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.

Dig into our pick of 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 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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    Interactive Brokers consistently emerged as a top choice for swing traders in our tests, offering stocks, options, futures, forex, and ETFs across over 160 markets, including the UK, through its TWS platform. Commissions were highly competitive at $0.005 per share. Overnight charges applied to leveraged positions, and swap-free choices were restricted. Swift execution and stock leverage up to 1:4 were available, complemented by advanced charting, innovative AI tools, and superior regulation for security.

    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
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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
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    Fusion Markets provides swing traders with access to over 50 instruments through MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView. With spreads starting at 0.0 pips and a $4.50 commission per lot, it remains an affordable trading option. Execution speeds average below 50ms, and leverage can reach up to 1:500, facilitating a range of swing trading strategies.

    Instruments Regulator Platforms
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto ASIC, VFSC, FSA MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, DupliTrade
    Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage
    $0 0.01 Lots 1:500

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 3.6
IC Markets 4.6
Interactive Brokers 4.5
Eightcap 4.3
Fusion Markets 4

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
Interactive Brokers
Eightcap
Fusion Markets

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
Interactive Brokers iOS & Android 4.3 4.5
Eightcap iOS & Android 4.8 4.4
Fusion Markets 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 4.8 4.5
IC Markets $200 0.01 Lots 4.5 3.5
Interactive Brokers $0 $100 3 4.3
Eightcap £100 0.01 Lots 4 3.5
Fusion Markets $0 0.01 Lots 4.5 3

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 - 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)
Interactive Brokers Capitalise.ai, TWS API 1:50
Eightcap TradingView Bots 1:30
Fusion Markets 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 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 3.6 3.8 4.6 3.5 4.8 3.8 4.8 2.5 4.5
IC Markets 4.6 4 3.7 3.5 4.6 4 4.5 4 3.5
Interactive Brokers 4.5 3.3 4.4 4.7 4.3 3.5 3 4.4 4.3
Eightcap 4.3 4.3 4.6 3.6 3.8 4 4 3.5 3.5
Fusion Markets 4 4 4.6 3.5 4.4 4.2 4.5 3.5 3

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

  • 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.
  • Over the years, Pepperstone has consistently garnered recognition from DayTrading.com’s annual awards. Recently, it was honoured as the 'Best Overall Broker' in 2025 and was the 'Best Forex Broker' runner-up the same year.

Cons

  • Although its market range has improved, its crypto offerings remain limited compared to brokers specialising in this sector, lacking real coin investment options.
  • Pepperstone's demo accounts expire after 30 days, which may not provide sufficient time to explore various platforms and evaluate trading strategies.
  • 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.

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

  • 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 processes withdrawals swiftly, paying within 3 business days, subject to the method and amount.
  • Top-notch customer support, available 24/5, includes a welcoming live chat with response times under two minutes during tests.

Cons

  • 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.
  • XTB has stopped supporting MT4, restricting traders to its own platform, xStation. This decision may discourage experienced traders accustomed to using the MetaTrader suite.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • FXCC has introduced MT5, which in our evaluations, mirrored the trading conditions of MT4 by offering swift execution, improved charting, and market depth tools.

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 range of research tools, such as Trading Central and Autochartist, is quite limited. Leading platforms in this category, like IG, offer more advanced features.
  • The variety of currency pairs surpasses most options, but the choice of other assets is limited. Notably, stocks are absent.

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 reliable 24/5 support, especially for account and funding queries, drawing from direct experience.
  • As a well-regulated and reputable broker, IC Markets focuses on client safety and transparency to provide a dependable global trading 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

  • The tutorials, webinars, and educational resources require enhancement, lagging behind competitors such as CMC Markets, which diminishes their appeal to novice traders.
  • 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.
  • Interest is not paid on idle cash, a feature gaining popularity with alternatives such as Interactive Brokers.

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

  • The new IBKR Desktop platform combines the top features of TWS with customised tools such as Option Lattice and MultiSort Screeners, providing an impressive trading experience for traders of all skill levels.
  • IBKR offers an economical environment for traders, featuring low commissions, narrow spreads, and a clear fee structure.
  • IBKR consistently offers unparalleled access to global equities, with thousands of shares available across over 100 market centres in 24 countries, including the recently added Saudi Stock Exchange.

Cons

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

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.
  • Eightcap excels with a suite of advanced trading tools, such as MT4 and MT5, and has recently joined the 100-million-user social trading network, TradingView.
  • 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.

Cons

  • 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.
  • Despite the growing range of tools available, Eightcap lacks popular industry resources such as Autochartist and Trading Central. These provide advanced charting analytics, live news, and essential market insights for traders focused on short-term strategies.

Our Take On Fusion Markets

"Fusion Markets offers forex traders competitive pricing with minimal spreads, low commissions, and new TradingView integration. It is an excellent choice, especially for Australian traders, given its base and regulation by ASIC."

Pros

  • With an average execution speed of approximately 37 milliseconds, traders can secure optimal prices more effectively, outpacing many competitors in rapidly changing markets.
  • Fusion Markets provides exceptional support, characterised by rapid, friendly, and efficient responses. Unlike other platforms, it doesn't utilise automated chatbots, ensuring traders experience a seamless interaction.
  • Fusion Markets provides algo traders with a sponsored VPS and offers a 25% discount for choosing the NYC Servers VPS for MT4 or cTrader.

Cons

  • Fusion Market falls short compared to competitors like IG in education, offering few guides and live video sessions for enhancing trader skills.
  • Traders from outside Australia need to register with loosely regulated international firms that offer limited protection, lacking both safeguards and negative balance protection.
  • The broker stands out with its extensive selection of currency pairs, surpassing most competitors. However, its alternative investment options are merely average, lacking stock CFDs outside the US.

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.