Independent reviews of UK brokers since 1996

Best Trading Apps in the UK 2026

Explore the best UK trading apps, informed by our years of personal experiences and feedback from millions of British investors on the App Store and Google Play. Many of our top apps cater specifically to British traders with convenient mobile deposits using GBP accounts and regulation from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Top Trading Apps In The UK

Our tests show these 7 platforms continue to stand out as the best apps for trading in the UK:

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Our picks at a glance

  1. 1 Pepperstone Top score: Platforms 4.8 Info Visit Pepperstone
  2. 2 XTB Top score: Trust 4.8 Info Visit XTB
  3. 3 Spreadex Top score: Mobile 4.5 Info Visit Spreadex
  4. 4 Interactive Brokers Top score: Assets 4.3 Info Visit Interactive Brokers
  5. 5 IG Top score: Fees 4.5 Info Visit IG
  6. 6 Trade Nation Top score: Support 4.4 Info Visit Trade Nation
  7. 7 Eightcap Top score: Mobile 4.6 Info Visit Eightcap
  1. Our top pick

    1 Pepperstone logo

    Pepperstone

    FCA regulatedSpread bettingGBP account
    4.8/5

    Pepperstone shines with top-tier integration with MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView, ideal for traders using these major platforms. They offer stable mobile trading, boosted by Pepperstone's rapid execution speeds and extensive asset variety. It recently achieved second place in DayTrading.com's 2025 'Best Trading App' award.

    iOS App Rating
    4.4
    Android App Rating
    4.1
    Instruments
    CFDs, Forex, Currency Indices, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Crypto CFDs (only Pro clients), Spread Betting
    Regulator
    FCA, ASIC, CySEC, BaFin, DFSA, SCA, SCB, CMA-Kenya
    Platforms
    Pepperstone Trading Platform, MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView
    Min. Deposit
    $0
    Min. Trade
    0.01 Lots
    Leverage
    1:30 (Retail - UK, EU, Australia), 1:500 (Pro), 1:200 (Offshore), 1:400 (Kenya)
    Trust
    4.6
    Fees
    4.5
    Platforms
    4.8
    Support
    4.6
    Visit Pepperstone Read review

    CFDs and FX are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 73-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs.

  2. 2 XTB logo

    XTB

    FCA regulatedISAGBP account
    4.8/5

    Each year, XTB's app impresses with its sleek design and clear interface. It's fast, responsive, and full of practical features like integrated sentiment data, market news, economic calendars, and educational content. The intuitive order panel below the chart simplifies trade execution, including take profit and stop loss settings.

    iOS App Rating
    4.7
    Android App Rating
    4.1
    Instruments
    CFDs on shares, Indices, ETFs, Raw Materials, Forex currencies, cryptocurrencies, Real shares, Real ETFs
    Regulator
    FCA, CySEC, KNF, DFSA, FSC, SCA, CMF, Bappebti
    Platforms
    xStation
    Min. Deposit
    $0
    Min. Trade
    0.01 Lots
    Leverage
    1:30
    Trust
    4.6
    Fees
    3.9
    Platforms
    4.0
    Support
    4.3
    Visit XTB Read review

    CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 74% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money

  3. 3 Spreadex logo

    Spreadex

    FCA regulatedSpread bettingGBP account
    4.5/5

    Spreadex offers a top-notch mobile trading app for iOS and Android. It includes advanced charts ranging from 1 tick to 1 month, with over 10 years of historical data. Setting price alerts via the bell icon beside each asset is straightforward, ensuring crucial opportunities aren't missed. Nonetheless, features like the economic calendar and market updates are less integrated as they open in an external browser, slightly detracting from the mobile trading experience.

    iOS App Rating
    4.5
    Android App Rating
    4.5
    Instruments
    Forex, CFDs, Indices, Commodities, Stocks, Crypto, Bonds, Interest Rates, ETFs, Options, Spread Betting
    Regulator
    FCA
    Platforms
    Spreadex Platform, TradingView, AutoChartist
    Min. Deposit
    £0 (but £5 minimum for standard payment methods)
    Min. Trade
    £0.01
    Leverage
    1:30
    Trust
    4.0
    Fees
    4.0
    Platforms
    4.3
    Support
    4.3
    Visit Spreadex Read review
  4. 4 Interactive Brokers logo

    Interactive Brokers

    FCA regulatedISAGBP account
    4.3/5

    The IBKR Mobile app, for iOS and Android, transforms your phone into a robust portal to access your IBKR accounts. It allows users to monitor portfolios, execute trades, view real-time quotes and charts, and manage account activities seamlessly. With its intuitive design, the app is particularly user-friendly for novices, offering a simpler experience compared to the advanced TWS platform.

    iOS App Rating
    4.3
    Android App Rating
    4.5
    Instruments
    Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Cryptocurrencies, CFDs
    Regulator
    SEC, FINRA, CFTC, NFA, CIRO, FCA, CBI, ASIC, SFC, SEBI, JFSA, MAS
    Platforms
    Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, TradingView, eSignal, TradingCentral, ProRealTime, Quantower
    Min. Deposit
    $0
    Min. Trade
    $1
    Leverage
    1:30
    Trust
    4.5
    Fees
    4.3
    Platforms
    3.3
    Support
    3.0
    Visit Interactive Brokers Read review
  5. 5 IG logo

    IG

    FCA regulatedISASpread betting
    4.5/5

    IG provides an excellent trading app. As a mobile trading pioneer, it has evolved over the years into a top-tier app. Expect swift responses, an intuitive interface, comprehensive charting, and dependable performance. Additionally, it includes guaranteed stops, a crucial risk management feature absent in many apps we've evaluated.

    iOS App Rating
    4.6
    Android App Rating
    4
    Instruments
    CFDs (not in US), Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting (UK only)
    Regulator
    CFTC, NFA, FCA, BaFin, ASIC, FINMA, MAS, JFSA, FMA, DFSA, BMA, CONSOB
    Platforms
    Web, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral, ProRealTime
    Min. Deposit
    $0
    Min. Trade
    0.01 Lots
    Leverage
    1:30 (Retail), 1:222 (Pro)
    Trust
    4.4
    Fees
    5.0
    Platforms
    4.8
    Support
    4.5
    Visit IG Read review

    Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

  6. 6 Trade Nation logo

    Trade Nation

    FCA regulatedSpread bettingGBP account
    4.4/5

    Trade Nation is a leading FX and CFD broker regulated in the UK and Australia, among other places. The company provides competitively priced fixed and variable spreads on over 1,000 assets. Traders benefit from advanced platforms and comprehensive training materials. Additionally, the Signal Centre offers valuable trade ideas.

    iOS App Rating
    4.5
    Android App Rating
    4.5
    Instruments
    CFDs, Forex, Indices, Shares, Commodities, Futures, Bonds, Spread Betting (UK and Ireland only), Cryptos (Bahamas entity only)
    Regulator
    FCA, ASIC, CMVM , FSCA, SCB, FSA
    Platforms
    TN Trader, MT4, TradingView
    Min. Deposit
    $0
    Min. Trade
    0.1 Lots
    Leverage
    1:30
    Trust
    4.3
    Fees
    4.3
    Platforms
    3.9
    Support
    4.9
    Visit Trade Nation Read review

    67.3% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

  7. 7 Eightcap logo

    Eightcap

    FCA regulatedGBP accountTradingView
    4.6/5

    Eightcap offers MT4, MT5, and TradingView apps, being the sole FCA-regulated broker with TradingView, ideal for mobile traders seeking advanced charting. Although MetaTrader's design feels dated, its numerous technical indicators, drawing tools, diverse chart styles, and simple horizontal overlays are impressive. Push notifications and an active social network on TradingView are beneficial for traders, with Eightcap providing guidance videos on linking TradingView to iOS and Android.

    iOS App Rating
    4.8
    Android App Rating
    4.4
    Instruments
    CFDs in Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities
    Regulator
    FCA, ASIC, CySEC, FSC, SCB, FSA
    Platforms
    MT4, MT5, TradingView, TradeLocker
    Min. Deposit
    £100
    Min. Trade
    0.01 Lots
    Leverage
    1:30
    Trust
    4.3
    Fees
    3.8
    Platforms
    4.3
    Support
    4.0
    Visit Eightcap Read review

    Services are provided subject to applicable laws and regulations. Certain products, services, instruments, platforms or payment methods may not be available to residents of certain jurisdictions.

Compare

Safety Comparison

Compare how safe the Best Trading Apps in the UK 2026 are and what features they offer to protect traders.

Broker Trust Rating FCA Regulated Negative Balance Protection Guaranteed Stop Loss Segregated Accounts
4.6
4.6
4.0
4.5
4.4
4.3
4.3

Payments Comparison

Compare which popular payment methods the Best Trading Apps in the UK 2026 support and whether they have trading accounts denominated in British Pounds (GBP).

Broker GBP Account Debit Card Credit Card Neteller Skrill Apple Pay

Mobile Trading Comparison

How good are the Best Trading Apps in the UK 2026 at mobile trading using apps or other mobile interfaces.

Broker Mobile Apps iOS Rating Android Rating Smart Watch App
iOS & Android 4.4 4.1
iOS & Android 4.7 4.1
iOS & Android 4.5 4.5
iOS & Android 4.3 4.5
iOS & Android 4.6 4.0
iOS & Android 4.5 4.5
iOS & Android 4.8 4.4

Beginners Comparison

Are the Best Trading Apps in the UK 2026 good for beginner traders, that might want an affordable setup to get started, along with good support and educational resources?

Broker Demo Account Minimum Deposit Minimum Trade Support Rating Education Rating
$0 0.01 Lots 4.6 4.0
$0 0.01 Lots 4.3 3.8
£0 (but £5 minimum for standard payment methods) £0.01 4.3 4.0
$0 $1 3.0 4.3
$0 0.01 Lots 4.5 4.8
$0 0.1 Lots 4.9 4.2
£100 0.01 Lots 4.0 3.5

Advanced Trading Comparison

Do the Best Trading Apps in the UK 2026 offer features that allow for more advanced trading strategies?

Broker Automated Trading Pro Account Leverage VPS AI Low Latency Extended Hours
Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, cBots on cTrader 1:30 (Retail - UK, EU, Australia), 1:500 (Pro), 1:200 (Offshore), 1:400 (Kenya)
- 1:30
1:30
TWS API 1:30
Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, build your own on ProRealTime 1:30 (Retail), 1:222 (Pro)
Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader 1:30
TradingView Bots 1:30

Detailed Rating Comparison

Use this heatmap to compare our detailed ratings for all of the Best Trading Apps in the UK 2026.

Broker Trust Platforms Mobile Assets Fees Accounts Support Research Education
4.6 4.8 4.3 4.6 4.5 4.0 4.6 4.3 4.0
4.6 4.0 4.4 4.6 3.9 4.0 4.3 4.1 3.8
4.0 4.3 4.5 4.5 4.0 3.8 4.3 4.3 4.0
4.5 3.3 4.4 4.7 4.3 3.5 3.0 4.4 4.3
4.4 4.8 4.3 4.5 5.0 4.0 4.5 4.9 4.8
4.3 3.9 4.5 3.7 4.3 4.2 4.9 3.9 4.2
4.3 4.3 4.6 3.6 3.8 4.0 4.0 3.5 3.5

Our Take On Pepperstone

Pepperstone excels in trading with tight spreads, swift execution, and advanced charting for seasoned traders. Beginners enjoy zero minimum deposit, comprehensive educational materials, and outstanding 24/5 support, including 18-hour weekend assistance.

Tobias Robinson Reviewer

Pros

  • Support for top-tier charting platforms such as MT4, MT5, TradingView, and cTrader. These tools accommodate different short-term trading methods, including algorithmic trading.
  • Pepperstone offers pre-IPO perpetual futures, adding Anthropic in October 2026, enabling 24/7 speculation on expected share prices through cash-settled CFDs.
  • In recent years, Pepperstone has significantly enhanced the deposit and withdrawal process. By 2025, clients can use Apple Pay and Google Pay, while 2024 saw the introduction of PIX and SPEI for customers in Brazil and Mexico.

Cons

  • Overnight holding fees exceed those of some Market Maker brokers (typically Benchmark + 2.5%). Pepperstone suits traders and forex scalpers well but is less ideal for swing traders who keep positions open overnight.
  • Execution might not appear as dependable in rapid markets as headline speeds imply. Our tests showed swift execution at targeted prices. However, community feedback highlights concerns over slippage, stop-loss fills, and order triggers sensitive to spreads amid volatility.
  • Although the market range has expanded, crypto CFD options remain somewhat restricted, especially when compared to specialised brokers like Eightcap. Additionally, there is no facility to invest in actual cryptocurrencies.

73-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs

Our Take On XTB

XTB excels for novice traders with its superb xStation platform, minimal trading costs, no required deposit, and outstanding educational resources, many of which are fully integrated into the platform.

William Berg Reviewer

Pros

  • In 2026, XTB expanded its asset offerings and markets. It introduced options trading in Spain and Germany, launched spot cryptocurrencies in select regions, and unveiled Investment Plans 2.0. These enhanced plans now feature more pre-built options, including sectors like Defence, a user-friendly interface, and increased flexibility to mix stocks and ETFs within individual plans.
  • The xStation platform stands out with its user-friendly design and intuitive tools, such as adaptable news feeds, sentiment heatmaps, and a trader calculator. These features streamline the learning process for new traders.
  • XTB offers a superb array of educational resources, such as training videos and articles, embedded within the platform to assist traders of all experience levels.

Cons

  • XTB lacks a raw spread account, a feature increasingly offered by competitors such as Pepperstone. This omission might not satisfy traders seeking the most competitive spreads.
  • The demo account lasts only four weeks, posing a challenge for traders wanting to fully explore the xStation platform and refine short-term strategies before investing actual money.
  • XTB has stopped supporting MT4, restricting traders to its own platform, xStation. This decision may discourage experienced traders accustomed to using the MetaTrader suite.

74% of accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

Our Take On Spreadex

Spreadex attracts UK traders keen on spread betting in financial markets and traditional sports wagers. It offers low fees for short trades, and spread bet profits are tax-free. With a robust charting platform and no minimum deposit, it's easy to begin.

Tobias Robinson Reviewer

Pros

  • Spreadex has integrated Autochartist-powered trading signals into its desktop platform. This offers real-time, pattern-based insights aimed at assisting active traders in spotting potential opportunities.
  • During live trials near London, Spreadex exhibited 120–200ms round-trip latency across over 50 FTSE and EUR/USD trades. There were no requotes, and slippage remained largely controlled under normal market conditions.
  • Over 10,000 instruments and superior access to AIM small-caps are available, including exclusive offerings not found with larger brokers. This provides UK-centric traders with enhanced opportunities in niche small-cap configurations.

Cons

  • Spreadex requires real funds initially, offering no demo accounts. Few spread betting brokers neglect to accommodate new traders in this manner.
  • CFDs, financial spread bets, sports, and casino activities are combined in one account balance. For serious traders, this means non-trading losses can immediately decrease the margin for trading positions.
  • Execution is satisfactory, though not top-tier. Tests showed 0.2–0.4 pip slippage in stable liquid markets, but news-induced volatility increased some fills to around 1 pip. Thinner AIM stocks often experienced 2–4 point slippage.

Our Take On Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers ranks highly for seasoned traders due to its robust charting platforms, live data, and bespoke layouts via the new IBKR Desktop app. Its competitive pricing and sophisticated order choices appeal to traders, and its wide equity options are industry-leading.

Tobias Robinson Reviewer

Pros

  • IBKR is a highly respected brokerage, regulated by top-tier authorities, ensuring the integrity and security of your trading account.
  • Interactive Brokers has introduced a single platform linking prediction markets on Kalshi, CME Group, and ForecastEx. Users can trade yes/no contracts on political, economic, and climate events, with fixed $1 payouts. Enjoy 24/6 market access and earn interest on eligible positions.
  • The TWS platform is tailored for intermediate and advanced traders, featuring over 100 order types and a dependable real-time market data feed with exceptional uptime.

Cons

  • TWS has a steep learning curve, making it difficult for newcomers to navigate and grasp its features.
  • IBKR offers a variety of research tools, but their inconsistent placement across trading platforms and the 'Account Management' webpage creates a confusing experience for users.
  • Support can be sluggish and frustrating. Tests reveal that you may face challenges reaching customer service quickly, which could result in delays in issue resolution.

Our Take On IG

IG offers a complete package: an easy-to-use web platform, top-tier beginner education, enhanced charting via TradingView, up-to-date data, and strong trade execution for seasoned traders.

Tobias Robinson Reviewer

Pros

  • IG excels with its diverse instruments, offering stocks, forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. Additionally, it provides US-listed futures, options, and an AI Index, ensuring varied diversification opportunities.
  • IG secured a crypto asset license from the FCA, enabling its return to the UK market. It now offers buying, selling, and storage services for over 55 digital tokens with fees starting at 1.49%, all under FCA regulation.
  • The web-based platform supports traders at every level, offering advanced charting tools and real-time market data vital for trading. Additionally, IG now includes TradingView integration.

Cons

  • Beginners may find IG's fees complicated, as they vary depending on the trades or services. This could cause confusion and unexpected costs.
  • IG has ended its swap-free account, diminishing its attractiveness to Islamic traders.
  • IG imposes a monthly inactivity fee of $12 to $18 after two years, discouraging occasional investors.

70% 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.

Our Take On Trade Nation

Trade Nation caters to discretionary traders aiming to speculate on major indices like the US 500 or liquid FX pairs, with the certainty of fixed spreads. Our tests revealed the TN Trader's fixed spreads to be advantageous, especially during economic announcements, thanks to its dependable charting and capped spreads.

Tobias Robinson Reviewer

Pros

  • Trade Nation's 2026 alliance with Volt has streamlined payments for Australian traders, enabling instant deposits and withdrawals via PayID. Faster payout features are also anticipated for UK and EU clients.
  • The broker expanded into Europe by launching regulated online trading services, after securing authorization from Portugal's CVMV, enhancing safety measures for European residents.
  • During tests of the TN Trader account in standard market conditions, fixed spreads remained stable. Major forex pairs experienced prompt order fills, albeit with slight entry level drift as prices fluctuated between click and execution.

Cons

  • Offshore SCB and FSA firms offer retail investors leverage up to 1:200 and 1:500. In contrast, regions like the UK, Europe, and Australia cap leverage at 1:30. Thus, an FSA client can access 16 times more exposure than a UK retail client on identical trades. However, this comes with reduced oversight and no compensation schemes.
  • The FCA, CMVM, and ASIC clients are ineligible for the 2–20% rebate scheme. Consequently, active traders in these areas cannot receive transaction rebates.
  • There is no raw or ECN pricing tier, often favoured by traders. Regardless of your deposit or trading volume, you receive the same fixed (or variable on MT4) pricing as novices, rendering it particularly unsuitable for scalpers.

67.3% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

Our Take On Eightcap

Eightcap excels for traders, offering diverse charting platforms, educational Labs, and AI tools. With over 120 crypto CFDs, it stands out in crypto trading and has won our 'Best Crypto Broker' award twice consecutively.

William Berg Reviewer

Pros

  • Eightcap has excelled in all essential trading areas, surpassing all rivals to clinch our 'Best Overall Broker' award for 2024. It also earned the titles of 'Best Crypto Broker' and 'Best TradingView Broker' for 2025.
  • In 2026, Eightcap integrated TradeLocker in select areas, establishing itself as the premier regulated broker for this platform. It continues to offer ultra-fast execution and competitive fees for active traders using the charting software.
  • Eightcap has launched GOLD247, offering 24/7 gold/USD CFD trading with up to 1:20 leverage, 0.01-lot minimums and zero commission for weekend gold traders.

Cons

  • Despite the growing range of tools available, Eightcap lacks popular industry resources such as Autochartist and Trading Central. These provide advanced charting analytics, live news, and essential market insights for traders focused on short-term strategies.
  • Eightcap must enhance its range of over 800 instruments to rival top competitors like Blackbull Markets, which offers 26,000+ assets, especially improving its limited commodities selection.
  • The demo account is available for 30 days, after which it requires a request for extension. This is less convenient than XM's offering, which provides an unlimited demo mode.

71.28% of retail traders lose money when trading CFDs

When brokers rely on third-party apps like MT4 or MT5 instead of proprietary trading software, we’ve displayed those apps’ store ratings. Please note app store ratings may change.

Comparing Trading Apps

In recent years, we’ve seen a shift towards mobile investing, with trading app downloads in the UK doubling to 8.5 million from September 2020 to September 2023, according to Fintech Global.

Trading apps have also evolved. Gone are the days when you could simply buy and sell shares, the leading applications today cater to investors at every level with integrated research tools, price alerts, in-app support, and mobile wallet deposits.

Yet despite millions of pounds pouring into app development, the hallmarks of an exceptional trading app remain consistent:

Infographic showing how Investing.co.uk test trading apps in the UK

We unpack our app testing methodology in more detail below.

They Are User-Friendly And Smooth To Operate

It’s key to choose an app that’s easy to use and navigate, focusing on smart decision-making amidst the growing number of applications in the UK introducing distractions like perks for frequent deposits, such as Stash.

Therefore, we rate online trading apps by their mix of helpful features against information overload and needless extras, only suggesting those that offer a superior mobile trading experience for investors of every level.

XTB iOS app 'markets' section
XTB iOS trading app
Use a demo account to make sure you find the trading app intuitive and easy to use before investing real money.
  • XTB leads the pack with its mobile application, featuring a distinctive light design that makes trading on the go enjoyable. It offers easy access to charts, historical data, and news, while the bottom menu bar simplifies trade and account management, searching for instruments and managing your portfolio in a few taps.

They Have A Wide Investment Offering

Downloading an app that provides access to the markets you want to trade is essential. For UK traders, this could include shares on the London Stock Exchange, the FTSE 100 index, and currency pairs with the British Pound like the GBP/USD.

UK trading markets on IBKR mobile app
IBKR App

However, we also look for apps that provide access to a wide range of global markets, such as US, European, Asian and Australian equities, ensuring a diverse range of trading opportunities across different sectors and industries.

Moreover, we recognise the needs of different traders. Short-term traders may prefer platforms like CMC Markets for CFDs and spread betting in a fast and dependable app, while long-term investors might prefer XTB for share dealing and its new Investment Plans which are available exclusively in the app, and allow you to build tailored portfolios from 390 ETFs.

  • Interactive Brokers offers a superior range of markets spanning 150 exchanges, including the UK. The IBKR mobile app also caters to an array of trading styles with fractional shares, stocks, ETFs, currencies, CFDs and even warrants and structured products.

They Offer Excellent Pricing

Choosing an app with low fees is crucial for both active and casual traders to maximise returns. That’s why we regularly assess fees across key markets like stocks, indices, commodities and cryptos to find low-cost apps for all types of traders.

We also factor in the needs of different traders. For example, new stock investors might lean towards the increasing number of commission-free apps like XTB, which offer straightforward pricing with no deposit fees, whereas advanced forex traders may prefer Pepperstone with its Razor account that features raw spreads from 0.0 pips and a £2.25 commission per side, per lot.

  • Interactive Brokers is one of the lowest-cost investing apps in the UK, especially for active traders, with consistently tight average spreads of roughly 0.1 on the EUR/USD and 1.5 on the FTSE 100. It also charges no fees for deposits or withdrawals.

They Provide Outstanding In-App Tools

Picking an app with intelligent tools to identify and capitalise on opportunities is crucial. Our years in the industry also show that mobile features are increasingly what sets a trading app apart.

As a result, we prioritise apps with essential tools like mobile-optimised charts with multiple indicators, drawing tools and timeframes, through to push notifications with price alerts, integrated signals and social investment networks so traders can share ideas on the go.

Trading tools on Forex.com UK investing app
Forex.com App

It’s also an area brokers are focusing on. For example, XTB upgraded its xStation app in 2023, providing 5,400 instruments on mobile and tablet devices.

  • Forex.com is hard to beat for tools with a clear investment in its app development. It now has it all, from market insights from its own analysts to integrated technical analysis from Trading Central, a stacked newsfeed, price alerts and economic calendars. It also outperforms MT4 in charting, boasting over 90 indicators and a superior design.

They Are Regulated In The UK

Opting for a trading app regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) will provide the best safeguards for British investors, notably access to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) with coverage up to £85,000 if the firm goes bankrupt.

That’s why as part of our exhaustive reviews we check whether firms are regulated by the FCA or another reputable body.

IG UK license details on FCA database
IG FCA License

However, we also consider a firm’s years in the industry, whether they are listed on a stock exchange, and their reputation to determine whether they can be trusted.

For instance, both IG and Robinhood are FCA-regulated, but IG boasts over 30 years more experience, is listed on the London Stock Exchange, and has a fantastic reputation, contrasting with Robinhood’s controversial trading practices that have cost investors millions of pounds.

  • IG consistently earns our recommendation as the UK’s most trusted trading app, licensed by the FCA and 12 other regulators. Our experts, active traders in the UK themselves, have used the IG app with real funds for years without major problems.

They Offer Convenient Deposits In The App

A smooth mobile trading experience hinges on secure and easy deposits and withdrawals directly via the app. That’s why our evaluations include investigating the availability of popular payment methods in the UK.

Over 50% of transactions in the country use debit and credit cards according to UK Finance, with Apple Pay and Google Pay leading as the top digital wallets increasingly accepted on trading apps, such as Plus500.

Select a trading app that offers a GBP account to simplify managing trades while minimising conversion fees.

Additional Reading

The FCA’s market review of UK trading apps found that a growing number of retail investors, especially younger men, use trading apps that offer easy, low-cost access to a wider range of investments, prompting calls for strong oversight to ensure informed, sustainable consumer participation.

FAQ

What Is A Trading App?

A trading app is a mobile application that can be downloaded to iOS and/or Android devices that enables trading on markets like the London Stock Exchange, FTSE, and GBP/USD. Besides executing orders, investment trading apps usually offer tools for market analysis and making deposits and withdrawals from your palm.

Some UK brokers like XTB have designed comprehensive proprietary apps, while others provide a number of specialised apps for forex and index trading, market news, and currency conversion.

Alternatively, many firms such as Eightcap in the UK, only support trading via popular third-party applications like MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5) or TradingView.

What Are The Most Popular Trading Apps In The UK?

The most popular trading apps in the UK based on download data from the app stores include Trading212 (10+ million), Webull (10+ million), TradingView (10+ million), MetaTrader 4 (10+ million), and MetaTrader 5 (10+ million).

What Is The Best Trading App For Beginners?

XTB continues to stand out as the best trading app for beginners. Our UK team’s real-money trading on the XTB app highlights its user-friendly design and valuable resources for new investors, including comprehensive educational videos, a £100,000 demo account, and rapid UK-based support with <2 minute response times during tests.

What Is The Best App For Experienced Traders?

IG maintains its position as the best app for experienced traders. Our UK experts, with years of real-money trading on the IG app, commend its first-rate mobile investing experience, featuring a nearly unrivalled selection of 17,000+ markets, customisable watchlists and feeds, plus the growing suite of research tools, most recently analysts’ consensus ratings on popular stocks.

How Do I Start Using A Trading App?

Once you have chosen a trading app, download it from the relevant app store. An increasing number of brokers, notably Interactive Brokers, host QR codes on their websites so installing their apps is a breeze.

Then open an account by providing your basic contact details and personal information. You’ll also normally need to verify your identity. Once your account is active, you can make a deposit (usually <£250) and start trading from your mobile.

Can I Trade Crypto On UK Trading Apps?

Some crypto exchanges have apps where you can buy and sell tokens like Bitcoin, the largest being Binance which has been downloaded 100+ million times.

However, the FCA brought in restrictions on the sale and distribution of retail crypto-derivatives on 6 January 2021. Since then, British investors have not been able to trade products like crypto CFDs unless they use apps from offshore, weakly regulated brokers.

Article Sources

Apple App Store

Google Play Store

Fintech Global – UK Trading App Download Data

London Stock Exchange (LSE)

Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)

Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)

FCA Ban On Retail Crypto Derivatives