Forex Weekend Trading

Forex is the largest financial market globally. Typical trading days follow the standard working week, however, forex weekend trading is on the rise, with some UK broker’s offering investing on Saturdays and Sundays. We look at how to use the forex weekend gaps strategy, key trading times, and what you need to get started.

Best UK Forex Brokers

Pepperstone

Pepperstone provides forex spreads on the EUR/USD averaging just 0.12 pips with their Razor account. This is highly competitive. Their extensive portfolio includes over 100 currency pairs, which exceeds what most rivals offer. Furthermore, Pepperstone stands out by offering three unique currency indices: USDX, EURX, and JPYX, which are rare on other platforms. They have been recognised with our 'Best Forex Broker' award twice.

GBPUSD Spread	EURUSD Spread	GBPEUR Spread
0.4	0.1	0.4

Total Assets	FCA Regulated	Platforms
100+	Yes	MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist, DupliTrade, Quantower

XTB

XTB offers access to over 70 currency pairs, with competitive spreads averaging about 1 pip for major pairs. Its xStation platform is user-friendly, providing traders with top-tier charting tools, over 30 indicators, and diverse order types to support different strategies and risk management needs.

GBPUSD Spread	EURUSD Spread	GBPEUR Spread
1.4	1.0	1.4

Total Assets	FCA Regulated	Platforms
70+	Yes	xStation

FXCC

FXCC champions its competitive forex trading environment. ECN spreads can drop to an impressive 0.0 pips during busy trading periods. Offering more variety than many competitors, it supports over 70 currency pairs. Furthermore, traders benefit from MT4, renowned for its exceptional charting capabilities, specifically designed for forex trading.

GBPUSD Spread	EURUSD Spread	GBPEUR Spread
1.0	0.2	0.5

Total Assets	FCA Regulated	Platforms
70+	No	MT4, MT5

Interactive Brokers

IBKR offers a vast range of over 100 forex pairs, including major, minor, and exotic currencies, outstripping most competitors except CMC Markets. Trading is available across multiple platforms with institutional-grade spreads beginning at 0.1 pips. There are also 20 sophisticated order types, such as brackets, scale, and one-cancels-all (OCA) orders, enhancing trading strategies.

GBPUSD Spread	EURUSD Spread	GBPEUR Spread
0.08-0.20 bps x trade value	0.08-0.20 bps x trade value	0.08-0.20 bps x trade value

Total Assets	FCA Regulated	Platforms
100+	Yes	Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, TradingView, eSignal, TradingCentral, ProRealTime, Quantower

Vantage FX

Vantage provides over 55 currency pairs, exceeding the industry norm, giving traders ample opportunities. With a robust liquidity pool, forex spreads start at 0.0 pips on the ECN account, often beating other options. Additionally, there are no commissions, deposit fees, or hidden charges.

GBPUSD Spread	EURUSD Spread	GBPEUR Spread
0.5	0.0	0.5

Total Assets	FCA Regulated	Platforms
55+	Yes	ProTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView, DupliTrade

IC Markets

IC Markets remains dedicated to offering tight 0.0-pip spreads on major currency pairs like EUR/USD, ensuring outstanding execution with an average speed of 35 milliseconds. Ideal for traders seeking high performance, those dealing in large volumes can also enjoy rebates of up to $2.50 per forex lot.

GBPUSD Spread	EURUSD Spread	GBPEUR Spread
0.23	0.02	0.27

Total Assets	FCA Regulated	Platforms
75	No	MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade, Quantower

Forex.com

FOREX.com remains a leading FX broker, providing 80 currency pairs with highly competitive fees. EUR/USD spreads can reach as low as 0.0, with a $7 commission per $100k, making it a standout choice.

GBPUSD Spread	EURUSD Spread	GBPEUR Spread
1.3	1.2	1.4

Total Assets	FCA Regulated	Platforms
84	Yes	WebTrader, Mobile, MT4, MT5, TradingView

Safety Comparison

Compare how safe the Forex Weekend Trading are and what features they offer to protect traders.

Safety Comparison
Broker	Trust Rating	FCA Regulated	Negative Balance Protection	Guaranteed Stop Loss	Segregated Accounts
Pepperstone	4.6	✔	✔	✘	✔
XTB	4.6	✔	✔	✔	✔
FXCC	3.6	✘	✔	✘	✔
Interactive Brokers	4.5	✔	✔	✘	✔
Vantage FX	4.6	✔	✔	✘	✔
IC Markets	4.6	✘	✔	✘	✔
Forex.com	4.9	✔	✔	✘	✘

Payments Comparison

Compare which popular payment methods the Forex Weekend Trading support and whether they have trading accounts denominated in British Pounds (GBP).

Payments Comparison
Broker	GBP Account	Debit Card	Credit Card	Neteller	Skrill	Apple Pay
Pepperstone	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
XTB	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✘
FXCC	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✘
Interactive Brokers	✔	✔	✘	✘	✘	✘
Vantage FX	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✘
IC Markets	✔	✘	✔	✔	✔	✘
Forex.com	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✘

Mobile Trading Comparison

How good are the Forex Weekend Trading at mobile trading using apps or other mobile interfaces.

Mobile Trading Comparison
Broker	Mobile Apps	iOS Rating	Android Rating	Smart Watch App
Pepperstone	iOS & Android	4.4	4.1	✘
XTB	iOS & Android	4.7	4.1	✔
FXCC	iOS & Android	4.8	4.4	✘
Interactive Brokers	iOS & Android	4.3	4.5	✔
Vantage FX	iOS & Android	3.6	3.9	✘
IC Markets	iOS & Android	3.1	4.2	✘
Forex.com	iOS & Android	3.6	3.8	✘

Beginners Comparison

Are the Forex Weekend Trading good for beginner traders, that might want an affordable setup to get started, along with good support and educational resources?

Beginners Comparison
Broker	Demo Account	Minimum Deposit	Minimum Trade	Support Rating	Education Rating
Pepperstone	✔	$0	0.01 Lots	4.6	4
XTB	✔	$0	0.01 Lots	4.3	3.8
FXCC	✔	$0	0.01 Lots	4.8	4.5
Interactive Brokers	✔	$0	$100	3	4.3
Vantage FX	✔	$50	0.01 Lots	4.4	4
IC Markets	✔	$200	0.01 Lots	4.5	3.5
Forex.com	✔	$100	0.01 Lots	4.3	4.5

Advanced Trading Comparison

Do the Forex Weekend Trading offer features that allow for more advanced trading strategies?

Advanced Trading Comparison
Broker	Automated Trading	Pro Account	Leverage	VPS	AI	Low Latency	Extended Hours
Pepperstone	Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader	✔	1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)	✔	✘	✔	✘
XTB	-	✔	1:30	✘	✘	✔	✘
FXCC	Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader	✘	1:500	✔	✘	✔	✘
Interactive Brokers	Capitalise.ai, TWS API	✘	1:50	✘	✔	✔	✔
Vantage FX	Myfxbook AutoTrade, Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader	✘	1:30	✔	✘	✘	✘
IC Markets	Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, cBots on cTrader, Myfxbook AutoTrade	✘	1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global)	✔	✘	✔	✘
Forex.com	Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader	✘	1:30	✔	✔	✔	✘

Detailed Rating Comparison

Use this heatmap to compare our detailed ratings for all of the Forex Weekend Trading.

Detailed Rating Comparison
Broker	Trust	Platforms	Mobile	Assets	Fees	Accounts	Support	Research	Education
Pepperstone	4.6	4.4	4.3	3.8	4.5	4	4.6	4.3	4
XTB	4.6	4	4.4	4	4.3	4	4.3	4.1	3.8
FXCC	3.6	3.8	4.6	3.5	4.8	3.8	4.8	2.5	4.5
Interactive Brokers	4.5	3.3	4.4	4.7	4.3	3.5	3	4.4	4.3
Vantage FX	4.6	4.3	3.8	4.5	4.4	4.5	4.4	4	4
IC Markets	4.6	4	3.7	3.5	4.6	4	4.5	4	3.5
Forex.com	4.9	4.6	3.7	4.3	4.6	4	4.3	4.8	4.5

Our Take On Pepperstone

"Pepperstone is a premier trading platform, providing tight spreads, swift execution, and sophisticated charting tools for seasoned traders. Beginners benefit from no minimum deposit, comprehensive learning materials, and outstanding 24/7 support."

Tobias Robinson
Reviewer

Pros

Pepperstone offers rapid execution speeds of approximately 30ms, enabling swift order processing and execution, making it ideal for traders.
In recent years, Pepperstone has significantly enhanced the deposit and withdrawal process. By 2025, clients can use Apple Pay and Google Pay, while 2024 saw the introduction of PIX and SPEI for customers in Brazil and Mexico.
The award-winning customer support can be accessed through phone, email, or live chat. During tests, response times have consistently been under 5 minutes.

Cons

Pepperstone doesn't offer cTrader Copy, a favoured feature for copying trades found in the cTrader platform, which is available on other platforms such as IC Markets. However, Pepperstone has launched its own user-friendly copy trading app.
Pepperstone's demo accounts expire after 30 days, which may not provide sufficient time to explore various platforms and evaluate trading strategies.
Although its market range has improved, its crypto offerings remain limited compared to brokers specialising in this sector, lacking real coin investment options.

Go To Pepperstone

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."

Pros

XTB offers over 10,000 instruments, including CFDs on shares, indices, ETFs, raw materials, forex, crypto, real shares, real ETFs, share dealing, and investment plans. This range serves both short-term traders and long-term investors.
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.
XTB has increased interest rates on idle funds and introduced zero-fee ISAs for UK clients, offering a wide variety 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.
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.
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.

Go To XTB

Our Take On FXCC

"FXCC remains a top choice for forex traders, offering over 70 currency pairs, very tight spreads from 0.0 pips in tests, and high leverage up to 1:500 with the ECN XL account."

Pros

There are no limitations on short-term trading techniques such as trading and scalping.
The complimentary education section, featuring the 'Traders Corner' blog, provides a wide array of resources suitable for traders of all experience levels.
FXCC offers competitive and transparent ECN spreads starting from 0.0 pips, with no commissions. This makes it one of the most cost-effective forex brokers available.

Cons

While the MetaTrader suite excels in technical analysis, its outdated design detracts from the overall trading experience, particularly when contrasted with contemporary platforms such as TradingView.
FXCC's exclusive MetaTrader platform is a limitation, especially when compared to more versatile options like AvaTrade, which offers five different platforms to cater to various trader needs.
The variety of currency pairs surpasses most options, but the choice of other assets is limited. Notably, stocks are absent.

Go To FXCC

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

Interactive Brokers has been awarded Best US Broker for 2025 by DayTrading.com. This accolade highlights its dedication to traders in the US, offering exceptionally low margin rates and access to global markets at minimal expense.
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.

Cons

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.
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.

Go To Interactive Brokers

Our Take On Vantage FX

"Vantage is an ideal choice for CFD traders looking for a well-regulated broker with access to the dependable MetaTrader platforms. With a swift sign-up process and a minimum deposit of $50, starting trading is simple and fast."

Pros

With a minimal deposit requirement of just $50 and no funding fees, this broker stands out as an excellent option for novice traders.
The trading software suite is outstanding, featuring the acclaimed MT4 and MT5 platforms.
Hedging and scalping strategies are fully permitted without any short-term restrictions.

Cons

To access optimal trading conditions, a substantial deposit of $10,000 is required. This includes a commission of $1.50 per transaction per side.
It's unfortunate that some clients must register with the offshore firm, which provides reduced regulatory safeguards.
Regrettably, cryptocurrencies are accessible solely to clients in Australia.

Go To Vantage FX

Our Take On IC Markets

"IC Markets provides excellent pricing, swift execution, and easy deposits. With cutting-edge charting tools like TradingView and the Raw Trader Plus account, it continues to be a preferred option for intermediate and advanced traders."

Pros

IC Markets provides some of the industry's narrowest spreads, offering 0.0-pip spreads on major currency pairs. This makes it an extremely cost-effective choice for traders.
IC Markets provides reliable 24/5 support, especially for account and funding queries, drawing from direct experience.
Access over 2,250 CFDs across diverse markets like forex, commodities, indices, shares, bonds, and cryptocurrencies. This variety enables traders to employ diversified strategies.

Cons

Interest is not paid on idle cash, a feature gaining popularity with alternatives such as Interactive Brokers.
Certain withdrawal methods incur fees, including a $20 charge for wire transfers. These costs can reduce profits, particularly with frequent withdrawals.
Although there are four top-tier third-party platforms available, the absence of in-house software or a trading app tailored for novice traders is notable.

Go To IC Markets

Our Take On Forex.com

"FOREX.com excels in serving traders of all levels, offering more than 80 currency pairs, spreads starting at 0.0 pips, and competitive commissions. Its robust charting platforms provide over 100 technical indicators and comprehensive research tools."

Pros

FOREX.com provides top-tier forex rates beginning at 0.0 pips, along with attractive cashback rebates up to 15% for dedicated traders.
With more than two decades of expertise, strong regulatory governance, and numerous accolades, including a second-place finish in our 'Best Forex Broker' awards, FOREX.com is globally renowned as a reliable trading platform.
The in-house Web Trader remains a standout platform, excellently crafted for budding traders. It features a sleek design and offers more than 80 technical indicators for thorough market analysis.

Cons

US clients are not protected against negative balances, which means you could end up owing more than your initial deposit.
Demo accounts are typically limited to 90 days, hindering effective strategy testing.
FOREX.com's MT4 platform provides around 600 instruments, a notable reduction compared to the more than 5,500 options on its other platforms.

Go To Forex.com

Forex Weekend Trading Times

The established forex market is open 24 hours a day from Sunday 10 pm GMT to Friday 10 pm GMT. FX operates across international time zones and follows several key global markets; London, New York, Sydney, and Tokyo.

However, while banks and institutional investors aren’t working over the weekend, the decentralised forex market remains open. Trading volumes are lower, but there remain opportunities to generate profits.

Trading Forex Weekend Gaps

The forex weekend trading strategy for gaps is straightforward. It follows the assumption that Sunday’s opening price will return to Friday’s closing price. The gap is simply the change in price. Both beginners and experienced investors can implement a strategy to profit from the weekend gap.

Forex Gaps

These price fluctuation gaps can occur due to technical or fundamental factors and are categorised into four types:

Common – a gap independent of price pattern
Breakaway – signals a new trend
Continuation – signals a continuation of an existing trend
Exhaustion – signals a final gap in the trend before reversing

Gap Up Vs Gap Down

Forex weekend trading focuses on closing these gaps. You can play the gap in two ways:

Gap up – traders sell, the market falls and the gap closes
Gap down – traders buy, the market rises and the gap closes

Filled Gaps

A filled gap simply means the price has returned to the original level. A ‘fill’ can occur due to significant investor attention, technical resistance, or accelerated/new price patterns.

Breakaway or continuation gaps are the least likely to be filled as the market assumes the shifting event was enough to demonstrate a new trend configuration. Exhaustion gaps often provide the best opportunity to fill the gap.

Advantages Of Forex Weekend Trading

Hedging – reduces weekday trading risk
Strategies – opportunities to try new strategies, such as trading gaps
Time – offers additional time to analyse the markets and generate profits

Disadvantages Of Forex Weekend Trading

Wide spreads – low trading volumes leads to brokers offering wider spreads, cutting into potential profits
Slippage – gaps combined with low liquidity can increase slippage rates, so orders aren’t executed at requested prices
Volatile – low trading volumes combined with the absence of institutional investors can lead to unpredictable price movements

Brokers For Forex Weekend Trading

The IG Group offers weekend forex trading in the UK on major currencies; GBPUSD, EURUSD, and USDJPY Saturday 8 AM to Sunday 8.40 pm GMT. Pricing is regulated separately to weekday trading, based on market conditions including recent news. Clients benefit from 24/7 trading and can hedge weekday positions.

See our list of the best forex brokers.

Final Word On Forex Weekend Trading

A growing area for many UK brokers, forex weekend trading is popular among individuals seeking to capitalise on additional trading hours. The gap strategy explored above is a particularly popular technique over the weekends. With that said, remember to factor in wider spreads, slippage potential and market volatility when trading during the weekends.

FAQ

Can I Trade Forex At The Weekend In The UK?

Yes, though 24/7 FX trading is not offered everywhere. Check out our list of the best forex brokers. Many of our top providers offer forex weekend trading.

What Are The Forex Market Trading Hours?

Standard forex trading hours start at 10 pm GMT on a Sunday and close at 10 pm GMT on a Friday. Volumes and market access then reduce over the weekend as banks and institutional investors aren’t trading. However, some brokers also provide access to the forex market on Saturdays and Sundays.

What Time Does Forex Weekend Trading Start In The UK?

In theory, weekend trading starts from 10:01 GMT on a Friday. Investors can then speculate on the forex markets until 10 pm GMT on a Sunday. The larger market participants, such as investment banks, will then enter the scene as the standard trading week begins.

What Is The Forex Trading Gap?

The forex trading gap refers to the difference in price from when the market closes on a Friday evening and when it reopens again on a Sunday evening. A gap strategy lets investors take steps to profit from the assumption that the closing price will return to the opening price.

What Do I Need To Start Trading Forex Over The Weekends?

To get started, you’ll need to open a forex trading account with a reputable broker. You’ll need to deposit funds into your account and open the broker’s trading platform. Then choose a forex pair to trade on, such as the GBPUSD, and implement a strategy like investing in weekend gaps.