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Trading 212 vs Moneybox: which should you pick?

Both are FCA regulated and FSCS protected. The real differences are fees, investment range and how each platform feels to use. Here is the honest comparison.

Fees verified July 2026. Capital at risk. Information, not financial advice.

The quick answer

Choose Trading 212 if...

Cost-conscious DIY investors who want to keep every fee at zero.

Choose Moneybox if...

Beginners building a habit, and first-time buyers using the Lifetime ISA.

Fees side by side

FeeTrading 212Moneybox
Platform fee£0£1/month subscription plus 0.45% platform fee
Share dealing£0 commissionUS stocks available, 0.45% FX fee
Fund dealingETFs only, £0 commissionFree (fund fees apply)
FX fee0.15%0.45% on US stocks
Stocks & Shares ISAFreeSubscription plus 0.45% applies
SIPPFree0.45% platform fee (0.15% above £100k), no subscription
WithdrawalsFreeFree
Minimum to start£1£1

What customers say

Trading 2124.6

Reviewers consistently rate the app as easy to use and good value, and many mention the competitive interest paid on uninvested cash.

The most common criticisms are slow identity verification for new accounts and support that can take time to respond.

Read Trading 212 reviews on Trustpilot

Moneybox4.4

Users love the round-ups, the goal-based design and how painless it makes starting. 93% of customers surveyed in 2026 would recommend it.

The combined £1/month plus 0.45% is repeatedly flagged as expensive for small balances.

Read Moneybox reviews on Trustpilot

The longer view

Trading 212 built its name on removing fees. There is no platform fee, no dealing commission and no account charge on its ISA or SIPP. The only cost most investors pay is a 0.15% currency conversion fee when buying shares priced in dollars or euros.

The trade-off is scope. You can hold shares and ETFs but not traditional funds, and support is app-based. For an investor who wants a global tracker ETF inside an ISA at close to zero cost, it is very hard to beat on price.

Moneybox is designed for getting started. Round-ups, weekly deposits and simple starter portfolios remove the friction that stops most people investing, and its Lifetime ISA is one of the most popular routes to a first home deposit.

The convenience has a price: £1 a month plus 0.45% is one of the higher fee stacks here once your balance grows. It is a great first platform, and many users graduate to cheaper ones later.

Other comparisons worth a look

The broker matters less than the plan.

A 0.2% fee difference is worth optimising. Knowing whether you are saving enough in the first place is worth far more. Delphina models your pensions, ISAs and investments and tells you where you actually stand.