Thadeus Geodfrey and finance are inseparable. He is a versatile expert with a strong cryptocurrency and market analysis background. Thadeus provides a unique blend of technical and strategic insights as a seasoned financial writer. His overarching probe and attention to detail inspire the InvestingGuide community. He guides you through the continuously evolving market landscape to build solid investments or make successful trades.
Fact checked
Advertising Disclosure
We may receive compensation from our partners for placement of their products or services, which helps to maintain our site. We may also receive compensation if you click on certain links posted on our site. While compensation arrangements may affect the order, position or placement of product information, it doesn’t influence our assessment of those products.
Stock trading can be a splendid source of income. But, to reap maximum returns, you must trade with an excellent FCA-regulated stock broker. Moreover, you need adequate skills and knowledge. Our guide will help you with the former. At InvestingGuide, our primary objective is to help you find outstanding service providers. Our team analysed countless companies and hand-picked the best based on first-hand experience.
When it comes to stock brokers, Britons are spoilt for choice. Too many service providers are available in the UK, which can be a bad thing. How so? Access to too many options makes finding the best stock broker UK a nightmarish task. Imagine researching and assessing every available service provider. Luckily, you don’t have to worry about that.
We’ve researched and evaluated the stock brokers in the UK on your behalf. Our experts have also compared the available service providers, picked 5 of the most outstanding, and reviewed them in this guide. You just have to take your pick and enjoy the ride. Of course, you must consider your needs and expectations while choosing the most suitable broker.
List of the Best Stock Brokers
- eToro – Overall Best Stock Broker in the UK
- Plus500*- Best CFD Stock Broker in the UK
- Pepperstone – Best UK Stock Broker for Spread Betting
- FP Markets – Best UK Stock Broker for Advanced Traders
- AvaTrade – Best UK Stock Broker for Beginners
Note: 80% of CFD retail accounts lose money with this provider.
In This Guide
UK Stock Brokers: Comparison Table
Let’s kick off with a comparison of the best UK stock brokers. Admittedly, hundreds of service providers are available today. So, how did we pick the entities listed in this guide? Our selection process was long and exhaustive. First, we researched every broker individually. Then, our team compared available companies and picked the most outstanding based on factors like regulatory status and customer support.
We also factored in customer reviews and testimonials while picking the best brokers in the UK. We sourced these elements from reputable platforms like the App Store, Google Play, and Trustpilot. The brands we’ve reviewed and recommend here have excellent ratings and positive feedback. Moreover, we’ve ascertained that they address customer concerns and complaints in record time.
Here’s an overview of the best online stock broker UK.
| Best Stock Broker | Licence & Regulation | Support Service | Software | Payment Method | Demo Account |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| eToro | FCA, CySEC, FSCA, ASIC, SFSA ADGM, MFSA, FSAS, GFSC, SEC | 24/5 | eToro investing platform and app, Multi-asset platform, Social Trading, Copy Trader, Smart Portfolios | Credit/debit cards, Bank transfer, Klarna, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller | Yes |
| Plus500* 80% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. | FCA (FRN 509909), CySEC (#250/14), ASIC, MAS, FSA | 24/7 | Plus500 CFD | Visa, MasterCard, PayPal, Skrill, Bank transfer | Yes |
| Pepperstone | FCA, MAS, ASIC, FSCA, DFSA, CySEC, CMA, SCB, BaFin | 24/5 | TradingView, MT4, MT5, cTrader, Pepperstone Trading Platform, Social trading | Visa, Mastercard, Bank transfer, Neteller, Skrill, PayPal | Yes |
| FP Markets | FCA, FSCA, ASIC, CMA, CySEC, FSA | 24/7 | MT4, MT5, TradingView, cTrader, WebTrader, Mobile App, Copy Trading | Credit/debit cards, Neteller, Skrill, Bank transfer, Google Pay, Apple Pay | Yes |
| AvaTrade | FCA, 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 |
Brokers Short Overview
Don’t worry; we didn’t leave out fees and assets. We’ve been in the industry for a long and know pretty well that excessive charges are a trader’s worst enemy. So, we also factored in affordability while picking the best stock brokers in the UK. Furthermore, we checked every service provider’s product offering to ensure they have stocks and other assets indispensable to portfolio diversification.
Check out the comparison tables below for a run-down of the fees and assets we discovered while evaluating the best UK brokers.
Fees
| Best Stock Broker | Minimum Deposit Requirement | Commission/ Spreads | Deposits/ Withdrawals | Inactivity Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| eToro | £100 | From 0% | £5 withdrawal fee | £10 monthly |
| Plus500* | £100 | From 0% | Free | £10 monthly |
| Pepperstone | £0 | From 0.0 pips | Free | £0 |
| FP Markets | £100 | From 0.0 pips | Free | £0 |
| AvaTrade | £100 | From 0.13 pips | Free | £50 after every 3 consecutive months of inactivity |
Note: 80% of CFD retail accounts lose money with this provider.
Assets
| Best Stock Broker | Stocks | Forex | Cryptos | Commodities | Indices | ETFs | Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| eToro | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Plus500* (CFDs) | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pepperstone | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| FP Markets | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AvaTrade | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Note: 80% of CFD retail accounts lose money with this provider.
Our Expert’s Opinion about the Best Stock Brokers UK
After toiling for days and comparing countless stock brokers, we picked the service providers we’ve reviewed below. They all offer outstanding services. However, you should read each review carefully and identify the most suitable broker based on your needs and preferences. Sticking with one service provider is better than jumping from one platform to the next. Managing your investments with a single broker will be much easier than dealing with multiple accounts.
1. eToro – Overall Best Stock Broker in the UK
Our best overall stock broker UK is eToro. Founded in 2007, this company boasts a whopping 35 million+ registered users. We love it because it gives users access to nearly 5,000 stocks. These are affiliated with countless established companies and organisations, from Walt Disney and Netflix to Amazon and Tesla.
The other good thing about eToro is that it supports trading and investing. This broker allows you to invest in real company stocks, a quality lacking in many other service providers. And, while investing in stocks, you can diversify your portfolio by trading other financial instruments, including currency pairs, commodities, and ETFs. What’s more, this broker supports CFD trading.
Investing in stocks with eToro is a good idea since you get to own the underlying asset. Moreover, this platform allows you to spend as little as £10 while investing. And, if you are a beginner, you can start your investment journey with an eToro demo account, which comes with £100,000 in virtual funds.
eToro
✔5000+ financial instruments
✔Cost-free deposits
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets
Pros
- Allows users to invest in real shares
- Offers thousands of other tradable instruments, including forex pairs and commodities
- Stock investments come with zero commissions
- Knowledgeable and responsive customer support team
- A well-designed website with a friendly user interface
Cons
- Charges £5 for every withdrawal request
- £10 monthly account inactivity fee
If there’s anything that can eat away at your profit margins, it’s unnecessary costs. Thankfully, eToro fees UK are reasonable and pocket-friendly. We acquired a new account without paying a single cent, which was quite a relief. We also noticed that you can enjoy free deposits by using USD. That said, eToro supports many other currencies, including GBP, EUR, and RMB.
You will incur conversion fees if you use any currency other than USD. And if you use any currency that eToro doesn’t support, you must pay conversion fees to your payment provider. The exact conversion fees you may incur at any moment will depend on various factors, including your preferred currency and payment method.
Please note that eToro subjects each withdrawal request to a £5 fee. The platform uses this money to pay expenses arising from international money transfers. Most importantly, you can’t withdraw less than £30 from the eToro trading platform.
While depositing money into our account, we noticed that eToro has strict minimum deposit requirements. Britons using this platform have to deposit at least £100 the first time. Afterwards, you can fund your account with as little as £10, depending on your preferred payment method.
Commission-wise, eToro is very friendly to people who trade ETFs or invest in real stocks since the broker charges 0% for these assets. On the other hand, if you buy or sell crypto on this platform, expect to pay a 1% fee. CFD trading also attracts variable spreads depending on the involved instruments. For instance, the spreads for currencies and commodities start from 1 pip and 2 pips, respectively.
Not to forget, eToro charges a £10 monthly inactivity fee that kicks in after 12 months of dormancy.
2. Plus500 – Best CFD Stock Broker in the UK
Plus500 allows users to trade CFDs on shares, saving them the trouble of owning the underlying stocks. The available products come from diverse popular markets, from the UK and Germany to the US and China. They include stock CFDs from Apple, Meta, NVIDIA, and many other prominent companies.
Trading stock CFDs with Plus500 comes with its fair share of upsides. First, you get to magnify your profit potential* with flexible leverages of up to 1:5. Moreover, the trading platform offers quality tools you can use to lock in profits and mitigate losses, including Guaranteed Stop.
In addition, Plus500 users can trade CFDs on thousands of other instruments, including indices, FX pairs, and ETFs. The broker also allows eligible professional traders to enjoy higher leverages of up to 1:20 on stock CFDs, cash rebates, negative balance protection, and other juicy boons. Plus500UK Ltd authorized & regulated by the FCA (#509909).
*Your capital is at risk
Note: 80% of CFD retail accounts lose money with this provider.
Plus500
✔User-friendly interface
✔Zero deposit and withdrawal fees
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets
Pros
- Offers CFDs on over 2,800 instruments, including company shares
- Zero withdrawal and deposit fees
- Excellent customer support is available 24/5
- Quality educational materials for beginners
- Juicy boons for professional traders
Cons
- No third-party trading platforms like MetaTrader
- Investing in stocks is not supported in some countries, including the UK
Brokers need to generate revenue and cover operating costs. That’s why many have fees and commissions. Sadly, high charges can undermine your profitability in the long run. That’s why looking for an affordable service provider is necessary.
With that in mind, we evaluated Plus500 fees UK. The process was easy since this broker values transparency. Our team was impressed by the fact that the trading platform doesn’t charge a dime for most services. First, opening an account is free. Deposits and withdrawals also attract zero charges. Furthermore, the broker offers free live CFD prices and dynamic charts. But note that the Plus500 minimum deposit UK is £100.
Plus500 primary source of compensation is the spread. While trading with this platform, you’ll have to cover the spread whenever you open a position. Your costs will depend on various factors, including your preferred instrument and current market conditions.
This broker also charges overnight funding and currency conversion fees. The former fee kicks in whenever you keep a position open overnight. On the other hand, you have to cover currency conversion fees whenever you interact with any currency besides your account’s base currency. Lastly, dormant Plus500 accounts attract a £10 monthly inactivity fee.
3. Pepperstone – Best UK Stock Broker for Spread Betting
If you are a spread bettor searching for an excellent stock broker, we recommend Pepperstone. Partnering with this service provider will enable you to bet on the spreads of different individual stocks, including Microsoft, NVIDIA, and Apple. Available stocks are linked to companies from various regions, including the UK, Australia, and the US.
Spread betting with Pepperstone is advisable since you get to enjoy tax-free profits. Moreover, this broker allows you to build custom EAs that you can use to automate trading. As if that isn’t enough, Pepperstone gives you uncapped access to numerous outstanding trading platforms, from cTrader and MT5 to MT4 and TradingView.
Besides spread betting, this broker supports trading CFDs on available stocks as well as commodities, currency pairs, and more.
Pepperstone
✔24/7 customer support
✔No inactivity fees
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets
Pros
- Spread bettors enjoy tax-free profits
- No minimum deposit requirement
- Free deposits and withdrawals
- Dormant accounts incur zero inactivity fees
- Hosts third-party trading platforms like MT4 and MT5
Cons
- Limited educational materials
- High spreads for CFDs on US shares and ETFs
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.
4. FP Markets – Best UK Stock Broker for Advanced Traders
Numerous advanced trading platforms exist today, but none can compete with FP Markets. This service provider is the best for advanced trading because it hosts a wide variety of exceptional platforms. The ones that caught our eye include MT5, TradingView, and cTrader. However, this broker’s clients can also access MT4 and proprietary solutions like WebTrader.
In addition to the platforms we’ve mentioned, FP Markets users have access to Iress. It comes with numerous superior functionalities tailored especially for advanced traders. They range from direct market access (DMA) and level 2 market depth to algorithmic trading and API integration.
Advanced platforms aside, we recommend FP Markets since, with it, you can trade CFDs on over 10,000 stocks. The platform also gives you access to many other instruments, including FX pairs, metals, and bonds.
FP Markets
✔10,000+ tradeable financial instruments
✔Free deposits and withdrawals
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets
Pros
- Users can trade with advanced platforms like MT5 and Iress
- Low spreads starting from 0.0 pips
- Outstanding support representatives available 24/7
- High leverages of up to 500:1
- Offers CFDS on over 10,000 popular stocks
- Zero account inactivity fees
Cons
- £1000 minimum deposit requirement for Iress
- Focuses primarily on CFDs
Before going any further, note that the FP Markets minimum deposit is £100. You can’t fund your account with anything less than the mandated amount. Also, as a trader, expect to cover stipulated FP Markets fees and commissions. Let’s expound on that.
FP Markets has different trading and non-trading fees. However, the costs you will likely incur depend on where you are from. Take London as an example. If you’re from this city, you’ll incur a 0.10% commission per side while trading equity CFDs. You’ll also have to pay a £60 monthly fee if you use Iress Trader or ViewPoint.
But here’s the good news. You won’t incur additional costs while depositing or withdrawing money from your FP Markets trading account. Moreover, unlike many other brokers, this service provider doesn’t have inactivity fees for dormant accounts.
Please visit FP Market’s official site for a comprehensive overview of all fees and commissions.
5. AvaTrade – Best UK Stock Broker for Beginners
AvaTrade is hands down the best stock broker for newbies. Why do we say that? Let’s begin with education. This broker boasts a world-class academy. Here, novices can learn as much as they need before diving into live trading. The academy has countless relevant courses, quizzes, and lessons. And the best part is everything is free.
We also recommend AvaTrade to newbies since this broker offers demo accounts. If you are a novice and want to establish a foothold in the trading universe, start with AvaTrade’s demo account. You’ll get the opportunity to sharpen your expertise in a risk-free environment with virtual funds worth £100,000.
After learning with the academy and practising with a demo account, you can trade share CFDs with AvaTrade. The platform is intuitive and beginner-friendly, so you won’t face any significant hurdles. Plus, you’ll enjoy free transactions and tight spreads.
AvaTrade
✔Free deposits and withdrawals
✔Beginner-friendly user interface
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets
Pros
- Incomparable learning tools and materials
- Beginner-friendly user interface
- Provides free demo account with £100,000 virtual funds
- Free deposits and withdrawals
- Superior customer support services
Cons
- High inactivity fees for dormant accounts
- Charges a £100 annual fee on top of monthly inactivity fees
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.
Stock Trading in the UK
The UK is home to hundreds of thousands of online traders, some of which are making a killing in stock markets. That said, to trade stocks in the UK, you must be at least 18. And, to be successful and rake in decent returns, you must have sufficient knowledge and top-notch skills. Most importantly, you must trade with an FCA-regulated broker.
The FCA regulates brokers and financial markets in the UK. Service providers that are authorised and monitored by this authority are guaranteed to operate in a fair and transparent manner. But you can never be sure where unregulated entities are involved.
What is a Stock Broker?
A stock broker is an individual or firm that enables you to trade or invest in stocks and other financial instruments.
Stockbrokers fall under two broad categories: online and traditional. While trading or investing with traditional stock brokers, you deal with real human financial advisors. On the other hand, online stock brokers are firms that give you access to digital platforms where you can trade or invest in stocks.
Read about the Analysis of Stock Market Trends UK in our other guide.
How to Choose the Best Stock Trading Platform
Your success in the long run will rely heavily on the stock broker you partner with. So, choose carefully. Use the factors to identify the best stock trading platform UK:
Security
Assets
Platforms
Fees
Support
Reputation
The most secure UK stock brokers are authorised and regulated by the FCA. They also employ top-tier security features and solutions like SSL encryption and two-factor authentication. While searching for an excellent service provider, keep such aspects in mind.
If you plan to trade or invest in stocks, you must sign up with a stockbroker. Otherwise, any platform that doesn’t support stock trading won’t do you any good. Additionally, since portfolio diversification is crucial, you should go for service providers with other financial instruments, like commodities, ETFs, and forex pairs.
Most reputable brokers have proprietary trading platforms. You should test their reliability with demo accounts before making financial commitments. Also, if you have third-party software that you prefer trading with, look for a service provider that hosts it. Keep in mind that not all brokers give their users access to third-party trading platforms.
Your primary goal is to profit from stock trading, right? Excessive fees can deter that. You must trade with a service provider with reasonable charges to maximise profitability. So, vet every broker’s fees. Avoid companies that force you to part with ungodly sums and those with too many hidden costs.
Quality support is crucial to both beginners and seasoned professionals. When evaluating a broker, remember to check the availability of its customer representatives. You should also test all available channels and gauge the quality and promptness of the responses you receive.
The best brokers have been around for many years and have catered to countless people. Some of their clients have reviewed them on popular platforms like Google Play, the App Store, and Trustpilot. You can use past user reviews and testimonials to pinpoint a service provider’s strengths and limitations.
How to Sign up for an Account with a Stock Broker
The best online stock brokers UK have simple, hassle-free registration procedures. That includes the service providers we’ve recommended here. If you’ve already identified a broker you’d like to trade with from our list, do the following:
Step 1: Visit the stock broker’s website
Step 2: Sign up
Step 3: Verify your account
Step 4: Deposit funds
Step 5: Trade stocks
The first thing you should do is visit your chosen service provider’s official page. Do a final evaluation and make up your mind. Also, read and understand the company’s terms and policies. If you are a fan of mobile trading, find the broker’s app and download it.
Start the sign-up process by clicking the Create Account, Sign Up, Join Us, or Register button. Then, provide the information required on the application form, including your name, date of birth, and email address. For optimum safety, set a strong password and a unique username.
Unlock all trading features and privileges by verifying your account. You can’t skip this step, especially when an FCA-regulated broker is in the picture. Just share the necessary documents, which may include a clear photo of your national ID (for identity verification) and a copy of a recent utility bill (proof of address).
After verifying your account, choose your preferred payment method and fund your trading account. If your chosen broker has no minimum deposit, start with whatever you deem fit. However, if there’s a minimum deposit requirement, obey it to avoid any complications.
Your deposited amount can reflect instantly or take a few minutes depending on the payment methods. That said, you can start trading your favourite stocks once there’s money in your account. Remember to monitor your positions carefully and apply risk management tools to avoid nasty surprises.
Conclusion
Your chosen broker will determine your success in the stock markets. For the best results, trade with one of the FCA-authorised companies recommended in this guide. Also, remember that the most successful traders and investors are skilled and knowledgeable.
Don’t dive into stock trading before you educate yourself and test your skills in demo mode. Furthermore, budget accordingly and set aside money for trading. Never risk all of your income or savings on online trading. You may lose everything in one swoop if things go south.
Related Articles: