Best CFD Brokers UK 2024
The best CFD brokers in the UK facilitate the buying and selling of ‘Contracts For Difference’. CFDs allow traders to speculate on the price movements of an asset – both going up, or down (long or short). Often offered with leverage (or ‘on margin’), they allow UK investors to speculate on price changes (up OR down) on stocks, forex, commodities or indices. Read this guide to find the best UK CFD trading platform in 2024.
Top UK CFD Brokers List
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IG offers a huge selection of 17,000+ CFDs, providing more trading opportunities than most CFD brokers. Traders can go long or short on popular markets like stocks, currencies, commodities and cryptos, while custom price alerts and the IG Academy continue to enhance the trading experience.
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XTB offers a huge selection of more than 2,100 CFDs spanning forex, indices, commodities, stocks, ETFs, and cryptos (location-dependant). Leverage up to 1:30 is available in the EU and UK, while global clients and pro traders can access up to 1:500. XTB stands out for its CFD trading resources and tutorials to assist traders in developing short-term trading strategies.
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CMC lets you trade CFDs on 12,000+ assets across currencies, indices, commodities, shares, ETFs and treasuries. Spreads are relatively tight, there are no hidden fees and the industry-leading MetaTrader 4 platform is also supported for leveraged trading. Year after year, CMC shines as one of the best CFD brokers in the market.
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AvaTrade's 1250+ leveraged CFD products span a wide range of asset classes including stocks, indices, commodities, bonds, crypto, and ETFs. You can speculate on underlying assets in the broker’s feature-rich web and mobile platforms with market-leading research tools to help discover opportunities.
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FXCC offers a narrow range of CFDs beyond forex with a limited selection of metals, energies, indices and cryptos. However, it stands out with its high leverage up to 1:500, which will serve experienced traders looking to maximize their buying power while speculating on rising and falling prices.
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You gain access to over 2,250 CFDs, available for trading 24/5 across popular markets such as forex, commodities, indices, stocks, and bonds. Utilizing deep liquidity and advanced bridge technology, IC Markets ensures optimal conditions for scalpers, hedgers, and algo traders alike.
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Pepperstone maintains its position as one of the fastest and most dependable CFD brokers during our latest round of testing. With execution speeds averaging around 30ms and an outstanding fill rate of 99.90%, the broker ensures a seamless trading experience without requotes or dealing desk interference. It also provides ample trading opportunities across over 1,300 assets.
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Eightcap offers a wide range of trading options with 800+ CFDs across stocks, indices, bonds, commodities, and cryptocurrencies (depending on location), with leverage up to 1:30/1:500. It excels in its tools, notably the AI-enabled economic calendar covering 25+ countries with impact filters (high, medium, low). However, its commodities offering, particularly in softs like cotton and wheat, as well as the limited precious metal and energy assets, is its weakest area.
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RoboForex offers a growing suite of over 12,000 CFDs, encompassing forex, stocks, indices, commodities, futures and ETFs. With an initial deposit of $10 and micro lot trading through to very high leverage up to 1:2000, RoboForex caters to a broad range of derivative traders. On the downside, analysis reveals execution speeds of 1-3 seconds, noticeably slower than IC Markets at 0.35 seconds, and suboptimal for fast-paced strategies like scalping.
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You can trade CFDs on over 3,000 assets and access rich market data through the integrated TradingView charts. There are also comprehensive free learning tools available for beginners via the eToro Academy, including dedicated CFD trading courses and guides.
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With the ability to take both long and short positions on 5,500+ CFDs across forex, stocks, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, FOREX.com excels. Its exclusive Web Trader platform offers an excellent trading experience, equipped with over 80 technical indicators and average execution speeds of just 20 milliseconds, ensuring an optimal environment for serious traders.
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You can trade CFDs across a range of diverse markets with flexible account types and leverage up to 1:1000. With access to both MT4 and MT5, traders can execute multiple short-term CFD trading strategies using the dozens of pre-integrated technical indicators and graphical objects.
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Trade leveraged CFDs on over 1000 assets with low-cost spreads. You can also take advantage of the broker's integrated signals to help you determine when to enter and exit positions.
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You can speculate on popular financial assets covering forex, commodities, indices, metals and bonds. You can get started with $0 minimum deposit, making the broker a good pick for beginners. There’s also over 130 technical indicators available collectively in the MT4 and OANDA Trade platforms.
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BlackBull Markets CFDs are offered on forex, stocks, indices, commodities and cryptos with tight spreads and high leverage. The ECN accounts offer fast execution and low slippage, and the broker provides traders with plenty of extra tools and features plus 24/7 customer support.
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Traders can speculate on 1000+ financial markets with high leverage up to 1:500. You can bet on rising and falling prices in currencies, commodities, indices, shares, and more without owning the underlying asset. With the comprehensive choice of CFD trading platforms, users can also switch between desktop, web and mobile for a seamless trading experience.
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FxPro offers thousands of CFDs on forex, commodities, indices, shares and futures. The broker's analysis and charting capabilities continue to stand as some of the best in the industry, with Trading Central integration, advanced order types and access to custom indicators.
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Plus500 presents commission-free CFDs encompassing a vast array of markets, spanning currencies, stocks, indices, and commodities. You can engage in long or short positions on popular assets, benefiting from adaptable leverage without encountering any concealed fees.
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Trade 5,000+ CFDs from a single account with no hidden fees and free live market data. The suite of markets is impressive vs alternatives, including access to shares, indices, commodities and bonds.
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You can go long or short on a range of CFDs covering forex, commodities, shares, indices and cryptos. High leverage up to 1:500 is available for experienced traders in some locations, whilst beginners will appreciate access to micro-lots. There are no restrictions on short-term trading strategies using CFDs.
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You can trade 275+ CFD instruments covering equities, currencies, commodities, indices and cryptocurrencies. The broker offers flexible trading software and account options, plus access to the unique dealCancellation risk management tool, which is ideal for beginners.
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Access highly leveraged CFDs across forex, commodities, indices, stocks and bonds with 24/5 customer support. Build a diverse portfolio with hundreds of CFD assets.
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CFDs are available on forex, stocks, indices, metals, oil and cryptos, with support on MT4 and MT5. Execution speeds are also decent, averaging 0.5 seconds, though there is also a VPS service facilitating 24/7 connectivity for algo strategies.
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CFDs are available on forex, indices, commodities and cryptos, although the range of 100+ instruments is limited compared to alternatives such as Quotex with 400+. Leverage is available up to 1:500 but the $250 minimum deposit is noticeably higher than competitors.
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Markets.com offers a strong variety of CFD products, not only covering popular asset classes but also more interesting markets such as IPOs and Bonds. The low fees and educational resources will appeal to beginners, whilst seasoned CFD traders will appreciate the feature-rich charting platforms.
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You can trade a range of CFD instruments across forex, shares, indices and commodities. There’s an excellent selection of platforms for traders, including TradingView and MT4, plus additional tools for experienced algo traders including API solutions.
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Trade CFDs on Spreadex's diverse list of instruments with leverage up to 1:30 and highly competitive spreads. While this broker's USP is spread betting, the excellent trading terms and range of markets makes it an equally good choice for CFD trading.
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Axi offers 220+ products covering forex, shares, commodities, indices and cryptos. Spreads on EUR/USD come in at around 0.2 pips in the Pro account and 1.1 pips in the Standard account. These are competitive and aligned with equivalent accounts at leading low-cost brokers like Pepperstone.
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The broker offers a small range of 100+ CFD instruments spanning key markets, with high leverage up to 1:500. Pricing is reasonable, with round turn commissions coming in at $6 alongside tight spreads. Multiple short-term strategies are also permitted, including hedging and scalping.
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VT Markets offers over 1000+ CFDs spanning currencies, stocks, indices, ETFs and commodities. The MetaTrader charting platforms provide dozens of technical tools alongside integrated market analysis resources and zero restrictions on short-term trading strategies.
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My tests uncovered around 100 CFD products covering forex, indices, commodities and cryptos. Leverage is available up to 1:400 and it’s good to see that scalping, hedging and EA strategies are permitted.
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PrimeXBT offers CFDs across four asset classes with very high leverage up to 1:1000. Beginners can also take advantage of the broker’s useful technical analysis guides and CFD education, plus 24/7 in-platform support via live chat.
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Traders can access CFDs across forex, indices, commodities and stocks. There are no restrictions on short-term strategies, which is good news for scalpers and algo traders. There’s also an excellent range of free tools on offer, including a custom price ticker.
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FXTrading offers CFDs on a wide range of assets, including forex, stocks, commodities, indices and cryptocurrencies. Commodities include a selection of softs as well as metals and energies, and the eight indices offered include the US30, US500 and UK100. Flexible leverage is available with excellent risk management tools.
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M4Markets offers CFD trading across forex, stocks, indices, commodities and cryptocurrencies. Traders can access powerful charting platforms with multiple order types and built-in indicators. There’s also a good selection of data-driven analysis tools supplied by reputable provider, Acuity.
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ThinkMarkets continues to offer an excellent range of around 3500 CFD instruments covering forex, indices, stocks and commodities. Leverage is available up to 1:30 in the EU and UK, while global clients can access up to 1:500.
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Over 8,000 CFDs are offered on a vast array of instruments, encompassing stocks, indices, forex, and commodities. Moreover, the TWS platform lends itself to seasoned traders, offering a comprehensive selection of over 100 order types and algorithms, alongside premium market data sourced from reputable sources such as Reuters and Dow Jones.
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Access over 2,000 CFDs across diverse markets including indices, commodities and bonds. There is also premium daily analysis and strategy resources for savvy traders.
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Trade 400+ CFDs on forex, stocks, commodities, indices and cryptocurrencies with the choice of commission-free or raw-spread accounts with transparent fees. Speculate on rising and falling prices with no hidden charges.
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IronFX’s asset list of 300+ instruments covers forex, stocks, commodities and index CFDs. Maximum leverage from 1:30 to 1:1000 is available depending on account location. Traders can access superb technical analysis features, including 30 pre-integrated indicators and 9 charting time frames.
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Ingot Brokers offers CFD trading on 1000+ instruments including stocks, commodities and cryptocurrencies. The MT4 and MT5 platforms offer comprehensive features for active CFD traders, including multiple order types and pre-integrated technical tools.
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Trade CFDs on forex, stocks, indices, commodities and cryptos with high leverage up to 1:500 on the no-commission ClassiQ account. The raw spread account options have low commissions from $4 round-turn and offer lower maximum of leverage of 1:200 or 1:400, which is still competitive.
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You can trade hundreds of CFDs on major asset classes including currencies, shares and futures. Spreads are not overly competitive starting at 0.9 pips, although the $50 minimum deposit and zero commissions will allow active traders to keep their costs down.
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Trade CFDs on forex, indices, metals, oil and cryptocurrencies with high leverage up to 1:500 and competitive spreads, with the choice between zero commission or raw spreads.
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Dukascopy offers highly leveraged CFDs with rates up to 1:200. A wide selection of asset classes are available, including currencies, equities, commodities, ETFs and cryptos. Spreads are also tight starting from 0.1 pips and traders get 24/7 support.
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Trade 200+ CFDs with leverage up to 1:1000 on a powerful proprietary platform. Asset classes include stocks, forex and crypto with ECN execution. You can bet on rising and falling prices with leveraged CFDs.
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Videforex CFDs are available on forex, indices, cryptocurrencies and commodities with up to 1:500 leverage and tight spreads from near zero. CFDs incur a commission fee of 1%–2.5% and up to 5% for leveraged trades.
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Rock Global offers low-price CFDs on forex, shares, indices and commodities. The broker charges zero-commission trading on commodities and indices, and zero-spread, commission-only trading on shares. Leverage varies by instrument with 1:200 available on indices and 1:10 on blue-chip stocks.
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You can trade a competitive range of CFDs encompassing crypto, indices, energies and metals, with very high leverage up to 1:1000. ECN pricing is available, with spreads from 0.0 pips and low commissions from $2.50. A Cent account is also available for those on a smaller budget.
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CFDs are available on a breadth of underlying assets, including stocks, indices, commodities, forex and cryptos. High leverage up to 1:500 is available alongside a 0.01 minimum lot size and award-winning software. For the tightest spreads from 0 pips, opt for the Premium account.
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Trade CFDs on forex, indices, stocks, commodities and cryptocurrencies with leverage up to 1:3000. Swap-free trading is available, and all account types trade with competitive spreads and are commission-free except the Go Pro account, which charges a $7 round-turn commission.
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CFDs are available on popular asset classes with a competitive $1 minimum deposit. The MT5 integration will allow serious short-term traders to utilize the vast library of technical tools, bots and indicators, but the lack of any CFD trading education puts the broker behind many alternatives.
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Focus Option offers CFD trading through an intuitive mobile app, with 300+ tradeable instruments spanning forex, cryptocurrencies, commodities, shares and indices. Leverage ranges from 1:20 to 1:50 and spreads are variable, starting from 1 pip, with no commission.
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Trade CFDs on forex, stocks, metals, energies, indices, cryptos and dollar futures. Sage FX offers tight spreads and high leverage on all instruments from 1:100 to 1:500.
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OspreyFX offers leveraged CFDs on forex, commodities, stocks, cryptos and indices. Deep liquidity is available from 50+ providers with a competitive ECN account that will suit active trading strategies, including scalping.
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Errante customers can trade stocks, indices, commodities and cryptocurrencies with leveraged CFDs. The level of leverage available depends on regulatory oversight, with 1:30 the maximum allowed in the EU though this varies by asset.
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Trade flexible CFDs on forex, commodities, indices and cryptos with tight spreads, fast execution, micro-lot trading and leverage up to 1:500. There are also no restrictions on trading strategies.
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Trade a decent range of markets via CFDs, with commissions of $6 per lot. There is also a reasonable $10 minimum deposit and 24/7 customer support for new traders.
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Trade CFDs on 75+ instruments, including forex, energies, metals, and indices with variable leverage up to 1:500 on major pairs, 1:200 on minors and exotics and 1:100 on commodities and energies.
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Trade CFDs on a broad range of asset classes including forex, energies, precious metals, company shares, indices and cryptos. The excellent trade execution and opportunity to trade with direct market access pricing sets this broker apart from rivals.
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Anzo Capital clients can use MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 to trade CFDs on stocks, equity indices, crude oil and precious metals with competitive price levels.
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Switch Markets offers 180+ CFD instruments with 1:500 leverage and fast order execution speeds of <76 ms. I find commissions are also fairly competitive, coming in at $7 per round turn for Pro account holders.
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PU Prime offers CFD trading on hundreds of shares, as well as indices, commodities, bonds and cryptocurrencies. The leverage available varies by asset, and spreads also vary greatly between instruments and account types with the tightest near zero and the widest in the hundreds of pips. Stock, index, commodity and bond CFDs are traded on the leading MT4 platform.
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AdroFx offers a most selection of around 100 CFDs on stocks, cryptos, indices and commodities. Its appeal lies in the high leverage up to 1:500 which you can't find in heavily regulated jurisdictions and the commission-free pricing model which will serve beginners. You can speculate on both rising and falling prices from the same product with CFDs.
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Trade all markets via CFDs, with retail leverage up to 1:30. With the RStocks Trader account, clients can access over 12,000 CFDs with algorithmic analysis tools and intuitive charts.
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Access thousands of CFDs with competitive pricing and leverage up to 1:500. A range of asset classes are available, including currencies, shares, indices, metals and commodities. CFDs can be traded on the market-leading MetaTrader platforms.
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Global Prime offers CFD trading opportunities on 150+ global markets including forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies and bonds. Spreads are tight with a raw ECN account available starting from zero.
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ActivTrades specializes in CFD trading, offering over 1000 instruments spanning currencies, shares, indices, commodities, and more. The broker has picked up industry awards for its CFD trading environment, delivering fast and reliable order execution with transparent margin requirements for traders.
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Swissquote offers spot, forward and synthetic contracts on a breadth of markets, including stocks, indices, bonds and commodities. The pricing model is transparent with no hidden fees. Clients can diversify portfolios and hedge risk with low margin requirements.
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SimpleFX stands out with highly leveraged trading options up to 1:1000 covering popular asset classes, including stocks, indices, currencies and commodities. Additionally, the social community serves as an excellent resource for gathering CFD strategy tips and short-term trading ideas.
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EZ Invest offers leveraged CFDs on popular asset classes, including forex, stocks, indices and commodities. Execution speeds are decent but a large deposit is needed for the best pricing conditions.
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Fortrade's list of leveraged CFDs covers a wide range of asset classes including forex, stocks, bonds, indices, commodities and cryptocurrencies. Traders can access leverage up to 1:30 and will trade with zero commission, fast execution and low latency on MetaTrader 4 or the bespoke platform.
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FP Markets offers CFD trading on a first-rate selection of financial markets, spanning stocks, major global indices, commodities, metals, cryptocurrencies, and bonds. With tight spreads, fast execution speeds, leverage up to 1:500 and top-tier liquidity, short-term traders get an efficient and seamless trading experience.
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HYCM traders can access CFDs on a range of stocks, indices, commodities and ETFs with floating spreads and maximum leverage varying by instrument. Clients also have a choice between two industry-leading platforms.
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FXOpen offers CFDs on multiple assets including forex, stocks, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies and ETFs. Leverage and spreads vary by instrument, with spreads starting from zero and fast order execution.
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Trade CFDs on forex, stocks, commodities and indices with tight spreads and leverage limited to the FCA-sanctioned maximum of 1:30. Infinox traders benefit from lightning-fast execution speeds and a choice between STP and ECN pricing, making this a flexible option for beginner and serious traders.
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Traders have the opportunity to engage in CFD trading across a broad spectrum of assets, including currency pairs, stocks, commodities, bullion (gold and silver), indices, and cryptocurrencies. Experienced traders can access high leverage up to 1:1000 in certain jurisdictions. However, a notable downside is the restriction of scalping strategies which may deter experienced traders.
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Trade 8,900+ CFDs spanning forex, stocks, indices, commodities, options and bonds with powerful tools and signals.
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SuperForex offers CFDs on a good range of assets, though it only really shines when it comes to forex, thanks to its very diverse list. On the other hand, the significant leverage available on most assets increases profit potential, though traders will need to watch out for spreads, which compare poorly to some competitors.
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Trade CFDs on 100+ instruments from popular asset classes. Leverage up to 1:200 is available on precious metals, while stocks, indices and energies can access 1:20 max leverage and 1:10 for commodities. On the negative side, the depth of assets is limited vs other CFD brokers.
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Trade CFDs on forex, stocks, indices, commodities, ETFs, bonds and cryptocurrencies with variable leverage up to 1:30. The broker provides great value to traders with six free trades per day on US, UK and European stocks, tight spreads on forex and low commissions on ETFs.
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With CFDs on 20+ Polish and 30+ US stocks, as well as energies and seven global stock indices covering US, UK, European, Australian and Japanese markets, Just2Trade offers a superb selection of global assets.
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You can take positions on a range of popular trading markets including forex, stocks, energies and metals. Leverage is high at 1:500 and live spreads can be viewed in the web-accessible platform and app.
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World Forex's leveraged CFDs are available on a modest suite of 100+ instruments, including stocks, commodities and forex. Very high leverage up to 1:1000 is available for account balances up to $1000, with lower levels available to accounts with higher balances.
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Trade CFDs on forex, stocks, metals, energies, cryptos and indices with high leverage up to 1:1000 on major currency pairs, 1:200 on metals, 1:100 on indices, 1:33 on stocks and energies, and 1:5 on cryptocurrencies. The range of 200+ instruments is not the biggest on the market, but the variety of asset classes provides flexible trading options for most traders.
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Access a modest range of CFD instruments across key markets, including indices and commodities. Clients can trade directly from charts with high leverage up to 1:500 and customisable time intervals.
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Trade commission-free CFDs on 3000+ instruments from forex, stock and commodities markets with volumes starting from 0.1 lots, a low minimum deposit of $10 and tight floating spreads. The selection of CFDs beats most competitors.
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Trade CFDs on forex, commodities, indices and crypto assets. With spreads from 0 pips and generous incentives and bonus offers setting Vault Markets apart from competitors, this Namibian broker will appeal to aspiring traders.
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Trade CFDs on forex, stocks, indices, energies and metals with fast execution and variable leverage. Spreads are tight and commission-free trading is available on some assets.
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FXTM’s CFD offering spans 600+ forex, stocks, commodities and indices, plus crypto CFDs at the global entity. Highly seasoned traders can access massive 1:3000 leverage rates from the global entity, necessitating strict risk management.
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Trade CFDs on an array of assets with ultra-low spreads
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Engage in leveraged CFD trading across a wide array of instruments, encompassing forex, stocks, commodities, and indices. Yet while the selection of asset classes is satisfactory, the charting software and floating spreads for short-term traders fall behind that of competitors.
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Trade leveraged CFDs in a range of financial markets.
What is a CFD Broker?
A CFD broker sells derivatives, as opposed to the asset itself. A CFD is a contract between broker and trader to pay the difference between the strike price of an underlying asset and the value at the close of the trade. Fees, platforms, analysis tools, regulatory status and the range of assets varies between brokers, so how would a trader properly compare their CFD trading platforms? Read on to learn how to find the best UK CFD brokers.
Contracts For Difference Defined
A Contract For Difference is an agreement between a brokerage and an individual trader to exchange the difference in the value of an asset (e.g gold, crude oil, or Lloyds shares) between the strike price and the expiry price.
A CFD is a form of derivative, meaning the underlying asset is not brought and sold, but the contract still allows traders to speculate on price movements. Since the asset itself is not owned, this has some key benefits. For example, for commodities, there is no delivery of assets, so you won’t receive your crude oil in the post. When trading stocks, no dividend is directly payable, but many platforms will still pass on the profits. This balances any drop in value once a stock goes ex-dividend.
Another key element of a CFD is the lack of expiry date. Some derivatives, like futures and options, expire on a pre-determined date. With CFDs, the trader decides when to close the position and can do so at any point.
CFD brokers in the UK offer opportunities on a wide range of assets, such as equities, indices, commodities and forex.
How To Compare CFD Brokers In The UK
There are many CFD platforms in the UK, so how should you compare them? And how might you identify the best CFD broker or top platform?
In short – there is no single brokerage that will represent the best choice for all investors – it varies. Some investors may perform a broker comparison on leverage rates alone, while others might review stock CFDs offered vs. trading platforms and fee structure. Look at your specific requirements and risk appetite before taking the plunge
Below are the top 10 key comparison features or ‘rules’ by which you can judge a particular broker-dealer. Use these factors to build a broker ranking and determine which CFD broker in the UK is right for you.
Spread Or Commission
The spread or commission impacts every trade, and every trader. It is the ‘cost’ of making the trade. If these costs are too high, they’ll eat into the profitability. Therefore, when comparing CFD brokers in the UK, the lowest spreads is often a crucial factor.
The spread will differ from broker to broker – but also asset to asset. So, a broker may have the smallest spread for forex pairs but may offer steep stock spreads.
When comparing based on the spread, ensure you are checking the cost on the assets you will be working with most.
The method for charging spreads can either be fixed or variable. For example, some dedicated forex CFD brokers with variable spreads may be able to offer a zero pip spread on a major pair while trade volume is high, but have uncompetitive spreads during less liquid hours. A fixed spread broker may thus be more lucrative at such hours, but profits would be limited at liquid times.
Spreads are not the only CFD brokerage fees; some brokers may charge commissions, transaction processing fees and overnight holding fees.
Our CFD broker comparison table lists the most popular asset in each category and the spread for that asset. Remember also that a CFD demo account is a great way to check spreads – particularly where they are variable.
To see more about low cost brokers, see the list of brokers with low fees.
Margin & Leverage
The margin is the percentage of the overall trade value that a trader must deposit (and commit) in order to open a trade.
So a £1,000 trade on the GBP/USD currency pair may only require a deposit of £50. The position has exposed the trader to £1,000 worth of risk – hence the warning on CFD broker’s websites “losses can exceed your initial deposit“.
Margin is also referred to as ‘leverage’. Where this is the case, the leverage is often illustrated in terms of multiples – so 1:20 would indicate leverage of 20 times the deposit. The equivalent margin would be 5%.
So, when comparing the best CFD brokers in the UK, remember that a low margin requires smaller deposits. This will be important to some traders, but less so to others. Note, trading with high leverage means higher risk.
To learn more about where to trade with the highest possible leverage, see the list of brokers with high leverage.
Trading Platform
Many investors focus closely on fees and forget to consider the usability of the platform itself. This, however, could be a mistake.
Most platforms will have similar functions, for example, they should all have multiple time charts, a selection of order limits and the ability to trade various assets. But it’s also key that you’re operating a platform that is easy-to-use and intuitive for you personally. It is not uncommon for traders to miss prices, or worse, make mistakes when executing because the platform did not suit them.
Demo accounts are the perfect way to test the platform before investing real funds. The best CFD brokers in the UK will offer this solution free of charge.
Some broker platforms are known as white label platforms, which means it has been developed and created by another company that allows the broker to advertise the technology as their own. These can be better than bespoke proprietary platforms as they are better established, though the use of them can increase broker costs.
Features (Charts, Technical Analysis, Research)
If you plan to research your trades on the same CFD platform where you ultimately trade, you’ll want to ensure it has the best research tools available, especially good charts. Charting standards do differ significantly.
Some UK CFD brokers offer outstanding charting facilities, with a range of technical analysis tools that will satisfy even the most ardent analysis experts.
For those that prefer fundamental analysis, the latest news reports may also be available on some platforms.
On the other hand, some CFD brokers assume traders will have already researched their trades elsewhere, and offer pretty basic charts and little in the way of analysis tools. If this is important to you, ensure your CFD broker satisfies this need.
Deposit & Withdrawals
This factor is often missed by new traders. But for those who’ve experienced past issues moving between accounts, it could well be top of the list. Firstly, check your preferred CFD broker offers the method for funding and withdrawing that you’re after, such as PayPal, bank transfer or e-wallets like Neteller and Skrill. Remember, anti-money laundering obligations may mean you’ll need to withdraw to the same account you deposited.
It’s also worth checking the processing times for each method. Instant deposits and withdrawal are preferable, but not always possible. In addition, check what the minimum deposit requirement is. For beginners, in particular, CFD platforms with low deposit thresholds reduce the barriers to entry.
To learn more about different ways to deposit and withdraw, see the page on broker payments methods.
Regulation
There are many regulated CFD brokers, so this should be a top priority for investors. Since contracts for difference are a financial service, UK CFD brokers are required to be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), in London.
Some platforms are not based in the UK but still advertise their services to British traders. These include global brokers licencsed in other jurisdictions with stringent authorities, such as Europe or Australia, but also offshore online brokers that tend to reference regulation by Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC) or the International Financial Services Commission (IFSC) in Belize.
Regardless of your experience level or capital, when you’re looking for CFD brokers in the UK, we’d recommend you select one licensed with the FCA. This will bring with it several protections, from limits on leverage rates to negative balance protection and investor compensation schemes.
As it stands, the UK is part of the European regulation community, which means that British clients that use brokers from the mainland who are regulated by their local authority are covered by the FCA’s legislation. However, the future of such an agreement is unclear in the wake of Brexit.
Support & Education
Many of the best CFD brokers in the UK will offer educational material to their clients. These might include ebooks, webinars or even one-to-one training.
It is worth noting that CFD platforms make money when traders open positions. This means most educational materials will encourage trade execution. Overtrading is a frequent issue for many traders, particularly beginners. Those just starting out are also those most likely to look for learning tools. Therefore, it is recommended that you vary your knowledge base. CFD platforms are a good place to start, but wide research is vital. Investing.co.uk has lots of educational materials – try our Day Trading, MetaTrader 4, and Forex Guides as a starting point.
Finally, customer support may be reassuring for some – others may not envisage ever using it. Clients who prefer to contact their broker regularly should check the availability and contact methods for the support desk. Many firms offer a high standard of support, particularly the regulated, well-established CFD platforms in the UK.
Bonuses
A bonus or promotional code might also be a factor in a broker decision. However, these should rank low in the order of importance.
Crucially, regulated CFD brokers will not provide any financial incentives for joining, since bonuses are banned by the FCA.
Traders looking for trading bonuses should always read the terms and conditions, as these can sometimes contain disappointing downsides. For example, you’re generally restricted from withdrawing profits made from no deposit bonuses. If this profit is in the same account as earnings from funded trades, CFD platforms may prevent you from withdrawing. For this reason, the FCA has banned these types of incentives, as they persuade investors to place positions that might not be in their best interest.
Asset lists
A broader range of tradable assets does not always mean a better broker. However, if a specific asset is important for your strategy – and that asset is not available elsewhere – then it might be a deal-breaker. The largest, more established CFD brokers in the UK tend to have a wider range of assets. If you’re looking for particular financial instruments or markets, check CFD platforms offer them before funding your account.
Most CFD brokers will offer them for stocks, indices and forex, while those with more expansive asset lists will also allow crypto, commodity and ETFs.
Brokers may also have different trade size limits on their assets, which can limit market access for clients with less capital. For such investors, look out for CFD brokers in the UK supporting micro lots.
Business Model
There are several types of CFD brokers, each with different methods of executing orders, providing liquidity and making their money. Dealing desk (DD) brokers, also called market makers, are perhaps the most common type of broker. These firms act as the counterparty to all of your orders, taking your losses as their profits and losing money when you invest successfully. Essentially, market makers do trade against their clients, which some investors consider dishonest.
Non-dealing desk brokers come in three forms, straight-through processing (STP brokers), direct market access (DMA brokers) and electronic communications network (ECN brokers) brokers.
- DMA brokers place your orders directly onto the respective market, often resulting in the tightest spreads and the lowest probability of slippage and requotes.
- STP brokers have a fully automated system for immediate order processing on the interbank market with zero broker intervention.
- ECN brokers have a different routing approach, acting more as a liquidity hub than a tool to find a specific liquidity provider.
STP and DMA brokerage models are often best suited to those who wish to invest at times of high volatility and market volume, such as for scalping or news strategies, as slippage is greatly decreased. The benefit of ECN brokers is more focused on their liquidity provision, which is often superior as they are connected to a network of liquidity providers.
There are also hybrid brokerage models that combine several of the above order executions to specialise the service they provide their clients. For example, an ECN-market maker hybrid broker may immediately fill the other side of your position and then decide whether to hedge their risk by filing it on an exchange or taking it on themselves.
Other Factors
Some other things that enable people to compare CFD brokers in the UK might include the quality and availability of CFD trading apps. Investing on the move will be important to many traders – others will be happy to stick to their desktop.
In general, most apps been developed to a very high standard. While some firms may have delivered a poor mobile service in the past, they simply cannot survive without one now.
Users of iOS, Android will always be catered for. Those with less common devices may have to look further afield.
Remember: UK traders can use multiple CFD brokers to pick and choose those with the best terms for specific trades or assets.
Summary Of Broker Comparison Tips
- Consider your own methods, required assets and frequency
- Shortlist the CFD brokers that suit your strategy
- Pick from the list of FCA regulated CFD brokers
- Use demo accounts to compare platforms shortlisted
- Open an account, deposit and get trading
Conclusion
Our reviews cover all of the factors mentioned above. Generally, the CFD brokers in the UK listed on our pages provide demo accounts. So traders can take their time, read the detailed review, and try out the platforms themselves before making a choice. Once you have all the information, you can then decide on the best CFD broker in the UK for you.
FAQ
Are UK CFD Brokers Safe?
Yes, CFD brokers in the UK that are regulated by the FCA are considered safe to trade with. The FCA ensures retail traders are protected by imposing certain rules on CFD platforms. For example, CFD brokers in the UK must provide negative balance protection and provide a risk warning on their website.
Which Is The Best CFD Broker In The UK?
The best CFD broker varies depending on your personal requirements. Look out for those that offer a platform suitable for your experience level, the right level of fees for your strategy, as well as solid customer service. Use our list of CFD brokers to find the best one for you.
Do CFD Brokers In The UK Need To Be Regulated?
CFD brokers operating from the UK must be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). There are platforms that operate from other jurisdictions that offer services to UK traders. These may be regulated by other reputable bodies, such as ASIC or CySEC, instead.
Which CFD Brokers Are Suitable For Beginners?
The biggest CFD brokers in the UK can accommodate traders who are new to the game. Beginners should trial the broker’s platform by opening a demo account before investing real funds.
How Do CFD Brokers Work?
CFD brokers offer derivative contracts that allow investors to speculate on the price of an underlying asset. They do not sell the asset itself, but instead, offer the opportunity to profit from a change in its value.
Do CFD Brokers Lose Money?
Not all CFD brokers are effective and run a successful business. Therefore, not all brokerage firms manage to earn the revenue to pay their overheads and may go under. This can be dangerous if unregulated, as client money may be at risk.
Do CFD trading platforms Support Hedging?
Yes, hedging is a form of risk management that involves taking out a second position that may mitigate your loss if the first is unsuccessful. CFDs, and other derivatives, are great for hedging as you can take a long or short position on a market.