In this article, I talk about the Best Stock Trading Platform UK, considering various platforms that address specific trading requirements.
From a novice with a need for simplistic navigation to a professional with a need for complex functionalities, minimal charges, and more, I will discuss the requisite UK platforms suitable for various user levels.
key Points & Best Stock Trading Platform UK List
| Broker | Key Point |
|---|---|
| Plus500 | CFD-focused platform with user-friendly interface and commission-free trading. |
| City Index | Strong research tools and support for advanced charting and MetaTrader. |
| IG | Industry leader offering extensive market access and educational resources. |
| Admiral Markets | Regulated broker with MetaTrader support and competitive spreads. |
| XTB | Offers proprietary xStation platform and good educational content. |
| eToro | Known for social trading features and copy trading tools. |
| Forex.com | Strong reputation in forex, with deep liquidity and robust platforms. |
| Pepperstone | Low spreads, fast execution, and excellent for algorithmic trading. |
| Interactive Brokers (IBKR) | Professional-grade platform with vast asset variety and low margin rates. |
| Saxo Bank | High-end broker with premium tools, but high minimum deposit requirements. |
10 Best Stock Trading Platform UK
1.Plus500
Plus500 is regarded as one of the premier stock trading platforms in the UK due to its user-friendly interface, no commissions on actual stock trades, and good regulatory oversight.
It supports multiple global stock indices through both CFDs and real shares which makes it suitable for novice as well as expert traders looking for simplified and mobile trading options.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Platform Type | CFD-focused platform with web-based and mobile apps. |
| Commission | No commissions on real stock trades, only spreads apply. |
| Market Access | Access to global stocks, commodities, forex, and cryptocurrencies. |
| Regulation | Regulated by FCA in the UK and other authorities globally. |
| Leverage | Offers leverage on CFDs, up to 1:30 for retail clients in the UK. |
| Mobile Trading | Strong mobile app for trading on the go. |
| Customer Support | 24/7 customer support available. |
2.City Index
City Index is a leading trading platform in the UK that provides traders with powerful charting tools and extensive market access along with allowing them to trade CFDs and spread bets.
Offered with FCA regulation, it provides active traders with high speed execution and customizable platforms like Meta Trader 4, thorough market research, and tailored multi account management which makes it suitable for seasoned investors.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Platform Type | Offers both CFD and spread betting platforms, with MetaTrader integration. |
| Commission | No commissions on spread betting, but spreads apply on CFDs. |
| Market Access | Stocks, forex, indices, commodities, and more. |
| Regulation | Regulated by the FCA and other top-tier financial authorities. |
| Leverage | Offers leverage on forex and CFDs, up to 1:30 for retail clients. |
| Mobile Trading | Trading platform available on mobile with full functionality. |
| Customer Support | Extensive support through phone, email, and live chat. |
3.IG
As one of the best platforms for stock trading in the UK, IG offers a great choice of shares, ETFs, CFDs, and benefits from low fees while providing advanced trading tools.
IG boasts a professional-grade platform, real time data, and extensive educational resources which makes them trusted and FCA regulated; thus is ideal for both novices and professional traders looking for depth and reliability.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Platform Type | Industry-leading platform offering web, mobile, and MetaTrader 4/5. |
| Commission | Charges on spreads, but no commission for share trading. |
| Market Access | Wide range of global stocks, forex, indices, ETFs, and commodities. |
| Regulation | FCA-regulated with strong investor protection. |
| Leverage | Offers leverage up to 1:30 for retail clients on major currencies. |
| Mobile Trading | Advanced mobile app for trading and charting. |
| Customer Support | 24/7 support with phone, email, and live chat options. |
4.Admiral Markets
Admiral Markets is a renowned UK trading platform which enables users to access over 4,800 real stocks and 200+ ETFs through its Invest.MT5 account. It has an FCA regulation and offers tools via MetaTrader 4/5 and its mobile application.
The platform comes with low minimum deposits, competitive spreads, strong educational resources, and is favorable for both beginner and professional traders looking for a complete trading experience.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Platform Type | Offers MetaTrader 4/5 and proprietary platforms with advanced charting. |
| Commission | No commission on shares with CFD accounts. |
| Market Access | Provides access to stocks, forex, commodities, and indices. |
| Regulation | FCA-regulated, with strong financial security. |
| Leverage | Offers leverage for forex and CFD trading, up to 1:30 for retail clients. |
| Mobile Trading | Trading available via mobile apps for Android and iOS. |
| Customer Support | Available through live chat, email, and phone. |
5.XTB
XTB is one of the leading trading platforms in the UK which allows commission-free trading on real stocks and ETFs with a monthly volume of up to €100,000. XTB’s xStation 5 platform is intuitive with great functions.
As an FCA regulated broker, XTB offers a protected environment with ample educational material as well as earning interest on funds that are not being actively used to trade, which is beneficial for novice traders and seasoned traders alike.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Platform Type | Proprietary xStation 5 platform, plus MetaTrader 4 support. |
| Commission | No commission for real stock trading, but spreads apply. |
| Market Access | Stocks, forex, commodities, and indices. |
| Regulation | FCA-regulated with comprehensive investor protection. |
| Leverage | Up to 1:30 leverage on stocks, higher on other instruments. |
| Mobile Trading | Full-featured xStation mobile app available. |
| Customer Support | 24/5 customer support through multiple channels. |
6.eToro
eToro is unique in the UK as it does not charge commissions for trading in stocks and ETFs which is very investor friendly. The company provides access to more than 5,500 stocks listed on 20 international exchanges, allowing for a greater range of investment opportunities.
With the new CopyTrader feature, users can automatically imitate the trades of leading market investors which makes trading a lot easier. eToro is regulated by the FCA which means that traders using the platform are in a safe trading environment.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Platform Type | Social trading platform with unique CopyTrader feature. |
| Commission | Commission-free stock and ETF trading. |
| Market Access | Stocks, forex, crypto, commodities, and more. |
| Regulation | Regulated by the FCA and other authorities globally. |
| Leverage | Leverage on stocks, up to 1:30 for retail clients. |
| Mobile Trading | Award-winning mobile app with social features. |
| Customer Support | Support via live chat, email, and phone. |
7.Forex.com
Forex.com is a UK regulated broker for stock trading via CFDs providing access to major US, UK and EU equities. Even though it does not allow clients to own stocks directly, it still has competitive spreads starting from 1 point and commissions from 8 basis points.
The platform has advanced tools like TradingView integration and supports Meta Trader, meeting the needs of beginner traders and seasoned traders.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Platform Type | Offers both web-based and MetaTrader platforms. |
| Commission | Commission applies on certain trades, with spreads for others. |
| Market Access | Access to stocks, forex, commodities, and indices through CFDs. |
| Regulation | FCA-regulated and offers robust client protection. |
| Leverage | Up to 1:30 for retail clients on major markets. |
| Mobile Trading | Advanced mobile trading app with live quotes. |
| Customer Support | 24/7 customer support through multiple channels. |
8.Pepperstone
Pepperstone is a UK-regulated forex and stock broker who offers stock trading thourgh CFDs. They offers competitive spreads starting from 1 point and 288 dollars a month in commissions.
While they don’t support direct stock ownership, there’s always an option of trading through CFDs. The platform has advanced features such as integration with TradingView and support of MetaTrader with allows to serves both seasoned traders and novices.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Platform Type | Offers MetaTrader 4/5 and cTrader platforms for advanced traders. |
| Commission | Commission-based accounts with low spreads. |
| Market Access | Access to stocks, forex, commodities, and indices via CFDs. |
| Regulation | FCA-regulated with a focus on security and transparency. |
| Leverage | Up to 1:30 leverage for retail clients, depending on asset class. |
| Mobile Trading | Full-featured mobile apps available for trading. |
| Customer Support | Available via live chat, email, and phone. |
9.Interactive Brokers (IBKR)
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) has made available to investors in the UK over 150 markets like stocks, ETFs, and options. UK stocks are traded at £3 per transaction and US stocks at $1, which places IBKR at a competitive advantage for investors who are active traders.
Breaching the gap from novice to professional traders is IBKR’s advanced platforms, including TWS (Trader Workstation), all equipped with a myriad of tools and features essential for optimized trading.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Platform Type | Trader Workstation (TWS) and WebTrader, suitable for advanced traders. |
| Commission | Low commission rates, including tiered pricing for high-volume traders. |
| Market Access | Access to stocks, options, ETFs, bonds, and more across 150+ markets. |
| Regulation | Fully FCA-regulated with extensive security measures. |
| Leverage | Offers high leverage for certain assets, up to 1:40 for US stocks. |
| Mobile Trading | IBKR mobile app supports advanced charting and order types. |
| Customer Support | 24/7 customer support with multiple contact methods. |
10.Saxo Bank
Saxo Bank provides UK users with the use of more than 50 international stock exchanges through its platforms: SaxoTraderGO, SaxoTraderPRO, and SaxoInvestor.
Saxo is regulated by the FCA which allows them to offer competitive fees starting from 0.08% for UK stocks and a variety of account types.
Their platforms are equipped with sophisticated charting options, extensive research capabilities, and support for different classes of assets which serves both the active trader and the investor.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Platform Type | SaxoTraderGO, SaxoTraderPRO, and SaxoInvestor, offering diverse tools. |
| Commission | Transparent pricing with competitive commissions on stocks and ETFs. |
| Market Access | Access to 50+ global stock exchanges and a wide range of asset classes. |
| Regulation | FCA-regulated, providing high levels of investor protection. |
| Leverage | Leverage up to 1:30 for retail clients on stocks. |
| Mobile Trading | Advanced mobile apps for seamless trading on the go. |
| Customer Support | 24/5 customer support with dedicated account managers. |
Conclusion
To sum up, as previously mentioned, the best stock trading platform in the UK is based on one’s needs. For seasoned traders, platforms such as IG and Saxo Bank provide sophisticated technological tools, whereas eToro and Plus500 use simple windows for beginners.
Automated Trading is perfect for active traders since Pepperstone and Interactive Brokers offer low spreads with tight parameters on most trading instruments. This makes them diverse for every trader.