Best Futures Brokers In The UK 2025
Looking to trade futures in the UK? With tighter regulations, evolving platforms, and global market access, you need a broker that combines competitive pricing with powerful tools and trusted regulation.
We cut through the noise to reveal the top futures brokers in the UK—helping you choose the one that aligns with your strategy, risk appetite, and investment goals.
Best Brokers For Trading Futures
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IC Markets focuses on trading major indices and commodities via CFDs, rather than direct futures contracts. During our assessment, its ultra-low spreads and rapid execution on futures CFDs were impressive for active traders. Although the company is a forex leader, traders also gain from low commissions, tight pricing, and solid regulation, with minimal deposit needs.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Futures, Crypto ASIC, CySEC, CMA, FSA MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade, Quantower Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $200 0.01 Lots 1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global) -
Interactive Brokers provides direct futures trading on over 30 global exchanges with exceptionally low commissions, starting at just $0.25 per mini-contract. In our evaluation, its sophisticated Trader Workstation platform stood out with extensive order types and algorithmic features. IBKR’s worldwide access and minimal fees render it an excellent option for active futures traders.
Instruments Regulator Platforms Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, TradingView, eSignal, TradingCentral, ProRealTime, Quantower Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $0 $100 1:50 -
IC Trading provides four international Futures CFDs, including VIX, DXY, WTI, and Brent, with all charges integrated into spreads, eliminating separate commissions. Our evaluation showed leverage up to 1:200 on MT4/5 platforms, with a starting deposit of around USD 200. We found the trading speed and narrow spreads particularly appealing for futures traders.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Cryptos, Futures FSC MT4, MT5, cTrader, AutoChartist, TradingCentral Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $200 0.01 Lots 1:500 -
Trade Nation provides futures trading mainly via CFDs on indices and commodities. In our tests, fixed spreads began at 0.3 points for key indices such as the S&P 500. This approach ensures price certainty, unlike most futures brokers, and it doesn't charge commission fees.
Instruments Regulator Platforms Forex, CFDs, Indices, Shares, Commodities, Futures, Bonds, Spread Betting, Cryptos (Bahamas Entity Only) FCA, ASIC, FSCA, SCB, FSA MT4 Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $0 0.1 Lots 1:500 (entity dependent) -
BlackBull offers futures CFDs, including indices, agriculture, and commodities, through MT4/5, cTrader, and TradingView. In our tests, agricultural futures displayed live spreads of approximately 3-4 pips. The ECN Prime commission was about $6 round-turn, which is competitive for active traders.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Futures, Crypto FMA, FSA BlackBull Invest, BlackBull CopyTrader, MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $0 0.01 Lots 1:500 -
IG Markets provides futures trading on more than 90 international contracts, featuring an intuitive platform and robust charting tools. In our tests, low commissions, beginning at approximately $2.50 per contract, and tight spreads were notable. With regulatory oversight and low minimum deposits, IG accommodates both novice and seasoned traders.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM, JFSA Web, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral, ProRealTime Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $0 0.01 Lots 1:30 (Retail), 1:222 (Pro) -
eToro provides futures exposure via CFDs on indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies instead of direct exchange-traded futures. In our evaluation, the platform excelled due to its simplicity, fixed spreads, and commission-free model, appealing to beginners. Social trading enhances its value by allowing users to replicate the strategies of seasoned futures traders.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, ETFs, Smart Portfolios, Commodities, Futures, Crypto, NFTs FCA, ASIC, CySEC, FSA, FSRA, MFSA, CNMV, AMF eToro Web, CopyTrader, TradingCentral Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $50 $10 1:30
IC Markets
Interactive Brokers
IC Trading
Trade Nation
BlackBull Markets
IG
eToroSafety Comparison
Compare how safe the Best Futures Brokers In The UK 2025 are and what features they offer to protect traders.
| Broker | Trust Rating | FCA Regulated | Negative Balance Protection | Guaranteed Stop Loss | Segregated Accounts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IC Markets | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| Interactive Brokers | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| IC Trading | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| Trade Nation | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| BlackBull Markets | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| IG | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| eToro | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ |
Payments Comparison
Compare which popular payment methods the Best Futures Brokers In The UK 2025 support and whether they have trading accounts denominated in British Pounds (GBP).
| Broker | GBP Account | Debit Card | Credit Card | Neteller | Skrill | Apple Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IC Markets | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Interactive Brokers | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| IC Trading | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Trade Nation | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
| BlackBull Markets | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| IG | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| eToro | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
Mobile Trading Comparison
How good are the Best Futures Brokers In The UK 2025 at mobile trading using apps or other mobile interfaces.
| Broker | Mobile Apps | iOS Rating | Android Rating | Smart Watch App |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IC Markets | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| Interactive Brokers | iOS & Android | ✔ | ||
| IC Trading | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| Trade Nation | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| BlackBull Markets | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| IG | iOS & Android | ✔ | ||
| eToro | iOS & Android | ✘ |
Beginners Comparison
Are the Best Futures Brokers In The UK 2025 good for beginner traders, that might want an affordable setup to get started, along with good support and educational resources?
| Broker | Demo Account | Minimum Deposit | Minimum Trade | Support Rating | Education Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IC Markets | ✔ | $200 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| Interactive Brokers | ✔ | $0 | $100 | ||
| IC Trading | ✔ | $200 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| Trade Nation | ✔ | $0 | 0.1 Lots | ||
| BlackBull Markets | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| IG | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| eToro | ✔ | $50 | $10 |
Advanced Trading Comparison
Do the Best Futures Brokers In The UK 2025 offer features that allow for more advanced trading strategies?
| Broker | Automated Trading | Pro Account | Leverage | VPS | AI | Low Latency | Extended Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IC Markets | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, cBots on cTrader, Myfxbook AutoTrade | ✘ | 1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global) | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Interactive Brokers | Capitalise.ai, TWS API | ✘ | 1:50 | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| IC Trading | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, cBots on cTrader | ✘ | 1:500 | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Trade Nation | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✘ | 1:500 (entity dependent) | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| BlackBull Markets | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, cTrader Automate | ✘ | 1:500 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| IG | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, build your own on ProRealTime | ✔ | 1:30 (Retail), 1:222 (Pro) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| eToro | Automate your trades via CopyTrader - follow profitable traders. Open and close trades automatically when they do. | ✘ | 1:30 | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ |
Detailed Rating Comparison
Use this heatmap to compare our detailed ratings for all of the Best Futures Brokers In The UK 2025.
| Broker | Trust | Platforms | Mobile | Assets | Fees | Accounts | Support | Research | Education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IC Markets | |||||||||
| Interactive Brokers | |||||||||
| IC Trading | |||||||||
| Trade Nation | |||||||||
| BlackBull Markets | |||||||||
| IG | |||||||||
| eToro |
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
- In 2025, IC Markets earned DayTrading.com's accolade for 'Best MT4/MT5 Broker' due to its top-tier MetaTrader integration. This achievement highlights the broker's continuous refinement over the years to enhance the platform experience.
- 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.
- 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.
- IC Markets provides metals and cryptocurrencies for trading through CFDs, though the selection is narrower compared to brokers such as eToro. This limits opportunities for traders focused on these asset classes.
- The tutorials, webinars, and educational resources require enhancement, lagging behind competitors such as CMC Markets, which diminishes their appeal to novice traders.
Our Take On Interactive Brokers
"Interactive Brokers ranks highly for seasoned traders due to its robust charting platforms, live data, and bespoke layouts via the new IBKR Desktop app. Its competitive pricing and sophisticated order choices appeal to traders, and its wide equity options are industry-leading."
Pros
- A wide range of third-party research subscriptions, both free and paid, are available for traders. Additionally, by subscribing to Toggle AI, traders can receive commission rebates from IBKR.
- IBKR is a highly respected brokerage, regulated by top-tier authorities, ensuring the integrity and security of your trading account.
- While initially targeting seasoned traders, IBKR has recently widened its appeal by eliminating its $10,000 minimum deposit requirement.
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.
- Support can be sluggish and frustrating. Tests reveal that you may face challenges reaching customer service quickly, which could result in delays in issue resolution.
- 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.
Our Take On IC Trading
"IC Trading offers an ideal environment, featuring top-tier execution speeds of around 40 milliseconds, extensive liquidity, and advanced charting tools, perfect for scalpers, traders, and algorithmic traders."Christian Harris
Reviewer
Pros
- IC Trading provides exceptional flexibility, allowing traders to open as many as 10 live accounts and 20 demo accounts. This enables the management of distinct profiles for various activities, including manual and algorithmic trading.
- Trading Central and Autochartist provide valuable technical analysis and actionable ideas. These tools are readily available within the account area or on the cTrader platform.
- The streamlined digital account setup allows traders to commence trading swiftly, eliminating lengthy paperwork. Testing shows the process takes mere minutes.
Cons
- Although IC Trading operates under the reputable IC Markets group, it is licensed by the FSC in Mauritius, a regulator known for its limited financial transparency and lack of robust safeguards.
- The educational materials require significant enhancement unless accessed via the IC Markets website. This limitation is particularly disadvantageous for beginners seeking a thorough learning experience, especially when compared to industry leaders such as eToro.
- Unlike IC Markets, IC Trading lacks support for social trading via the IC Social app or the ZuluTrade platform.
Our Take On Trade Nation
"Trade Nation is ideal for novice traders seeking diverse markets on an easy-to-use platform. It offers no minimum deposit, complimentary funding options, and robust educational resources."
Pros
- The trading firm provides narrow spreads and a clear pricing structure.
- Beginners benefit from a modest initial deposit.
- Access a comprehensive selection of investments through leveraged CFDs, enabling both long and short strategies.
Cons
- Reduced legal safeguards with an offshore entity.
Our Take On BlackBull Markets
"Following the upgrade to Equinix servers in New York, London, and Tokyo, BlackBull has reduced latency, making it a clear choice for stock CFD trading using ECN pricing."
Pros
- BlackBulls's research excels, particularly in the daily 'Trading Opportunities' articles. These publications simplify complex market dynamics into clear insights, enabling traders to effectively capitalise on emerging trends.
- BlackBull provides everything a trader needs: execution speeds under 100ms, leverage as high as 1:500, and competitive spreads starting at 0.0 pips.
- BlackBull better suits budding traders after revamping its ECN Prime account. It now offers improved spreads, averaging 0.16 on EUR/USD, and eliminates the previous $2,000 minimum deposit requirement.
Cons
- Despite enhancements such as webinars and tutorials in the Education Hub, our review indicates that the courses still require greater emphasis on elucidating broader economic factors affecting prices.
- Despite an expanding range of over 26,000 assets, including new additions to Asia Pacific indices, their offerings are primarily equities. The selection of currency pairs and indices remains average.
- Unlike many leading brokers, BlackBull imposes a bothersome $5 fee for withdrawals. This charge can reduce the overall cost-effectiveness, particularly for traders who regularly transfer funds.
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 ProRealTime advanced charting platform remains free, provided traders meet modest monthly activity requirements.
- IG stands out with its extensive range of instruments, offering stocks, forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. Additionally, it has recently introduced US-listed futures and options, along with an AI Index. These options enhance opportunities for diversification in trading.
- The web-based platform supports traders at every level, offering advanced charting tools and real-time market data vital for trading. Additionally, IG now includes TradingView integration.
Cons
- 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.
- Based on tests, stock and CFD spreads remain less competitive than the lowest-cost brokers, such as CMC Markets.
Our Take On eToro
"eToro's social trading platform excels with its outstanding user experience and lively community chat, aiding beginners in spotting opportunities. It offers competitive fees on numerous CFDs and real stocks, alongside exceptional rewards for seasoned strategists."
Pros
- eToro has launched automated crypto staking, offering a pathway to passive income. However, Ethereum requires users to opt in.
- Diverse investment portfolios are accessible, encompassing traditional markets, technology, cryptocurrency, and beyond for traders.
- eToro secured second place in DayTrading.com's 'Best Crypto Broker' for 2025, offering a vast selection of tokens, dependable service, and competitive fees.
Cons
- The minimum withdrawal is set at $30, accompanied by a $5 fee. This may impact traders with limited funds, particularly those just starting out.
- There are no assured stop-loss orders, which could be a valuable risk management tool for novice traders.
- The only significant contact option, besides the in-platform live chat, is limited.
How Investing.co.uk Chose The Top Futures Brokers
To identify the best futures brokers for UK traders, we conducted hands-on evaluations of each platform’s futures offering. Our testing focused on key factors including the range and number of futures contracts available.
In addition, we reviewed FCA regulatory standing, ease of use, and advanced order types, all critical for UK-based futures traders. Brokers were then rated and ranked.
How To Pick A Futures Broker
- Account types and minimum deposits determine your access to different markets, leverage levels, and trading tools. Some brokers offer tiered accounts—such as standard, professional, or institutional—each with varying margin requirements, fees, and regulatory protections. Understanding these distinctions helps avoid unexpected costs or restrictions, while ensuring the account suits your trading style and capital. Additionally, minimum deposits can impact how much risk you’re exposed to initially, so choosing a broker with flexible requirements can make starting more manageable and less financially stressful.
- The range of markets offered by a futures broker shapes your trading opportunities and diversification potential. Access to commodities, indices and currencies enables you to diversify risk across different asset classes, thereby reducing your reliance on a single market’s performance. Other markets have unique volatility profiles, margin requirements, and trading hours, so having a broad selection enables you to tailor your strategy and manage risk more effectively.
- Leverage and margin requirements determine how much capital you need to control a futures position and the level of risk you take on. Leverage allows you to open larger trades with a smaller deposit, amplifying both potential gains and losses. However, brokers set margin requirements to ensure you maintain enough funds to cover market fluctuations—falling below these can trigger margin calls and forced position closures. Understanding this balance is vital for managing risk effectively and avoiding unexpected losses, especially in volatile futures markets.
- A trading platform and available tools directly impact your ability to analyse markets, execute trades quickly, and manage risk. Advanced technical analysis features—such as customisable charts and indicators on MT5 and cTrader—help identify trading opportunities and trends, while fast execution speeds minimise slippage in fast-moving futures markets. Risk management tools, such as stop-loss orders and real-time margin monitoring, are crucial for safeguarding your capital and mitigating losses. For beginners, a user-friendly yet powerful platform can accelerate learning and improve trading discipline.
- Trading costs—including commissions and spreads—directly impact your profitability and trading strategy. Unlike CFDs, futures contracts typically do incur overnight financing fees, making them more cost-effective for holding positions in the long term. However, brokers may charge commissions per contract, and even small spreads can add up for frequent traders.
- Quick, knowledgeable customer support can prevent costly mistakes, especially in fast-moving futures markets. Responsive UK-based support teams understand local regulations and market conditions, offering tailored guidance and faster issue resolution. In contrast, global brokers with limited local presence may experience slower response times or language barriers, which can be particularly critical when managing margin calls or technical issues.
In my experience, choosing the best futures broker comes down to a balance of clear pricing, dependable trade execution, and responsive support—because in volatile markets, these practical factors often make the most significant difference between success and frustration.
What Is A Futures Broker?
A futures trading broker is a platform that allows you to trade standardised contracts, speculating on the future price of assets such as commodities, forex, or indices.
Unlike stock trading, futures involve derivatives—agreements to buy or sell an asset at a set price on a future date—often using leverage, which can amplify both profits and losses.
Futures brokers may offer access to global futures exchanges or provide futures-like exposure through CFDs. While CFDs are often easier to access for beginners, they differ from true futures in terms of structure, pricing, and tax treatment.
A good broker does more than route trades—it provides fast execution, market data, risk management tools, and educational resources. Picking the right futures trading broker is a crucial step in trading with confidence and managing risk effectively.
Trading FTSE 100 futures on Plus500 with a clean interface and real time pricing
Pros Of Futures Trading
- High liquidity & market depth: Futures contracts—especially those tied to major indices, commodities, and currencies—are among the most liquid instruments in global markets. This high liquidity translates into tight bid-ask spreads, efficient price discovery, and minimal slippage, even during periods of volatility. For active traders, this means more precise order execution and lower implicit trading costs. Liquidity also allows for faster entry and exit from large positions without significantly impacting the market price.
- Transparent & competitive cost structure: Futures trading generally involves lower and more transparent costs than many over-the-counter products. Trades are executed on centralised exchanges where fees (commissions, clearing, and exchange fees) are itemised. Unlike CFDs, futures do not incur overnight financing or swap charges, making them more cost-efficient for multi-day or long-term positions. Additionally, the absence of broker-set pricing reduces the risk of spread manipulation, which can occur in OTC markets.
- Leverage with institutional-grade risk controls: Futures allow you to control large contract values with relatively small initial margin requirements, offering significant leverage. However, unlike retail leverage products, futures are subject to strict daily mark-to-market settlements and variation margin calls, which help manage counterparty risk and keep accounts in check. This system fosters discipline, requiring you to maintain sufficient capital and mitigating the risk of excessive, unchecked losses.
Cons Of Futures Trading
- Complex contract specifications & expiry dates: Futures contracts come with standardised terms, including fixed contract sizes, expiration dates, and settlement procedures. For beginners, managing contract rollovers—switching from an expiring contract to a new one—can be complicated and costly if not timed correctly. Misunderstanding these details can lead to unintended positions or additional fees, which may erode profits or increase losses.
- Market volatility & price gaps: Futures markets can be highly volatile, especially around economic announcements or geopolitical events. Price gaps—where the price jumps significantly between trading sessions—can occur because many futures markets close overnight. These gaps can bypass stop-loss orders, exposing you to unexpected and potentially substantial losses.
- High leverage increases risk of rapid losses: While leverage magnifies gains, it equally amplifies losses. Futures often require relatively small margins, but adverse market moves can trigger margin calls quickly, demanding additional funds to maintain positions. Failure to meet margin calls may result in forced liquidation of positions at unfavourable prices, potentially leading to losses that exceed the initial investment.
In fast-moving futures markets, having access to reliable technology isn’t just a convenience—it’s essential.I’ve seen firsthand how delays or platform glitches can turn a promising trade into a missed opportunity, so choosing a broker with robust execution tools is key to staying competitive.
Bottom Line
Choosing the right broker for trading futures in the UK involves balancing key factors such as regulation, trading costs, platform features, and market access.
Understanding the difference between actual futures contracts and CFDs is crucial, as is knowing the risks and leverage involved.
Our choice of the best brokers for trading futures will help you find the right fit to trade futures with confidence and effectiveness.