Trading 212 review UK 2026: fees, ISA, pies and is it safe?

Trading 212 has become one of the most popular investing apps in the UK, mainly because it is so cheap. This review looks at what it costs, what you can do with it, and who it is and is not for.

This is general information, not a personal recommendation. When you invest your capital is at risk.

Trading 212 fees

ETFs and funds you buy still have their own yearly charges, set by the fund provider. Source: Finder Trading 212 review, October 2026.

Accounts you can open

• Invest: a general investment account
• Stocks and shares ISA: tax-free investing up to your £20,000 yearly ISA allowance
• Cash ISA: an easy-access cash ISA that pays interest daily
• CFD: leveraged trading. This is high risk. Trading 212 itself warns that most retail CFD accounts lose money. Beginners should avoid it.

What you can invest in

Over 13,000 shares, ETFs and funds across UK, US and European markets. You can buy fractions of shares from £1, which makes regular small investments easy.

Pies let you build a portfolio, for example 80% in a global index fund and 20% in a UK fund, and AutoInvest buys it automatically each week or month. That suits the "set it and leave it" approach in my guide to investing £100 a month.

Is Trading 212 safe?

Trading 212 UK is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Investments are held separately from the company's own money. If a regulated firm fails and assets are missing, the FSCS can protect up to £85,000 of investments per person. Cash is protected differently, so check how uninvested cash is held. Neither protects you against your investments falling in value.

Who Trading 212 suits

• Good for: beginners, people investing small amounts regularly, and anyone who wants a low-cost stocks and shares ISA.
• Less good for: people who want advice, research tools or ready-made managed portfolios, and anyone tempted by CFD trading.

Compare it with the alternatives in the best investing apps UK guide, or read the Freetrade review.

Common questions

Is Trading 212 really free?

There is no platform fee or commission on shares and ETFs. You still pay a 0.15% fee when buying shares in another currency, a fee on large card deposits, and the ongoing charges of any funds you buy.

Is Trading 212 good for an ISA?

For most beginners, yes. It is one of the cheapest stocks and shares ISAs in the UK, with no account fee, and you can automate regular investing with pies.

Should I use Trading 212 CFDs?

Most beginners should not. CFDs are leveraged and high risk, and Trading 212 warns that most retail CFD accounts lose money. Read investing vs trading.