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Spread Betting Apps in the UK 2024

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Spread betting allows you to profit by speculating on different financial instruments’ price movements without owning the underlying assets. It’s a popular activity in the UK due to its tax-free returns. To get the best experience, it’s essential to use a top-tier spread betting app. Our experts have reviewed and tested numerous options to bring you the top 5 recommendations in this guide. The apps recommended here are FCA-regulated and excel in areas like fees, customer support, and online reputation.

Spread bettors in the UK enjoy unique advantages. With the right knowledge and skills, they can speculate on the price movements of financial instruments and potentially earn significant returns. The best part? Profits from spread betting aren’t subject to stamp duty or capital gains tax in the UK.

However, to fully capitalize on these benefits, you need a reliable app. With so many brokers operating in the UK, finding the right app can be overwhelming. That’s where we come in. Our team has carefully evaluated the top apps in the UK, narrowing it down to 5 of the best. This way, you can find the ideal app and start trading without wasting time.

List of the Best Spread Betting Apps

  • IG Markets – Overall Best Spread App in the UK
  • Pepperstone – Best UK Spread Betting App for Reliable Customer Service
  • Spreadex – Best UK Spread Betting App for Comprehensive Offering
  • AvaTrade – Best Spread Betting App for Beginners in the UK
  • FxPro – Best Spread Betting App for Experienced UK Traders
In This Guide

Spread Betting Apps UK: Comparison Table

We will kick off with a brief comparison of our recommended spread betting apps. Since you can’t trade with all of the service providers reviewed here, it’s essential to choose one that best fits your needs and preferences. We strongly recommend committing to a single app, as juggling multiple platforms can be both cumbersome and confusing.

When selecting a spread betting app from our list, you must consider several factors, such as licensing and customer support, available trading software, and funding options. Let’s dive into a comparison of the top UK spread betting apps based on these key criteria.

Platforms Short Overview

To ensure you get optimum returns, you need to trade with a broker with reasonable fees. And to avoid nasty surprises, your chosen service provider should have a clear, transparent fee structure with no hidden charges. You can predict future costs and plan accordingly with transparency in the equation. Furthermore, you must check if your chosen spread betting platform has your favourite financial assets.

The tables below will help you compare the fees and assets we discovered while evaluating the best spread betting platforms in the UK.

Best Spread Betting App UKLicense & RegulationSupport ServiceSoftwarePayment MethodDemo Account
IG MarketsFCA, FSCA, CySEC, SCA, DFSA24/5MetaTrader 4, Online platform, ProRealTime, Trading apps, L2 Dealer, US options and futuresCredit/debit cards, Bank transfer, PayPalYes
PepperstoneFCA, MAS, ASIC, FSCA, DFSA, CySEC, CMA, SCB, BaFin24/7TradingView, MT4, MT5, cTrader, Pepperstone Trading Platform, Social tradingVisa, Mastercard, Bank transfer, Neteller, Skrill, PayPalYes
SpreadexFCA24/5Online platform, Mobile trading, Charting package, TradingViewCredit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Bank transferNo
AvaTradeFCA FSCA, CBI, CySEC, PFSA, ASIC, B.V.I FSC, MAS, FSA, ADGM, ISA24/5WebTrader, AvaOptions, AvaTrade App, Mac Trading, MT4, MT5, Automated TradingCredit/debit cards, Neteller, Skrill, Wire transfer, WebMoneyYes
FxProFCA, FMA, CySEC, FSCA, SCB 24/5FxPro Mobile App, MT4, MT5, cTrader, FxPro WebTraderCredit/debit cards, Bank wire transfers, Neteller, Skrill, PayPalYes

Apps Short Overview

We also recommend considering fees and supported financial assets while comparing service providers and picking the best spread betting app in the UK. Why? Trading with an affordable app is the key to reducing costs and boosting profitability in the long run. Moreover, not all trading apps support every financial instrument. Make sure the app you choose offers your favourite assets to avoid frustration and wasted time.

With that in mind, use the tables below to assess the fees and assets of our recommended apps. This comparison should help you find the most suitable service provider.

Fees

Best Spread Betting App UKMinimum Deposit RequirementCommission/ SpreadsDeposits/ WithdrawalsInactivity Fee
IG Markets£0From 0.1 pointsFree£12 monthly
Pepperstone£0From 0.0 pipsFree£0
Spreadex£0From 0.6 ptsFree£0
AvaTrade£100From 0.13%Free£50 after every 3 consecutive months of inactivity
FxPro£100From £3.50 per lotFree£10 monthly

Assets

Best Spread Betting App UKStocksCryptoCommoditiesIndicesETFsOptions
IG MarketsYesYesYesYesYesYes
PepperstoneYesYesYesYesYesNo
SpreadexYesYesYesYesYesYes
AvaTradeYesYesYesYesYesYes
FxProYesYesYesYesYesNo

Our Expert’s Opinion about the Best Spread Betting Apps UK

All of the apps we’ve reviewed and recommended here are provided by brokers authorised and regulated by the FCA. Therefore, they are 100% credible, reliable, and trustworthy. Plus, they’ve built a solid reputation over the years. We verified their ratings and reviews on Google Play, the App Store, and Trustpilot. However, before signing up with any of them, be sure to read our mini-reviews and do additional research. Your hard-earned money and trading goals are on the line, so making informed decisions is crucial.

1. IG Markets – Overall Best Spread Betting App in the UK

After thoroughly testing numerous apps, we’ve ranked IG Markets as the best overall spread betting app in the UK. Established in 1974, IG Markets gives millions of people access to over 17,000 markets, including forex and indices to commodities, ETFs, and shares.

One standout feature of IG Markets is its emphasis on investing. This app allows spread bettors to reduce risk exposure and potentially earn attractive long-term returns. Users can buy and sell US shares commission-free with as little as £3 in capital. Additionally, the app offers a wide selection of ETFs to help investors diversify their portfolios. For novice investors, IG Markets provides fully managed investment portfolios, which can significantly improve the chances of success and help avoid costly mistakes.

We also recommend IG Markets for its extensive support of third-party trading platforms, such asProRealTime, known for its powerful charting capabilities, and MetaTrader 4, a leading digital trading platform. The app has no deposit requirements, offers cost-free transactions, and features tight spreads. It is also compatible with most modern Android and iOS devices, making it highly accessible for users on the go.

IG Markets

✔Zero minimum deposit requirements
✔17,000+ available products

trustpilor logo
7,269 User Reviews
google
20,600 User Reviews
apple
29,800 User Reviews
investingguide logo
Our Rating
Total Rating:
57,669 User Reviews
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets

Pros

  • £0 minimum deposit requirement
  • No deposit or withdrawal fees
  • Traders enjoy low spreads starting from 0.1 points
  • Excellent customer support service
  • Rich learning resources and materials
  • It gives users access to over 17,000 markets

Cons

  • Professional clients must meet stringent eligibility requirements
  • You have to be logged in to contact support

Opening an IG Markets account doesn’t cost a dime. Moreover, this broker has no minimum deposit, so you don’t have to worry about compromising your budget. You can also enjoy significant savings by trading with IG Markets since it offers tight spreads, starting from 0.1 points on commodities and 0.6 points on popular currency pairs.

With that in mind, IG Markets charges overnight funding for cash CFD positions and daily funded bets (DFBs) that remain open past 10 pm UK time. The broker also requires traders to cover a small guaranteed stop fee. The fee kicks in every time the guaranteed stop feature is triggered. You should also expect to incur additional when shorting stocks and augmenting your trading experiences with premium services like live data streams.

Luckily, deposits and withdrawals are free on IG Markets. The broker only requires traders to pay a 0.5% standard currency conversion fee. Furthermore, the platform has zero inactivity fees, though your account will be terminated if it remains dormant for 24 consecutive months.

You can engage in spread betting and trade CFDs across 17,000+ markets as an IG Markets user. Some of the product offerings available on this platform include:

  • Forex: You can trade 80+ FX pairs on IG Markets, from GBP/USD and EUR/GBP to USD/CHF and EUR/JPY. These come with margins as low as 0.45% for professional account holders.
  • Indices: This spread betting and CFD trading broker offers access to 80+ indices, including FTSE 100, US 500, and Germany 40. Retail traders can enjoy leverage of up to 1:20 while trading indices on IG Markets.
  • Shares: With IG Markets, you can seamlessly invest in company stocks or trade shares. Over 12,000 shares are offered here, including products linked to popular companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Tesla.
  • Commodities: IG Markets offers diverse commodities, from zinc and iron to cobalt and lead. You can speculate on their prices and enjoy spreads as low as 0.6 pips.
  • ETFs: IG Markets offers traders unmatched access to 5,400+ ETF markets related to currencies, commodities, and more. These products are ideal for diversification since a single trade exposes you to multiple assets.
  • Thematics: You can use IG Markets to trade and invest in thematics like AI, inflation, and robotics. These are unique products that very few UK brokers offer.
  • IPOs: IG Markets is the only reputable UK broker that allows users to speculate before, during, and after an IPO. In other words, this broker lets you open a position before an IPO, participate in the IPO, and speculate on the stock prices after the involved company is fully listed.
  • Bonds: With this broker, you can earn returns from investing in dividend-paying ETFs or speculating on bond prices. The IG Markets trading platform offers numerous popular bonds, including BUND, Japanese Government Bond, and Schatz.  
  • Interest rates: You can trade local and global interest rates with IG Markets. Available products include Euribor, SONIA, and Eurodollar.
  • Options: IG Markets supports options trading. As a registered IG Markets user, you can trade options with CFDs or spread bets and enjoy perks like zero closing spread.
  • Futures: You can trade a wide variety of index futures, commodity futures, and bond futures on IG Markets. Popular products include index futures like FTSE 100 and commodity futures like spot gold.

2. Pepperstone – Best UK Spread Betting App for Reliable Customer Service

Reliable customer support is crucial when using a spread betting app. You might encounter various issues, such as trouble logging in or delays in transactions. In such cases, responsive support ensures quick resolution and a smoother experience.

Pepperstone excels in this area, offering exceptional customer support. Unlike many other providers, their support team is available even on weekends, ensuring you can get assistance whenever needed. If you’re based in the UK, you can reach out via a toll-free number or email support. During our testing, both options provided quick and efficient responses, which is why we highly recommend them.

Beyond customer service, Pepperstone offers access to over 1,200 financial instruments, including forex pairs, commodities, and indices. It also supports several top-tier trading platforms like MT4, MT5, TradingView, and cTrader. Additionally, the app has no minimum deposit requirements, account inactivity fees, or extra transaction charges, making it a user-friendly choice.

Pepperstone

✔24/7 customer support
✔No inactivity fees

trustpilor logo
2,831 User Reviews
google
4,490 User Reviews
apple
130 User Reviews
investingguide logo
Our Rating
Total Rating:
7,451 User Reviews
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets

Pros

  • Users have access to expert support 24/7
  • No minimum deposit requirement
  • Free deposits and withdrawals
  • Hosts third-party platforms like MT4 and MT5
  • Offers low spreads starting from 0.0 pips

Cons

  • Limited learning materials
  • Fewer financial instruments compared to its peers

After evaluating Pepperstone, we opened a trading account for conducting extensive tests. The process was quick and easy.

But what impressed us most was the Pepperstone minimum deposit requirement. This platform has no minimum deposit, which makes it ideal for low-budget and high-budget traders. If you are a beginner, joining this broker is advisable since you can start with a low amount and increase your stakes with time. To top it off, Pepperstone supports free deposits and withdrawals. This broker allows you to use diverse payment methods for free, from Visa debit and credit cards to PayPal and domestic bank transfers.

When it comes to spreads and commissions, Pepperstone is very cost-friendly. You can open a Razor account with this broker and enjoy 20 commission-free trades. Pepperstone’s Standard accounts also have zero commissions. On the other hand, spreads start from as low as 0.0 pips for forex pairs like EUR/USD and 0.5 for commodities like XAUUSD.

Finally, unlike most of its peers, Pepperstone charges zero inactivity fees. However, any positions you hold overnight with this platform are subject to swap rates. Visit Pepperstone’s pricing page for a detailed account of how this broker calculated swap rates for different financial instruments.

The Pepperstone trading platform gives traders access to over 90 FX pairs and 1200+ CFDs on different assets, including shares, indices, and commodities. UK traders can access all the products that this broker offers. But, to minimize losses, prioritize trading assets you are familiar with. If there’s an alien instrument you’d like to try, learn its fundamentals before risking your money.

Here’s an overview of Pepperstone’s products:

  • Forex: You can trade diverse currency pairs with Pepperstone, including majors, minors, exotics, and crosses. This trading platform promises to fulfill all FX exchange trades fully, without requotes or partial executions.
  • Commodities: Pepperstone users can trade CFDs on popular commodities like crude oil, natural gas, silver, and gold. This broker doesn’t have rollovers or expiry for CFD commodities.
  • Indices: With a Pepperstone account, you can speculate on the price movements of indices like JPN225, UK100, and US500. This platform supports leverage trading, meaning you won’t need large sums to open sizable positions while trading CFDs on indices.
  • Currency indices: You can use the Pepperstone trading platform to trade popular currency indices like EURX, USDX, and JPYX. However, note that some of these instruments have high spreads.
  • Shares: If you want to trade shares CFDs, Pepperstone is the platform to choose. It offers CFDs on shares from different corners of the globe, from the UK to Germany and the US.
  • ETFs: Pepperstone supports over 100 ETFs. You can trade CFDs on these assets and profit from rising and falling prices. The ETFs available on this platform follow the performance of diverse sectors, from technology and energy to mining and bonds markets.

3. Spreadex – Best UK Spread Betting App for Comprehensive Offering

Several aspects make Spreadex the most comprehensive spread betting app. First, it gives spread bettors and traders the opportunity to profit from diverse financial markets, from forex and interest to commodities, shares, and indices. The best thing is that you can also trade CFDs on these assets and significantly minimise risk exposure.

As a spread bettor, you’ll enjoy juicy perks while diversifying your spread betting portfolio with trading. For instance, you can trade popular forex pairs like EUR/USD and GBP/USD and enjoy low super-competitive spreads starting from 0.6 points.

We also recommend Spreadex to spread bettors and traders because the app is equipped with robust charting and analysis tools. Avid spread bettors can access it on the go from their Android and iOS devices. What’s more, Spreadex app users have the opportunity to take their trading experience to the next level with TradingView’s robust features and functionalities. We can’t forget to mention that the service provider has zero minimum deposit requirements and no inactivity fees.

Spreadex

✔10,000+ financial instruments
✔Zero account inactivity fees

trustpilor logo
113 User Reviews
google
100 User Reviews
apple
155 User Reviews
investingguide logo
Our Rating
Total Rating:
368 User Reviews
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets

Pros

  • A reasonable range of financial markets
  • Users can leverage TradingView’s incredible power
  • No minimum deposit requirement
  • Tight spreads for traders, starting from 0.6 points
  • Offers special accounts to professional traders

Cons

  • It doesn’t support demo accounts
  • Few learning resources
  • Card deposits below £50 attract a £1 charge

We analyzed Spreadex’s fees and commissions since these elements can impact a trader’s profitability. The first impressive aspect that caught our attention is this broker’s £0 minimum deposit requirement. You can deposit any amount into your Spreadex account and start trading almost instantly. Furthermore, the broker charges zero account maintenance and inactivity fees.

What’s more, Spreadex has tight spreads and commissions. While trading with this broker, you can enjoy low spreads starting from 0.9 pips for GBP/USD, 0.001 pips for USD/INR, and 0.6 pips for EUR/USD. However, note that this broker charges overnight financing fees for positions held overnight.

Spreadex offers thousands of financial instruments to traders, ranging from 60+ FX pairs to over 10,000 CFDs. It also allows users to bet on spreads UK and earn returns. Here’s a breakdown of the assets we discovered while reviewing Spreadex:

  • Forex: Spreadex supports 24/5 trading on select forex markets. You can trade different pairs on this platform, from GBP/CAD and GBP/AUD to EUR/NZD and USD/CAD. You can also trade CFDs on many of the available forex markets.
  • Indices: With a Spreadex account, you can speculate on the prices of major stock indices, including UK 100, UK MID 250, and Hong Kong 50. You can also trade CFDs on the available stock indices.
  • Shares: This broker allows you to trade CFDs on popular stocks and bet on spreads on supported shares. All you have to do is use the incorporated search function to look for your preferred stock and any related information, including minimum stakes and spread widths.
  • Commodities: After signing up with Spreadex, you can trade CFDs on different commodities, including gold, cotton, and crude oil. You can also venture into commodity spread betting.
  • ETFs: Over 200 ETFs are available on Spreadex, including the Valkyrie Bitcoin Fund and the Invesco Galaxy Bitcoin ETF. You can use this platform for ETF CFD trading and spread betting.
  • Options: Spreadex supports options trading and spread betting. The platform offers numerous options, including UK 100, SPX 500, and US Tech 100.
  • Cryptocurrencies: As a Spreadex account holder, you can bet on the spreads of popular digital assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin. These have reasonable spreads starting from 0.1 pips.
  • Bonds and interest rates: Spreadex allows investors to speculate on the prices of bonds and interest rates. You can also bet on the spread of these instruments while interacting with this platform. The available products range from UK Long Gilt and German Schatz to French OAT and Japanese Government Bond.

4. AvaTrade – Best Spread Betting App for Beginners in the UK

We urge all beginners to start their spread betting endeavours with AvaTrade. This broker has diverse materials that cover every indispensable topic, beginning with the definition of spread betting and how to bet on spreads. The best part is, unlike many service providers out there, AvaTrade doesn’t offer trading guides and articles alone. This broker provides free courses, video tutorials, quizzes, and other resources for beginners.

Additionally, the AvaTrade app has a simple, intuitive interface. It’s designed to help novices familiarise themselves with the fundamentals and start betting on spreads without any unnecessary complications. What’s more, this service provider has excellent support representatives who are always ready to offer assistance to newbies facing any challenges.  

We also vouch for AvaTrade because the app because it allows low-capital spread bettors to maximise potential earnings with flexible leverages. Moreover, as a beginner, you’ll enjoy free deposits and withdrawals while trading with this app, which you can use with an IOS or Android mobile device.

AvaTrade

✔Free deposits and withdrawals
✔Beginner-friendly user interface

trustpilor logo
2,549 User Reviews
google
10,200 User Reviews
apple
26 User Reviews
investingguide logo
Our Rating
Total Rating:
12,775 User Reviews
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets

Pros

  • Top-tier, free educational resources, including a world-class online academy
  • Intuitive user interface tailored with beginners in mind
  • Free deposits and withdrawals
  • Users have access to MetaTrader 4 and 5
  • Vibrant community for social trading enthusiasts

Cons

  • High account inactivity fees
  • Fewer financial instruments than its peers

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.

AvaTrade offers 1,250+ financial instruments. With this broker, you can trade everything from FX pairs to CFDs on stocks and indices. Here’s a detailed overview of all of the products offered by AvaTrade:

  • Forex pairs: AvaTrade allows users to trade over 60 currency pairs 24/5. Popular options range from GBP/USD and EUR/USD to EUR/GBP and USD/JPY. The platform also offers other minor and exotic pairs like GBP/NZD, USD/CLP, and GBP/SGD. Some of these instruments have tight spreads starting from 0.9 pips.
  • Cryptocurrencies: If you are a crypto enthusiast, you can use an AvaTrade account to trade CFDs on a wide variety of assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Stellar.
  • ETFs: AvaTrade supports CFD trading on popular ETFs like the MSCI EAFE Index Fund, the Energy Select Sector SPDR, and the iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF. All of the available ETFs have a 0.13% spread.
  • Stocks: Upon opening an AvaTrade account, you will get the opportunity to trade CFDs on stocks associated with respected companies like Google, Apple, and American Express.
  • Bonds: AvaTrade allows clients to trade CFDs on European, US, and Asian government bonds. Available products include EURO-BUND and JAPAN GOVT BOND.
  • Commodities: If you are interested in commodity trading, sign up for AvaTrade. You’ll have an uncapped opportunity to trade CFDs on hard commodities like gold and soft commodities like corn.
  • Indices: You can trade index CFDs on AvaTrade and avoid the hassle of analysing the performance of individual company stocks. The index-related products offered here range from the Cannabis Index to the US100 Index.

5. FxPro – Best Spread Betting App for Experienced UK Traders

If you are a seasoned pro searching for an outstanding spread betting app in the UK, check out FxPro. The app gives you ample opportunity to trade 5 asset classes, including forex, shares, and indices, from their Android and IOS mobile devices. Plus, novice users have access to a reasonable number of learning materials.

We also recommend FxPro to experienced traders because this service provider allows its customers to use multiple powerful trading platforms, including cTrader, MT4, and MT5. And, while signing up, new FxPro customers can choose the most fitting account from a list of 3 outstanding options: Standard, Raw+, and Elite.

Additionally, those who want to enjoy next-level perks like uncapped access to free VPS and juicy discounts on market spreads can apply for a premium account while trading with this app.

FxPro

✔User-friendly platform
✔Low minimum deposit requirement for UK clients

trustpilor logo
526 User Reviews
google
2,560 User Reviews
apple
487 User Reviews
investingguide logo
Our Rating
Total Rating:
3,573 User Reviews
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets

Pros

  • Hosts diverse third-party platforms, including MT4 and MT5
  • Zero fees for deposits and withdrawals
  • Automated trading is available
  • Advanced charting and analysis tools
  • Quality customer support service

Cons

  • Limited funding options
  • £10 monthly account inactivity fee

From our broker analysis and comparisons, we find FxPro to be one of the most affordable brokers for Ul clients. For starters, this broker has a free account opening procedure that takes minutes to complete. Moreover, it has a £1000 minimum deposit requirement, though you can deposit as little as £100. And when it comes to transaction costs, FxPro doesn’t impose any. We believe this makes it suitable for newbies who are sceptical about spending a lot of money and low-budget traders.

When it comes to trading charges, FxPro imposes low fees compared to other brokerage firms. For instance, forex trading attracts low fees, starting from 0.0 pips on major currency pairs. However, expect to incur additional costs for positions left overnight. There is also an inactivity fee of £10 monthly should your account remain dormant for over six months.

FxPro UK lists over 2,100 CFD instruments to trade. These include shares, forex, metals, indices, energy, and futures. While we like trading these assets, its offering is limited compared to most of its peers. Let’s break down these offerings so you can fully understand what to expect. 

  • Forex: Forex trading at FxPro gives you access to 70+ currency pairs, including major, minor, and exotic. You will enjoy fast trade execution with low spreads starting from 0.0 pips.
  • Shares: We also discovered thousands of shares to trade on this broker’s platform. These include popular options like Google, Meta, Apple, Barclays, Starbucks, and more.
  • Indices: Popular indices across Europe, America, and Asia are available to trade as CFDs. You can trade this asset on multiple platforms, including MT4, MT5, FxPro Edge, and cTrader.
  • Futures: For those who prefer trading futures, FxPro offers endless opportunities. Futures are a popular investment method that allows traders to speculate on the value of a range of commodities, indices, and energy.
  • Energy: You can also trade popular spot energy commodities like Natural Gas and Brent Oil. These are ideal instruments for short-term trading and portfolio diversification.
  • Metals: If you are passionate about metals like gold, palladium, platinum, silver, copper, and lead, FxPro is your one-stop platform. The best part is that you can explore them on a platform of your choice while incurring low charges.

Spread Betting in the UK

In the UK, spread betting is legal and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). However, you must be at least 18 to start betting on spreads with FCA-regulated apps like the ones we’ve recommended in our guide. The best thing about this venture is that any returns you get from it are exempt from Stamp Duty and Capital Gains Tax.

But before you get a fitting app and start betting on spreads, you should know something. Many retail investors have lost considerable sums to spread betting, forex trading, and similar activities. If you are new to this, please learn the basics and practice with demo accounts to avoid being a statistic. Also, set aside money you can afford to lose for spread betting and online trading endeavours.

What is a Spread Betting App?

As you may have already surmised, a spread betting app allows you to bet on spreads and earn substantial returns. This digital solution lets you speculate on different instruments’ price fluctuations without owning the underlying asset. The best spread betting apps are regulated by the FCA, easy to use, and built to operate with minimum issues.

How to Choose the Best Spread Betting App UK

As a UK resident, you have access to a considerable number of spread betting apps. But you shouldn’t pick a random solution for numerous reasons. First and foremost, scammers and fraudsters have put out many shoddy apps. If you fall for them, you will lose your money, sensitive personal data, or both. We highly encourage you to vet every service provider based on the following aspects before signing up:

Security and Regulation
Reputation and Reliability
User Experience
Asset Variety
Charges and Costs
Customer Support

The easiest way to ensure the safety of your funds and data is to use an app that is authorized and regulated by the FCA and other authoritative bodies. Before signing up with a service provider, assess its licensing and regulation status. In addition, check if you are protected by industry-standard security protocols like data encryption technologies.

After vetting security and regulatory status, gauge your chosen app’s reputation and reliability. How? Visit independent sites like Google Play, the App Store, and Trustpilot and check ratings and reviews. A reliable and trustworthy product’s positive reviews should outweigh complaints and concerns. Moreover, its team should show a commitment to assuaging users and addressing their issues.

For smooth, seamless experiences, you need an app with an intuitive user interface. It should have a clear navigation system, a clean design, and a logical layout. It should also make navigation easier, especially for beginners, with clearly labelled icons and buttons.

If you have your own set of favourite assets, check if the app you’d like to use supports them before opening an account. If not, look for a better option. Otherwise, prioritise choosing a spread betting app that supports a wide variety of financial instruments, especially top-rated options like forex pairs, commodities, and shares.

Brokers often require their app users to cover different charges. Some have inactivity fees, spreads, commissions, and more. To avoid signing up with an app with exorbitant charges, vet every service provider carefully. Study the provided fee structure and keep an eye out for hidden fees and costs. You should always trade with an affordable app to minimise expenses and magnify potential returns.

If you are starting out, the chances are high you’ll need professional assistance at some point. And once you start trading, you will face issues like delayed payments at least once. Such challenges require prompt, expert help. Having said that, evaluate and test customer support before using an app. For your own good, choose service providers with excellent representatives committed to addressing customer issues without any delays.

How to Sign up for an Account with a Spread Betting App UK

You are now familiar with the best spread betting accounts in the UK. Also, we’ve introduced you to the factors you should consider while picking the best service provider for you. But that isn’t all. You must also open an account with your chosen app to start betting on spreads. Please note that FCA-regulated service providers are required to adhere to strict KYC mandates. You should register with valid details and documentation.

Here’s a brief guide to signing up with one of the best spread betting apps:

Step 1: Visit the app’s official site
Step 2: Download the app
Step 3: Sign up
Step 4: Confirm your identity
Step 5: Top up your account
Step 6: Start betting on spreads

Visit the official site of your chosen service provider using your favourite browser. Spend some time exploring and checking all vital aspects, from app features to pricing and support channels. You should also review the broker’s terms and conditions.

Look for the dedicated download link and click it. Then, choose the right platform for downloading the app, be it Google Play or the App Store. Finally, download the spread betting app and install it on your device. To avoid issues like malware and data theft, prioritise downloading apps from official stores like the ones we’ve mentioned.

Launch the spread bet app and sign up. Provide the required info, like your legal name and address. Don’t cook anything because if your documents don’t back the details you provide, your application will be rejected. Also, secure your new account with a unique username and strong password.

To comply with KYC requirements, submit the right documents when your service provider asks for them. Send clear copies or photos and ensure the information on the documents is valid and legible. Depending on your service provider, you may also be required to take and submit a selfie. Wait for verification after submitting all necessary documents.

Find the funding section of your chosen app and click it. Choose the best payment method for you and use it to top up your spread betting account. If your service provider hasn’t set minimum deposit requirements, budget wisely and fund your account with what you can afford.

Sift through the list of available markets and choose a fitting option. Then, open positions while practising proper risk management. In other words, don’t risk anything over 5% of your capital on each position. Additionally, use stop-loss and other tools to reduce losses.

Conclusion

By betting on spreads in the UK, you can enjoy tax-free returns and rake in juicy profits in the long run. However, this venture requires adequate knowledge and skills. If you’re a novice, use the bottomless reservoir that is the internet to source free learning materials and master the basics of spread betting. Once you dive into the real thing, be disciplined, stick to your strategies, and practice proper risk management.

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