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UK Broker & Platform Reviews

Q: What makes a broker trustworthy?

FCA regulation is essential for UK investors. We also look for segregated client funds, FSCS protection up to £85,000, negative balance protection, transparent fee structures, and a clean regulatory history with no major fines or sanctions.

Q: Which broker is best for beginners?

For stock investing, Trading 212 offers a simple interface and commission-free trading. For trading with educational support, IG provides excellent learning resources. eToro suits those who want to copy experienced traders while learning.

In-depth reviews of trading platforms and investment brokers. Real accounts, real money, honest verdicts.

FCA Regulated Focus Real Money Testing Updated Quarterly

Choosing a broker matters. Fees, platform quality, regulation, and customer support vary significantly between providers—and marketing rarely tells the full story. That's why we test every platform ourselves with funded accounts before publishing a review.

Our process involves opening real accounts, depositing our own money, placing actual trades across different market conditions, and withdrawing funds to test the full experience. We time how long withdrawals take, contact support with genuine questions, and stress-test platforms during volatile periods. The result is reviews based on first-hand experience, not spec sheets or press releases.

Below you'll find reviews organised by platform type: trading brokers for CFDs, forex, and spread betting; investment platforms for stocks, ISAs, and long-term portfolios; and crypto platforms for digital assets. Each review covers fees, features, regulation, pros and cons, and who the platform suits best.

Disclosure: We have affiliate relationships with some brokers, but this never influences our ratings. Many platforms we review have no affiliate relationship with us at all. We disclose all partnerships transparently.

Last reviewed: February 2026

Trading Platform Reviews

In-depth reviews of CFD, forex, and spread betting brokers. Each review covers fees, platforms, regulation, and our hands-on testing experience.

IG Review UK's largest broker. Professional platforms, 17,000+ markets. Pepperstone Review Tight spreads and fast execution for forex traders. Spreadex Review Spread betting specialist with competitive pricing. Capital.com Review AI-powered insights and slick mobile app. CMC Markets Review 12,000+ markets with Next Gen platform. eToro Review Social trading and copy trading pioneer. Trading 212 Review Commission-free stocks with slick mobile app. Bitpanda Review 600+ crypto assets for UK investors.

Investment Platform Reviews

Reviews of platforms for long-term investing, ISAs, SIPPs, and portfolio building.

Hargreaves Lansdown Review UK's largest investment platform. Premium service, higher fees. Interactive Investor Review Flat-fee pricing suits larger portfolios. Interactive Brokers ISA Review Low-cost ISA with global market access. Trading 212 ISA Review Commission-free ISA with no platform fees. IG ISA Review Stocks & Shares ISA from established broker.

Broker Comparisons

Head-to-head comparisons to help you choose between popular platforms.

eToro vs Trading 212 Two commission-free apps compared. Trading 212 vs Vanguard Active trading vs passive investing. eToro vs Interactive Brokers Beginner-friendly vs professional-grade. Best Trading 212 Alternatives Top alternatives for UK investors.

Specialist Guides

Deep dives into specific features, account types, and platform capabilities.

Pepperstone Account Types Standard vs Razor vs Spread Betting explained. Is Pepperstone Safe? Regulation, protection, and trust. Pepperstone for Beginners Is it suitable for new traders? Pepperstone Spread Betting Tax-free trading review. eToro Fees Explained Spreads, charges, and hidden costs. Is Bitpanda Safe? Security and trust for crypto. How to Buy Crypto on Bitpanda Step-by-step guide for UK users. Spreadex for Day Trading Is it suitable for active traders?

Review FAQs

How do you test and review trading platforms?

We open real accounts with our own money, place actual trades, test deposits and withdrawals, and contact customer support as regular users. Reviews are based on hands-on experience over weeks or months, not a quick demo account trial.

Are your reviews independent?

Yes. While we have affiliate relationships with some brokers, these never influence our ratings or rankings. We disclose all partnerships transparently, and many platforms we review have no affiliate relationship with us at all.

How often do you update reviews?

We review and update content quarterly, or sooner if platforms make significant changes to fees, features, or regulatory status. Each review shows a "last updated" date so you know the information is current.

What makes a broker trustworthy?

FCA regulation is essential for UK investors. We also look for segregated client funds, FSCS protection up to £85,000, negative balance protection, transparent fee structures, and a clean regulatory history. See our testing methodology for more.

Which broker is best for beginners?

For stock investing, Trading 212 offers a simple interface and commission-free trading. For trading with educational support, IG provides excellent learning resources. eToro suits those who want to copy experienced traders while learning.

Do all brokers offer the same investor protection?

No. FCA-regulated brokers must provide FSCS protection up to £85,000 and segregate client funds. Some offer additional insurance. Crypto platforms have limited protection—crypto assets aren't covered by the FSCS.