Best Trading Software In The UK 2025
Whether investing in stocks on the FTSE 100, dabbling in crypto, or speculating on GBP forex pairs, the right trading software can make all the difference. This beginner’s guide explains how trading platforms work and lists the best trading software in the UK.
List of Top Trading Software
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Founded in Australia in 2010, Pepperstone is a highly regarded broker specialising in forex and CFDs. Serving more than 400,000 clients globally, it provides access to over 1,300 financial instruments through popular platforms like MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView. Its fee structure is both low and transparent. With regulation by reputable bodies such as the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC, Pepperstone guarantees a safe trading environment for traders at every level.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Currency Indices, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Crypto (only Pro clients), Spread Betting FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, CMA, BaFin, SCB MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist, DupliTrade, Quantower Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $0 0.01 Lots 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) -
Established in Poland in 2002, XTB caters to over a million clients worldwide. This forex and CFD broker offers a robust regulatory framework, a diverse range of assets, and prioritises trader satisfaction. It provides an intuitive proprietary platform equipped with excellent tools to support aspiring traders.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs on shares, Indices, ETFs, Raw Materials, Forex currencies, cryptocurrencies, Real shares, Real ETFs FCA, CySEC, KNF, DFSA, FSC, SCA, Bappebti xStation Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $0 0.01 Lots 1:30 -
FXCC, a well-established brokerage since 2010, offers cost-effective online trading. Registered in Nevis and regulated by CySEC, it is distinguished by its ECN conditions and absence of a minimum deposit requirement. The account opening process is efficient, taking under five minutes.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto CySEC MT4, MT5 Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $0 0.01 Lots 1:500 -
IC Markets is an internationally acclaimed forex and CFD broker, admired for its competitive pricing, diverse trading instruments, and superior technology. Established in 2007 and based in Australia, the firm is under the regulation of ASIC, CySEC, and FSA. It has successfully drawn over 180,000 clients from more than 200 nations.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Futures, Crypto ASIC, CySEC, FSA, CMA 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) -
Founded in 2006, FxPro has built a reputation as a reliable non-dealing desk (NDD) broker, providing trading access across more than 2,100 markets to over 2 million clients globally. It has received over 100 industry awards, reflecting its favourable conditions for active traders.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Futures, Spread Betting FCA, CySEC, FSCA, SCB, FSA FxPro Edge, MT4, MT5, cTrader, AutoChartist, TradingCentral, DupliTrade, Quantower Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $100 0.01 Lots 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) -
Founded in 1974, IG is a part of IG Group Holdings Plc, a publicly listed brokerage (LSE: IGG). The company provides spread betting, CFD, and forex trading, offering access to over 17,000 markets. Its platforms and investing apps are notably user-friendly. Over the past 50 years, IG has consistently been an industry leader, excelling in all essential areas for traders.
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 Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral, ProRealTime Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $0 0.01 Lots 1:30 (Retail), 1:222 (Pro) -
IC Trading belongs to the reputable IC Markets group. Designed for dedicated traders, it offers highly competitive spreads, dependable order execution, and sophisticated trading tools. However, it operates from Mauritius, an offshore financial centre, allowing high leverage but within a less regulated environment.
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
Pepperstone
XTB
FXCC
IC Markets
FXPro
IG Index
IC TradingSafety Comparison
Compare how safe the Best Trading Software 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| XTB | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| FXCC | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| IC Markets | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| FXPro | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| IG Index | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| IC Trading | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ |
Payments Comparison
Compare which popular payment methods the Best Trading Software 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| XTB | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| FXCC | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| IC Markets | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| FXPro | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| IG Index | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| IC Trading | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ |
Mobile Trading Comparison
How good are the Best Trading Software In The UK 2025 at mobile trading using apps or other mobile interfaces.
| Broker | Mobile Apps | iOS Rating | Android Rating | Smart Watch App |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| XTB | iOS & Android | ✔ | ||
| FXCC | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| IC Markets | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| FXPro | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| IG Index | iOS & Android | ✔ | ||
| IC Trading | iOS & Android | ✘ |
Beginners Comparison
Are the Best Trading Software 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| XTB | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| FXCC | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| IC Markets | ✔ | $200 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| FXPro | ✔ | $100 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| IG Index | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| IC Trading | ✔ | $200 | 0.01 Lots |
Advanced Trading Comparison
Do the Best Trading Software 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✔ | 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| XTB | Open API | ✔ | 1:30 | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
| FXCC | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✘ | 1:500 | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
| IC Markets | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, cBots on cTrader, Myfxbook AutoTrade | ✘ | 1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global) | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
| FXPro | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, cBots on cTrader | ✔ | 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
| IG Index | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, build your own on ProRealTime | ✔ | 1:30 (Retail), 1:222 (Pro) | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
| IC Trading | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, cBots on cTrader | ✘ | 1:500 | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
Detailed Rating Comparison
Use this heatmap to compare our detailed ratings for all of the Best Trading Software In The UK 2025.
| Broker | Trust | Platforms | Mobile | Assets | Fees | Accounts | Support | Research | Education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | |||||||||
| XTB | |||||||||
| FXCC | |||||||||
| IC Markets | |||||||||
| FXPro | |||||||||
| IG Index | |||||||||
| IC Trading |
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
- Support for top-tier charting platforms such as MT4, MT5, TradingView, and cTrader. These tools accommodate different short-term trading methods, including algorithmic trading.
- Pepperstone offers rapid execution speeds of approximately 30ms, enabling swift order processing and execution, making it ideal for traders.
- Pepperstone presents itself as an economical choice for traders, offering spreads as low as 0.0 in its Razor account. The Active Trader programme provides rebates up to 30% on indices and commodities, plus $3 per lot on forex.
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.
Our Take On XTB
"XTB emerges as an ideal option for novice traders, offering the impressive xStation platform, zero commission pricing, no required minimum deposit, and outstanding educational resources, many of which are conveniently integrated into the platform."
Pros
- XTB has raised its interest rate on uninvested funds and introduced zero-fee ISAs for UK clients, offering access to 3,000 stocks and 700 ETFs for diverse investment opportunities.
- XTB offers a diverse range of over 7,000 instruments, including CFDs on shares, indices, ETFs, commodities, forex, and cryptocurrencies. The platform also provides real shares, real ETFs, share dealing, and the latest addition, Investment Plans, serving both traders seeking short-term gains and investors focused on long-term growth.
- Setting up an XTB account is straightforward and fully online, requiring only a few minutes. This simplicity eases new traders into the world of trading.
Cons
- XTB has stopped supporting MT4, restricting traders to its own platform, xStation. This decision may discourage experienced traders accustomed to using the MetaTrader suite.
- 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.
- 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.
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
- The complimentary education section, featuring the 'Traders Corner' blog, provides a wide array of resources suitable for traders of all experience levels.
- FXCC has introduced MT5, which in our evaluations, mirrored the trading conditions of MT4 by offering swift execution, improved charting, and market depth tools.
- 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.
- Unaware traders might face steep withdrawal fees, such as a notable $45 for bank transfers.
- 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.
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
- Access over 2,250 CFDs across diverse markets like forex, commodities, indices, shares, bonds, and cryptocurrencies. This variety enables traders to employ diversified strategies.
- 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.
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 FXPro
"FxPro is an excellent choice for traders, offering swift execution speeds under 12ms, reduced fees since 2022, and outstanding charting platforms like MT4, MT5, cTrader, and FxPro Edge."
Pros
- FxPro uses a 'No Dealing Desk' (NDD) model for swift and transparent order execution, usually within 12 milliseconds, making it well-suited for short-term trading strategies.
- FxPro's Wallet is a notable feature enabling traders to securely manage their funds. It ensures additional protection and ease by separating unused funds from active trading accounts.
- FxPro provides four dependable charting platforms, including the user-friendly FxPro Edge. It features more than 50 indicators, 7 types of charts, and 15 different timeframes.
Cons
- FxPro, with its $10M funded demo account and expanding Knowledge Hub, mainly caters to experienced traders. Beginners might find its account and fee structure challenging to understand.
- There are no passive investment options such as copy trading or interest on cash. While traders might not find these essential, competitors like eToro, which accommodate both active and passive investors, offer more extensive services.
- FxPro offers customer support five days a week around the clock, accessible via various platforms, and the service quality is reliable based on tests. However, the absence of weekend support can be a drawback for traders requiring help beyond standard market times.
Our Take On IG Index
"IG offers a complete package with an intuitive online platform, top-tier beginner education, advanced charting tools through its TradingView integration, real-time data, and swift execution for seasoned traders."
Pros
- As a seasoned broker, IG adheres to stringent regulatory standards across various regions, ensuring significant trust.
- 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.
- The IG app provides an excellent mobile trading experience with an intuitive design, earning it the Runner Up position in our 'Best Trading App' award.
Cons
- In the UK and EU, negative balance protection is available. However, US clients lack account protection and guaranteed stop losses.
- Based on tests, stock and CFD spreads remain less competitive than the lowest-cost brokers, such as CMC Markets.
- IG imposes a monthly inactivity fee of $12 after two years, discouraging occasional traders.
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.
- Customer support was inadequate during testing, with multiple live chat attempts going unanswered and emails ignored. This raises significant concerns regarding their capacity to manage urgent trading issues.
- 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.
How Did Investing.co.uk Choose The Best Trading Software?
Our evaluation began by confirming that each platform in our growing database is available to UK traders and supports live trading accounts.
We then used our proprietary scoring system to assess more than 200 data points across eight key areas, including FCA regulation, software performance, platform features, mobile compatibility, ease of use, and overall reliability.
This comprehensive approach ensures that our recommendations are based on the specific needs and priorities of UK investors using trading platforms today.
What Is Trading Software?
Trading software refers to digital platforms that allow you to access financial markets, place trades, and manage your portfolios in real time.
Whether you’re dealing in stocks on the London Stock Exchange, forex pairs like GBP/USD, or crypto assets like Bitcoin, trading software provides the tools to execute trades quickly and efficiently from your desktop, web browser, or mobile device.
Modern trading platforms offer much more than basic order placement. They offer advanced charting tools, technical indicators, price alerts, news updates, and economic calendars.
Many UK-regulated brokers also integrate risk management features, such as negative balance protection and stop-loss and take-profit orders, to help you limit exposure.
Importantly, the best trading software is user-friendly and tailored to specific strategies – whether you’re a casual investor, a day trader, or a long-term portfolio builder.
Some platforms also offer Expert Advisors (EAs), allowing you to run trading bots or set up rules-based trading without manual input.
Ultimately, in my years of trading I’ve learned that trading software acts as the control centre – combining data, analysis, execution, and account management into a single interface to give you a competitive edge.
cTrader Web delivers fast, intuitive trading right in your browser
How To Pick A Trading Software In The UK
Choosing the best trading software for a UK trader or investor comes down to a few key factors: regulation, usability, cost, and the tools that match your trading style.
First and foremost, ensure the platform is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) – this ensures your funds are protected and the broker operates under UK financial standards.
You’ll also want to think about what and how you trade. If you’re focused on UK stocks, forex pairs like EUR/USD, or indices such as the FTSE 100, choose a platform that offers fast execution, low trading costs, and access to the markets you care about.
Always check the platform’s execution speed and reliability during peak UK market hours. Fast, stable order execution is critical to avoid slippage and missed opportunities, especially when trading volatile instruments like commodities or GBP currency pairs.
Active traders might prioritise advanced charting, technical indicators, and automation tools, while long-term investors may value research features and portfolio tracking. Mobile access and ease of use are also essential, especially if you trade on the go.
Let’s examine what you need to know to make an informed choice and find the software that fits your strategy and helps you trade with confidence.
How Trading Software Works
Understanding the core components of trading software is essential. Whether you’re running algorithmic strategies or manually analysing the FTSE 100, trading platforms typically have four specialised functions: market data, charting, execution, and platform integration.
Market Data Feeds
Reliable, low-latency data is the backbone of any trading setup. For equities and derivatives traded on UK exchanges like the LSE, data is often tiered – Level 1 shows top-of-book prices and Level 2 reveals full market depth.
Institutional and high-frequency traders in the UK usually pay for direct market access (DMA) to reduce slippage and improve execution precision.
In contrast, forex data is fragmented due to its decentralised structure, so you’ll have to rely on liquidity providers (LPs) and electronic communication network (ECN) feeds.
Check how frequently the data updates (tick-by-tick versus snapshot), as it can significantly affect scalping and intraday strategies.
Advanced Charting & Technical Tools
While many brokers offer basic charting, serious traders, myself included, often opt for specialist platforms like MetaTrader, TradingView, cTrader, MultiCharts, or ProRealTime. These tools provide tick-level charting, custom scripting, and robust backtesting environments.
The ability to layer multiple timeframes, run Monte Carlo simulations, and test strategies against historical tick data is essential when developing robust trading systems or validating setups before committing capital.
Integrating custom indicators and automated alerts also provides a significant advantage.
Order Execution Systems
The execution layer is where analysis becomes action. While retail traders may use web-based platforms like IG‘s or eToro‘s interface, more advanced users often require platforms with API support (e.g., FIX protocol, REST, or WebSocket) to implement automated strategies.
Key features include bracket orders, one-click trading, partial close functionality, and built-in risk management settings.
I’ve used tools like the MetaTrader software with custom EAs and low-latency VPS hosting to reduce execution delay, especially when trading fast-moving markets like GBP/USD around UK economic releases.
Broker vs Third-Party Trading Software
Broker-native platforms (like CMC Markets’ Web Platform or Saxo’s SaxoTraderGO) are typically plug-and-play, but our testing shows they can be restrictive if you need advanced customisation or multi-broker access.
Independent trading platforms, such as Quantower or NinjaTrader, offer broader functionality, including order flow visualisation, depth-of-market tools, and the ability to connect to multiple brokers or data feeds via a unified interface.
Third-party platforms are ideal for multi-asset trading, combining analysis and execution in one interface for greater efficiency across brokers and markets.
Free vs Subscription Trading Software
There’s no universal trading software – your choice depends on your strategy and markets.
Simple approaches like moving average tracking on UK shares need basic tools, while complex strategies or real-time forex trading require advanced platforms with automation and fast data feeds.
Use demo accounts offered by FCA-regulated brokers to ensure the software matches your needs before committing.
While cost matters, the cheapest option isn’t always the best (trust me). Some platforms come free with brokerage accounts, but premium software often charges fees for features like deep market data and advanced analytics.
Platforms like Bookmap may be pricier, but they offer powerful tools that justify the investment.
From my experience, adding features down the line often costs more than choosing a fully equipped platform from the start.That’s why it’s crucial to check if your broker includes the software or if it comes with additional fees before you commit.
Mobile Trading Software
For many traders, accessing markets anytime, anywhere, is increasingly important. However, not all leading trading platforms offer fully functional mobile trading apps, which can limit your ability to respond quickly to market movements when you’re away from your desktop.
If you often trade during your commute, between meetings, or outside the traditional home office setup, choosing trading software with a robust, user-friendly mobile app is essential.
The best mobile trading platforms provide seamless access to real-time market data, advanced charting tools, order execution, and risk management features – allowing you to monitor positions and place trades confidently anywhere.
Prioritising mobile compatibility ensures you won’t miss out on crucial trading opportunities simply because you’re away from your computer.
TradingView’s mobile app offers powerful charting and real-time market data
Bottom Line
When choosing the best trading software in the UK, remember that the broker you select often limits the tools you can access.
Free platforms might be tempting, especially for new traders. Still, they can lack advanced features like fast data feeds, technical indicators, or automation in our experience – tools that can improve trading decisions and results.
It’s also important to remember that software designed for forex may not be ideal for stocks or cryptocurrencies.
Always research platforms based on the markets you trade and use demo accounts to try trading software before committing fully.