With hundreds of online trading platforms now offering accounts to UK residents, it’s advisable to spend some time thinking about what your priorities are.
For example, are you looking to access a specific marketplace like UK forex or stocks, or are you more concerned with low fees and commissions? Or, maybe you’re looking for a specific feature – like automated trading?
Either way, there’s lots to think about in your search for the best trading broker UK. To help you along the way, below we list the most important factors to consider when searching for the best broker for trading in the UK.
How do I buy stocks online in the UK from stock brokers?
To buy stocks online, first, you must select a UK broker, then open and fund the account. Next, research the stocks you want to buy using the trading tools and market research provided with the online trading platform. Once you choose a stock to buy, fill out the order ticket with the number of shares you want to purchase, then place your trade. Congratulations, you now own shares of stock. For more educational resources before you start trading, we recommend reading StockTrader.com’s 10 great ways to learn stock trading.
What Is an Online Brokerage Account?
An online brokerage account is a portfolio of cash and securities on an online trading platform. Investors can use online brokers instead of conventional financial advisors to buy and sell stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, options and other assets.
What Should You Look for When Choosing an Online Broker?
In looking for an online broker, you should consider whether they match your investing profile and cater to your objectives. Pay attention to the commissions and fees they charge, especially those related to the investing products that you will be using the most.
Carefully consider the platform and technology offered by the broker. Make sure the tools it offers fit your investing style. Do you need a simple, easy-to-use platform for a few long-term investments, or are you looking for a one that offers the tools to optimize your chances of success in the fast-paced world of active trading?
A good broker is much more than a venue to execute trades. Look for a broker that can assist your decision-making and development as an investor with quality research and educational materials. Also, consider how much customer support you feel comfortable having access to. Some brokers have live agents available 24/7 by chat and phone while others only offer support via email.
Finally, keep an eye out for promotions and bonuses—many leading brokers offer account bonuses based on the size of your initial deposit. For large deposits these can range from hundreds into thousands of dollars.
Best Online Brokers For Beginners
For new investors, getting started can feel overwhelming. Risks loom large, and complicated, unfamiliar financial jargon can be intimidating. That’s where online brokers can come in handy: Those that offer intuitive platforms and plenty of educational resources can guide you through your early investing days.
In our search for the best online broker for beginners, Forbes Advisor evaluated 21 brokers. In side-by-side comparisons, we assessed the user friendliness of each broker’s platforms, with a strong focus on the quality of educational and research materials.
We also heavily considered available help resources. Newcomers to investing and trading need dependable, friendly and informative customer service for help. We thoroughly tested the support at each of the brokers in our survey via phone, live chat and email. Finally, we made sure that our recommended brokers for beginners offer $0 commissions, competitive fees and low minimum account balances.
Best Trading Platforms UK List
If you don’t have time to read our reviews in full, below you will find the best trading platform UK for 2021 and the other top brokers.
eToro – Overall Best Platform to Trade +2,400 Stocks From 17 UK and International Markets With ZERO Fees
Eightcap – Excellent MT4 & MT5 Broker with Very Low Fees
Capital.com – Best Online Broker UK for AI Trading With No Commissions and Low Spreads
Libertex– Low-Cost Trading App With ZERO Spreads
Fineco Bank – Best Trading Platform UK for International Assets and 0% Commission on Stock CFDs
Skilling – UK Online Broker With Spreads Starting at 0.1 Pip
Plus500 – UK CFD Broker With Tight Spreads and a Friendly-User Trading Platform
IG – Top UK Trading Platform for Long-Term Investments
Hargreaves Lansdown – Long Standing UK Stock Broker with ISAs and Ready-Made Portfolios
Pepperstone – Best UK Trading Platform for Spread Betting and No Capital-Gains Tax
Saxo Markets – Best FCA-Regulated UK Trading Platform for CFDs
Interactive Brokers – Best UK Stock Trading Platform for Seasoned Investors
Best Stock Trading App UK
These days, you don’t need to be sat at home on your computer to trade the financial markets. Virtually all brokers now offer a mobile trading app for iPhone and Android devices, meaning you can trade from the palm of your hand whenever, wherever.
That being said, not every stock trading app UK offers a seamless trading experience. Once again, eToro is our recommended broker for mobile trading. eToro has mastered the art of optimising its platform for mobile use – the app is incredibly well designed, very intuitive, and runs extremely smoothly.
On top of that, it offers the full functionality of the eToro website, so you can copy top traders from the smartphone!