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Trading 212 review: fees, ISA charges and whether it's right for you

Commission-free investing with no platform fee

Best for: Cost-conscious DIY investors who want to keep every fee at zero. Not for: Anyone who wants traditional funds (OEICs/unit trusts), a Junior ISA, gilt dealing, or hand-holding from a human adviser.

Trading 212's fees are one part of the picture. Are your pensions and savings actually on track?

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The short version

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.

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

Trading 212 fees

Platform fee£0
Share dealing£0 commission
Fund dealingETFs only, £0 commission
FX fee0.15%
Stocks & Shares ISAFree
SIPPFree
WithdrawalsFree
Minimum to start£1
Industry benchmark: Typical UK broker platform fee 0.25%/yr, ISA total cost 0.45%/yr, FX 1.50%. Trading 212's profile relative to that is shown above.
  • The 0.15% FX fee only applies when you trade shares priced in a currency other than pounds.
  • No inactivity fees, no deposit fees for bank transfers, no exit fees.

Verified July 2026 against Trading 212's published charges. Always check the provider's current schedule before opening an account.

Accounts available

General Investment AccountStocks & Shares ISACash ISASIPPCFD account

Your cash is protected by the FSCS up to £120,000. Your investments are ring-fenced in your name, held separately from the firm's own assets, so they remain yours if the firm fails, with FSCS cover of up to £85,000 for any shortfall. Authorised and regulated by the FCA.

What the reviews say

Trading 212 scores 4.6 out of 5 on Trustpilot (Excellent) from tens of thousands of reviews.

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.

Pros and cons

Where it wins

  • No platform fee and no dealing commission on any account
  • The 0.15% FX fee is among the lowest of any UK broker
  • Fractional shares from £1, with a Pie feature for automated portfolios
  • Pays competitive interest on uninvested cash

Where it loses

  • No open-ended funds (OEICs), only shares and ETFs
  • Customer support is chat and email only
  • Research and analysis tools are thinner than the big platforms

Common mistakes people make with Trading 212

Things that catch out new Trading 212 customers more than they should.

  • Underestimating the 0.15% FX fee on dollar-denominated holdings. It compounds quickly when buying US shares regularly.
  • Sticking to a single pie without rebalancing. The auto-invest feature is not the same as a diversified strategy.
  • Forgetting that ISA subscriptions still apply per tax year. Over-contributing recovers as over-allocated, not a tax deduction.
  • Assuming chat support is fast at peak times. Complaints cluster around market-open hours.

Trading 212: common questions

Is Trading 212 safe?

Trading 212 Markets UK Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA, reference 609814). Cash is held in segregated client accounts and protected by the FSCS up to £85,000 for investment business, with an additional £120,000 cash protection under transitional arrangements. Investments are held in segregated custody and remain your property if the firm fails.

Does Trading 212 offer a SIPP?

Yes. Trading 212 SIPP is free to open with no platform fee and no dealing commission. You can hold shares and ETFs inside it, but not traditional OEIC funds. There is no drawdown facility yet. To access your pension at retirement you would currently transfer out to a provider that offers drawdown.

Can I hold a Junior ISA at Trading 212?

No. Trading 212 does not currently offer a Junior ISA (JISA). For a JISA you would need a provider such as Hargreaves Lansdown, AJ Bell, or Fidelity.

What does Trading 212 actually charge?

There is no platform fee, no dealing commission, and no account charge on its ISA or SIPP. The only ongoing cost most investors pay is a 0.15% currency conversion fee when buying shares priced in dollars or euros. Cash ISA interest and the interest paid on uninvested cash are passed on but vary with Bank of England base rate.

Is Trading 212 good for beginners?

Most reviewers say yes for the cost and ease of use, and no for the research tools and the chat-only support. If you want hand-holding or in-depth fund research, a full-service broker will serve you better.

How does Trading 212 make money?

Mostly from the spread on shares and ETFs (the difference between buy and sell prices) and interest earned on client cash held in segregated accounts. CFD trading also generates revenue but is not available to UK retail investors since the FCA's 2021 restrictions.

Compare Trading 212 with other brokers

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Capital at risk. This page is information, not financial advice.