Best Brokers in the UK – January 2026

How to Choose the Right Online Broker in the UK

In the current market, your choice of an online broker in the UK is one of the most important financial decisions you’ll make. It affects everything from your overall profit margins—due to hidden or high fees—to your security and long-term tax liabilities. With a huge range of platforms offering everything from commission-free share dealing to advanced CFD trading, choosing the right provider can feel overwhelming.

Our 2026 guide breaks down what you need to know to select a platform that not only meets your trading needs but also adheres to the stringent consumer protection standards set by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). We’ve sorted through dozens of UK-accessible online brokers to help you compare, understand, and make an informed decision for your financial future.

Online Brokers Compared (2026 UK Edition) 📊

Note: These platforms are presented for informational purposes and are not listed in order of preference or ranking. Fees and features are subject to change. Always verify with the broker directly before opening an account. CFD trading is complex and comes with a high risk of losing money rapidly. 

In-Depth Broker Reviews

eToro – Best for Social & Copy Trading

eToro is ideal for UK beginners seeking a user-friendly, social-focused platform. It allows users to invest in commission-free stocks and offers its unique CopyTrader™ feature, enabling them to automatically replicate the moves of top-performing investors. It’s a versatile platform, blending traditional investing with high-growth assets like cryptocurrency and CFDs.

Supported Assets: Physical stocks and ETFs (UK and US), CFDs (forex, commodities, indices), and a wide range of cryptocurrencies.

Regulation & Licensing: Fully FCA-authorised in the UK. Client funds are segregated, and the FSCS covers eligible UK clients up to £85,000. It also holds licences in Cyprus (CySEC), Australia (ASIC), and the US (FinCEN).

Platform Experience: Intuitive web platform and highly-rated mobile app (iOS/Android) with a clean, social-media-style interface. The platform excels at making complex instruments accessible to the casual investor.

Fee Structure:

• Commission: 0% commission on buying and selling non-leveraged stocks and ETFs.
• FX/Spread Fees: Spreads are applied to CFDs and Forex. A 0.5% FX conversion fee is applied to deposits/withdrawals not in USD (which affects UK users funding their account in GBP).
• Other Fees: $5 withdrawal fee; $10/month inactivity fee after 12 months.

Pros:

• 0% commission on real stocks/ETFs.
• CopyTrader™ and active social community.
• Wide asset selection, including crypto.

Cons:

• $5 Withdrawal Fee and $10/month inactivity fee.
• High FX conversion fee (0.5%) for GBP deposits.
• ISA/SIPP only available through an affiliated Moneyfarm product.

Best For: UK beginners, social investors, and those interested in a mix of stocks and cryptocurrencies.

ISA/SIPP Availability: ISA is available via eToro’s affiliated Moneyfarm service. SIPP is Not available.

Read our full review of eToro

FxPro – Best for Fast Execution and Platform Choice

FxPro is a highly reputable broker known for its No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution model and ultra-fast trade processing. Offering four powerful platforms—MT4, MT5, cTrader, and its proprietary Edge app—it is tailor-made for experienced UK forex and CFD traders who require reliability, speed, and platform flexibility.

Supported Assets: CFDs on Forex (70+ pairs), Shares, Indices, Metals, Energies, and Cryptocurrencies. No physical stock trading is available.

Regulation & Licensing: Fully FCA-authorised in the UK, ensuring clients benefit from segregated funds and FSCS protection up to £85,000. FxPro is also regulated by CySEC, SCB, and FSCA, demonstrating strong global compliance.

Platform Experience: Offers an exceptional suite of platforms to suit every strategy: MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), cTrader (known for raw spreads), and the proprietary FxPro Edge platform (ideal for Spread Betting in the UK). All are available on web, desktop, and mobile, with a focus on speed and advanced charting.

Fee Structure:

• Commission: Varies by account. MT4/MT5 Standard accounts are commission-free (spread-only). cTrader accounts offer raw spreads (starting from 0.0 pips) plus a commission of approximately $35 per $1 million USD traded (round turn).
• FX/Spread Fees: Competitive, floating spreads on major currency pairs, with costs built into the spread on commission-free accounts.
• Other Fees: No deposit or withdrawal fees. A small inactivity fee applies after six months of dormancy.

Pros:

• NDD execution and ultra-fast average trade speed (<12ms).
• Excellent choice of platforms (MT4, MT5, cTrader, Edge).
• Strong FCA regulation with FSCS protection.

Cons:

• Trading is limited to CFDs and Spread Betting (no physical stocks).
• The commission-free (Standard) accounts have slightly wider spreads.

Best For: Experienced forex and CFD traders who value execution speed, reliability, and the choice between commission-based (cTrader) or spread-only (MT4/5) pricing models.

ISA/SIPP Availability: Not available.

Read our full review of FxPro

Capital.com – Best for Beginner-Friendly Platform & Education

Capital.com is a leading CFD and Spread Betting broker, prized for its exceptionally clean, proprietary platform and award-winning educational resources (the Investmate app). It offers commission-free trading on thousands of markets, making it highly attractive to new and mobile-first UK traders who value clarity and user experience.

Supported Assets: CFDs on over 4,000 markets, including Forex, Stocks, Indices, and Commodities. UK clients can also access Spread Betting. No physical stock trading is available.

Regulation & Licensing: Fully FCA-authorised in the UK, adhering to all strict local regulations. The broker also holds licences with CySEC, ASIC, and SCB.

Platform Experience: The proprietary web platform and mobile app are highly intuitive, winning multiple awards for ease of use. It features AI-powered analysis tools, comprehensive charts, and seamless integration with TradingView and MT4, appealing to both novices and experienced analysts.

Fee Structure:

• Commission: 0% commission on all trades, with costs built solely into the spread (spread-only model).
• FX/Spread Fees: Offers very competitive, tight spreads on major Forex pairs and indices.
• Other Fees: No deposit or withdrawal fees. A £10 monthly inactivity fee applies after months of no trading activity (applies only to accounts under specific regulatory entities).

Pros:

• FCA-authorised with FSCS protection.
• Award-winning, extremely user-friendly platform and mobile app.
• Excellent educational content and Investmate app for beginners.

Cons:

• Strictly a CFD/Spread Betting broker—no physical stocks or ISA/SIPP.
• Focus is primarily on short-term trading, not long-term investing.
• Inactivity fee applies after 12 months.

Best For: UK beginners and intermediate traders who require a highly intuitive, FCA-regulated platform and strong educational support for CFD and Spread Betting.

ISA/SIPP Availability: Not available (platform is focused on leveraged products).

Read our full review of Capital.com

Interactive Brokers – Best for Professional & Global Trading

Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a powerhouse platform, offering unparalleled access to over 150 markets globally. Ideal for active, professional, and experienced investors, it provides institutional-grade trading tools, exceptionally low commissions, and highly efficient FX conversion for global assets.

Supported Assets: Stocks (UK, US, Global), ETFs, Options, Futures, Forex, Bonds, Funds, CFDs, and Cryptocurrencies. IBKR offers the widest market access of any broker on this list.

Regulation & Licensing: Fully FCA-authorised in the UK. UK clients are protected by the FSCS up to £85,000. Regulated by multiple top-tier global bodies (SEC, FINRA, ASIC, etc.).

Platform Experience: The flagship Trader Workstation (TWS) desktop platform is complex but features-rich, designed for advanced users. The IBKR Mobile and IBKR GlobalTrader apps offer a more streamlined, user-friendly experience suitable for everyday investing.

Fee Structure:

• Commission: Two-tier structure. IBKR Lite (US stocks free, no platform fee) and IBKR Pro (low commission from $1 per trade on US stocks, tiered pricing globally). Very competitive on UK share dealing.
• FX/Spread Fees: Extremely low FX conversion fees, often starting from 0.002% of the trade value.
• Other Fees: No inactivity or custody fees on the Lite plan.

Pros:

• Lowest overall costs for active, high-volume traders
• Access to 150+ global markets and 33 countries
• Offers Stocks & Shares ISA and SIPP accounts

Cons:

• TWS platform is complex, steep learning curve for beginners.
• Customer support is not rated as highly as UK-focused rivals.
• High-value portfolios may incur a data/research fee.

Best For: High-volume traders, sophisticated investors, and those seeking the lowest cost for global asset access and tax-efficient SIPP/ISA investing.

ISA/SIPP Availability: Both Stocks & Shares ISA and SIPP accounts are available, making it an excellent choice for tax-efficient long-term wealth building.

Read our full review of Interactive Brokers

Plus500 – Ideal for Simple, Focused CFD Trading

Plus500 offers a clean, proprietary platform focused solely on CFD trading across a wide range of assets, including forex, indices, and commodities. Known for its highly rated mobile app and straightforward interface, it is popular with UK traders who prioritise a simple, no-frills execution experience over advanced research or long-term stock investing.

Supported Assets: CFDs on Forex, Indices (FTSE 100, S&P 500), Commodities, Shares (UK and global), Options, and Cryptocurrencies. No physical stock trading is available.

Regulation & Licensing: Fully FCA-authorised in the UK, adhering to all local regulations. Client funds are segregated, and eligible UK clients have FSCS protection. Also regulated by CySEC, ASIC, and MAS.

Platform Experience: Proprietary web and mobile platform known for its superb user experience, simplicity, and speed. It is strictly a trading platform and does not offer complex analysis tools or third-party integrations like MT4/5.

Fee Structure:

• Commission: 0% commission on all trades, with costs built into the spread (spread-only model).
• FX/Spread Fees: Competitive spreads on major pairs. The spread incorporates all costs, including FX conversion.
• Other Fees: Inactivity fee applies after a long period of dormancy.

Pros:

• Extremely user-friendly and highly-rated mobile app.
• 0% commission trading model (spread-only).
• Strong security and full FCA/FSCS protection.

Cons:

• Strictly a CFD/Spread Betting platform—no physical stocks or ETFs.
• Limited research tools and no third-party platform support (MT4/5).
• Focus is on short-term trading, not long-term investing.

Best For: UK CFD traders and spread bettors who need a straightforward, reliable, mobile-first platform for short-term market speculation.

ISA/SIPP Availability: Not available (platform is focused on CFDs, which are not ISA/SIPP eligible).

Disclaimer: 76% of retail CFD accounts lose money

Read our full review of Plus500

Pepperstone – Best for Low-Cost Forex & Active CFD Traders

Pepperstone is a prime choice for experienced, high-frequency forex and CFD traders in the UK. Renowned for its institutional-grade execution speed and two excellent low-cost account types (Standard and Razor), it offers some of the tightest spreads in the industry across major currency pairs, indices, and commodities via MT4, MT5, and cTrader.

Supported Assets: Forex (60+ pairs), CFDs on Indices, Shares, Commodities, and Cryptocurrencies.

Regulation & Licensing: Fully FCA-authorised in the UK. Also regulated by ASIC, CySEC, and DFSA. Clients benefit from segregated funds and FSCS protection up to £85,000.

Platform Experience: Does not offer a proprietary platform but provides excellent support for leading third-party tools: MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and cTrader. This allows for sophisticated algorithmic and automated trading strategies.

Fee Structure:

• Commission: Standard Account is commission-free (spread-only). Razor Account offers ultra-tight raw spreads from 0.0 pips plus a small, fixed commission per lot traded (ideal for scalpers).
• FX/Spread Fees: The Razor account is highly competitive on spreads.
• Other Fees: No inactivity, deposit, or withdrawal fees.

Pros:

• Ultra-low raw spreads on the Razor account.
• Excellent execution speed and reliability for active trading.
• Support for all major third-party platforms.

Cons:

• No physical stocks or ETFs for long-term investing.
• No proprietary platform; relies on third-party software (MT4/5, cTrader).
• No ISA or SIPP accounts available.

Best For: Experienced, high-frequency forex traders and scalpers who demand the lowest spreads and are comfortable using MT4/5/cTrader.

ISA/SIPP Availability: Not available.

Read our full review of Pepperstone

Investor Checklist: How to Find the Right Online Broker

Choosing the right platform goes beyond checking the lowest commission. For the UK market, investors must consider regulation, tax wrappers, and the total cost of trading foreign assets.

Regulation & Licensing: Your FSCS Safety Net

All legitimate online brokers in the UK must be FCA-authorised and adhere to strict financial conduct rules. The most crucial benefit for you as a UK investor is the safety net provided by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). This protects client money up to £85,000 if the FCA-regulated firm goes out of business. Always verify a broker’s status on the FCA register before depositing funds.

Related Guide: What is the FCA and How Does It Protect UK Investors?

Fees & Spreads: The Hidden Cost of FX Conversion

Trading commissions, spreads, platform fees, and (if relevant) FX conversion costs.

• Commission Structure: Many platforms now offer commission-free UK stocks (e.g., eToro, Trading 212), but this can be offset by a platform fee (a percentage or flat monthly charge) or wider spreads on CFDs/Forex.
• FX Conversion Fee: This is the most common hidden cost for UK investors buying US stocks or any non-GBP asset. This fee can range from 0.15% to over 0.5% and can significantly erode profits over time. Brokers like Interactive Brokers offer extremely low, interbank-level FX rates, which is a major benefit for global investors.
• Spreads: For CFDs and Forex, the spread (the difference between the buy and sell price) is the main cost. Active traders should prioritise brokers offering Razor or Raw Spread accounts (e.g., Pepperstone, FP Markets) for the lowest execution costs.

Asset & Market Access: Diversifying Beyond the FTSE

Ensure your chosen broker offers the specific asset classes you plan to invest in. For many UK investors, this means access to UK-listed stocks, global ETFs, and US markets. If you plan on trading higher-risk products, confirm the platform offers CFDs and Forex. *Check out our specific guides for different asset classes, such as our list of the Best Forex Brokers UK.

Trading Platform Experience: Desktop vs. Mobile App Usability

The platform should be intuitive for your skill level. Beginners often prefer the clean, easy-to-use mobile apps of Plus500 or eToro. Advanced traders, however, require professional-grade desktop software like Interactive Brokers’ TWS or platforms supporting MetaTrader 4/5 for superior charting and algorithmic trading capabilities.

Education & Analytics Tools: Building Your Investment IQ

The best brokers provide substantial free educational content, including articles, webinars, and, crucially, a free demo account. This allows you to practice without risking capital. Look for platforms that integrate tools like TradingView or InvestingPro for advanced charting and technical analysis.

Customer Support: Accessible Help When You Need It

When markets are volatile, you need fast, reliable support. Prioritise brokers that offer 24/5 or 24/7 live chat support and local UK telephone lines, rather than email-only support that can result in frustrating delays.

Tax Efficiency & Account Types: Maximising ISA and SIPP Allowances

For most UK residents, a Stocks & Shares ISA is essential for long-term investing as it allows all profits to grow free from UK Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax (CGT), up to an annual limit. Similarly, a SIPP (Self-Invested Personal Pension) offers significant tax relief on contributions. Brokers offering these accounts (Interactive Brokers is a good example from our list) provide a massive tax-efficiency advantage over general trading accounts.

Which Online Brokers UK Is Best For Your Strategy?

Best for Beginners & Ease of Use

• eToro: Intuitive interface with social and copy trading features for easy market entry.
• Plus500: Clean, straightforward CFD platform with a highly-rated mobile app for simple execution.
• Vantage: User-friendly experience with strong educational support.

Best for Low Fees & Active Trading

• Interactive Brokers: Lowest overall costs for high-volume trading and superior FX conversion rates.
• FxPro: Excellent for NDD execution and platform choice (cTrader raw spreads option).
• Pepperstone: Ultra-tight raw spreads on its Razor account, ideal for forex and CFD scalpers.
• FP Markets: Competitive low-commission model with raw spreads on MT4/5.

Best for Tax-Efficient ISA/SIPP Investing

• Interactive Brokers: Offers both Stocks & Shares ISA and SIPP with its low global trading costs.

How Do We Review Online Brokers?

Our comprehensive review process involves evaluating platforms based on several key factors crucial to the discerning UK investor.

Regulation & Security: We prioritise FCA-registered brokers with top-tier security protocols, including client fund segregation and two-factor authentication. 

Fees & Costs: Transparent fee structures are essential. We compare the all-in costs, including deposit/withdrawal fees, platform fees, dealing commissions, spreads, and the critical FX conversion fee for trading global assets.

User Experience: Platforms are assessed for ease of use across desktop and mobile apps, looking for intuitive design, high-speed execution, and reliable performance under market stress.

Trading Features: We review the availability of advanced tools like powerful live charting (including TradingView support), risk management tools (stop-loss, take-profit), order types, and sophisticated trading platforms like MT4/5.

Asset Selection: We review the variety of instruments offered, with a focus on access to UK shares, US shares, global ETFs, and the range of forex and CFD markets.

Customer Support: Availability of live chat or responsive, UK-friendly support channels is crucial for resolving account issues quickly.

For more details on how we rate and review platforms, check out our Ratings Methodology.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right online broker in the UK is a strategic decision that directly impacts your portfolio’s long-term health, profitability, and tax efficiency. By prioritising platforms that are FCA-authorised, offer competitive FX conversion rates, and provide essential tax wrappers like a Stocks & Shares ISA or SIPP, you can set yourself up for smarter, safer trading.

Looking to take the next step on your trading journey? Whether you’re just starting out or refining your strategy, having access to reliable tools and trusted information can make all the difference. Dive into our Trading Guides to explore in-depth comparisons of trading platforms tailored to a variety of styles and goals. Want to sharpen your skills? The Investing.com Academy offers educational content on trading, investing, and financial markets. Ready to go further? Gain access to premium tools, expert analysis, and real-time market insights with InvestingPro – built to help traders and investors make smarter decisions, faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which online broker has the lowest fees for UK investors?

The broker with the lowest fees depends on your activity. Interactive Brokers is typically the lowest-cost option for active traders and those making global transactions due to its ultra-low commissions and tight FX spreads. eToro is cheapest for casual investors buying physical UK and US stocks due to its 0% commission model.

Can I trade US stocks tax-free in the UK?

Yes, you can trade US stocks tax-free by holding them within a Stocks & Shares ISA or a SIPP account. Profits generated inside these tax wrappers are generally exempt from UK Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax.

Which UK online brokers offer FSCS protection?

All FCA-authorised brokers operating in the UK must participate in the FSCS, which protects eligible client deposits up to £85,000 if the firm fails. Always check the FCA register to confirm the broker is authorised.

What is the difference between a broker and a trading platform?

The broker is the financial institution (the company) that holds your money, executes your trades, and is regulated. The trading platform (e.g., MT4, TWS, or a proprietary mobile app) is the software interface provided by the broker that you use to place your trades.

More Popular Reviews

For a comprehensive analysis of each platform’s features, pricing models, and unique selling points, visit our detailed broker reviews:

• eToro Full Review
• Interactive Brokers Full Review
• Plus500 Full Review
• Pepperstone Full Review
• FP Markets Full Review

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