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.
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Stock trading can be a splendid source of income. But to reap maximum returns, you must trade with a reputable, highly 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 with stellar track records. As part of the larger InvestingGuide team, I analysed countless companies and hand-picked the best based on first-hand experience.
Over 10 million stock traders and investors call the UK home. If you consider investing or trading stocks, you’re not alone. And here’s the best bit: you have solid odds of enjoying seamless experiences and decent returns for a couple of reasons. First off, your interests are duly protected by one of the most respected regulators – the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
One of the FCA’s key responsibilities is to ensure that stockbrokers operate fairly and transparently. Since I know that a regulated and reliable broker is crucial to every trader’s success, I spent a great deal of time assessing and testing the service providers available in the UK while focusing on key aspects like regulation and reputation. I’ve compiled a list of 5 that stood out the most, along with their reviews, in this guide.
List of the Best Stock Brokers in the UK
- Saxo – Overall Best in the UK
- eToro – Best for First-Timers
- Plus500* – Best for CFD Traders
- Pepperstone – Most Cost-Friendly Stock Broker
- FP Markets – Best UK Stock Broker for Advanced Traders
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. With numerous providers available today, you may wonder how I sifted through them and ultimately settled on the ones I’ve recommended here.
The selection process was long and exhaustive. I first researched all brokers and selected the most highly regulated. Then, I compared the chosen ones and picked the most outstanding based on factors such as trading tools, support, and payment methods.
I also factored in customer reviews and testimonials from the App Store, Google Play, and Trustpilot when selecting the best brokers in the UK. The brands I’ve reviewed and recommended here have excellent ratings and positive feedback. Moreover, I’ve ascertained that they address customer concerns and complaints in record time.
| Best Stock Broker | Licence & Regulation | Support Service | Software | Payment Method | Demo Account |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saxo | FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), DFSA (Dubai), MAS (Singapore), JFSA (Japan), SFC (Hong Kong), FINMA (Switzerland) | 24/5 | SAXO Investors, SaxoTraderGO, SaxoTraderPRO | Bank wire transfer, credit/debit cards | Yes |
| eToro | FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), MAS (Singapore), CySEC (Cyprus), MFSA (Malta), SEC (US) | 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. | MAS, FSCA, CySEC (#250/14), ASIC | 24/7 | Plus500 CFD | Visa, MasterCard, PayPal, Skrill, Bank transfer | Yes |
| Pepperstone | FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), DFSA (Dubai), CySEC (Cyprus), SCB (Bahamas), BaFin (Germany) | 24/5 | TradingView, MT4, MT5, cTrader, Pepperstone Trading Platform, Social trading | Visa, Mastercard, Bank transfer, Neteller, Skrill, PayPal | Yes |
| FP Markets | FCA (UK, #509909), FSCA (South Africa), ASIC (Australia), CySEC (Cyprus) | 24/7 | MT4, MT5, TradingView, cTrader, WebTrader, Mobile App, Copy Trading | Credit/debit cards, Neteller, Skrill, Bank transfer, Google Pay, Apple Pay | Yes |
Brokers Short Overview
I didn’t forget about fees and assets. I’ve been in the industry for a long time and know pretty well that excessive charges are a trader’s worst enemy. I also factored in affordability when selecting 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.
Refer to the comparison tables below for a comprehensive overview of the fees and assets I identified during my evaluation of top UK brokers. Please note that most of the assets I’ve marked as “Yes” are CFDs. If you need something you can invest in and own, check if your chosen broker offers it prior to signing up.
| Stock Broker | Minimum Deposit Requirement | Commission/ Spreads | Deposits/ Withdrawals | Inactivity Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saxo | £0 | From 0.03% | Free | £0 |
| eToro | £50 | From £1 | Free | £10 monthly |
| Plus500* | £100 | From 0% | Free | £10 monthly |
| Pepperstone | £0 | From 0.07% | Free | £0 |
| FP Markets | £100 | From 0.06% | Free | £0 |
Note: 80% of CFD retail accounts lose money with this provider.
Our Expert’s Opinion about the Best Stock Brokers in the UK
Here is a detailed breakdown of the best stock brokers in the UK. They all offer outstanding services, that’s without question. 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 another, as managing investments is much easier when a single broker is involved.
1. Saxo – Overall Best in the UK
Saxo is like no other service provider I have encountered. I consider it to be the best overall in the UK for a variety of reasons, starting with asset range. This broker boasts a massive collection, featuring over 23,000 stocks from different exchanges, including the London Stock Exchange, at the top of the list. You can either buy the actual assets or trade them as CFDs.
In addition to stocks, I discovered 5,200+ bonds, 7,400+ ETFs, and 6,000 funds that you can invest in. If you’re also a trader, you’ll get access to everything from forex pairs to commodity CFDs once you sign up. Costs won’t deter you since Saxo has no minimum deposit requirement and it allows investors with as little as £1 to buy diverse assets, including stocks.
Saxo offers three award-winning platforms that I thoroughly enjoyed interacting with. The first, SaxoInvestor, is a mobile-friendly solution exclusively for individuals who want to invest in stocks, funds, bonds, and ETFs. If you want to invest AND trade from your Android or IOS device, SaxoTraderGo will cater to all your needs. The last option, SaxoTraderPro, is a high-performance tool specifically tailored for professionals, accessible on both Mac and Windows.
Saxo
✔No minimum deposit requirement
✔Low commissions for all asset classes
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets
Pros
- 23,000+ real stocks available
- Stock investors can diversify with bonds, funds, and ETFs
- Tens of thousands of securities for traders
- Competitive spreads and commissions
- No minimum deposit requirement
- No inactivity fee
Cons
- Users have no access to third-party platforms like MT4
- Considerably high custody fees, especially for funds
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.
2. eToro – Best for First-Timers
My ultimate best online stock broker in the UK for beginners is eToro. Founded in 2007, this company boasts a whopping 35+ million registered users. I have a great deal of respect for this broker because it gives users access to beginner-friendly platforms and over 6,000 stocks. The latter are affiliated with numerous established companies and organisations, including Walt Disney, Netflix, Amazon, and Tesla.
Another advantage of eToro is that it supports both trading and investing. This broker allows you to invest in real company stocks and cryptocurrencies. And, while investing in stocks and crypto, you can diversify your portfolio by trading other financial instruments, including currency pairs and CFDs on commodities, ETFs, and shares.
I also highly recommend this broker to novices, as it offers a wealth of educational resources, starting with the eToro Academy, which features hundreds of expert courses. And, while learning, you can also practise investing and trading 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
- Low £50 minimum deposit requirement
- User-friendly web and mobile platforms
- 7,000+ assets, including 6,000+ stocks
- Crypto investing supported
- Investors can also trade CFDs
- No custody fee
Cons
- £10 monthly inactivity fee after 12 months of account dormancy
- Only proprietary platforms are offered
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.
3. Plus500 – Best for CFD Traders
The first thing that truly impressed me about Plus500 is that it allows users to trade CFDs on shares, saving them the trouble of owning the underlying assets. The available share CFDs 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 advantages, as I discovered while testing this broker. First, you can magnify your profit potential with flexible leverage of up to 1:5 if you are a standard retail trader. If you are eligible for a pro account, which has strict requirements, you can use higher leverage up to 1:20 to trade share CFDs. The broker offers quality tools you can use to lock in profits and mitigate losses, including Guaranteed Stop.
Furthermore, Plus500 users can trade CFDs on thousands of other instruments, including indices, FX pairs, and ETFs. You can also subscribe to the available Premium Service Package and enjoy a myriad of value-added offerings, such as a dedicated client manager, periodic expert analysis emails, and uncapped access to premier customer support service.
*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 shares
- Zero withdrawal and deposit fees
- Excellent customer support available 24/5
- Quality educational materials for beginners
- Premier offerings for professional traders
Cons
- £10 monthly fee after 3 months of inactivity
- Only 1 platform is available in the UK – Plus500 CFD
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.
4. Pepperstone – Most Cost-Friendly Stock Broker
If you are a spread bettor searching for an excellent stockbroker, I 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 from recognised companies across various regions, including the UK, Australia, and the US.
Spread betting with Pepperstone is advisable, as it allows you to enjoy tax-free profits. And getting started, as I discovered, is a piece of cake since the provider has streamlined the registration process and doesn’t have any demanding minimum deposit requirements. You can register a new account in a couple of minutes, deposit any amount you can afford, and get started.
Moreover, Pepperstone provides you with uncapped access to numerous outstanding trading platforms, including cTrader, MT5, MT4, and TradingView. And while trading with this broker, you can create and use EAs, courtesy of the available tier-1 platforms. Besides spread betting, this broker supports trading CFDs on available stocks as well as commodities, currency pairs, and more.
I also discovered that Pepperstone allows its users to build custom EAs that they can use to automate trading.
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
- Zero account inactivity fees
- Hosts third-party platforms like MT4
- Also supports CFD trading
Cons
- No guaranteed stop-loss orders
- Limited learning resources
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
After sampling many providers, I believe that FP Markets is the best stock broker in the UK for advanced trading due to its wide variety of robust platforms. I was incredibly impressed and captivated by the hosted MT5, TradingView, and cTrader. As if that isn’t enough already, 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 ideal for advanced traders. They range from direct market access (DMA) and level 2 market depth to algorithmic trading and API integration. Note that the minimum deposit requirement for Iress is £1,000.
I also recommend FP Markets since, with a live and funded account, you can trade CFDs on over 10,000 stocks. The platform also provides access to a range of other instruments, including FX pairs, metals, and bonds. And unless you are interested in Iress, you can open an FP Markets account with as little as £100 and trade your favourite instruments, including share CFDs.
FP Markets
✔10,000+ tradeable financial instruments
✔Free deposits and withdrawals
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets
Pros
- Top-tier platforms available, including cTrader and MT4/5
- Traders have access to 10,000+ financial instruments
- Muslims can open MT4 and MT5 Islamic trading accounts
- Spreads as low as 0 pips
- Social and copy trading are supported
- No inactivity fees for dormant accounts
Cons
- Iress has a £1,000 initial minimum funding requirement
- Only forex and CFD trading are supported
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.
Stock Trading in the UK
Stock trading, the legal buying and selling of shares, is a highly popular activity in the UK, with over 10 million residents actively participating in the stock market. You can join, provided you are at least 18 years old and familiar with the markets. If you’re a newcomer, educate yourself with as many materials as you can find, from online courses to webinars, before diving into trading.
Note that in the UK, stock traders and investors are subject to taxation. If you buy shares and later sell them for a profit, you will be eligible for Capital Gains Tax (CGT) if your gains exceed the mandated £3,000 annual allowance. And if you hold shares that pay dividends, you will be required to pay tax on dividend payments that exceed the stipulated personal allowance, which is £500 for the 2025/2026 tax year.
What is a Stock Broker?
A stockbroker is fundamentally a service provider that enables you to trade and invest in stocks and other financial instruments. Stockbrokers fall under two broad categories: online and traditional. While trading or investing with traditional stockbrokers, you deal with real human financial advisors. On the other hand, online stock brokers are companies that give you access to digital platforms where you can trade and invest in stocks.
How to Choose the Best Stock Trading Platform in the UK
Over the years, I have come to realise that many hopeful stock traders fail to reach their goals because they use the wrong brokers. Shoddy service providers have contributed to the downfall of many, including both beginners and experts. That is why I always urge my readers to exercise maximum caution and thoroughly evaluate every broker before signing up.
While evaluating service providers, focus on critical factors such as:
Security
Assets
Platforms
Fees
Support
Reputation
The best UK stock brokers are authorised and regulated by respected institutions like the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC. They also employ top-tier security features and solutions, such as SSL encryption and two-factor authentication. When searching for an excellent service provider, consider the following aspects to ensure you enjoy optimal security, fair practices, and uncompromised services.
If you plan to trade or invest in stocks, you must sign up with a stockbroker. Any platform that doesn’t support trading and investing in stocks won’t do you any good, no matter how exceptional it is. Additionally, since portfolio diversification is crucial, consider service providers that offer financial instruments beyond stocks, such as commodities, ETFs, and forex pairs.
Most reputable brokers have proprietary trading platforms. You should test their reliability with demo accounts before making final commitments. Additionally, if you have third-party software that you prefer to use, look for a service provider that supports it. Keep in mind that not all brokers give their users access to third-party trading platforms.
Your primary goal is to profit from trading and investing, right? Excessive fees can deter that. You must trade with a service provider with reasonable charges to maximise profitability. Vet every broker’s fees, charges, and penalties beforehand. Avoid companies that require you to part with exorbitant sums and those with excessive 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. A good broker should have at least 24/5 support service. You should also test all available channels and gauge the quality and promptness of the responses you receive.
The best brokers have been in operation for many years and have served the needs of countless individuals. Some of their clients have reviewed them on popular platforms like Google Play, the App Store, and Trustpilot. Use past user reviews and testimonials to pinpoint a service provider’s strengths and limitations. Don’t sign up with brands that have a lousy reputation and too many complaints.
Read about the Analysis of Stock Market Trends UK in our other guide.
How to Sign Up for an Account with a Stock Broker
I signed up with each of the best brokers in the UK, so I know for a fact that they have a streamlined registration process with zero complications. I’ve simplified everything into these 5 easy-to-understand steps:
Step 1: Visit your stock broker’s official site
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 website. Conduct a final evaluation to determine if the broker has everything you need, including tools and financial assets. Also, read and understand the company’s terms and policies. If you are a fan of mobile trading, locate the broker’s app and download it using the provided links.
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 optimal safety, set a strong password and a unique username when prompted. Avoid a combination of personal information, such as your name and birth year, because savvy cybercriminals can crack a password with these elements.
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. Most regulators, including the FCA, have made KYC verification mandatory. 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 is a minimum deposit requirement, comply with it to avoid any complications. If you’re new to stock trading and investing, start with a small deposit, see how everything goes, then decide if risking a bigger capital is wise.
Your deposited amount can reflect instantly or take a few minutes, depending on the payment method you use. 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. Diversify your portfolio with as many assets as your strategy allows.
How We Test
At InvestingGuide, we work as a team. Before I make any recommendations, we test and compare hundreds of brokerage firms. Various elements are looked into in this process, including security, demo account availability, fees, asset offerings, support service reliability, and more. Not only that, we also analyse user testimonials from Google Play, the App Store, and Trustpilot. By combining our findings from user reviews and test results, we create a list of unbiased recommendations for our readers.
If you want to learn more about our test methodology, feel free to visit our How we Test page for comprehensive information.
Final Thoughts
While using the best stock trading platform in the UK, you have decent odds of interacting with the markets seamlessly and making a killing. But this isn’t the only thing that’s crucial to your success. To avoid losing your hard-earned money like more than 70% of all traders, you must be knowledgeable, patient, and disciplined. You must also use every strategy and tool at your disposal to mitigate risk exposure, from portfolio diversification to stop-loss orders.
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Really enjoyed this article! I’ve been thinking about getting into stock trading, and this guide makes it feel way less intimidating. It’s true—there are so many options out there that it’s overwhelming. I love how you’ve broken down the best brokers and what they’re good for. Personally, I’m leaning toward eToro because the idea of investing with as little as £10 sounds perfect for starting out.
I’ve tried a few of these brokers myself, and honestly, eToro was the easiest to start with and perfect when I was still learning the ropes.