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Broker Comparison

Lightyear vs Trading 212

Compare Lightyear and Trading 212 side by side: fees, regulation, platforms.

Lightyear

Lightyear

Cost-conscious long-term investors

Low-cost investing platform with free ETFs, multi-currency accounts, fractional investing, savings products, โ€ฆ

VS
Trading 212

Trading 212

Cost-conscious stock and ETF investors

Trading 212 offers commission-free investing in stocks and ETFs, fractional shares from ยฃ1, multi-currency acโ€ฆ

Head-to-head comparison

Lightyear vs Trading 212
Feature Lightyear Trading 212
Minimum deposit โ€” ยฃ1, โ‚ฌ1, $1
Stock trading fee US shares: 0.10% (0.10 USD min - 1 USD max); UK shares: 1 GBP; EUR-denominated stocks, bonds, ETNs and ETCs: 1 EUR; other European stocks: 0.10% โ€”
Regulators FCA, EFSA, FINRA, SIPC FCA, BaFin, CySEC, ASIC
Best for Cost-conscious long-term investors Cost-conscious stock and ETF investors
Markets & account
Stocks
ETFs
CFDs
โ€”
Crypto
โ€”
Bonds
โ€”
Funds
โ€”
Fractional Shares
Investment Plans
Ready Made Portfolios
Savings Vaults
โ€”
Money Market Funds
Multi Currency
Business Account
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Isa
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Sipp
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Pros & cons

Lightyear

Lightyear

Pros

  • No account fee
  • Free ETF execution and custody
  • 0.35% FX conversion fee
  • Multi-currency account
  • Fractional investing
  • Web, iOS and Android access
  • Savings Vaults with money market funds
  • SIPC protection for US securities

Cons

  • Stock fees vary by instrument
  • Card deposits cost 0.6%
  • Crypto assets lack investor compensation cover
  • Product availability may vary
  • Money market fund fees apply
  • Some withdrawals may require currency conversion
Trading 212

Trading 212

Pros

  • Free trading commission reduces dealing costs
  • Free custody keeps ongoing account costs low
  • Fractional shares start from ยฃ1
  • 0.15% FX fee on currency conversions
  • Free bank transfer deposits
  • Trading 212 does not charge withdrawal fees
  • Portfolio transfers are automatic, paperless and free
  • ATM withdrawals are free up to ยฃ400 per month

Cons

  • Card and wallet deposits cost 0.7% after ยฃ2,000 cumulative
  • Physical card costs ยฃ4.95
  • ATM withdrawals above ยฃ400 per month cost 1%
  • UK stamp duty is 0.5% on UK share purchases
  • PTM levy is ยฃ1.5 on UK share trades over ยฃ10,000
  • ADR fees may be $0.01-$0.05 per share each year
  • FINRA fee is $0.000195 per share on US share sales
Lightyear

Lightyear

Low-cost investing platform with free ETFs, multi-currency accounts, fractional investing, savings products, and a 0.35% FX fee.

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

Trading 212

Trading 212

Trading 212 offers commission-free investing in stocks and ETFs, fractional shares from ยฃ1, multi-currency accounts, cash interest, ISA, SIPP and CFD access.

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

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