Best Trading Apps in The UK 2022

Best Trading Apps in The UKThis is a complete guide to the best trading apps in the UK 2022. In this new guide, you’ll find the best trading app for your personal needs.

In This Guide

Which Are The Best Trading Apps in the UK?

To further help you find the best trading app for your specific needs, we’ve divided this guide into different categories where we’ve listed the best apps based on different criteria.

For example, the best stock trading app, the best long-term investment app, and our favorite business news app, to mention a few.

Below, you can find detailed descriptions about the said trading apps, including all the information you need before signing up such as fees, payment options, and pros.

In the name of transparency, we’ve also included cons and things that could be improved.

Which is one of the Best Trading Apps in the UK?

Plus500

When you trade with Plus500's app, you will be using the highest-ranked trading app for both Android and iOS.

You will also gain access to some of the world's best mobile trading features and a great selection of asset classes.

What we like

Easy to use mobile software

Competitive spread

Top rated in both app stores

What we don't like

Limited monthly transactions

Only 2,200 CFD assets on offer

Easy to use mobile software

Competitive spread

Top rated in both app stores

Limited monthly transactions

Only 2,200 CFD assets on offer

Features

Fees: Overnight Funding, Currency Conversion Fee and Inactivity fee (read more about Plus500 fees here)
Demo Account: Yes
Min Deposit: £100
CFD Assets: 2,000+
License: FCA, CySEC, ASIC, FSCA, MAS

Ratings:
star-full star-full star-full star-full star-half

Rating by our editorial team

16 users gave the score of 4.4/5
Total score:
star-full star-full star-empty star-empty star-empty

102,576 users gave the score of 2.05/5

82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Plus500 has been named the best CFD provider in the UK, Spain, and Germany by the Investment Trends 2019 Leverage Trading Report in the UK and Spain. In 2018, Plus500 was named the best CFD mobile platform by the Investment Trends 2018 Australia CFD report.

Plus500 is one of the best multi-asset CFD trading app in the UK because they offer a great selection of different asset classes and instruments. Not to mention one of the top mobile trading software that we’ve ever come across.

Not only has Plus500’s app won several prestigious awards over the years, but it is currently one of the highest-ranked trading apps in both Google Play and Apple App Store.

Which Is The Best Stock Trading App in the UK?

IG Markets

IG Markets is one of the oldest and biggest online brokers in the world.

This UK-based broker has been offering trading opportunities since the early 1970s.

Still to this day, IG Markets keeps trail blazing the industry and setting the standard for all other online brokers.

What we like

Real stock trading of the exchanges

Huge selection of international stocks.

What we don't like

High minimum deposit.

Commission on spread betting and CFD stock trading.

Real stock trading of the exchanges

Huge selection of international stocks.

High minimum deposit.

Commission on spread betting and CFD stock trading.

Features

Fees: Low spread & commission.
Demo Account: Yes
Min Deposit: £300
Deposit Options: Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Bank Transfer
Assets: 10,000+
License: FCA, ASIC, CFTC, MAS

Ratings:
star-full star-full star-full star-full star-empty

Rating by our editorial team

9 users gave the score of 4.7/5
Total score:
star-full star-full star-empty star-empty star-empty

43,637 users gave the score of 2.15/5

Between 73-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs.

IG Markets is one of the oldest online brokers in the UK. And thanks to a combination of great software and more than 10,000 shares on offer, IG Markets offers the best stock trading app in the UK.

Better yet, the app allows you to trade stocks as they are (Direct Market Access), as Contract for Differences (CFDs), or try your luck with spread betting – which is tax-free in the UK. You are not charged commission when trading stocks as they are. 

Which Is The Best Long-term Investment App in the UK?

Revolut

Revolut is effectively changing the way we handle money, transactions, and investments on a global scale.

Their services are only offered through a mobile app that allows you to open bank accounts as well as invest in stocks, cryptocurrencies & commodities.

What we like

Commission-free stock trading

Fractional stocks for as low as £1

Virtual bank account

What we don't like

Not great for short-term trading

No investment demo account

Problems with the automated account-suspension

Commission-free stock trading

Fractional stocks for as low as £1

Virtual bank account

Not great for short-term trading

No investment demo account

Problems with the automated account-suspension

Features

Fees: 0% commission stock trading
Demo Account: No
Assets: 850 stocks.
License: European Central Bank (UK banking license is pending).

Ratings:
star-full star-full star-full star-full star-empty

Rating by our editorial team

2 users gave the score of 4.5/5
Total score:
star-full star-full star-empty star-empty star-empty

1,834,896 users gave the score of 2.18/5

Between 73-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs.

In case you’re looking for an app for long-term stock investments, there is one that stands out above all competition; namely Revolut.

Revolut is a British fintech company offering bank accounts, virtual bank cards as well as Visa & Mastercards. Then there is a state of the art mobile investment platform where you can invest in stocks, cryptocurrencies, and commodities.

The company was founded in 2015 and has already taken the world by storm. After the latest round of investments in February 2020, Revolut became the most valuable fintech company in the UK.

Stock investments with Revolut are commission-free and extremely easy to conduct. You also have the option of buying fractions of company shares for as little as £1 per trade.

Which Is The Best Free Trading App in the UK?

AvaTrade

AvaTrade represents the top tier of online brokers.

With a combination of their own software and third-party platforms, you'll gain access to some of the best trading services and features.

What we like

Easily integrated trading robots

Commission-free trading

What we don't like

A limited selection of assets

Rather high spread on certain assets

Easily integrated trading robots

Commission-free trading

A limited selection of assets

Rather high spread on certain assets

Features

Fees: 0% commission but spread on each trade
Demo Account: Yes
Min Deposit: £100
Deposit Options: Debit & Credit Cards, Skrill, Neteller, Webmoney
Assets: 1,000 assets
License: Central Bank of Ireland, ASIC, FSCA, FSA

Ratings:
star-full star-full star-full star-full star-half

Rating by our editorial team

4 users gave the score of 4.8/5
Total score:
star-full star-full star-empty star-empty star-empty

8,507 users gave the score of 2.2/5

Between 73-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs.

AvaTrade’s app, AvatradeGo is the best free trading app in the UK and the rest of Europe now. The app was developed in-house and features a plethora of excellent tools that help improve your ability to trade, even when you’re on the go.

This trading app is available on iOS (iPhones & iPads) as well as Android, and it’s free to download and register an account.

Opening a demo account with AvatradeGo does not cost anything. Just keep in mind that AvaTrade will charge trading fees such as spread when you trade using real money.

Which Is The Best Trading App For News & Education in the UK?

Financial Times

Financial Times is a daily financial & business newspaper with some of the most reliable and up-to-date trading information on the market.

I'ts free to use FT and the service gives you incredible trading news directly to the device of your choice.

What we like

Daily business news and updates

News notifications on your smartphone

What we don't like

Costly subscription for the printed edition

Lots of negative reviews on their customer support

Daily business news and updates

News notifications on your smartphone

Costly subscription for the printed edition

Lots of negative reviews on their customer support

Features

Price: £37,50/month (digital), £60/month (print)
Based in: London, UK
Political alignment: Liberal
Founded: 1888

Ratings:
star-full star-full star-full star-half star-empty

Rating by our editorial team

0 users gave the score of 0/5
Total score:
star-full star-full star-empty star-empty star-empty

59,993 users gave the score of 2.08/5

Since 1888, Financial Times has provided the UK with the latest financial news and breaking economic news. Today, Financial Times is a global phenomenon with one of the best trading apps for news and education.

With the app, you can enjoy international business news, market data, company information, browse different securities, and set up news alerts. All you have to do is download it from one of the app stores and you’ll have direct access to priceless market statistics and news in the palm of your hand.

Everything you need to stay up to date with the latest investment news can be found in this app.

Your Trading App Guide

How To Choose The Best Trading App?

Choosing the best trading app is a personal decision that’s completely based on each trader’s unique preferences.

That being said, there are a few things to keep in mind when finding the best trading app in 2022.

First and foremost, you should never use a trading app or broker that is not licensed and regulated.

In the United Kingdom, it’s the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) that oversees the market, and in the rest of Europe, the responsibility falls on the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). Every region in the world, has their own financial regulatory body, in Australia it’s ASIC and in South Africa it’s FSCA.

Naturally, you also have to ensure that the app supports the securities you want to trade, that you think the fees are fair for the service offered, and that you feel comfortable with the app in question.

We recommend that you open a demo account with a broker before signing up and making your first deposit. That way, you get a chance to try it out before making your final decision.

How Do We Pick the Best Trading Apps?

In order to only recommend the best of the best, our team follows a strict protocol when reviewing and testing brokers.

During a process that often takes several days, we test everything a broker and its app has to offer.

We always start by ensuring that the app is operating legally with all the necessary licenses. Then we take a close look at the selection of assets offered and what it costs to trade using the app.

Once we’re happy with what we find, we put the app through rigorous tests where we trade, invest, and use the app as much as we can.

Based on these tests, we determine which broker has the best trading app for certain tasks such as stock trading, or free trading, etc.

How Do I Start Trading Stocks In The UK?

Learning how to trade stocks is not easy by any means. That being said, it’s not impossible if you put some effort into it.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that you’ll need a lot of patience.

Naturally, you also need access to an online stock trading platform, either on your computer or smartphone.

It will also get easier the more you practice and with the use of some tested stock trading strategies, you’ll even be able to start making some profit.

Let’s also take this opportunity to differentiate between stock trading and stock investments. Generally speaking, long-term stock investments are slightly easier to do well with as a beginner.

Do Day Traders Pay Tax In The UK?

That depends on how and what you trade and there is no fixed tax rate. For example, when spread betting in the UK, you don’t have to pay taxes.

However, when trading CFDs and regular stocks, you are obliged to pay taxes on your profits.

Furthermore, you pay taxes based on your other income and employment. Because of this, it’s advisable to contact a tax accountant before you start trading. That way, you can avoid nasty surprises down the road.

Are Trading Apps Safe?

Yes, trading apps are safe as long as you use a respectable and licensed trading app.

The same goes for any online trading as long as the broker in question is regulated.

With that said, you always run the risk of losing the money you invest. Thus, improving your skillset and applying tested strategies, will make trading even safer.

What Is Online Stock Trading?

Online stock trading refers to trading stocks online using a broker or stock trading app.

A stock, also called a share, is a security that represents a unit of a company that the shareholder owns.

Like any security, stock prices are affected by the companies performance as well as global and local economic developments.

The aim when trading stocks is to predict when a stock will increase or decrease in price and either buy or short-trade (sell) the stock.

In most cases, stock trading refers to when you’re buying and selling stocks with short-term goals that might span a few minutes, hours, or days, which separates it from long-term stock investing where you hold shares for months and often years.

FAQs

trading app uk faq

What app can I buy stocks with?

There are several apps that you can buy stocks with. We’ve researched over 20 trading apps and found that IG Markets is the best app for stock trading in the UK. Read more about IG Markets in our summarized review above.

Which stock trading site is best for beginners?

We have tested a large number of trading platforms and are convinced that there are better stock trading platforms for beginners, mainly due to the copy trading platform. If you have questions about copy trading or using brokers, you can find answers on our website.

Is there an app to practice stock trading?

Yes, by opening a demo account with a top broker you can use the trading app to practice stock trading. Demo accounts are offered by all the top online brokers, including Plus500, IG Markets, and Avatrade. For many, Avatrade is the ultimate beginner-friendly broker, mainly thanks to its unique copy trading platform.

Do investing apps really work?

Yes, there are many investment apps that offer great user-friendliness and can be used to invest in a range of assets and instruments, including stocks, commodities, cryptocurrencies, etc. In our opinion, the best investment app is Revolut, which is why we have reviewed and recommended it in this post.

Are investment apps worth it?

Yes, an investment app allows you to invest wherever you are, and since most of the apps are free to download, they are definitely worth it. Revolut is a practical investment app that you can use to invest in stocks without commission and for amounts as small as £1. Read more about Revolut here.

What is the best stock investing app?

There are several excellent trading apps that were developed for long-term stock investments. We’ve tested over 20 investment apps and found that Revolut has the best investment app in the UK.

Where can I trade for free?

You can trade for free using a demo account offered by a top online broker. Demo accounts are offered by brokers such as IG Markets, Plus500, and AvaTrade.

How can I invest for free?

Investing with AvaTrade is commission-free although you pay a spread for each trade. Using a demo account you can invest virtual money for free either on your computer or with an app like AvaTradeGo, which we’ve summarized in this guide.

How can I buy stocks for free?

There is no way to buy stocks for free since it will always cost you to invest. That being said, you can trade stocks for free using a demo account. Just keep in mind that you won’t be able to make a profit in real money. AvaTrade has an app called AvaTradeGo that you can use to buy stocks for free and you can read more about their app in this guide.

What is a social trading platform?

Social trading allows you to communicate with other traders through social media as well as copy more successful traders. The brokers offer the industry’s best social trading platform for both mobile and desktop trading.

Is copy trading legal?

Yes, copy trading with brokers is legal and regulated by regulators such as the FCA and CySEC. Review broker features and licenses in this article.

How do copy traders make money?

By copying other more experienced traders exact trades, thus benefiting from their analytic work. Using a copy trading platform is both easy and safe when trying to make money from copy trading.

How do I start copy trading?

AvaTrade has the best copy trading software on the market today. Signing up for AvaTrade only takes a few minutes and you can read more about the broker in the review at the top of this article.

Which is the best app for stock market news?

Financial Times is the ultimate app for stock market and business news for UK traders. Refer to our recommendation in this post to learn more about FT’s app.

How do I follow financial news?

Find a financial paper you like – such as Financial Times – download their app and start receiving financial news directly.

How are day traders taxed?

In the UK, only certain securities are tax-free, such as spread betting. Other types of day trading require you to pay taxes on your profits. The tax rate depends on your income and employment, which we’ve outlined in this article.

Do I pay tax on share dealing?

Yes, if you speculate on shares using CFDs or invest in shares of the exchanges, you have to pay capital gains tax. Speculating on shares using spread betting is, however, not taxed in the UK. Sounds interesting? Check out our summary of UK trading tax regulation above.

Is online trading safe?

Yes, online trading is safe when done correctly. Using a licensed broker and learning how to trade is a must to improve the safety of trading. Your best option is to pick one of the safe trading apps that we have listed on this page.

What to think about before you invest?

You have to ensure that you’re prepared for the work and potential risk involved. Once you feel ready, you need to think about each investment carefully. Analyze markets and securities carefully and only invest in something when you’re convinced it’s the right decision.

Is day trading illegal in the UK?

No, day trading in the UK is legal and fully regulated. As long as you are at least 18 years old, use a regulated broker, and pay your taxes, day trading is perfectly legal.

Can I deal in shares through a mobile app?

Yes, there are many stock trading apps in the UK. You find the best ones listed on this page.

What apps allow day trading?

A range of trading apps can be used for day trading. The best day trading apps can be found on this page.

How much money do you need to day trade in the UK?

It depends on what securities you’re trading, the strategy you’re applying, and your budget. The golden rule is to never trade using money you can’t afford to lose.

Which banks are best for share trading?

Share trading is typically best done using online brokers. That being said, most leading banks in the UK offer share trading.

What do I need to start day trading?

You need a broker or trading app to trade with, you need to learn the basics of trading, and you’ll need a lot of patience to start day trading. Get an introduction to day trading here.

How can I buy shares in the UK?

You can either buy them off the exchanges or as derivatives such as CFDs and spread betting. Make sure you pick the appropriate trading app or broker offering the securities you’re looking for. Learn more here.

What is a share?

A company share, also known as a company stock, is a financial unit that represents the partial ownership of a company. Shares can also give shareholders (stockholders) right to dividends and the right to vote on company decisions.

How to buy shares?

You can buy stocks from a stock exchange using a stockbroker. You can also speculate on stocks using derivatives such as CFDs.

How to hold shares?

When you buy a share from a company or an exchange, you own that share which represents a part of the company. The share is yours to hold for as long as you want and sell when you’re ready.

How to sell shares?

You can sell shares the same way and from the same broker that you bought them from.

Can I buy shares in any company?

No, you cannot because all companies do not have shares. Generally speaking, you buy shares in publicly listed companies using a broker. You can also buy private stocks in companies that offer it.

What is an ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund)?

An Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) is an investment fund that’s traded like a stock on a stock exchange. An ETF can be based on a range of different securities such as commodities, stocks, and bonds.

What is an Investment Trust?

An investment trust is a fund that’s mainly found in the UK and Japan. In the UK, an investment trust is a separate legal person or a company which you invest in as a fund (pooled) with other investors.

What are Funds (Unit Trusts and OEICs)?

A fund is a pool of money that’s used for investments that are shared by the investors that placed money in the pool.

There are different types of funds such as mutual funds and more specific funds. For example, a unit trust is a fund where profits are shared between investors instead of being reinvested into the fund. An OEIC (Open Ended Investment Company) is a type of fund that’s similar to a mutual fund and that’s typically only sold in the UK.

What is a stop-loss order?

A stop-loss order is an order that you place with a broker to buy or sell a stock or other security once the said security reaches a certain price. Stop-loss orders are typically used as a safety measure to not miss out on opportunities.

Conclusion

There is a good selection of top trading apps in the UK 2022 and finding one that suits you should not be a major issue. Using this trading app guide makes the process easier since you can find the best trading app for your needs directly.

Note: Don’t hesitate to leave a comment below in case you have any questions regarding trading apps, safety, day trading, investments, financial systems, or anything else that might come to mind while spending time on our website. We promise to answer you as soon as possible.

Trading Apps That We Tested:

  • Markets.com
  • 24Option
  • IQ Option
  • BDSwiss
  • HotForex
  • Trade.com
  • Libertex
  • Plus500
  • XTB
  • InstaForex
  • IG Markets
  • GKFX
  • LionsFX
  • Valutrades
  • XM
  • IronFX
  • Blackwellglobal
  • FPMarkets
  • AmanaCapital
  • Admiralmarkets
  • Alvexo
  • Bizintra
  • Pepperstone
  • Windsorbrokers
  • FXPro
  • ForexTime
  • HYCM
  • FXGrow
  • TeleTrade
  • Trader.online
  • Marketscube
  • Finmaxbo
  • FXCC
  • Oanda
  • Forex.com
  • LCG
  • CMC Markets
  • FXCM
  • iForex
  • IFC Markets
  • Aaatrade

Is Trading Allowed In My Country?

CFD Regulation Country by Country. The CFD trading services we are listing in this article are available in the following countries.

Europe:

  • Albania
  • Bosnia & Herzegovina
  • Bulgaria
  • Croatia
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Kosovo
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Macedonia
  • Malta
  • Moldova
  • Montenegro
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Romania
  • Russia
  • Serbia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Turkey
  • Ukraine
  • United Kingdom

Excluded: Belgium

North America:

  • Belize
  • Canada
  • Costa Rica
  • Cuba
  • Guatemala
  • Honduras
  • Jamaica
  • Mexico
  • Nicaragua
  • Panama
  • Puerto Rico
  • The Bahamas

Excluded: United States

South America:

  • Argentina
  • Bolivia
  • Chile
  • Colombia
  • Dominican Republic
  • Ecuador
  • Guyana
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Suriname
  • Uruguay
  • Venezuela

Excluded: Brazil

Africa:

  • Algeria
  • Angola
  • Benin
  • Botswana
  • Burkina Faso
  • Burundi
  • Cameroon
  • Central African Republic
  • Chad
  • Democratic Republic of Congo
  • Egypt
  • Eritrea
  • Ethiopia
  • Gabon
  • Ghana
  • Guinea
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Kenya
  • Lesotho
  • Liberia
  • Libya
  • Madagascar
  • Malawi
  • Mali
  • Mauritania
  • Morocco
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Niger
  • Nigeria
  • Republic of the Congo
  • Rwanda
  • Sierra Leone
  • Somalia
  • South Africa
  • South Sudan
  • Sudan
  • Swaziland
  • Tanzania
  • The Ivory Coast
  • Togo
  • Tunisia
  • Tunisia
  • Uganda
  • Western Sahara
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

Middle East:

  • Georgia
  • Armenia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Syria
  • Lebanon
  • Cyprus
  • Israel
  • Jordan
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Kuwait
  • Bahrain
  • Qatar
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Oman
  • Yemen

Asia:

  • Afghanistan
  • Bangladesh
  • Cambodia
  • China
  • China
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Japan
  • Kazakstan
  • Kirgizistan
  • Laos
  • Malaysia
  • Mongolia
  • Myanmar
  • North Korea
  • Pakistan
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • South Korea
  • Sri Lanka
  • Thailand
  • Turkmenistan
  • Uzbekistan
  • Vietnam

Excluded: Hong Kong

Oceania:

Our Author:

Our editorAdam Jarfjord is a Swedish day trader, investor, and copywriter. He works as head of content at BullMarketz.com and has been providing editorial content within the financial sector for more than 5 years.

Read more about him by visiting his LinkedIn profile or contact us directly to learn more about the team.

COMMENTS

WORDPRESS: 12
  • comment-avatar

    We have opened up the comment section in this article since we believe its important that our visitors can voice their opinions on the trading apps recommended for UK Traders.

    – Keep the tone civilized, any foul language will not be accepted.
    – We are looking for comments related to the investment apps listed in this article, and for trading apps in general. Only regulated apps will be accepted.
    – User reviews are much appreciated.
    – If you have any customer support issue we recommend that you contact each brokers customer support team.

    // BM

  • comment-avatar
    Steven 5 years ago

    I am primarily looking to buy shares, and I am based in the United Kingdom. I want access to a lot of assets and I want to do all my trading on my mobile phone.. so I did a few searches and I ended up here. Based on what you written here, I think Plus500 or Markets would be a good option?

    I use an Applie, iOS, so needs to be compatible with that.

  • comment-avatar

    Hi Steven,

    Markets.com and Plus500 would indeed be excellent choices of trading apps if a large amount of tradable assets is what you are looking for, in fact, both these brokers are offering thousands of instruments.

    Another good pick would be eToro, as they are also offering a quite large amount of assets.

    All the apps listed in the article are compatible with iOS.

    // BM

  • comment-avatar
    Niklas the trader man 5 years ago

    After having tried several demo accounts with the share brokers you list here I have concluded that my favorite option is Avatrade, gave me least hassle to register and they offer a really good app for trading.

    My second option would be markets.com due to simplicity. anyone can use their app

    • comment-avatar

      Hi Niklas,

      We are happy to see that you have tried several of the listed investment apps. And we are super happy that you shared your thoughts about it. Thanks a lot.

      BR,
      BM

  • comment-avatar
    Shares 5 years ago

    Is this the best way to buy shares?

    • comment-avatar

      Hi Shares,

      This is an article about the best trading apps UK, with that, said, this is just one of several ways to buy shares (stocks), crypto or trade forex. CFD trading is great but does not fit everyone. When it comes to the apps themselves they far outperform most traditional stock brokers.

      // BM

  • comment-avatar
    free apps 5 years ago

    Are these apps free?

    • comment-avatar

      All of these apps have a free demo account. You can use that demo account to test the app or practice different trading strategies.

      // BM

  • comment-avatar
    gary88 5 years ago

    Been trading a while on my android now, previously I had a laptop. All in all, you are quite limited with a trading app. I guess it’s OK for casual traders.

  • comment-avatar

    Which is the best app for share trading? I mean buying stocks, not trading CFDs only.

    • comment-avatar

      Hi Nils,

      Based on what you are saying it’s looking like you are looking for an app where you can buy shares AND trade them as CFDs? If this is the case then IG offers a great app for you. They sell shares and lets you trade them as CFDs. They are also very respected and safe.

      // BM