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Best ECN Forex Brokers in the UK - November 2026

Updated
31/07/2026
ECN forex brokers route your orders to a network of liquidity providers rather than taking the other side themselves, which usually means raw spreads plus a separate commission and visible market depth. For active traders that model can lower costs and improve transparency, but the label is used loosely and pricing structures vary. Below, we compare the ECN-style forex brokers available to UK traders and the features that matter most, so you can choose with confidence.
Risk Warning

How to Choose the Right ECN Forex Broker

Demi Sher
Author
Demi Sher
The best ECN broker is the one that gives you genuinely competitive all-in pricing and transparent execution. For most traders, three things decide it: the combined cost of spread and commission, execution quality, and how the broker actually routes orders. After that, platforms, account terms, funding and support separate a good fit from a poor one.

Top ECN Forex Brokers in the UK Compared November 2026

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

In-Depth Broker Reviews

Plus500: Best for Simple Commission-Free CFD Trading

Plus500

Plus500

4.9

76% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

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Plus500 is a London-listed CFD broker and FTSE 250 constituent whose group companies are regulated by the FCA, CySEC, ASIC, the FMA, the FSCA, MAS, Estonia's EFSA and the Seychelles FSA. It keeps things simple: one proprietary platform on web and mobile, a single live account type with a free unlimited demo, spread-only pricing with no commission and a $100 minimum deposit, backed by risk tools such as guaranteed and trailing stops.
Supported Assets: CFDs on forex majors, minors and exotics, cryptocurrencies, commodities across metals, energy and agriculture, ETFs, global stocks, indices such as the S&P 500 and FTSE 100, and CFDs on options and futures.
Regulation and Licensing
FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), ASIC (Australia), FMA (New Zealand), FSCA (South Africa), MAS (Singapore), EFSA (Estonia) and FSA (Seychelles). Plus500 is listed on the London Stock Exchange, client funds of the Cyprus subsidiary are held in segregated accounts and AML and KYC checks apply.
Platform Experience: Proprietary web platform and mobile app with push notifications, +Insights, instrument insights, trader sentiment and the +Me comparison tool; no MetaTrader.
Fee Structure:
  • Spread-only pricing with no commission
  • $100 minimum deposit
  • No deposit or withdrawal fees, though payment providers may charge
  • Inactivity fee after three months without activity
  • Overnight funding on positions held open and a currency conversion fee on non-base-currency trades
  • Guaranteed stop orders cost a wider spread
Where it excels
  • 2800+ Traded Assets
  • Wide Range of Tradable CFD Instruments
  • Unlimited Demo Account
  • Competitive Spreads
  • Regulated by Reputable Authorities
Where it falls short
  • Limited Educational Resources
  • High Leverage Poses Risks
Best For: Traders who want a clean, single-platform CFD experience with built-in risk tools rather than third-party software.

Read our full review of Plus500

eToro: Best for Social and Copy Investing in One Portfolio

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.

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eToro, founded in 2007, is built around a community of more than 30 million users who share insights and can copy each other's positions automatically, with Popular Investors paid by the platform for being copied. Smart Portfolios let investors mirror analyst-curated thematic baskets without portfolio management fees, many stocks, ETFs and cryptocurrencies trade commission-free, and the whole offer sits in one proprietary web and mobile interface with a free demo account.
Supported Assets: ETFs, commodities such as gold and oil, an extensive selection of currency pairs and popular cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin and Ethereum, alongside stocks, all managed in a single portfolio; futures are not offered.
Regulation and Licensing
ASIC (Australia), CySEC (Cyprus), FCA (UK) and FSCA (South Africa). Client funds are held in segregated accounts with trusted financial institutions, and accounts are protected by encryption, two-factor authentication and continuous monitoring for suspicious activity.
Platform Experience: Proprietary web platform and iOS and Android apps with social feeds, CopyTrader, Smart Portfolios, advanced multi-instrument charts and one-click trading; no MetaTrader or cTrader support.
Fee Structure:
  • Commission-free trading on many stocks, ETFs and cryptocurrencies, with spreads that vary by asset
  • $50 minimum deposit, varying by region
  • No deposit fees; $5 fee on each withdrawal
  • $10 monthly inactivity fee after 12 months without trading
  • 50 pip currency conversion fee on non-USD deposits
  • Overnight and weekend fees on leveraged CFD positions; guaranteed stop orders carry a fee
Where it excels
  • Customize Your Trading with eToro Edge
  • Over 7,000 Instruments to Trade
  • Enjoy Interest on Your Unused Balance
  • Intuitive, User-Friendly Platform
  • Advanced Trading and Analysis Tools
  • Social Features, Including Copy Trading
  • Smart Portfolios (Ready-Made Thematic Portfolios)
  • Free $100,000 Demo Account
  • Simple, Transparent Fee Structure
Where it falls short
  • Smaller number of assets than some brokers
  • Spreads are on the high end
Best For: Beginners and hands-off investors who want to learn from and copy a large trading community rather than trade alone.

Read our full review of eToro

Moomoo US: Best for Active Traders Who Want Pro-Level Options and Data Tools

Moomoo

Moomoo

4.6
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Moomoo US is built for speed and depth: millisecond Level 2 data, one-tap execution, customisable hotkeys and a pro options chain with a one-click strategy builder, real-time Greeks and gamma exposure tools. Smart money tracking surfaces daily transaction details, 13F filings and insider and congressional activity, all with $0 commission on stock, ETF and options trades and no account minimum, from Moomoo Financial Inc., regulated by the SEC and a member of FINRA and SIPC.
Supported Assets: 10,000+ assets covering U.S. exchange-listed, OTC and Hong Kong-listed stocks and ADRs, ETFs, stock, ETF and index options, 50+ cryptocurrencies and IPO access, with fractional shares on certain U.S. stocks and ETFs; mutual funds, bonds, forex and futures are not offered.
Regulation and Licensing
SEC (USA), with FINRA membership and SIPC protection of securities customers up to $500,000, including $250,000 for cash claims. Client assets are held in segregated accounts, uninvested cash can be swept to partner banks for FDIC insurance eligibility up to $2 million per bank, and multi-factor authentication, biometric login and real-time monitoring protect accounts.
Platform Experience: Proprietary mobile and tablet app and desktop platform with multi-monitor support, plus TradingView integration and an Open API; there is no web trading, though accounts can be connected to TradingView.
Fee Structure:
  • $0 commission on stock, ETF and options trading
  • No account minimum; minimum deposit of $0.01
  • No account, inactivity, deposit, currency conversion or overnight funding fees
  • ACH withdrawals free in 3 to 5 business days; wire withdrawals carry a fee and settle in 1 to 3 business days
  • Margin trading available at a flat rate for certain balances
Where it excels
  • $0 Stock ETF and Options Trading
  • 10000+ Tradable Assets
  • Free Level 2 Data and API Access
Where it falls short
  • No Mutual Funds Available
  • No Futures Trading Offered
  • No Forex Trading Available
Best For: Self-directed U.S. traders who prioritise execution speed, institutional-flow data and advanced options analytics over a simple interface.

Read our full review of Moomoo

What to Compare When Choosing an ECN Forex Broker

These are the features that matter most for ECN-style trading, ordered by how much they affect your costs and fills.

1. All-In Trading Cost

ECN accounts usually show raw spreads and charge a commission per lot. Compare the total of both on the pairs you trade at your typical volume, and check whether commissions fall for higher volumes. A low advertised spread can still be expensive once commission is added.

2. Execution Model

Not every account marketed as ECN works the same way. Some brokers route orders through an electronic network, others use straight-through processing to a set of liquidity providers, and some run hybrid models. Read the broker's order execution policy to understand how your trades are handled.

3. Execution Speed and Slippage

Raw pricing only helps if orders fill well. Compare execution speed, how often orders are filled at a better or worse price than requested, and behaviour around news. On ECN-style accounts, slippage can work in your favour as well as against you.

4. Market Depth

Many ECN accounts show depth of market, the volume available at each price level. This helps larger traders judge how an order will fill. Check whether the platform displays it and how useful the data is.

5. Platforms

ECN-style accounts are commonly offered on cTrader, MetaTrader 4 or 5, or through APIs. Choose a platform that shows commissions clearly and supports the order types and automation you use.

6. Account Terms

Check the minimum deposit, account currency options including GBP, whether the account is available for CFD trading, spread betting or both, and any restrictions on trading styles such as scalping or news trading.

7. Deposits and Withdrawals

Look for GBP funding by Faster Payments, debit card or bank transfer, fast and reliable withdrawals, and no hidden fees.

8. Support and Transparency

Good ECN brokers explain their pricing and execution clearly and publish execution statistics where possible. Support should be able to answer detailed questions about order routing and fills.

Which ECN Forex 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 ECN Forex Brokers?

Our review process evaluates ECN-style forex brokers on the features that matter most to UK traders.
  • All-In Costs: Raw spreads plus commissions on major pairs at typical volumes.
  • Execution: Order routing model, speed, slippage and depth of market.
  • Platforms and Terms: cTrader, MetaTrader and API support, account minimums and trading style restrictions.
  • Funding and Support: GBP options, withdrawal reliability and transparency on execution.
  • 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

An ECN-style account can lower costs and improve transparency for active traders, but only if the all-in price and execution live up to the label. Compare spread plus commission on your own pairs and volume, read how each broker routes orders, and test fills on a demo or small live account. Forex trading with leverage carries 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

What is an ECN forex broker?

An ECN broker routes your orders to a network of banks and other liquidity providers rather than taking the other side of your trade. Accounts usually offer raw spreads with a separate commission per lot.

Is an ECN account cheaper than a standard account?

Often for active traders, but not always. ECN accounts pair tight spreads with a commission, while standard accounts build costs into a wider spread. Compare the all-in cost on the pairs and volume you trade.

What is the difference between ECN and STP?

Both pass orders to liquidity providers rather than dealing against you. ECN usually refers to a network where orders interact with multiple participants, while STP routes orders straight to one or more providers. Many brokers use a mix, so read the execution policy.

Do ECN brokers allow scalping?

Many do, since orders go to external liquidity rather than the broker's own book. Some still set restrictions, so check the account terms before using a scalping or high-frequency strategy.

Which platforms offer ECN trading?

ECN-style accounts are commonly available on cTrader and MetaTrader 4 or 5, and some brokers offer API access. Choose a platform that displays commissions and market depth clearly.

What is slippage on an ECN account?

Slippage is the difference between the price you request and the price you get. On ECN-style accounts, it can be positive or negative depending on how the market moves while your order fills.

How do I check if an ECN broker is regulated?

Search the firm on the FCA Financial Services Register and confirm the firm name, reference number and website match the entry. Contact the firm using the details on the register rather than those in an advert.

More Guides

Best Forex Brokers in the UK - November 2026Best High Leverage Forex and CFD Brokers in the UK - November 2026Best Low Spread Forex Brokers in the UK - November 2026Best Zero Spread Forex Brokers in the UK - November 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
Moomoo
Moomoo 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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