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To trade futures contracts and profit in the long run, you need a reliable and trustworthy broker. Many UK futures brokers are operating today. Unfortunately, some have shoddy services, and others are fraudsters. To ensure your money is safe and avoid problems in the future, you must trade with an FCA-regulated futures broker. You should also vet available service providers using factors like online reputation, supported instruments, and stipulated fees. We are here to help you find the best futures broker UK. Our experts have vetted numerous companies and reviewed the best in our guide.
Countless Brits are earning handsomely from futures trading, and the good news is you can join this crowd. But before diving into futures trading, note that your overall success will depend on multiple factors, with your chosen broker at the top of the list. If you trade with an outstanding service provider, your chances of having enjoyable experiences and reaping juicy returns will increase multifold, and vice versa.
Usually, finding an outstanding futures broker UK would require you to research and vet countless service providers, which is a hectic task. But this is your lucky day. We’ve done the legwork for you by evaluating innumerable futures brokers and cherry-picking 5 titans that stand out from the rest.
Our recommendations are based on hours of research and first-hand experience. Our team has also factored in many crucial factors, including every provider’s regulatory status, fees, and online reputation.
List of the Best Futures Trading Brokers
- Interactive Brokers – Overall Best Futures Broker UK
- AvaTrade – Best Futures Broker for Beginners in the UK
- Saxo – Best Futures Broker for Professional UK Traders
- Forex.com – Best UK Futures Broker for a Well-Rounded Experience
- Kraken – Best for Crypto Futures Trading in the UK
In This Guide
UK Futures Brokers: Comparison Table
We evaluated and tested many service providers before writing this guide. While working on the task at hand, our experts made their decisions based on numerous factors. First, we checked if each broker is regulated by the FCA. We consider FCA authorization and regulation of utmost importance since this authority guarantees you’ll enjoy investor protection and fair trading practices.
Besides licensing and regulation, our team factored in support services and available trading platforms. We are committed to recommending forex brokers that offer prompt, helpful support and reliable platforms to traders. Also, we want to help you find a company that supports the most convenient funding methods and demo accounts if your trading journey requires that. For that reason, we analyzed every service provider’s payment methods and support for demo trading.
The table below will help you find a good service provider from our list of the best futures trading brokers UK based on the above-mentioned factors.
| Best Futures Broker | Licence & Regulation | Support Service | Software | Payment Method | Demo Account |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interactive Brokers | FCA, SEC, FINRA, ICS, CBH, ASIC, SFC, MAS | 24/5 | IBKR Desktop, IBKR Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Mobile, IBKR GlobalTrader | Check, wire transfer, direct bank transfer (ACH) | Yes |
| AvaTrade | FCA, MAS, FSCA, CBI, CySEC, PFSA, ASIC, B.V.I FSC, FSA, ADGM, ISA | 24/5 | WebTrader, AvaOptions, AvaTrade App, Mac Trading, MT4, MT5, Automated Trading | Credit/debit cards, Neteller, Skrill, Wire transfer, WebMoney | Yes |
| Saxo | FCA, FSA, MAS, FINMA, JFSA, SFC, ASIC, AFM, FSMA | 24/5 | SaxoTraderGo, SaxoTraderPRO | Bank/wire transfer, debit card | Yes |
| Forex.com | FCA, CFTC, CIRO, CySEC, NFA, CIMA, FSA, MAS, ASIC | 24/5 | WebTrader, Mobile App, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView | Credit/debit cards, PayPal, Wire transfer | Yes |
| Kraken | FCA, FinCEN, FINTRAC, OAM, BoS, CBI, DNBM, AUSTRAC, ADGM | 24/7 | Kraken, Kraken Pro, Kraken Classic | Credit/debit cards, PayPal, Bank transfer, Apple Pay, Google Pay | Yes |
Brokers Short Overview
Furthermore, we factored in affordability and offered products while picking the best futures brokers UK. You should do the same. Remember, excess fees and costs will cut into your profit margins. You also need to trade with a broker with your favourite financial assets, including futures. With all that in mind, use the comparison tables below to identify an ideal service provider from our recommended list of the best UK futures brokers.
Fees
| Best Futures Broker | Minimum Deposit Requirement | Commission/ Spreads | Deposits/ Withdrawals | Inactivity Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interactive Brokers | £0 | From 0.08% | From £10 withdrawal fees | £0 |
| AvaTrade | £100 | From 0.9 pips | Free | £50 after every 3 consecutive months of inactivity |
| Saxo | £0 | From 0.03% | Free | £0 |
| Forex.com | £100 | From 0.0 pips | Free | £12 monthly |
| Kraken | £1 | From 0.00% to 0.01% maker/taker fee | Free | £0 |
Assets
| Best Futures Broker | Stocks | Forex | Crypto | Commodities | Indices | ETFs | Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interactive Brokers | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AvaTrade | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Saxo | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Forex.com | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Kraken | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
Our Expert’s Opinion about the Best Futures Brokers
We’ve dissected the best futures brokers UK below. It goes without saying that we hold these service providers in high regard for numerous reasons. For starters, they are all authorized and closely supervised by the FCA. That said, you should read each mini-review carefully and conduct additional research before signing up with any of our recommended UK futures brokers.
1. Interactive Brokers – Overall Best Futures Broker UK
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is our overall best futures broker UK. We highly recommend this service provider since it supports a broad range of futures asset classes, from agriculture and cryptocurrency to metals, equity indices, and currencies. IBKR users also enjoy low commissions ranging between £0.25-£0.85 per contract.
Furthermore, Interactive Brokers has multiple professional-grade trading platforms, from IBKR Desktop to IBKR Trader Workstation (TWS). These platforms support futures trading and offer robust features that you can use to enhance your trading experience. Not to forget, if you’d like to trade futures on the go, you can do it through the IBKR mobile app.
We also love Interactive Brokers because, in addition to futures, this broker offers a wide range of tradable financial products, ranging from bonds and mutual funds to forex pairs, stocks, and indices. Moreover, IBKR is a splendid trading platform, even for low-budget traders, since it has no minimum deposit requirement and supports free deposits and withdrawals.
Interactive Brokers
✔No minimum deposit requirement
✔Zero inactivity fees for individual trading accounts
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets
Pros
- A broad range of futures asset classes
- No minimum deposit requirement
- Low commissions starting from £0.25 per contract
- Powerful mobile and desktop trading platforms
- Zero account inactivity fees
- Top-notch support service
Cons
- Higher withdrawal fees than most of its peers
- No third-party trading software like MT4/5
Numerous factors, including the £0 Interactive Brokers minimum deposit UK requirement, made our exploration easier and more enjoyable. This trading platform allows users to trade and invest with whatever they can afford, making it ideal even for traders and investors working with a restricted budget.
We were also wowed by the friendly Interactive Brokers fees UK policies. For starters, this company offers free deposits to people who use supported payment methods, including bank transfers. Only people who use physical currency deposits are subjected to a 1% special handling fee. Moreover, this service provider has zero inactivity fees and commissions as low as £0.0005 for stocks and ETFs.
2. AvaTrade – Best Futures Broker for Beginners in the UK
We strongly urge futures trading newbies to sign up with AvaTrade for multiple reasons. First, when it comes to education, AvaTrade’s Ava Academy is unmatched. Consider it a free online trading program that offers countless courses, lessons, and quizzes that cover every imaginable topic. All you have to do is sign up with the academy, select your preferred course, and start learning. You can also boost your knowledge with the broker’s innumerable trading guides.
AvaTrade’s commitment to helping you improve your trading knowledge and skills doesn’t stop at the learning materials we’ve mentioned. The broker also allows you, a novice, to open a demo account. AvaTrade’s demo account lets you practice and enhance your trading skills with £100,000 virtual money, saving you from putting real money on the line.
Finally, we consider AvaTrade the best forex broker for beginners since its AvaFutures trading platform has a beginner-friendly, intuitive interface. Additionally, AvaTrade allows futures traders to use high leverage to trade more with less and enjoy lower trading costs. This broker’s futures cover different asset categories, from currencies and equity indices to oils and energies.
AvaTrade
✔Free deposits and withdrawals
✔Beginner-friendly user interface
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets
Pros
- Free trading academy with 200+ courses and lessons
- Intuitive, user-friendly platform interface
- Multiple futures asset categories are available
- Zero deposit and withdrawal fees
- No market data fee
- Zero inactivity fees for AvaFutures accounts
Cons
- Higher commissions for mini and standard futures contracts
- Limited third-party trading platforms
Before going any further, note that there’s an AvaTrade minimum deposit requirement for UK traders. Fundamentally, this service provider requires Britons to fund their account with at least £100 while using supported payment methods like wire transfer, credit card, and e-payment. You should keep that in mind while funding your trading account.
That aside, while evaluating AvaTrade, we discovered that this broker has numerous fees and costs. For starters, it requires dormant account holders to pay a £50 inactivity fee. It kicks in after 3 successive months of dormancy, and the broker charges it after every 3 months.
Additionally, dormant AvaTrade accounts incur a £100 annual administration fee that takes effect after 12 months of inactivity. Not to forget, while trading with AvaTrade, you’ll have to cover an overnight premium whenever you keep a position open after the stipulated overnight funding time, which is 22:00 GMT.
Regarding spreads and commissions, AvaTrade is one of the most affordable brokers in the UK. With this platform, you will enjoy reasonable spreads starting from 0.13% while trading popular instruments like Tesla and Amazon shares are involved. AvaTrade doesn’t require traders to cover any commissions. The broker uses the Bid-Ask spread to compensate itself.
3. Saxo – Best Futures Broker for Professional UK Traders
During our evaluation, we identified several key factors that make Saxo the best futures broker for professional traders. First and foremost, the Saxo trading platform has over 250 futures on agriculture, interest rates, equity indices, and other asset categories. The available instruments come from at least 25 global exchanges and have competitive commissions starting from £1 per contract.
In addition, Saxo has numerous advanced futures tools. As a pro, you can implement a multi-layered strategy by placing multiple buy and sell orders simultaneously from the same order ticket while trading with this broker. You can also use the incorporated “tape” feature, which displays real-time futures prices, to keep a close eye on exchange activity and trade seamlessly.
We can’t fail to mention this broker’s product range. Besides futures, Saxo offers leveraged assets like options, forex, and commodities. Investment products like stocks, bonds, and ETFs are also available on the platform. With all these instruments at your disposal, diversifying your portfolio, managing risk, and maximizing returns should be relatively easy.
Read about options trading brokers in our other guide.
Saxo
✔No minimum deposit requirement
✔Low commissions for all asset classes
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets
Pros
- Extensive selection of tradable products, including 250+ futures
- Futures traders can diversify with stocks, ETFs, and other investment products
- No minimum deposit requirement
- Free deposits and withdrawals are offered
- Exemplary, 24-hour customer support service
- Zero account inactivity fees
Cons
- Only proprietary trading platforms are available
- Higher commissions on Classic and Platinum accounts
Saxo is one of the brokers in the UK with transparent fee structures. While analysing its trading and no-trading charges, we noted that the broker has no hidden charges. This makes it easier for users to plan and budget for their activities without worrying about extra charges once fully invested.
Additionally, we find Saxo affordable since it charges low commissions, starting at $1 on US stocks, ETFs, and futures. For traders interested in options and government bonds, Saxo charges low fees, starting at $0.75 and $0.05%, respectively.
When it comes to Saxo’s minimum deposit requirement, the broker has none. This means that any trader, whether new or budget-conscious, can create a trading account with the broker and start exploring the financial space. However, expect to incur a currency conversion fee, especially when you trade using a different currency from your account’s base denomination. The good news is this fee doesn’t apply to marginal collateral and can never exceed +/- 0.25%.
Financing charges for positions left overnight are also applicable at Saxo. For investors, expect to incur annual custody fees if your account holds stock, bond, or ETF/ETC positions. The exact fee will vary depending on your account. Our analysis showed that you will pay up to 0.15% for the classic account, 0.12% for the platinum account, and 0.09% for VIP accounts.
Lastly, Saxo charges fees for additional services besides those mentioned above. For instance, it imposes a $50 fee for online report requests. Plus, transactions are free, and there is no inactivity fee should your account stay idle for some time.
4. Forex.com – Best UK Futures Broker for a Well-Rounded Experience
Our team tested Forex.com with a live account and enjoyed a holistic experience. For that reason, we highly recommend this service provider. Here’s what we discovered. For starters, this broker allows users to access futures markets with StoneX, a reputable service provider that’s been connecting traders to diverse markets for over a century. StoneX, Forex.com’s parent company, gives you access to numerous futures assets, from agriculture and crypto to biofuels and equity indices.
StoneX offers both full-broker and self-directed trading services. That means you can DIY futures trading with this platform or use professional guidance to optimize your experience. There are 3 accounts you can choose from: StoneX One, StoneX Futures Standard, or StoneX Futures Premium. These accounts are tailored for different traders. For instance, StoneX Futures Standard has advanced features and capabilities that are ideal for seasoned traders. On the other hand, StoneX Futures premium is best suited for novices since it offers broker-assisted services.
We are also fascinated with this broker because it gives its users access to robust trading solutions like MT4 and MT5. Furthermore, it has low spreads starting from 0.0 pips and free deposits and withdrawals. While trading with the company, you get uncapped access to professional-grade customer support service.
Forex.com
✔Intuitive design platform
✔Low trading fees
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets
Pros
- Users have access to full-service broker assistance and self-directed trading services
- Excellent trading platforms are available, including MT4 and MT5
- Competitive margins and commissions
- Cost-free deposits and withdrawals
- Excellent expert customer support services
- A vast assortment of financial products, from futures to stocks and forex
Cons
- Higher account inactivity fees than other industry leaders
- Limited supported funding options
Forex.com UK has a transparent fee structure you will find on its official website. There are no hidden costs based on our analysis. This makes us conclude that it enables users to budget accordingly without worrying about additional charges.
Note that signing up for a trading account at this broker’s site is free. Forex.com minimum deposit requirement is £100, which we believe is among the lowest in the industry. And the best part is that Forex.com does not impose deposit and withdrawal charges.
When it comes to trading at Forex.com, expect to incur low spreads, starting from 0.8 pips on major currency pairs. Commission also applies to share trading, starting from 8 basis points. The best part is that Forex.com features an Interest Payment Scheme. This allows users to earn interest on their tradable account funds. However, this scheme comes with specific requirements that you must meet to qualify.
Another fee to expect with Forex.com is overnight charges for positions left overnight. You will also incur inactivity fees of £15 monthly should your trading account remain dormant for over 12 months.
5. Kraken – Best for Crypto Futures Trading in the UK
If you’re interested in crypto futures, check out Kraken. Founded in 2011, Kraken boasts over 10 million account holders. You can create a free account with this company today and get exposure to 160+ perpetual futures. Moreover, if you have limited capital, you can use flexible leverage to enhance your buying and selling power while trading with Kraken.
Several other factors make Kraken ideal for trading crypto futures. To begin with, this platform gives users the opportunity to use a single portfolio view to monitor historical performance and balances. What’s more, it offers traders uncapped access to advanced trading analytics. With these elements, you can make better decisions and maximize potential returns.
Not to forget, as crypto futures traders, you can enjoy low taker fees starting from 0.01%. You can also hedge against adverse price movements by switching quickly from futures to spot trading. Lastly, this platform offers cross and isolated margin features, which facilitate flexible risk management.
Kraken
✔Registered with the FCA
✔24/7 customer support
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets
Pros
- Super-low minimum deposit requirement
- Users have access to futures on a wide variety of crypto assets, from Bitcoin to ZCASH
- Low charges starting from 0.01% taker fees
- Many supported funding methods have free deposits and withdrawals
- Users can mitigate risk exposure by investing in real crypto assets
Cons
- Payment methods like CHAPS and SWIFT have high withdrawal fees
- Focuses primarily on crypto and crypto futures
Opening a Kraken account won’t cost you anything. The Kraken wallet is also free to acquire and use. That said, while trading with this review, you will be required to cover maker/trader fees starting from 0.00%/0.10%. But, to enjoy such low costs, you must have a high 30-day trading volume. Otherwise, if your 30-day trading volume is low, you may be subjected to higher maker/trader fees of up to 0.25%/0.40%.
With that in mind, many of the crypto assets supported by Kraken come with zero address setup and deposit fees. However, they have minimum deposit requirements. You should pay close attention to the latter since any deposits below the stipulated minimum are lost forever.
Also, note that Kraken allows users to trade with leverage. However, this optional and advanced feature can increase overall costs with additional rollover and margin opening fees. You will be exposed to higher charges if you purchase, sell, or convert your assets with the Instant Buy/Sell feature.
Finally, Kraken charges zero account maintenance, inactivity, and storage fees.
Futures Trading in the UK
Futures trading involves buying and selling futures contracts. These are legally binding agreements obligate buyers and sellers to buy and sell specific assets at specific fixed future dates and prices.
In the UK, adults aged 18 and above can legally trade futures by speculating on the future price of specific financial instruments. But before you dive into futures trading, note that your activities may be liable to taxation. Please read and understand taxation laws and mandates published on the GOV.UK website before doing anything else.
What is a Futures Broker?
Simply put, a futures broker is a firm or platform that enables you to trade future contracts. This entity offers you access to the necessary trading platforms, assets, tools, and more. In the UK, futures brokers are authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
How to Choose a Futures Broker
Choosing the right futures broker is crucial for several reasons. First, not all service providers are equal. Some are exceptional, while others are downright terrible. What’s more, many fraudulent companies are out there targeting innocent folk and robbing them blind. To ensure your funds are secure and avoid unnecessary headaches in the future, use the following to identify the best and most reliable futures broker UK:
Security
Assets
Fees
Support
Reputation
A secure futures broker should be regulated by the FCA. It should also have quality security measures in place, including top-class encryption technologies. For the safety of your funds and data, avoid unregulated service providers and companies that have experienced multiple successful security breaches.
While searching for the best futures broker, vet each service provider’s range of assets. Then, identify a good service provider with futures contracts and other financial products that align with your trading goals and interests.
High fees can undermine your returns significantly in the long run. Consider the fees and costs before signing up with a specific futures broker. Go through everything from account setup and maintenance fees to spreads and commissions. And you should be very keen since some service providers have hidden fees that can inflate your expenses.
Before signing up with any futures broker, check the availability and responsiveness of its support team. But don’t take the company’s word at face value because many entities toot their horns but fail when it comes to delivery. Test the support service using all available channels. Prioritize trading with platforms that offer timely assistance and quick issue resolution.
Where futures brokers are involved, reputation matters a lot. A reputable service provider is highly likely to be credible and trustworthy, and vice versa. Before committing, you should check every broker’s online reputation on Google Play, the App Store, and Trustpilot. Just visit these sites and read past user reviews and testimonials.
How to Sign up for an Account with Futures Broker UK
The futures brokers we’ve ranked as the best in the UK are regulated by the FCA. Subsequently, they have to adhere to strict mandates, especially where KYC requirements are involved. While opening an account with any of these service providers, you’ll need to share personal details as well as the required verification documents.
But don’t let KYC scare you. Despite having stringent registration requirements, the best futures brokers in the UK have simplified account opening. You just need to follow a few steps. We’ve highlighted the entire registration process below:
Step 1: Visit your preferred futures broker’s official sites
Step 2: Open your account
Step 3: Complete KYC verification
Step 4: Top up your account
Step 5: Start trading futures
Head to your chosen broker’s official website and double-check everything, including the supported assets, fees, and trading platforms. Also, check if the stipulated terms and conditions are to your liking. Finally, locate and download the right app if you are a mobile trading enthusiast.
Click the registration or sign-up button. Then, submit all the necessary information. Many service providers will first ask you to choose your preferred registration method, be it via email or phone number. Choose wisely because you will have to complete verification before proceeding. Also, provide accurate personal information while filling out the application form.
After completing step 2, verify your account. All you have to do is share copies or photos of the proper documents. While doing so, follow your broker’s mandates and requirements. If sharing photos is supported and more convenient, use a device with a good camera. Most service providers reject blurry copies and photos. Most importantly, share valid documents since a mismatch of information will cause unnecessary headaches.
To trade futures, you need money in your new trading account. Search for the list of approved deposit methods and pick the best option for you. Then, while keeping minimum deposit requirements in mind, top up your account. If you are a beginner, the key to protecting yourself from crippling losses is starting with the smallest capital possible.
Choose your preferred futures contracts and place buy or sell orders. We also recommend diversifying your portfolio with other instruments to reduce risk exposure. Don’t forget to implement risk management tools like stop-loss and take-profit orders.
Learn about the Gold Trading Brokers in the UK in our related article.
Conclusion
Futures trading is incredibly risky. You can’t protect your finances from catastrophic losses by finding the best futures broker alone. You also need to learn how to mitigate risk exposure. For starters, master the art of budgeting properly. Never trade with anything more than 20% of your total income. And, if things go south and you lose your capital, don’t borrow more trading money or risk funds that you’d allocated for other vital purposes.
Most importantly, if you are a newbie, learn everything you can about futures trading before risking your hard-earned money. Countless free learning materials and resources are available online; use them to increase your knowledge base and enhance your odds of making informed decisions.
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