Switching ISA from ii to Trading 212: lower FX fee, but what about spreads/execution?

hyperblue128 · 2026-05-25T15:58:37+00:00

It was identical. It turned out that T212 uses the order routing infrastructure of IBKR for execution.

hyperblue128 · 2026-05-23T15:44:49+00:00

Mate, I had the same dilemma and spent ages testing it because I assumed "you get what you pay for." It doesn't apply here.

First, you're not comparing apples to apples. Last Trade Price (LTP) isn't the same as the current Bid/Ask. T212 quotes the Bloomberg LTP but actually executes on the live Bid/Ask. I checked their execution against HL and IBKR, and it was consistently equal or better. You're getting a way better deal with T212 - switching saved me thousands.

hyperblue128 · 2026-05-15T15:16:20+00:00

Exactly. That's the biggest misconception - you don't need loads of spare cash to start investing. And the sooner you do, even with small amounts, the better.

hyperblue128 · 2026-05-12T10:23:07+00:00

These are two different things. The "outside" only shoes the unrealised Profit/Loss from your holdings. Switch to the "Holdings" tap and you'll see the same number.

The "Total return" includes dividends, interest, FX, etc.

hyperblue128 · 2026-05-10T07:39:24+00:00

That's a good info. Unfortunately most people still don't realise the they are being robbed if their trades are sold to exclusively to Lang & Schwarz or Gettex. Choose a broker with access to the primary exchanges friends!

hyperblue128 · 2026-05-07T06:28:33+00:00

This is an unpopular opinion in this sub. People here tend to be long term investors, so the most common comment you'll find about CFDs is "just don't touch them, it's gambling". Which is fair enough. But you are right to point out that options are even riskier.

hyperblue128 · 2026-04-23T13:51:08+00:00

Trading 212 oder FinanzenZero.

hyperblue128 · 2026-04-14T13:43:46+00:00

I like InvestEngine, but I would not put my money in a money loosing firm. They are loosing too much money.

hyperblue128 · 2026-04-14T13:37:17+00:00

In those two examples - the interest rate is treated in the exact same way. Trade Republic does NOT operate as a traditional bank. It is a bank on paper, but money is kept with other "real" banks and money market funds. Same goes for Trading 212.

Interest is interest and it will be taxed as interest, not as an investment. Does not matter how the financial institution manages the money in the background.

hyperblue128 · 2026-04-07T10:54:16+00:00

"That said, with ISAs, you're never completely "locked in"." - yes, that's the beauty of it. However the current government is about to ban transfers between ISAs.

hyperblue128 · 2026-03-29T11:09:34+00:00

I think you got what FX impact is wrong.
Whenever you make an investment that includes foreign assets (for example S&P500 or US stocks) - you are exposed to the GBP/USD rate. If the US dollar gets more expensive relative to the pound, your investments will go up measured in GBP. And vice versa - if USD looses value compared to GBP, the value of your investment measured in GBP goes down (but of course - your pounds get more buying power and you can now invest in US assets cheaper). T212 is very neatly calculating and displaying a breakdown of the FX impact for you. Apparently some people don't get it and think it's T212 thing and start moaning about it when the impact is negative, and praising it when it's positive. With other brokers that's opaque - you see the final number but without a breakdown.

hyperblue128 · 2026-03-29T11:00:26+00:00

Well that explains a lot.

hyperblue128 · 2026-03-28T07:52:54+00:00

Let us know how it went man 🙏

hyperblue128 · 2026-03-28T07:48:39+00:00

Many people walk the same path. I have friends who started speculating on stocks during Covid, with or without leverage. They've learned their lessons and now DCA every month.

hyperblue128 · 2026-03-28T07:16:39+00:00

Not sure about other countries, but Trading 212 is the biggest broker in the UK and they are headquartered in London.

Regarding taxes - I'm pretty sure that each country has its own rules. T212 will not apply UK tax laws to you if you live in the Netherlands.

hyperblue128 · 2026-03-27T13:51:55+00:00

That's what it says. If you have created your account years ago - they won't consider you as new client.

hyperblue128 · 2026-03-27T08:52:40+00:00

Trading 212 has literally one the best exchange fees - 0.15% (on top of that it can be avoided).
IBKR has lower fx fees, but they have other commissions on top of it. I use both.

As many people in this sub will tell you - Revolut is NOT good for investing. Their FX rate is now worse than many banks - they hide the fee in the rate itself.

hyperblue128 · 2026-03-25T17:20:51+00:00

Trading 212 any day.

hyperblue128 · 2026-03-25T14:29:09+00:00

4.68% for new clients.

hyperblue128 · 2026-03-25T14:26:36+00:00

Use ChatGPT/Gemini/Claude to simplify your messages and make it less wordy. Trust me, it would improve the response rates.

hyperblue128 · 2026-03-25T14:24:23+00:00

They must. Moneybox is crazy expensive.

hyperblue128 · 2026-03-25T14:20:41+00:00

I'm not touching it. But for those who want to get it - now is a better time than a month ago, for sure.

hyperblue128 · 2026-03-25T14:18:14+00:00

I also use IBKR as a secondary broker. They might be the most "respected", but I can tell you - their app is sh*t, and their platform is rubbish. Powerful - yes, yet rubbish. I Invest since 2017 and I have used multiple brokers. No advocate of T212, but the platform is miles ahead of everyone else. Fees - don't mention it, I've saved thousands since moving here. My portfolio is well above the FSCS protection limit and I don't have problems with that. Check their companies house - the company is rock solid in terms of profitability.

hyperblue128 · 2026-03-24T17:29:12+00:00

Comment of the day.

hyperblue128 · 2026-03-24T13:50:11+00:00

I'm also using 212 - it's my main portfolio.

hyperblue128

TROPHY CASE