What Is the Best Trading Platform UK in 2024

A trading platform allows the trader to work independently yet still have access to trade resources.

The power of technology allows us to trade anywhere, at any time, and all we need is a smartphone, tablet or laptop.

As there are many stock markets and trading options, not all platforms offer the same options. Before investing in an online stock trading platform, there are important factors to consider.

List of UK Best Trading Platforms for April 2024

1. AvaTrade – Best UK Trading Platform with 20% Welcome Bonus
2. Plus500 – Among the Top Trading Platforms UK
3. Spreadex
4. Pepperstone – One of the Cheapest Trading Platform UK
5. eToro – Best Trading Platform for Beginners UK
6. Vantage Markets – One of the Top UK Trading Platforms with MetaTrader Add-ons
7. IG – Highly Regulated British Trade Platform
8. Tickmill – Experienced Forex and CFD traders
9. XTB – Best Online Trading Platform UK with Top Customer Support
10. Saxo Bank
11. Admiral Markets – One of the Highly Regulated UK Trading Platforms
12. ActivTrades – One of the Top Trading Platforms UK with No Commissions

Best Trading Platforms UK in April 2024 – Comparison Chart

Read on for more details on the best UK trading platforms:

Best UK Trading Platforms for April 2024 – Reviewed

Best UK Trading Platform with 20% Welcome Bonus

AvaTrade is a CFD Regulated broker with +1,000 financial instruments and multiple trading platforms. It has been operating since 2006.

It offers a 20% welcome bonus up to $10,000, according to regulation and a free 21-day demo account with $100,000.

Instruments include:

• Metals
• Commodities
• Stocks
• FX Options
• Oil
• ETFs
• Options
• Crypto currencies
• CFDs
• Indexes
• Shares
• Spread betting
• Indices
• Forex
• Bonds

AVATrade EU Ltd is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. (No.C53877) Ava Trade Markets Ltd. is regulated by the B.V.I Financial Services Commission. It is also highly regulated in Australia, South Africa, Japan, Middle East, Cyprus and Israel

You can not trade with AvaTrade in the US, North Korea, New Zealand, Iran or Belgium.

Mínimum deposit of $100, no withdraw limit and no fees.

Plus500 is a CFD provider and offers only CFDs.

Among the Top Trading Platforms UK

Plus500 is an easy-to-use online trading platform that specialises in CFD trading. The minimum deposit is €100 and it has low-cost trading fees, but it does have substantial inactivity fees.

Full fees for Plus500 are:

• Overnight funding – When holding a position after a certain time.
• Currency conversion fee – For all trades on instruments in different currency to your home currency.
• Inactivity fee – Up to USD 10 per month if you do not log in to your account for a period of 12 weeks.
• Guaranteed stop order fees

Please note that the Plus500 platform is suitable for experienced investors only.

Though Plus500 is a very user-friendly platform, CFDs are complex financial products, thus the platform is not suitable for beginners/inexperienced traders.

The web platform is user-friendly with a two-step login procedure. The mobile platform offers good search facilities and is easy to use. There is no desktop version.

Plus500 offers limited research and news flow, good customer support, a demo account and educational videos. It does not provide trading platform tutorials.

This platform is not for traders who intend to make many trades in a two-minute block. Any trader that does so will be frozen from the platform.

Plus500 does not have a banking licence, but it is regulated by the FCA.

Spreadex is highly regarded as one of the best trading platforms in the UK, offering a blend of versatility, user-friendliness, and comprehensive market access that appeals to a wide range of traders.

Spreadex provides a broad spectrum of trading opportunities, including spread betting, CFDs, and forex across a variety of markets such as stocks, indices, commodities, and more. This wide array of choices allows traders to engage in diverse trading strategies and take advantage of market movements across global financial markets.

One of Spreadex's major strengths is its proprietary trading platform, which is designed with both novice and experienced traders in mind. The platform is accessible via both web and mobile applications, ensuring traders can manage their portfolios and execute trades seamlessly from any device. The interface is intuitive, making navigation and operation straightforward even for beginners.

Spreadex integrates powerful tools and features within its platform, including advanced charting provided through TradingView, a range of technical indicators, and risk management tools such as stop losses and limit orders. These tools are essential for conducting detailed market analysis and making informed trading decisions.

Spreadex offers competitive pricing with tight spreads and low trading costs, which is crucial for maximizing profitability, especially for active traders. The platform also allows for trading on margin, providing traders with the leverage needed to amplify their trading positions.

Spreadex is known for its exceptional customer service. The platform provides a dedicated support team that is knowledgeable and responsive, available to assist traders with any queries or issues they might have. This level of support is particularly valuable for new traders who may require guidance as they navigate the complexities of financial trading.

Education is a key focus for Spreadex, which offers an extensive range of educational materials, including webinars, video tutorials, and detailed guides. These resources are designed to help traders of all levels improve their trading skills and market understanding, which is crucial for successful trading.

As a platform regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Spreadex adheres to strict regulatory standards, ensuring it operates with transparency and integrity. This regulatory oversight provides traders with peace of mind, knowing their investments are handled securely and with the utmost professionalism.

One of the Cheapest Trading Platform UK

Pepperstone brokers only in forex (foreign exchange) and CFD (contract for differences).

It requires no minimum deposit and offers low trading fees.

Login procedures for mobile, desktop and web platforms are not as secure as they could be. However, they are customisable and user-friendly.

Pepperstone offers fantastic market analysis and trading ideas, but the news flow is basic. The educational tools are adequate.

Customer service is available via phone, email and live chat, and all queries are answered in a very timely manner.

It is not listed on the London stock exchange, nor does it have a banking licence, but it is regulated.

Best Trading Platform for Beginners UK

eToro is considered the best social trading platform and is the world-leading copy trading brokerage. It is considered the best trading platform for beginners.

The eToro trading platform is a user-friendly and innovative online platform designed to cater to traders of various experience levels. At its core, eToro emphasizes social trading, allowing users to connect, follow and even replicate the trading activities of successful investors in real time.

One of the distinctive features of the eToro platform is its emphasis on simplicity and accessibility.

The platform's intuitive interface makes it easy for beginners to navigate through various financial markets and assets, including stocks, commodities, cryptocurrencies and more.

The ability to copy the trades of experienced investors, known as CopyTrading, enables novices to learn from experts while potentially generating returns.

The eToro platform also provides a wide range of educational resources, including webinars, tutorials and market analysis, to empower traders with knowledge and insights.

Additionally, its social feed allows users to interact, share insights, and discuss trading strategies, fostering a sense of community among traders.

For more advanced traders, eToro offers a feature-rich platform with real-time charting tools, technical indicators and the option to execute manual trades. The platform is available on both desktop and mobile devices, enabling traders to monitor and execute trades on the go.

To find out more, read our eToro review.

76% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with eToro. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take two mins to learn more.

One of the Top UK Trading Platforms with MetaTrader Add-ons

Vantage Markets was founded in 2008 to be a transparent forex brokerage and has grown to include 40+ forex pairs and over 1,000 different assets including EFTs.

As an online broker, Vantage Markets is well-regarded and considered safe thanks to regulation by ASIC, FCA and VFSC.

Vantage Markets offers access to the markets through the popular MT4 and MT5 platforms, and a feature-stuffed mobile app.

There are three account types:

• Standard STP: Perfect for novices, this is a no-commission account that works across all trading instruments, with a minimum spread of 1.0 pips. The minimum deposit is $50.
• Raw ECN: Designed for more experienced traders, this account charges commission at $3 per lot per side but the spreads start at 0.0 pips. The minimum deposit is $500.
• Pro ECN: This is for professional, high-volume traders, and offers commission at $1.5 per lot per side, with spreads from 0.0 pips. The minimum deposit is $20,000.

Vantage Markets is seen as a good, reliable broker that offers social and copy trading – without being prohibitively expensive in terms of non-trading costs or commission.

The MetaQuotes WebTrader platform is supported by Vantage Markets and allows simple and fast connection to MetaTrader 4 & 5 trading accounts for both PC and laptop as well as through mobile technology.

On the MT4 & 5 platforms, you can trade using a suite of indicators, many technical analysis tools, and one-click trading.

The proprietary Vantage Markets trading app allows you to access global markets wherever you are – and at any time.

Available for both iOS and Android devices, it is the perfect way to access trading on the go, while still taking advantage of a full suite of trading tools and technical indicators.

The trading app offers 24/5 support and a range of global market news, too.

Highly Regulated British Trade Platform

The IG trading platform is a comprehensive and versatile online platform designed to cater to traders of varying levels of experience. It offers a range of features and tools to access global financial markets and trade a diverse selection of assets.

At its core, the IG platform is known for its extensive offering of tradable instruments, including forex currency pairs, commodities, indices, stocks, cryptocurrencies and more. Traders can build diversified portfolios and capitalize on various market opportunities using the platform's user-friendly interface.

One of the key strengths of the IG platform is its focus on research and analysis. It provides users with access to a variety of research materials, including market news, analysis, and insights from experts. This information empowers traders to stay informed about market trends and make well-informed trading decisions.

The platform also offers a range of risk management tools, such as stop-loss and take-profit orders, to help traders manage their risk effectively. Additionally, the platform provides real-time market data, advanced charting tools, and technical indicators to aid in trading decisions.

With availability on both desktop and mobile devices, the IG platform ensures traders can monitor the markets and execute trades wherever they are. Its versatile features make it suitable for both beginner traders looking to learn and experienced traders seeking advanced analytical tools.

Tickmill, considered as one of the top trading platforms in the UK, offers several features and services that cater to the needs of UK traders.

In the UK, Tickmill operates under Tickmill UK Ltd, which is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). FCA regulation is highly respected and ensures stringent adherence to financial standards, client fund protection, and ethical trading practices.

Tickmill provides a wide range of trading instruments including Forex, CFDs on stock indices, commodities, precious metals, and possibly bonds. This variety allows UK traders to diversify their trading strategies across different markets.

Tickmill offers the MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform to UK traders. MT4 is popular for its user-friendly interface, robust charting tools, automated trading capabilities through Expert Advisors (EAs), and customization options.

Tickmill is known for offering competitive spreads and low trading costs, which is beneficial for all types of traders, including scalpers and day traders. They may also offer different account types with varying pricing structures to suit different trading styles.

Under FCA regulation, Tickmill adheres to the leverage limits set for retail clients. These limits are designed to protect retail traders from the high risks associated with leveraged trading.

Tickmill provides various educational materials such as webinars, seminars, articles, and ebooks, catering to both beginner and experienced traders in the UK.

Best Online Trading Platform UK with Top Customer Support

XTB was founded in 2002 and has an excellent reputation for customer service.

It has 48 currency pairs available to trade through two account types:

• Standard – Offering market average spreads
• Pro – Offering much tighter spreads but with added commission

XTB supports the full MT4 suite, and its proprietary platform, xStation 5, offers a user-friendly, intuitive solution that works well on desktop, web and mobile.

You’ll need a minimum deposit of £250 to start trading and you’ll find that several educational resources are available, including XTB’s trading academy.

Saxo Bank is a Danish investment bank that was founded in 1992.

As a well-regarded broker, it offers regulation from the Danish FSA and the FCA. Saxo Bank offers lower trading fees depending on volume.

However, the minimum deposit and some higher than average transaction fees could be a barrier for some traders.

This is offset by the better than average customer service on offer, as well as the wide range of trading instruments, however.

Deposits can be made using a bank transfer or credit/debit card, and the minimum deposit is $10,000.

While there are several base currencies offered by Saxo Bank, Pesos are not one of them. Therefore, it is worth remembering that although there is no deposit fee, there will be a conversion fee.

Withdrawals can only be made through bank transfer.

The Saxo Bank proprietary platform is available for web trading as a desktop trading platform or a mobile application.

Both the desktop and web trading platforms have similar, user-friendly designs that are simple to customize.

The two-step login offers a good level of security.

The platforms have several order types that users can make, and you can create alerts and notifications about what matters to you, like price or volatility.

The mobile application is seamless, making trading on the go simple. However, it is not as straightforward as the web or desktop version.

The trading instruments that are available on the Saxo Bank trading platforms include:

• 28 Stock Markets
• 3,100 ETFs
• 182 Currency Pairs
• 40,000 Bonds
• 23 Options Markets
• 23 Futures Markets
• 29 Stock Index CFDs
• 8.800 Stock CFDs
• 675 ETF CFDs
• 19 Community CFDs
• Five Bond CFDs
• Two Cryptocurrencies

As previously mentioned, the customer service and support available from Saxo Bank is excellent.

Although only available through phone and email, the team is responsive and helpful. Customer service is not available 24/7, however.

In terms of research, interactive charting and trading ideas, including analyses and recommendations are complemented with detailed fundamental data about each trading instrument and business, both current and historical.

Saxo Bank also provides daily podcasts from their research team, and a news feed and an economical calendar.

The education available from Saxo Bank might not be as extensive as other platforms; however, there is a demo account, platform tutorials, and some videos and webinars that are useful sources of knowledge and education.

One of the Highly Regulated UK Trading Platforms

Admiral Markets, rebranding to 'Admirals', describes itself as a ‘full-spectrum financial hub’.

In practice, Admirals is a broker that offers several forex and CFD trading instruments in most currencies.

Founded in 2001, Admiral Markets is regulated by JSC, FCA, EFSA and CySEC, and offers traders access to both MetaTrader 4 and 5, with the opportunity to have several active accounts with different base currencies to take advantage of price instability.

There are several account types available, depending on the platform that you want to use.

On MT4, you can choose a standard account known as Trade.MT4. The minimum deposit for this account is 100 USD/EUR/GBP or equivalent, and you can trade 37 currency pairs as well as metal, energy, future, stock and bond CFDs.

In this account, the trading fees come from the spread, apart from with single share or ETF CFDs, which have a standard commission of 0.02 USD.

The Zero.MT4 account offers tighter spreads, with more currency pairs (45) but fewer CFD options.

The commission on forex and metal CFDs is 1.8 to 3 USD per lot, cash indices are 0.5 to 3 USD per lot, and energy CFDs are 1 USD per lot.

If you prefer the upgraded MT5, you can also have an Invest.MT5 account, alongside the Trade.MT5 and Zero.MT5. MetaTrader 5 accounts have access to more trading instruments in both Trade and Zero, but the Invest.MT5 is designed purely for buying stocks and ETFs, with more than 4,350 stocks and 200 ETFs available and a minimum deposit of 1 EUR/USD/GBP.

Deposits are free using bank transfer, card, PayPal or Klarna, but there is a 0.9% fee (or $1 minimum) for deposits made using e-wallets like Neteller or Skrill. You can have one free withdrawal a month as a bank transfer, but two if you use PayPal or e-wallets.

Admirals is available as a trading app on mobile as well as web and desktop, and the user interface and real-time trading that is available across platforms offer a seamless user experience.

The research and analytics are extensive, with technical and fundamental analysis alongside trading news, market sentiment and a market heat map. Access to MetaTrader Trading Central and a weekly trading podcast is also provided.

In terms of education, there are articles and tutorials, eBooks, trading videos, webinars and seminars as well as a FAQ and a handy glossary.

Admirals takes learning seriously with two separate courses aimed at beginner traders. The Zero to Hero course consists of 20 video lessons, a Q&A and a live session as well as a well-crafted trading strategy.

Forex 101 is a three-stage course to take beginners through to experts using a structure that includes a video lesson with detailed notes and a quiz to check knowledge.

If you are not a UK resident, the conditions might change depending on the regulation. Please, check the Admirals website for details.

Please, be aware that if you want to see UK conditions but you don't have a UK IP address, then you must select Admirals Markets UK at the bottom of the home page.

One of the Top Trading Platforms UK with No Commissions

ActivTrades is a traditional CFD broker and has been trading for more than 20 years on 140 markets. ActivTrades is authorized and regulated by the FCA, CSSF and SCB.

Its strong points include:

• No minimum first-time deposit
• No commissions
• Several payment methods for deposits and withdrawals
• Tight spreads from 0.5 pips

It offers one of the best execution speeds in the industry with low latency below 0.004s.

It utilizes the most advanced technology to improve users' trading efficiency – users can automate trades, build integrations and create trading apps using ActivTrades' market-leading CFD and spread betting technology.

Exceptional trading infrastructure is available on ActivTrader and MetaTrader 4 and 5.

ActivTrades invests deeply in specially developed educational materials for its clients – including webinars, regular outlooks, manuals, etc., which make it one of the best investment platforms in the UK.

Type of offers: ActivTrades focuses on well-developed products in its trading portfolio. Customers can choose from over 1,000 CFD or spread betting instruments across forex, indices, shares, commodities, financials and ETFs.

It also offers investing solutions for its institutional partners.

Spread betting allows UK residents ONLY to trade the prices of financial instruments, including forex, indices, commodities and LSE shares.

Choosing the Best Trading Platform UK – Key Points to Remember

• Knowledge – Some UK trading platforms are designed for advanced traders, therefore have more research and analytical tools. A vast majority of the platforms do have demo accounts and educational tools. The platforms not designed for beginners will focus less on those educational features.

• Level of required support – The customer service functions vary. Some UK trading platforms offer 24/7 support, others provide email support only. If you struggle with technology, you need to consider the level of support that is available.

• How much time you have – Do you want a trading platform that sends out alerts and can execute orders for you? Or do you have the time to fully submerge yourself in the platform?

• Your financial goals – Are you looking for long-term investments for retirement, or do you want to focus on short-term successes?

• How much money you have to invest – Several of the platforms offer commission-free trading, but some require a minimum fee for opening an account. There are also additional fees, such as inactivity charges, withdrawals and bank transfers. It isn't just about the stock investments. Find out more about forex trading on a budget.

• The type of trading you want to focus on – Do you want to have access to all types of trading, or do you just want to focus on cryptocurrency? Do you want to trade in different markets or only the UK and Europe? Maybe you want to focus on two specific types – do you use a trading platform that caters to both, or invest in two that specialise in your trading preferences?

• Ease of use – Are you someone who will only use something if it is easy on the eye? Can you find all the features you are looking for? Markets change quickly, and you need to be able to execute an order instantly.

• Access to information – Does the platform offer real-time updates or delayed updates that are more informed? Is it a sharing platform that can provide details on specific stocks?

• Security – A platform may seem perfect but remember to check if it is listed on the London stock exchange, regulated and what login options it has.

Info Required for Opening an Account with Online Trading Platforms (UK)

Regulated trading platforms have to follow certain rules when it comes to opening an account, so you will need to meet the requirements that are required.

You will need to be able to prove your identity to align with Know Your Customer (KYC) rules, and you’ll usually have to provide a photo ID and proof of address for this.

You will need to have a bank account and/or card details for a credit or debit card too.

The following is a checklist of the things you will usually need to provide:

• Full name
• Address
• Email address (and password to sign into the account)
• Valid photo ID (usually a passport or a driving licence)
• Proof of address (a recent utility bill)
• National Insurance number
• Bank details
• Credit/debit card details

What Is the Cheapest Trading Platform UK?

When you are looking at finding the cheapest trading platform, there are several costs that you should bear in mind.

There are costs associated with the trades that you make, and these can be charged in one of two ways.

Some accounts will have trading fees built into the spread, so you will pay a bit more on the difference between the two prices.

More advanced types of accounts, or traders who make larger trades, tend to have a commission on trades, which are usually a single amount charged per full turn.

The other fees to consider are account fees.

These can include monthly management fees, charges for withdrawals, and in some cases, inactivity fees.

The cheaper trading fees might be negated by more expensive account management fees, or steep inactivity fees that kick in if you don’t make any trades within a specific time frame.

Finding the cheapest online trading platform means looking for a balance between the services being offered and the costs built in – the cheaper the offering, the less likely it will have all the features you want.

How to Start Stock Trading UK?

There are a few things that would be appropriate for a beginner to invest in.

One of the easiest and most accessible trading instruments would be finding an ETF to build a small portfolio with.

ETFs track the funds in a certain index, and this means that it provides passive investment that doesn’t need much input to manage.

You can choose all sorts of different ETFs to suit your tastes, from ones that track tech businesses to one that is based on the whole FTSE 100.

Other good options for beginners include fractional shares and stocks – which can be as simple or as complicated as you want.

You can learn more about trading different instruments through the education provision your trading platform and broker provide. Also you can check out our article here.

How Much Money do you Need to Start Trading in the UK?

When you are considering investing, especially for the first time, you will want to start small.

Even with the best intentions and knowledge, you can still lose money in all types of investing – so don’t invest money that you cannot afford to lose.

Investment gurus will state that you should consider investing 15% to 25% of your post-tax income, but this figure depends on what you are investing for.

If you are going for retirement income or saving for a child going to college, you will need to have a diverse portfolio of investments to maximise your chances of a good return.

You can always invest more later, so start small until you know more about trading and strategies.

What Is the Best Social Trading Platform UK?

Social trading is a great way to learn more about how successful traders work. Also known as copy trading, social trading means that you can copy the moves of seasoned investors to grow your portfolio.

Social trading is an extension of using a robot advisor, but not all trading platforms have the capacity to offer it.

One of the best places for social trading in the UK is eToro – this broker offers many ways to follow the action of traders that know how to make money.

When you are considering which share dealing platform to use in the UK, there are certain things to bear in mind.

The following is a brief step-by-step checklist that should help you make the right decision for you and your investment:

Best Day Trading Platform UK

There are many different types of trading strategies, but perhaps the most enticing is day trading. This fast and furious form of trading gives you instant results and you don't need to worry about playing the long game.

Before you start day trading, you need to find the best day trading platform UK. The best ones are easy to use with fast response times and low commission. Not every trading platform ticks these boxes.

We’ve found the best UK day trading platforms available right now, while also giving you all the information you need so you know what to look for. Let’s get started by first understanding exactly what day trading is and what you can trade.

What Is Day Trading?

Day trading is buying or selling of financial assets within a single trading day to profit from the price changes for the said asset within that day.

Typically, trading involves buying assets and holding them. You then wait for as long as possible for an opportune time to sell and make a profit. However, in day trading, it all happens within the same trading day.

The day trader buys assets and makes sure to close all trades within that day. The goal is to take advantage of short-term intraday price changes and end the trading day with a net profit.

As a day trader, the financial instruments you can trade include:

• Forex – Forex is short for 'foreign exchange'. Forex trading is the changing of one national currency into another at an agreed price.
• Stocks – These are investments in a company. A singular stock is a “share”. Stock trading is buying a company’s stock, which makes you a part-owner of the company.
• Cryptocurrency – A cryptocurrency is a digital currency which, like regular currencies, works as a medium of exchange.
• Futures – These are standardized contracts for assets. They are legal agreements to buy particular assets at a particular price at a specified time in the future.
• Commodities – These are raw materials or primary products. Commodities that are traded are categorized into hard commodities and soft commodities. Hard commodities are natural resources that are mined or extracted like oil, gold, iron ore, etc. Soft commodities are agricultural products like cocoa, cotton, palm oil, rubber, etc

What to Look For in a Day Trading Platform in 2024

Day trading is characteristically different from regular trading. While day trading focuses on profiting from short-term intraday price movement, regular trading focuses on profiting from long-term price movements.

As a result, features suitable for regular trading may not be suitable for day traders.

When looking for a day trading platform, the top considerations should be:

• Fast execution speed
• Lowest possible commission
• High-quality customer service

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Finding the best online trading platform is not easy, especially when there are so many available.

Not only does it need to do the job of facilitating trading, but it also has to be user-friendly so that you are happy to use it regularly.

Before committing to a platform, take advantage of any free trial or demo account they may offer and fully utilise all the available functions.

If you want to start investing and trading, it's important to have access to the best stock trading platform that suits your needs. To make the most of your investments, you can consider taking these stock trading courses that will help you learn everything you need to know about trading and investing in the stock market.

WikiJob does not provide tax, investment or financial services and advice. The information is being presented without consideration of the investment objectives, risk tolerance, or financial circumstances of any specific investor and might not be suitable for all investors. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing involves risk including the possible loss of principal.