Trading 212

Who they are

Trading 212 was founded in Bulgaria in 2004 , and has since grown into one of the UK's most recognisable investing platforms. In 2017, it launched commission-free share dealing in the UK - a move that genuinely shook up the market. It has since grown to over 5 million funded accounts with more than £25 billion in client assets.

The important thing to understand upfront: Trading 212 is not a bank. It is a European fintech brokerage group headquartered in London that operates an electronic trading platform offering commission-free investing in listed equities and ETFs, alongside contracts for difference. Trading 212 UK Limited is authorised by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority. More recently, it launched its tax-free Cash ISA savings product in 2024 and introduced a multi-currency payment card for UK customers.

Savings accounts

Trading 212 currently offers two ISA products for savers and investors, and they are quite different from each other - so it is worth being clear about what you are opening.

The Cash ISA carries a rate of 4.76% AER (variable), with instant access and a minimum deposit of just £1. A meaningful chunk of that headline rate is a bonus of 1.02% that applies only during the first 12 months and only on current tax year contributions - so the underlying rate after that period will be lower. It is a flexible ISA, meaning you can withdraw and replace money within the same tax year without losing your allowance. On the protection front, deposits are covered up to £120,000 with Trading 212's partner banks - higher than the standard £85,000 FSCS limit you see at many providers. One practical note: it is easy to accidentally open the Stocks and Shares ISA instead when navigating the app, so double-check you are in the right place.

The Stocks and Shares ISA is a separate product altogether. There is no set interest rate here - returns depend entirely on how your investments perform. Capital is at risk, and this account carries FSCS investor protection up to £85,000, not the higher deposit protection limit. One of Trading 212's biggest draws is its completely free Stocks and Shares ISA - there is no annual ISA fee, no trading fee within the ISA, and no minimum deposit.

What Trading 212 is known for

Trading 212 is an investing platform growing in popularity in the UK, thanks to its easy-to-use app, commission-free share trades, and generous interest paid on uninvested cash. The mobile app in particular tends to get strong marks - the mobile experience scores highly and is considered the flagship way to use the platform.

Beyond savings, the platform has expanded into multi-currency wallets and a debit card with cashback. It is not trying to be a full current account replacement, but for existing users it adds genuine value as a companion to the investing side of things.

Is it right for you?

If you are primarily a saver looking for a competitive easy-access Cash ISA rate with flexibility and a low entry barrier, Trading 212 is genuinely worth considering - especially at the start of a tax year when the bonus rate applies. The £120,000 deposit protection through partner banks is also reassuringly above average.

That said, the bonus rate does drop away after 12 months on current year contributions, so you will want to review whether the underlying rate remains competitive when the time comes. And if you have no interest in investing, you may find the platform's investing-first design a little unfamiliar at first - just make sure you select the Cash ISA rather than the Stocks and Shares product.

For savers who do invest, or who are curious about starting, the combination of a competitive cash rate and a fee-free investing environment under one roof is a fairly compelling package.

As always, rates move. The live figures shown on this page reflect what Trading 212 is actually paying right now, so check those before you apply.