Whether you are a novice investor or an expert looking for UK’s best stock trading apps, you have landed in the right place. We understand that there are many stock trading apps in the UK market, and finding a reliable one can be a pain in the neck. In this article, we simplify the search for you.
Our team of experts has spent more than 150 hours testing and reviewing trading apps in the UK to ensure we recommend the best of the best. So, if you allow us, let’s get into and see if you can’t find yourself the best app for stock trading in the UK, specifically based on your needs.
List of the Best Stock Trading Apps in the UK 2024
- Plus500 – One of the Best CFD* Trading App For Stocks in the UK
- eToro – Best Stock Trading App for Beginners in the UK
- AvaTrade – Best Automatic Stock Trading App in the UK
- Pepperstone – Best Stock Trading App For MT5 Users
- XM – Stock Trading Apps for Beginners and Experienced Traders in the UK
*80% of CFD retail accounts lose money
Compare The Best Stock Trading Apps in the UK
We take our brokers’ testing and reviewing procedures very seriously and have specific standards that the best trading apps in the UK that we recommend here must meet. We mostly base our research on the following metrics:
That said, here is our ratings of the best stock trading apps in the UK according to Trustpilot, Google Play, and App Store honest user reviews.
Compare brokers
1. Plus500 – One of the Best CFD Trading App For Stocks in the UK
*Illustrative prices
Any stock investor in the UK will attest that Plus500’s stock trade app is the most preferred when it comes to CFD trading. Supported on both Android and iOS devices, this app offers various trading instruments, including commodities, and options.
Plus500 offers two types of accounts: Real Money account and demo account. Although the retail version is standard, you can easily qualify for a professional one by answering various questions during the signup process. Professional clients have both accounts.Trading on these two accounts is almost similar. The difference is the leverage level one can use to trade. Also, with professional account traders do not have ICF rights.
Another factor that made us like the Plus500 app is its zero commissions on stock CFD trading. It also has tight spreads making it an ideal choice for stock investors with a low budget. Day traders who invest multiple times in a day can also find Plus500 a broker of choice. Note that the broker charges inactivity fees, which kicks in after three months. The broker also charges overnight, currency conversion, and stop-order fees. Therefore, before you commit to this CFD trading app, make sure you are a frequent investor.
✔ Regulated in many countries
- Investors can trade using leverage
- An easy-to-use trading app that is highly customisable
- 2000+ CFD trading instruments
- Zero commission on stock CFD with tight spreads
- Charges inactivity fees after three months
| Type | Fee |
| Overnight Funding | yes |
| Currency Conversion Fee | 0.7% |
| Guaranteed Stop Order | spread applies |
| Inactivity Fee | $10 per month |
| Withdrawls/Deposits | $0 |
Note: 80% 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. eToro – Best Stock Trading App for Beginners in the UK
Our extensive hours of research have led us to conclude that eToro is the best stock trading app in the UK because of its easy-to-use features. If you are a beginner looking for a stock trading app, this broker will serve you best. Not only does it offer a wide range of stock market assets, but trading stocks with eToro is commission-free. On top of that, the app’s trading platform is very responsive, and traders do not need to worry about lagging activities.
One thing that sets eToro apart from the others is its copy and social features. Beginners can interact and copy trades from the professionals making it easy for them to learn trading strategies quickly. Its CopyTrader and CopyPortfolios tools included in eToro’s copy feature are among the reasons why the app is the best for beginners in the UK.
Being the pioneer of social trades, eToro is also licensed and regulated by tier-one authorities, including the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). This makes the trading app safe for your investments.
✔Low minimum to fund an account and begin investing
- Advanced trading platform with an attractive user interface design
- Social trading features to copy and interact with experts
- It is licensed and regulated by various top-tier authorities such as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)
- Commission-free trading on stocks
- Has a minimum deposit requirement
| Types | Fee |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 |
| Conversion Fee | depends on your payment method, currency, and eToro Club level. |
| Overnight Fee | vary according to the value and direction (BUY or SELL) of your position |
| Withdrawal Fee | all withdrawal requests are subject to a $5 USD fee |
| Inactivity Fee | monthly inactivity fee of $10 USD (charged after 12 months) |
3. AvaTrade – Best Automatic Stock Trading App in the UK
Founded in 2006, AvaTrade is a global broker regulated by top-tier authorities, including the Central Bank of Ireland. Opening a stock trading account on this broker’s app is easy since it’s fully digital. Commonly referred to as AvaTradeGo, the app comes with fascinating features. First, it has the AvaProtect feature that guarantees your money back if you lose a trade.
Secondly, AvaTradeGo is also known for its AvaSocial feature, where you get the opportunity to learn from the world’s best expert traders. You are also free to interact and share ideas through chat groups. With MetaTrader 4 and 5 trading platforms, Investors get access to various technical tools. Trading robots and expert advisors are also available on AvaTrade. A perfect automatic stock trading app to improve your trading experience.
Another feature of this trading app is the AvaOptions that is also suitable for options investors. It offers over 40 currency pairs with advanced charting perfectly tailored to mobile use. Finally, this automatic stock trading app connects you to global stock markets. It also offers a live news feed where investors can stay abreast with the market trends.
✔ Quick deposits and withdrawals
- Wide range of market assets, including commodities, shares, and ETFs
- Access to MetaTrader 4, which is user friendly and easily customisable
- Leverage of up to 20:1
- Access to major foreign stock exchanges such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)
- High inactivity fees
| Type | Fee |
| Minimum Deposit | £100 |
| Inactivity Fee | USD Account: $50 EUR Account: €50 GBP Account: £50 |
| Administration Fee | USD Account: $100 EUR Account: €100 GBP Account: £100 |
| Deposit Fee | $0 |
| Withdrawal Fee | $0 |
4. Pepperstone – Best Stock Trading App For MT5 Users
Having extensively tested Pepperstone’s stock trading app for MT5 users, we discovered an exceptional platform. Its global shares trading opportunity and low commissions of just 0.10% truly stand out. The quality research tools integrated into MT5 enhance decision-making, while access to social trading adds a collaborative dimension. Seamless transitions between cTrader and MT4 platforms and desktop and mobile trading were impressive.
Despite the £500 minimum deposit for UK traders, the offering of over 1200 CFD assets, including forex, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, solidifies Pepperstone’s position. Therefore, we recommend it to traders seeking a user-friendly and comprehensive stock trading experience, giving it a 4.5-star rating.
✔ No dealing desk intervention
- Highly rated app on Google Play and the App Store
- Lists quality research materials on the MT4 and MT5 platforms
- Low stock trading fees
- Seamless mobile device trade execution
- High minimum deposit requirement for UK traders
- Limited stock offering compared to its peers
| Type | Fee |
| Minimum Deposit | $200 |
| Withdrawal fee | $0 |
| Deposit fee | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | No |
| Account fee | No |
5. XM – Stock Trading Apps for Beginners and Experienced Traders in the UK
The XM broker provides three different platforms that are available on desktops, tablets, and smartphones. When trading stocks, we suggest that you use the Metatrader 5 or the XM Trader as your main stock trading app since they have the most comprehensive stock trading tools.
This broker offers more than 1,000 different assets in 6 different asset classes, with stocks being the biggest. There are also more than 90 indicators ensuring that you always have the best opportunity to analyze stock price movements correctly.
Getting started with the XM stock trading app is easy, and if you want to test the broker before you start trading we suggest that you open an XM demo account.
✔ A truly global company
- Stocks are the biggest of the 6 asset classes offered by this broker
- 90+ indicators provide all the help you need to analyze market movements
- Tight spread will help you save on each trade
- There are no small or blue cap stocks offered
| Type | Fee |
| Minimum deposit | 5$ |
| Overnight fee | 0$ |
| Deposit fee | 0$ |
| Withdrawal fee | 0$ |
| Inactivity fee | $15 one-off maintenance fee |
How To Choose the Right Stock Trading App in the UK
Finding the best app for stock trading in the UK is not a walk in the park. You need to research by testing and comparing them, which can be exhausting and time-consuming. Worry not because we have streamlined the process for you by outlining the significant factors to help you along the way.
The best trading apps in the UK should be licensed and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which is the UK’s financial regulator. Confirming this credibility secures your investment capital, letting you focus on managing your trades.
Brokers’ fees vary in that some charge variable while others prefer a flat rate. For example, a variable fee is the percentage of the trade size, whereas a flat rate is the fixed amount regardless of your trade size. So, make sure you confirm which one works best for you.
Finding a stock trading app offering various tradable assets is of utmost importance. You do not want to choose a trading app to realise later that they do not provide what you wanted to invest in.
Just because a trading app has all the necessary offerings does not mean that its payment methods are suitable for you. Most brokers are still using the traditional techniques of debit/credit card and bank transfers. Others have gone further to allow e-wallets like Skrill, Neteller and PayPal.
Who doesn’t like a business partner with a reliable customer support service? As an investor, you should also choose a broker with round-the-clock customer support that can be reached on different channels, including email, phone, and live chats.
The best stock trading app in the UK must have an advanced trading platform with an attractive user interface. It should also be easy-to-use, making it suitable for all traders. You will notice a good trading platform from the word go when making your first deposit.
It’s always advisable to choose a stock trading app with a demo account to test instead of running the risks of losing your money.
Check out the list of the best cryptocurrency apps in the UK in our other guide.
How to Register a Stock Trading App Account – Step by Step
Once you’ve located the stock trading app that you want to use, you have to register an account, verify your identity, and make a deposit. It might sound like a lot, but the process is really quick and universally the same across all brokers. This is because brokers and customer registration is strictly regulated by the FCA.
Naturally, the first step involves you following one of the links of this page to the broker that you’ve chosen. By following the provided links, you will be directed to the sign-up page. If that fails, you can easily start the registration by clicking the “Join Now” button on the broker’s website.
During the initial stage of the registration, you need to provide basic information about yourself including name, address, income, and phone number. This information will be used as the foundation for your trading app account and will also have to be verified so make sure that you provide accurate details.
With your account registered, you can log in to the stock trading app and browse around. However, to unlock all the features you have to verify your identity. This is done by submitting proof of identity (national ID, driver’s license, passport) and proof of residence (utility bill or bank statement). This information will be manually reviewed before you are verified. Also, note that brokers may ask you for more documents to help verify your identity.
The last step is maybe the easiest. All you have to do is pick a payment method that suits you, a trading amount that fits into your budget, and make a transfer. As soon as the funds land in your trading account, you will be up and running.
And that is it. You have now registered a stock trading app account and can start trading and investing in stocks at will. To ensure that you hit the ground running, we strongly advise that you study stock trading and the pros and cons of using a stock trading app before you get started.
Stock trading is complex and trading on a smartphone makes it even more complex, although also much more available. So please make sure that you are prepared and feel comfortable with stocks and stock trading apps!
FAQs
To start investing in stocks in the UK, you will need a reliable stock broker that is licensed and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Check if their offerings match your trading requirements. Once you make your deposit, you will have access to various market assets to invest in.
No. Unfortunately, Robinhood’s plan to extend its services in the UK was put on hold. However, there are better alternative trading apps in the UK to choose from, like the ones we recommend in our mini-reviews above.
Yes. It is legal to invest in day trading brokers in the UK. For your investment safety, we still insist that you choose a broker that is licensed and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
If you choose a broker that is licensed and regulated by tier-one authorities, then yes, online trading is safe. Before committing to an online broker, make sure that their offerings match your trading needs. You can also take advantage of the demo accounts and test if they work best for you.
Online trading apps are only safe if they are from a reputable broker. To know if a broker is safe, they must be licensed and regulated by tier-one financial authorities, including the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the U.S.
The only way you can easily buy stocks in the UK is through a stock broker. When you have the best stock brokers like the ones we recommend above, you will have access to various stock markets and buy stocks quickly.
Yes. You can easily buy and sell stocks using your phone. Receiving the latest market updates using your phone will also help you manage your trading activities.
To buy stocks, you need a brokerage firm that has access to various stock markets. Make sure that the broker is licensed and regulated by top-tier financial authorities and their offerings align with your trading requirements.
Conclusion
The advantage of including stock trading apps in your investment tools is that you can invest and monitor your trading activities anywhere, anytime. If you are a frequent investor, consider downloading the best stock trading apps on your mobile devices. You do not want to miss any trading opportunity. Do you?
How we test?
Our test process is really based on two different aspects: our independent tests and research, as well as user reviews from Google Play, the App Store, and Trustpilot, etc.
The first thing we do when testing is to check every detail and test every tool and instrument. Our experts spend more than 200 hours on every article. We pay special attention to the specific function or the criteria that we’re comparing during the comparing stage. This means that we must determine which broker is more suited for beginners, and which is better suited for experts, for example. Find out more about our test process here.
I really enjoy trading with eToro 🙂 I have started trading for 9 months and they pay my earning.
I trade with AvaTrade, but my friend has more profit from eToro... how much is your profit for these 9 months?
This may sound like obvious advice - but you need to make trading choices that you are comfortable with. If you don't fully understand the orders you are making, you shouldn't be doing them. Instead, spend some time learning a bit more about how to play on the stock market or look for free stock market advice available on the internet.
Read the article and wanted to highlight this. It's about automated trading apps in the UK. Truly valuable information! Reviews of the best, insights - all on point. Even recommendations for choosing. If you're in the know, like me, definitely give it a read. It might be helpful for you too.
Awesome guide for finding the best stock trading apps! It breaks things down so well, making it a breeze to pick a reliable app. The focus on safety, fees, and choices really helps. The steps for signing up are straightforward, making it super user-friendly. I highly recommend it!
This is what I was looking for! Thanks to the article, I quickly found the best stock trading apps. I was seeking information on the safety of trading - the article recommends choosing apps licensed by the FCA, ensuring their reliability. Their detailed reviews and key selection criteria saved me a lot of time. The straightforward registration and step-by-step instructions made the start of trading easy. All questions were pre-answered in the FAQ section. I highly recommend this article to stock investment beginners.