Claire is an experienced financial analyst with strong analytical skills. With her expertise and focus on thorough market research, Claire ensures individuals in the financial landscape are well-informed. Often in an engaging writing style, her content helps traders quickly grasp the market dynamics. As an Associate Editor of financial news at InvestingGuide, she provides an original analysis of the financial markets and economy. You’ll be at joy reading her flawlessly written content. She has written hundreds of pieces that simplify complex financial topics in plain language.
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If you are looking to maximise your potential trading in the financial landscape, then you need the best trading platform. Being best means it should have features aligning with your trading requirements.
Sadly, many individuals fall short of identifying suitable trading platforms. For this reason, I took it upon myself to test and compare numerous options to give you the best recommendations. Whether you are new to online trading or seeking a better trading platform, this guide will help you find a perfect match for your trading requirements in 2025.
List of the Best Trading Platforms
- Pepperstone – Beginner-Friendly
- eToro – Overall Best
- Plus500* – Top Platform for CFD Trading
- FP Markets – Best For Professional Traders
- Spreadex – Top Option For Spread Betting
Note: 80% of CFD retail accounts lose money with this provider.
In This Guide
Compare Brokers Table
I noted UK trading platforms have varying features to suit different traders. My table below summarises the key points I believe will help you make a decision on what best aligns with your needs.
| Best Trading Platform | Licence | Support Service | Software | Payment | Demo Account | Money Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | FCA, ASIC, FSCA, DFSA, CySEC, CMA, SCB, BaFin | 24/7 | TradingView, MT4, MT5, cTrader, Pepperstone Trading Platform, Social Trading | Visa, Mastercard, Bank transfer, Neteller, Skrill, PayPal | Yes | Yes (up to £85,000) |
| eToro | ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSAS | 24/5 | eToro investing platform, Multi-asset platform, Copy Trader | Credit/debit cards, PayPal, Bank transfer, Neteller, Skrill, eToro Money, Online Banking | Yes | Yes (up to $250,000) |
| 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 Webtrader | Bank Wire Transfer, Credit/debit cards, Paypal, Skrill | Yes | Yes (up to £85,000) |
| 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 | Yes (up to $500,000) |
| Spreadex | FCA, SEBI | 24/5 | iPhone App, iPAD App, ANDROID App, TradingView | Bank Wire Transfers, Credit cards | No | Yes (up to £85,000) |
Fees & Commissions
I decided to conduct another analysis, whereby I asked traders what features they prioritise when choosing UK trading platforms. Many start by confirming the security measures employed by the platforms they consider, ensuring they are licensed and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
They also consider affordability and supported instruments, which ensure they trade the right assets within their budgets. This is an excellent approach during research. Therefore, I have shared tables below summarising the fee structures and assets supported by the best trading platforms UK.
Fees
| Best Trading Platform | Fees | Minimum Deposit Requirement | Transaction | Inactivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | From 0.0 pips | £0 | Free | None |
| eToro | From 2 pips | £100 | £5 withdrawal | £10 monthly |
| Plus500* | From 0.0 pips | £100 | Free | £10 monthly |
| FP Markets | From 0.0 pips | £100 | Free | None |
| Spreadex | From 0.6 pips | £0 | Free | None |
Note: 80% of CFD retail accounts lose money with this provider.
Brokers Reviews
According to recent statistics, over 54% of UK investors have traded in 2025. This is an estimated number of 29 million, which is up from 51% in 2021. The rising numbers indicate how trading can be lucrative. As an experienced investor myself, I can confidently encourage newbies to venture into this landscape but approach it cautiously.
Before you get started, ensure you find a credible and reliable trading platform. Below, I share mini-reviews of my recommended platforms based on personal experience. Feel free to compare them to identify an option that best suits your requirements.
1. Pepperstone – Beginner-Friendly
Pepperstone is an excellent trading platform for newbies looking to enter the financial market. I found that it provides a range of valuable resources for newcomers, including comprehensive learning materials, a demo account, and an intuitive platform that works seamlessly on both desktop and mobile devices. Additionally, Pepperstone supports social trading through its MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView platforms.
When it comes to asset offerings, this best trading platform UK for beginners lists over 2400 CFD and spread betting instruments. The securities are spread across various asset classes, such as forex, shares, commodities, and indices. I also like Pepperstone’s low spreads from 0.0 pips and no minimum deposit requirement. This makes it easier for newbies to start trading with small funds and gradually increase the amount as they become familiar with the market.
Pepperstone
✔24/7 customer support
✔No inactivity fees
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets
Pros
- No minimum deposit requirement
- Low spreads from 0.0 pips
- Quality learning materials and a demo account for newbies
- Social and copy trading on multiple platforms
Cons
- Limited asset offerings compared to its peers
- You can only trade the assets as CFDs and spread betting
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.
2. eToro – Overall Best
After a thorough analysis, I consider eToro the best trading platform in the UK for various reasons. The platform is user-friendly on both desktop and mobile devices. Additionally, registering an account is straightforward, with a low minimum deposit requirement of £100 for UK clients. eToro supports a variety of transaction methods, including debit/credit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers. While deposits are free, there is a £5 fee for withdrawals.
eToro is one of the platforms offering commission-free stock trading and investing services. It also provides a range of additional securities for portfolio diversification, including forex, commodities, indices, ETFs, and more. For beginners, this platform provides a vast selection of learning tools and a £100,000 virtually funded demo account. On top of that, it hosts an award-winning social trading platform that allows you to interact with other traders and mirror potentially profitable trades from experts.
eToro
✔5000+ financial instruments
✔Cost-free deposits
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets
Pros
- Low minimum deposit requirement
- A user-friendly and intuitive design trading platform
- Commission-free stock trading
- Reliable and responsive 24/5 support service
- Hosts an award-winning social and copy trading platform
Cons
- Withdrawal fees apply
- No third-party platforms like the MT4 and MT5
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 – Top Platform for CFD Trading
For traders interested in CFD assets, Plus500 is an excellent choice. After thoroughly testing it, I discovered that the platform features a user-friendly and customisable interface. Plus, it offers commission-free forex and CFD trading across a wide range of asset classes, including shares, commodities, ETFs, and indices. The only cost associated with this platform is the spread, which starts as low as 0.0 pips. I believe these low charges are affordable for most traders looking to venture into CFD trading.
When it comes to asset offerings, Plus500 provides access to over 2,800 CFD instruments, with leverage limits up to 1:30. Beginners can use its £50,000 virtual demo account to practice and build their skills. Experienced traders can take advantage of Plus500’s “Premium Service,” which includes advanced resources and higher leverage limits of up to 1:300. Plus500UK Ltd is authorised & regulated by the FCA (#509909).
Note: 80% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Plus500
✔User-friendly interface
✔Zero deposit and withdrawal fees
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets
Pros
- Commission-free CFD trades
- Has a virtually funded demo account and quality learning materials for newbies
- £100 minimum deposit requirement, which we believe is low
- High leverage limits and an advanced platform for professional traders
- Low spreads from 0.0 pips
Cons
- Only forex and CFD instruments supported
- Limited asset offerings compared to its peers
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. FP Markets – Best For Professional Traders
FP Markets is a great choice for professional traders with its comprehensive suite of high-end trading tools. Although I find it superior for all types of traders, due to its high-end features, it is best suited for professionals. I liked instantaneous trade execution, a high-end client portal to keep abreast of everything in real-time, and class-leading VPS solutions for professional advisors and auto-trading.
Upon opening an account with FP Markets, you have access to over 10,000 trading instruments spread across various asset classes. Some of the assets they include are forex, stocks, commodities, cryptos, indices, ETFs, and others. In addition to having multiple trading platforms, this broker also provides social and copy trading. I also find its support service team to be responsive and quick to respond when contacted.
FP Markets
✔10,000+ tradeable financial instruments
✔Free deposits and withdrawals
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets
Pros
- Low minimum deposit requirement of £100
- Low spreads from 0.0 pips
- Fast trade execution speed on its desktop and mobile devices
- Features an Iress DMA platform for share trading
- Reliable and responsive 24/7 support service
Cons
- The securities are available to trade as CFDs only
- The minimum balance for the Iress account type is £1000
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. Spreadex – Top Option For Spread Betting
Spread betting is legal in the UK, and to succeed in this area, you need a reliable platform like Spreadex. I found that Spreadex is both user-friendly and highly customizable. It provides access to over 10,000 global markets across various asset classes, including stocks, forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, ETFs, and more. The platform has no minimum deposit requirement and offers competitive spreads starting from 0.6 points on major currency pairs.
Besides its proprietary platform, Spreadex supports TradingView, known for its advanced features. TradingView features social trading, over 12 interactive chart types, more than 50 drawing tools, and over 100 pre-built technical indicators. These tools help you perform thorough market analysis and craft strategies to enhance your trading performance.
Spreadex
✔10,000+ financial instruments
✔Zero account inactivity fees
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets
Pros
- Low trading fees with spreads from 0.6 points on major currency pairs
- Quality market analysis tools
- Features a Spreadex Pro platform tailored for professional traders
- Free deposits and withdrawals
- No minimum deposit requirement
Cons
- No demo account
- No MetaTrader platforms
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.
Learn about stock trading apps in the UK in our other article.
How to Choose a Trading Platform
Now that you know the top trading platforms in the UK, it is crucial to settle with one that aligns with your requirements. Below are the top features I believe will guide your choice.
Security
Charges
Platform
Asset Offerings
Customer Service
User Testimonials
Prioritise secure trading platforms to protect your personal data and funds. Remember, while the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) works tirelessly to keep online trading secure, some fraudulent platforms might still be operating in the region. Such platforms are mostly not FCA-regulated and do not adhere to the authority’s regulations. They will lure you with attractive offers only to scam you off your hard-earned money. I advise that you choose a platform that is FCA-regulated and utilizes strong encryption technology for both desktop and mobile platforms.
The best online trading platform UK for beginners should be affordable and fit your budget. Analyse a platform’s fee structure and confirm all trading and non-trading charges. These include minimum deposit requirements, inactivity fees, commissions/spreads, financing charges for overnight positions, and others. Remember, trading involves risks, so only use funds you are comfortable losing.
Assess the performance of a platform before making a commitment. I usually consider one that is user-friendly and features the best trading tools for market analysis. For beginners, confirm the availability of learning materials and a demo account to gauge your skill level risk-free. Plus, the best trading platform UK should be compatible with mobile devices to help traders efficiently manage their positions while on the move.
Choose a platform that supports the trading instruments you’re interested in. Whether you’re trading forex, stocks, commodities, or cryptocurrencies, the platform should provide access to these assets and more. Personally, I like diversifying my portfolio with a broad range of asset classes. So, I consider an option with vast offerings.
Do not downplay the importance of customer support. Ensure your platform is backed by a group of responsive and reliable professionals who can effectively address your issues or inquiries. Whether or not the support group of a platform works 24/7 or five days a week is not that important. It merely needs to support your trading hours. What I tend to do is to test their responsiveness and availability using the supported channels prior to making a decision.
While considering the above factors is essential, don’t ignore user testimonials. As a professional in this field, I believe learning from other traders’ experiences can provide valuable insights into a platform’s strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, I encourage you to visit review sites like Google Play, the App Store, and Trustpilot to read user comments and ratings. They have really helped me make the best choices so far.
How to Start with Trading Platform
For many beginner traders in the UK, creating a trading account with an online brokerage firm can feel daunting. I understand these concerns, especially if you lack proper guidance. That is why I share the step by step guidance to getting started.
Step 1: Visit a platform’s website
Step 2: Complete the registration process
Step 3: Participate in account verification
Step 4: Make a deposit
Step 5: Open a position
Start by visiting the official website of the trading platform you have chosen. If you selected a platform from my list above, you can use the links provided on this page for quick access. On the platform’s website, read and understand the terms of service to ensure the platform meets your trading needs. And if you are always on the move, install your platform’s trading app on your mobile device to efficiently manage your positions anywhere, anytime.
When you’re ready, click on the “Register,” “Join Now,” or “Sign Up” button to start the registration process. You will need to fill out a form with your personal details, including your name, email address, phone number, source of income, preferred currency, and location.
Be sure to create a strong username and password to secure your account. Accuracy is crucial, as you will need to verify these details in the next step.
All FCA-regulated brokers are mandated to verify their clients’ personal details before completing the account setup. It is a standard protocol set by the FCA to ensure the UK’s online financial space remains safe and free from scammers.
You will need to provide copies of personal documents for verification. These include a government-issued ID, passport, or driver’s license to confirm your identity and a recent utility bill or bank statement to verify your address.
The account registration process may take hours to complete, after which your broker will send you an email notification. At this point, you can make a deposit that adheres to the platform’s minimum deposit requirement. Most FCA-regulated platforms support transactions using multiple methods, including credit/debit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers. Choose a convenient method for fast, affordable, and efficient transactions.
Once you make a deposit on your trading platform, you will automatically be redirected to the listed assets to trade. Select your preferred asset, whether forex, shares, commodities, cryptos, or others. Make your trading decisions based on your strategy and available funds. Determine the size of your trade and decide whether you are buying the asset directly or trading it as a derivative, like CFDs or indices.
Proceed to open a position and track it to ensure it aligns with your trading plan. Use risk management tools, like stop-loss orders to mitigate massive losses in case a trade goes against you.
How We Test
You probably must be wondering how I settled with the above trading platforms for UK traders. Well, together with my team, we started with selecting as many trading platforms as possible while prioritising their security measures. Then, we signed up for demo accounts and tested their performance. Besides security, we compared their additional features such as fees, mobile compatibility, support service reliability, asset offerings, and more. Only those that met our stringent specifications were shortlisted.
Our research didn’t end here. Since we always strive to remain unbiased when making recommendations, we combined our test results with findings from user testimonials. We got users’ honest opinions and ratings from Google Play, the App Store, and Trustpilot. You can visit our How we Test page to learn more about our testing process.
Final Thoughts
With numerous trading platforms in the UK claiming to be trustworthy and legitimate, it’s essential to do your own research to find the best one for you. My recommended platforms above have been vetted for security, functionality, and overall performance. I encourage you to explore them. However, as highlighted in this guide, it’s crucial to have a clear plan and approach your trading strategically.
Keep in mind that the financial markets are both volatile and ever-changing. While there is potential for profit, losses are also a part of trading. Begin with a modest investment, make use of demo accounts if you’re new to trading, and be prepared to learn from your experiences. Fortunately, our top UK trading platforms offer valuable educational resources and market analysis tools to help you effectively navigate the market and make the most of your trading journey.
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In my opinion, eToro is the best. It’s easy to use, offers commission-free stock trading, and has great social trading features. It’s just perfect, I had only great experience
Great comparison! If you're just starting, I’d recommend Pepperstone for its easy-to-use platform and no minimum deposit.