Trading 212 vs Trade Republic: Which app is better for European investors?
The Strategic Newb
Updated:
Translated from the original; figures and sources have been preserved. Read the original →
Dutch examples: Where this article refers to Dutch broker rates, pension rules, taxes or AFM examples, it is explicitly about the Netherlands. A translation does not change that context. Conditions, availability and tax rules can be different in your country of residence.
Trading 212 vs Trade Republic revolves around more than the question which app seems cheapest. Do you regularly buy shares? Then the commission-free Invest account of Trading 212 can be attractive. Do you automatically put money into an ETF every month and do you also want a payment card and banking functions? Then Trade Republic has strong arguments. The actual costs depend on your orders, currency, deposit method and spread.
Updated on 29 September 2026. Rates and product availability may change per country of residence. This article is about investment and is not personal investment advice.
Trading 212 vs Trade Republic at a glance
| Item | Trading 212 Invest | Trade Republic |
|---|---|---|
| Individual stock or ETF order | No trading commission or custody fee; any stock exchange charges and taxes remain possible | €1 with Best Price; €2 with Direct Price and a selected exchange, plus spread and possible external costs |
| Periodic investments | Pies and AutoInvest, with custom weights | Savings plans for, among others, shares and ETFs without settlement fee |
| Currency | Multi-currency account; 0.15% on conversion | Check price and spread per traded instrument; no directly comparable fixed FX rate for each order |
| Payment card | 212 Card; check card conditions and availability by country | Virtual card free; physical Classic card €5 once, according to Dutch page |
| Other products | Especially shares and ETFs in Invest; CFDs are a separate product with other risk | Also bonds, crypto and in some countries derivatives |
| Strongest point | Buy your own shares and ETFs and create a portfolio via Pies | Combine automated investment with payment and banking functions |
Sources: Trading 212 cost, Trade Republic price page, Trading 212 multi-currency, Trade Republic card.
Which app is cheaper?
At Trading 212 Invest, the trading commission and the custody fee are zero according to the provider. Currency conversion costs 0.15%. If you buy a share of €500 that is traded in euros, Trading 212 does not charge a commission for the order itself. If you convert €500 to another currency, the conversion fee is arithmetically €0.75. If you then buy with an already held balance in the currency of the share, no new conversion will take place with that order. Source: Trading 212 · Multi-currency.
Trade Republic charges €1 for an individual Best Price transaction or €2 when you select an exchange through Direct Price. Savings-plan execution has no settlement fee. Twelve manual ETF purchases a year therefore cost €12 in fixed fees with Best Price or €24 with Direct Price; a qualifying savings plan removes that fee. Spreads, ETF fund costs and possible external costs remain additional. Source: Trade Republic
Please note when depositing: at Trading 212 card payments and certain fast deposit methods are only up to a cumulative total of €2,000 free. Thereafter, 0.7% applies to the amount above that limit; bank transfers remain free of charge according to the provider. An additional deposit of €1,000 above the border can therefore cost €7. Source: Trading 212.
A broker with €0 trading commission does not automatically offer the lowest total execution cost. For a particular ETF or share, compare the bid–ask spread, venue, exchange charges and total purchase price. Trade Republic describes two routes for stocks and ETFs: Best Price, with execution against Trade Republic based on the best prices from relevant venues, and Direct Price, where you choose an exchange. Your choice affects the fee. Source: Trade Republic
Periodic investments: Pies versus savings plans
Trading 212 lets you combine investments in custom proportions with Pies and automate contributions. This can help you manage a mix of global ETFs and individual shares. Watch currency conversions for foreign holdings: Pies use your account’s primary currency, so automatic dividend reinvestment may also trigger conversion. Source: Trading 212
Trade Republic chooses a simple route: select a suitable share or ETF, set up a recurring deposit and have the savings plan executed without the fixed fee of a individual order. This is especially attractive if you consistently invest in a limited number of products. Source: Trade Republic.
Payment card, Saveback and interest
Both providers have a payment card, but the benefits are not the same as guaranteed investment return. Trade Republic lists for the Netherlands a free virtual card, a Classic card of €5 once and 1% Saveback on eligible card payments from your money balance to a savings plan, up to €15 per month. To activate Saveback conditions apply, including a periodic deposit of €50 per month. Check the current maximum and the excluded transactions in the app. Card · Saveback conditions.
Trading 212 offers the 212 Card. Cashback terms, card use and availability vary by entity, country and promotion. Check the current card terms for your account before choosing a provider because of a temporary offer. Source: Trading 212
Both providers offer interest on uninvested cash subject to conditions. Rates can change and may differ for new customers; the way cash is held also matters for protection. An advertised interest rate is therefore not a fixed reason to choose a broker for years. Trade Republic interest rate · Trading 212 interest rate and arrangement
Safety and protection: what should you compare?
For your country of residence, check which legal entity offers your account, where there is uninvested cash and which settlement applies to cash and investments. Bank deposit guarantee, protection of securities in the event of a deficit and market risk are different matters. Neither of these apps protects you from falling stock prices. Before opening an account, read the current client agreement and protection text for your country.
Our verdict: Trading 212 or Trade Republic?
Trading 212 may suit you better if you regularly buy individual shares or ETFs, want to hold several currencies or automate your own investment mix with Pies. Watch the 0.15% conversion fee and any deposit fees.
Trade Republic may suit you better if you mainly invest a fixed monthly amount through savings plans and value a payment card with banking features in the same app. For frequent small individual orders, the €1 (Best Price) or €2 (Direct Price) fee adds up.
There is no universal winner for a European investor. Make the comparison with your own pattern: how many separate orders do you place, in which currency do you buy, use a savings plan and do you really want to pay with the same account? The cheapest result in a calculation example is not automatically the best version or the best app for your country of residence.
Frequently asked questions
Is Trading 212 cheaper than Trade Republic?
Trading 212 Invest charges no trading commission on individual orders. Trade Republic charges €1 for a Best Price order or €2 for a Direct Price order. Qualifying savings-plan execution has no fixed settlement fee. Currency conversion, spreads and external costs also affect the final amount.
Can I automatically invest in ETFs with both brokers?
Yes. Trading 212 has Pies with AutoInvest; Trade Republic has ETF savings plans. Check that your specific ETF is available and in which currency the product is quoted.
Are the cards of Trading 212 and Trade Republic free?
Trade Republic mentions a free virtual card and a one-time price for physical cards. Trading 212 also offers a card, but the availability and current conditions depend on the country and your account. Card usage and benefits can have separate conditions.
Do European investors have access to a UK ISA at Trading 212?
An ISA is a British tax product and is not the standard account for an investor outside the United Kingdom. This comparison concerns Trading 212 Invest; local tax rules remain applicable.
Sources and editorial note
The comparison uses the official cost explanation of Trading 212, deposit conditions, Trade Republic tariffs for the Netherlands, card conditions and execution information. The Dutch conditions mentioned here do not automatically apply in other countries. Check the terms for your account.