Trading Apps in the UK 2023

Trading apps have become essential tools for all experience levels, both to make money on trades and to develop knowledge. Whether you’re forex, share or stock trading, there are various mobile apps available in the UK market which can assist your strategy and education.

In this review, we take a look at some of the best trading apps and top broker reviews for both beginners and experts, including Trading 212 and eToro. We also cover key features such as demo or simulator apps, as well as security, fees and additional tools.

What Are Trading Apps?

Trading apps are multi-featured tools which can be used for both trading and accessing educational content and market news. Most online brokers offer some form of mobile trading, which will often complement the desktop trading platform.

Mobile apps are useful for both pro traders as well as novices and are widely available for download on both Android and iOS smart devices. This means traders can seamlessly switch from desktop trading on their Windows or Mac PC, straight to trading on-the-go with their mobile phones.

Today, there are various types of trading apps catering to different needs, ranging from traditional apps or sites, to social and copy trading software. These will be explained in our detailed comparison and review of top trading apps below.

Trading apps also provide access to a wide range of global markets, including forex, stocks, indices, commodities, binary options and ETFs. You can also buy and sell cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC) and Ripple (XRP), though note that retail crypto-derivative trading is now banned at UK-regulated brokers.

What To Look For In Trading Apps

Ease Of Use

In order to trade efficiently, it’s essential that your app is user-friendly and easy to navigate. Quick trading apps with straight-forward processes can also make a huge difference to your trading experience, especially if you’re trading on a daily basis. Note how much space the app will take up on your phone and check customer reviews to see if there are any recurring technical issues.

Additional Features

Whilst most traders will be using their apps to earn money on trades, it’s also important to look for additional features and tools that can enrich your knowledge and experience. This might include news feeds, analysis tools, webinars, trading alerts and educational trading games. Some apps also offer performance analytics, which measure your P&L stats and can be supplemented with other trading journal apps, such as TraderSync.

Demo Accounts

Most brokers offer a demo account or trading simulator within their iOS and Android app. These are excellent practice tools for both beginners and experienced traders and allow you to browse all the features of the platform. More importantly, zero investment is needed, as they include a virtual sum of money to practice risk-free trading with.

Fees & Costs

Apps are generally available to download for free at most brokers, and some have no or low trading and account fees. Make sure to check for any additional charges or maintenance fees, though, as these can add up. There may also be a minimum deposit requirement to open an account. Note that any brokers offering low or no deposit accounts within their app may be compensating with fees elsewhere.

Payment Options

You also want to make sure that there is a good selection of payment methods available within your trading apps for deposits and withdrawals. There are plenty of brokers nowadays that accept popular methods such as PayPal and Skrill. Most e-payment methods are also widely available for instant deposit.

Customer Support

To get the best trading experience, make sure to choose an app that offers robust customer support, such as a hotline or live chat. Some brokers also offer urgent support after hours on the app, or even a community forum where you can get help round-the-clock from other traders.

Security

Trading apps can create opportunities for scammers who can hack into a trading account which has been opened on a fake application. Some companies might also offer unrealistic trading promotions or free gifts to entice traders. You can usually tell if an app is real or fake by checking for FCA licensing or regulatory information, which should be available to the public. Other security measures such as SSL encryption and login security are also a good sign.

Best Trading Apps For Beginners

With so many apps on the market, choosing the right option for you may take time, especially if you’re a newbie. We’ve put together a list of our top 3 online day trading apps for beginners in the UK below.

eToro

A top choice among new traders, eToro is favoured for its easy-to-use app and social trading features. Established in 2007, the broker offers low-cost trading as well as a Trading School and community discussion forums offering round-the-clock support from over 15 million users. The eToro app also automatically credits new accounts with $100,000 in a virtual portfolio.

eToro app

Capital.com

Capital.com offers both a trading app as well as a supplementary application, Investmate, which is dedicated to providing free investment education. Investmate receives excellent online reviews for providing rich and digestible educational content via videos, webinars and more. Capital.com is also partnered with one of the best trading social networks, TradingView, which allows you to monitor live quotes and share trading ideas.

Capital.com app

Trading 212

If you’re looking for apps that give you free investing in stocks, then Trading 212 is an excellent choice. You can also trade CFDs or open an ISA investment account. The app is generally well-reviewed for its ease of use and the quality of customer service. There’s also a community forum, which is a great learning and networking tool for beginners.

Trading212 app

Pros of Trading Apps

The main advantages of using trading apps include:

• Accessible and flexible – You can trade whilst on the move and switch between desktop and mobile
• All-in-one experience – Trading apps can be a one stop shop for all your investment needs
• Not just for trading – Some apps provide access to education features without an initial investment
• Practice accounts – Most apps come with demo accounts which are ideal for beginners
• Device-friendly – Available on most iOS and Android devices, including tablets

Cons Of Trading Apps

There are some drawbacks to consider:

• Limited functionality – Mobility can be limited when doing technical analysis, compared to desktop software
• Limited features – Some apps don’t offer as many features as the desktop counterparts
• External factors – The performance of the app is reliant on the quality of your phone or network connection
• Scams – May attract scammers and hackers

Reviews Of The Best Apps

To help with your decision, we’ve put together a brief list of some of our top trading apps from 2023. All apps are available in the UK and for download onto iOS and Android devices.

AvaTradeGO

With over 250 assets on offer, the AvaTradeGO app is popular among traders for its crisp design. The app performs as a one stop shop for traders who want to trade, earn and learn in one place. If you like to trade with MetaTrader 4, the broker also uses the award-winning software as it’s primary trading platform.

You can also switch easily between demo and live accounts and access a vibrant trader’s community. And in reality, the 24/5 multilingual customer support via live chat ensures you are never far from help.

AvaTrade app

IG

Multi-award winning broker, IG, offers thousands of instruments for spread bettors, CFD traders and share dealers. The powerful trading apps offer comprehensive charting features and research tools with everything you need in one place.

Traders can access a Reuters newsfeed to stay on top of financial events, as well as an economic calendar. You can also trade with extended hours on some indices and set trading alerts so you can respond immediately to opportunities.

IG also offers a supplementary training app, IG Academy, which is ideal for beginners who want to learn how to trade the markets and test their knowledge.

IG app

Oanda

The Oanda app receives positive reviews for its attractive interface and intuitive features. Whilst it’s not as functional as the desktop version, the app presents good opportunities to easily place and monitor trades whilst on-the-go.

Market events are presented by leading providers, Dow Jones, 4CAST and OANDA MarketPulse. You can also access AutoChartist trading analysis, price signals and performance stats within the app. With no minimum deposit requirement, Oanda is also popular among beginners.

Oanda app

Degiro

Ideal for investors, the Degiro app provides access to over 50 exchanges in over 30 countries. As such, the app has won multiple awards in the UK and Europe for its excellent trading opportunities and user-friendly experience.

The main downside is the lack of educational features for beginners. The app is also better suited to medium-term or long term investors, rather than day traders.

Degiro app

Pepperstone

Available in over 20 languages, the Pepperstone app is ideal for anyone looking for top-notch analysis tools with the cTrader software. The app features an economic calendar and a market sentiment indicator, with over 60 technical indicators and multiple chart types.

With that said, whilst the Pepperstone app is great for trading, it does fall lower down in the ranking in terms of social features, or education and research tools.

Pepperstone app

CMC Markets

Awarded for best mobile/trading app in the Shares Awards 2019, CMC Markets combines tight spreads and no hidden fees, with access to thousands of financial markets. The intuitive trading experience includes comprehensive charting features, risk management tools and client sentiment indicators.

Traders can also access market-leading news and insights, with free Morningstar and Reuters financial research. Overall, the app receives good feedback online, but a few clients have mentioned app crashes.

CMC Markets app

FXTM

FXTM offers over 250 trading opportunities on an easy-to-read user dashboard and competitive spreads. For beginners, there’s also a free demo account which can be set up with just one click after registration. You can also take part in the $50 ‘refer and earn’ loyalty program.

Along with decent charting capabilities, the app’s best asset is the market-leading educational resources, which include regular webinars and seminars. There’s also a comprehensive news and analysis feed.

FXTM app

Plus500

Plus500 has a strong reputation for CFD trading in the UK, with its innovative and user-friendly mobile app. The app supports trading on a good selection of assets, as well as exciting Sector Indices, including the Real Estate Giants Index and the Cannabis Stock Index.

Alongside price alerts, the app also offers Traders’ Sentiments alerts which monitor how other people trade in real-time. There’s also no commission, 24/7 customer support and free email, and advanced risk management tools, including stops and limits.

Plus 500 app

Trading 212

With options to trade long-term on stocks or short-term on CFDs, there’s something for everyone at Trading 212. With an average rating of 4.7 stars on the App Store and over 100,000 reviews, it’s easy to see why it’s the UK’s #1 trading app. It’s also one of the few apps in the UK that offer free investing in stocks and is widely considered as the most similar alternative to the US’s Robinhood platform.

Along with smooth and easy-to-navigate charts, the app boasts excellent learning tools including tutorial videos and a demo account. Once you download the app, you can easily switch to the Windows or Mac PC desktop version. You can check out our detailed broker review for more information.

Trading 212 mobile app

eToro

The eToro app has been crowned as one of the best platforms for stock trading in the UK. Users can trade with no commission and enjoy a $100,000 demo account. If you’re looking for apps that trade for you, you can also enjoy eToro’s CopyTrader, and get easy access to the collaborative trader community.

Despite strong reviews around the user-friendly interface and unique features, there is some negative feedback around app speed, bugs, and customer service.

eToro mobile app

iOS Vs Android Apps

Whether you’re an iPhone or Android user, your experience using any of the apps above should be relatively similar. Most companies have developed their apps to provide the same set of features and functionality across devices.

With that said, some differences can be found between the two versions with regard to design, speed and, occasionally, technical features. For example, whilst Trading 212 ranks well on the Play Store as well as the App Store, many of the negative reviews from Android users suggest speed and bug issues.

On the other hand, apps like eToro, Pepperstone and Plus500 are all better-reviewed on Android than on iPhone devices. It’s worth checking out online reviews prior to choosing your app, in case you do find discrepancies that might affect your experience.

Security

Security should be a key consideration when choosing a trading app, especially with scams and hackers operating in the market.

Traders should check whether the app is legit, established and regulated before committing. In the UK, regulated brokers are not permitted to offer certain incentives such as ‘no deposit bonus’ schemes.

Traders should also be cautious around trading apps offered for under 18’s, apps that give you free money or a bonus to start, or apps with high retail leverage above 1:30, as these are likely to be unregulated.

Make sure the company is also transparent with any security features used, such as SSL encryption or face ID, which should be available both on iOS and Android phones.

Final Word On Trading Apps

Now that you’re familiar with the top names of trading apps for iPhone and Android devices, you might have a better idea of the types of applications that will best suit your needs. Many apps today help you to earn money on trades and also provide essential learning tools for beginners and experts alike.

Whether you’re looking for apps without deposit requirements or brokerage fees, or apps that use PayPal withdrawals, make sure the app is regulated and secure.

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