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Best Brokers in the UK - October 2026

Updated
31/07/2026
Choosing a broker shapes everything that follows: what you pay, which markets you can reach, the accounts you can hold and the platform you use every day. UK investors and traders can pick from share dealing platforms, CFD and spread betting brokers, forex specialists and crypto providers, and each suits a different goal. Below, we compare the brokers available in the UK and the features that separate them, so you can choose with confidence.
Risk Warning

How to Choose the Right Broker

Jordana Goldblum Jungreis
Author
Jordana Goldblum Jungreis
Reviewed By
Yael Klempner
Thomas Monteiro
Fact Checked By
Thomas Monteiro
Start with what you want to do. Investing for the long term in shares and funds points to a share dealing platform, while short-term trading on price moves points to a CFD, spread betting or forex broker. Once you know the type, three things decide it for most people: total costs, the markets and accounts on offer, and the platform. After that, funding, research and support separate a good fit from a poor one.

Top Brokers in the UK Compared October 2026

Here are our current picks at a glance. These brokers are presented for informational purposes and are not listed in order of preference. Fees and features change, so always confirm the details with the broker before opening an account.

In-Depth Broker Reviews

Plus500

Plus500

4.9

76% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

Open account
Read Review

Read our full review of Plus500

eToro

eToro

4.8

eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.

Open account
Read Review

Read our full review of eToro

What to Compare When Choosing a Broker

These are the features that most affect your costs and your experience, ordered by how much they matter day to day.

1. Type of Broker

UK brokers fall into a few broad groups, and many offer more than one:
  • Share dealing platforms: Buy and hold real shares, ETFs and funds, often inside a Stocks and Shares ISA or SIPP. Compare them in our guide to stock brokers.
  • CFD and spread betting brokers: Trade on price moves with leverage across indices, shares, forex and commodities without owning the asset. See our CFD brokers guide.
  • Forex brokers: Specialists in currency trading with tight pricing on major pairs. See our forex brokers guide.
  • Crypto providers: Exchanges and brokers for buying and selling cryptoassets. See our crypto brokers guide.

2. Trading and Investing Costs

Costs come in several layers. Compare dealing commissions, spreads, platform or custody fees, overnight financing on leveraged positions, foreign exchange fees on overseas markets, and inactivity or withdrawal charges. The cheapest broker depends on what you trade and how often, so work out the all-in cost for your own activity.

3. Markets and Instruments

Check the broker covers what you want: UK and international shares, ETFs and funds, indices, currency pairs, commodities, bonds or cryptoassets. Ranges vary widely, especially for international shares and smaller markets.

4. Account Types

If you invest for the long term, check for a Stocks and Shares ISA, a SIPP and a General Investment Account. If you trade, check whether the broker offers CFD trading, spread betting or both. Our guide to Stocks and Shares ISA providers covers the ISA side in more detail.

5. Trading Platform and App

You will spend your time on the platform, so it should fit your style. Investors need a clear order screen and portfolio view, while active traders need fast execution, advanced charting, more order types and possibly MetaTrader, cTrader or TradingView. Check that the mobile app matches the desktop experience.

6. Leverage and Risk Controls

Leveraged products such as CFDs and spread bets magnify both gains and losses. The FCA caps the leverage available to retail clients, with limits that vary by asset. Look for clear margin information, stop-loss orders and alerts that help you manage risk.

7. Deposits and Withdrawals

Look for GBP funding by Faster Payments, debit card or bank transfer, fast and reliable withdrawals, and no hidden fees. Holding your account in pounds avoids currency conversion on deposits and withdrawals.

8. Research, Education and Support

Good brokers offer more than an order ticket: market news, analysis, screeners and education suited to your level. Support should be easy to reach in UK hours, ideally by phone, chat and email.

Which Broker Is Best for Your Strategy?

Match your priorities to the profiles below, then compare the brokers that fit.

How Did Investing.com Choose the Best Brokers?

Our review process evaluates brokers on the features that matter most to UK investors and traders.
  • Costs: Dealing charges, spreads, platform fees, financing and FX costs.
  • Markets and Accounts: The range of instruments and account types on offer.
  • Platforms and Tools: Platform usability, execution, mobile parity, order types and research.
  • Funding and Support: GBP payment methods, withdrawal reliability and customer support quality.
  • Trust: We only feature firms authorised and regulated by the FCA. Our regulation guide explains how to check a firm on the FCA register.
For more details, see our Ratings Methodology.

Final Thoughts

The best broker in the UK is the one that fits your goal. Decide first whether you want to invest or trade, then compare total costs, the markets and accounts on offer, and the platform. Check every firm on the FCA register before you deposit, and remember that leveraged products carry a high risk of losing money quickly.
Ready for the next step? Learn how to check a firm on the FCA register in our regulation guide, read our in-depth reviews, sharpen your skills with the Investing.com Academy, or unlock premium tools and analysis with InvestingPro.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose a broker in the UK?

Decide whether you want to invest for the long term or trade short-term price moves, then compare brokers of that type on total costs, the markets and account types on offer, and the platform. Check the firm on the FCA register before opening an account.

What is the difference between a share dealing broker and a CFD broker?

A share dealing broker lets you buy and own real shares and funds, usually for the long term. A CFD broker lets you trade on price moves with leverage without owning the asset, which magnifies both gains and losses. Many UK firms offer both in separate accounts.

How do I check if a broker is regulated in the UK?

Search the firm on the FCA Financial Services Register and confirm that the firm name, reference number and website match the entry exactly. Clone firms copy the details of real ones, so contact the firm using the details on the register.

What is spread betting?

Spread betting is a way to trade on price moves in the UK where you stake an amount per point of movement rather than buying units of an asset. Like CFDs, it uses leverage, so losses can build quickly. Many UK brokers offer it alongside CFD trading.

What fees do UK brokers charge?

Common fees include dealing commissions, spreads, platform or custody fees, overnight financing on leveraged positions, foreign exchange fees and inactivity or withdrawal charges. Compare the full fee schedule against how you plan to invest or trade.

Can I open accounts with more than one broker?

Yes. Many people use one platform for long-term investing and another for trading. Check each firm's fees and minimums, and keep track of the accounts you hold.

Do UK brokers offer demo accounts?

Many trading brokers offer free demo accounts funded with virtual money, which let you test the platform before depositing. Investment platforms less often offer demos, but most let you explore the app before you fund it.

More Guides

Best Demo Trading Accounts in the UK October 2026Best CFD Brokers in the UK October 2026Best Stocks & Shares ISA in the UK: October 2026Best Trading Platforms and Apps for Beginners in the UK 2026

Most Popular Reviews

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

Plus500
Plus500 Full review
15 Sep 2026•By Investing Editorial
eToro
eToro Full review
15 Sep 2026•By Investing Editorial
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Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
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