Best Brokers With Fixed Spreads In The UK 2025

Author

Christian Harris

Christian is a UK-based investment writer who's been actively trading an array of financial instruments for over 10 years. Having used most of the major brokers in the UK, Christian provides valuable insights on all things investing for British traders.

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Editor

James Barra

James is a UK-based writer and investor with consultancy experience at some of Britain's largest financial organisations. James authors, edits and fact-checks content for a row of investing websites.

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Fact Checker

Tobias Robinson

Tobias is a UK director and partner at Investing.co.uk. He provides commentary on the financial markets in the UK and supports the testing team with first-hand observations from over two decades of active trading.

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Looking for price certainty in fast-moving markets? Fixed-spread brokers offer consistent trading costs, making them ideal for traders who need to plan.

We’ve ranked the top UK brokers offering fixed spreads after documenting and evaluating their fixed spread offerings.

How We Selected The Best Fixed Spread Brokers

We shortlisted brokers with strong reputations in the UK market and evaluated their fixed spread accounts.

Our UK-based team, made up of experienced traders, recorded and evaluated fixed spreads on popular instruments like EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and major indices such as the FTSE 100, where possible.

Each broker was individually rated balancing the quality of their fixed spreads with the overall trading environment for a well-rounded picture of the top fixed spread brokers in the UK.

What Are Fixed Spreads?

Fixed spreads are trading costs that remain constant, regardless of market volatility or time of day.

Unlike variable spreads, which widen or tighten based on market conditions, fixed spreads offer price stability. This makes them especially appealing to short-term investors who rely on cost predictability when opening frequent or time-sensitive positions.

For example, a broker may offer a fixed spread of 1.0 pip on the GBP/USD pair. Whether the market is calm or reacting to economic news, the spread stays at 1.0 pip.

This consistency can be particularly valuable for day traders or scalpers who place multiple trades daily, as sudden spread spikes could eat into profits or trigger stop losses prematurely.

However, it’s important to note that fixed spreads are often slightly wider than the lowest variable spreads seen during stable market conditions.

Still, if you’re focused on fast entries and exits—particularly during high-impact news events or off-peak hours—knowing the exact cost upfront can outweigh the potential savings of a variable model.

easyMarkets offers fixed spreads on specific platforms for consistent trading costs

Do All Brokers Offer Fixed Spreads?

Not all brokers offer fixed spreads. In fact, less than a quarter of brokers accepting UK clients do from our analysis.

Many online brokers—especially those operating with ECN or STP pricing models—focus on variable spreads that adjust in real time with market liquidity.

These brokers pass on raw market prices, which often result in tighter spreads during calm periods but wider spreads during periods of volatility. While this model appeals to some experienced traders, it can introduce uncertainty for short-term investors who rely on precise cost control and accuracy.

For instance, a UK brokerage like IG offers fixed spreads on popular indices, such as the FTSE 100, during core market hours, which can be beneficial for active traders. Similarly, Trade Nation and easyMarkets offer fixed spreads across a wide range of instruments, even during major news events.

That said, some brokers offer both fixed and variable spread account types, providing you with flexibility depending on your trading strategy.

Example Trade: Fixed vs Variable Spreads

To see how fixed and variable spreads affect real trading outcomes, let’s look at a simple example I set up with the FTSE 100.

My scenario compares the same short-term buy trade under both pricing models, showing how the spread can impact profit depending on market conditions.

My Trade setup:

• Position: Buy 1 lot of FTSE 100 (equivalent to £10 per point movement)
• Entry price: 8,000
• Exit price: 8,010
• Market movement: +10 points in your favour

Scenario 1: Fixed Spread Broker

• Fixed spread: 1.5 points
• Effective entry price: 8,001.5
• Exit price: 8,010
• Net gain: 8.5 points
• Profit: £85

Scenario 2: Variable Spread Broker (Normal Market Conditions)

• Variable spread: 0.8 points
• Effective entry price: 8,000.8
• Exit price: 8,010
• Net gain: 9.2 points
• Profit: £92

Scenario 3: Variable Spread Broker (During Volatility)

• Variable spread: 2.5 points
• Effective entry price: 8,002.5
• Exit price: 8,010
• Net gain: 7.5 points
• Profit: £75

In stable market conditions, a variable spread broker can offer slightly better value, allowing for higher profit margins on the same move.

However, during volatile periods—such as economic news releases or low-liquidity hours—variable spreads can widen significantly.

In these moments, fixed spreads provide a level of cost certainty that could help protect my short-term trades from unexpected slippage in trading costs.

Pros Of Fixed Spreads

• Predictable Trading Costs: Fixed spreads stay the same regardless of market volatility, so you always know your cost per trade. This makes it easier to plan entries, exits, and stop-loss levels—essential for fast-paced strategies like day trading or scalping.
• Protection During Volatility: Unlike variable spreads, fixed spreads don’t widen during major news events or sudden market moves. This helps reduce the risk of unexpected costs eating into your profit or triggering stop-losses prematurely.
• Simpler Strategy Building: With consistent costs, fixed spreads make it easier to backtest and optimise short-term strategies. You’re not constantly adjusting for changing spread conditions, which improves the accuracy of trade models and risk management plans.

Cons Of Fixed Spreads

• Typically Wider Than Variable Spreads: Fixed spreads are often slightly higher than the tightest variable spreads during calm market conditions. Over many trades, this can increase overall costs, especially during high-liquidity periods when variable spreads would otherwise be very low.
• Limited Availability Across Assets & Hours: Not all brokers offer fixed spreads on every instrument or during all trading hours. Some may only guarantee fixed pricing on major forex pairs or indices, and only during specific sessions—reducing flexibility for round-the-clock trading.
• Potential For Requotes Or Slower Execution: To maintain fixed spreads during volatile conditions, some brokers may delay execution, apply trade limits, or issue requotes. This can affect short-term strategies that rely on fast order placement and immediate market access.

Fixed Spreads vs Commissions

Fixed spread brokers build their fees into the spread itself, offering a single, predictable cost per trade. In contrast, commission-based brokers typically provide raw or ultra-tight spreads and charge a separate, transparent fee per trade—often per lot traded.

Both models can be suitable for short-term investors, but the best choice ultimately depends on your trading strategy, frequency, and preferred instruments.

For example, a fixed spread broker might offer a 1.5-point spread on the DAX with no additional charges. That’s the total cost, regardless of trade size.

Meanwhile, a commission-based broker like Pepperstone or IC Markets might offer a much tighter spread—say 0.4 points—but add a commission of £4–£6 per lot round trip. If you’re trading large volumes or multiple times a day, those commissions can add up, even if the raw spreads look attractive.

If you prioritise speed and cost certainty, you may prefer fixed spreads to avoid sudden cost spikes. On the other hand, if you’re an active day trader operating during high-liquidity periods, you may benefit more from lower variable spreads and commissions, especially if your trades are larger or longer in duration.

Ultimately, the key is to compare total trading costs—not just spreads or commission in isolation. In volatile markets or during off-peak hours, fixed spreads provide a layer of predictability that commission-based models often struggle to match.

easyMarkets’ fixed spreads on EUR/USD are just 0.7 pips

Bottom Line

The key to choosing a good fixed spread broker is knowing how consistent its pricing is. Look for brokers that offer truly fixed spreads throughout regular trading hours—not just during calm market conditions.

The more reliable the spread, the easier it is to plan trades with confidence.

It’s also worth comparing fixed spread levels across brokers. While fixed pricing offers predictability, some brokers we’ve tested set their spreads wider than others. For short-term investors who place frequent trades, even a half-point difference can add up quickly.

Finally, ensure the broker clearly outlines when fixed spreads apply, particularly during news events or periods of low liquidity. Transparency is essential—if the spreads aren’t fixed when it matters most, the benefit is lost.

To get started, use our list of the top UK brokers for fixed spreads.