme volumes may slow onboarding slightly, but no widespread order delays or KYC bottlenecks have been reported recently.

Overall, Trading 212 offers consistent execution speeds and reliable uptime, though users sometimes note interface sluggishness during sharp market moves—and while onboarding may lag in surges, there’s no widespread record of platform crashes during volatility peaks.

Education

XTB excels in educational offerings with a robust Trading Academy featuring video courses and tiered modules (beginner/intermediate/advanced), a fully functional unlimited demo environment to practice with virtual funds, and frequent webinars; while much is available in English, key materials are also localized in Spanish.

The platform features an unlimited, fully functional demo that mirrors both Invest and CFD accounts, complete with virtual capital and integrated tutorials, making it excellent for learning; it also offers educational resources in multiple languages, including Spanish.

Community

XTB does not appear to host official Discord or Telegram communities, and while it maintains a trading referral program, its community engagement centers more on its webinars, market articles, and internal support channels rather than external forums or social chat groups.

Trading 212 supports an active community via its official user forums where updates, feedback, and tips circulate; while there’s no public Discord or Telegram channel, a referral program enables users to invite peers—usually offering bonuses or perks in return.

Integrations

The platform does not natively integrate with TradingView or external bots, nor does it offer built-in tax or accounting tools—traders must rely on external services if they need direct charting or bookkeeping support.

Although advanced chart layouts on mobile have improved, and web charting is robust, Trading 212 lacks built-in TradingView integration, external bot support, or direct tax/accounting tool integrations—so users manage analytics and reporting separately.

Who Each One Is Best For

XTB works best for traders who value a sleek, beginner-friendly interface with strong educational backing, want a self-guided experience without external bots or social trading distractions, and prefer a platform where everything—from analytics to execution—is centralized and streamlined.

Trading 212 is ideal for beginners and buy-and-hold investors focused on simplicity, fractional investing, and automated portfolio building; it may feel limiting to professional or algorithmic traders who require advanced customization, deep integrations, or high-speed execution.