Trading and investing in the UK financial landscape bring abundant opportunities. To fully capitalise on them, strategic awareness and staying updated with your traded asset class are imperative. Trading and investment apps have become invaluable tools, offering reliability in managing positions at your convenience. Today, we shed light on the best apps for trading and investing, sparing you the laborious market research task. Remember, the key to success in this financial landscape lies in making the best decisions and choices, and TradingGuides experts are here to help.
Essence
- Trading and investing in the UK is skyrocketing, but how you navigate this activity determines your success potential.
- The best investment apps UK for beginners should be licensed and overseen by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for maximum safety.
- At TradingGuide, we take our research process seriously before making any recommendations to our readers.
- Always understand the asset you want to trade or invest in before putting up your money.
- Trading and investes, commodities, cryptocurrencies, indices, and more.
- Traders should apply risk management controls and consider portfolio diversification to mitigate massive losses.
- Most investments apps UK allows you to apply leverage in your trades, thus maximising potential profits*.
- In the UK, all profits from trading and investing in the financial must be subjected to capital gains tax by the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
*Your capital is at risk.
List of the Best Trading and Investment Apps in the UK 2024
- Plus500* – Top-Tier Trading and Investment App
- eToro – Best Investment App for iOS
- Spreadex – Best Trading App With Spread Betting Options
- AvaTrade – Best Trading App for Android
- FxPro – Best Trading App For MetaTrader Users in the UK
- OANDA Europe LTD – Best CFD Trading App in the UK**
- XM – Award-Winning Trading Apps that Suit Most Traders
- Barclays – Overall Best Trading App in the UK
- Hargreaves Lansdown – Best Investment App for Advanced Traders in the UK
*80% of CFD retail accounts lose money
**76.6% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with OANDA provider
How We Choose Trading & Investment Apps
We conduct comprehensive market research and analysis before making any recommendations on this page. Leveraging our extensive experience as professional traders and researchers spanning decades, we initiate the process by gathering a comprehensive list of FCA-regulated apps. This step ensures that we only consider platforms that meet stringent regulatory standards for security and reliability.
Subsequently, we sign up for demo trading accounts across these platforms. Through rigorous testing, we evaluate their performance and compare their features to identify the most optimal options available in the market.
Our research methodology extends beyond mere performance evaluation. We scour user testimonials and ratings on platforms across Google Play, the App Store, and Trustpilot. By incorporating feedback from actual users into our assessment, we gain invaluable insights into the user experience and overall satisfaction levels.
Overall, our methodology for choosing and recommending the best trading and investment apps UK is strict. This is because we want to remain unbiased in our research process so you only get the best of the best.
In this guide
Best Trading & Investment Apps in the UK
- List of the Best Trading and Investment Apps in the UK 2024
- Compare the Best Trading & Investment Apps in the UK
- Brief Overview of Our Recommended Trading Apps’ Fees and Assets
- Our Opinion & Overview of the Best Investment Apps in the UK
- What do Other Traders Say?
- The Ultimate Guide About Online Trading
- FAQs
Compare the Best Trading & Investment Apps in the UK
As mentioned above, we test and compare as many trading and investment apps as possible in the UK. Some of the elements we look into are regulatory status, support service reliability, trade execution speed, and more. See the table below highlighting the features of our best investment apps UK for better decision making.
| Best App | Licence | Support Service | Software | Payment | Demo Account | Money Insurance (Negative money protection) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plus500 | FCA, CySEC, ASIC, MAS, FSA | 24/7 | Plus500 Webtrader | Bank Wire Transfer, Credit/debit cards, Paypal, Skrill | Yes | Yes (up to £85,000) |
| eToro | ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSAS | 24/5 | eToro investing platform, Multi-asset platform, Copy Trader | Debit card, Bank transfer, Neteller, Skrill, eToro Money, Online Banking | Yes | Yes (up to $250,000) |
| Spreadex | FCA, SEBI | 24/5 | IPHONE App, IPAD App, ANDROID App, TradingView | Bank Wire Transfer, Credit cards | No | Yes (up to £85,000) |
| AvaTrade | CBI, CySEC, ASIC, BVIFSC, FSA, SAFCSA, ADGM, ISA | 24/5 | MT4, MT5, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, AvaSocial, DupliTrade, Capitalise.ai | Credit card, Debit card, Wire transfer, Paypal, Skrill, NETELLER, WebMoney | Yes | Yes (up to $1,000,000) |
| FxPro | SEBI, FCA, FSCA, SCB, FSCM | 24/5 | FXPro Trading Platform, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader | Wire transfers, Credit/Debit cards, PayPal, Neteller, Skrill | Yes | Yes (up to £85,000) |
| OANDA Europe LTD | FCA, CySEC, FSA | 24/5 | MT4, OANDA Trade | Credit/debit cards and Bank transfer | Yes | Yes (up to £85,000) |
| XM | CySEC, ASIC, FSC, DFSA | 24/5 | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 | Credit card, Debit card, Neteller, Skrill, UnionPay, WebMoney, Bank Wire | Yes | Yes, up to €20,000 (£17,178) |
| Barclays | FCA, PRA | 24/5 | Smart Investor platform | Debit/credit card, Apple Pay | Yes | Yes (up to £85,000) |
| Hargreaves Lansdown | FCA, CySEC | 24/5 | WebTrader | Credit cards, Bank Wire Transfer | Yes | Yes (up to £85,000) |
Brief Overview of Our Recommended Trading Apps’ Fees and Assets
Having a trading and investing app meeting your needs is crucial in maximising your potential and experience. Among the factors to consider are the applicable fees and featured assets so you can plan accordingly before trading. Below, we have prepared tables showing our recommended trading apps’ fees and assets. Feel free to compare them and make a suitable choice.
Fees
| Best App | Fees | Minimum Deposit Requirement | Transaction | Inactivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plus500 | From 0.0 pips | £100 | Free | £10 monthly |
| eToro | From 2 pips | $100 | $5 withdrawal | $10 monthly |
| Spreadex | From 0.6 pips | £0 | Free | None |
| AvaTrade | 0.03 pips | £100 | Free | £50 quarterly |
| FxPro | From 0.1 pips | £100 | Free | £15 one-off maintenance fee |
| OANDA Europe LTD | From 0.8 pips | £0 | Free | £10 monthly |
| XM | From 0.6 pips | £5 | Free | $15 one-off maintenance fee |
| Barclays | From 1% | £0 | £0 | £0 |
| Hargreaves Lansdown | From 1% | £1 | £0 | £0 |
Assets
| Best App | Forex | Stocks | Commodities | ETFs | Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plus500 (CFDs) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| eToro | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Spreadex | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AvaTrade | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| FxPro | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| OANDA Europe LTD | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
| XM | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Barclays | No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Hargreaves Lansdown | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Our Opinion & Overview of the Best Investment Apps in the UK
Identifying the best trading app UK is not easy, considering the lengthy research process involved. To simplify the process, we share below our opinion and overview regarding our experience with our recommended app. We aim to help you fully understand the strengths and weaknesses of these apps so you can make informed choices.
1. Plus500 – Top-Tier Trading and Investment App
*illustrative prices
For many years, Plus500 was the leading trading app in both the App Store and Google Play. Nowadays, they also have an investment app called Plus500 Invest which is just as efficient and exciting as their trading platform.
This means that you can use the Plus500 Invest platform to handle all your share trading as well as all your CFD investment needs on the Plus500 CFD platform. By keeping it all under the same roof, you will make life so much easier for yourself.
As experts in the field, we are convinced that Plus500 is one of the greatest online brokers of all time. Invest on Plus500 Invest and trade CFDs on Plus500 CFD using the same broker and app. So if you’re looking for an app that can handle both investments and trading, we highly recommend signing up for a Plus500 account today.
✔ Regulated in many countries
- Invest on Plus500 Invest and trade CFDs on Plus500 CFD using the same broker and app
- Top-ranking broker app in both the App Store and Google Play
- First broker to ever offer a Bitcoin CFD
- The number of stocks to invest in is still limited
- Only CFD trading is available
| 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 Investment App for iOS
eToro has proven to be one of the most sought out investment apps by UK investors. This is because it hosts various stock investments in the UK, including stocks and ETFs, all of which you can invest at a low fee.
eToro’s trading platform is another tool that impresses iOS users. Its intuitive design that is easy to use makes it suitable for all types of investors. This app also allows you to meet successful investors and copy their stock portfolios if you do not have the requisite skills.
Investing with eToro on your iOS device takes two forms. You can choose the right broker that lets you take total control of your investment activities or opt to pay the broker’s fee and let the professionals handle everything for you.
✔Low minimum to fund an account and begin investing
- Variety of instruments to invest in
- Copy feature for copying portfolios of expert investors
- Intuitive design and easy-to-use trading platform
- Complies with the conditions of the most strict authorities, including the FCA
- Educational and research tools are few
- No 24/7 customer service
| 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. Spreadex – Best Trading App With Spread Betting Options
Upon testing Spreadex’s trading app with spread betting options, our experience was impressive. The app offers an intuitive interface that simplifies navigation and trade execution. We noticed its seamless integration with essential tools for market analysis, making it ideal for beginners and seasoned traders. Spreadex’s range of over 10,000 instruments for spread betting is comprehensive, covering shares, commodities, forex, indices, and more. The app’s accessibility and user-friendly design enhance the user trading experience. With competitive spreads and no minimum deposit requirements, Spreadex emerges as a top choice. We also liked the presence of the TradingView platform, which is suitable for professional traders looking for a more advanced experience.
✔Helpful customer service
- Over 10,000 tradable instruments, including shares, commodities, indices, and more
- There is no minimum deposit requirement, making it accessible to all traders
- User-friendly and customisable trading platform
- Competitive spreads, starting at 0.6 pips
- You can only trade the supported assets as CFDs or spread betting
- No negative balance protection
| Type | Fee |
| Minimum deposit | Free |
| Overnight fee | Yes |
| Deposit fee | Free |
| Withdrawal fee | Free |
| Inactivity fee | Free |
4. AvaTrade – Best Trading App For Android
We consider AvaTrade one of the best trading apps for Android users since it has gained numerous ratings and testimonials on Google Play. The app also operates seamlessly on iOS devices, offering a user-friendly and easily navigable platform. With the AvaTradeGO app, you can explore +1,000 CFD instruments, including forex, stocks, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, ETFs, and more. There are also quality resources for skills development and fundamental/technical analysis.
Note that the AvaTradeGO app is highly secured and regulated by the FCA. Besides offering access to a range of different order types, the app hosts automated platforms to streamline your activities. On top of that, traders have access to MT4 and MT5 platforms with superior features like VPS, Expert Advisors, and Guardian Angel add-ons. On the flip side, AvaTradeGO has high inactivity fees, and lists limited CFD instruments.
✔ Quick deposits and withdrawals
- Low minimum deposit requirement
- Leverage limit of up to 400:1 for professional CFD traders
- Secured app with seamless operation on Android devices
- Quality learning and research materials
- No two-step authentication for the AvaTradeGO app
- £50 monthly inactivity fees after three months
| 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 |
5. FxPro – Best Trading App For MetaTrader Users in the UK
In our extensive exploration of trading and investment apps in the UK, FxPro stands out as the best for MetaTrader users, delivering an unparalleled user experience. With a user-friendly and customisable platform, FxPro caters to all user preferences, thus ensuring seamless navigation. The £100 minimum deposit requirement makes trading accessible, providing instant access to an impressive array of over 2100 CFD assets, including forex, shares, indices, and more.
While testing this app, we had an amazing experience using our mobile devices. No wonder most Google Play and the App Store users find it reliable. The MT4 and MT5 platforms didn’t disappoint us, and we enjoyed their advanced tools, including EAs, customisable charts, and more. Free deposits and withdrawals, along with fast order execution speed, enhance our trading efficiency, so feel free to test it via its demo account.
✔ Trustworthy broker
- FxPro’s platform is user-friendly and customisable.
- A minimum deposit requirement of £100 makes trading accessible to a broad range of users.
- The inclusion of both MT4 and MT5 caters to different trading preferences.
- Free deposits and withdrawals.
- Fast order execution speed.
- Limited asset offerings compared to its peers.
- Certain features, such as high leverage and crypto trades, are restricted to professional traders.
| Type | Fee |
| Minimum deposit | $100 |
| Withdrawal fee | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $15 once + $5 monthly |
6. OANDA Europe LTD – Best CFD Trading App in the UK
For over two decades, OANDA Europe LTD has continued to build an excellent reputation as one of the most trustworthy CFD brokers in the UK. It hosts thousands of CFD instruments, including forex, commodities, and metals. Trading these assets attract low fees with spreads starting from 0.8 pip. Moreover, OANDA Europe LTD has no minimum deposit requirement, making it ideal for cost-conscious CFD traders. All deposits and withdrawal services are free of charge via multiple payment methods, including credit/debit cards (visa & mastercard) and bank transfers.
Using OANDA Europe LTD to trade CFD assets allows you to explore its award-winning fxTrader app. The app also features advanced MT4 platform with quality resources for professional traders. If you are a newbie, OANDA hosts plenty of learning materials and a demo account to get started on. Although its trading app doesn’t feature face or touch ID, many users on Google Play and the App Store highly rate it as reliable for managing trades on the go.
✔ Fast and user-friendly account opening
- User-friendly and intuitive design trading app
- Low spreads starting from 0.8 pip
- Features MT4 platform with advanced resources for market analysis
- No minimum deposit requirement
- Free deposit and withdrawal services
- Limited learning materials compared to what other CFD brokers offer
- An inactivity fee of £10 monthly kicks in should your account remain dormant for over 12 months
Note: 76.6% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
7. XM – Award-Winning Trading Apps that Suit Most Traders
XM has three different platforms on offer – Metatrader 4, Metatrader 5 and the in-house-designed XM Trader. These are all great platforms and some of the best trading apps on the market right now.
Being the fact that XM is a forex and CFD broker, there are no investment options. However, with 1,000 assets across 6 markets, there is no shortage of trading opportunities on offer.
By opening a demo account, you can test out the different platforms and decide which one you prefer as your main trading and investment app from XM.
Find out more about the best forex trading apps for UK traders in our other article.
✔ A truly global company
- Three different platforms on offer so you can pick the one you prefer as your trading app
- 6 different asset classes to help you vary your trading efforts
- 90+ indicators to help you analyze and execute trades with confidence
- Strictly forex and CFD trading, hence no investment opportunities
| Type | Fee |
| Minimum deposit | 5$ |
| Overnight fee | 0$ |
| Deposit fee | 0$ |
| Withdrawal fee | 0$ |
| Inactivity fee | $15 one-off maintenance fee |
8. Barclays – Overall Best Trading and Investment App in the UK
If you are an investor looking for the best investment app for long-term investments in the UK, look no further than Barclays. It offers investment dealing on shares, funds, and bonds through different account types that you can choose based on your investment goals.
These investment accounts are the Investment ISA and the Investment Account. There is an additional Self-Invested Personal Pension account (SIPP), which allows you to take complete control of your pension investment activities. You can also use this account to enjoy pension investors’ tax benefits. We primarily recommend this SIPP account to expert investors who understand the risks it carries.
Investors incur low charges when investing with Barclays. It doesn’t charge withdrawal or inactivity fees, which is a bonus for this broker. Additionally, their research tools are of top-notch quality, keeping you on top of your stock investments.
✔ Great online trading tools
- Top-quality research tools
- Low investment fees
- Heavily regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
- No minimum deposit requirement
- No demo account
- Monthly customer fees
| Type | Fee |
| Minimum deposit | £0 |
| Overnight fee | Yes |
| Deposit fee | £0 |
| Withdrawal fee | £0 |
| Inactivity fee | £0 |
| Monthly account fee | £0 |
9. Hargreaves Lansdown – Best Investment App for Advanced Traders in the UK
Hargreaves Lansdown is known to be the largest private investment app for traders in the UK. We highly recommend it to advanced investors because of its advanced trading platform with comprehensive tools for investments and safety as they are strictly regulated by FCA.
The investment accounts on Hargreaves Lansdown provide direct access to more than 2,500 market classes, including shares, funds, and trusts. You will also be able to invest in foreign markets such as Europe, Canada, and the US. Additionally, this app lets you customise your portfolio to suit your investment needs.
Hargreaves Lansdown has advanced research tools that will help in improving your investment decisions. It also has professional financial advisors should you have any concerns. That said, we advise you to download this trading app and test it by using its risk-free demo account.
✔ Established market leader
- Regulated by the FCA
- Wide range of investment instruments
- Plethora of advanced tools for research
- Financial advisors to cater to your financial requirements
- High investment charges
- No live chat
| Type | Fee |
| Minimum Deposit | £1 |
| Deposit Fee | No |
| Withdrawal Fee | No |
| Inactivity Fee | No inactivity fees |
| Annual Fee | 0.45% |
What do Other Traders Say?
As a trader looking for a credible and reliable trading and investment app, you must test and compare different options. You also need to analyse user testimonials to learn about their real-time experiences and decide whether to stick with an app. We sampled some of the user testimonials on Google Play, the App Store, and Trustpilot. Below, we share a few to help you make a suitable choice.
Plus500
Traders highlight Plus500’s user-friendly interface and the ability to trade CFDs on ETFs as appealing features. However, some users mention the need for a broader range of ETFs on the platform.
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“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
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“Very good, no problems with deposits or withdrawals, real time prices, you can make alot of money here.” – ramzyki
eToro
Users praise eToro’s diverse ETF offerings and the platform’s social trading features. Many appreciate the ease of navigating the platform and the ability to track and replicate successful traders’ portfolios, making it a compelling choice for ETF investments.
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“I just love this app, everything is clear, it’s perfect for all types of investor also for long term invest.” – Dibakar Barua
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“While providing the services, they did it quickly and proactively. The provides a wide range of functions that are useful while generating monthly and yearly returns. The dashboard is designed to be easy to use and understand” – Nitesh Saini
Spreadex
Users appreciate Spreadex’s diverse ETF portfolio and the platform’s intuitive interface, making it accessible for both beginners and seasoned traders. The competitive fees and responsive customer support have also garnered favourable reviews.
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“Easy to use Platform, v friendly staff. Never had any issues” – Matthew Hill
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“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
AvaTrade
AvaTrade’s diverse range of ETFs and educational resources for traders have been positively acknowledged. Users appreciate the platform’s intuitive interface and access to automated trading tools.
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“Mobile application is best to use because it is easy for me rather than working on a computer my phone is often on my hand and easy to use” – Andile M
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“I was assisted by Alev Nazli. She was very friendly and helpful. Made sure I understood the platform and confirmed that I’m all set to go. She followed up the next day as well. Much appreciated.” – Michael S
FxPro
When it comes to FxPro, the majority of users praise its platform’s reliability and a variety of asset classes. Others mention the low fees and the professionalism of the customer support team, ensuring a positive trading experience.
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“I just love this app, everything is clear, it’s perfect for all types of investor also for long term invest.” – Dibakar Barua
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“While providing the services, they did it quickly and proactively. The provides a wide range of functions that are useful while generating monthly and yearly returns. The dashboard is designed to be easy to use and understand” – Nitesh Saini
OANDA
Users appreciate OANDA for its range of spread betting options and the reliability of its platform. However, some users mention the need for additional educational resources and improved customer service.
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“Account was easy to open and was contacted next day by Luke a VERY helpful account manager who was very knowledgeable and answered all my questions quickly. Happy with service.” – Lucy P T
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“The most reliable broker out there I’ve been with them for years and they’ve never disappointed me and when it comes to withdrawal they are super fast I would rate them 10/10 but obviously no broker is perfect but so far so good” – Zukisa Gaca
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“iOS 12.3.1 is the software I’m currently using and the app crashes out of the blue a lot and I’m using the app on my iPad Pro 11 inch with iOS 12.3.1 and on my iPhone XR running the same software! The only way to describe the crash is that it happens out of the blue I could launch the app and it runs fine for a few minutes and then it just crashes and kicks me back to the home screen and then sometimes I’ll open the app pull up a chart and try to switch between the different time frames and it will crash! Please fix this I do most of my trades from my mobile devices and I love the oanda app but the random crashes Haagen got to go thanks in advance!!!” – Michael
XM
XM’s mobile app is recognised for its user-friendly interface and access to various global currency markets. However, there are occasional remarks about customer service and the need for more advanced trading tools within the app.
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“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
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“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
Barclays
Barclays is appreciated for hosting some of the best investment tools. We also noticed other traders praising its support team for being supportive.
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“Had a great experience with a customer service rep via phone today, her name was Cara. She was super friendly, efficient and dealt with enquiry right away.” – Sara Niema.
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“Bit fiddly to set up but been using it for a while now and with the biometric security I get in very quickly, do the business I went in for and get out in a matter of minutes. Every so often the app requires me to answer other questions to gain access which I don’t mind as it means the levels of security are being maintained.” – Ann Warren.
Hargreaves Lansdown
Hargreaves Lansdown is recognised for its wide range of available stocks and comprehensive research tools. However, some users mention concerns about high fees for smaller investments.
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“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
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“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
The Ultimate Guide About Online Trading
Online trading has brought many benefits to individuals looking for ways to invest their money. If you want to venture into this field, start by understanding the asset you wish to trade and choosing a reliable platform or app to effectively manage your position and enjoy your experience. To help you get started, we have prepared the sections below to educate you on other elements regarding trading and investing in the UK.
What Are Investing Apps?
Investing apps are mobile applications or software that enable individuals to invest in various financial instruments directly from their smartphones or tablets. Just like their desktop versions, these apps offer user-friendly trading interfaces, real-time market data, and access to various investment options, including stocks, ETFs, forex, mutual funds, commodities, cryptos, and more. The apps also provide additional features like automated portfolio management, fractional share investing, social trading platforms, etc, to suit all types of investors.
Overall, investing apps UK have democratised investing, making it accessible and convenient for all types of traders. The apps empower users to take control of their financial futures, whether saving for retirement, building wealth, or exploring new investment opportunities. This is all done from the convenience of their mobile devices.
How to Choose the Right UK Trading or Investment App
As mentioned earlier, choosing the best UK trading or investment app guarantees your funds’ security and maximises your experience. If you are getting started with trading or investing in the UK’s financial space, here are the factors to consider when identifying the best app for trading.
The first thing you must do when looking for a suitable trading and investing app is to know its regulatory status. Therefore, consider an app licensed and regulated by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Regulation not only signifies adherence to stringent standards but also offers protection through schemes like the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). This ensures your investments are protected up to a specific limit in case of the app’s insolvency.
Assess the number and diversity of market assets available for trading or investment on the app. A comprehensive selection encompassing stocks, bonds, ETFs, commodities, and forex pairs allows for greater flexibility in crafting a well-rounded and diversified portfolio tailored to your investment objectives.
Analyse the availability of trading tools and features provided by the app you are considering. Look for real-time market data, advanced charting tools, technical indicators, and comprehensive research resources. These tools empower you to conduct a thorough analysis, make informed decisions, and execute trades precisely and confidently.
The best investment apps for beginners UK should be user-friendly with intuitive navigation to streamline your trading experience. That app’s trading platform should also have a fast trade execution speed and host quality learning resources for skills development. It is also crucial to settle for an app with a demo account, especially if it requires a high minimum deposit. This way, you can test it and gauge your skill level without risking your hard-earned money.
Pay close attention to the app’s fee structure, including commissions, spreads, and other associated charges. Compare fee schedules across different trading and investment apps to ensure they fit your budget without compromising the quality of services. Plus, confirm the non-trading charges such as minimum deposit requirement, transaction costs, inactivity fees, and more.
Seek authentic user testimonials and reviews from fellow investors with firsthand experience with the app. Honest feedback provides valuable insights into the platform’s reliability, performance, customer service, and overall user satisfaction, aiding you in making an informed decision.
Most traders overlook this element but it is as important as others we mentioned here. The best trading and investment app should have a very responsive customer support service. This makes it easier for you to contact them and be assured of relevant solutions to any arising concerns or challenges. The support team should also be accessible via multiple communication channels, including email, live chat, and phone.
How To Register an Account with an Investment App
Registering an account with an investment app is easy and involves a few simple steps to start your investing journey. Here’s a concise guide on how to register an account with an investment app in the UK.
Begin by downloading the investment app of your choice from Google Play or the App Store onto your smartphone or tablet. The app should be reputable, with positive reviews and high ratings, to guarantee a secure and reliable investing experience. If you have limited time for research, consider our recommendations above.
Once the app is downloaded, open it and navigate to the registration or sign-up section. To create your account, provide the required information, such as your name, email address, and password. Some apps may require additional verification steps, such as phone number verification or email confirmation, to complete the registration process.
To comply with the FCA regulatory requirements, your app’s team may require you to verify your identity and location. This may include submitting copies of your national ID (passport or driver’s license) and a recent utility bill or bank statement. Follow the app’s instructions to complete the identity verification process accurately and promptly.
After verifying your identity, you will need to fund your investment account to start trading or investing. Depending on the app, you may have various funding options, such as bank transfer, debit/credit card, or electronic payment methods. Choose the preferred funding method and follow the instructions to securely deposit funds into your trading account.
With your account registered, verified, and funded, you are now ready to start investing. Explore the app’s platform and select your preferred asset to trade. You should also choose your position size and apply risk management controls such as stop-loss or take-profit orders to mitigate massive losses in case of a loss. Most importantly, consider portfolio diversification and keep track of your open activities to identify potentially profitable opportunities.
While you can sign up for a trading account using your mobile device, we advise you to consider using its desktop platform. This is because of the simplicity that comes with using a desktop. Once your account is fully verified and activated, you can transition to logging in to your mobile app.
Investing or Trading – What’s the Difference?
Investing involves buying assets for long-term growth, aiming for wealth accumulation through appreciation, dividends, and interest. It emphasises diversification and fundamental analysis, focusing on the intrinsic value of assets.
On the other hand, trading is all about short-term buying and selling to profit* from price fluctuations. Traders actively manage positions, relying on technical analysis and market trends to identify opportunities. They prioritise risk management and swift execution, aiming for quick profits within shorter time frames.
Ultimately, investing is about gradual wealth building, while trading seeks to capitalise on market volatility for immediate gains. Both approaches have distinct strategies and time horizons, thus catering to different traders’ financial goals.
*Don’t invest your money until you prepare to lose them.
Finding an App that Allows You To Both Trade and Invest
Finding an app that seamlessly combines both trading and investing functionalities offers the best of both worlds. Combining investments with trading provides a balanced approach to financial growth. For instance, while stock investments offer long-term stability, they may take months or even years to yield significant returns. In contrast, trading allows for daily profits through active buying and selling, offering immediate cash flow.
Overall, trading, particularly day trading, enables individuals to regularly generate income, either as a primary source or supplementary to traditional employment. However, trading requires swift decision-making and analysis of market movements, contrasting with the more patient approach of long-term investing.
As a trader looking to combine trading and investing, we advise you to find an app supporting both. From our recommendations above, we described perfect examples that provide both CFDs and stock investing. You simply have to confirm whether they suit your trading needs before making a commitment.
Why Invest in Stocks and Shares?
Investing in the stock and share market in the UK is a popular activity. Investors get into it hoping that the value of shares and stocks they purchase will appreciate, thus earning them profits. When you buy a company’s share, you become part of it. This means that you earn more profits as the company continues to grow and experience losses should it fail or go bust. The best element about investing in a growing company is that you supplement your profits with dividends (portion of the company’s annual profits*).
Stocks and share investing also come with flexibility. Unlike real estate, which can be illiquid and require substantial initial investment, stocks can be bought and sold relatively easily with lower entry barriers. Moreover, the stock market presents many investment opportunities, ranging from well-established blue-chip companies to smaller, high-growth startups. By carefully selecting a diverse range of stocks tailored to your investment objectives, you can construct a balanced investment portfolio poised for long-term growth and profit potential.
However, it’s essential to acknowledge the inherent risks associated with investing in stocks and shares. For instance, poor planning or market volatility can lead to the loss of investment capital. Therefore, ensure you conduct thorough market research and seek professional advice before making investment decisions. Most importantly, have a well-defined investment plan and partner with a reputable stock broker to mitigate risks and maximise potential returns.
*Don’t invest your money until you prepare to lose them.
You can read about Best Crypto Apps in the UK and Best Crypto Brokers in 2024 in our other articles.
FAQs
Long-term investments involve opening and holding on to a position for a period exceeding one year. It’s the “traditional way” to make a profit from financial markets and is often just referred to as investments.
In many ways, long-term investments are the opposite of CFDs trading since CFD trading is speculative, ie. you’re speculating on whether the value of an instrument will increase or decrease over a short period of time.
We have written guides and recommendations for those of you looking to invest long-term and we suggest you take a look at our guides for more information.
You have a good chance of making good profits from investing long-term in high-volatility assets like stocks. Simply put, long-term investments mostly outperform the markets if you can keep your head cool and stick with your strategy.
Long-term investments are also good to use in combination with short-term trading strategies since it allows you to make use of more opportunities. This is why we never compare investments with trading to see what is “best”. Instead, we let you make that decision based on your needs and interests.
We can’t specifically say that the former is better than the latter and vice versa. However, long-term investment lets you hold on to a position for a more extended period, thereby increasing your chances of making more profits. In comparison, day trading involves opening and closing multiple positions daily. So, depending on your availability, choose what complements your needs.
The answer is both yes and no.
If you invest with a legally authorised broker like the ones we recommend above, then you do not need to worry about your investments’ safety. With that being said, all forms of investments and trading carry risks that you cannot completely avoid. That is investments will never be completely safe.
To keep safe while investing, you have to use a regulated broker and follow strict strategies for when to open and close your investments.
Note that since you will be risking your investments for a more extended period, it carries a high potential of returns over time.
Yes, Robinhood is a licensed and regulated broker, and therefore, it is safe for long-term investments. Being the fact that Robinhood is a rather new investment broker, it uses all the latest encryption and safety measures on the market, making it one of the safest options around.
Unfortunately, Robinhood is not currently available in the UK or the rest of Europe. This is because the broker only has licenses to offer their services in the United States.
In the U.S – where Robinhood is available – it is a broker suitable for the best long-term investments.
Conclusion
Nowadays, trading apps have become must-have tools in the financial space, considering the benefits they bring. As a trader or investor, note that there are numerous fraudulent providers in the UK’s financial space. Therefore, always follow our steps above in choosing a trading or investment app to avoid falling victim to fraudsters. You should also ensure your mobile device is highly secured with an added password to prevent unauthorised access to your trades. And when you start trading, remember that success doesn’t come easily. Be patient, disciplined, and open to learning from mistakes if you want to see progress in your activities.
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.
Can I day trade on IG Markets? Or is it only suitable for intraday trading and long-term investment?
Yes! but the cost of day trading depends on which markets you choose to trade and the market conditions. also of your personal circumstances and attitude to risk! With IG, you will need to fund your account by a minimum of £250 to start trading. I started from £500
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