• FCA-verified · Independent ratings · Updated weekly
Top rated brokers
Choosing the right broker is the single biggest decision a trader makes: it dictates your spreads, execution quality, safety of funds and even which platforms you can trade from day to day.
Every firm ranked on this page has been opened, funded and traded with our own capital — never a demo account.
FCA regulated, FSCS £85K, since 1974
Rated 4.9 out of 5 after live-account testing by the desk.
Min spread
0.6 pips
Min deposit
£0
Regulator
FCA
Best for
Deepest UK market coverage
CFDs are complex instruments. Your capital is at risk.
On this page
This page ranks the brokers we consider genuinely worth a trader's money in 2026, measured rather than guessed. Our desk samples live spreads on the major pairs through the London and New York session overlap, times deposits and withdrawals end to end, records slippage around scheduled news releases, and verifies every licence number directly against the regulator's own register before anything is published.
Underneath the top picks sits a full comparison table covering all 50 firms on spreads, minimum deposit, leverage caps, available platforms and the regulator each one answers to. The table is designed for like-for-like reading, so a zero-commission spread-only account can be compared honestly against a raw-spread account with a per-lot charge — two structures that headline marketing deliberately makes hard to line up.
Further down we explain the scoring itself. Cost carries thirty per cent of the weight, execution twenty-five, safety of client money twenty-five and platform experience twenty, and those weights never move between reviews. That fixed structure is the only reason two scores on this site can be compared at all, and the full working is published rather than summarised.
The page closes with the questions readers ask most before funding an account: what protections actually apply, what compensation schemes do and do not cover, how long withdrawals really take, and which account type suits the way you intend to trade. Use the links below to jump to any of it.
Top broker picks
FCA-authorised since 1974. Deepest UK market coverage, with Web, MT4, ProRealTime.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
FCA-authorised since 1989. Best-in-class charting, with Next Generation, MT4.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
FCA-authorised since 2016. Smart trader analytics, with Proprietary, MT4, TradingView.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
FCA-authorised since 2010. Lowest all-in FX cost, with MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
FCA-authorised since 1978. Global multi-asset access, with TWS, IBKR Desktop, API.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
FCA-authorised since 1992. Institutional-grade platform, with SaxoTraderGO, PRO.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
FCA-authorised since 2002. Cleanest proprietary platform, with xStation 5.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
FCA-authorised since 1999. Strong UK service desk, with Web, mobile.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
FCA-authorised since 1983. Balanced all-rounder, with Web Trader, MT4, TradingView.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
FCA-authorised since 2001. Deep FX research, with MT4, MT5, TradingView.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
FCA-authorised since 2014. Raw spreads, low commission, with MT4, MT5.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
FCA-authorised since 2001. Fast, reliable execution, with ActivTrader, MT4, MT5.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
Spread comparison table
| # | Broker | Rating | Min. deposit | Spread from | Platforms | FCA | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IGEditor's PickDeepest UK market coverage | ★★★★★4.9 | £0 | From 0.6 pips | Web, MT4, ProRealTime | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 2 |  CMC MarketsBest-in-class chartingBest-in-class charting | ★★★★★4.9 | £0 | From 0.7 pips | Next Generation, MT4 | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 3 |  Capital.com UKSmart trader analyticsSmart trader analytics | ★★★★★4.9 | £20 | From 0.5 pips | Proprietary, MT4, TradingView | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 4 |  PepperstoneLowest all-in FX costLowest all-in FX cost | ★★★★★4.9 | £0 | From 0.0 pips | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 5 |  Interactive BrokersGlobal multi-asset accessGlobal multi-asset access | ★★★★★4.8 | £0 | From 0.2 pips | TWS, IBKR Desktop, API | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 6 |  SaxoInstitutional-grade platformInstitutional-grade platform | ★★★★★4.8 | £0 | From 0.6 pips | SaxoTraderGO, PRO | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 7 |  XTBCleanest proprietary platformCleanest proprietary platform | ★★★★★4.8 | £0 | From 0.5 pips | xStation 5 | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 8 |  SpreadexStrong UK service deskStrong UK service desk | ★★★★★4.7 | £0 | From 0.6 pips | Web, mobile | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 9 |  City IndexBalanced all-rounderBalanced all-rounder | ★★★★★4.7 | £100 | From 0.5 pips | Web Trader, MT4, TradingView | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 10 |  FOREX.com UKDeep FX researchDeep FX research | ★★★★★4.7 | £100 | From 0.4 pips | MT4, MT5, TradingView | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 11 |  Tickmill UKRaw spreads, low commissionRaw spreads, low commission | ★★★★★4.7 | £100 | From 0.0 pips | MT4, MT5 | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 12 |  ActivTradesFast, reliable executionFast, reliable execution | ★★★★★4.6 | £0 | From 0.5 pips | ActivTrader, MT4, MT5 | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 13 |  Admirals UKGreat educational libraryGreat educational library | ★★★★★4.6 | £100 | From 0.5 pips | MT4, MT5 | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 14 |  FxPro UKNo dealing desk modelNo dealing desk model | ★★★★★4.6 | £100 | From 0.3 pips | MT4, MT5, cTrader | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 15 |  Swissquote UKBank-backed securityBank-backed security | ★★★★★4.6 | £1,000 | From 0.6 pips | Advanced Trader, MT4, MT5 | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 16 |  Trading 212Zero-commission investingZero-commission investing | ★★★★★4.6 | £1 | From 0.6 pips | Proprietary app | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 17 |  eToro UKLargest copy-trading networkLargest copy-trading network | ★★★★★4.5 | £50 | From 1.0 pips | eToro platform | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 18 |  Plus500 UKSimple, fast interfaceSimple, fast interface | ★★★★★4.5 | £100 | From 0.8 pips | WebTrader, app | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 19 |  Vantage UKRaw ECN accountRaw ECN account | ★★★★★4.5 | £50 | From 0.0 pips | MT4, MT5, ProTrader | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 20 |  OANDA UKTransparent pricing historyTransparent pricing history | ★★★★★4.5 | £0 | From 0.6 pips | Web, MT4, TradingView | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 21 |  LMAX GlobalTrue exchange executionTrue exchange execution | ★★★★★4.5 | £10,000 | From 0.1 pips | LMAX Exchange, FIX | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 22 |  ThinkMarkets UKStrong mobile platformStrong mobile platform | ★★★★★4.4 | £0 | From 0.0 pips | ThinkTrader, MT4, MT5 | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 23 |  Axi UKScalper-friendly rulesScalper-friendly rules | ★★★★★4.4 | £0 | From 0.0 pips | MT4, Axi Copy | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 24 |  HYCM UKLong trading heritageLong trading heritage | ★★★★★4.4 | £20 | From 0.2 pips | MT4, MT5 | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 25 |  Equiti UKSolid multi-asset rangeSolid multi-asset range | ★★★★★4.4 | £100 | From 0.4 pips | MT4, MT5 | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 26 |  Trade NationFixed spread pricingFixed spread pricing | ★★★★★4.4 | £0 | From 0.6 pips | TN Trader, MT4, TradingView | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 27 |  FortradeGuided beginner journeyGuided beginner journey | ★★★★★4.3 | £100 | From 0.8 pips | Fortrader, MT4 | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 28 |  DarwinexAllocator for strategy buildersAllocator for strategy builders | ★★★★★4.3 | £500 | From 0.2 pips | MT4, MT5 | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 29 |  Markets.com UKSentiment tools built inSentiment tools built in | ★★★★★4.3 | £100 | From 0.6 pips | Marketsx, MT4, MT5 | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 30 |  Eightcap UKGreat TradingView integrationGreat TradingView integration | ★★★★★4.3 | £100 | From 0.0 pips | MT4, MT5, TradingView | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 31 |  ValutradesBoutique FX specialistBoutique FX specialist | ★★★★★4.3 | £100 | From 0.1 pips | MT4, MT5 | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 32 |  TraduModern multi-asset entrantModern multi-asset entrant | ★★★★★4.2 | £0 | From 0.5 pips | Tradu platform | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 33 |  InterTraderStraight-through processingStraight-through processing | ★★★★★4.2 | £0 | From 0.7 pips | Web, MT4 | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 34 |  Hargreaves LansdownUK's largest investment platformUK's largest investment platform | ★★★★★4.6 | £1 | From n/a | HL platform | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 35 |  AJ BellLow-cost SIPPs and ISAsLow-cost SIPPs and ISAs | ★★★★★4.6 | £1 | From n/a | AJ Bell platform, Dodl | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 36 |  interactive investorFlat monthly fee modelFlat monthly fee model | ★★★★★4.5 | £1 | From n/a | ii platform | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 37 |  FreetradeCommission-free UK sharesCommission-free UK shares | ★★★★★4.4 | £2 | From n/a | Freetrade app | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 38 |  LightyearMulti-currency, low FX feesMulti-currency, low FX fees | ★★★★★4.3 | £1 | From n/a | Lightyear app | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 39 |  Fineco UKBanking and trading in oneBanking and trading in one | ★★★★★4.4 | £0 | From 0.8 pips | Fineco platform, PowerDesk | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 40 |  Charles Stanley DirectAdvice-adjacent investingAdvice-adjacent investing | ★★★★★4.2 | £50 | From n/a | Direct platform | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 41 |  BestinvestFree coaching sessionsFree coaching sessions | ★★★★★4.2 | £50 | From n/a | Bestinvest online | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 42 |  Barclays Smart InvestorBank-integrated investingBank-integrated investing | ★★★★★4.1 | £1 | From n/a | Smart Investor | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 43 |  Halifax Share DealingSimple flat dealing feeSimple flat dealing fee | ★★★★★4.1 | £1 | From n/a | Share Dealing online | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 44 |  iWeb Share DealingNo annual platform feeNo annual platform fee | ★★★★★4.1 | £1 | From n/a | iWeb platform | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 45 |  Vanguard Investor UKCheapest index fund routeCheapest index fund route | ★★★★★4.3 | £100 | From n/a | Vanguard Investor | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 46 |  NutmegManaged portfolios, hands-offManaged portfolios, hands-off | ★★★★★4.2 | £500 | From n/a | Nutmeg app | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 47 |  MoneyfarmHuman-advised robo hybridHuman-advised robo hybrid | ★★★★★4.2 | £500 | From n/a | Moneyfarm app | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 48 |  WealthifyBeginner-friendly portfoliosBeginner-friendly portfolios | ★★★★★4.1 | £1 | From n/a | Wealthify app | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 49 |  Revolut Trading UKTrading inside your banking appTrading inside your banking app | ★★★★★4.1 | £1 | From n/a | Revolut app | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
| 50 |  Shares.co.ukSocial investing communitySocial investing community | ★★★★★4.0 | £1 | From n/a | Shares app | ✓ | Trade NowReview |
Great educational library. MT4, MT5.
£100
Deposit
0.5 pips
Spread
No dealing desk model. MT4, MT5, cTrader.
£100
Deposit
0.3 pips
Spread
Bank-backed security. Advanced Trader, MT4, MT5.
£1,000
Deposit
0.6 pips
Spread
Zero-commission investing. Proprietary app.
£1
Deposit
0.6 pips
Spread
Largest copy-trading network. eToro platform.
£50
Deposit
1.0 pips
Spread
Simple, fast interface. WebTrader, app.
£100
Deposit
0.8 pips
Spread
Raw ECN account. MT4, MT5, ProTrader.
£50
Deposit
0.0 pips
Spread
Transparent pricing history. Web, MT4, TradingView.
£0
Deposit
0.6 pips
Spread
True exchange execution. LMAX Exchange, FIX.
£10,000
Deposit
0.1 pips
Spread
Strong mobile platform. ThinkTrader, MT4, MT5.
£0
Deposit
0.0 pips
Spread
Scalper-friendly rules. MT4, Axi Copy.
£0
Deposit
0.0 pips
Spread
Long trading heritage. MT4, MT5.
£20
Deposit
0.2 pips
Spread
Solid multi-asset range. MT4, MT5.
£100
Deposit
0.4 pips
Spread
Fixed spread pricing. TN Trader, MT4, TradingView.
£0
Deposit
0.6 pips
Spread
Guided beginner journey. Fortrader, MT4.
£100
Deposit
0.8 pips
Spread
Allocator for strategy builders. MT4, MT5.
£500
Deposit
0.2 pips
Spread
Sentiment tools built in. Marketsx, MT4, MT5.
£100
Deposit
0.6 pips
Spread
Great TradingView integration. MT4, MT5, TradingView.
£100
Deposit
0.0 pips
Spread
Boutique FX specialist. MT4, MT5.
£100
Deposit
0.1 pips
Spread
Modern multi-asset entrant. Tradu platform.
£0
Deposit
0.5 pips
Spread
Straight-through processing. Web, MT4.
£0
Deposit
0.7 pips
Spread
UK's largest investment platform. HL platform.
£1
Deposit
n/a
Spread
Low-cost SIPPs and ISAs. AJ Bell platform, Dodl.
£1
Deposit
n/a
Spread
Flat monthly fee model. ii platform.
£1
Deposit
n/a
Spread
Commission-free UK shares. Freetrade app.
£2
Deposit
n/a
Spread
Multi-currency, low FX fees. Lightyear app.
£1
Deposit
n/a
Spread
Banking and trading in one. Fineco platform, PowerDesk.
£0
Deposit
0.8 pips
Spread
Advice-adjacent investing. Direct platform.
£50
Deposit
n/a
Spread
Free coaching sessions. Bestinvest online.
£50
Deposit
n/a
Spread
Bank-integrated investing. Smart Investor.
£1
Deposit
n/a
Spread
Simple flat dealing fee. Share Dealing online.
£1
Deposit
n/a
Spread
No annual platform fee. iWeb platform.
£1
Deposit
n/a
Spread
Cheapest index fund route. Vanguard Investor.
£100
Deposit
n/a
Spread
Managed portfolios, hands-off. Nutmeg app.
£500
Deposit
n/a
Spread
Human-advised robo hybrid. Moneyfarm app.
£500
Deposit
n/a
Spread
Beginner-friendly portfolios. Wealthify app.
£1
Deposit
n/a
Spread
Trading inside your banking app. Revolut app.
£1
Deposit
n/a
Spread
Social investing community. Shares app.
£1
Deposit
n/a
Spread
Spread, commission and swap measured on live accounts across three sessions.
Fill speed, slippage and rejection rates during scheduled news events.
FCA register checks, client-money handling and withdrawal turnaround times.
Order types, charting, mobile stability and the quality of support.
Before you fund an account
Ten questions the research desk is asked most often about UK brokers, regulation, cost and how our scores are built. Every answer is shown in full — nothing hidden behind a click.
Ask the deskStill deciding which broker?
Our #1-ranked FCA broker for 2026 is IG, tested live from our desk with £0 minimum deposit and spreads from 0.6 pips.
IG, Best UK Broker 2026
FCA · FSCS £85K · Since 1974
Yes. Every firm in our database holds a live authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority. We check the FCA register before a broker is listed and again at every quarterly re-score.
We earn from affiliate partnerships, but placement and scoring are decided by the research desk before any commercial conversation happens. A broker cannot buy a higher rating or a better position.
Four fixed weights: all-in trading cost, execution quality, safety of client funds and platform experience. The same weights are applied to every firm, so the scores stay comparable.
FCA rules cap retail leverage at 1:30 on major currency pairs, with lower caps on indices, commodities, shares and crypto. Professional clients can apply for higher limits and give up some protections.
Client money must be held in segregated accounts, and eligible claims are covered by the FSCS up to £85,000 per person per firm. Cover applies to the firm failing, never to losing trades.
CFD profits are generally subject to capital gains tax, while spread betting is currently free of CGT and stamp duty for UK residents. Tax treatment depends on your circumstances and can change.
You can, but you give up the protections that matter most. An offshore firm is not covered by the FSCS, is not bound by FCA leverage caps and cannot be escalated to the Financial Ombudsman Service. We list international firms for readers outside the UK and label the regulator on every card.
Economically they behave almost identically — both are leveraged bets on price with financing charged overnight. The difference is tax and contract structure: spread bets are staked per point and free of CGT and stamp duty for UK residents, while CFDs are contracts denominated in the instrument's currency and fall inside the CGT regime.
Every score is rebuilt quarterly using freshly sampled data, and out of cycle whenever a firm changes its pricing model, platform or regulatory status. The date of the last re-score is shown on each broker review page.
No. Commercial relationships are negotiated after the research desk has finalised scores, and the desk does not see commercial terms. If a broker refuses a partnership, its rating and position stay exactly where the data puts it.
Popular UK searches
Before opening an account, most readers check these broker questions. Each link below goes to the page on this site that answers it.