5 Best Trading Platforms In The UK for 2026
The UK offers some of the world's most competitive and well-regulated trading platforms for spread betting, CFDs, and forex. We tested over 20 FCA-regulated platforms to find the best options for UK traders across fees, tools, education, and market access. Here are our top 5 picks for 2026.
What Is the Best Trading Platform in the UK?
IG is our #1 pick for UK traders in 2026. FCA-regulated since 1974, IG offers spread betting and CFD trading across 17,000+ markets with competitive spreads starting from 0.6 pips on major forex pairs. For traders seeking ultra-low-cost forex trading, Pepperstone is the best alternative with raw spreads from 0.0 pips and commission from just £2.25 per lot.
💡 Pro Tip: UK traders should consider whether spread betting (tax-free profits) or CFD trading (access to more markets) better suits their strategy. Most platforms on this list offer both options, so you can switch between them as needed.
68% of Retail CFD Accounts Lose Money
How Do the Best Trading Platforms in the UK Compare?
All five platforms are FCA-regulated and offer negative balance protection for retail clients. Key differences emerge in fee structures, market coverage, and platform sophistication. IG leads on market breadth and heritage, while Pepperstone excels on raw pricing and Capital.com on AI-driven tools.
| # | Provider | Spread (EUR/USD) | Markets | Min. Deposit | Spread Betting | FCA Number | TIC Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IG | 0.6 pips | 17,000+ | £0 | Yes | 195355 | ⭐ 4.8 |
| 2 | CMC Markets | 0.7 pips | 12,000+ | £0 | Yes | 173730 | ⭐ 4.6 |
| 3 | Capital.com | 0.6 pips | 6,000+ | £20 | Yes | 793714 | ⭐ 4.4 |
| 4 | Pepperstone | 0.0 pips* | 1,200+ | £0 | Yes | 684312 | ⭐ 4.3 |
| 5 | Plus500 | 0.8 pips | 2,800+ | £100 | No | 509909 | ⭐ 4.0 |
*Pepperstone's 0.0 pip spread is on the Razor account with a £2.25/lot commission. Standard account spreads start from 1.0 pips with no commission.
Here Are The Top 5 Best Trading Platforms in the UK:
IG – Best Overall Trading Platform
FCA Regulated
Pros
- 17,000+ markets including spread betting and CFDs
- FCA regulated with 50+ years heritage
- Free ProRealTime for active traders
- Excellent educational resources and demo account
- No minimum deposit requirement
Cons
- Wider spreads on some minor forex pairs
- Inactivity fee of £12/month after 2 years
- Share dealing fees higher than specialist brokers
What Are IG's Trading Fees and Spreads?
| Fee Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD Spread | 0.6 pips | Variable, typical during market hours |
| GBP/USD Spread | 0.9 pips | Variable |
| UK 100 Spread | 1 point | During market hours |
| Commission (CFDs) | £0 | Built into spread |
| Overnight Financing | Variable | Applied to positions held overnight |
| Inactivity Fee | £12/month | After 2 years of no activity |
| Minimum Deposit | £0 | No minimum required |
IG uses a spread-based pricing model with no separate commission on CFDs or spread bets. Spreads are variable and tighten during peak liquidity hours. Active traders (4+ trades per month) get free access to ProRealTime advanced charting worth £30/month. Overnight financing charges apply based on the relevant interbank rate plus IG's charge, which varies by asset class.
What Platform Features Does IG Offer?
IG offers three trading platforms: the proprietary web platform, the IG Trading mobile app, and ProRealTime for advanced charting. The web platform includes 100+ technical indicators, Reuters news integration, and customisable layouts. ProRealTime adds automated trading capabilities with backtesting. L2 Dealer provides direct market access for shares trading. All platforms support alerts, economic calendar integration, and one-click dealing.
What Educational Resources Does IG Provide?
IG Academy is one of the most comprehensive trading education programmes in the UK. It includes structured courses for beginners through advanced traders, covering spread betting, CFDs, forex, shares, and commodities. Interactive quizzes test understanding, and a free demo account with £10,000 virtual funds allows risk-free practice. IG also hosts regular webinars and publishes daily market analysis from its team of analysts.
CMC Markets – Best for Advanced Charting
FCA Regulated
Pros
- 115+ technical indicators and drawing tools
- 12,000+ markets with tight spreads
- Client sentiment and pattern recognition tools
- No minimum deposit required
- Excellent mobile app for on-the-go trading
Cons
- No MetaTrader 4/5 support
- Inactivity fee of £10/month after 12 months
- Some advanced features require learning curve
What Does CMC Markets Charge for Trading?
CMC Markets uses a spread-only model with no separate commissions on spread bets or CFDs. EUR/USD spreads start from 0.7 pips, with the UK 100 available from 1 point. No minimum deposit is required, and there are no platform fees. An inactivity fee of £10/month applies after 12 months of dormancy, waived by a single trade. Overnight financing charges are competitive with industry averages.
What Makes CMC Markets' Charting Stand Out?
The Next Generation platform is purpose-built for technical analysis. With 115+ indicators, 12 chart types, and 70+ drawing tools, it surpasses most competitors. Unique features include pattern recognition scanning across markets, client sentiment overlays showing how other CMC traders are positioned, and module linking that synchronises charts, watchlists, and order tickets. All tools are available on mobile.
What Account Types Does CMC Markets Offer?
CMC Markets offers spread betting accounts (tax-free profits for UK residents), CFD accounts (with access to more asset classes), and a combined account option. Corporate and professional accounts are also available, unlocking higher leverage but removing retail protections. A free demo account with £10,000 virtual funds is available for 30 days and can be extended on request.
Capital.com – Best for AI-Powered Trading
FCA Regulated
Pros
- AI-powered trading insights and bias detection
- Tight spreads from 0.6 pips with zero commission
- Low £20 minimum deposit
- TradingView integration
- Excellent mobile app with intuitive design
Cons
- Fewer markets than IG or CMC (6,000+)
- No MetaTrader 5 support
- Relatively newer brand compared to IG
What Are Capital.com's Trading Costs?
Capital.com operates a zero-commission model with revenue generated from spreads. EUR/USD spreads start from 0.6 pips, competitive with the best in the UK market. No account fees, deposit fees, or withdrawal fees apply. Overnight financing charges are standard. The £20 minimum deposit is among the lowest available, making it accessible for new traders wanting to start small.
How Does Capital.com's AI Technology Work?
Capital.com's proprietary AI analyses trading patterns to identify cognitive biases that may impact decision-making. It tracks metrics like time-of-day performance, asset diversification, and risk management consistency. The AI then provides personalised suggestions via push notifications and in-app insights. It also powers the smart newsfeed, surfacing relevant market news based on your portfolio and watchlist.
What Markets Can You Trade on Capital.com?
Capital.com offers 6,000+ markets across forex, indices, commodities, shares, and cryptocurrencies. While this is fewer than IG or CMC Markets, it covers all major and most minor instruments. The platform supports both spread betting (tax-free for UK residents) and CFD trading. Leverage limits follow FCA requirements: 30:1 for major forex, 20:1 for minor forex and indices, and 2:1 for cryptocurrencies.
Pepperstone – Best for Low-Cost Forex
FCA Regulated
Pros
- Raw spreads from 0.0 pips on Razor account
- MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView support
- No minimum deposit requirement
- Fast execution speeds (avg. 30ms)
- Active Trader programme for volume discounts
Cons
- Fewer markets than IG or CMC (1,200+)
- No proprietary platform (relies on third-party)
- Research content less extensive than competitors
What Are Pepperstone's Trading Costs?
Pepperstone offers two account types. The Razor account provides raw spreads from 0.0 pips with a £2.25 per lot commission (£4.50 round trip), making it one of the cheapest forex trading options in the UK. The Standard account bundles the commission into the spread, starting from 1.0 pips. No deposit fees, withdrawal fees, or inactivity charges apply. The Active Trader programme offers further rebates for high-volume traders.
What Platform Options Does Pepperstone Provide?
Pepperstone is unique in offering four trading platforms: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, and TradingView integration. MT4 remains popular for forex traders wanting Expert Advisors (EAs). MT5 adds depth of market and more order types. cTrader appeals to traders wanting a modern interface with algorithmic trading via cAlgo. TradingView integration allows direct trading from the world's most popular charting platform.
What Is Pepperstone's Execution Quality Like?
Pepperstone reports average execution speeds of 30 milliseconds with 99.94% fill rates. They use a no dealing desk (NDD) model, routing orders directly to liquidity providers. This makes Pepperstone particularly suitable for scalpers and high-frequency traders who need reliable execution without requotes. Slippage statistics are published monthly for transparency.
Plus500 – Best for Simple CFD Trading
FCA Regulated
Pros
- Extremely simple and intuitive platform
- Zero commission on all CFD trades
- Listed company (LSE: PLUS)
- Negative balance protection
- Free guaranteed stop-loss orders
Cons
- No spread betting option (CFDs only)
- £100 minimum deposit required
- Limited educational resources and research
What Does Plus500 Charge for CFD Trading?
Plus500 charges zero commission on all trades. Revenue is generated through the bid-ask spread, which is competitive across major instruments. EUR/USD spreads start from 0.8 pips. Overnight financing charges apply to positions held past 10pm GMT. The minimum deposit is £100, higher than most competitors. A £10/month inactivity fee kicks in after 3 months of no activity, waived by logging in.
What Platform Features Does Plus500 Offer?
Plus500's platform prioritises simplicity over feature depth. The web and mobile platforms offer price alerts, economic calendar integration, and real-time charts with basic technical indicators. Unique features include free guaranteed stop-loss orders and a risk management tool that visualises potential profits and losses before order submission. The platform does not support MetaTrader or third-party integrations.
Why Does Plus500 Not Offer Spread Betting?
Plus500 operates as a CFD-only platform globally, which means UK traders cannot access tax-free spread betting. CFD profits are subject to Capital Gains Tax, making Plus500 less tax-efficient for UK residents compared to platforms offering spread betting. However, Plus500's simplicity, zero commissions, and guaranteed stops remain attractive for traders who prioritise ease of use over tax efficiency.
How Do You Choose a Trading Platform in the UK?
Choosing the right trading platform depends on your experience level, trading style, and priorities. UK traders benefit from strong FCA regulation and the unique tax advantage of spread betting. Consider the following factors when making your decision.
What Should Beginners Look for in a Trading Platform?
Beginners should prioritise educational resources, demo accounts, and platform usability. IG's Academy and free demo account provide the most comprehensive learning path. Capital.com's AI insights can help identify and correct common beginner mistakes. A low or zero minimum deposit reduces the barrier to entry. Negative balance protection, mandatory for FCA-regulated retail accounts, ensures you cannot lose more than your deposit.
What Is the Difference Between Spread Betting and CFDs?
Spread betting involves placing a stake per point of market movement and is currently tax-free in the UK. CFD trading involves buying or selling contracts that mirror asset prices, with profits subject to Capital Gains Tax. Both use leverage and carry similar risks. Most UK platforms offer both options, allowing you to choose based on your tax situation. Plus500 is the notable exception, offering CFDs only.
How Did We Test These Trading Platforms?
What Accounts Did We Open?
We opened live spread betting and CFD accounts with all five platforms to verify real trading conditions, spreads, and execution quality. Each platform was tested over a period of 4 weeks with both manual and automated trading strategies.
What Did We Actually Test?
We executed 50+ trades per platform across forex, indices, and commodities. Testing focused on spread consistency during different market conditions, execution speeds, slippage frequency, and platform stability during high-volatility events. Mobile apps were tested alongside desktop platforms. Educational resources and customer service responsiveness were also evaluated.
How Did We Score Each Platform?
Our scoring weighted the following criteria specific to UK trading platform capabilities:
| Criteria | Weight | What We Measured |
|---|---|---|
| Fees & Spreads | 25% | Spread costs, commissions, overnight charges |
| Platform & Tools | 20% | Charting, indicators, order types, mobile app |
| Market Access | 15% | Number and variety of available markets |
| Usability | 15% | Account opening, navigation, order execution |
| Education | 15% | Learning resources, demo accounts, webinars |
| Regulation | 10% | FCA status, FSCS coverage, fund segregation |
When Was This Guide Last Tested?
All platforms were last tested between January and February 2026. Pricing data and feature availability are verified monthly. The next full retest is scheduled for May 2026.
Regulatory verification: All FCA registration numbers were verified against the FCA Financial Services Register at the time of publication. UK trading platforms must be authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to offer leveraged derivatives to retail clients.
Final Thoughts
The UK remains one of the best-regulated environments for retail traders, and all five platforms on this list deliver strong value within FCA oversight. IG's breadth of markets and decades of experience make it the clear overall winner for most traders. CMC Markets is the pick for chart-focused technical traders, while Capital.com brings genuinely innovative AI tools to a beginner-friendly package.
Active forex traders should seriously consider Pepperstone's Razor account for its industry-leading raw spreads and multi-platform support. Plus500 serves traders who want simplicity above all else, though the lack of spread betting is a meaningful tax disadvantage for UK residents.
Whichever platform you choose, start with a demo account to test the interface and execution before committing real capital. All five platforms offer free demos, so you can compare them firsthand with no risk.
What Are the Most Common Questions About Trading Platforms in the UK?
What Sources Were Used for This Guide?
- FCA. "Financial Services Register." 2026
- FCA. "PS19/18: Restricting Contract for Difference Products Sold to Retail Clients." 2019
- IG Group Holdings plc. "Annual Report and Accounts." 2025
- CMC Markets. "Charges and Fees Schedule." 2026
- Capital.com. "Fees and Charges." 2026
- Pepperstone. "Trading Fees and Costs." 2026
- Plus500. "Fees and Charges." 2026
- FSCS. "What We Cover." 2026
⚙️ ACF Field Audit (Remove Before Production)
This section tests every ACF field for a single affiliate (IG) to confirm all shortcodes resolve correctly. If any field shows the raw shortcode text instead of a value, that field needs attention in the database.
| # | Field Name | Type | Output | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | affiliate_id |
Text | ig | Check ✓/✗ |
| 2 | multi-asset |
True/False | 1 | Check ✓/✗ |
| 3 | affiliate_logo |
Image | Check ✓/✗ | |
| 4 | affiliate_link_standard |
URL | Test Standard Link | Check ✓/✗ |
| 5 | affiliate_link_investin |
URL | Test Investin Link | Check ✓/✗ |
| 6 | affiliate_link_crypto |
URL | Test Crypto Link | Check ✓/✗ |
| 7 | affiliate_link_trading |
URL | Test Trading Link | Check ✓/✗ |
| 8 | affiliate_review_link |
URL | Test Review Link | Check ✓/✗ |
| 9 | affiliate_disclaimer_short |
Text | 68% of Retail CFD Accounts Lose Money |
Check ✓/✗ |
| 10 | affiliate_disclaimer_main |
Text | 68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. |
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| 11 | affiliate_disclaimer_long |
Text | Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. |
Check ✓/✗ |
| 12 | affiliate_usability_score |
Number | Check ✓/✗ | |
| 13 | affiliate_fees_score |
Number | 1.1 | Check ✓/✗ |
| 14 | affiliate_tools_score |
Number | 1.2 | Check ✓/✗ |
| 15 | trustpilot_score |
Number | -3 | Check ✓/✗ |
| 16 | trust_pilot_link |
URL | Test Trustpilot Link | Check ✓/✗ |
Multi-Slug Test (All 5 Platforms)
Tests that shortcodes resolve for every slug used on this page:
| Slug | Logo | Usability | Fees | Tools | Trustpilot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ig |
1.1 | 1.2 | -3 | ||
cmc-markets |
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capital-com |
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pepperstone |
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plus500 |
All 4 Link Category Fields (IG)
Verifies all four category-specific affiliate link fields resolve to distinct URLs:
- Standard: https://www.theinvestorscentre.co.uk/TIC/ig
- Investing:
- Crypto: https://www.theinvestorscentre.co.uk/TIC/ig-crypto
- Trading:
DB Typo Check
If the database typos haven't been corrected yet, these fields may fail:
affiliate_id— DB currently hasaffilaite_idaffiliate_usability_score— DB currently hasaffiliate_usabality_score
