How to Start Trading and Investing in the UK

Investing UK has been a reliable trading tutorial and investment comparison site for both beginners and experienced traders since 1996. We compare all top brokers and trading products on the market and provide detailed reviews. Join all the traders who got their financial education on investing.co.uk!

Quick Search

We have expert reviews of the best brokers and financial service providers in the UK, plus some exclusive sign-up deals and promotions. Whether you want to trade derivatives like CFDs or forex and stocks – our reviews will highlight the best brokers based on criteria like trading costs, customer service and the quality of mobile trading apps.

Top 3 Brokers in the UK

Review
Pepperstone offers spread betting andCFD trading to both retail and professional traders. Clients can trade FX, indices, commodities and shares on MT4, MT5 and cTrader platforms.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
FCA, ASIC, SCB, DFSA, CMA, BaFin
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
£200 / $200
Min. Trade
0.01 Lots
Crypto
No
Review
Eightcap is a multi-regulated FX & CFD broker offering the MT4 & MT5 platforms. Award winning platform, zero commission, free education and low spreads.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
ASIC, VFSC
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
£/€/$100
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
No
Review
CMC Markets is headquartered in London and listed on the LSE (FCA Regulated). They offer competitive spreads on a global range of assets via a next generation platform.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
FCA, MAS, ASIC, IIROC
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
£0
Min. Trade
0.01 Lots
Crypto
No
Review
FXCC is a highly regulated and trustworthy MT4 trading broker.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
CySEC, FCA
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$0
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
No
Review
XTB is one of the largest stock exchange-listed FX & CFD brokers in the world, offering access to over 2000 instruments on their trading platforms.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
FCA, CySEC, IFSC, KNF, DFSA
MT4 Integration
No
Min. Deposit
$0
Min. Trade
0.01 Lots
Crypto
No
Review
Leading forex and CFD broker regulated in Ireland, Australia, Canada and South Africa. Avatrade are particularly strong in integration, including MT4
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
CBoI, ASIC, FSB, ESMA
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$100
Min. Trade
$1
Crypto
No
Review
Trade CFDs on a powerful and intuitive trading platform. Over 300 markets to trade, with tight spreads and multi-device support. CySec Regulated.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
CySEC
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$250
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
Yes
Review
Reliable and affordable trading since 2009. Join over 900,000 others trading on 400+ CFD products over assets like forex, gold, indices, cryptocurrency and shares from 0.0 spreads through TradingView, MT4 or MT5. Vantage is ASIC regulated and client funds are segregated. Open an account in under 5 minutes.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
ASIC, FCA, CIMA
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$200
Min. Trade
0.01 Lots
Crypto
Yes
Review
eToro is a multi-asset platform which offers both investing in stocks and cryptoassets, as well as trading CFDs.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
FCA, CySEC
MT4 Integration
No
Min. Deposit
$200 ($50 in US, $10 in UK)
Min. Trade
$1
Crypto
Yes
Review
Deriv.com are a new brokerage, offering options and CFDs on a simple, reliable, flexible platform. Get access to volatility indices exclusively at Deriv.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
Malta (MFSA), Labuan (LFSA), Vanuatu (VFSC), British Virgin Islands (BFSC)
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
€/£/$5
Min. Trade
0.01 Lots
Crypto
No
Review
BDSwiss offer 250+ Shares, Indices, Forex, Commodities and Cryptocurrencies markets via CFDs. With spreads from 1 pip and an award winning app, they offer a great package.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
CySec, FSC, FSA
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
100 $/€/£
Min. Trade
0.01 Lots
Crypto
Yes
Review
FXTM is a leading forex and CFD broker. Offering a huge range of markets and 6 account types, they cater to all levels of trader.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
CySec, ESMA, FCA and FSC of the Republic of Mauritius
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
From $50
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
No
Review
An investor with a Plus500 account can trade CFDs on underlying financial instruments such as Forex, Stocks, Commodities, Cryptocurrency (Availability subject to regulation), Options and Indices. With tight spreads and no commission, they are a leading global brand.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
FCA, MAS, CySec, ASIC, FSA
MT4 Integration
No
Min. Deposit
$100
Min. Trade
Varies by asset
Crypto
Yes
Review
XM.com Offer a range of Account types and a low minimum deposit to appeal to all levels of trader. With 1000+ markets and low spreads they offer a great service.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
IFSC, DFSA, CySEC, ASIC
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
5 $/€/£
Min. Trade
0.01 Micro lots
Crypto
No
Review
Trade Forex on 0.0 pip spreads with the world's leading True Raw forex broker - IC Markets.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
ASIC, CySec, FSA
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$200
Min. Trade
0.01 Lots
Crypto
Yes
Review
Established spread betting, forex and CFD broker with over 30 years in the business. Regulated around the globe.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
ASIC,FCA
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
£/$100
Min. Trade
0.01 Lots
Crypto
No
Review
Axi is a global online FX and CFD trading company, trusted by 60,000+ ambitious customers in 100+ countries around the world.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
FCA, ASIC, DFSA, FMA
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
0 $/€/£
Min. Trade
0.01 Lots
Crypto
Yes
Review
Forex.com boast a global reputation. Regulated in the UK, EU, US and Canada they offer a huge range of markets, not just forex, and offer very tight spreads and a cutting edge platform.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
CySEC, IIROC, NFA, CFTC, FCA, FSA, and CIMA
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$100
Min. Trade
$1
Crypto
No
Review
LegacyFX is a multi-asset broker offering an MT5 download & free signals.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
CySEC, FCA, VFSC, NBRB
MT4 Integration
No
Min. Deposit
$500
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
Yes
Review
Skilling are an exciting new brand, regulated in Europe and beyond, with a bespoke browser based platform, allowing seamless low cost trading across devices.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
CySec, FSA
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
100 £/€/$ or 1000 NOK, SEK
Min. Trade
0.01 Lots or 1 Share
Crypto
Yes
Review
Quotex offers a proprietary web platform that offers digital options and copy trading.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
IFMRRC
MT4 Integration
No
Min. Deposit
$10
Min. Trade
$1
Crypto
Yes
Review
Global brand offering exceptional execution, low deposit requirements and advanced charting and trading platform features.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
FCA, CFTC, ASIC
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$0
Min. Trade
$0
Crypto
No
Review
Capital.com offer CFDs and Forex on a huge range of assets, with competitive spreads and unique platforms, including the fully functional mobile app.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
FCA, CySec, ASIC, FSA
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
£/$/€20 (Varies by payment method)
Min. Trade
Varies by asset
Crypto
No
Review
RoboForex is a multi-asset online broker offering powerful trading aides.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
IFSC
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$10
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
Yes
Review
FXChoice is an offshore retail broker offering MT4 and MT5 platform downloads.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
IFSC
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$100
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
Yes
Review
Fusion Markets are delivering low cost forex and CFD trading via low spreads and trading costs. Their message is - Stop paying too much to trade
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
ASIC
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$0
Min. Trade
0.01 Lots
Crypto
Yes
Review
easyMarkets.com - Simply Honest. Trade CFDs on Forex, Commodities, Indices, Shares & Cryptos With a Top Rated Forex Broker
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
CySec, ASIC, BVI
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
€100
Min. Trade
Varies by asset
Crypto
Yes
Review
FBS is a top online broker offering MT4 & MT5 trading across a range of instruments.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
ASIC 426359, CySEC 331/17, IFSC/000102/198, FSCA 50885
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$1
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
Yes
Review
PrimeXBT is a Bitcoin-based platform offering highly leveraged trading in FX, indices, commodities, & cryptocurrencies.
Demo Account
No
Regulated By
MT4 Integration
No
Min. Deposit
0.001 BTC
Min. Trade
0.01 contract
Crypto
Yes
Review
Pocket Option is a global binary options broker with sleek proprietary trading platform and competitive range of assets.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
IFMRRC
MT4 Integration
No
Min. Deposit
$50
Min. Trade
$1
Crypto
Yes
Review
NordFX offer Forex trading with specific accounts for each type of trader. Zero accounts offer spread from 0 pips, while the Crypto offers optimal cryptocurrency trading. Open account from just $10.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
VFSC
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$10
Min. Trade
$1
Crypto
Yes
Review
Bit Mex Offer the largest market liquidity of any Crypto exchange. Ultra low trading costs and minimum deposit requirements. Join in 30 seconds.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
MT4 Integration
No
Min. Deposit
0.0001 XBT
Min. Trade
0.0001 XBT
Crypto
Yes
Review
NinjaTrader offer Traders Futures and Forex trading. Use Auto-trade algorithmic strategies and configure your own trading platform, and trade at the lowest costs.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
NFA, CFTC
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$50
Min. Trade
Varies by asset
Crypto
No
Review
EagleFX is a popular trading broker offering forex, stocks, cryptos & commodities.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$10
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
Yes
Review
OBR Invest is a CySEC-regulated forex, CFD and cryptocurrency trading broker offering the MetaTrader 4 platform.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
CySEC
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$250
Min. Trade
0.01
Crypto
Yes
Review
Trade Nation is a top FX and CFD broker regulated in multiple jurisdictions incl the UK and Australia. They boast tight spreads and no minimum deposit.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
FCA, ASIC, FSCA and SCB
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$0
Min. Trade
0.1 lots
Crypto
No
Review
Moneta Markets is a regulated FX & CFD broker offering a proprietary web platform.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
CIMA
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$200
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
Yes
Review
FXCM are an FCA regulated, London based broker. Companies under the FXCM umbrella are also regulated in Australia and South Africa.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
FCA, CySEC, ASIC.
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
£300
Min. Trade
Varies by asset
Crypto
No
Review
Finq.com offer a great all round service with trading on 2100+ assets and immediate bonus offers. Up to $4000 in Deposit Bonuses.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
FSA
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$100
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
Yes
Review
Spreadex offer spread betting on financials with low fees. The company is a popular and award winning UK regulated broker.
Demo Account
No
Regulated By
FCA
MT4 Integration
No
Min. Deposit
£0
Min. Trade
£0.01
Crypto
Yes
Review
ROInvesting is an online CFD broker regulated by the CySEC.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
CySEC, SEBI
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$250
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
Yes
Review
A regulated bank, Saxobank offer Equities and Forex trading on 40,000+ markets via the SaxoTrader Pro and SaxoTrader Go platforms
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
DFSA, MAS, FCA, SFC
MT4 Integration
No
Min. Deposit
£500
Min. Trade
Vary by asset
Crypto
No
Review
GO Markets is an ASIC-regulated FX & CFD broker.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
ASIC, CySEC, FSC of Mauritius
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$200
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
Yes
Review
ThinkMarkets is a multi-regulated forex and CFD broker
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
FCA, ASIC, FSCA, CySEC, JFSA, FSA Seychelles
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$0
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
Yes
Review
Markets.com offer CFDs across a huge range of assets from shares and indices to commodities and cryptocurrencies.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
FCA, CySEC, ASIC, FSCA, FSC, ESMA
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$100
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
No
Review
IG offer spread betting, CFD and Forex trading across a range of markets. They are FCA regulated, boast a great trading app and have a 40 year track record of excellence.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
FCA, MAS
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
£250
Min. Trade
£1
Crypto
No
Review
IronFX offers online trading in forex, stocks, futures and commodities
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$100
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
No
Review
Multi-Award winning broker. Specialising in Forex but also offering stocks and tight spreads on CFDs and Spread betting across a huge range of markets.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
CySec, DFSA, FCA, SCB, FSCA
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$100
Min. Trade
0.01 Lots
Crypto
Yes
Review
Trading in the Uphold environment offers a one-stop-shop for all your crypto requirements.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
FCA, FinCEN
MT4 Integration
No
Min. Deposit
$0
Min. Trade
$1
Crypto
Yes
Review
Dukascopy is a Swiss-based forex, CFD, and binary options broker
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
FINMA, FCMC, JFSA
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$100
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
Yes
Review
Binary.com are the established pioneers of binary options. The choice of the advanced trader, Binary.com offer the greatest flexibility of any binary broker. They also offer Forex and CFD via the MT5 platform.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
MGA, SC
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$5
Min. Trade
$1
Crypto
Yes
Review
Exinity provides flexible low-cost trading in FX, commodities, indices and equities alongside unique education and support provided by teams located across the world. Now operating in the Middle East, through regulation from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority in Abu Dhabi and the Financial Services Commission of Mauritius, Exinity provides a range of services to traders and investors looking for new opportunities in the financial markets.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
FSRA, FCA, FSC, CMA
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
Trader Pro: $10,000 Trader: $100 
World:$20
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
No
Review
UFX are forex trading specialists but also have a number of popular stocks and commodities. Offering tight spreads and one of the best ranges of major and minor pairs on offer, they are a great option for forex traders.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
CySec
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$100
Min. Trade
$1
Crypto
No
Review
Sage FX is an MT4 trading broker offering high leverage rates and secure mobile investing.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
Pending
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$10
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
Yes
Review
RaceOption is a binary options and CFD platform offering trading contests and prize giveaways.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
MT4 Integration
No
Min. Deposit
$250
Min. Trade
$1
Crypto
Yes
Review
Francis Drummond is a Kenyan broker and financial services provider offering access to exotic stock exchanges for securities investing.
Demo Account
No
Regulated By
CMA
MT4 Integration
No
Min. Deposit
No
Min. Trade
No
Crypto
No
Review
GemForex is a Japanese CFD and forex broker offering a curated selection of trading products.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
FSC
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$1
Min. Trade
None
Crypto
No
Review
Revolut is a popular mobile banking platform that also offers trading on equities, precious metals and digital currencies.
Demo Account
No
Regulated By
FINRA, SEC, FCA
MT4 Integration
No
Min. Deposit
$0
Min. Trade
$1
Crypto
Yes
Review
TopFX is a Cyprus headquartered broker offering MT4, cTrader and copy trading.
Demo Account
No
Regulated By
CySEC, FCA, FSA
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$50
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
Yes
Review
EFG Hermes is a MENA-focused online broker that offers OTC securities and CFD trading in a wide range of markets.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
DIFC
MT4 Integration
No
Min. Deposit
$0
Min. Trade
No
Crypto
No
Review
Finvasia is an Indian-headquartered trading broker offering popular financial assets alongside powerful investing tools.
Demo Account
No
Regulated By
SEBI
MT4 Integration
No
Min. Deposit
$1
Min. Trade
$1
Crypto
No
Review
LidyaTrade is an unregulated forex and CFD brokerage providing a wide range of assets and services, including the MT5 platform, though some information on the firm's website is unsubstantiated.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
MT4 Integration
No
Min. Deposit
$300
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
Yes
Review
Sheer Markets is a Cypriot broker offering MT4 and MT5 trading in CFDs, forex and equities from across the world.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
CySEC
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$200
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
Yes
Review
Scope Markets offers day trading and investing in over 250 spot & CFD instruments. The firm is regulated and boasts competitive trading conditions, several account types and a range of payment methods.
Demo Account
No
Regulated By
CMA, CySEC, FSCA
MT4 Integration
No
Min. Deposit
$500
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
No
Review
Finveo is a regulated online broker with ZuluTrade social trading features, educational libraries and the ever-popular MT4 and MT5 platforms.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
CMA
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$100
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
Yes
Review
TMGM is a competitive Australian forex and CFD broker with a wide range of instruments, features and tools provided at low-cost
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
ASIC, FMA, VFSC
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$100
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
Yes
Review
IMMFX is an offshore broker offering forex, commodity, crypto and CFD trading.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
SVGFSA
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
50 USD
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
Yes
Review
Vanguard is a renowned US investment broker offering low-cost stock and ETF trading, alongside robo advisors and top-tier regulation
Demo Account
No
Regulated By
SEC, FINRA
MT4 Integration
No
Min. Deposit
$1
Min. Trade
1
Crypto
No
Review
Charles Schwab is a large US investment broker offering a massive range of stocks, ETFs and equity derivatives in a variety of savings and investment accounts
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
SEC, FINRA, FCA1
MT4 Integration
No
Min. Deposit
$1
Min. Trade
1
Crypto
Yes
Review
XBTFX offers cryptocurrency, forex and CFD trading services on both MT4 and MT5 platforms with ECN account options and crypto funding.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$5
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
Yes
Review
10TradeFX is a global brokerage firm with forex, crypto and CFD trading support for the MetaTrader 5 platform with high leverage and low commission
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
SFSA
MT4 Integration
No
Min. Deposit
$200
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
Yes
Review
FxOnUs is a forex, crypto, stocks and commodities broker offering leveraged trading products on more than 450 assets.
Demo Account
No
Regulated By
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$100
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
Yes
Review
AZAforex is an online broker offering a wide range of asset classes, helpful features, analytical tools and payment methods for clients across the world to get stuck into the financial markets.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
MT4 Integration
No
Min. Deposit
$1
Min. Trade
0.00001 lots
Crypto
Yes
Review
FXCL boasts a competitive range of leverage rates and tradeable instruments that can be accessed through the MetaTrader 4 terminal.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
SVG FSA
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$1
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
Yes
Review
Anzo Capital is a competitive global forex and CFD broker with ECN and STP accounts, both offering MT4 access and a wide range of assets.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
IFSC
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$100
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
No
Review
InvestEngine is a UK-based ETF investment firm offering ISAs, personal savings accounts and business accounts, with both managed and DIY portfolio options
Demo Account
No
Regulated By
FCA
MT4 Integration
No
Min. Deposit
£100
Min. Trade
1
Crypto
No
Review
Golden Brokers supports MT5 trading for forex, commodities, stocks and indices with low commissions and mobile functionality
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
LFSC
MT4 Integration
No
Min. Deposit
$100
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
No
Review
TradeFW is a forex and CFD broker offering the MetaTrader 4 platform.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
CySEC
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$250
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
No
Review
TradeZero is an international brokerage firm offering equities day trading through a range of advanced platforms and software tools.
Demo Account
No
Regulated By
SCB, FINRA
MT4 Integration
No
Min. Deposit
$200
Min. Trade
1
Crypto
No
Review
Switch Markets offers leveraged trading on forex, commodities, indices and cryptocurrencies.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
ASIC
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$50
Min. Trade
$1
Crypto
Yes
Review
OpoForex is an offshore forex and CFD broker, offering copy trading services and the MT4 platform.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
FINACOM
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$100
Min. Trade
0.01
Crypto
Yes
Review
IIFL is one of the top Indian brokers offering competitive Demat accounts with low fees.
Demo Account
No
Regulated By
SEBI
MT4 Integration
No
Min. Deposit
1000 Rs
Min. Trade
Crypto
No
Review
nextmarkets is a German stock and CFD broker with more than 800 instruments available for web and mobile-based trading.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
MFSA
MT4 Integration
No
Min. Deposit
$0
Min. Trade
$1
Crypto
Yes
Review
FXPesa offers forex and CFD trading from its headquarters in Kenya.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
CMA
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$5
Min. Trade
No minimum
Crypto
No
Review
Kucoin is a global crypto exchange offering spot and margin trading alongside lending services and trading bots.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
MT4 Integration
No
Min. Deposit
$0
Min. Trade
0.0001
Crypto
Yes
Review
Purple Trading is a regulated forex and CFD broker with ECN and STP execution for a range of markets on two top commercial trading platforms: MT4 and cTrader.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
CySEC, FCA
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$20
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
No
Review
BlockFi is a crypto investing and saving platform with additional features including cashback credit cards, ultra-high net worth advisors and crypto lending.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
SEC
MT4 Integration
No
Min. Deposit
$0
Min. Trade
$0
Crypto
Yes
Review
Kyber Network is a decentralised crypto exchange that supports swaps, pools, farms, and liquidity provision of more than 1,500 tokens.
Demo Account
No
Regulated By
MT4 Integration
No
Min. Deposit
$0
Min. Trade
$0
Crypto
Yes
Review
ACY Securities is an award-winning, regulated forex and CFD brokers with a wide range of assets, payment methods and account types, providing access to MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
ASIC, VFSC
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$50
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
Yes
Review
Betterment is a US wealth management and investing company, offering a range of account options, portfolios and ETFs.
Demo Account
No
Regulated By
SEC, FINRA
MT4 Integration
No
Min. Deposit
$0
Min. Trade
$1
Crypto
No
Review
Rockfort Markets is a New Zealand broker with a competitive range of assets, trading platforms and educational services.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
FSP, FMA
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$200
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
Yes
Review
Remitano is a competitive peer-to-peer crypto exchange with margin trading, investing, swapping and news services.
Demo Account
No
Regulated By
MT4 Integration
No
Min. Deposit
No
Min. Trade
No
Crypto
Yes
Review
Finalto is a tech-focused brokerage firm offering CFD trading on a competitive range of assets, alongside liquidity provision and risk management systems.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
FCA,CySEC,ASIC,BVI FSC, FSCA
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$100
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
Yes
Review
Cryptobo is a Bitcoin-based binary options brokerage firm that maintains client anonymity and offers over 60 assets.
Demo Account
No
Regulated By
MT4 Integration
No
Min. Deposit
0.0000001 BTC
Min. Trade
0.0000001 BTC
Crypto
No
Review
Hodl Hodl is a peer-to-peer Bitcoin trading platform, offering Escrow-secured trades and crypto lending services.
Demo Account
No
Regulated By
MT4 Integration
No
Min. Deposit
No
Min. Trade
No
Crypto
Yes
Review
LocalBitcoins is a P2P Bitcoin trading platform with a range of KYC verification tiers and several client safety features in place
Demo Account
No
Regulated By
MT4 Integration
No
Min. Deposit
0.0005 BTC
Min. Trade
No
Crypto
Yes
Review
ICE FX is a global STP broker boasting access to MT4 and CFD trading in four major asset classes: forex, crypto, precious metals and energies.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
Labuan FSA
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$30
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
Yes
Review
Binarium is an unregulated, global binary options broker with a range of financial markets, account types and base currencies on offer.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
MT4 Integration
No
Min. Deposit
$5
Min. Trade
$1
Crypto
Yes
Review
VT Markets is an Australian-based broker offering forex, stocks, and commodity trading.
Demo Account
Yes
Regulated By
ASIC, CIMA
MT4 Integration
Yes
Min. Deposit
$200
Min. Trade
0.01 lots
Crypto
No
» List and Compare all Trading Brokers

How to Invest Money

Investing can be defined as making money grow. The opportunities to invest and make money on trading online from the comfort of your home are plentiful and easily accessible. Investing.co.uk is designed to give everyone a solid starting point in their investing journey. So if you are a beginner wondering how and where you can invest, or a millionaire looking for trading opportunities, we list and review all your financial product and broker options.

When done successfully, the quickest route to money growth is through trading – the buying and selling of assets on the financial markets. The financial products listed below are the currently most popular and effective, while also being immediately accessible to traders of all skill levels.

CFDs

A CFD (Contract for Difference) enables the trader to speculate on currencies, stocks and other assets without paying stamp duty. Profits can be made when the price of an asset goes up or down, making them suitable in both rising and falling markets. CFDs can also be leveraged to generate profits much larger than the actual money invested, but losses are equally leveraged. Make sure to check our list of the best CFD brokers for UK traders.
» CFD Trading Tutorial

Forex

Forex involves trading currencies and using differences in exchange rates to make money. The forex market is the world’s biggest and most popular asset trading market. Trading can be done 24/7. A trader does not have to own currencies directly, but can also profit from up and down price movements through derivatives such as CFDs. Using derivatives can often be a much easier way to trade the forex market. Use our list of the best forex brokers for UK traders to find a great broker to trade with.
» Forex Trading Tutorial

Bitcoin

Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin is a brand new asset class that has seen tremendous growth and volatility since they entered the trading scene. There are many options within the cryptocurrency trading space outside of Bitcoin also, like Ethereum and hundreds of other “coins”
» Bitcoin Trading Tutorial and Broker Comparison

Stocks

Directly investing in stocks is a well-established but very slow method to grow money, where realistic returns are in the 3-7% per year range. You will also have to pay stamp duty on every investment, which makes short-term stock trading expensive. Picking stocks that pay dividends can mitigate the wait somewhat. Short-term stock trading is best done with CFDs, as stamp duty does not apply and results can be multiplied significantly due to leverage.
» Stock Trading Tutorial and Broker Comparison

Social / Copy Trading

Use social trading to automatically copy other investors’ trades. If you follow successful traders you will benefit from their superior experience and hard work. Copy trading can be a source of passive income if done successfully, and it’s also a great opportunity for beginners to learn from experienced traders.
» Social Trading Tutorial and Broker Comparison

Day Trading

Day trading is when you invest in a financial product and then sell (close) that position before the day is over and the markets close. For some this is a way to make a living, but for that to be possible you need to make decent returns most days of the month or succeed with a few big trades. To make this possible, a day trader is most likely to use derivatives such as CFDs that allow for big gains in a short period of time.
» Day Trading Tutorial and Broker Comparison

News

Investing Styles

If you are reading this, then the likelihood is that you either have money to invest, or are already investing, or just wish to find out more about different trading opportunities. There are plenty of options open to you and your money, but deciding which is best for you is not as easy as you might think. Before selecting an investment you should certainly understand two things about yourself, both of which will have a large bearing on what investments you choose, and how you trade.

Are you active or passive?

If you have time to commit to selecting, watching, monitoring, and managing your investment portfolio, and you want to do so, then you might consider yourself an active investor. You’ll keep abreast of the financial news, analysing the companies in which you are invested or that you see as targets for your investment money, and make buy and sell decisions accordingly.

You aim is to beat the return that you could achieve by having a portfolio that was designed to give a return equal to a benchmark market. You may decide, for example, that the banking sector will be weak while the oil sector will be strong over the next few months, and put a bigger weight of your investment into oil companies rather than the big banks.

On the other hand, you may have cash that you wish to invest, but no time to spend researching and selecting investments. You might like the idea of achieving the long term gains that the stock market has produced historically, but don’t want the hassle of monitoring a portfolio of shares. You might decide to invest passively by buying units in a find that tracks the stock market, or perhaps shares of an Index ETF. In such a way you will gain exposure to the potential returns, without the time needed to manage a portfolio actively: you will be investing passively.

Many of these choices will reflect your trading psychology, and even your attitude to capitalism generally, or ethical investing.

What risk are you prepared to accept?

Risk acceptance is both emotional and financial. Some people don’t have the resources to be able to accept taking a large risk with their money. If you had saved £1,000, could you afford to lose it by investing it in the shares of a new company that promised a lot but had no track record? Your answer to this question will tell you about your capacity for risk: your ability to withstand a financial loss.

Changing the wording of the question slightly, if you invested £1,000 in a company, and that investment went down in value, how would you feel about it? The answer to this question will tell you about your attitude to risk, how you feel about accepting risk to make better gains.

Combining the answers to these questions about how you want to invest and the level of risk you are prepared to accept will help you select the appropriate investments.

Long Term Investing

There are many assets in which to invest, and which you pick – or what proportions of each you select – will depend primarily upon your attitude to risk and the type of investor you are. We list the most effective investment products higher up on this page.

Cash Savings

Considered the safest investment, placing money in a savings account with a good interest rate will mean that your original capital is always there for you when needed. Some accounts offer higher interest rates for committing to a fixed term. You will pay tax on the interest (unless you are a non-tax payer), though you can protect yourself from this liability by investing in Cash ISAs.

Government and Corporate Bonds

Governments and companies need to borrow money: governments to meet the requirements of public spending, and companies to gain access to funds that will help them expand their businesses. Whilst there is a risk here – both companies and governments may default on their commitments – the risk is considered only a little greater than holding cash.

Of course, corporate bonds will carry the higher risk but offer a better rate of interest accordingly. As with all investments, the higher the potential return, the higher the risk to your investment. Government gilts will be perceived as safer.

Property

You could decide to invest in property directly, buying office or residential space, or invest in property funds or REITs that do the same. The advantage here is that you could receive rental income as well as see the capital value of the property rise. Of course, if the property remains empty for a time, then maintenance and other charges still have to be paid without the income generated from the rental. As has been seen through the mid-2000’s, there is no guarantee that property prices will rise all the time either.

Stocks and Shares

Investing in shares of publicly listed companies gives you a holding in the fortunes of those companies, the business sectors in which they operate, and the wider economy. The level of research required will be greater, and the risk is proportionate to the potential reward. Within this category, there will be stocks seen as lower risk, big multi-national corporations for example, and new start-up companies that are just setting out but could grow rapidly and produce great returns. You can also be paid dividends when owning certain stocks.

Gold and Other Commodities

Investing in gold and other commodities has been popular for thousands of years, and few investments have kept pace with inflation like gold in particular. People who were paid a salary in gold 2000 years ago would still have considerable purchase power today with that same amount of gold, as opposed to most currencies over time. Some would argue that gold is a “protector of value” rather than an investment, and thus more of an alternative to cash. Your specific investing goals will determine whether gold is right or not for you.

Methods of Investing

You can invest in all of the asset classes either directly or through pooled investments, such as investment funds or unit trusts. You can invest actively, and manage your portfolio on a daily basis, or passively. If investing through funds, you can also select funds that manage your investment either actively or passively, perhaps, for example, an index tracking fund or ETF.

However you decide to invest, you should have definite goals for your investment. Understand that the potential returns will also carry possibility of loss, and how you would feel about a loss is all part of your make up as an investor. Knowing what type os an investor you are will help you to select the right investments and investment approaches to achieve your financial ambitions.

Further Reading