Broker comparisonsworth trusting.
Most comparison sites are run by affiliate teams who've never opened a trading account. This one is run by someone who spent years inside fintech, knows how broker rankings get shaped by commission rates, and got tired of watching it happen. Every broker here has been tested with a real account. Rankings reflect that, not CPA rates.
Top-rated brokers
FCA-regulated brokers reviewed and tested for UK retail traders. Ranked on what actually matters — platform, execution, costs, and regulatory structure.
Capital.com
FCA-regulated CFD and spread betting broker with an intuitive platform suited to beginners and cost-conscious traders.
- Min. Deposit
- £20
Affiliate link · Disclosure
Pepperstone
Execution-focused CFD and spread betting broker with tight raw spreads, MT4/MT5/cTrader access and FCA regulation.
- Min. Deposit
- £0
Affiliate link · Disclosure
IG
One of the UK's largest and longest-established brokers, offering CFDs, spread betting, shares, ETFs, ISA and SIPP under FCA regulation.
- Min. Deposit
- £0
Affiliate link · Disclosure
How the reviews actually work
Not what comparison sites usually tell you about their process — what this one actually does.
Real accounts, not spec sheets
Every broker reviewed here has been tested with a live account under standard UK retail conditions — onboarding, depositing, trading, withdrawing. If an account hasn't been opened, the broker doesn't get a review.
Regulation checked directly
We check the FCA register at fca.org.uk — not just the badge on the broker's homepage. That means verifying which entity serves UK clients, whether FSCS protection applies, and whether what the marketing says matches what the register says.
Platform over promises
Spreads cluster within a range. Onboarding is FCA-mandated and structurally identical. What actually differs between brokers is the platform — UI, charting quality, whether the tools you need are integrated or require three open tabs. That's what we assess.
Browse by what matters to you
Different traders need different things. Find the list that fits your situation.
Best low-cost brokers
Raw spread accounts, tight execution, minimum friction on costs
Best for beginners
Clean platforms, clear pricing, no overwhelming complexity on day one
Best MT5 brokers
MetaTrader 5 with EA support, algo trading, and FCA regulation
Best regulated brokers
Direct FCA authorisation, FSCS protection, and full client fund segregation
Not sure where to start?
Answer a few questions — what you want to trade, how much experience you have, whether you care more about cost or platform — and get a shortlist of brokers that actually fit. Takes under two minutes.
Find my brokerRisk warning: Trading CFDs and leveraged products carries a high risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. The information on this site is for educational and comparison purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Read our methodology and affiliate disclosure.