9 Best Futures Brokers in the UK for 2025

Futures trading has been gaining significant traction in the UK financial market, leading to a proliferation of futures brokers. Equities are trading at high valuations, and futures contracts help investors diversify their portfolio away from stocks and into commodities such as gold, oil, currencies, and even cryptocurrencies.

In this guide, we feature a list of the best futures brokers in the UK. It’s important to understand that some of these brokers offer futures trading only through contracts for difference (CFDs,) while others give you access to traditional futures contracts that trade on exchanges. Take a look at our picks below:

Reviewing these top-ranked UK futures brokers

Now, let’s take a deeper look at these UK futures trading platforms and how they compare to each other, to help you find the one that suits your needs the best.

1. eToro: Best futures brokerage overall in the UK

eToro, a multi-asset provider offering more than 9,000 financial instruments to its clients, now offers both direct futures trading and futures trading through CFDs in the UK – the former only to select clients. The Israel-based broker is best known for its copy trading feature and large social network of traders who interact, discuss ideas, and share their strategies on its social feed.

It began offering actual futures contracts to new clients in Spain earlier in 2025, and now the UK also has this service, offered through the CME Group. The direct futures trading eToro offers are spot-quoted futures (SQFs), a newer version of the traditional exchange-traded futures powered by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME).

On eToro’s dashboard, it’s possible to buy CFD futures that cover sectors ranging from commodities to indices, from Orange Juice expiring futures to non-expiring futures that track the S&P 500 index. Crypto futures, like CFDs and other derivative instruments based on crypto assets, are banned in the UK.

All of the futures and CFD futures traded on eToro involve cash settlement. There is no risk of buying a futures contract, which involves delivering or receiving the underlying physical item on the settlement date.

The broker provides a free demo account with $100,000 in virtual funds, and a wide range of educational resources, including videos, webinars, news, and analysis. It also offers numerous instruments to invest in, including currencies, commodities, indices, stocks, and cryptocurrencies. It also features assets for direct investing, such as shares and ETFs, but not futures contracts in the UK at this time.

Take a look at our eToro review for a full rundown of its features, advantages, and drawbacks.

_{46% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.}

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2. XTB: Top UK futures broker for account types and platforms

XTB is one of the top futures brokers to use in the UK. This global brokerage provides access to a range of markets, including forex, commodities, indices, and futures contracts via CFDs. It also offers more than 7,500 direct shares and ETFs for investing. It doesn’t offer direct futures contracts, though.

As one of the leading futures brokers, XTB delivers fast and reliable trading through platforms such as xStation 5 and MT4, via desktop or mobile. With competitive spreads, low trading costs, and negative balance protection, XTB is ideal for traders seeking robust risk management. It’s a secure brokerage, regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). 

The platform also features comprehensive educational resources, including webinars and tutorials, making it user-friendly for both beginners and professionals.

XTB offers multiple account types, with leverage up to 30:1, which is the legal limit in the UK. Notably, XTB does not have a minimum deposit, making it an effective choice for beginner investors with a smaller trading budget.

XTB does, however, charge an inactivity fee of €10 a month if you don’t make any trades for 12 consecutive months. To learn more about this broker, see our comprehensive XTB review.

_{70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.}

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3. Pepperstone: Futures broker charging no commission on some account types

Pepperstone offers a broad range of trading instruments, including futures, forex, commodities, indices, and share CFDs. In total, more than 1,200 CFD instruments can be traded on Pepperstone. Since its founding 15 years ago, has established itself as a reliable broker with competitive pricing, fast execution, and a client-centric approach.

It’s important to note that, like XTB, Pepperstone doesn’t allow direct futures trading, but a type of CFD trading, which in this case, Pepperstone calls CFD forwards. These future-like CFD instruments are similar to futures contracts but traded over-the-counter with Pepperstone, rather than the underlying futures contract being traded on an exchange.

Traders can choose between Razor and Standard accounts. No commissions are charged on Standard accounts, but a markup is applied to raw spreads. The Razor accounts, on the other hand, charge tight spreads and a commission-based structure ideal for active traders.

The platform offers access to the widely used MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, as well as cTrader, for more advanced trading strategies. Pepperstone also supports trading automation through EAs (Expert Advisors) and offers an active trader program with benefits for high-volume traders.

The broker is regulated by the FCA. Our Pepperstone review has even more detail on its features and services.

_{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 spread bets and CFDs with this provider.}

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4. FP Markets: Best futures broker for low spreads starting at 0.0 pips

The Australian broker offers a comprehensive range of 10,000 CFD trading instruments, including futures, forex, commodities, indices, crypto, bonds, ETFs, and shares.

FP Markets provides access to major global indices such as the S&P 500 and NASDAQ 100 via futures CFDs, and you can trade futures CFDs on various commodities, including metals like gold, oil, and silver. It also offers futures CFDs on bonds, such as the US 10-year Treasuries (US10YR) and UK Long Gilt Futures.

Founded 20 years ago in Australia, this globally recognized broker offers a stable trading environment, competitive pricing, and advanced technology. As you can also see in our review of the broker, it also offers a range of educational resources, including webinars, articles, and daily market insights, helping traders stay informed.

Users can choose between various account types, including Standard and Raw ECN, which cater to different trading needs. FP Markets’ key feature is its spread-based pricing for Raw ECN accounts, which can go as low as 0.0 pips. 

For the Standard accounts, the spread starts at 1.0 pips. Traders can access popular platforms such as MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, along with TradingView and WebTrader, for more advanced trading strategies.

_{72.5% of retail CFD accounts lose money.}

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5. Admiral Markets: Regulated futures broker with negative balance protection 

Admiral Markets is a globally recognized broker based in London. It offers more than 8,000 financial assets across six asset classes, including numerous CFD trades on forex, futures, and more than 3,000 equities, 370 ETFs, 43 indices, as well as bonds and commodities.

It also allows you to invest in more than 4,500 shares and ETFs. Any CFD product Admiral offers can be traded through different futures markets.

The platform provides a 30-day free demo account and 24/7 multilingual customer support. The platform caters to both beginners and experienced traders, offering various account types, including Trade.MT5 and Zero.MT5. These accounts provide flexible spreads and competitive commission-based pricing for futures trading.

Its accounts provide flexible spreads and competitive commission-based pricing for futures trading. It also has advanced trading tools such as the MetaTrader Supreme Edition, which enhances the MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms with additional indicators, analytics, and trading automation options.

Regulated by the FCA, Admiral Markets ensures a secure trading environment with negative balance protection and offers various funding methods without deposit fees. Learn more about this UK broker from our Admiral Markets review.

_{74% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.}

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6. Trade Nation: UK futures broker with fixed spreads, a wealth of trading tools

This FCA-regulated forex and CFD broker allows you to trade more than 1,000 assets on its proprietary platform TN Trader as well as MT4 on your smartphone or desktop while staying on top of the market with real-time news, analysis, and twice-daily reports.

Spreads at Trade Nation are low and remain consistent. Trade Nation offers various account types, including the Standard Account, which is its most popular option and incurs no commission.

The RAW Account charges a commission of $3.50 per lot per side, while the TN Trader Account features low, fixed spreads but is only available on the proprietary platform, offering cost predictability for those who need it for their strategy.

On its TradeCopier app, you can find top traders and copy the moves of successful traders. When it comes to tools available at Trade Nation, you can enjoy real-time news, signal centre, and risk management tools. Meanwhile, charts are powered by ChartIQ on its web and mobile.

To educate its users, Trade Nation has an Insight Hub and provides tutorials and market information that impacts the way you trade including holidays, expiries, and projections.

_{73.1% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.}

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7. Vantage Markets: Futures broker with low trading costs and fast execution

The Australia-based broker, established in 2009, offers the trading of more than 1,000 CFD products, including forex, commodities, precious metals, bonds, indices, ETFs, and shares.

Vantage Markets offers a trusted trading ecosystem for users to trade by opening a live or demo account. Different account types on Vantage Markets include Cent, STP, Raw ECN, Pro ECN, and Swap-Free.

Meanwhile, tools available at Vantage include a free forex VPS, an economic calendar, a pro-economic calendar, sentiment indicators, an AI-based market buzz provider, and trading calculators, along with custom charts, indicators, and bespoke order types.

An interesting feature of Vantage is social trading, available through its V-Social app, compatible with both iOS and Android devices. The free-to-download app enables traders to chat with other traders, ask questions, trade, and auto-copy the top-performing investors, or get paid for sharing trading tips, all on the same platform and on the go. 

It’s also pretty easy to open an account at FCA-regulated Vantage, and there are no deposit fees. It also has a free demo account with $100,000 in virtual funds. When it comes to educational resources, the platform covers a wide range of topics through its articles, webinars, and videos.

_{68.4% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs and with this provider.}

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8. Saxo Bank: Best futures broker for professional traders, broad asset range

As one of the top direct futures brokers, Saxo is known for its user-friendly platform on both desktop and mobile devices, asset-specific analysis tools, responsive charting, and advanced strategy backtesting. 

Saxo’s trading platform, SaxoTrader, which combines the features of the former SaxoTrader GO and SaxoTrader PRO platforms, is designed with the end-user in mind, offering significant upgrades over the industry standard.

The platform is fully licensed and regulated in 15 jurisdictions across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. It has a wide range of equity, metals, bonds, currencies, and even interest rates for traders. It also has 85 technical indicators.

Saxo offers competitive trading fees, with commissions varying based on the contract and the tier of pricing. It also features a three-tiered pricing structure (Classic, Platinum, and VIP), which is based on your trading volume. The more you trade, the lower the available commissions.  

When it comes to advanced research and analysis tools, Saxo offers the Futures Spread Trading feature that allows you to simultaneously place orders to buy and sell multiple contracts. Then there’s the Depth Trader feature, which allows you to more effectively manage your trades by viewing all the pending buy and sell orders. Meanwhile, with the Time and Sales feature, you can monitor real-time futures prices and trade directly from the exchange.     

_{62% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with Saxo Bank.}

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9. TradeStation: Renowned for advanced futures trading interfaces and tools

TradeStation is a leading futures broker and delivers a trading platform loaded with customizable charting, advanced trading tools, and a premium real-time watchlist for a professional trading experience. Besides its web platform, you can also use its reliable and user-friendly mobile app to trade on the go.

It allows direct futures trading as well as futures options and micro futures. None of the three options involves a commission, but micro futures cost as little as $0.25 per contract per side, futures options cost as little as $0.85 per contract per side, and standard futures cost as little as $0.50 per contract per side.

The broker does not have CFD trading, but it has expanded its futures offerings to include forex, commodities, indexes, crypto, and even interest rates. One negative aspect is that a $10 inactivity fee applies if traders fail to maintain a $5,000 average end-of-month equity balance or have not placed at least 10 trades during the previous 90-day period.

It also offers various account types, including individual, IRA, joint, institutional, custodial, and entity accounts, which you can select based on your trading needs and experience level.  

TradeStation offers a comprehensive suite of research and educational tools featuring a demo account, detailed fundamental data, high-quality news, a detailed FAQ section, and educational videos and articles. However, deposit and withdrawal functions are somewhat limited, with only bank transfers supported.

_{Trading in financial products involves risk. You could lose more than your initial investment.}

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How does futures trading work?

Let’s look at the definition of futures contracts, the various forms of futures trading, what assets are typically offered as futures, where futures trading takes place and the role of brokers.

What is a futures contract?

It’s an agreement to purchase or sell a certain security, commodity or other asset at an agreed-upon price at a predetermined future date. This means that the buyer is obligated to buy, or the seller is required to sell the underlying asset at the predetermined price, irrespective of the prevailing market price on the expiration date.

This is a derivative financial product because the value of futures depends on the value of an underlying asset, such as oil, in the case of crude oil futures. 

There are two distinct types available through brokerages: traditional futures contracts (we sometimes refer to these in this article as direct futures) that are traded on exchanges, and futures CFDs (contracts for difference) that allow traders to speculate on the prices of futures contracts without the obligation ever to buy or sell the underlying asset.

Note that futures, like all derivatives, are advanced trading instruments and are best suited to more experienced traders who understand how they work and the risks involved.

What assets can I trade futures on?

Numerous varieties of futures contracts are available for trading, including:

Stock index futures on underlying assets like the S&P 500 Index, the Nasdaq, or the UK’s benchmark FTSE 100.

Commodity futures are available on commodities such as corn, wheat, crude oil, like Brent or WTI crude, natural gas, orange juice, coffee etc.

Precious metals and metals futures for gold, silver or platinum, and copper

Currency futures: These include forex pairs such as EUR/USD, GBP/USD, GBP/EUR USD/JPY

Cryptocurrencies: For example, Bitcoin and Ether futures (some are listed even on the prestigious Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), not only on crypto exchanges)

Note: The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority banned crypto derivatives for retail clients from January 2021. That includes crypto futures.

Other futures: There are futures available on interest rates or volatility. The CME, for instance, tracks futures traders’ bets on possible Federal Reserve interest rate changes.

Where and how to trade futures?

We’ll cover the established and newer futures exchanges and the role of brokers as intermediaries.

Where to trade direct futures

The launch of the FMX Futures Exchange in 2024 means there’s now competition for CME Group, which runs the four major futures exchanges, the CME, CBOT, NYMEX and COMEX. That competition also likely means innovations in futures contract design and pricing​​.

You will need a futures broker to access the futures exchange. They act as an intermediary between traders and the futures exchanges, facilitating the execution of trades, providing market analysis, offering risk management advice, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Where to trade futures CFDs

To buy futures CFDs, you need to open an account with a regulated online broker that offers CFD trading on futures instruments. Then, you need to access their trading platform to select the desired futures contract and place your order to buy or sell based on your market prediction.

One of the best attributes of CFD trading is that you can take advantage of rising as well as falling markets by opening a long or a short position.

The role of futures brokers

To trade futures, you need a broker that acts as an intermediary between traders and the futures market.

The primary role of brokers involves linking buyers and sellers of futures contracts with a range of services at their disposal, including access to market data and trade execution. And in exchange for their services, brokers charge a commission.  

In addition, futures brokers facilitate price discovery and provide liquidity, which plays a crucial role in the futures market.

Beyond making it easier for traders to buy and sell futures contracts, these platforms help users navigate the complex futures market. They offer extensive educational materials offering research, market insights, trading tools, and guidance.

The difference between futures CFDs and traditional futures

As we have seen, futures trading varies depending on whether it is traditional futures traded on an exchange or CFDs.

Futures CFDs prioritise flexibility and accessibility, while direct futures emphasize standardization, lower costs, and reduced risk. The choice between these instruments depends on individual trading preferences, risk tolerance, and investment goals.

What goes into a traditional futures trade

• They are standardized on exchanges by the amount, quality, and asset delivery.
• They are contracts that obligate the buyer to purchase a stock, index, or commodity on a fixed date and at a pre-agreed-upon price.
• Futures contracts are transparent and highly liquid.
• Futures contracts are tradable on platforms such as the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) and individuals trade them through their brokerage accounts.
• Futures contracts can be settled through the delivery of assets or a cash settlement. In delivery, the physical product changes hands on the expiry of the agreement. However, in cash settlement, individuals receive a sum equal to the difference between the agreed price and the market value at expiration, without any actual transfer of goods taking place.
• Traders must provide margin – a percentage of the contract value – as a deposit when entering into a futures contract. Margins may be adjusted regularly based on price changes, known as mark-to-market.

What goes into a futures CFD trade

• CFD futures involve an agreement between a trader and a broker to exchange the difference in price of a predetermined asset between the start of the agreement and the point at which the agreement is closed.  
• CFD traders never actually own the underlying asset but receive returns or incur losses based on the price change of the asset.
• A CFD trader may choose between taking a long or short position, though only one can be selected per contract.
• As asset prices change in real time, so too, does the value of the CFD. This creates the possibility of a gain or a loss along any point of the contract, depending on the position taken and how the asset price moves.  

While leverage is capped at 1:30 for retail clients in the UK, it can magnify both profits and losses. That’s why strong risk management tools and regulatory compliance are essential for safe and strategic futures CFD trading.

Note: Both futures and CFDs carry significant risks and are best suited for experienced traders. Always do your due diligence to determine which types of instruments align with your financial goals and risk tolerance.

Why trade futures?

One major advantage of futures markets is portfolio diversification. With equity markets reaching high valuations in recent years, many investors are turning to futures to expand beyond traditional stock exposure.

Futures allow you to tap into commodities like gold and oil, trade in currencies, and even gain exposure to cryptocurrencies—helping to balance risk across asset classes.

They’re also valuable tools for hedging. For instance, if you expect oil prices to fall, you can short oil futures. Conversely, if you believe gold prices will rise, you can take a long position.

The pros and cons of futures trading

The following is a summary of the primary advantages and risks associated with trading futures. These apply to both direct futures trading and futures CFD trading, with the exception of the expiration risks, which only apply to direct futures trading:

How we ranked the top UK futures trading platforms

Choosing the right broker that suits your trading needs, level of experience, and goals is the most important decision, as it can have a significant impact on your futures trading success. To assist you in this process, we outline the factors we have considered when making our selections.

Regulation

It’s crucial that futures brokers in the UK are regulated by a reputable authority, such as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This ensures the broker is operating securely and that user funds are safe.

A broker boasting a lengthy history of success and a solid reputation within the industry can offer increased stability and security for your investments.  

Order types

When it comes to futures trading in the UK, there are many order types, each having a specific purpose. While market, limit, stop, and stop limit orders are offered by most basic platforms, a good platform will also allow you to place trailing stop orders and have the ability to place conditional orders.

Execution speeds

Markets move fast, especially in trading futures UK, so it’s essential that a broker offers high execution speeds. This also helps in reducing slippage, ensuring you get the desired price. 

Fees and commissions

The low commission makes for an attractive broker; however, it’s important to ensure that this advantage isn’t offset by spreads, trade fees, withdrawal fees, inactivity fees, or any hidden charges.

Minimum deposit

While some brokers have zero deposit requirements, others may need you to deposit a minimum amount of cash just to open an account. In fact, in some cases, it can even go as high as £1,000.

Account features

When evaluating futures trading platforms, or more generally CFD brokers, specific account features can significantly enhance your trading experience.

Futures trading brokers with a demo account enable you to test the platform and confirm all the necessary elements that benefit your trading activity.

A broker with a mobile app tends to offer the most modern and extra trading features. Moreover, it allows for a more streamlined trading experience. 

For a beginner, educational resources can be immensely helpful in improving proficiency. A good futures platform has extensive educational tools, including courses, videos, tutorials, glossaries, webinars, and more.

Not all payment methods are the same. E-Wallets and debit cards are pretty handy, while bank transfers tend to be safe. It’s important to find a suitable option; otherwise, you may incur a currency conversion fee every time you want to make a deposit or withdrawal. 

A thriving and engaging trading community can also have a significant impact on the success of a broker as it enhances market liquidity and brings a variety of strategies to the platform. Moreover, traders share insights and analyses within the community, creating a supportive environment not only for novice but also experienced traders.

Note: This guide features the top-ranked futures brokers in the UK, but check out our picks of the top futures brokers globally, if you are based elsewhere.

FAQs on UK futures brokers