Best Online Stock Brokers in the UK (2024)

Adam Jarfjord

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Adam is head of content on TradingGuide.co.uk. He has many years of experience in the financial sector and honestly admits that he is in love with his job.

Article was updated: March 13, 2024

Estimated reading time: 16 minutes

Buying stocks from reputable companies is a must, which is why you need access to the best online stock brokers in the UK. It’s a no-brainer that finding the best stock broker is one sure-fire way to increase your chances of a successful investment. Therefore, if you are wondering how to choose, sit tight and check out our list of UK stock brokers.

We are not only going to recommend the best stock brokers in the UK, but we will also state ways in which you can identify them and especially how you perform a UK stock brokers comparison. This is so that you can be well equipped with enough information when going about your trading ventures.

List of the Best Stock Brokers in the UK 2024

• Plus500 – One of the Best* for CFD** Stock Trading in the UK
• XTB – Best Stock Broker With Excellent Support Service
• SpreadEx – Best Broker With AIM Stocks in the UK
• eToro – Best Stock Broker for Beginners in the UK
• AvaTrade – Best Stock Broker With MetaTrader Platforms
• Interactive Brokers – Best for Advanced Traders in the UK
• XM – Multi-Asset Stock Broker in the UK
• TD Ameritrade – Best Stock Broker for Research and Tools in the UK
• Hargreaves Lansdown – Best Stock Investment Broker in the UK

*Investment Trends 2022

**81% of CFD retail accounts lose money

Compare The Best Stock Brokers in the UK

You need the best stock broker in the UK to effectively trade or invest in various company stocks. Sadly, there are plenty of options to choose from, thus making it challenging for investors to identify the best for their needs. In this regard, our professional researchers took it upon themselves to conduct UK stock broker comparison and tests so you can have the best options to choose from. The following are the factors that we based our UK brokers comparison on.

Note that our recommendations below are not only based on UK broker comparison and tests. To ensure we have unbiased recommendations, we combined our findings from the broker comparison UK process with user reviews on Google Play, Trustpilot, and the App Store. Here are the stock trading brokers based on these two processes.

Compare with other broker

General Rating

Stock Assets

Fee on Amazon

License

Software

Minimum deposit

Money Insurance

Visit site

Risk Warning

81% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Read Review

4.2

2000+ (CFDs)

1.01

FCA, CySEC, ASIC, MAS, FSA

Plus500 Webtrader

$100

Yes, up to £85,000

Visit site

Risk Warning

77% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

Read Review

4.4

1900

Free

FCA, KNF, CNMV

xStation 5, xStation Mobile

No

Yes (up to £85,000)

Visit site

Risk Warning

Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70% of retail investors lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Read Review

4.6

3,000

0.15% (3.5 pts max) (daily)

FCA

IPHONE App, IPAD App, ANDROID App, Trading View

No

Yes (up to £85,000)

Visit site

{etoroCFDrisk}% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

4.2

3000

Yes (as CFD)

ASIC, CySec, FCA, FSAS

eToro investing platform, Multi-asset platform, Copy Trader

$50

Yes (up to $250,000)

Visit site

Risk Warning

77% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Read Review

4.5

600+

Free

CBI, CySec, ASIC, BVIFSC, FSA, SAFSCA, ADGM, ISA

MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, WebTrader, Automated Trading, Mac Trading, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, Mobile Trading, AvaSocial, DupliTrade, Capitalise.ai

$100 (£72)

Yes, up to $1.000.000

Visit site

Risk Warning

Between 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Read Review

4.1

9,000 shares

Free

SEC, CFTC, MAS, CBI, ASIC, and more

Trader Workstation, IBKR Mobile, IBKR EventTrader, IBKR GlobalTrader, IMPACT

$0

up to £85,000, according to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)

Compare brokers

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Brief Overview of Our Recommended Stock Brokers’ Fees and Assets

Navigating the realm of stock trading necessitates the right broker aligning with your investment goals. Delve into the tables below, presenting essential details on fees and assets across our recommended stock brokerage platforms. Compare and analyse these insights to make informed decisions tailored to your stock trading strategies and financial aspirations.

Fees

Assets

1. Plus500 – One of the Best for CFD Stock Trading in the UK

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*Illustrative prices

Whether you are an expert trader looking for a CFD stock broker in the UK, do not look further because Plus500 is here to deliver. You can trade stock CFD on its platform at a low cost, making it a go-to broker for investors with a low budget. Although it charges spread, you will notice that the fee is also low compared to most UK stock brokers.Also, Plus500 charges a fee for overnight funding, a currency conversion fee, and a guaranteed stop order fee.

This stock broker excels in its trading platform that is supported on all devices, including Android, Windows, and iOS. All these platforms do not limit your trading activities, letting you place and monitor your trades whenever and wherever you see fit. With more than 2,000 instruments for CFD trading across multiple markets, you will never run out of options for investment.

Plus500 falls short when it comes down to inactivity fees that are USD 10 per month and kick-off after three months of inactivity until you do not log in to the account again. Additionally, it has limited educational tools that are not well structured. However, Plus500 has a demo account where you can test the platform and familiarise yourself with it before creating a live trading account.

Note:81% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

2. XTB – Best Stock Broker With Excellent Support Service

Among the stock brokers we tested in the UK, XTB emerged as the leader in reliable support services. Despite being available five days a week, the team’s responsiveness and provision of pertinent solutions to raised concerns set them apart. Note that XTB’s support service conducts follow-ups to ensure clients are comfortable and satisfied with their trading services, accessible via email, live chat, and phone.

In addition to its stellar support service, XTB hosts over 2,000 shares available for trading as CFDs. Noteworthy is the absence of commissions on stock trades, with spreads being the primary cost. Furthermore, XTB imposes no minimum deposit requirement and quality learning tools to gain insights into the stock market and enhance users’ skills. Another impressive feature is XTB’s competitive interest rates on uninvested funds, enabling traders to potentially earn up to 5%, featuring rates of 3.8% for EUR and 5.0% for USD. These rates offer an additional avenue for passive income while actively trading stocks through XTB’s platform.

3. SpreadEx – Best Broker With AIM Stocks in the UK

SpreadEx stands as the best broker for AIM (Alternative Investment Market) stocks in the UK, offering investors a unique opportunity to tap into the potential of this dynamic market segment. With a history dating back to 1999, SpreadEx has garnered a reputation for providing seamless access to some of the top AIM-listed stocks, enabling traders to diversify their portfolios and explore emerging companies. The broker’s comprehensive range of stocks ensures that traders have a wide selection of investment options to choose from.

Besides listing thousands of stocks, SpreadEx also offers other tradable instruments, including forex, commodities, ETFs, and more. This holistic approach allows traders to easily incorporate AIM stocks into their existing portfolios, taking advantage of SpreadEx’s user-friendly trading platform and competitive pricing. Note that this broker doesn’t have a minimum deposit requirement, and all charges are transparent. There is also a dedicated, reliable and responsive support service at your disposal in case of any challenges.

4. eToro – Best Stock Broker for Beginners in the UK

The majority of stock brokers in the UK believe that eToro is the UK’s best stock trading app. It has easy-to-use features making it a suitable broker for beginners. It also aces in offering a wide range of tradable stock assets that are commission-free. Additionally, its trading platform is very fast, making you stay on top of your trading activities.

Another factor setting eToro above other stock brokers we tested is the copy and social trading features. It allows you to interact and socialise with other traders on a chatting group. With this advantage, it will be easier for you to learn and improve your trading skills quickly. The copy feature entails the CopyTrader and CopyPortfolios tools allowing you to copy trades from the most experienced traders in the platform.

Although the broker falls short on the minimum deposit requirement, it’s still rated the best broker for beginners in the UK because of its impressive trading platform. Rest assured, eToro is safe to invest in and is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), which are among the tier-one financial authorities in the business.

5. AvaTrade – Best Stock Broker With MetaTrader Platforms

UK traders looking for a reliable stock broker featuring MT4 and MT5 platforms should consider AvaTrade. As an MT5 broker, AvaTrade offers a comprehensive trading experience with advanced features and a wide range of financial instruments. With it, you will explore over 1,000 global stocks, including Netflix, Google, Zoom, Amazon, and more. You can also explore additional assets such as forex, commodities, cryptocurrencies, ETFs, bonds, etc. AvaTrade is a popular choice among traders, thanks to its user-friendly platforms, competitive spreads, and a vast array of trading instruments.

AvaTrade’s MetaTrader platforms are designed to cater to the needs of both novice and experienced traders. The platforms offer a range of technical analysis tools, such as charts, indicators, and graphical objects, which allow traders to analyse the markets and identify potential trading opportunities. To get started with AvaTrade, you must create an account and deposit at least £100. You can also explore its demo account to fully understand how stock trading works before using real money.

6. Interactive Brokers – Best for Advanced Traders in the UK

If you are an advanced investor, you need to find a broker providing unlimited stock market access. Interactive Brokers (IBRK) will serve you best as it allows access to more than 70 stock exchanges globally. Rest assured that this broker is safe to trade in since it is regulated by top-tier jurisdictions.

Low-budget investors will love Interactive Brokers because it charges low fees on shares and ETFs. There is also no minimum deposit requirement with this broker. However, should you wish to trade on margin, a minimum deposit of £2,000 will be required.

When it comes to the trading platform, it is easy-to-use even for beginners. It has two account types, namely IBRK Lite and IBRK Pro. IBRK Lite best suits novice investors who are still familiarising themselves with trading activities. On the other hand, IBRK Pro offers various market instruments that are perfect for expert traders.

Additionally, Interactive Brokers has limitless educational and research tools. Traders have the opportunity to improve their trading experience through webinars, in-house academy, video courses, and even demo accounts. With demo accounts, the broker awards you with virtual trading funds to test how the live account works.

7. XM – Multi-Asset Stock Broker in the UK

XM is a forex and CFD stock broker with a varied selection of hundreds of stocks from across the globe. Take positions on some of the biggest and most influential companies in the world.

When trading stocks with XM, we suggest that you use the Metatrader 5 or the XM Trader platforms for the best experience. Also, make sure to make use of the 90+ indicators that help you analyze any and all markets in detail before opening a position.

Lately, XM has worked hard to optimize the spread on their equity instruments, making this an affordable option to trade stocks and other CFDs with.

Read about the UK forex trading apps in our other guide.

8. TD Ameritrade – Best Stock Broker for Research and Tools in the UK

TD Ameritrade is one of the biggest US-based stock brokers extending its services in the UK. Founded in 1975, this pioneer broker is regulated by the best financial authorities, including the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Because the TD Ameritrade has a long track record and is listed on various stock exchanges, we assure you that it is safe for use.

This stock broker excels when it comes to trading charges. Opening an account on this broker’s platform is easy and does not have a minimum deposit requirement. You also get to trade 0% commission on stocks and ETFs, which favors low-budget investors. However, when it comes to mutual funds and futures, TD Ameritrade charges relatively high fees.

This broker’s trading platform is out of this world. The thinkorswim feature, which is supported on both desktop, web, and mobile devices, gives you access to various trading tools that can assist you in accomplishing complex trades. Its unique research tools and news feed also helps you analyse trading activities and the stock market conditions, which can prove beneficial in your future investment.

You will find a plethora of educational materials, including fully immersive courses, webcasts, articles, videos, and even social events. Feel free to try TD Ameritrade. We assure you that your first experience will be one among many to follow.

9. Hargreaves Lansdown – Best Stock Investment Broker in the UK

Hargreaves Lansdown is one of the pioneer stock brokers in the UK. Founded in 1981, the broker has a long track record making it safe to invest in. It is listed in the Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE) 100 index and regulated by tier-one jurisdictions, including the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

This stock investment broker is based in Bristol, providing a world-class trading platform that offers various trading instruments, including share dealing, spread, CFD, and stock and shares ISA. You do not need to look for any other stock broker because, with Hargreaves Lansdown, you are guaranteed limitless tradable assets.

The broker has a minimum deposit requirement of £200 when you create a trading account. It charges low fees for funds and bonds. Its stock and ETF trading charges are relatively high, making it a bit costly for stock investors. When it comes to educational tools, Hargreaves Lansdown has a plethora. You can quickly learn and improve your trading experience.

One of the most reliable customer support we’ve come across is that of Hargreaves Lansdown. Their response rate is swift and available in different communication channels. The support service is also open round the clock to attend to any arising investment issues.

Read about Best Automated Trading Platforms UK and Best Gold Trading Brokers 2024 in our other guides.

What Do Other Traders Say?

Gaining insights from real traders is crucial when considering the right stock broker. For this reason, we visited Google Play, the App Store and Trustpilot, and present below unfiltered user feedback for our recommended stock brokers in the UK. Feel free to compare these comments to identify a suitable broker for your needs.

1. Plus500

Users commend Plus500 for its intuitive platform and availability of a wide range of stocks for trading. However, there are occasional remarks about customer service and educational resources.

• “After many years of trading on this platform I had the chance to learn and improve my trading skills. It’s the best app and easy to use. I’ve tried other platforms but this one it’s far better 👍” – Ludovic Gyorfi

• “Very good, no problems with deposits or withdrawals, real time prices, you can make alot of money here.” – ramzyki

• “What made me happy and relieved in my trading life with plus500 is the withdrawals they so quick it literally never took me more than 6 minutes it was approved. Well guys hope south Africa uses your great platform 😄💯” – Sifiso Lucky Biyela

2. XTB

Traders appreciate XTB’s educational resources and the comprehensive stock trading platform. The platform’s analytical tools and customer support have been noted as valuable by users.

• “I have shares in other brokers, but I’m using this app to check prices and charts because it’s simply better. Flawless usability” – Kosciej

• “Very good app. Customer service is welcoming. Lots of information for new traders available for free. Feel very valued and accepted as a beginner. Best app I have found after trying 10+ others.” – Thomas Ashley

• “Excellent account managers who keep in touch. Find the app easy to use. Lots of educational content to help me learn. Good use of news and kept up to date with any stock market changes.” – Ross

3. SpreadEx

SpreadEx stands out for its simplicity and ease of use in stock trading. Users mention the platform’s accessibility, yet some suggest improvements in expanding its stock offerings.

• “Easy to use Platform, v friendly staff. Never had any issues” – Matthew Hill

• “Been with Spreadex more than ten years, great range of markets, particularly among UK smaller caps. Pay up quickly when a short goes to ‘zero’ too, much better experience than I have had with CMC for example.” – TheAceTrader

• “A very useful financial spread betting app that should cover all your needs. It’s definitely the most useable of the broker apps that I’ve tried. A great platform that lets you analyse the markets, place spread bets & manage your risk and positions all on your phone. They’ve also got a great range of tools and excellent customer service which I found very attractive. 10/10 for my experience with Spreadex thus far” – JakeReadman

4. eToro

Users praise eToro for its user-friendly platform and unique social trading feature. The ability to copy successful traders and the diverse range of stocks available for trading received positive feedback.

• “Good reliable platform for investing in various asset classes and also for day trading. The assigned RMs are proactive and available to give guidance as needed. The RM follows up until the query is resolved.” – Ankit

• “Really I think it is amazing app” – AmirFerdos

5. AvaTrade

AvaTrade receives praise for its comprehensive stock trading options and educational resources. Users value the platform’s user-friendly interface and the array of available stocks.

• “Alev Nazli was really nice and concise in helping me through the processes. He even helped me a lot when I had trouble paying by calling me and explaining to me why my payment was not going through. Thank you so much!” – Jun Leng

• “Very smooth and clean, educational videos to support your understanding of the system and trading in general. Interactive customer service that actively try to support you as best they can, very friendly and understanding” – Jaundre Koekemoer

• “Application is easy to use. The customer services is very helpful. And it’s a great way to learn and trade with professional help alway their to assist” – Stefan Strydom

6. Interactive Brokers

Traders highlight Interactive Brokers for its advanced stock trading capabilities and vast range of available markets. The platform’s analytical tools and competitive pricing attract experienced traders.

• “Very good app, I’m using it on regilar basis. There is no such slow login issues for me, login lasts few seconds. Also the login is remembered when using biometric for some days/weeks, so you would need to enter passwords again, which is good security level.” – Vasil Popov

• “IBKR’s iPhone app is far better for trading and for checking portfolio, browsing options prices, and looking at the market with watch lists, than Robinhood’s or Fidelity’s. They’re what I use for watchlists and to peruse options prices, even if I’ll end up trading on other brokers’ phone apps. It’s miles better. As for the broker, IBKR Pro has easily paid for itself and migrating to it has been objectively profitable for me. This is because of its better access to markets and trading hours allowing me to place certain trades. I’ve also been happy enough with trade execution and commissions costs.” – User4658991

• “Best broker in the business – I’ve been with them 20 years. Lowest margins, best product range and fast execution.” – John

7. XM

XM: Users appreciate XM’s user-friendly platform and access to various global stock markets. However, there are occasional remarks about customer service and the need for additional educational materials.

• “I have never seen a cool app like this, deposits are super fast, withdrawals also the same, verification, it’s super cool, it’s really amazing, thanks to team xm, I really recommend every trader to use this app” – Ahabwe Peter

• “The service was outstanding. Deposit and withdraw very fast.
  Bonus 100% limited to 500 usd, it’s better to increase the amount limited bonus. 😀. Overall the trusted broker and legitimate.” – Abdul Baset

8. TD Ameritrade

TD Ameritrade: TD Ameritrade is appreciated for its extensive stock research tools and educational resources. Users value the platform’s user-friendly interface and comprehensive trading options.

• “Out of all of the stock apps that I’ve used, this one is by far the best. Better interface, easier to trade, faster to research, easier to compare, best output for reports, etc. TD Ameritrade was purchased by Schwab, and I hope Schwab has the good sense to keep this app available to their customers. Otherwise I will be looking for a new brokerage.” – Brian Hoffman

• “They have a great platform for new and advanced traders . Their customer service is great , very helper, and quick to respond. There are a lot of tools at ur fingertips to inform and educate.” – Brad Fountain

9. Hargreaves Lansdown

Hargreaves Lansdown is recognized for its wide range of available stocks and comprehensive research tools. However, some users mention concerns about high fees for smaller investments.

• “Been using HL for some years now and just moved a pension over to them – (into a SIPP) so I could have better control and more options.” – David Hartley

• “Can’t falt the service with H&L. Their broker fees are slightly more than competitors, but I feel you are well looked after for this cost. You also have stocks from around the world at your finger tips.” – Rob

How To Choose the Right Stock Broker in the UK

There are many stock brokers in the UK, most of which are well reputable. Some of the brokers are well known for their wide variety of features—others for their offerings and so on. We can’t say that one broker is better than the other because each of them is unique in its own way. So, it’s up to you to choose a broker that is compatible with your trading requirement.

Do not agonise about how to go about this because we’ve got you covered. Below, we have stated the significant factors you need to look out for when choosing the right stock broker.

Read about the top crypto brokers UK in our other article.

Getting Started with an Online Stockbroker

At this point, we have equipped you with all the basic information you need to know about UK stockbrokers, how to find the best one, as well as our handpicked list of the best UK stockbrokers right now.

However, before you can start trading and investing in stocks, you need to register a brokerage account. This is not a complicated process, but it has to be done correctly or your account will not be verified and you will not be able to trade with the said broker.

Follow these five steps to get started with your new UK stockbroker.

What Do Stock Brokers Do?

Stock brokers are professionals who facilitate the buying and selling of stocks, bonds, and other securities on behalf of their clients via stock exchanges or over the counter. They provide a range of services to investors, including market research, financial planning, and investment advice at a fee. Brokers work with clients to help them develop an investment strategy tailored to their specific needs and goals. They may also offer educational resources and tools to help clients learn more about investing and how to make informed decisions.

Online stock trading UK brokers play a critical role in the financial markets by ensuring that transactions are executed efficiently and at a fair price. They act as intermediaries between buyers and sellers, facilitating transactions and ensuring that both parties receive a reasonable price for the securities being bought and sold. This is particularly important for large institutional investors, who rely on the best investment companies UK to help them navigate complex financial markets and execute large trades.

Where to Buy Stocks in the UK?

Buying stocks in the UK is easier than ever before, especially when using an online trading UK broker licensed and regulated by the FCA. Online stock brokers allow you to buy and sell stocks through a user-friendly trading platform. They also charge lower fees and commissions and offer access to various research and analysis tools. We list in our mini-reviews above some popular UK trading stocks brokers. All you have to do is compare their features to select the best trading broker fit for your needs.

It’s also possible to buy stocks directly from a company, though this method is not common and is more complicated. Also known as known direct stock purchase plan (DSPP) or a dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP), it is mainly offered by large companies as a way to allow investors to purchase stock directly from them. Investors in the UK can also use traditional brokers to buy stocks. These are intermediaries between stock buyers and sellers that have been around before the advancement of technology. They mainly operate in physical locations.

FAQs

Conclusion

By now, you must have a grasp of the best stock brokers in the UK and their offerings. Remember, the best stock broker is the one that fits your trading requirements. Ultimately, they must also be regulated by tier-one financial authorities and their trading activities executed seamlessly. There should also be no hidden trading or non-trading costs that will lag your trades in the long run.

Adam Jarfjord

is our leading content maker and head of the content department. For Adam, trading is not only a job but also a passion for more than 5 years. He has many years of experience in the financial sector and honestly admits that he is in love with his job.

Contact us More about Adam