Online Best UK Trading Platforms allow investors to manage their portfolios directly, offering access to a wide range of assets and investment options such as shares, ETFs, funds, and more. Investors can use desktop platforms, web based platforms, and mobile apps to access these services. Many also provide integrated research, analytical tools, and educational resources, with the rise of trading apps making on-the-go investing more convenient for users of all experience levels.
For this ranking, we have reviewed the Best UK Trading Platforms for 2025 in detail, assessing fees, asset coverage, platform usability, research tools, and value-added features. Our evaluation focuses on accessibility. Opening a trading account is the essential first step to using these platforms, allowing investors to buy, sell, and manage their investments efficiently. We also consider cost-effectiveness and the breadth of trading opportunities available to UK investors.
Let’s begin.
Best UK Trading Platforms for 2025 – Our Verdict
Based on our research into fees, product range, usability, and value-added tools, these are our top picks for UK investors in 2025. Each has its own strengths, but XTB stands out as the best overall choice for its combination of low costs, broad market coverage, and a user-friendly platform.
- XTB – Best trading platform for UK investors overall
- Fineco Bank – Best for integrated banking and global market access
- DEGIRO – Best for ultra-low-cost global share dealing
- Pepperstone – Best for forex and CFD traders seeking multiple platforms
- Spreadex – Best for commission-free spread betting with advanced charting
- Capital.com – Best for commission-free CFD trading with strong analytics
- Charles Schwab UK – Best for direct US market access and fractional shares
Our Review of 7 Best UK Trading Platforms for 2025:
1. XTB
- Rating (AppStore): 4.7
- Access: Mobile App, Desktop, Tablet
XTB is a leading multi-asset broker in the UK, offering access to over 10,800 tradable instruments, including real shares, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), contracts for difference (CFDs) on forex, indices, commodities, a Flexible Stocks & Shares ISA, investment plans and fractional shares. The company operates in 12 countries and provides its proprietary xStation 5 platform, designed for speed, advanced charting, and customisable market analysis. XTB also pays interest while you wait for the perfect investment opportunity. Investors should note that all investments involve the risk of losing money, and the value of holdings can fluctuate.
- Fees:
- Stocks & ETFs: 0% commission up to €100,000 monthly turnover; 0.2% thereafter (£10 minimum per trade)
- CFDs: Commission-free, costs built into tight spreads (forex from 0.1 pips)
- Currency conversion: 0.5%
- Inactivity: £10/month after 12 months of inactivity
- Minimum Deposit:
- No minimum deposit for standard UK accounts.
- Features:
- Access to real shares, ETFs, CFDs, fractional shares, Flexible Stocks & Shares ISA
- Proprietary xStation 5 with advanced technical tools
- Advanced market analytics,screeners, economic calendar
- Recurring investment plans for ETFs
- Free deposits & withdrawals
- Demo account
- Instant deposits through multiple methods
- Educational resources (webinars ,video tutorials, XTB academy on YouTube)
- User friendly interface
- Multi-language and 24/5 customer support
- Interest on uninvested funds. XTB pays 4.25% interest on your GBP free funds, 4.2% on USD and 2.3% on EUR.
*CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 72% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
2. Fineco Bank
- Rating (App Store): 4.5
- Access: Mobile, Web, Desktop
Fineco Bank, originally founded in Italy, has earned recognition among the Best UK Trading Platforms for its comprehensive and user-friendly approach. It offers multi-currency accounts and access to over 10,000 instruments across 26 global markets. The platform seamlessly integrates banking, share dealing, ETF trading, funds, bonds, futures, forex, and CFDs into a single environment. With real-time pricing, advanced portfolio management tools, and robust analytics, it caters to both active traders and long-term investors.
- Fees:
- UK shares: £2.95 per trade
- US shares: $3.95 per trade
- EU shares: €3.95 per trade
- ETFs: Same fixed commissions as shares per region
- CFDs: Zero commission on FTSE100, US, EU share CFDs; FTSE250 CFDs at 0.06% per side
- Forex: Spreads from 0.8 pips (EUR/USD)
- Funds: No dealing fee; 0.25% annual custody fee capped at £2.95/month
- International bank transfer withdrawal: 0.2% fee
- No inactivity fee
- Minimum Deposit:
- No minimum deposit for UK accounts.
- Features:
- Trading in shares, ETFs, funds, bonds, futures, forex, and CFDs
- Access to a wide range of investment trusts across multiple markets
- Multi-currency accounts with global market access
- Advanced market analytics and screeners
- Real-time quotes and economic calendar
- Portfolio management with live profit and loss tracking
- Efficient management of cash balance for fee payments, withdrawals, and avoiding forced sales
3. DEGIRO
- Rating (App Store): 4.4
- Access: Web, Mobile
DEGIRO is a Netherlands-founded online broker operating in over 18 countries, providing access to more than 50 global exchanges. It focuses on low-cost execution across equities, ETFs, bonds, options, futures, and funds, with a platform designed for simplicity and speed. While it supports a broad range of markets, it does not currently offer direct forex, leveraged CFD, or cryptocurrency trading, though crypto access is planned for 2025.
- Fees:
- UK/EU/US stocks: €1–€3.90 + €1 external fee per order
- ETFs: Many core ETFs commission-free (+€1 handling fee); others €2–€3 + €1 handling
- Options/Futures: €0.75 per contract
- Bonds/Funds: Low flat fees
- Currency conversion: 0.25%
- Annual connectivity fee: €2.50 per exchange; €5/month for options
- No inactivity, withdrawal, or account opening fees
- Minimum Deposit:
- No minimum deposit.
- Features:
- 50+ exchanges in 30 countries
- Low-cost global trading across multiple asset classes
- Award-winning mobile app with streamlined interface
- Basic research tools, economic calendar, and order types
- Touch ID and two-factor authentication
- No interest on uninvested cash
- Free withdrawals with processing in about one business day
- No demo account or virtual funds for practice trading available
4. Pepperstone
- Rating (App Store): 4.9
- Access: Mobile, Web, Desktop
Pepperstone, founded in Australia in 2010, has become a notable contender among the Best UK Trading Platforms, offering access to over 1,300 CFD instruments including forex, indices, commodities, equities, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies where permitted. The broker supports a range of platforms—MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView, and its proprietary app—catering to both manual and automated trading styles.
- Fees:
- Forex Standard: Commission-free, spreads from 0.7 pips
- Forex Razor: Raw spreads from 0.1 pips + $3–$3.50 commission per side per lot
- Equities: 0.07–0.20% or $0.02–$0.04 per US share (minimum varies)
- CFDs/Indices: Tight spreads, commission-free; $4–$10 per index contract
- Crypto (non-UK): CFD fees vary by coin
- No deposit, withdrawal, or inactivity fees
- Minimum Deposit:
- No minimum deposit (recommended $200 starting balance).
- Features:
- 1,300+ CFDs across multiple asset classes
- Multi-platform access including MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView
- Algorithmic, social, and copy trading support
- Low-latency execution and VPS hosting options
- Smart Trader Tools and integrated third-party analytics
- Flexible risk management with stop loss, trailing stop, and guaranteed stop orders
- 24/7 multi-language customer support
5. Spreadex
- Rating (App Store): 4.4
- Access: Mobile, Web, Desktop
Spreadex, founded in 1999, is a UK-based trading provider offering spread betting, CFDs, and forex trading. Its proprietary platform supports thousands of markets including shares, indices, commodities, bonds, ETFs, options, and limited cryptocurrency markets for eligible clients. The system combines speed, advanced charting, and customisable layouts suitable for both short-term and longer-term strategies.
- Fees:
- Spread betting: Commission-free; spreads from 0.6 pips/points
- CFDs on shares: 0.1% per trade (minimum £10)
- Forex: From 0.6 pips on major pairs
- Indices/Commodities: Spreads from 0.6 points
- No deposit/withdrawal fees above £50; no inactivity fees
- Minimum Deposit:
- No minimum deposit.
- Features:
- 3,500+ tradable instruments
- Commission-free spread betting for UK clients
- Advanced charting with technical indicators and drawing tools
- One-click trading and advanced order types
- Proprietary web and mobile platform
- Historical price data and integrated market news
- Research tools including economic calendar and market analysis
6. Capital.com
- Rating (App Store): 4.8
- Access: Mobile, Web, Desktop
Capital.com, established in 2016, has positioned itself among the Best UK Trading Platforms by offering contracts for difference (CFDs) across more than 3,000 markets, including equities, indices, forex, cryptocurrencies, and commodities. Its proprietary platform, along with support for MetaTrader 4 and TradingView, delivers advanced charting tools, over 100 technical indicators, and AI-driven analytics. Clients can trade price movements without owning the underlying assets, making it a versatile choice for both new and experienced traders.
- Fees:
- CFDs on all assets: Commission-free, costs in spreads (e.g., EUR/USD from 0.6 pips)
- No deposit or withdrawal fees
- Inactivity fee: £/€/$10 per month after 12 months
- Overnight financing for leveraged positions
- Currency conversion fees where applicable
- Minimum Deposit:
- $20 via cards, Apple Pay, or PayPal; $50 for bank transfers
- Features:
- 3,000+ CFD instruments across multiple asset classes
- Proprietary platform plus MT4 and TradingView integration
- 100+ technical indicators and advanced charting
- AI-based analytics and risk management tools
- Educational library with articles, videos, and webinars
- Instant deposits/withdrawals with multi-currency support
- Secure client fund segregation and two-factor authentication
- Risk Warning:
- Trading CFDs is high risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Retail investor accounts can lose money rapidly when trading CFDs due to leverage and market volatility.
7. Charles Schwab UK
- Rating (App Store): 4.8
- Access: Mobile, Web, Desktop
Charles Schwab is a US-based brokerage offering UK investors direct access to US-listed stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds, and bonds via international accounts. Platforms include Schwab Mobile for everyday trading, the web portal for portfolio management, and thinkorswim® for advanced charting and analytics. The service is primarily focused on building and managing US equity portfolios.
- Fees:
- US stocks and ETFs: $0 commission (online)
- Options: $0.65 per contract
- International trades (non-US): $50 per trade + currency conversion fees up to 1%
- Wire withdrawals: $25 per transfer
- No inactivity or account maintenance fees
- Minimum Deposit:
- No minimum deposit for international accounts
- Features:
- Direct access to US equity and ETF markets
- Fractional share buying from $5 via Schwab Stock Slices™
- Thematic investment baskets from $250
- thinkorswim® platform for advanced trading tools
- Efficient process and tools for selling shares, with clear guidance on tax implications and transaction management
- Research and education resources, including webinars and market analysis
- SIPC coverage and multi-factor authentication for account protection
Why You Can Trust Our Rankings
Our recommendations for the Best UK Trading Platforms are grounded in hands-on testing, in-depth analysis, and verified data from each provider. We’ve compared platforms side by side to highlight the most reliable options for UK investors in 2025, with no sponsorships or paid placements influencing the results.
We have:
- Tested over 35 trading platforms across mobile, web, and desktop
- Verified fees, spreads, and commissions against official rate cards
- Evaluated platform performance, execution speed, and stability in real market conditions
- Assessed research tools, analytics, and educational resources for different experience levels
- Considered feedback from real UK investors alongside our own findings
Please note: Past performance is not indicative of future results. The information and recommendations provided do not take into account your particular circumstances and may not be suitable for every investor. Always consider your own financial situation and seek personalized advice before making investment decisions.
Conclusion
The right trading platform should depend on your investing style, preferred markets, and budget.
In our 2025 analysis of the Best UK Trading Platforms, XTB emerged as the top overall choice for UK investors, offering low costs, a broad product range, and an intuitive interface. Other standout platforms include Fineco Bank for integrated banking and global market access, DEGIRO for ultra-low-cost share dealing, Pepperstone for forex and CFD trading, Spreadex for commission-free spread betting, Capital.com for advanced CFD analytics, and Charles Schwab UK for direct access to US markets.
Each offers distinct advantages, making it worth matching their features to your specific investment goals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Which is the best trading platform in the UK?
XTB is considered the best trading platform for UK investors in 2025. It offers 0% commission on real stocks and ETFs on equivalent up to €100,000 per month, access to over 10,800 instruments, and a highly rated proprietary platform, xStation 5. The system combines advanced charting, fractional share investing, and automated ETF investment plans with strong mobile and desktop usability.
2. How do UK trading platform fees work?
Best UK Trading Platforms charge either a flat fee per trade, a percentage-based commission, or embed costs in the spread for CFD products. Additional charges may include currency conversion fees, overnight financing for leveraged positions, and inactivity fees. Investors should compare the total cost of ownership, including account maintenance and withdrawal fees.
3. Can UK residents trade international stocks?
Yes, many UK platforms provide access to international markets including US, European, and Asian exchanges. Platforms like Fineco Bank, DEGIRO, and XTB allow trading in multiple currencies and offer real-time pricing for global shares and ETFs. Currency conversion costs and foreign market regulations should be factored into the decision.
4. Which UK platforms offer fractional shares?
Fractional share trading lets investors buy a portion of a stock rather than a whole share, making high-priced equities more accessible. XTB offers fractional shares from £10, while Charles Schwab UK provides fractional ownership of S&P 500 companies from $5. This feature is particularly useful for diversified investing with smaller budgets.
5. Are UK trading platforms safe?
Regulated Best UK Trading Platforms must comply with Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) standards for client fund protection, transparency, and operational security. Many hold client money in segregated accounts and offer two-factor authentication. The level of investor protection varies for overseas brokers operating in the UK.
