Best Trading Platforms UK

Trading Platforms in the UK This complete trading guide is based on over 200 hours of research and 230.000 user reviews from Trustpilot, Google and Apple Store.

Our list of the Best Trading Platforms & Brokers in the UK

In the name of transparency, we’ve not only focused on all the good aspects of the brokers, but also some of the cons and issues we’ve encountered.

That way, we have painted the most honest image of what you can expect from each broker.

Further down this page, you’ll find that this trading guide covers everything from trading licenses and taxes, to tips for beginners and an extensive FAQ section.

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

[broker-box-mod id=5078]

Plus500 is a multi-asset online CFD broker that offers CFD trading on some of the world’s most popular asset classes.

Better yet, the Plus500 trading platform for all devices, including Windows Phones, was developed in-house.

We consider Plus500 to be one of the top trading platforms, mainly because of how easy the platform is to use.

With that said, when using Plus500 compared with other top brokers, you will have access to fewer assets.

Plus500 is also one of the best trading platforms in the UK that accept PayPal as a payment method.

See our breakdown of Plus500 and its platform in the information box below.

What is the Best Share Dealing Account in the UK?

[broker-box-mod id=15740]

If you’re looking for the best UK share dealing account, then look no further. IG Markets is an established online broker based in the UK with more than 40 years of experience in the industry.

The broker currently offers access to more than 12,000 different assets, with the majority being company shares. You can choose to trade shares as CFDs, spread bet on shares (which is tax-free in the UK), or purchase the shares directly from the exchanges.

IG Market is also one of the trading platforms in the UK that offers Skrill, PayPal, Credit Cards, Bank Wire Transfers, and more payment methods.

It is worth noting, however, that IG Markets is usually better suited for advanced traders with experience, and not so much for beginners.

Which is the Best Forex Broker in the UK?

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As the name entails, Forex.com is an online broker that focuses on forex trading, which is also the reason why we recommend them as the best forex broker in the UK.

You see, if all you want to do is trade forex, then Forex.com is a great broker. Just don’t expect a massive selection of assets other than the 80+ currency pairs they offer.

You also have a selection of trading platforms to choose from, including Forex.com’s own Advanced Platform, as well as the classic MetaTrader 4.

Which is the Best Investment Platform in the UK?

[broker-box-mod id=31485]

When looking for long-term investment opportunities, most online derivatives brokers won’t cut it.

That’s why we’ve put DeGiro – a household name for UK stock investors – on this list, even though they charge a pretty high commission for their services.

DeGiro has been in business since 2008 and currently offers online access to more than 60 security exchanges from all over the world.

That means you can access securities such as stocks, options, bonds, and ETFs at wholesale price, directly from the exchange in question.

General Trading Guide

How Do I Choose a Trading Platform?

Finding the right broker is a matter of personal preference, meaning the best broker for you might not be the best broker for someone else.

The decision is mainly based on the assets you’re looking to trade and your level of experience. For example, a broker with an advanced platform is not the best option for a beginner, while stock traders need to find a broker with a good selection of stocks.

Having said that, there are also a few other characteristics that you have to consider, which we look very closely at when reviewing brokers.

The main criterion for any broker to be considered serious is that it’s fully licensed and regulated. In the UK market, that means the broker needs a license from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

However, there are several other legitimate financial regulatory bodies in the world, for example:

In addition, everyone should always look at a broker’s reputation among clients and competitors, the user-friendliness of the platforms, as well as the fees, to ensure that you’re not paying too much to trade.

When we review brokers, we look carefully at all these requirements and put countless hours into testing each broker and every feature they offer. Any broker that does not live up to our strict standards, will not be recommended on this site.

How Do I Start Trading in the UK?

Whether you’re looking to start trading forex, stocks, cryptocurrencies or any other security, the first step is to find a reliable broker to trade with.

That being said, all the brokers that we recommend above are suitable for beginners. So instead of just looking at the brokers that are beginner-friendly, you should find a broker that offers the assets you’re looking for and that suits your budget.

We talk more about fees and budgeting in the following section.

For example, at the beginning of this article, we recommend the best forex broker in the UK, as well as the best investment broker, etc.

In the end, it’s a personal preference and as long as the broker is licensed and regulated, and you feel comfortable with your decision, you’re good to go.

What is a Good Investment Fee?

There is no one answer to this question as it all depends on your budget and the assets you’re investing in or trading with.

Generally speaking, you want to pay as little as possible, meaning the lower the fees, the better it is.

The beauty of using online brokers is that they tend to keep fees to a bare minimum. There is usually a minimum first deposit amount of between £50 and £250 to activate your account. After that, you can usually trade without commission and only get charged the spread (the difference between the ask and bid price).

Spread is a dynamic fee that changes depending on the asset you’re trading and the type of position you’ve opened.

When long-term investing, you can expect to pay a commission on your investments. That includes DMA investments with online brokers such as IG Markets, or share dealing with a broker such as DeGiro.

In case you want to day trade for free, there is really only one good option. Just keep in mind that you can’t make real profit using this method since you’ll be trading with virtual funds.

You see, most online brokers offer a free demo account that allows you to day trade under real market conditions, but without the risk or fees. It’s a great way to practice trading and to grow your confidence before you start trading using real money.

Is Forex and Stock Trading Legal in the UK?

Yes, trading is legal and fully regulated in the UK.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is in charge of overseeing the financial sector, including all brokers, and as long as you use a regulated and approved broker, trading is completely legal.

This includes trading and investments of the exchanges, CFD trading, forex trading, spread betting, binary options, etc.

Do You Get Taxed on Forex and Stock Trading in the UK?

The answer to this depends on how and what you’re trading, but, generally speaking, you do get taxed on forex and stock trading in the UK. How much you pay in tax is calculated on your other sources of income, as well as where in the UK you live.

Now, there is one method of online trading that is actually completely tax-free and that is spread betting.

Since spread betting is legally considered betting and not trading, it’s exempt from all taxes. Several of the brokers we recommend in this article do offer spread betting if you’re interested in that.

However, besides spread betting, traders and investors are taxed on any profits they make.

Can I Start Trading with $100?

Yes. As a matter of fact, you can start trading with as little money as you like. The only limitation is that all brokers have a minimum initial deposit that you have to make in order to activate your account.

Luckily, that minimum limit is often £100, meaning you should have no problem getting started day trading with that amount.

Furthermore, we always advise beginners to start small and work themselves up. There is no need to trade for thousands of pounds when you first get started because chances are that you won’t make a profit at first.

Also, the golden rule of trading budgets is to never trade using funds you can’t afford to lose.

Didn’t find your trading platform? Check out another list of the best trading platforms in the UK

FAQ

Choose a Broker

[faq-start]

[faq-item-start question=”How Do I Choose a Broker?”]
The best way is to use our recommendations since we recommend the top brokers in the world. You can find summaries of the best trading platforms in the UK above and also read comprehensive reviews on this site.
[faq-item-end]

[faq-item-start question=”How Do I Start Trading for Beginners? “]
We recommend opening an account with a beginner-friendly broker. It is also advisable to use a demo account to get some well-needed practise before you start trading with real money.
[faq-item-end]

[faq-item-start question=”Where Should a Beginner Invest?”]It depends on the securities and assets you’re interested in. For example, some brokers are better for stock investments, while others are great for forex trading. There are several great brokers for beginners and we’ve listed them all in this post.
[faq-item-end]

[faq-item-start question=”How Can I Trade Forex in the UK?”]
Check out Forex.com – the best forex broker in the UK which we recommended above. Forex.com offers 80+ forex pairs and a range of other exciting assets in combination with some of the best trading software on the market.
[faq-item-end]

[faq-item-start question=”How Do I Start Forex Trading for Beginners?”]
You can do this by opening an account with Forex.com, which we consider is the best forex broker in the UK.
[faq-item-end]

[faq-item-start question=”Who Has the Lowest Fees for Online Trading?”]
That depends on the assets you’re trading, but all the brokers that we’ve listed on this page have competitive fees. Several of the brokers are even commission-free.
[faq-item-end]

[faq-item-start question=”What is the Cheapest Way to Invest?”]
By investing in derivatives such as CFDs, you can invest any amount that you see fit. Unlike stock investments of the exchange, where you have to purchase stocks in full.
[faq-item-end]

[faq-item-start question=”Where Can I Day Trade For Free?”]
There is no way to day trade for free since all brokers charge fees and spread to make a profit. That being said, you can use a demo account to day trade under real market conditions using virtual money, thus avoiding all fees.
[faq-item-end]

[faq-item-start question=”How Can I Invest Without Fees?”]
You cannot invest without fees unless you use a demo account, but then you won’t be able to make a profit in real money. However, we have listed several commission-free brokers above that all have very competitive fees.
[faq-item-end]

[faq-item-start question=”Where Can I Go to Day Trade for Free?”]
By using a demo account you can technically day trade for free since you’ll be using virtual money. Just keep in mind that you always have to pay some sort of fee to trade using real money.
[faq-item-end]

[faq-item-start question=”Which Online Broker has the Lowest Fees?”]
That depends on what you’re going to trade. We suggest comparing the brokers that we’ve recommended on this page to see which has the lowest fees for the assets you’re planning on trading.
[faq-item-end]

[faq-item-start question=”Is Trading in the UK Illegal?”]
No, trading and investing is fully regulated and legal in the UK, as long as you are 18 years or older and use a broker with a license from the FCA.
[faq-item-end]

[faq-item-start question=”Do Forex Traders Pay Tax in the UK?”]
Yes, forex traders in the UK have to pay taxes on their profits. Although spread betting on forex pairs (or other assets) is tax-free in the UK.
[faq-item-end]

[faq-item-start question=”How Do Beginners Invest in Stocks with Little Money?”] In our opinion, the best way is to use a CFD broker, since they allow you to speculate on the stocks, instead of buying them. That way, you can pick the amount you can allocate on each stock individually, regardless of the stocks wholesale price.
[faq-item-end]

[faq-item-start question=”How Much Money Do You Need to Start Day Trading in the UK?”] Technically, all you need is the minimum initial deposit amount for a broker. Usually, that amount is as low as 100, ie. you can start day trading in the UK for as little as  100.
[faq-item-end]

[faq-item-start question=”Can You Day Trade Without 25K?”] Yes, you can day trade with as little or much money as you please. However, to start day trading like a professional and to make trading your main source of income, you will need a bigger budget.

[faq-item-end]

[faq-item-start question=”How Many ISAs Can I Have in the UK?”]
There are four main types of ISAs: Cash ISAs, Stocks and Shares ISAs, Innovative Finance ISAs and Lifetime ISAs. That means you can have four different ISAs, but you can only open one of the same kind each year.
[faq-item-end]

[faq-item-start question=”Can I Trade Without a Broker?”]
Yes, you can technically trade without a broker but it’s rather complicated and not something we recommend. Even the top day traders in the UK rely on brokerages to handle their trading and so should you. Check out our recommended brokers above for tips on which brokers you can use.
[faq-item-end]

[faq-item-start question=”Can I Trade Forex Without a Broker?”]

Technically, it’s possible to trade forex without a broker but it’s not advisable. A broker provides all the tools you need to trade as efficiently as possible and forex brokers offer leverage, meaning you can invest small amounts and get greater payouts.

Trading forex without a broker requires large amounts of money.

[faq-item-end]

[faq-item-start question=”Are Forex Brokers Honest?”]
As long as you use a licensed and regulated broker, you can rest assured that they are honest and that they prioritise your safety and privacy.
[faq-item-end]

[faq-item-start question=”Where Can I Trade Forex for Free?”]
Trading forex for free is possible if you use a demo account with virtual funds. However, forex brokers always charge a spread for your positions when trading with real money.

[faq-item-end]

[faq-item-start question=”Which Platform Do Professional Traders Use?”]
All of the platforms and brokers listed on this page are suitable for professionals. Brokers such as IG Markets and Forex.com offer advanced platforms that have been designed specifically for professional traders.
[faq-item-end]

[faq-item-start question=”Which Broker has the Lowest Brokerage?”] Depending on the securities you’re investing in, brokerage fees differ. By comparing the brokers and banks that we have recommended, you can quickly find the one with the best fees for you.
[faq-item-end]

[faq-item-start question=”Can I Buy Shares Without a Broker?”]
Yes, although we always recommend that you use a broker for all your investments and trading since they offer tools that help you perform at your very best.
[faq-item-end]

[faq-end]

Conclusion

By now, you should have a grasp of what a great trading platform is and which the top brokers in the UK are.

For more information about each broker, you can read our comprehensive broker reviews. In the reviews, we breakdown the brokers in detail to give you all the information you need in one place.

We also offer guides on other platforms, such as mobile trading, as well as recommendations for trading in different jurisdictions.

Note: No information, nor financial advice related to online trading is offered through comment.

[accordions id=”” multiple_open=”” close_all=”on”][accordion title=”Trading Platforms, Brokers & 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

[/accordion][/accordions]

[accordions id=”” multiple_open=”” close_all=”on”][accordion title=”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:

[/accordion][/accordions]

[accordions id=”” multiple_open=”” close_all=””][accordion title=”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.

[/accordion][/accordions]

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