Best Trading Platforms UK 2026
Choosing the right platform is one of the most important decisions you will make as a trader. Here is an honest comparison of every major UK platform.
Platform Comparison Table
| Platform | Commission | ISA Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading 212 | Free | Free | Beginners, fractional shares |
| IG | £3/trade (or free 3+/month) | £24/quarter | CFDs, spread betting, advanced tools |
| Interactive Brokers | £1 min | Free | Active traders, international markets |
| Hargreaves Lansdown | £11.95/trade | 0.45% | Fund investing, research, customer service |
| Freetrade | Free | £5.99/month | Casual investing, simple UI |
| CMC Markets | Free (Invest), spread (CFD) | Free | Mixed investing + trading |
| Vanguard | Free (own funds) | 0.15% | Passive index fund investing |
What to Look For
- •FCA regulation — non-negotiable. Only use platforms authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. Your money is protected up to £85,000 by the FSCS.
- •Fee structure — commission per trade, platform fee, FX conversion fee, inactivity fee. Low commissions do not matter if the platform charges hidden fees elsewhere.
- •Available markets — UK shares, US shares, ETFs, funds, bonds, CFDs. Make sure the platform offers what you want to trade.
- •Tools and research — charting, screeners, news feeds, fundamental data. Advanced traders need better tools than beginners.
Our Recommendations
Best for beginners: Trading 212. Zero commission, free ISA, fractional shares from £1, clean interface. Hard to beat for getting started.
Best for active traders: Interactive Brokers. Low commissions, professional tools, access to global markets, margin rates are the lowest in the industry.
Best for passive investing: Vanguard. Lowest ongoing fees for index fund portfolios. Limited selection (Vanguard funds only) is actually a feature — keeps it simple.
Best for CFDs/spread betting: IG. Most comprehensive platform, excellent charting, 17,000+ markets, strong education resources.
Risk Warning
CFDs are complex instruments with a high risk of losing money due to leverage. Between 70–80% of retail investor accounts lose money trading CFDs. Only invest money you can afford to lose.
Platform Comparison At a Glance
| Platform | Best For | ISA | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading 212 | Beginners | ✓ | £1 |
| Interactive Brokers | Advanced | ✓ | £0 |
| Hargreaves Lansdown | ISA/SIPP | ✓ | £1 |
| Freetrade | Simple investing | ✓ | £2 |
| eToro | Copy trading | ✗ | $50 |
Video: Best Trading Platforms UK
Damien Talks Money — Best Investment Platforms UK
Recommended
Try Trading 212 — Free Share Worth Up to £100
Commission-free trading, fractional shares, and a free stocks & shares ISA. Get a free share when you sign up and deposit £1.
Claim free share →We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you