Best UK Brokers For Earning High Cash Interest 2026
Cash sitting uninvested in your trading account can be a productive asset in your portfolio, particularly in fluctuating interest rate environments. To capitalise on this, many investors are considering interest incentive programs offered by a growing number of brokers in the UK. These programs automatically add interest to your unused cash balance, ensuring your British Pounds are productive until you decide to invest them.
UK Brokers Paying Interest On Cash Balances
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Established in Poland in 2002, XTB caters to over a million clients worldwide. This forex and CFD broker offers a robust regulatory framework, a diverse range of assets, and prioritises trader satisfaction. It provides an intuitive proprietary platform equipped with excellent tools to support aspiring traders.
Interest Rate: USD: 2%, GBP: 4%, EUR: 1.25%
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Interactive Brokers (IBKR), a leading brokerage, offers access to 150 markets across 33 countries and provides extensive investment services. With more than 40 years of experience, this Nasdaq-listed company complies with strict regulations from the SEC, FCA, CIRO, and SFC. It is among the most reliable brokers worldwide for traders.
Interest Rate: USD: 4.8%, GBP: 4.7%
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Founded in 1974, IG is a part of IG Group Holdings Plc, a publicly listed brokerage (LSE: IGG). The company provides spread betting, CFD, and forex trading, offering access to over 17,000 markets. Its platforms and investing apps are notably user-friendly. Over the past 50 years, IG has consistently been an industry leader, excelling in all essential areas for traders.
Interest Rate: GBP: 3.75%
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Founded in 1983, City Index is a prestigious broker, now under the Nasdaq-listed StoneX Group. It excels in forex, CFDs, and spread betting. With access to over 13,500 instruments, City Index provides a dynamic Web Trader platform, exceptional educational materials, and round-the-clock support five days a week, ensuring a thorough trading experience.
Interest Rate: GBP: 2.5%
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Crypto.com ranks among the top cryptocurrency exchanges, created to speed up the shift to DeFi technologies. It provides token lending, pre-paid cards, and NFTs. Founded in Germany in 2016, its excellence is affirmed by 150 million users.
Interest Rate: USD: 5%
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Founded in 1996, Swissquote is a prominent Swiss bank and broker, providing online trading opportunities for an impressive portfolio of three million products, including forex, CFDs, futures, options, and bonds. Renowned for its reliability, Swissquote has earned a solid reputation through pioneering trading solutions. It was the first bank to introduce cryptocurrency trading in 2017, and has since expanded its offerings to include fractional shares and the Invest Easy service.
Interest Rate: USD: 1.75%, GBP: 2%, EUR: 1.5%, CHF: 0.75%
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Saxo Markets is a renowned trading brokerage, investment firm, and regulated bank. Featuring over 72,000 trading instruments, alongside investment products and managed portfolios, it provides abundant opportunities for clients. This reputable brand ensures transparent pricing and is protected by top-tier regulations from more than ten agencies, including FINMA, FCA, and ASIC.
Interest Rate: USD: 4%, GBP: 3.9%, EUR: 2.6%
XTB
Interactive Brokers
IG
City Index
Crypto.com
Swissquote
SaxoSafety Comparison
Compare how safe the Best UK Brokers For Earning High Cash Interest 2026 are and what features they offer to protect traders.
| Broker | Trust Rating | FCA Regulated | Negative Balance Protection | Guaranteed Stop Loss | Segregated Accounts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XTB | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Interactive Brokers | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| IG | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| City Index | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Crypto.com | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| Swissquote | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| Saxo | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ |
Payments Comparison
Compare which popular payment methods the Best UK Brokers For Earning High Cash Interest 2026 support and whether they have trading accounts denominated in British Pounds (GBP).
| Broker | GBP Account | Debit Card | Credit Card | Neteller | Skrill | Apple Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XTB | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Interactive Brokers | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| IG | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| City Index | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Crypto.com | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Swissquote | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Saxo | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
Mobile Trading Comparison
How good are the Best UK Brokers For Earning High Cash Interest 2026 at mobile trading using apps or other mobile interfaces.
| Broker | Mobile Apps | iOS Rating | Android Rating | Smart Watch App |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XTB | iOS & Android | ✔ | ||
| Interactive Brokers | iOS & Android | ✔ | ||
| IG | iOS & Android | ✔ | ||
| City Index | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| Crypto.com | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| Swissquote | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| Saxo | SaxoTraderGo (iOS, Android, Windows) | ✘ |
Beginners Comparison
Are the Best UK Brokers For Earning High Cash Interest 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XTB | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| Interactive Brokers | ✔ | $0 | $100 | ||
| IG | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| City Index | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| Crypto.com | ✔ | Varies by payment method | $1 | ||
| Swissquote | ✔ | $1,000 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| Saxo | ✔ | £500 | Vary by asset |
Advanced Trading Comparison
Do the Best UK Brokers For Earning High Cash Interest 2026 offer features that allow for more advanced trading strategies?
| Broker | Automated Trading | Pro Account | Leverage | VPS | AI | Low Latency | Extended Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XTB | - | ✔ | 1:30 | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Interactive Brokers | Capitalise.ai, TWS API | ✘ | 1:50 | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| IG | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, build your own on ProRealTime | ✔ | 1:30 (Retail), 1:222 (Pro) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| City Index | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✔ | 1:30 | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Crypto.com | DCA Auto-Staking | ✘ | - | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Swissquote | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader and FIX API solutions | ✘ | 1:30 | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Saxo | - | ✘ | 1:30 | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ |
Detailed Rating Comparison
Use this heatmap to compare our detailed ratings for all of the Best UK Brokers For Earning High Cash Interest 2026.
| Broker | Trust | Platforms | Mobile | Assets | Fees | Accounts | Support | Research | Education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XTB | |||||||||
| Interactive Brokers | |||||||||
| IG | |||||||||
| City Index | |||||||||
| Crypto.com | |||||||||
| Swissquote | |||||||||
| Saxo |
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
- XTB offers a diverse array of instruments, including CFDs on shares, indices, ETFs, commodities, forex, crypto, real shares, real ETFs, and share dealing, along with newly introduced Investment Plans. This allows XTB to serve both short-term traders and long-term investors efficiently.
- XTB processes withdrawals swiftly, paying within 3 business days, subject to the method and amount.
- XTB has raised interest rates on uninvested funds and introduced zero-fee ISAs (for ETFs and real shares, or 0.2% on trades over €100k) for UK clients, offering access to a wide array of markets.
Cons
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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
- While initially targeting seasoned traders, IBKR has recently widened its appeal by eliminating its $10,000 minimum deposit requirement.
- IBKR offers an economical environment for traders, featuring low commissions, narrow spreads, and a clear fee structure.
- 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.
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.
- The learning curve for TWS is quite steep, making it tough for novice traders to navigate and grasp all its features. In contrast, Plus500's web platform is far more accessible for those new to trading.
- 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.
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."
Pros
- The IG app provides an excellent mobile trading experience with an intuitive design, earning it the Runner Up position in our 'Best Trading App' award.
- 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.
- IG is amongst the best in terms of its range of instruments, which includes stocks, forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, plus added US-listed futures and options as well as an AI Index, providing diversification opportunities.
Cons
- IG imposes a monthly inactivity fee of $12 after two years, discouraging occasional traders.
- In the UK and EU, negative balance protection is available. However, US clients lack account protection and guaranteed stop losses.
- IG has ended its swap-free account, diminishing its attractiveness to Islamic traders.
Our Take On City Index
"City Index suits active traders perfectly, offering rapid execution speeds averaging 20ms and a customisable web platform with over 90 technical indicators. Its educational resources are exceptional. For UK traders interested in spread betting on 8,500+ instruments tax-free, City Index is an excellent option."
Pros
- City Index is under the regulation of leading authorities, such as the FCA in the UK, ASIC in Australia, and MAS in Singapore. Its parent company, StoneX Group Inc., is publicly listed, which enhances its credibility.
- City Index has significantly improved the trading experience. In 2024, they introduced Performance Analytics, providing insights into trades and discipline. The revamped mobile app now includes integrated market research and swipe-access news.
- City Index offers access to over 13,500 markets, including forex, indices, shares, commodities, bonds, ETFs, and interest rates. The platform's inclusion of niche markets such as interest rates provides traders with unique opportunities not commonly available on other platforms.
Cons
- Although many brokers, such as eToro, have broadened their crypto offerings, City Index restricts its clients to crypto CFDs. This limited selection may not meet the needs of traders seeking a wider variety of altcoins.
- Unlike brokers like AvaTrade and BlackBull, City Index lacks options for passive trading, such as social copy trading or real ownership of stocks and ETFs. This limitation may reduce its appeal to traders seeking a more hands-off approach.
- City Index does not offer an Islamic account with swap-free conditions, making it less attractive to Muslim traders than brokers such as Eightcap and Pepperstone.
Our Take On Crypto.com
"Crypto.com is a snug fit for aspiring crypto traders who want to buy, sell and trade over 400 digital tokens. Its strike options and prediction markets spanning financial, economic, election, sport, and cultural events via its CFTC-regulated entity also make it a secure option for US traders interested in binary-style contracts on an intuitive app."
Pros
- Crypto.com Exchange features advanced bots like Dollar Cost Averaging, Time-Weighted Average Price, and Grid Trading. These tools enable traders to automate strategies, including leveraged perpetual trades, reducing manual input and slippage.
- In certain regions, Crypto.com now offers more than 5,000 stocks and ETFs, allowing traders to diversify their portfolios and explore various sectors.
- The platform enables seamless portfolio tracking of cryptocurrencies, stocks, ETFs, and prediction markets through one interface, simplifying asset management for multi-asset traders and offering unified insights.
Cons
- The app's large bid-ask spreads on numerous coins can prove expensive for traders executing market orders. Greater spreads mean buying costs are significantly higher than selling returns, eroding profits, particularly in low-volume trades.
- Withdrawal fees are charged for both crypto and fiat transfers, impacting active traders making smaller movements. High minimum withdrawal limits further restrict flexibility, complicating management of smaller portfolios or quick liquidity needs.
- Customer support mainly uses chatbots and email, with limited reliable phone assistance. This can delay urgent resolutions like account access or transaction issues, frustrating crypto traders who require swift help.
Our Take On Swissquote
"Swissquote is ideal for traders seeking a tailor-made platform, like its CXFD, which incorporates Autochartist for automated chart analysis to support trading decisions. Yet, its moderate fees and high $1,000 minimum deposit could deter novice traders."
Pros
- Swissquote is designed for rapid trading strategies, including scalping and high-frequency approaches. With an average execution speed of 9ms and a 98% fill ratio, it also supports FIX API.
- Swissquote offers robust platforms for traders, including MetaTrader 4/5 and its proprietary CFXD (formerly Advanced Trader). During testing, these platforms stood out with their adaptable layouts, advanced charting tools, and comprehensive technical indicators.
- Swissquote is highly reputable due to its status as a bank, its presence on the Swiss stock exchange, and its authorisations from credible regulators such as FINMA in Switzerland, FCA in the UK, and CSSF in Luxembourg.
Cons
- Unlike brokers like eToro that offer social trading capabilities, Swissquote does not provide tools for community interaction or replicating successful traders. This absence can reduce its attractiveness to those who prioritise peer-to-peer learning.
- Analysis indicates that Swissquote's charges are relatively high. Forex spreads on Standard accounts begin at 1.3 pips, whereas brokers such as Pepperstone or IC Markets offer starting spreads of 0.0 pips. Additionally, transaction fees for non-Swiss stocks and ETFs could accumulate significantly for active traders.
- Swissquote focuses on serving professional and high-net-worth clients, requiring substantial initial deposits, such as $1,000 for Standard accounts. This approach is less favourable for smaller traders who prefer brokers offering higher leverage and no deposit requirements.
Our Take On Saxo
"Saxo suits active traders and high-volume investors, providing unmatched instrument variety, premium research, and fee rebates. With 190 currency pairs offering tight spreads, it excels for forex traders."Christian Harris
Reviewer
Pros
- Access to advanced external analysis tools, such as TradingView and Updata, is available.
- Reduced fees with advanced account levels.
- Elite research centre offering specialised market analysis and exclusive forecasts, including 'Outrageous Predictions'.
Cons
- Trading accounts require substantial financial investment.
- Clients from certain regions, such as the US and Belgium, are not accepted.
- A subscription is necessary to access Level 2 pricing.
Note: interest rates are subject to change. Check the current rate available before depositing funds.
What To Consider With An Interest-Earning Investment Account
When evaluating what to do with uninvested cash, consider these factors to ensure your money works effectively for you:
- Weigh the interest rates available for the amount you plan to leave in your investment account. For instance, Swissquote is paying interest up to 2% on balances up to 50,000, however the interest rate drops if you want to deposit more than that. Alternatively, XTB serves British traders of all budgets, paying 4% on all balances.
- Consider whether traditional savings accounts offer higher interest rates. At the time of writing, I evaluated the options available and Wealthify stood out by offering 4.91% in their Instant Savings account, while Virgin Money was offering 5.01% in their Defined Access account. The downside is convenience – you’ll need to move funds to an investment account to capitalise on trading opportunities.
- The safety of your cash is another critical aspect. Verify whether your uninvested cash will be protected by insurance schemes like the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) in the UK – which insures deposits up to £85,000 per eligible person and up to £170,000 for joint accounts. XTB and eToro, for example, are all regulated by the FCA and provide deposit protection through the FSCS.
Interest rates are determined by the rates brokers receive from the banks where they hold your cash. If there are changes in the Bank of England’s base rate you can anticipate corresponding adjustments in the interest rates on your cash.
Pros & Cons Of Interest-Adding Brokerage Accounts
Pros
- Interest automatically added to unused cash helps mitigate the opportunity cost of holding onto idle funds, allowing you to earn a return on funds that would otherwise earn no interest.
- Some brokerage accounts give you the flexibility to earn interest on the funds held within it, and to utilise the account as a financial tool to pay bills directly from your account.
- Account funds remain liquid and accessible for trading or withdrawal, providing flexibility to capitalise on market opportunities or meet unexpected financial needs.
- Interest earned can be automatically reinvested, compounding returns over time without requiring manual intervention.
Cons
- Although earning interest on your uninvested cash is a pleasant bonus, it may not amount to a substantial sum. If you want to earn risk-free interest, you may be better off considering a high-yield savings account.
- While a broker may offer an attractive interest rate on uninvested funds, they may have a minimum balance requirement and will only pay interest on all your uninvested cash if your total balance exceeds a specific threshold.
- Some brokers have account fees and restrictions, which may limit how often you can transfer money in and out.
Comparing different brokerage offers and their terms can help you choose the best place for your uninvested cash, balancing earning interest and having funds readily available for investment opportunities.
Bottom Line
If you want to attain the returns of a high-yield savings account while maintaining nearly the same level of security as a bank, there are possibilities to achieve this within your brokerage account.
Utilising your trading account for banking purposes can also aid in consolidating your financial affairs under one provider, potentially offering additional advantages in terms of simplicity and convenience.
But while many investors view cash interest programs as temporary holding spots, it’s common for uninvested cash to remain there for an extended period. As such, ensure that your cash is positioned optimally for your circumstances, for example, maximising the interest rate.
To find the right platform for you, see our ranking of the best UK brokers paying cash interest.
FAQ
Which UK Investment Platform Pays The Highest Cash Interest?
eToro is among the highest interest-paying investment platforms in the UK, offering up to 5.3% on cash balances.
We’ve compiled a list of the best brokers paying interest on idle funds in the UK, considering their overall trading environment, alongside factors like interest earned on cash.
Do You Have To Pay Tax On Interest Earned From Brokerage Accounts?
In the UK, you may owe tax on interest earned through a brokerage account. HMRC sets the rules on how much tax you will pay, which varies depending on your personal allowance, personal savings allowance, and the starting rate on savings.