10 Best Stock Brokers In The UK for Safe & Smart Investing

This article will talk about stock brokers in the UK, with emphasis on stock brokers with reliable regulation, competitive fees and tools, and access to global markets.

Stock broking is fundamental to successful investing, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned trader aiming at efficient portfolio expansion.

Key Points & Best Stock Brokers In UK

Broker	Key Point
eToro	Beginner-friendly platform with social trading features
XTB	Strong leverage options and advanced trading tools
IG	Wide range of investment choices including global markets
Plus500	CFD-focused trading with intuitive mobile app
Interactive Brokers	Professional-grade analytics and international market access
Hargreaves Lansdown	Comprehensive research tools and trusted UK brand
AJ Bell Youinvest	Low-cost trading with easy-to-use platform
Freetrade	Commission-free investing via mobile-first design
Saxo Markets	Global stock coverage with advanced charting
CMC Markets	Strong CFD and forex offering alongside equities

10 Best Stock Brokers In UK

1. eToro

eToro is an international brokerage firm that is easily recognized for being beginner-friendly.

The platform also offers social trading, perfect for those that are new to investing. They provide commission-free trading for stocks and ETFs, and allow access to crypto and other global markets.

They also are known for having an easy to use mobile and web trading platform. One of the standout features of eToro is the Copy Trader feature

Where you are able to copy the trades of other investors, making it easier for you to learn how to trade. An overall good platform to use for beginner investors.

Pros	Cons
Commission-free stock & ETF trading	Currency conversion fees on non-USD accounts
Social & copy trading features help beginners	Withdrawal and inactivity fees apply
Wide range of global markets including crypto	Not ideal for advanced traders needing deep analytics
Easy-to-use platform	Limited advanced order types

2. XTB

Since its inception, XTB has established itself as a low-cost broker, offering easy, budget-friendly solutions for UK investors.

UK FCA-regulated, XTB has a commission-free trade offering on stocks and ETFs, although a very small fee does apply after a certain monthly trading amount.

The xStation proprietary software has great market data and helpful advanced charts for education and is even good for new traders

While also having forex and commodities market trading. XTB has a good multi-market offering and a great reputation.

Pros	Cons
Low-cost trading with competitive pricing	Limited research compared to full-service brokers
Commission-free stocks & ETFs up to a volume threshold	Some fees apply after limits
Powerful xStation platform with good tools	Not as beginner-focused as app-only brokers
Access to FX and CFDs alongside stocks	Customer service can vary

3. IG

Experienced traders admire IG for being one of the most established brokers in the UK. It is also trusted because of the comprehensive tools and market access. It provides trading on thousands of derivatives, forex, and global market indices.

These are supported by advanced trading apps and plugins. Zero share dealing fees apply to certain markets, but platform fees are active for the lower trading levels.

MetaTrader 4 and ProRealTime are examples of third party plugins supported by IG. It is often recommended to advanced traders

Who appreciate the professional analysis, and sophisticated order type and charting features.

Pros	Cons
Very large market access including global stocks	Fees can be higher for casual investors
Advanced platforms with deep tools	Learning curve for beginners
Supports third-party charting tools	Minimum activity fees may apply
Regulated & highly trusted	Spread costs on certain products

4. Plus500

Plus500 is a well-known FCA-regulated brokerage mainly focusing on CFD trading on stocks, forex, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies.

The platform is simple and serves speculators wanting to trade price movements without holding the underlying assets.

There are no commissions on CFD trades so frequent traders can save costs. However, there is a spread and an overnight financing cost.

The platform can be accessed via web and mobile so trades can easily be placed and kept track of. Risk management tools, like stop losses, can be set.

Although the platform does not lend itself to long-term investing due to the focus on derivatives, it is still a strong platform for active CFD traders.

Pros	Cons
Commission-free trading on CFDs	Only CFDs — you don’t own the underlying shares
Simple trading interface	Not suitable for long-term investors
Wide range of markets including indices & forex	Overnight fees on held positions
Good risk-management tools	Limited fundamental research

5. Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is seen as a premium broker that has low trading costs and a wide market coverage. It gives access to international exchanges covering stocks, ETFs, options, futures, forex, bonds, etc.

This is a favorite for active traders and institutional investors. Its layered pricing system along with deep liquidity give ultra competitive costs, particularly for frequent traders.

Its suite of platforms provides a powerful desktop, web, and mobile platforms as well as advanced order tools and integrated research

The simplicity of the interfaces is often intimidating for novices, but seasoned investors appreciate the wide range of assets available, the strong technology, and a flexible trading environment.

Pros	Cons
Very low trading costs & wide global access	Complex platform for beginners
Extensive asset coverage	Some account minimums may apply
Advanced tools for serious traders	Customer support can be slow
Great order execution and deep liquidity	Reporting dashboard can be overwhelming

6. Hargreaves Lansdown

Hargreaves Lansdown, a UK-based investment platform, is well-reviewed and known for its reliability and extensive range of services.

Their services include UK and international stock and fund trading, access to ETFs, and investment plans such as stocks and shares ISAs, SIPPs, as well as research, educational articles, and customer support.

Their fees are higher than newer investment apps, including their share dealing and platform fees, but many investors value their experience, investment options, and user interface.

They attract long-term investors and those needing extensive assistance on their portfolios.

Pros	Cons
Very reputable & reliable	Higher fees than many newer brokers
Excellent research & educational content	Not ideal for active traders
Wide range of products (stocks, funds, pensions)	Platform can feel outdated
Strong customer support	Cost adds up for smaller investors

7. AJ Bell Youinvest

AJ Bell Youinvest combines low costs with great customer support and a great suite of investment services such as UK and global equities, funds, ETFs, and ISAs and SIPPs.

It has a simple, streamlined platfom for all kinds of users. The platform has educational and research materials.

It has a reasonable trading fee with a tiered annual fee based on account balance which ends up being cheap for a lot of UK investors.

This makes AJ Bell a great choice for people who want to invest for the long term and want to use tax-efficient products as well.

Pros	Cons
Competitive and clear fee structure	Limited advanced trading tools
Good for both beginners and intermediates	Research tools not as deep as some rivals
Wide investment choice	Platform feels basic to experienced traders
Solid customer service	Charges on inactive portfolios possible

8. Freetrade

Freetrade is a broker that focuses on commission-less trading. The company values accessibility and Fintech.

Users of Freetrade are able to invest commission-free in UK and international stocks, ETFs, and also investment trusts.

Freetrade has a simple and beginner friendly mobile app. Users can also get Stocks and Shares ISAs and SIPPs, which are tax-efficient accounts that enable tax-efficient investment growth.

The company is limited in advanced tools, and research is also lacking. This broker is a good choice for beginner investors and investors that are concerned about low-trading costs.

Pros	Cons
Zero commission trading	Limited advanced tools
Easy, mobile-first experience	Smaller range of international stocks
Simple pricing structure	Limited research and insights
Stocks & Shares ISA available	No complex order types

9. Saxo Markets

Saxo Markets is an online broker that provides services to a wider range of global markets. They offer services such as stock, options, futures, bond, ETF, currency, and other investments.

They provide Wi-Fi analyst, research, and customization tools to more professional level trading platforms. Their fees and level of deposits need to be more than what is needed on discount brokers.

Their tools and services are ideal for serious and international investors and traders. They have a high level of services to assist with multi-asset portfolio management and strategic investing.

Pros	Cons
Access to an extensive range of global markets	Higher fees and minimums
Professional-grade platform	Not ideal for small-scale investors
Excellent research and analytics	Platform complexity for beginners
Comprehensive multi-asset coverage	Customer support can be limited

10. CMC Markets

CMC Markets, headquartered in the UK, has been a longstanding player in the online trading space, offering CFDs, spread betting, and investing on multiple asset classes including shares, indices, forex, and ETFs.

In the UK online trading space, CMC’s Next Generation trading platform, which has complex charting, real-time pricing, risk and trading management, and educational resources, is a good fit for CMC’s customers, spanning novices and more experienced participants.

CMC’s customers can also trade more than 10,000 financial instruments from multiple asset classes.

CMC’s offering is mainly focused on CFDs and leveraged trading, and this is why many more experienced customers trade with CMC in CFDs.

Pros	Cons
Strong CFD and spread betting offerings	Focus on derivatives over traditional stocks
Advanced Next Generation platform	Not ideal for long-term buy-and-hold
Excellent charting and tools	Costs can add up with frequent trading
Wide range of markets	Learning curve for new traders

Cocnsluion

In cocnsluion Depending on your trading goals, experience, and budget, you can find best stock brokers in UK. There are many available, ranging from budget-friendly platforms for novice traders to more complex brokers with worldwide market access.

Always think about the costs, the regulatory environment, the instruments and/or services offered, and the quality of service to choose a broker who will allow you to invest with the greatest confidence and greatest efficiency.

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