8 Best CFD Brokers in the UK for 2025

We’ve gathered a list of the best UK CFD brokers. The UK is the dominant market for trading contracts for difference (CFDs), and there’s a plethora of brokers offering these derivative instruments. CFDs enable traders to speculate on the future price movements of assets such as stocks, commodities, forex, and cryptocurrencies.

Unlike traditional investing, CFD trading enables traders to profit from rising and falling prices without owning the underlying asset. However, due to the use of leverage (borrowed funds), CFD trading is risky, and a significant majority of CFD retail traders lose money.

Best CFD brokers UK reviewed

Now, let’s explore each of these UK CFD brokers in detail to help you make a more informed decision when choosing your provider.

1. eToro: Best CFD broker in the UK

The platform gets our nod for the best CFD broker in the UK because it has several features that make it ideal for beginners. Let’s begin with the company’s emphasis on social trading and copy trading, as it makes it easy for new investors to copy the trades of experienced traders.

You can take eToro for a test drive with $100,000 in virtual funds as part of its free demo account. The broker has plenty of assets to invest in as well, including currencies, commodities, indices, stocks, and cryptocurrencies. It also features non-CFD trading as well, for traders who want to branch out into direct investing.

There are a few negatives, too. It charges a $10 a month inactivity fee if your account hasn’t had a log-in for 12 or more months, and its spreads are higher than those of some competitors. It also forces investors to use its in-house WebTrader platform, meaning third-party platforms such as MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5 are not available.

However, it makes up for that with a wide selection of educational resources, including videos, webinars, news and analysis and eToro Academy articles.

Learn more about eToro features from our eToro review.

_{61% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.}

2. XTB: Best UK CFD broker for beginners

This broker offers a European CFD trading platform, has nearly two decades of experience in the business, and is regulated by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Polish financial markets regulator KNF, the CySEC in Cyprus, and the FSC, the regulator of non-bank financial markets in Mauritius.

A winner of multiple awards, XTB is recognized as one of the top CFD brokers in the UK, offering retail traders instant access to hundreds of global markets covering forex, indices, crypto, commodities, stocks, and ETFs. In total, XTB boasts more than 5,800 trading instruments. 

For trading, XTB offers xStation 5, which is pretty easy to use for beginners, and it’s sufficiently feature rich for experienced traders. The platform is available as a desktop and mobile app and is fully compatible with popular browser extensions, such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Opera. xStation 5 also offers trade transparency, real-time market commentary, live performance statistics, and a comprehensive charting package.

At XTB, account opening is free, and there is no minimum balance requirement. Deposits are free of charge, allowing you to begin trading with any amount that suits you. Withdrawals, too, will incur no fees as long as they exceed £50.

XTB does not charge any commissions and offers competitive spreads starting from 0.5 pips. The platform also provides swap-free accounts for certain trading instruments. 

Check out our XTB review for an in-depth look at this broker.

_{75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.}

3. Pepperstone: Top CFD broker for low spreads and flexible trading

At Pepperstone, you can trade CFDs on forex, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies, shares, and ETFs, along with CFD futures, which derive their pricing from the front-month futures contract. 

Some of the things that traders can enjoy at Pepperstone include no minimum account opening balance, scalping, hedging, and trading robots called Expert Advisors (EAs) on all account types.

Widely acclaimed as one of the best regulated CFD brokers in the UK, Pepperstone offers two account types: Standard and Razor.

In the Standard account, fees are primarily based on spreads, with the minimum mark-up on raw spreads of 0.5 pips, while there’s no commission. The Razor account, however, gives traders access to raw spreads starting from 0.0 pips, while there is a commission to be paid per transaction.

The pricing model on the Standard account is good for beginner CFD and forex traders who prefer commission-free trading and have lower volumes. The Razor account’s pricing model is especially suitable for scalpers, who make many small trades frequently to profit from small price changes, and traders who want to run trading robots.

Another difference is the supported trading platforms; Standard accounts use cTrader/MetaTrader 4 and 5, while Razor also has access to TradingView.  

An Islamic, or swap-free, account is also available at Pepperstone. As for account maintenance or inactivity fees, Pepperstone charges none. 

Our Pepperstone review has more insight about trading conditions at this CFD broker.

_{73.7% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider}

4. FP Markets: A premier CFD broker offering diverse platform choices

At FP Markets UK, you can access global markets 24/5 and trade a wide range of instruments, including CFDs on forex, indices, shares, commodities, metals, digital currencies, bonds, and ETFs via your mobile apps.

However, what really makes it deserving of a spot among the best UK CFD brokers is the variety of available trading platforms, such as MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), TradingView, IRESS, cTrader, and WebTrader.

With almost two decades of experience in the market, this regulated CFD broker ensures fast execution through Equinix servers. Features include advanced trading, copy trading, scalping, autotrading, and Virtual Private Servers (VPS) for Expert Advisors (EAs).

In terms of educational resources, FP Markets offers trading courses, webinars, podcasts, events, video tutorials, eBooks, a glossary, and a newsletter. Its Traders Hub provides trading knowledge, technical and fundamental analysis, an economic calendar, and a forex calculator.

Additionally, the platform features a 30-day free demo account and 24/7 multilingual customer support through phone, email, live chat, callback request form, as well as personal account managers.

Read our FP Markets review for a detailed analysis of this provider’s features.

_{Derivative products are highly leveraged, carry a high level of risk and may not be appropriate for all investors. (FP Markets doesn’t disclose the percentage of retail trader clients that lose money when trading CFDs.)}

5. Admiral Markets: Best CFD broker for plenty of trading instrument choices

Admiral Markets UK offers over 8,000 financial instruments across six asset classes on MT4 and MT5, including a wide range of CFD options: 80 forex pairs, more than 3,000 stocks, over 370 ETFs, and more than 43 indices, as well as bonds and commodities. It also delivers investing into the real assets on more than 4,500 shares and ETFs.

Among its advantages, Admiral Markets offers typical spreads from 0.5 pips and allows trading in fractional shares and has negative balance protection. It gets high marks for customer support, with 24/5 assistance available by phone, email or live chat. The trader also has a demo account with $100,000 for practice trading.

Its educational resources include a “Zero to Hero” class that aims to teach forex trading in 20 days, Admiral Academy finance articles, trading videos, tutorials and webinars.

The platform allows you to set up stop loss and profit levels while copy trading and also has mirror trading, allowing you to automatically copy an experienced trader.

One negative is it requires a $100 minimum deposit (or $250 on MT5 accounts). It also charges an inactivity fee of €10 a month after two years of no trades.

Discover more about this trading platform’s offerings in our Admiral Markets review.

Instruments	More than 8,000
CFD Spreads	EUR/USD 1.17 pips Gold 0.33 pips
Account Types	Standard
Supported Platforms	Admiral Markets mobile app, MT4, MT5, WebTrader
Account Minimum	$100

Visit Admiral Markets

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

6. PrimeXBT: A rapidly growing CFD broker with extensive market access and low fees

PrimeXBT is one of the top CFD brokers in the UK for trading cryptocurrencies. However, it provides access to more than 100 other CFD markets, forex, indices, and commodities, all from a single account.



In addition to crypto CFDs, PrimeXBT also offers copy trading and the ability to buy cryptocurrency. These features are available on both the PrimeXBT app and the PrimeXBT WebTrader.

Although PrimeXBT is a relatively new platform, it has attracted over a million users so far and caters to more than 150 countries. This rapid expansion can be attributed to its zero fees, spreads starting from 0.1, and 24/7 support accessible via email or live chat. 

However, PrimeXBT’s tools are somewhat limited to price charts and economic calendars. We have also found its educational offering underwhelming compared to its competitors. As for fees, crypto trades incur a 0.05% trading fee, while overnight fees, starting from 0.0017%, apply to all products.

Opening an account is free and can be completed in under two minutes, and there are no charges for account maintenance or demo accounts, allowing users to test strategies risk-free. For trading activities, PrimeXBT boasts zero commission fees and offers low spreads starting from 0.1 pips.

If you want more information about this broker, see our PrimeXBT review.

Pros

• Customizable platform
• Copy trading
• Low minimum deposit required

Cons

• No demo account
• Limited range of tools

Instruments	Over 100
CFD Spreads	EUR/USD 0.9 pips Gold 0.25 pips
Account Types	Standard
Supported Platforms	PrimeXBT Platform
Account Minimum	None

Visit Prime XBT

_{Crypto Futures and CFDs are high-risk, leveraged products that may not be suitable for all investors, as they can lead to significant losses. (FP Markets doesn’t disclose the percentage of retail trader clients that lose money when trading CFDs.)}

7. Trade Nation: A trusted CFD broker with fixed spreads and comprehensive trading tools

Trade Nation was established a decade ago. It specializes in CFD trading across forex, indices, equities, and commodities, offering narrow fixed spreads that remain consistent under various market conditions. The broker also offers negative balance protection, although this does not extend to professional traders.



Trade Nation features a web-based proprietary platform, TN Trader, which allows users to trade their favourite markets with zero commission. In addition to spread betting on the proprietary platform, users can also engage in CFD trading on MT4.

When it comes to tools, Trade Nation offers charts, drawing tools, and a wide range of indicators to identify opportunities and form a strategy accordingly. TradeCopier is Trade Nation’s copy trading app, and signalDP serves as its proprietary signal monitoring and distribution platform, with plans to integrate TradingView soon. Trade Nation also has a demo account, with $10,000 in virtual currency.

The platform’s Insights Hub covers trading-related topics, including technical analysis, fundamental analysis, and trading times. It also offers a curated news feed, daily esports, and updates on the most heavily traded shares. Customer support, meanwhile, is provided via email, phone, live chat, and a FAQ section.

Pros

• Low fixed spreads, starting from 0.0 pips
• Leverage with a minimal deposit
• Negative balance protection
• Free deposits and withdrawals

Cons

• The range of markets on MT4 is limited
• No tiered accounts
• Limited customer support

Instruments	More than 600
Spread on TN Trader	EUR/USD 0.5 pips Gold 0.3 pips
Account Types	Standard
Supported Platforms	TN Trader, MT4
Account Minimum	Zero

Visit Trade Nation

_{74.1% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.}

8. IG: Huge assortment of tradable assets

IG is one of the more established CFD trading platforms, beginning as IG Investors Gold in 1974, and becoming the UK’s first spread betting company at the time.



It comes with a free demo account with £10,000 in virtual funds. Some of the brokers’ research tools include in-platform newsfeeds from its experts and Reuters, plus economic calendar access, and signals.

Some of the negatives for IG is it doesn’t offer copy trading, but we have a guide on the brokers that do.

Also, if you are opening your account with a credit card or debit card, the minimum deposit required on IG is £250, though that drops to £50 if you use a bank transfer.

The biggest positive for IG is its large range of tradable (more than 15,000) assets, including dozens of major, minor, and exotic forex pairs, plus commodities such as gold, wheat, corn, oil, and natural gas.

All trades on IG are commission free, except for share trading, where it charges a 0.1% commission for UK and European stocks and US stocks are traded at $0.02 per share. 

Pros

• Large number of tradable assets
• Commission-free trading on many assets
• Plenty of educational resources

Cons

• No automated copy trading
• £250 minimum deposit if you use a credit card or debit card

Instruments	More than 15,000
CFD Spreads	EUR/USD from 0.6 pips Gold 0.3 pips
Account Types	Standard, raw
Supported Platforms	MT4, ProRealTime, TradingView, L2 Dealer
Account Minimum	Zero to start an account. To trade, you’ll need a minimum of £50 (bank transfer), £250 (debit/credit cards

_{69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.}

Comparing the top CFD brokers in the UK

Here’s a clear and concise view of how each of these top CFD brokers in the UK fare against each other:

Broker	Instruments	Min. deposit
eToro	7,000+	$50 (then $10 in the UK)
XTB	6,900+	$0
Pepperstone	1,800+	$0
FP Market	10,000+	Equivalent of AUD $100
Admiral Markets	8,000+	£1 on Invest MT5 account, £250 on other accounts
PrimeXBT	100+	$0
Trade Nation	600+	$0
IG	15,000+	$0

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What are CFDs?

A CFD, short for contract for difference, pays the difference between the opening and closing price of a trade. This financial derivative product allows traders and investors to benefit from price changes without owning the underlying asset, eliminating the need for physical delivery of goods or securities.

Additionally, the value of a CFD is determined by the price change between the entry and exit of a trade, not the asset’s actual value. This is achieved through a contract between the broker and the client. 

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CFD assets in the UK

CFDs are not limited to stocks; they can be traded on all kinds of assets, such as forex, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, as well as indices, ETFs, and instruments like cocoa, wheat, corn, sugar, and CO2 emissions contracts.

Additionally, traders must have access to a wide range of markets globally, including both local and international options, to maximize trading opportunities across different asset classes.

The best CFD brokers cater to different styles of trading strategies and preferences. So, look for a CFD trading platform that offers a wide selection of markets as well as instruments to support both beginners and professionals.

This flexibility will aid your trading journey as you get better and find your style, eliminating the need to keep switching between different brokers.

How to choose the right UK CFD broker

A reputable broker should offer access to global markets, leverage options, fast trade execution, advanced trading tools, and robust security measures. This combination of features contributes to a potentially rewarding trading experience, also enabling you to best mitigate the risks that come from using leverage (borrowed funds.)

Regulation & safety

While not a highly regulated industry, choosing a regulated broker is essential to having a secure trading experience. It not only gives you peace of mind but also provides you with an option to pursue legal means in case of wrongdoing, such as manipulation and fraud by the platform.

In the UK, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) requires adherence to stringent standards. Following the guidelines set by a reputable financial authority like the FCA ensures that the broker operates within legal boundaries and safeguards your investments.

Fees 

Fees are the costs charged by the broker and can add up quickly. Trading fees, which include commissions, spreads, and overnight financing charges, are crucial to consider when calculating trading costs.

Some brokers impose commissions on stocks, whereas commodities and other assets might not incur such fees. The spread, meanwhile, refers to the difference between the bid price and the price at the time of trade. 

Tools & analysis

Tools offered by a CFD broker are crucial in providing a successful trading experience. They allow traders to understand how markets interact, identify trends, and predict future developments.

Some important tools include real-time quotes, charts, price alerts, trading signals, historical data, customizable dashboards, a margin calculator, social trading, and a demo account. Different order types like stop-loss and take-profit, along with leverage, can help you manage risk and maximize your potential profits.

Tips for beginner CFD traders:

• Being new to the industry means choosing a platform that is easy to use and navigate, with an intuitive design that minimizes the learning curve.
• As a newcomer, you should also look for a broker that offers robust educational services such as webinars, blogs, and tutorials to help you better understand the trading process. 
• Ensure you use risk management tools like stop-loss orders to limit your losses and preserve your trading balance. 
• Limit your leverage; while it can amplify your profits, it can also magnify your losses. Give yourself some cushion in case any large move occurs against you.
• Have a detailed trading plan and stick to it but avoid overtrading or micromanaging your positions.

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Methodology

How We Rate Brokers
We manually review the brokers on our list. Below are the key metrics we check before listing online brokers on the website. For further details, you can also take a look at our online brokers rating guide, featured on ValueWalk.
Regulations
We check that broker is licensed in the given jurisdictions. Regulations means the broker is licensed and authorized to provide financial services. We highlight if the broker is unlicensed.
Trading conditions
Brokers may offer different fees such as spreads, commissions, minimum trading volumes, withdrawal and deposit fees. We outline the fees charged by the broker for complete transparency.
Trading products and platforms
Online brokers may offer access to multiple markets such as Forex, stocks, futures, crypto, CFDs, etc. We examine the range of markets that are offered and trading platforms. A multi asset platform may appeal to more clients.
Customer support
When joining a broker, support is often needed from the broker. We examine the customer support availability, the channels support may be given, and whether support is given around the clock or tied to certain hours.
Education center
To ensure the brokers appeal to new traders, an education center is a must. Learning resources, market insights, and research tools. We assess the educational resources to ensure it meets our expectations.

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FAQs

What is the best CFD trading platform in the UK?

eToro is the best CFD trading platform in the UK because it offers features, such as social trading and copy trading, that will help inexperienced traders. It also offers plenty of tradable assets, along with extensive research materials, and helpful customer support.

Can you trade CFDs in the UK?

Yes, CFDs are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, making it legal to trade these leveraged financial derivative products. You’d be best placed to sign up with FCA-regulated CFD brokers in the UK.

Has anyone made money with CFDs?

Making money with CFDs and building wealth is possible, provided you understand the market and are careful with leverage. For example, in 2020, traders who opted to sell CFDs on crude oil gained substantial profits as oil prices plummeted due to a price conflict between Saudi Arabia and Russia, along with a fall in demand triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Is CFD trading tax-free in the UK?

CFD trading in the UK is not tax-free, as traders are still subject to capital gains tax based on their income level. However, it’s exempt from stamp duty, which can reduce the overall tax burden. Additionally, losses incurred from CFD trading can be used to offset taxable profits, providing a potential tax advantage under certain circumstances.

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References

• The UK FCA on CFDs (FCA)
• What is SSL (Secure Socket Layer)? (Cloudflare)
• What is a one-cancels-the-other (OCO) order, explained (Cointelegraph)

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_{Disclaimer: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 61% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with eToro.
You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.}