How much money do I need to start trading in the UK?

Most UK brokers allow you to start with £100-£250, though £500-£1,000 is more realistic for proper risk management. Unlike the US, there's no Pattern Day Trader rule requiring $25,000.

What percentage of day traders lose money?

According to FCA data, 67-84% of retail CFD accounts lose money. Day trading is particularly challenging—studies suggest fewer than 10% of day traders are consistently profitable.

Home Trading

UK Trading Guides & Platform Comparisons

Q: What's the difference between CFD trading and spread betting?

The main difference is tax treatment. Spread betting profits are tax-free in the UK (no capital gains tax), while CFD profits are taxable. Spread betting is only available to UK and Irish residents. Both offer leverage and access to similar markets.

Q: Is trading taxable in the UK?

It depends on how you trade. Spread betting profits are tax-free. CFD and share trading profits are subject to Capital Gains Tax above your annual allowance (currently £3,000). Losses can be offset against gains. Always consult a tax professional for your specific situation.

Q: Which trading platform is best for beginners?

For beginners, we recommend eToro for its simple interface and copy trading features, or IG for its educational resources and platform depth. Both are FCA-regulated with strong mobile apps.

Q: Do I need a licence to trade in the UK?

No. Retail traders don't need any licence or qualification to trade their own money. However, you must use an FCA-regulated broker, and you'll need to pass basic appropriateness tests before trading leveraged products like CFDs.

Q: Can you short sell stocks in the UK?

Yes. Most UK retail traders short stocks through CFDs or spread betting rather than traditional share borrowing. These let you profit from falling prices with leverage. Shorting carries significant risk—losses are theoretically unlimited if prices rise.

FCA-regulated broker comparisons, tested with real money. Forex, CFDs, spread betting, and stocks.

FCA Regulated Only Real Money Testing 50+ Platforms Tested

Trading in the UK means choosing between several distinct approaches. Spread betting is unique to the UK and Ireland—profits are completely tax-free, but you're speculating on price movements without owning the underlying asset. CFD trading offers similar leverage and market access, but profits are subject to Capital Gains Tax. Forex focuses on currency pairs, while share dealing means buying actual ownership in companies.

We've spent over two years testing every major FCA-regulated broker with real money. Our process involves placing actual trades across different market conditions, timing deposits and withdrawals, stress-testing platforms during volatility, and contacting support as a regular customer would. Every comparison below reflects genuine hands-on experience—not marketing claims or spec sheets.

The guides are organised by category: platform comparisons for each trading type, guides matched to specific trading styles, step-by-step tutorials for popular strategies, and educational resources for building your skills. Use the sections below to find what's relevant to you.

Risk warning: CFDs and spread betting are leveraged products. According to FCA disclosures, 67-84% of retail accounts lose money trading these instruments. Only trade with capital you can afford to lose.

Last reviewed: February 2026

Trading Platform Comparisons

Head-to-head comparisons of FCA-regulated brokers, ranked by real-world testing. Each guide covers fees, execution quality, platform features, and who the broker suits best.

Best Trading Platforms UK Complete comparison of all major UK brokers. Best Day Trading Platforms Fast execution and advanced charting for active traders. Best Forex Brokers UK Currency trading platforms ranked by spreads and pairs. Best Spread Betting Platforms Tax-free trading on indices, forex, and shares. Best Trading Apps UK Top mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. Best CFD Trading Platforms CFD brokers with competitive fees and regulation. Best Options Trading Platforms UK access to exchange-traded and spread bet options. Best AI Trading Bots UK Automated and algorithmic trading systems.

Platforms by Trading Style

Guides matched to specific trading approaches—copy trading, MetaTrader users, high-volume traders, and those who trade outside market hours.

Best Copy Trading Platforms Replicate trades from experienced investors. Best MT4 Brokers MetaTrader 4 for EAs and technical analysis. Best MT5 Brokers MetaTrader 5 with expanded features. Best for High Volume Trading Rebates and tight pricing for active traders. Weekend Trading Platforms Trade outside standard market hours.

Learn to Trade

Step-by-step guides covering trading strategies, mechanics, and risk management for UK traders.

How to Day Trade Intraday strategies and risk management. How to Short Stocks UK Profit from falling prices via CFDs. How to Trade Gold XAU/USD and precious metals strategies. How to Trade Commodities Oil, gas, and agricultural trading. How to Short the FTSE Betting against the UK index. Forex Trading Strategies Swing, scalping, and position trading.

Trading Tools & Resources

Practice accounts, courses, and educational content for developing your trading skills.

Best Demo Trading Accounts Practice with virtual money risk-free. Free Trading Courses UK Quality education from brokers and providers. Trading Chart Patterns Technical setups and pattern recognition. Best Gold Trading Platforms Specialised precious metals platforms.

Trading FAQs

What's the difference between CFD trading and spread betting?

The main difference is tax. Spread betting profits are tax-free in the UK, while CFD profits are subject to Capital Gains Tax. Both offer leverage and access to similar markets. Spread betting is only available to UK and Irish residents.

Is trading taxable in the UK?

It depends on how you trade. Spread betting is completely tax-free. CFD and share trading profits are subject to CGT above your annual allowance (currently £3,000). Trading losses can be offset against gains. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.

How much money do I need to start trading?

Most UK brokers allow £100-£250 minimum deposits, though £500-£1,000 is more realistic for proper position sizing and risk management. Unlike the US, there's no Pattern Day Trader rule requiring $25,000.

Which trading platform is best for beginners?

eToro for its simple interface and copy trading, or IG for educational depth and platform quality. Both are FCA-regulated with strong mobile apps. See our beginner platforms guide for more options.

What is the best time to trade forex in the UK?

The London session (8am-4pm GMT) offers the highest liquidity for GBP pairs. The London-New York overlap (1pm-4pm GMT) sees peak volume. Early mornings and late evenings have wider spreads and thinner liquidity.

Do I need a licence to trade in the UK?

No. You don't need any licence or qualification to trade your own money. However, you must use an FCA-regulated broker, and you'll need to pass appropriateness tests before accessing leveraged products.

Can you short sell stocks in the UK?

Yes, through CFDs or spread betting. These let you profit from falling prices using leverage. Be aware that losses can exceed your deposit—shorting has theoretically unlimited downside if prices rise.

Are UK trading platforms safe?

FCA-regulated brokers must segregate client funds and provide negative balance protection. The FSCS covers up to £85,000 if a broker fails. This protects against broker insolvency, not trading losses. See our platform safety guide.

What percentage of traders lose money?

FCA disclosures show 67-84% of retail CFD/spread betting accounts lose money. Day trading is harder still—studies suggest fewer than 10% are consistently profitable over time.