Best FCA Regulated Brokers in the UK March 2025

Share
Copied!

Meet Thadeus, a trading guru, brilliant writer, and financial fanatic with years of expertise in the industry. Get ready to learn from his wealth of knowledge.

Article was updated: December 26, 2024
Estimated reading time: 17 minutes

Every UK trader who wants optimum consumer protection, fairness, and transparency should trade with brokers regulated by FCA. The FCA is the UK’s financial watchdog. It’s tasked with keeping brokers in line and ensuring all traders enjoy uncompromised protection.

That said, most of the brokers in the UK are regulated by the FCA. However, not all FCA-regulated brokers have the friendliest offers and features. Some have significant shortcomings, including high fees and limited assets. For this reason, I took it upon myself to vet FCA-regulated service providers based on a set of key factors, including reputation, costs, and asset variety.

Below, I have listed and reviewed FCA-regulated platforms that stood out from the rest.

In this guide

Best FCA Regulated Brokers in the UK

List of the Best FCA-regulated Brokers

  • Pepperstone – Australian Broker with FCA License
  • eToro – Best UK FCA Regulated Trading Broker
  • Spreadex – Best FCA-Regulated Broker With Excellent Support Service
  • Plus500 – Great FCA Regulated Broker for CFD* Trading
  • FxPro – Best Spread Betting FCA Regulated Broker in the UK
  • OANDA – Best Broker With Advanced Resources
  • Forex.com – FCA Regulated Forex Broker
  • Interactive Brokers – Best FCA Regulated Stock Broker

*80% of CFD retail accounts lose money on Plus500

Compare Brokers Table

Let’s begin with a quick comparison of the best FCA regulated brokers in the UK. To make choosing the best provider easier, go through this table and look for a broker that meets your expectations based on the core features that I have focused on.

Once you identify a promising broker, look for its mini-review in the section and read it carefully. I also recommend visiting the broker’s official site and gathering more information. Repeat these steps until you find the most fitting service provider.

FCA-regulated Broker

License & Regulation Minimum Deposit Commission & Spreads Support Service Software Payment Method Demo Account

Money Insurance

Pepperstone FCA, ASIC, CMA, DFSA, CySEC, SCB, BaFin £0 From 0.0 pips 24/7 Pepperstone Trading Platform, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, cTrader Credit/debit cards, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Flutterwave Yes Yes
eToro FCA, ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, SFSA ADGM, MFSA, FSAS, GFSC, SEC £50 From 0% commission 24/5 eToro investing platform and app, Multi-asset platform, Social Trading, Copy Trader, Smart Portfolios Credit/debit cards, Bank transfer, Klarna, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller Yes Yes
Spreadex FCA, SEBI £0 From 0.6 pips 24/5 TradingView Bank Wire Transfers, Credit cards No Yes
Plus500 FCA, ASIC, CySEC, FRN, Seychelles FSA, FSRA, MAS, DFSA, SCB £100 From 1.2 pips 24/7 Plus500 CFD Visa, MasterCard, PayPal, Skrill, Bank transfer Yes Yes
FxPro FCA, CySEC, FSCA, SCB, FSA £100 From 0 pips 24/5 FxPro Mobile App, MT4, MT5, cTrader, FxPro WebTrader Credit/debit cards, Bank wire transfers, Neteller, Skrill, PayPal Yes Yes
OANDA FCA, CySEC, FSA £0 From 0.8 pips 24/5 MT4, OANDA Trade Credit/debit cards and Bank transfer Yes Yes
Forex.com FCA, CFTC, NFA, CIMA, CySEC, FSA £100 From 0.8 pips 24/5 MT4, MT5, TradingView Bank transfer, Credit/debit cards, Skrill, Neteller Yes Yes
Interactive Brokers FSA, FCA, ASIC, FINRA £0 From $0.01 commission on US stocks 24/5 IBKR Mobile, APIs, Trader Workstation Bank or Wire Transfers Yes Yes

Broker Reviews

In this section, I have reviewed each of the best FCA-regulated brokers in detail. For starters, I’ve ranked every provider based on what it’s best for. Then, I have explained why I think the providers deserve their ranking. Finally, I have highlighted the pros and cons of all of the FCA brokers that I’ve recommended in this comprehensive guide.

1. Pepperstone - Best for Forex Traders

pepperstone screen 4
pepperstone screen 3
pepperstone screen 2
pepperstone screen 1
pepperstone screen 4
pepperstone screen 3
pepperstone screen 2
pepperstone screen 1

If you are committed to trading forex pairs, I recommend signing up with Pepperstone. I conducted a thorough assessment of this broker and discovered a few key concepts. For starters, its clients have access to over 90 currency pairs, which is an impressive range compared to what competitors offer.

The available instruments range from GBP/USD and EUR/USD to GBP/NZD, CAD/CHF, and GBP/KKK. In other words, every conceivable FX currency category will be accessible to you once you sign up with Pepperstone, from major and minor pairs to crosses, exotics, and NDFs.

I highly recommend Pepperstone to all forex traders who like keeping costs low. This broker doesn’t have a minimum deposit requirement and its spreads are super low. You can trade majors like GBP/USD, USD/CAD, and AUD/USD and enjoy tight spreads from 0.0 pips. Note that minors, crosses, exotics, and NDFs have significantly higher minimum and average spreads.

While trading forex with Pepperstone, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to platforms. This broker offers top-notch third-party trading software like Trading View, MT4/MT5, and cTrader. The company’s proprietary mobile and web trading platforms are also packed with excellent features worth checking out.

Pepperstone Review
TradingGuides Rating:
✔ Top tier liquidity
✔ No dealing desk intervention
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets
Pros
  • Over 90 popular currency pairs
  • Forex traders can diversify with 2,400+ instruments
  • No minimum deposit requirement
  • No inactivity fees
  • Multiple robust platforms, including TradingView and MT5
  • Low spreads from 0 pips
Cons
  • Only CFDs are available
  • Limited learning resources compared to brokers like eToro

Type Fee
Minimum Deposit  $0
Withdrawal fee $0
Deposit fee $0
Inactivity fee No
Account fee No

1200+ instruments across FX, indices, cryptocurrencies*, equities, energy and commodities, and more, across three, free powerful platforms.

*Only Pro clients get access to cryptos.

2. eToro - Best for Investing Enthusiasts

screenshot 1 etoro
screenshot 2 etoro
screenshot 3 etoro
screenshot 4 etoro
screenshot 1 etoro
screenshot 2 etoro
screenshot 3 etoro
screenshot 4 etoro

eToro is the best FCA-regulated broker for traders who want to venture into the world of investing. With this service provider, you can choose stocks from a catalog with over 6,000. And if you’re worried about insufficient capital, rest easy. eToro allows you to start your investment journey with as little as £10.

While vetting eToro, I encountered stocks from popular companies, including Apple, NVIDIA Corporation, and Alphabet. These companies have solid track records, and their stocks are easy to buy and sell. Another good thing about this broker is that it allows Brits to access stock exchanges without paying any commission.

Crypto investing is also available on eToro. After signing up with this broker, you can buy and sell over 100 cryptocurrencies, from popular assets like Bitcoin, Solana, and Ethereum to up-and-comers like FTM, AMP, and ONDO. And you’ll have an easier time keeping your assets secure since eToro has a top-grade crypto wallet.

While investing in eToro, you can also trade thousands of financial instruments, including currency pairs, commodities, and ETFs. If you are new to either investing or trading, eToro has top-tier educational resources that will help you boost your knowledge and dive in with unmatched confidence.

eToro Review
TradingGuides Rating:
✔Copy/Social trading
✔Low minimum to fund an account and begin investing
{etoroCFDrisk}% of retail CFD accounts lose money
Pros & Cons
Fees
Assets
Pros
  • Thousands of investment products like stocks and crypto assets
  • The minimum investment amount is £10
  • User-friendly platform interface
  • Investors can trade 7,000+ assets
  • Low commissions
  • Excellent customer support
Cons
  • £10 inactivity fee
  • Higher spreads than its peers

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)

  • Stocks – there is a total of 800 stocks offered ranging from the biggest tech businesses in the U.S. to smaller companies from all over the world. Stock trading is always commission-free with eToro.
  • Cryptocurrencies – being one of the first brokers to jump on the cryptocurrency bandwagon, it comes as no surprise that eToro dominates this segment. With more than 20 coins and a number of cryptocurrency pairs, there is enough for all crypto traders.
  • Currency Pairs – in the early days, eToro was just another FX broker and even though they’ve developed since, the broker has stayed true to its roots. As a trader, you can choose between 49 currency pairs ranging from majors and minors to a few exotic ones.
  • Long-Term Investments – unlike many online brokers, eToro is also suitable for long-term investments. For example, their investment portfolios are a great way to diversify your portfolio and limit risk.
  • Additional assets – in addition to the above, eToro provides access to commodities, indices, and ETFs as CFDs. There is also a range of unique assets such as Crypto Portfolios that are only offered by eToro. This means that you can create a diverse portfolio with ease.

3. Spreadex - Best FCA-Regulated Broker With Excellent Support Service

spreadex screen 4
spreadex screen 3
spreadex screen 2
spreadex screen 1
spreadex screen 4
spreadex screen 3
spreadex screen 2
spreadex screen 1

Spreadex stands out as the best FCA-regulated broker, setting a gold standard for safety and reliability in the financial industry. The broker has built a strong reputation for its unwavering commitment to adhering to the rigorous standards set by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), one of the most respected financial regulatory bodies globally. This regulatory oversight ensures that your investments with Spreadex are safeguarded, providing peace of mind to traders.

One of the elements that sets Spreadex apart from most of its peers is its exceptional support service. The broker places a premium on customer satisfaction, offering top-notch assistance to its clients. Whether you’re a seasoned trader or a beginner taking your first steps in the financial markets, Spreadex’s dedicated support team is readily available to address your inquiries and guide you through any challenges you may encounter. You can contact the team via email, phone, or live chat.

Spreadex Review
TradingGuides Rating:
✔Low forex fees
✔Helpful customer service
Pros & Cons
Fees
Assets
Pros
  • Regulated by the FCA, ensuring the highest levels of safety and reliability
  • Reliable and responsive support service team proven to provide relevant solutions
  • Hosts over 10,000 tradable securities
  • No minimum deposit requirement
Cons
  • Limited advanced trading features
  • The support service team is not available 24/7

Type Fee
Minimum deposit Free
Overnight fee Yes
Deposit fee Free
Withdrawal fee Free
Inactivity fee Free

Currently, there are 60+ forex pairs on offer, 17 commodity CFDs and 1000 index and stock CFDs.

4. Plus500 - Best for CFD Trading

plus500 screen 4
plus500 screen 3
plus500 screen 2
plus500 screen 1
plus500 screen 4
plus500 screen 3
plus500 screen 2
plus500 screen 1

*Illustrative prices

Plus500 is dedicated to helping Brits trade CFDs on over 2,800 financial instruments, from ETFs, commodities, and shares to indices, options, and forex. You just have to pick the right assets for you and start your journey to trading and earning handsome returns.

Trading with a new platform can be hectic. Plus500 knows that and does everything it can to make the process easier. This broker’s platforms have simple, user-friendly interfaces suitable for both noobs and seasoned traders. Every layout is clean and intuitive, so you won’t too much precious time familiarizing yourself with the platform.

Before signing up with Plus500, note that this broker requires a £100 minimum deposit. If you can meet it, funding your account will be a breeze since Plus500 supports a considerable variety of popular payment methods, including bank transfer, PayPal, and Skrill. Moreover, the broker covers most transaction fees, so you don’t have to worry about deposit charges.

If you’ve been in the CFD trading scene for a while, consider opening a professional Plus500 account. You’ll enjoy higher leverage options, cash rebates, and many other boons. Your funds will also be covered by the FSCS, and you’ll have access to priority support. Visit the broker’s official site to check if you’re eligible.

When evaluating Plus500 as your broker, it’s essential to consult an Plus500 review to gain a comprehensive understanding of the services it provides.

* Investment Trends 2022

Plus500 Review
TradingGuides Rating:
✔ Educational materials
✔ Regulated in many countries
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets
Pros
  • CFDs on thousands of assets, from forex to commodities
  • Friendly platforms with intuitive interfaces
  • Cost-free deposits and withdrawals
  • Top-notch learning resources, including an online academy
  • Professional account with unique boons for professional traders
  • Quality customer support service
Cons
  • £10 monthly inactivity fee
  • Higher spreads and commissions than its peers

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.

5. FxPro - Best for Algorithmic Traders

fxpro screen 4
fxpro screen 3
fxpro screen 2
fxpro screen 1
fxpro screen 4
fxpro screen 3
fxpro screen 2
fxpro screen 1

If you are a fan of automated or algorithmic trading, I urge you to check out FxPro. While foraging for the best service provider, I discovered that this broker allows you to leverage the power of algorithmic trading on 3 platforms: MT4, MT5, and cTrader. Both MT4 and MT5 support algorithmic trading via Expert Advisors. cTrader, on the other hand, comes with an advanced solution known as cTrader Automate.

With cTrader Automate, you can create custom bots that will help you trade on cTrader. I tried this feature and my experience was nothing short of eye-opening. On the other hand, you can use the Experts Advisors that come with MT4 and MT5 to automate market analysis, the generation of trading signals, and trade execution. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Please research these solutions thoroughly before using them.

I can’t forget to mention FxPro’s VPS feature. It stands for Virtual Private Server, which is a remote system that enables you to load and run your Expert Advisers 24/5. FxPro’s VPS comes with low latency and keeps your EAs running even when your PC is switched off.

Algorithmic trading features aside, FxPro has a reasonable asset variety. Here, you can trade popular assets like forex pairs, indices, futures, and metals. If you’re a seasoned trader, you can join this broker’s Pro platform and enjoy lower spreads, negative balance protection, ultra-fast order execution, and many other excellent boons.

FxPro Review 2025
TradingGuides Rating:
✔ Unique trading tools
✔ Trustworthy broker
Pros & Cons
Fees
Assets
Pros
  • Multiple excellent platforms for algo traders, including MT4 and MT5
  • Offers a VPS that allows EAs to run 24/5
  • Generous incentives for professional traders
  • Spreads start at 0 pips
  • Quick, professional customer support service
Cons
  • £10 monthly inactivity fee
  • £30 fee for FxPro VPS

Type Fee
Minimum deposit $100
Withdrawal fee $0
Inactivity fee $15 once + $5 monthly

FxPro offers traders a wide range of investment products, including 70 currency pairs, as well as over 2000 different stocks.

6. OANDA – Best Broker With Advanced Resources

oanda screen 1
oanda screen 2
oanda screen 3
oanda screen 4
oanda screen 1
oanda screen 2
oanda screen 3
oanda screen 4

OANDA stands out as a top-tier broker offering advanced resources for traders. The platform provides a robust set of tools for market analysis and research, including advanced charting capabilities and access to historical data. I was impressed by the analytical capabilities available, which can be valuable for traders implementing technical analysis strategies.

OANDA’s commitment to providing traders with advanced resources extends beyond its platform. The broker offers a wealth of educational materials and expert insights to help traders make informed decisions. Furthermore, the broker is highly encrypted, so rest assured your data and funds are safe with it.

OANDA Review
TradingGuides Rating:
✔ Outstanding research tools
✔ Fast and user-friendly account opening
Risk Warning
76.6% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the risk of losing your money.
Pros & Cons
Fees
Assets
Pros
  • FCA-regulated, providing a high level of security and transparency
  • Supports MT4 and TradingView platforms for advanced traders
  • User-friendly platform with advanced charting tools
  • Competitive spreads, starting from 0.8 pips
  • No minimum deposit requirement
Cons
  • No face or touch ID on its mobile trading app
  • Supports CFD assets only

Type Fee
Minimum deposit $0
Overnight fee Yes
Deposit fee $0
Withdrawal fee $0 to your PayPal account*
Inactivity fee Yes

*We do not charge a fee for withdrawals made to your PayPal account. If your PayPal account is denominated in a currency other than GBP, EUR or USD, you may incur an exchange fee levied by PayPal.

With OANDA, you can trade forex, indices, metals (a wide range of metals, including gold and silver), commodities and bonds.

7. Forex.com – FCA Regulated Forex Broker

roboforex step 2
forex.com screen 4
forex.com screen 3
forex.com screen 2
forex.com screen 1
roboforex step 2
forex.com screen 4
forex.com screen 3
forex.com screen 2
forex.com screen 1

Forex.com has established itself as one of the leading FCA regulated forex brokers, providing a comprehensive and feature-rich platform for forex traders. I found the platform intuitive and user-friendly, making it suitable for traders of all levels of experience. The availability of a wide range of forex currency pairs ensures that traders have ample options to capitalise on market opportunities.

Forex.com offers robust research tools and market analysis resources, which help us stay informed and make well-informed trading decisions. The execution quality on the platform is reliable, with quick order execution and minimal slippage. While Forex.com primarily focuses on forex trading, I noticed that the platform offers limited options for trading other asset classes.

Forex.com Review 2025
TradingGuides Rating:
✔ Unparalleled forex service
✔ Wide array of offerings
Pros & Cons
Fees
Assets
Pros
  • Variety of order types and great customisable features.
  • User-friendly with an intuitive interface
  • +90 currency pairs
  • Low minimum deposit requirement
Cons
  • High spreads
  • High non-trading charges

Type Fee
Minimum deposit $100
Inactivity fee $15
Deposit fee $0
Withdrawal fee $0
Overnight fee $0

Clients can trade Forex, Indices, Cryptocurrencies, Stocks, and Commodities (including precious metals and oil) with different account types.

8. Interactive Brokers – Best FCA Regulated Stock Broker

IBKR screen 1
IBKR screen 2
IBKR screen 3
IBKR screen 4
IBKR screen 1
IBKR screen 2
IBKR screen 3
IBKR screen 4

As an FCA-regulated stock broker, Interactive Brokers delivers a comprehensive platform for traders looking to access a wide range of global stock markets. While exploring the broker, I noticed that its platform provides an extensive selection of stocks and competitive pricing. This includes low commissions and access to international exchanges.

I was also impressed by the advanced trading features offered by Interactive Brokers, such as customisable trading algorithms and direct market access (DMA). These features can be beneficial for active and experienced traders. The platform’s reliability, stability, and comprehensive order-routing technology ensure that trades are executed efficiently.

Interactive Brokers Review
TradingGuides Rating:
✔ One of the oldest broker
✔ Top trading platform for advanced
Pros & Cons
Fees
Assets
Pros
  • Low trading costs
  • Plenty of assets for selection
  • Huge market exposure with modern design tools
  • Quality learning materials
Cons
  • High inactivity fees
  • Platform can be challenging for newbies to navigate

Type Fee
Minimum Deposit $10
Deposit Fee Free
Withdrawal Fee Free
Inactivity Fee $0

Interactive Brokers’ clients can trade stocks, options, futures, forex, cryptocurrencies, bonds, and funds in 150 markets.

How to Choose FCA-regulated Broker

BEWARE OF SCAMS

To ensure the safety and legitimacy of your trading endeavours in the UK, it is paramount that you verify the membership of your chosen trading platform with the FCA. This can be easily achieved by locating the FCA reference number at the footer of the platform’s website. Then, confirm a platform’s official registration status using this number at the FCA register and ensure its details have been consistently updated within the past year.

With so many unregulated trading platforms in the UK, it is essential to exercise caution for an exciting trading experience and to safeguard your funds.

Checking if every broker is regulated by the FCA when choosing the best FCA-regulated broker in the UK is the first step. To be safer, I urge you to prioritize service providers that are also licensed and supervised by other top authorities, like ASIC, CySEC, and the SEC. Additionally, vet each provider’s suitability and reliability based on the following:

I always gauge every broker’s reputation through reviews on sites like Trustpilot, the App Store, and Google Play before signing up. My advice is you should follow suit. While reading reviews and testimonials, pay close attention to remarks from people who’ve given the provider a lower ranking. Analyze their comments and look for common issues that may be a dealbreaker for you, like delayed payouts and frequent app bugs.

I trade for profit and often do whatever I can to maximize potential returns. You should do the same if you’re in this game for the money. For starters, look for a cost-friendly FCA-regulated broker with reasonable trading and non-trading fees. Before signing up, check everything from spreads and commissions to overnight, inactivity, and transaction fees. Also, ask the support team if there are any other additional charges you should be aware of.

The best brokers offer a broad range of financial assets. But the best broker for you is the one that gives you uncapped access to your favorite securities. That said, I recommend analyzing every service provider’s asset list before committing. And remember, if you are a keen investor, you need to sign up with a broker that supports investing. Most of the platforms you’ll come across, including the ones I’ve recommended, are focused primarily on CFD trading.

Evaluate the platforms that each FCA broker offers to establish if your preferred ones are available. That is more so if you prefer trading with third-party software like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader5. If you choose to use brokers’ proprietary platforms, vet each platform’s ease of use beforehand. If you are a newbie, prioritize platforms with beginner-friendly UI and simplified features. Conversely, if you are at my level, you should look for a platform with advanced features.

When selecting the right broker to sign up, consider available support channels. I prefer trading with platforms that allow me to request quick assistance via convenient channels like phone support, live chat, and email. If you do the same, you won’t be plagued by constant support delays and escalated challenges. You should vet available support hours. Go with brokers that offer quality 24-hour support at least 5 days a week.

If you’ve just taken your first steps, I recommend signing up with a broker that offers comprehensive learning materials for beginners. A good example is eToro, which has a free academy filled with hundreds of beginner-friendly courses, guides, lessons, and more. Conversely, if you are a seasoned pro, look for a platform with advanced resources. Remember, continuous learning is the key to your success.

Conclusion

Having introduced you to the best FCA-regulated brokers, I can’t sign off without pointing out one crucial warning. Trading is risky. Many people have lost their hard-earned money to this venture. Why? The most common culprits are ignorance and lack of discipline.

You can avoid losses and make good money; that’s a fact. But to do so, you must have a solid knowledge base. Master the fundamentals of online trading and investing before risking your money. Furthermore, set achievable goals and use them to remain disciplined and focused.

How we test?

Our evaluation and testing process is thorough and exhaustive. First, we conduct extensive research. Our experts visit each broker’s official site and assess every offering. Then, we go to credible review sites like Trustpilot, Google Play, and the App Store and read user testimonials and feedback. After research, our experts proceed to the next step: testing.

The testing phase is critical in determining if brokers deliver as promised. We used demo and live accounts to vet available trading platforms, tools, and other resources. While doing so, our experts strive to identify the most pronounced strengths and weaknesses.

Why do we do all that? It’s simple. You are a valued member of the TradingGuide family, and we are committed to doing everything in our power to ensure you have access to the best brokers. Find out more about our test process here.

Thadeus Geodfrey logo
Thadeus Geodfrey

Is a regular dad trying to be smart about how we play and win in this big game of life. He has worked within the very best of the financial industry producing numerous training resources. He is an experienced copywriter with immense financial background. Now earns a full time living as a Trader, and as our writer.

His articles help everyday families build sustainable wealth, stop stressing about their financial security, and start living the life they’ve always wanted.
If he is not trading or writing, he is at the gym.

Pepperstone Review

25,000 hours of testing 70+ brokers. Our recommended broker is Pepperstone.

Our recommended broker is Pepperstone.

Pepperstone Review Register at Pepperstone now!

75.1% of retail investor accounts lose money