Best Brokers For Swing Trading In The UK 2025

Author - Christian Harris
Author
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.
Editor - James Barra
Editor
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.
Fact Checker - Tobias Robinson
Fact Checker
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.

Swing trading requires the right blend of strategy, timing, and tools, and none of that works without a broker you can trust. I know – I’ve been swing trading for years.

We break down the best brokers for swing trading in the UK, helping you find a platform that aligns with your trading style and goals.

Top Swing Trading Brokers

After specifically evaluating their swing trading environments, these brokers came out on top:
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    Pepperstone excelled for swing traders in our review, providing forex, commodities, indices, and crypto through MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView. Razor accounts offered spreads starting at 0.0 pips with a $3.50 per lot commission—among the best we encountered. Overnight swap fees were applicable, though swap-free accounts were an option.

    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)
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    During testing, XTB excelled by providing swing traders with forex, commodities, indices, and crypto on Standard and Pro accounts. The Standard account featured spreads from 0.9 pips; the Pro account offered 0.1 pips spreads plus a $3.50 per lot commission. Overnight swap fees were applicable, with swap-free alternatives for qualified accounts. We appreciated its research tools and user-friendly mobile app—ideal for swing traders managing positions over extended periods.

    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
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    FXCC's ECN XL account emerged as an excellent choice for swing traders in our assessments, featuring spreads beginning at 0.0 pips and no commissions. Although overnight swap fees were charged, swap-free accounts could be requested to avoid these charges for positions held overnight. Execution speed averaged under 60 milliseconds, ensuring swift transactions for multi-day strategies.

    Instruments Regulator Platforms
    CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto CySEC MT4, MT5
    Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage
    $0 0.01 Lots 1:500
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    Our evaluation found IC Markets provides an attractive setting for swing traders, offering over 2,250 instruments through MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView. Raw accounts have spreads starting at 0.0 pips with a $3.50 per lot commission. Execution speed averages under 40 ms, with leverage up to 1:500, and no inactivity charges. This platform is swift, adaptable, and ideal for varied swing trading strategies.

    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)
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    FxPro stood out in our recent evaluations for swing traders, providing access to forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies through MT4, MT5, cTrader, and FxPro Edge. Spreads began at 0.0 pips on cTrader ECN accounts with a $4.50 commission per lot. Overnight swap charges were present, though swap-free accounts could be opted for. Execution speed was notably rapid, leverage was up to 1:500, and no inactivity fees were charged.

    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)
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    In our assessment of swing trading brokers, IG excelled with its vast range of over 17,000 instruments, including forex, indices, commodities, and shares available on MT4 and its own platform. It offered spreads from a competitive 0.6 pips, plus overnight swap fees. Execution proved dependable, and its educational academy, ideal for swing traders, effectively covers the essentials.

    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)
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    Eightcap could be an excellent choice for swing traders using its Raw account, with spreads starting at 0.0 pips and a $3.50 commission per side per standard lot. While overnight swap fees apply, swap-free (Islamic) accounts are available upon request. Leverage is available up to 1:500, with no inactivity fees. Eightcap is overseen by ASIC, FCA, CySEC, and other regulators, ensuring a secure swing trading environment.

    Instruments Regulator Platforms
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities ASIC, FCA, CySEC, SCB MT4, MT5, TradingView
    Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage
    £100 0.01 Lots 1:30

Safety Comparison

Compare how safe the Best Brokers For Swing Trading In The UK 2025 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 3.3
IC Markets 4.6
FXPro 4.4
IG 4.9
Eightcap 4.3

Payments Comparison

Compare which popular payment methods the Best Brokers For Swing Trading In The UK 2025 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
IC Markets
FXPro
IG
Eightcap

Mobile Trading Comparison

How good are the Best Brokers For Swing Trading In The UK 2025 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
IC Markets iOS & Android 3.1 4.2
FXPro iOS & Android 4.7 4.3
IG iOS & Android 4.6 4
Eightcap iOS & Android 4.8 4.4

Beginners Comparison

Are the Best Brokers For Swing Trading In The UK 2025 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 4.3 2.5
IC Markets $200 0.01 Lots 4.5 3.5
FXPro $100 0.01 Lots 4 4
IG $0 0.01 Lots 4.5 5
Eightcap £100 0.01 Lots 4 3.5

Advanced Trading Comparison

Do the Best Brokers For Swing Trading In The UK 2025 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 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 Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, build your own on ProRealTime 1:30 (Retail), 1:222 (Pro)
Eightcap TradingView Bots 1:30

Detailed Rating Comparison

Use this heatmap to compare our detailed ratings for all of the Best Brokers For Swing Trading In The UK 2025.

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 3.3 3.3 4.6 3 4 3.5 4.3 2 2.5
IC Markets 4.6 4 3.7 3.5 4.6 4 4.5 4 3.5
FXPro 4.4 4.3 4.5 4 4 3.8 4 4 4
IG 4.9 4.9 4.3 4.5 3.5 4 4.5 4.9 5
Eightcap 4.3 4.3 4.6 3.6 3.8 4 4 3.5 3.5

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
Tobias Robinson
Reviewer

Pros

  • The award-winning customer support can be accessed through phone, email, or live chat. During tests, response times have consistently been under 5 minutes.
  • 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.
  • Pepperstone now offers spread betting via TradingView, delivering a streamlined and tax-efficient trading experience with sophisticated analytical tools.

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

  • 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 ensures swift access to funds, providing fast withdrawals with same-day payments for requests made before 1 pm.
  • XTB offers a superb array of educational resources, such as training videos and articles, embedded within the platform to assist traders of all experience levels.

Cons

  • It is frustrating that XTB products do not allow traders to modify the default leverage level. Manually adjusting leverage can greatly reduce risk in forex and CFD trading.
  • 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 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.

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.
  • There are no deposit fees other than standard cryptocurrency mining charges, which benefits active traders.
  • 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

  • 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.
  • The range of research tools, such as Trading Central and Autochartist, is quite limited. Leading platforms in this category, like IG, offer more advanced features.

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.
  • As a well-regulated and reputable broker, IC Markets focuses on client safety and transparency to provide a dependable global trading experience.
  • 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.

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.
  • 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 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.
  • 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, 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.

Our Take On IG

"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

  • 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 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.

Cons

  • Based on tests, stock and CFD spreads remain less competitive than the lowest-cost brokers, such as CMC Markets.
  • Beginners may find IG's fees complicated, as they vary depending on the trades or services. This could cause confusion and unexpected costs.
  • IG imposes a monthly inactivity fee of $12 after two years, discouraging occasional traders.

Our Take On Eightcap

"Eightcap excels for traders, offering diverse charting platforms, educational Labs, and AI tools. With over 120 crypto CFDs, it stands out in crypto trading and has won our 'Best Crypto Broker' award twice consecutively."

Pros

  • Eightcap has excelled in all essential trading areas, surpassing all rivals to clinch our 'Best Overall Broker' award for 2024. It also earned the titles of 'Best Crypto Broker' and 'Best TradingView Broker' for 2025.
  • In 2021, Eightcap enhanced its lineup, now providing an extensive range of cryptocurrency CFDs. It offers crypto/fiat and crypto/crypto pairs, along with crypto indices for comprehensive market exposure.
  • With spreads starting at 0 pips, minimal commission charges, and leverage up to 1:500 for select clients, Eightcap delivers affordable and flexible trading opportunities. These conditions suit various strategies, such as trading and scalping.

Cons

  • Eightcap must enhance its range of over 800 instruments to rival top competitors like Blackbull Markets, which offers 26,000+ assets, especially improving its limited commodities selection.
  • Despite a helpful array of educational guides and e-books in Labs, Eightcap lags behind IG's extensive resources for aspiring traders. IG boasts a dedicated Academy app and features 18 diverse course categories.
  • The demo account is available for 30 days, after which it requires a request for extension. This is less convenient than XM's offering, which provides an unlimited demo mode.

How Investing.co.uk Chose The Top Brokers for Swing Trading

We blended 200+ data points with hands-on testing across leading UK brokers. We assessed costs, execution quality, platform reliability, and tools most relevant to swing traders, and documented our findings.

Each provider was then sorted by overall rankings, ensuring our top picks combine both hard performance metrics and the actual swing trading experience.

 

Investing.co.uk day trading platforms research methodology

What To Look For In A Swing Trading Broker

  • Choosing an FCA-regulated broker ensures investor protection and adherence to UK financial standards. Security features like two-factor authentication and segregated accounts reduce exposure to fraud and operational risk.
  • Lower fees directly improve your net returns, especially for swing traders who open and close positions frequently. You should consider spreads, per-trade commissions, and inactivity charges, as even slight differences can accumulate over multiple trades.
  • Fast, reliable order execution is crucial for capturing short- to medium-term price swings. Delays, slippage, or server downtime can turn a profitable setup into a loss, particularly when trading high-volatility FTSE 100 or AIM stocks.
  • A top broker should provide access to a wide range of instruments including stocks, indices, ETFs, and forex pairs. Swing traders benefit from diverse instruments to exploit different market conditions, from FTSE sector rotations to currency swings triggered by macro events.
  • Advanced charting, customisable indicators, and drawing tools allow you to accurately identify support/resistance levels, trendlines, and patterns. Brokers that offer integrated tools like RSI, MACD, and Bollinger Bands give you a technical edge without relying on third-party software.
  • Appropriate leverage can amplify gains, but it also increases risk. You should understand broker-specific margin rules, leverage limits, and how overnight financing costs can affect multi-day positions
  • Responsive support is critical when technical issues or trade disputes arise. Additionally, brokers offering UK-focused webinars, market analysis, and strategy guides can help you refine your swing trading approach and stay informed about economic events.
After years of swing trading and evaluating dozens of brokers, I’ve learned that the right brokerage isn’t just about tight spreads—it’s about trusting your orders will fill when the market moves fast, having the tools to spot those moves, and knowing you won’t get stung by hidden costs when holding a position overnight.
author image
Christian Harris
Author

Bottom Line

Swing trading demands brokers that combine fast execution, low fees, and robust research tools.

The best broker for swing trading can help you capitalise on short- to medium-term market swings, manage risk effectively, and access key UK markets like the FTSE 100, commodities, and major forex pairs.

Choosing a broker that aligns with your trading style is essential for turning technical setups into real opportunities.