Chasing the lowest possible trading costs? Zero spread accounts advertise 0.0 pip spreads on major pairs, but the cost usually moves into a commission, so the real question is the all-in price per trade. We've compared the top FCA-regulated zero and raw spread brokers available to UK traders on total cost, execution speed, and platforms, so scalpers and active traders can find the genuinely cheapest fit.
A zero spread forex broker advertises spreads from 0.0 pips on major currency pairs, which sounds free but rarely is. Instead of earning from the spread, these brokers charge a commission per lot, so your real cost is the spread plus the commission added together. That trade-off can still work out cheaper for active traders, especially scalpers and high-frequency traders who feel every pip, which is why zero and raw spread accounts exist. This guide compares FCA-authorised brokers offering these accounts, all of which are leveraged CFD and spread betting products.
Below you'll find our current picks, in-depth reviews, and a clear rundown of what to weigh up. The single most important thing to compare is the all-in cost per trade, not the headline spread, so we start there.
Here are our current picks at a glance. These platforms are presented for informational purposes and are not listed in order of preference. Fees and features change, so always verify with the broker directly before opening an account.
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.
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.
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.
The right zero spread broker is the one with the lowest genuine cost for the way you trade, backed by fast execution and solid regulation. Because a zero spread account swaps the spread for a commission, the headline "0.0 pips" tells you almost nothing on its own; what matters is the spread plus the commission added together, per round turn, on the pairs you actually trade. From there, execution quality matters more than on a standard account, since zero spread appeals to scalpers who need fast fills and no requotes. The sections below work through cost, execution, and the rest in priority order.
What to Compare When Choosing a Zero Spread Broker
These are the features that matter most, ordered by how much they affect your trading.
1. The Real Cost: Spread Plus Commission
This is the whole point of a zero spread account, so start here. A 0.0 pip spread is not free trading; the broker charges a commission per lot instead, and your true cost is the two combined. Compare the all-in cost per round turn on the pairs you trade most, not the advertised spread. Also check:
Whether "zero" applies to all major pairs or only a select few, and how spreads behave on minors and exotics.
Whether spreads stay near zero during volatile periods and news, or widen sharply.
Overnight swap or financing charges for positions held past the daily cut-off.
2. Execution and Slippage
Zero spread accounts are built for traders who feel every fraction of a pip, so execution quality matters more than usual. Look for a no dealing desk model (ECN or STP), fast fills, minimal slippage, and no requotes. Deep liquidity and reliable execution during busy periods separate a genuinely low-cost broker from one whose costs reappear as slippage.
3. Account Types
Zero and raw spread accounts usually sit alongside a standard, commission-free account where the cost is built into a wider spread. Check which account gives you the lower all-in cost for your trading style and size, since the commission model tends to suit high-volume traders while the wider-spread account can suit those who trade less often.
4. Leverage, Margin, and Protections
These are leveraged products, and the FCA limits the leverage available to UK retail traders, with the cap depending on the asset (highest on major currency pairs and lower on other markets). Check the current limits before you trade. UK retail accounts also come with negative balance protection, so you cannot lose more than the funds in your account, and margin close-out rules that close positions if your margin runs too low.
5. Markets and Instruments
Even on a forex-focused account, check what else you can trade at low cost. Most brokers offer major, minor, and exotic currency pairs, and many add indices, commodities, and share CFDs. If you trade beyond forex, compare the spread and commission on those markets too, since the zero spread offer often applies only to major currency pairs.
6. Platforms and Tools
Fast, reliable software matters when you trade actively. Look for the platforms you prefer, whether MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView, or a proprietary platform, and check for the order types, charting, and automation (such as expert advisors) that your strategy needs.
7. Funding and Withdrawals
Check how you move money in and out. Most brokers support GBP deposits by Faster Payments, debit card, and e-wallets, usually with fast processing. Confirm there are no deposit or withdrawal fees that quietly add to your costs, and check withdrawal times.
8. Regulation and Support
Only trade with a broker authorised and regulated by the FCA, which requires client money to be held separately and brings negative balance protection for retail accounts. Good, responsive support in UK hours matters when an issue affects an open position.
Which Zero Spread Broker Is Best for Your Strategy?
Match your priorities to the profile below, then compare the brokers that fit.
Best for Scalping
If you open and close many trades quickly and need the lowest all-in cost and fastest fills.
Best for Day Trading
If you trade actively through the day and want tight, stable costs.
Best for Lowest All-In Cost
If your priority is the lowest combined spread and commission per round turn.
Best for MetaTrader
If you trade on MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5 with expert advisors.
Best for cTrader and Automation
If you want cTrader or advanced algorithmic trading tools.
Best for High-Volume Traders
If you trade large size and want commission discounts that scale with volume.
How Did Investing.com Choose the Best Zero Spread Brokers?
Our review process evaluates zero spread brokers on the features that matter most to UK traders.
Real Cost: We compare the all-in cost of trading, spread plus commission, per round turn, rather than the headline spread alone.
Execution: We assess execution speed, slippage, and whether the broker uses a no dealing desk model.
Trust and Protections: We only feature brokers authorised and regulated by the FCA, with client money held separately and negative balance protection for retail accounts.
Platforms: We check the range and quality of platforms, including MetaTrader, cTrader, and TradingView.
Markets: We review the currency pairs and other markets available and their costs.
Support: We check the quality and hours of UK support.
A zero spread account can genuinely lower your trading costs, but only if you compare the right number. The headline "0.0 pips" means little on its own, because the cost has moved into a commission, so judge brokers on the spread and commission combined, per round turn, on the pairs you trade. Pair that with fast execution and proper FCA regulation, and remember these are leveraged products where a high proportion of retail traders lose money, so trade with care and only what you can afford to lose.
A zero spread broker offers accounts with spreads from 0.0 pips on major currency pairs, meaning little or no gap between the buy and sell price. Instead of earning from the spread, the broker charges a commission per lot traded. These are leveraged CFD and spread betting products, so they suit active traders who want the lowest possible cost per trade rather than long-term investors.
Is zero spread trading actually free?
No. A 0.0 pip spread does not mean free trading, because the broker charges a commission per lot instead, and may also apply overnight financing charges on positions held past the daily cut-off. Your real cost is the spread and the commission added together. Always compare that all-in figure, not the headline spread, when judging which broker is cheapest for you.
What is the difference between zero, raw, and standard spread accounts?
A zero or raw spread account shows very tight spreads, often from 0.0 pips, and charges a separate commission per lot. A standard account usually charges no commission but builds the cost into a wider spread. Neither is automatically cheaper; the commission model tends to suit high-volume and scalping strategies, while the wider-spread account can suit traders who trade less often. Compare the all-in cost for how you actually trade.
Are zero spread brokers good for scalping?
They can be, which is why scalpers often prefer them. Scalping involves many small, fast trades, so a very tight spread combined with fast execution and no requotes keeps costs down. The key is to confirm the all-in cost stays low and that spreads do not widen sharply during the busy periods when you trade.
How much leverage can I use in the UK?
The FCA limits the leverage available to UK retail traders, and the cap depends on the asset, with the highest limits on major currency pairs and lower limits on other markets. Retail accounts also come with negative balance protection, so you cannot lose more than the money in your account. Leverage limits can change, so check the current caps with your broker before trading.
How do I check a zero spread broker is regulated?
The ones in this guide are authorised and regulated by the FCA, which requires client money to be held separately and provides negative balance protection for retail accounts. Always confirm a broker's FCA status before depositing.
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