Best Stock Brokers in the UK 2024

Thadeus Geodfrey is an experienced and celebrated writer and self-taught trader specialising in cryptocurrencies and forex. Market analysis, identifying fraudulent brokers, and security are his cup of tea. At BrokerRaters Thadeus develops educational materials and user-guides, offer market insights, ensures our content conforms to the best standards. Join Thadeus to succeed in your trading endeavours.

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Did you know that more than 27 million Brits have invested in the stock market as of August 2024? This figure is a 9% increase from 42% in the previous year. As such, the region is an attractive hub for local and international stock brokers looking to capitalize off of the growing interest in the stock market as well as other financial instruments. UK stock brokers have access to the London Stock Exchanges (LSE), New York Stock Exchanges (NYSE), NASDAQ, and Euronext, to name a few.

The proliferation of stock brokers in the UK is a double-edged sword for traders and investors in the UK. On the one hand, they get access to top-tier brokerage services with competitive fees and commissions. On the other hand, they find it difficult to separate bad apples from reputable firms. If you’re having trouble finding the best stock trading platform UK, we’re here to help.

Today, we take a deep dive into some of the best stock brokers UK. So grab your notebook and pen, and let’s jump straight into it.

List of the Best Stock Brokers

  • Pepperstone – Best For Spread Betting
  • eToro – Overall Best Stock Broker in the UK
  • XTB – Best Stock Broker UK for Low-Cost Trading
  • IG Markets – UK’s Best Stock Broker for Seasoned Pros
  • Plus500* – Best UK CFD Stock Broker
  • AvaTrade – Best Stock Broker UK for MetaTrader Platforms

Note: 82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

In This Guide

Comparing Stock Brokers in the UK

As mentioned, the UK is one of the most active stock trading and investment markets globally. This means the region boasts a myriad of stock brokerage firms eager to tap into the growing pool of investors.

Our team of experts has conducted elaborate research into the most stand-out stock brokers in the UK to find the best online stock broker UK for your needs. Our research involved testing these platforms first-hand and comparing their features. We also looked into reviews from authority review sites like Trustpilot and others. Our criteria for ranking UK stock brokers involved examining features such as fees, user-friendliness, security, demo accounts, and regulatory licenses, among others.

After extensive research, we prepared the table below summarizing the key features of the best stock brokers UK.

Best Stock BrokerLicenceSupport ServiceSoftwarePaymentDemo Account
PepperstoneFCA, ASIC, FSCA, DFSA, CySEC, CMA, SCB, BaFin24/7TradingView, MT4, MT5, cTrader, Pepperstone Trading Platform, Social TradingVisa, Mastercard, Bank transfer, Neteller, Skrill, PayPalYes
eToroFCA, CySEC, ASIC, FSAS, FinCEN, DNB, AMF24/5 Multi-asset trading platform, Mobile app, social trading platformCredit/Debit Cards, eToro Money, Bank Transfer, Klarna/Sofort, e-wallets (Paypal, Skrill, Neteller) Yes
XTBFCA, CySEC, KNF, DFSA, FSC24/5xStation5, Mobile AppBank Transfer, Credit/Debit Cards, e-wallets (PayPal, Skrill, Neteller)Yes
IG MarketsFCA, FSCA, CySEC, DFSA 24/5MetaTrader 4, Online Platform, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, Mobile Trading App, US options and futures trading platformCredit/Debit Cards, Bank TransferYes
Plus500*

82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

FCA, CySEC, ISA, ASIC, FCSA,24/7Plus500 CFD Bank Transfer, e-Wallets (Paypal or Skrill), Credit/Debit CardsYes
AvaTradeFCA, CBI, MiFID, FSA, ASIC, FRSA, ISA, FFAJ24/5MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, WebTrader, AvaTrade App, AvaOptions, AvaSocial, DupliTrade, Mac TradingCredit/Debit Cards, Bank Transfers, e-WalletsYes

Brokers Overview

Fees and the choice of financial instruments available for trading are crucial factors for many stock traders and investors when choosing a stock trading platform. However, rummaging through dozens of web pages to understand different stock brokers’ fees is too much work for most folks. To help take the load off, we’ve compiled tables summarizing the best brokers’ fees. That way, you’ll be better positioned to figure out whether the said brokers check the affordability box.

Fees

Best Stock BrokerMinimum Deposit RequirementsCommissions/SpreadsDeposits/WithdrawalsInactivity Fee
Pepperstone£0From 0.0 pipsFreeNone
eToro£100Spreads from 0.15%£5 Withdrawal fee£10 monthly
XTB£0Spreads from £0.1 pips on Pro accountsFree for withdrawals above £100£10 monthly
IG Markets£0Commissions from 2 cents per US shareFreeNone
Plus500*£100From 0.0 pipsFree£10 monthly
AvaTrade£100Spreads from 0.13%Free£50 every 3 months

Note: 82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

Assets

Best Stock BrokerStocksForexCryptocurrenciesCommoditiesIndicesETFsOptions
PepperstoneYesYesYesYesYesYesNo
eToroYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
XTBYesYesNoYesYesYesNo
IG MarketsYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Plus500*YesYesYesYesYesYesYes
AvaTradeYesYesYesYesYesYesYes

Note: 82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

Our Opinion About the Best Stock Brokers

There’s no one-size-fits-all best stock broker UK for all traders and investors. Rather, finding the best one depends on which UK stock brokers align with your needs and investment goals. After extensive research on the most prominent names in the UK stock brokerage industry, we thought it best to give our personal insights from a professional, unbiased, and well-rounded standpoint. Here are our findings.

1. Pepperstone – Best For Spread Betting

If you prefer spread betting on financial instruments like shares, Pepperstone could be a reliable platform for you. After conducting multiple tests and analyses, we find its spread betting platform user-friendly and easy to use. Plus, accessing it requires no minimum deposit requirement, and spreads are low, starting from 0.0 pips. These low fees make us believe that Pepperstone can suit beginners, active professional traders, and even the low-budget ones. The broker lists a wide range of US, UK, Hong Kong, European, and Australian shares to spread bet on. You can also trade the shares as CFDs and diversify your portfolio with additional securities it lists.

Stock trading at Pepperstone exposes you to numerous advanced resources on its MT5, MT4, cTrader, and TradingView platforms. If you are a beginner, take advantage of the social trading feature and interact with other global traders. You will learn various trading tips and have an opportunity to copy the trades of professional traders. We also like its automated trading feature and a reliable support service to cater to your requests.

Pepperstone

✔24/7 support service
✔User-friendly and navigable platform

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2,863 User Reviews
google
4,510 User Reviews
apple
1 User Reviews
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Our Rating
Total Rating:
7,374 User Reviews
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets

Pros

  • No minimum deposit requirement
  • Lists shares across various global markets
  • Quality learning and market analysis tools
  • Allows users to apply leverage in share trading, which maximises profitability
  • A user-friendly and intuitive design share trading platform

Cons

  • No buying and owning the listed shares
  • Its MT5 platform, which is primarily recommended for share trading, doesn’t feature advanced take-profit/stop-loss levels

We find Pepperstone broker to be one of the brokers with transparent fee structures. There are no hidden charges, so what you see displayed on its platform is what you will incur. This makes it easier for you to budget without worrying about overspending.

Let’s discover below some of the trading and non-trading charges at Pepperstone.

Trading and Non-Trading Charges Details
Account Opening $0
Management Fee $0
Minimum Deposit Requirement From $0, depending on your jurisdiction
Commission From $0.02 on US-listed shares
Spreads From 0.0 pips on its Razor Account
Deposits and Withdrawals Free
Inactivity None
Overnight Funding Varies based on global market conditions
Copy Trading Free

Note that Pepperstone charges both spreads and commissions. While spreads are charged on all accounts, commissions are only imposed on the Razor Account.

At Pepperstone, we discovered over 1,200 CFD and spread betting assets. The securities are in different classes, including shares, commodities, forex, indices, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies. Unfortunately, some assets like options are missing.

As we previously mentioned, there are two types of trading accounts, namely Razor and Standard, with which you can explore these securities. We also noticed that Pepperstone supports leverage trading on its featured securities. Retail traders will enjoy limits up to 30:1, while professionals are eligible for limits up to 400:1. This allows you to manage larger trades with a small capital, thus maximizing your chances of earning huge profits.

That being said, let’s break down the number of asset offerings at Pepperstone.

Asset Class Number Offered
Forex 97+ currency pairs
Shares 1000+
Indices 23+
Commodities 40+
Cryptocurrencies 30+
ETFs 48+

Disclaimer: Spread betting and CFD trading have the application of leverage attached to them. Therefore, while the activity can magnify your returns, losses are inevitable. To avoid incurring massive losses with CFD trading, understand how it works plus all the risks involved. Plus, only risk funds you are comfortable losing, considering that over 76% of retail traders lose money in this activity.

2. eToro – Overall Best Stock Broker in the UK

eToro enjoys a widespread following not only in the UK but also in many parts of the world. We tested dozens of stock brokers in the UK and conclusively established that eToro takes the spot as the best stock broker in the region for a couple of reasons.

First, eToro boasts a simple and intuitive user interface, making it a breeze for beginners and professionals alike. The platform has over 3000 assets, including stocks, futures, options, ETFs and commodities. This gives clients unrestricted access to short-, medium-, and long-term investment opportunities. It also boasts some of the lowest fees in the stock brokerage industry, with spreads and commissions as low as 0.15%.

However, what puts eToro a cut above the rest is that it allows clients to invest in fractional shares. With fractional shares, investors can buy a portion of a share instead of an entire share. This means they can invest in shares at whatever dollar amount they want and diversify their investment portfolio without spending a bundle.

eToro also supports social trading, where traders and investors can connect with a community of over 30 million members. Users can share insights, news, and ideas to enhance their trading strategies or simply share their investment journeys. The platform also lets you align your portfolio with those of top traders for maximum profitability.

eToro

✔ User-friendly trading platform
✔ Over 6000 trading instruments

Visit site
{etoroCFDrisk}% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
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5 User Reviews
google
143,000 User Reviews
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31 User Reviews
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Our Rating
Total Rating:
143,036 User Reviews
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets

Pros

  • Easy-to-use and intuitive user interface, making it ideal for beginners
  • Relatively low stock trading fees of between £1 and £2
  • A thriving community of traders and investors to exchange insights and ideas
  • Abundance of comprehensive educational materials for both beginners and professionals
  • The mobile app boasts more advanced trading features compared to its peers

Cons

  • High non-trading fees like the £5 withdrawal fee
  • Lack of advanced tools for more seasoned traders

eToro has a transparent fee structure that is easy to understand and helps you plan accordingly. From our analysis, we discovered the following trading and non-trading eToro fees.

Trading and Non-Trading Charges Details
Account Opening $0
Management Fee $0
From $50, depending on your jurisdiction 0.6
Commission From 0% on stocks and ETF trading
Spreads From 1 pip on major currency pairs
Deposits and Withdrawals $5 withdrawal
Inactivity $10 monthly
Currency Conversion 1.5% or 3.0%, depending on the currency or payment method
Overnight Funding Varies based on global market conditions
Copy Trading Free

We discovered that eToro allows users to trade and invest in global markets. You can go long or short in a single portfolio. Overall, there are more than 6,000 instruments, which are spread across multiple classes. Investment options are stocks, which allow you to buy and take ownership of global stocks across various sectors. Fractional share purchases are also supported at eToro. This will enable you to fill your portfolio with leading stocks from global exchanges. ETFs are also other investment assets at eToro.

When it comes to CFD trading, this broker offers it with flexible leverage limits for both new and professional traders. From our experience, retail traders get up to 1:30 leverage limit and professionals up to 1:400. With CFD assets, you can go long or short and speculate on both rising and falling asset prices.

That being said, here is the number of tradable assets available at eToro.

Asset Class Number Offered
Forex 55+ currency pairs
Shares 5558+
Indices 21+
Commodities 35+
Cryptocurrencies 100+
ETFs 680+

Note that eToro also supports options trading but is limited to US clients only. You can also explore diverse non-fungible tokens (NFTs) via its Delta platform.

Disclaimer: CFD trading is risky and complex, thus not suitable for all types of traders. This is primarily due to the application of leverage attached, which can give you good profits as well as leave you with massive losses. So far, over 76% lose their money in CFD trading. That is why it is important to conduct extensive research and understand CFD trading risks before you invest your money in it.

3. XTB – Best Stock Broker UK for Low-Cost Trading

Stock trading and investing can be expensive, especially for beginners, but they can find much relief in XTB. As a pioneer stock brokerage firm launched in 2002, XTB has solidified its position as a reputable broker in the industry. However, it’s most popular for its affordability and low-cost trading.

For starters, XTB doesn’t charge its investors a commission on stock trades. What’s more, users enjoy up to five times the leverage on their cash investments. This means that by investing £100 in the platform, you can hold positions of up to £500. Double the investment, and you can have as much as £1,000 in stock. The stock broker is also renowned for its tight spreads not only on stocks but also on other tradable assets.

With over 3600 stock from markets in the UK, US, and Europe, traders and investors will be spoilt for choice. However, if clients want to diversify their portfolio with other financial instruments, they can trade or invest in over 70 CFD currency pairs or 25 plus CFD commodities.

XTB

✔User-friendly interface
✔Expert customer support services

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1,366 User Reviews
google
67,600 User Reviews
apple
8,200 User Reviews
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Our Rating
Total Rating:
77,166 User Reviews
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets

Pros

  • Presents the opportunity to trade in stocks and ETFs worth up to £100,000 a month without paying a commission
  • Doesn’t charge deposit fees or withdrawal fees for amounts exceeding £100
  • XTB doesn’t require a minimum deposit
  • Easy trading and learning through its trading platform Xstation5

Cons

  • £10 Inactivity charge for accounts dormant for over 12 months
  • XTB currently doesn’t offer social trading, including copy and mirror trading
  • Limited trading platformsc

We love XTB because it is one of the most affordable brokers out here. How so? For starters, there are no XTB minimum deposit requirements. Moreover, the broker’s users don’t have to pay additional fees while funding their accounts or cashing out. Most importantly, XTB doesn’t require traders to cover account opening, maintenance, or inactivity fees. In the table below, we’ve highlighted the fees, commissions, and costs you should take note of before committing to XTB.

Fees and Charges Amount
Account opening and maintenance $0
Minimum deposit $0
Deposit fee $0
Withdrawal fee $0 for withdrawals above $50; $30 for withdrawals below $50
Investing commission From 0%
Spreads From 0.3 pips
Currency conversion fee 0.5%
Inactivity fee $0

XTB users have unlimited access to 5,800+ financial products, ranging from forex pairs to commodities. You will be hard-pressed to find a broker with a more impressive asset portfolio than XTB. Let’s run through some of the assets we encountered while exploring and evaluating the XTB online trading platform:

  • Shares: Over 2,900 stocks are available on the XTB online trading platform, including popular products like Tesla, Amazon, and Intel Corp. You can start investing in them with capital as low as $10.
  • ETFs: As an XTB client, you can diversify your portfolio by investing in different ETFs, such as Dell Technologies, FACC AG, and PayPal Holdings PLC. The best part is such products have zero commission and a $10 minimum order requirement, which is pretty low.
  • Forex: Over 71 popular forex pairs are accessible to XTB users, from EUR/GBP and AUDCHF to NZD/USD, USD/CAD, and GBP/ZAR.
  • Indices: Presently, this broker offers 30+ indices, including popular instruments like AUS200, FRA, and US100. You can trade these products and magnify potential returns with flexible leverage.
  • Commodities: XTB offers you the opportunity to trade CFDs over 25 commodities, from cocoa and coffee to oil, gold, and gas.

4. IG Markets – UK’s Best Stock Broker for Seasoned Pros 

There’s nothing more refreshing to season stock traders and investors in the UK than a stock broker that can accommodate the complexities of their advanced strategies, diverse portfolios, and high-volume trades. That’s why seasoned pros turn to IG Markets to boost their trading and achieve their bottom lines.

The platform offers over 17,000 global financial markets. This makes it among the stock brokers with the most investment options in the UK. Seasoned investors will have a field day exploring the assets, diversifying their portfolios, and refining their strategies for maximum profitability. 

The platform offers a host of internal and third-party platforms for trading and investing. However, the game-changer in its trading platform cache is ProRealTime. This is a technical analysis software integrated into the IG Market’s interface that provides traders with over 100 technical indicators and allows them to build custom algorithms to execute trades automatically. 

IG Markets is also compatible with various devices, so you can use it on your PC (Windows and Mac) or smartphone (Android or iOS). It also features Direct Market Access, or DMA, which bypasses the broker and allows you to place orders directly on an electronic order book. This means super fast order execution, where traders can take advantage of ephemeral trading opportunities.

IG Markets

✔17,000+ financial markets
✔No minimum deposit requirement

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7,303 User Reviews
google
20,600 User Reviews
apple
2,700 User Reviews
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Our Rating
Total Rating:
30,603 User Reviews
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets

Pros

  • Offers about 19,000 financial markets and a plethora of other tradable assets
  • The platform has a considerable selection of trading platforms that work across an array of devices
  • IG Markets doesn’t require a minimum deposit
  • Offers automated trading using custom algorithms on platforms like ProRealTime and MT4
  • It contains elaborate educational materials on IG Academy, including trading courses and webinars
  • Supports Direct Market Access (DMA) orders

Cons

  • Limited funding options since it doesn’t support e-wallets like Skrill and PayPal
  • IG Markets is yet to offer automated copy trading

Both low-budget and high-budget individuals can trade on IG Markets since this broker has no minimum deposit requirement. You can top up your account with whatever is within your budget limitations after signing up with this terrific service provider. Note that IG Markets charges spreads and commissions that vary from one asset to another. For instance, the spreads for currency pairs like AUD/USD and EUR/USD start at 0.6 points. On the other hand, the charges for shares start at 0.08% commission per side. You can also trade spot gold and other commodities, whose spreads start at 0.3 points.

We’ve highlighted some of the fees and charges that our experts discovered while exploring and evaluating IG Markets.

Fees and Charges Details
Account opening charge $0
Spreads and commissions Starting from 0.1 points/ 0.08% commission per side
Overnight funding Yes
Guarantee stop premiums Yes
Direct Market Access Variable commission
Live price data fees Variable monthly fee
Currency conversion fee 0.8%
Account inactivity fee $0

Presently, traders registered with IG Markets have access to 17,000+ financial instruments. There is a high chance that this broker has your favourite products and then some. Building a diversified portfolio should be a dream while trading with IG Markets.

Here’s a sneak peek of the financial assets offered by the IG Markets broker:

  • Indices: IG Markets allows its users to take positions on 80+ indices, including popular markets like Wall Street, FTSE 100, and US 500. Such products give you the opportunity to profit from entire economies and sectors.
  • Forex: Different forex products are available on the IG Markets trading platform, including popular pairs like AUD/USD, EUR/JPY, and USD/CHF. Many of these instruments have competitive spreads. For instance, the EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and USD/JPY spreads are 0.6 points, 0.9 points, and 0.7 points, respectively.
  • Shares: IG Markets gives traders uncapped access to over 13,000 international shares, with competitive commissions starting from 0.08% per side for Australian products. Diverse categories of shares are available on the platform, from Hong Kong SAR and New Zealand to Australia and South Africa.
  • Commodities: Iron, nickel, cobalt, copper, and other commodities are available for trading on the IG Markets platform. After signing up with this broker, the commodities you will get access to belong to different product categories, from energies to precious metals.
  • Cryptocurrencies: IG Markets offers CFDs on 11 popular crypto assets like Bitcoin, Ether, and Cardano. The broker’s users also have access to the Crypto 10 Index and 2 crypto crosses, Bitcoin/Ether USD (£1) and Bitcoin Cash/Bitcoin.
  • Specialist markets: After becoming an IG Markets user, you’ll gain unlimited access to ETFs, options, and interest rates. The broker also allows its clients to earn returns from bonds, sectors, and knock-out trading.

5. Plus500 – Best UK CFD Stock Broker

CFD stock traders and investors have a lot to benefit from using Plus500. After giving it a whirl, we conclusively established that it’s hands down the best CFD stock broker in the UK. With thousands of CFDs sporting real-time quotes, CFD stock traders can have diverse portfolios and hedge their investments over multiple financial instruments. The most popular CDF stocks traded on the platform include Tesla, Nvidia, Ocado, and Lloyds Banking Group for the UK Market.

Besides its product offerings, Plus500 offers competitive pricing with zero commissions on trades and investments. Instead, the platform uses spreads as its pricing model, with spreads as low as 0.0 pips. Of course, trading or investing in stocks is a risky affair without proper regulation. However, you’d be pleased to know that Plus500 is regulated by top regulatory authorities in the UK, EU, and other parts of the world. These authorities include the FCA, FSCA, and ASIC. Traders can rest easy knowing their CFD investments are in safe hands.

Our take on Plus500 for CFD stock trading wouldn’t be complete without mentioning its demo account and Trading Academy. Beginners can use the demo account to find their footing in CFD stock trading without investing actual cash. This demo account goes hand-in-hand with the Training Academy, which contains Ebooks, guides, news, and webinars novice traders/investors can use to expand their trading knowledge and improve their skills.

Note: 82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.op

Plus500

✔Easy-to-use trading platform
✔No hidden charges

Visit site
82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
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14,180 User Reviews
google
102,000 User Reviews
apple
1,800 User Reviews
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Our Rating
Total Rating:
117,980 User Reviews
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets

Pros

  • Over 2000 financial instruments for trading and investment, including ETFs, commodities, and options
  • No cost deposits and withdrawals
  • Affordable trading with no commissions and tight spreads from 0.0 pips
  • Leveraged trading of up to 300 times the investment amount for Professional Trades, depending on the financial instrument
  • Regulation across multiple jurisdictions by multiple regulatory bodies
  • The Trading Academy offers expansive educational resources, including beginner guides, ebooks, webinars, and much more

Cons

  • There’s an inactivity fee of £10 after only 3 months of inactivity compared to 12 months for other stock brokers
  • Doesn’t provide native support for MetaTrader Platforms (MT4 and MT5)mr

Many traders prioritize brokers they can afford. Since fees vary with a broker, we decided to go through Plus500’s fee structure. Here are some of the trading and non-trading charges to expect when you commit to this broker.

Trading and Non-Trading Charges Details
Account Opening $0
Minimum Deposit Requirement $100
Commission $0
Spreads From 0.0 pips on major currency pairs
Deposits and Withdrawals $0
Inactivity $10 monthly
Currency Conversion Up to 0.7%
Overnight Funding Varies based on trade size

From our analysis, we discovered that the Plus500 trading platform lists over 2,800 assets. These assets are spread across various classes, including forex, shares, indices, commodities, cryptos, options, and ETFs. For most regions, Plus500 supports CFD trading across the featured assets. Real stock trading is available on the Plus500 Invest platform, while futures trading is only available for US citizens on the Plus500 Futures platform.

Let’s break down the number of Plus500 product selections.

Asset Class Number Offered
Forex 60+ currency pairs
Shares 1900+
Indices 29+ global stock indices
Commodities 24+
Cryptocurrencies 19+
ETFs 96+

Note that options trading at Plus500 is offered on a few stock CFDs and stock index CFDs. Thematic indices like the Cannabis Index are also available for traders.

Disclaimer: CFD trading is complex and highly risky, considering the application of leverage attached. We have witnessed over 76% of retail traders lose their money in CFD trading. It may not be a suitable activity for you. Therefore, ensure you understand how CFD trading works and the risks involved. 

6. AvaTrade – Best Stock Broker UK for MetaTrader Platforms

MetaTrader Platforms, specifically MetaTrader 4 and 5, are the most popular trading and investment platforms globally. However, not all stock brokers in the UK support MetaTrader natively. Stock traders and investors whose activities are hinged on the platform can benefit immensely from using AvaTrade.

AvaTrade gives users access to over 500 stocks from various global markets, including popular names like Intel, Tesla, and Netflix. Other financial instruments available with the stock broker are indices, ETFs, and commodities, to name a few. However, what sets AvaTrade apart from the rest is its user-friendly interface and, of course, its compatibility with MetaTrader Platforms.

MetaTrader allows seamless trading across various financial instruments, including stocks. The platform has advanced analytics and research tools to boost traders’ success and profitability. Advanced charting tools, like other technical analysis tools, help refine the decision-making process for traders and investors, improving their chances of profiting from their activities. Moreover, the MT4 and MT5 platforms available on AvaTrade support plug-ins like Guardian Angel and Negative Balance Protection to Extend their functionality.

AvaTrade

✔Regulated by FCA
✔The platform supports algorithmic trading

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45 User Reviews
google
10,300 User Reviews
apple
25 User Reviews
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Our Rating
Total Rating:
10,370 User Reviews
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets

Pros

  • Native compatibility with MT4 and MT5 platforms, including plug-ins and Expert Advisors (EAs)
  • No deposit and withdrawal fees
  • Allows copy trading
  • Over 1250 trading instruments with tight spreads and low commissions
  • Available on various devices (Android, PC, Mac, iOS)
  • Robust educational platform providing ongoing learning for beginners, intermediate, and expert traders

Cons

  • Relatively high inactivity fees of up to £50 for every three months of inactivity
  • Focuses on CFD and forex trading mostly

Our experts investigated the AvaTrade broker’s fees and charges. We first noticed that the platform has a modest minimum deposit requirement of $100. What’s more, its users pay no additional costs while depositing funds or cashing out. That makes AvaTrade an ideal broker for both cost-conscious and newbie traders who want to test their waters with small capital before going all in.

That said, AvaTrade requires dormant account holders to pay $50 after every 3 consecutive months of inactivity. Moreover, if you let your account remain inactive for over successive months of inactivity, the broker will charge you a $100 administration fee. Not to forget, AvaTrade requires traders who hold positions overnight to cover a premium.

Here’s a breakdown of the fees you should expect to encounter while trading with this service provider:

Fees and Charges Amount
Spreads From 0.9 pips
Administration fee $100
Inactivity fee $50
Overnight premium Yes

The AvaTrade trading platform’s users have access to over 1,250 financial instruments, from forex pairs and indices to commodities, options, ETFs, and more. Below is an overview of some of this service provider’s product offerings:

  • Forex: As an AvaTrade user, you can trade diverse popular currency pairs, like EUR/USD, CAD/JPY, and USD/TRY. You can also boost potential returns with leverage of up to 400:1.
  • Commodities: From crude oil to silver, corn, and platinum, countless commodities are available on the Ava trading platform. They have competitive spreads and juicy leverages for individuals who want to access larger positions with small capital.
  • Cryptocurrencies: With an AvaTrade account, you can trade crypto CFDs like BTC/USD, Ripple, and Bitcoin Gold. These assets have reasonable spreads starting from 0.10% over-market.
  • Stocks: Over 90 stocks are accessible on the AvaTrade platform, including popular products like Groupon, Apple, and Microsoft. You can trade such instruments and enjoy reasonable spreads starting from 0.13%.
  • ETFs: If you want to trade ETFs, AvaTrade has you covered. You’ll find numerous outstanding assets, such as the MSCI EAFE Index Fund, S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN-Series B, and Energy Select Sector SPDR.
  • Indices: After opening an AvaTrade account, you’ll get uncapped access to US500, UK100, CHINA A50. The broker also allows index traders to enhance potential returns with up to 100:1.
  • Options: AvaTrade’s AvaOptions trading platform allows users to trade options. It’s also equipped with 13 strategies, including call spread, put spread, and straddle.

Stock Trading in the UK

Stock Trading in the UK

Stock trading is an incredibly popular and lucrative investment strategy in the United Kingdom and many other parts of the world. As web-based stock trading has become a convenient and rewarding way to make money, many UK residents have dipped their toes into trading stocks both part-time and full-time.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) oversees stock trading in the UK. It ensures transparency and fairness to individuals and organizations involved in the stock market and regulates local and international stock brokers. The said brokers must meet stringent compliance requirements and standards to receive licenses from the FCA.

All the stock brokers we’ve discussed above have multiple licenses, not only from the FCA but also from multiple regulatory bodies across the globe. These regulatory bodies include the FCSA, CySEC, ISA, and ASIC. This is a testament to their credibility, and traders can trade without fear of broker malpractice or their funds being siphoned illegally. 

That said, it’s worth noting that stock trading doesn’t guarantee profitable returns. It’s the traders’ responsibility to do their due diligence on the stocks they invest in. Traders should also spend time and effort crafting robust trading strategies that result in profitable trades.

What Is a Stock Broker?

A stock broker is an individual or firm that buys and sells stocks for stock traders at a commission. They are essentially regulated representatives of the stock market who act as intermediaries between investors and stock exchanges. Their job is to execute buy and sell orders on behalf of their clients and charge a commission or spread for their services.

How to Choose the Best Stock Broker UK

Searching “stock brokers UK” on Google should expose you to plenty of stock brokers that are worthy of your consideration. However, picking the best one from the bunch is easier said than done. Consider the following factors to find the best stock broker UK for your trading needs.

Regulation and Licenses
Fees and Commissions
Range of Financial Instruments
Available Trading Platform and Technical Analysis Tools
Research and Educational Materials

The first thing to look for in UK stock brokers is proper licensing from recognized regulatory bodies. At the very least, stock brokers should be licensed by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). However, you’ll be better off finding a broker with a handful of licenses. Usually, the more regulatory licenses, the more credible the stock broker is.

As mentioned, stock brokers charge commissions and other fees for their services. You’ll want a stock broker with low commissions and fees to increase your profit margin. Platforms like Plus500 and XTB don’t charge commissions on trades. The best stock brokers UK also don’t charge deposit or withdrawal fees and are transparent about their pricing.

It’s also vital to check what financial instruments the stock broker offers for trading and investment. For starters, look at what global stock markets the stock broker has, then check for other assets like ETFs, options futures, commodities, and the likes.

Profitable stock trading involves in-depth research into the market and intricate analysis of charts and market trends. As such, look for stock brokers with trading platforms equipped with appropriate technical analysis tools like oscillators, MACD, and Expert Advisors (EAs). Examples of trading platforms with excellent tools include MetaTrader or IG Market’s ProRealTime.o

Market research and trading education can go a long way in advancing a stock trader’s career, leading to more profitable trades. This is especially true for beginner and novice traders looking to get their bearings. The best stock broker UK should have a wealth of educational materials, including video tutorials, ebooks, guides, and webinars.s

Risks to Trading Stocks for UK Traders

Risks to Trading Stocks for UK Traders

Stock trading isn’t always profitable, and it’s not uncommon for traders to lose more money than they’ve invested in the stock market. The first risk UK traders face when trading stock is settling for sham stock brokers with unscrupulous trading practices like price manipulation or conducting unauthorized trades. Traders also face the following risks during their trading:

  • Trading risks: This is the risk of poorly executing a trade, resulting in considerable losses. They also include the risk of slippage or trading gaps.
  • Investment risks: These risks usually occur when traders fail to diversify their investment portfolios. One wrong market move of the invested asset means heavy losses.
  • Market risks: Risks that are inherent to market volatility based on financial markets, global news, and inflation.

Pros and Cons of Stock Trading

UK stock brokers are quick to pitch the positive aspects of stock trading, particularly the massive profits, multiple global markets, and different promotions to entice clients. We, however, view the endeavour from a neutral standpoint and recognize that the stock trading game is not all rosy. Here are the most notable pros and cons of stock trading.

Pros:

  • Traders could potentially make significant returns by trading stocks with effective strategies
  • With high liquidity means,  traders can seamlessly enter and exit the market without impacting the cost of assets
  • Close regulatory surveillance ensures market transparency and fairness in trading activities
  • Traders can invest in multiple stocks across broad markets globally to hedge against losses and diversify their portfolio
  • Thanks to UK stock brokers, stock trading is readily available for anyone in the UK with a smartphone or computer
  • Buying stock means owning a portion of the company with the potential of returns as dividends

Cons:

  • There’s always the risk of making losses even with trading strategies that you think are foolproof
  • Traders must commit to extensive, time-consuming research and technical analysis to increase their chances of making profitable trades
  • The stock market is highly volatile, which increases the risk of losses
  • Despite close regulatory monitoring, the stock market isn’t free from manipulation and fraudulent activities, leaving some traders disadvantaged

Final Thoughts

To succeed as a stock trader in the UK, you’ll need to settle for the best online stock broker UK has in its arsenal. We hope today’s guide will point you in the right direction and help you find one that fits your fancy. Beginners can benefit immensely from demo accounts that don’t require actual capital investments. If you’re starting out, consider exploring different demo accounts until you get the hang of things and find a stock broker worthy of your time and money.

Remember, the more research and technical analysis you conduct, the better your chance of making a profit. So, find the best stock broker UK and put your best foot forward, and you’ll be a profitable trader in no time.

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Thadeus Geodfrey

Thadeus Geodfrey is an experienced and celebrated writer and self-taught trader specialising in cryptocurrencies and forex. Market analysis, identifying fraudulent brokers, and security are his cup of tea. At BrokerRaters Thadeus develops educational materials and user-guides, offer market insights, ensures our content conforms to the best standards. Join Thadeus to succeed in your trading endeavours.

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