Plus500 has been one of the best CFD brokers globally since 2008. The broker offers a wide range of online CFDs on forex, shares, commodities, and more!
Claire Maumo, a financial writer at TradingGuide, specialises in personal finance, forex, cryptocurrencies, and contemporary assets like NFTs. With a strategic mindset, she provides expert insights to empower readers in wealth creation and trading.
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MetaTrader 5 (MT5) has become one of the most widely used trading platforms in the UK, and for good reason. It’s flexible, powerful, and built for traders who want more than basic charting. But here’s the thing. The platform is only half the equation. The broker you choose matters just as much.
I’ve been trading financial markets for over a decade and have tested hundreds of brokers during that time. My relationship with MetaTrader goes back to the MT4 days, and I’ve watched MT5 evolve from a curiosity into the industry standard. Today, trading volume on MT5 has officially eclipsed MT4.
This guide will help you find the best MetaTrader 5 brokers for your specific needs. I’ve done the heavy lifting, so you don’t have to.
List of the Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers
After spending over 100 hours in this process, here is my MetaTrader 5 brokers list.
Note: CFD trading is highly risky, especially where leverage is involved. Over 71.9% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with these providers. So, 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.
In this guide
Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers in the UK
Compare Best MT5 Brokers in the UK
Finding the best MT5 brokers in the UK took real work. I started with safety first. Every broker on this list had to be authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). There was no point going further if client protection was not clear.
I downloaded the latest MT5 platform for each broker and reviewed all available markets. Then I opened demo accounts and tested features like Expert Advisors, VPS access, custom indicators, plugins, and asset range. Some platforms felt smooth. Others did not.
After that, I funded live accounts with a total of £2,050 across the brokers reviewed here. £500 at Pepperstone, £300 at FxPro, £200 at FP Markets, £50 at HF Markets, and £1,000 at Tickmill. I traded during London and New York sessions, checked execution speed during major news events, and tested withdrawals firsthand.
I also reviewed recurring user comments on Trustpilot, Google Play, and the App Store. Where traders mentioned withdrawal delays or spread widening, I tested those claims myself.
The picks below are based on real performance, not marketing copy or flashy bonuses.
To help you make a suitable choice, I have prepared a comparison table below highlighting the unique features that set each broker apart.
I’ve used Pepperstone on and off for three years, but for this guide, I opened a fresh account with a £500 deposit. I traded exclusively on its Razor account for several weeks, focusing on EUR/USD and FTSE 100 CFDs. I also explored features available and analysed its fee structure.
Overall, Pepperstone is user-friendly both on desktop and mobile devices, with spreads starting from as low as 0.0 pips on major currency pairs. Accessing the MT5 platform was only £10, and I explored powerful tools, including MQL5 programming, various chart types, built-in indicators, and more.
I find these tools are worth using, and they are not just features ticked off a list. Not only was I able to simplify my activities, but I also strategically planned them, thus saving time. If you are a beginner, start by learning how these resources work, and you will see how they add value to your analysis and execution.
Unlike the MT4 platform that is primarily tailored for forex traders, Pepperstone’s MT5 offers access to a wide range of securities. You can trade forex, shares, indices, and commodities as CFDs.
Would I feel comfortable keeping a larger balance here? Personally, yes. FCA regulation and operational stability give confidence. But it is still a CFD broker, and leveraged trading carries significant risk.
1
Pepperstone Review
TradingGuides Rating:
✔ Top tier liquidity ✔ No dealing desk intervention
A very stable platform with fast trade execution speed
Quality trading tools for all types of traders
Low minimum deposit requirement
Lists additional third-party platforms, including MT4, cTrader, and TradingView
No inactivity fee
Cons
No buying and taking full ownership of securities
Slow live chat
Type
Fee
Minimum Deposit
£10
Withdrawal fee
£0
Deposit fee
£0
Inactivity fee
No
Account fee
No
1,350+ instruments across FX, indices, cryptocurrencies*, equities, energy and commodities, and more, across three, free powerful platforms.
*Only Pro clients get access to cryptos (CFDs).
2. FxPro - Best With Excellent Support Service
FxPro has a straightforward account setup process, and after depositing £300 in my account, I was trading within an hour. Note that this MT5 broker has a minimum deposit requirement of £100, making it easier for low-budget traders to access the platform.
While the broker executes trades seamlessly on desktop and mobile devices, I noticed that many users praise it for its excellent support service. I decided to contact its team via supported channels, and I must admit that responses were prompt, with emails taking up to an hour. Most importantly, FxPro’s support service team provided relevant solutions that kept me trading long term.
Besides the MT5, this broker gives access to MT4, cTrader, TradingView, and its own proprietary FxPro WebTrader. You can trade 2,100+ CFD and spread betting assets, including forex, shares, indices, ETFs, commodities, and more. Trade sizes start from as low as 0.01 lots.
Reliable and responsive 24/5 support service with email follow-ups
Low minimum deposit requirement
Lists 2,100+ securities for a diversified portfolio
Seamless trade execution on the MT5 platform
Cons
Charges an inactivity fee of £15 after 12 months of inactivity, then $5 monthly
Supports only CFD and spread betting. No physical purchasing of securities featured
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.
3. FP Markets - Top Broker For Professional Traders
I approached FP Markets with the assumption that it was just another low-cost broker. After depositing £200 and spending several weeks on its platform, I realised it offers more depth than I initially gave it credit for. The broker’s minimum deposit requirement is £100.
Its Raw account gave me access to 10,000+ securities, with low spreads, from 0.0 pips. But the real story is the platform ecosystem. I could test an EA on MT5, do my charting on TradingView, test advanced tools, including forex signals and trade some forex on cTrader, all with the same FP Markets login. This flexibility is a huge advantage for professional traders who use different tools for different strategies.
Besides the Raw account, you can trade on FP Markets’ Standard and Iress accounts. Sadly, it is a CFD and spread betting broker, with no support for physical asset purchasing. This means you must understand the risks of trading with leverage before committing to FP Markets.
1
FP Markets Review
TradingGuides Rating:
✔Low trading fees ✔Accounts can be opened fast and easy
Excellent execution speed on the MT5 and other featured platforms
Quality advanced resources for professional traders
Cons
You must deposit at least £1,000 to access the Iress account
No buying and taking ownership of listed assets
Type
Fee
Minimum deposit
$100
Overnight fee
$0
Deposit fee
$0
Withdrawal fee
Depends on payment method
Inactivity fee
$0
There are plenty of trading options to choose from on FP Markets. These include 70+ currency pairs, more than 10,000 stocks on global exchanges, 5 cryptocurrency CFDs, 290 ETFs, 19 major global indices, and commodities. The commodities available include gold, silver, oil and more.
4. HF Markets – Beginner-Friendly Option
To test HF Markets properly, I used a smaller deposit of £50, an amount I believed a cautious beginner might use. Account opening took about 15 minutes. Verification was quick, and I was trading within an hour.
Before diving in, I noticed that many users on Google Play, the App Store, and Trustpilot praised HF Markets’ educational resources and its HFcopy feature. That prompted me to make those two areas my primary focus during testing.
From my experience, the education section is well produced, and I found myself learning things I could apply directly. As for HFcopy, it allows you to follow and automatically replicate the trades of experienced traders. For a beginner who is not yet confident making independent calls, this is a useful bridge between watching the markets and actively participating in them.
When it comes to trading on MT5, trades are executed seamlessly with quality trading tools for all types of traders. You can trade 500+ securities at low spreads from 0.0 pips. They include forex, shares, commodities, bonds, indices, and ETFs. There is no minimum deposit requirement.
1
HotForex Review 2026
TradingGuides Rating:
✔ Low minimum deposit ✔ Reliable and trustworthy broker
Gives access to quality market analysis tools and Expert Advisors via the MT5 platform
Cons
Limited asset offerings
Supports CFD trading, which is highly risky when using leverage
Type
Fee
Minimum deposit
0$
Deposit fee
0$
Withdrawal fee
0$
Inactivity fee
5$
Hot Forex offers over 1,000+ trading instruments, including forex, stocks, futures, indices and commodity CFDs. And due to the growing demand, they provide cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and others.
5. Tickmill - Leading Broker for Futures Trading
Tickmill has a starting deposit requirement of £100 for its Classic and Raw accounts. However, the Futures account requires at least £1,000. This may be intimidating for newbies and budget-conscious traders, but the broker hosts quality trading tools for all.
I deposited £1,000 to test and discover what Tickmill offers. Overall, its proprietary web and mobile platforms are user-friendly with customisable features. Trades were easily executed, with futures incurring low fees from £0.85 per micro contract and £1.30 for the standard contract.
I also discovered 600+ additional assets at Tickmill, and spent my money trading shares, forex, commodities, indices, and options, to choose suitable securities for my portfolio diversification. I like that spreads are low, starting from 0.0 pips. While I was able to make instant deposits, withdrawals took 24 hours via bank transfer.
Trading on Tickmill’s MT5 platform exposed me to advanced charting and technical analysis tools. I also enjoyed automated trading, copy trading, signal integration, and more via the Classic and Raw accounts. Exploring futures using the CQG and Agena Trader platforms made my experience one of the best.
Low minimum deposit requirement for the Classic and Raw accounts
Offers an Islamic trading account
Free deposit and withdrawal
Cons
High minimum deposit requirement for the Futures account
Supports only CFD trading
Type
Fee
Minimum deposit
£100
Deposit fee
£0
Withdrawal fee
£0
Inactivity fee
£10 after 12 months of inactivity
Overnight fee
Yes
Tickmill offers over 600 CFD assets, with spreads from 0.0 pips, and some of the lowest commissions on the trading market:
Forex – 60+ currency pairs
Indices – 20+ stock index CFDs covering major global benchmarks, including the FTSE 100, S&P 500, DAX, Nasdaq, and more
Commodities – 17+ commodities
Stocks – 490+ stock CFDs across US, European, and UK-listed companies
ETFs – 25+ ETF CFDs
Futures and Options – Various options across major global exchanges
Brief Overview of the Best MT5 Brokers’ Fees and Assets
Take a quick look below at the fees and available assets of my recommended best MetaTrader 5 brokers in the UK 2026. This summary will help you make informed choices based on cost and asset options.
MT5 is a multi-asset trading platform developed by MetaQuotes and the successor to MetaTrader 4, one of the most widely adopted platforms in retail trading. The two are frequently compared, though they serve different purposes. MT4 was built primarily for forex. MT5 takes a broader approach, covering CFDs, shares, commodities, futures, and forex within a single interface.
The platform also includes a built-in economic calendar, algorithmic trading support via Expert Advisors (EAs), and charting capabilities substantial enough for rigorous technical analysis.
Why Use MetaTrader 5
MT4, despite its enduring popularity, has genuine limitations. MT5 addresses most of them. It offers 21 timeframes compared to MT4’s. This is a meaningful difference for traders who work across multiple timeframes. There are 38 built-in indicators, six pending order types instead of four, and Depth of Market (DOM). This provides live visibility into order flow and liquidity. Among professional traders, DOM is rarely considered optional.
The built-in economic calendar is also worth noting. Keeping fundamental data inside the platform, rather than across separate tabs, is a practical improvement that compounds over a full trading session. For traders operating across asset classes, the multi-asset architecture means forex, stocks, futures, and commodities are all accessible without switching platforms.
Is MetaTrader 5 Suitable for Beginners?
Yes, though with some qualification. MT5 is a feature-dense platform, and the volume of tools available can feel disorienting for someone starting out. The core interface is logical, however, and nearly every MT5 broker provides a demo account. This account is the appropriate starting point regardless of experience level.
Most beginners work with basic charts and straightforward market orders initially, which is entirely reasonable. The more advanced functionality, including EAs, complex order types, and DOM, remains available as knowledge and confidence develop. Brokers such as HF Markets and Pepperstone also offer MT5-specific educational resources that make the transition more manageable.
5 Quick Steps To Start with MetaTrader 5
Choose an MT5 broker that aligns with your trading needs. FCA regulation and a dependable withdrawal process should be the primary criteria.
Register and complete identity verification. Ensure you have documentation prepared, as processing times vary between brokers.
Download and install MT5 from your broker’s client area. Desktop and mobile versions are both available.
Log in and fund your account using the credentials issued by your broker. Confirm supported payment methods in advance.
Begin trading with risk management as the priority. Analyse the markets, execute your first trade, and treat position sizing with the same rigour as entry criteria.
Note that the majority of MT5 brokers operate on a CFD model. CFD trading involves leverage, which means losses can exceed the initial deposit. Understanding this dynamic before committing capital is essential.
FAQs
Is MetaTrader 5 free?
Yes. The platform is free to download. Live trading requires a funded account with a supporting broker.
What's the difference between MT4 and MT5?
MT4 is narrower in scope, built primarily for forex. MT5 supports multiple asset classes and offers additional timeframes, indicators, DOM, and a built-in economic calendar, none of which MT4 provides to the same extent.
Can I trade stocks on MT5?
Yes, provided your broker offers stock instruments. Multi-asset capability was a core design consideration for MT5.
Are my funds safe with an MT5 broker?
Fund security is determined by the broker, not the platform. In the UK, FCA authorisation is the appropriate standard to apply when evaluating a safe broker.
What is an Expert Advisor (EA)?
An EA is an automated trading programme written in MQL5. It operates within MT5 and executes trades according to predefined parameters, without requiring manual input.
Conclusion
MT5 is a well-structured platform that performs across a range of trading styles and asset classes. Broker selection, however, carries equal if not greater weight. Features such as regulation, execution quality, and withdrawal reliability all directly affect the trading experience in ways the platform alone cannot compensate for.
Pepperstone is a sound starting point for most UK traders, offering FCA regulation, competitive pricing, and a well-optimised MT5 environment. Opening a demo account before allocating real capital remains the most prudent first step, regardless of which broker you settle on.
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.
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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.
Claire Maumo is a personal finance expert and seasoned trader specialising in contemporary assets, forex, and cryptocurrency markets. A writer for TradingGuide, Claire combines expert analysis with practical advice to help readers achieve financial success. She is a private trading coach with a B.A. in Business Management, a Master’s in Finance, and a trusted industry voice. Follow her here at TradingGuide and learn how to build your wealth.
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