Best Brokers With Smartwatch Trading Apps In The UK 2025
Why miss a market move while you’re on the move? Smartwatch trading apps let you track stocks, set alerts, and even place trades – all from your wrist.
Dig into our pick of the best brokers with smartwatch trading apps and find out what makes each one stand out.
Top UK Brokers With Smartwatch Apps
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In our tests, the XTB smartwatch app excelled with rapid price updates and smooth synchronisation with the xStation mobile platform. Although direct trading isn't possible, it's effective for monitoring narrow spreads and managing alerts. It's particularly useful when combined with XTB’s comprehensive market sentiment tools.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs on shares, Indices, ETFs, Raw Materials, Forex currencies, cryptocurrencies, Real shares, Real ETFs FCA, CySEC, KNF, DFSA, FSC, SCA, Bappebti xStation Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $0 0.01 Lots 1:30 -
Testing IG's smartwatch integration revealed its impressive watchlist clarity and swift price updates. Although trading from the watch isn't yet an option (a common trait among smartwatch brokers), IG offers extensive market coverage and competitive spreads. Price alert notifications were consistently reliable, perfect for maintaining market awareness without needing to unlock your phone.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM, JFSA Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral, ProRealTime Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $0 0.01 Lots 1:30 (Retail), 1:222 (Pro) -
During testing, Interactive Brokers provided a highly detailed smartwatch experience. Market snapshots, watchlist updates, and alerts synchronised seamlessly with the IBKR mobile app. Although you can't place orders, the real-time data and global market coverage suit traders who monitor various instruments.
Instruments Regulator Platforms Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, TradingView, eSignal, TradingCentral, ProRealTime, Quantower Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $0 $100 1:50
XTB
IG
Interactive BrokersSafety Comparison
Compare how safe the Best Brokers With Smartwatch Trading Apps In The UK 2025 are and what features they offer to protect traders.
| Broker | Trust Rating | FCA Regulated | Negative Balance Protection | Guaranteed Stop Loss | Segregated Accounts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XTB | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| IG | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Interactive Brokers | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ |
Payments Comparison
Compare which popular payment methods the Best Brokers With Smartwatch Trading Apps In The UK 2025 support and whether they have trading accounts denominated in British Pounds (GBP).
| Broker | GBP Account | Debit Card | Credit Card | Neteller | Skrill | Apple Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XTB | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| IG | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Interactive Brokers | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
Mobile Trading Comparison
How good are the Best Brokers With Smartwatch Trading Apps In The UK 2025 at mobile trading using apps or other mobile interfaces.
| Broker | Mobile Apps | iOS Rating | Android Rating | Smart Watch App |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XTB | iOS & Android | ✔ | ||
| IG | iOS & Android | ✔ | ||
| Interactive Brokers | iOS & Android | ✔ |
Beginners Comparison
Are the Best Brokers With Smartwatch Trading Apps In The UK 2025 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XTB | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| IG | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| Interactive Brokers | ✔ | $0 | $100 |
Advanced Trading Comparison
Do the Best Brokers With Smartwatch Trading Apps In The UK 2025 offer features that allow for more advanced trading strategies?
| Broker | Automated Trading | Pro Account | Leverage | VPS | AI | Low Latency | Extended Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XTB | Open API | ✔ | 1:30 | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
| IG | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, build your own on ProRealTime | ✔ | 1:30 (Retail), 1:222 (Pro) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Interactive Brokers | Capitalise.ai & TWS API | ✘ | 1:50 | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Detailed Rating Comparison
Use this heatmap to compare our detailed ratings for all of the Best Brokers With Smartwatch Trading Apps In The UK 2025.
| Broker | Trust | Platforms | Mobile | Assets | Fees | Accounts | Support | Research | Education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XTB | |||||||||
| IG | |||||||||
| Interactive Brokers |
Our Take On XTB
"XTB emerges as an ideal option for novice traders, offering the impressive xStation platform, zero commission pricing, no required minimum deposit, and outstanding educational resources, many of which are conveniently integrated into the platform."
Pros
- 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.
- Top-notch customer support, available 24/5, includes a welcoming live chat with response times under two minutes during tests.
- 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.
- Trading fees are competitive, with average EUR/USD spreads of about 1 pip. However, they are not as low as the most affordable brokers, such as IC Markets. Additionally, an inactivity fee applies after a year.
- The research tools at XTB are commendable but have the potential to excel further. Enhancing them with access to top-tier third-party services like Autochartist, Trading Central, and TipRanks would significantly elevate their offering.
Our Take On IG
"IG offers a complete package with an intuitive online platform, top-tier beginner education, advanced charting tools through its TradingView integration, real-time data, and swift execution for seasoned traders."
Pros
- IG stands out with its extensive range of instruments, offering stocks, forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. Additionally, it has recently introduced US-listed futures and options, along with an AI Index. These options enhance opportunities for diversification in trading.
- 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.
- As a seasoned broker, IG adheres to stringent regulatory standards across various regions, ensuring significant trust.
Cons
- Based on tests, stock and CFD spreads remain less competitive than the lowest-cost brokers, such as CMC Markets.
- Beginners may find IG's fees complicated, as they vary depending on the trades or services. This could cause confusion and unexpected costs.
- IG imposes a monthly inactivity fee of $12 after two years, discouraging occasional traders.
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."
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 ForecastTrader, an innovative product offering zero-commission trading with yes/no Forecast Contracts on political, economic, and climate events. It features fixed $1 contract payouts, 24/6 market access, and a 3.83% APY on positions held.
- IBKR consistently offers unparalleled access to global equities, with thousands of shares available across over 100 market centres in 24 countries, including the recently added Saudi Stock Exchange.
Cons
- 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.
- You are limited to a single active session per account, meaning you cannot use both your desktop programme and mobile app at the same time. This restriction can occasionally lead to a frustrating experience for traders.
- 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.
How We Selected The Top Smartwatch Apps For Trading
We focused on FCA-regulated brokers available to UK traders and tested their smartwatch apps, considering both Apple and Android users.
Key things we considered:
- Real-time price alerts and notifications
- Trade execution capabilities
- Ease of navigation and interface design
- Sync reliability with desktop and mobile apps
- Platform speed and responsiveness on wearables
Brokers were then sorted based on their ratings. The result is a ranked shortlist of the best smartwatch trading apps for UK traders.
How To Choose A Smartwatch App For Trading
Here are some key factors to consider when comparing brokers that offer smartwatch trading apps:
- Compatibility: Not all brokers support iOS or Android platforms equally from our tests. Some apps may be optimised for Apple Watch but offer limited or no functionality on Wear OS (Android) devices, and vice versa. Choosing a broker with full compatibility for your device ensures a smoother experience, better performance, and access to the app’s core features.
- Features: The range of features—such as live price tracking, order placement, and alerts—can significantly impact the app’s usability. Some apps we’ve used offer only basic notifications, while others provide real-time market data and even facilitate trade execution. Evaluating these features helps you determine whether a smartwatch app is simply informative or a functional tool that supports quick decision-making on the go.
- Ease of use: Usability is especially important with smartwatch trading apps due to the limited screen size and simplified interface. A well-designed, intuitive app allows you to access key information quickly and take action without confusion or unnecessary steps. For speed and clarity, a smooth user experience can make the difference between catching an opportunity and missing it.
- Security: Protective measures, such as two-factor authentication (2FA) and biometric syncing, are essential when evaluating smartwatch trading apps, as they help protect sensitive financial data accessed on a highly portable device. Smartwatches can be lost or stolen more easily than phones or laptops, so robust security adds an essential layer of protection.
- Integration with other devices: A smartwatch trading app that works with smartphones and tablets can ensure a seamless trading experience across multiple platforms. This allows you to start an action on your smartwatch and complete it on your phone or desktop if needed. Smooth synchronisation helps maintain continuity, reduces errors, and enables more effective monitoring and execution of trades.
What Is A Smartwatch Trading App?
A smartwatch trading app is a simplified, wearable extension of a broker’s main trading platform, designed to deliver key market information and limited trading functions directly to your wrist.
These apps allow you to monitor prices, receive alerts, and, in some cases, manage open positions—without needing to reach for your phone or desktop.
While you can’t generally execute complete technical analysis or place complex orders from a smartwatch, these apps serve as a handy tool for staying connected to the markets when timing matters.
For short-term investors, this level of accessibility can be beneficial. Imagine receiving a price alert for the FTSE 100 or EUR/USD on your Apple Watch just seconds after it hits your target level, allowing you to react quickly—even if you’re away from your primary trading screen.
For managing multiple trades or reacting to short-term news events, having that extra layer of awareness on your wrist can offer a real advantage.
How Do Smartwatch Trading Apps Work?
Smartwatch trading apps don’t offer full trading dashboards, but they give short-term investors the essentials—real-time price alerts, watchlist monitoring, and the ability to execute basic trades quickly.
For example, with Interactive Brokers‘ Apple Watch app, you can view real-time prices of your selected stocks and receive instant push notifications when price targets are hit—ideal for momentum traders.
Similarly, IG offers smartwatch alerts that sync with your mobile app, allowing you to react to market moves without pulling out your phone, making it suitable for scalpers or day traders watching key levels.
Order execution is typically limited to simple buy/sell functions or pre-set actions. For instance, eToro‘s Apple Watch integration doesn’t allow for direct trade execution. Still, it delivers instant alerts when social trading signals or market movements occur, letting you respond quickly via your phone.
While smartwatch trading isn’t a replacement for deep analysis or charting tools, it’s a valuable companion for active investors who need to stay alert and act fast, especially during market hours or earnings season.
Smartphone trading apps are best used in tandem with a smartphone or desktop setup, giving you the edge of speed without sacrificing strategy.
Check your IBKR account on the go with an Apple Watch
How Do You Setup A Smartwatch Trading App?
To set up a smartwatch trading app, start by downloading your broker’s mobile app on your smartphone—this acts as the hub for syncing with your smartwatch.
For example, if you’re using an Apple Watch, install the broker’s app on your iPhone, then open the Watch app and enable the trading app from the list of available watch apps.
On Wear OS (Android) devices, you’ll typically need to install the smartwatch version directly from the Google Play Store and pair it with your phone via Bluetooth.
Once installed, log in to your trading account on your phone, and ensure notifications and permissions (such as price alerts or biometric security) are enabled. Some brokers may require you to manually add your watchlist or customise which alerts are pushed to your wrist.
It may take a few extra steps to fine-tune the settings, but once synced, the app works as a lightweight companion to your central trading platform.
When I first set up a smartwatch trading app, I was surprised by how much it depended on the phone settings—not just the app itself. Minor tweaks, such as enabling mirrored notifications or adjusting which stocks appear on the watch face, made a significant difference in usability.It took a bit of trial and error, but once everything was synced properly, the convenience of getting alerts on my wrist became part of my daily routine.
Pros Of Smartwatch Trading Apps
- Instant market alerts: Get real-time price notifications and news updates directly on your wrist—ideal for short-term trading when you need to react fast to market moves.
- Quick trade access: Some apps enable basic buy/sell execution or prompt quick responses to alerts, allowing you to act without needing to reach for your phone or laptop.
- On-the-go monitoring: Keep tabs on your watchlists, open positions, or key stock prices while commuting, exercising, or away from your desk—perfect for staying connected during volatile sessions.
Cons Of Smartwatch Trading Apps
- Limited functionality: Smartwatches can’t handle in-depth charting, technical analysis, or advanced order types—essential tools for serious short-term traders.
- Screen size constraints: The small display limits the amount of information you can see at once, which can lead to missed context or rushed decisions.
- No full trade management: You typically can’t manage complex positions, set stop-loss/take-profit levels, or access full account features directly from a smartwatch.
Bottom Line
Trading with a smartwatch offers an increasingly practical way to stay informed and responsive without being glued to a phone or computer.
It’s beneficial for receiving timely alerts, tracking watchlists, and in some cases, placing simple trades—features that can benefit short-term investors who value speed and convenience.
However, the limited screen size and functionality mean it’s best used as a complementary tool rather than a standalone platform. For those who need to monitor the markets throughout the day while staying on the go, smartwatch trading offers flexibility.
However, deeper analysis and complex strategies are still best handled on more advanced devices.
To get started, check out our choice of the top UK smartwatch trading apps.