Best Credit Card Brokers 2026

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Christian Harris

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

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James Barra

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

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Tobias Robinson

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

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Using a credit card to fund your trading account can feel convenient. It’s quick, most people already have one, and you don’t need to set up anything extra. But in the UK, there are specific rules, limits, and costs that make it less straightforward than it looks.

Find the best brokers that accept credit card deposits in the UK, along with the key considerations.

How Investing.co.uk Chose the Best Brokers That Allow Credit Cards

We verified that each shortlisted platform accepts credit card deposits by checking cashier portals and, where needed, confirming with customer support.

Brokers were then ranked by our overall ratings system, which covers more than 200 factors — including accepted payment methods, deposit and withdrawal speed, trading costs, platform reliability, and FCA regulatory strength.

Trading Rules With Credit Cards

The first thing to understand is regulation. In 2020, the Gambling Commission banned the use of credit cards for gambling in the UK.

The ban included spread betting and many CFD accounts, since these products are high-risk and often treated like gambling.

What this means in practice:

• If you want to trade CFDs in the UK, you usually cannot fund your account with a credit card.
• If you’re trading regular stocks, ETFs, or certain forex products, some brokers still allow credit card deposits.

So, whether you can use your card depends on the type of account you’re opening. Don’t assume all brokers will treat deposits the same way.

[tCheck their funding page or ask for support directly. If they avoid giving a straight answer, that’s a warning sign.

IG lets you fund your account with a credit card in just a few clicks

Deposit Fees From Brokers

Most brokers charge a fee for card deposits. The cost can be a flat charge, but it’s more often a percentage of the deposit. A rate of 1%–3% is standard. That doesn’t sound like much until you’re putting in larger sums.

Some brokers advertise ‘no deposit fees,’ but always read the fine print. Sometimes they absorb the fee for debit cards but still pass it on for credit cards. Others waive the fee only for deposits above a specific size. Don’t rely on assumptions—confirm the exact cost.

Cash Advance Fees From Your Bank

Even if the broker doesn’t charge you, your card provider might. We’ve seen that many UK banks treat deposits to brokers as ‘cash advances.’ That comes with:

• A fee, usually around 3% of the deposit.
• A higher interest rate than for regular purchases.
• No grace period, meaning interest begins to accrue immediately.

This can make credit card funding far more expensive than it looks. Imagine you deposit £1,000, and your card charges a 3% cash advance fee. That’s £30 before you’ve even placed a trade. If you don’t clear the balance promptly, interest will also begin to accumulate.

The only way to know for sure is to check your card’s terms or call the provider. Ask them specifically how they treat payments to trading brokers.

Withdrawal Rules & Limits

Depositing with a card is one thing. Getting your money back is another. Many brokers only let you withdraw to the card up to the amount you originally deposited.

For example, say you deposit £500 with a credit card, make £200 profit, and then request a £700 withdrawal. Often, only £500 will go back to the card. The remaining £200 has to be withdrawn by bank transfer. That can slow things down, since bank transfers usually take longer to process.

Other brokers don’t allow card withdrawals at all. They may accept your card for deposits, but insist all withdrawals go through your bank account. This isn’t always a deal-breaker, but it’s worth knowing upfront so you don’t get caught off guard.

Funding Speed

The main reason traders use cards is speed. UK bank transfers with Faster Payments are usually quick, but not always instant. Sometimes they take a few hours, or even until the next working day.

But not every broker processes card payments around the clock. Some only credit your account during working hours. If you plan to fund your account late at night or over the weekend, test it with a small deposit first.

Currency Conversion Costs

If your broker’s account is in USD, and your credit card is in GBP, you’ll pay conversion costs. There are usually two parts to this:

• The broker’s exchange rate when converting your deposit.
• Your bank’s foreign transaction fee is often 2%–3%.

It doesn’t take long for these fees to eat into your balance, especially if you deposit and withdraw often.

If possible, choose a broker that offers GBP-denominated accounts. That way, you avoid double conversion and keep costs down.

Deposit Limits

Both your credit card and the broker may limit the amount you can deposit. Some brokers only allow a few thousand pounds per day to be charged to a card. Others set monthly limits.

If you plan to trade with larger sums, these limits may be too restrictive. In that case, bank transfers are usually a better option. They’re built for higher amounts and rarely come with extra costs.

Security & Regulation

Card payments are generally safe, but it’s still advisable to closely examine the broker’s safeguards. Always check that the broker is FCA authorised. This means they adhere to UK financial regulations, and your funds are protected under client money rules.

Additionally, ensure the broker utilises secure, encrypted payment systems. A trustworthy broker will never ask you to email card details or send payments to an individual’s account. If anything feels off, don’t proceed.

The Risk Of Using Credit

The biggest issue with using credit cards for trading isn’t the broker—it’s the debt that accumulates. When you deposit with a card, you’re trading with borrowed money. Losses don’t cancel out what you owe the bank.

Even if you plan to pay it off immediately, things can still go wrong. A slow withdrawal, a bigger loss than expected, or a delay in settlement can leave you stuck paying interest.

If you wouldn’t borrow money to make the same trade another way, think twice about using a credit card. The risk isn’t just market losses—it’s debt that follows you even after you stop trading.

Alternatives To Credit Cards

In the UK, two main alternatives are safer and cheaper:

• Debit cards: Just as fast as credit cards, but without the ‘cash advance’ treatment from banks. Most brokers accept them with little or no fee.
• Bank transfers: Slower in some cases, but usually free. Faster Payments often clear in hours, sometimes minutes.

Some UK brokers also support PayPal, Skrill, or Neteller. These are convenient but often more expensive. E-wallets can be helpful if you want to keep trading funds separate from your main bank account. However, be sure to check the fees carefully.

Practical Steps Before You Start

Here’s a simple checklist to follow before using a credit card with a broker:

Doing this may feel tedious, but it can save you a lot of money and frustration.

Bottom Line

Credit cards can be a quick way to get funds into your trading account. But they’re rarely the cheapest or safest method. Between broker fees, bank cash advance charges, and withdrawal restrictions, costs add up.

For many traders, debit cards or bank transfers are simpler and better value. If you decide to use a credit card for trading deposits, start small, understand the risks, and closely monitor the fees.

A reliable trading broker that accepts credit card deposits will be upfront about their terms, and it’s worth taking the time to read them closely before you deposit.