The Top 7 Best CFD Platforms In The UK

When you’re ready to jump into the world of CFD trading in the UK, you need to choose the best CFD platform in the UK to get started. With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to know where to start.

That’s why we’ve put together a list of the top 7 best CFD platforms in the UK. So, whether you’re looking for the best CFD platform for beginners or the best CFD platform for experienced traders, this list has you covered. Read on to find the best CFD platform for your needs!

Key Takeaways

  • What to know about CFD trading in the UK
  • Understanding How CFD trading works
  • The Top Best CFD Platforms in the UK
  • The pros and cons of the best CFD platforms in the UK
  • The Best CFD trading platform in the UK for beginners
  • Answer to most likely frequent ask questions you will like to know
best CFD platforms in the UK
Credit:thekickassentrepreneur.com

What Is CFD Trading In The UK?

The term “CFD” refers to a two-party agreement to trade the difference in a market’s price between when the contract is opened and closed. Without acquiring any substantial assets, you may utilize them to trade on thousands of international exchanges.

With CFD trading, you may make predictions about the direction of the price of a wide range of financial markets, including indices, shares, currencies, commodities, and bonds, whether or not prices are growing or dropping.

Additionally, as you are speculating on price movement rather than holding the underlying instrument, any profits are tax-free in the UK.

Contracts designed to imitate real-world financial markets are used in CFD trading. Similar to purchasing and selling the underlying market, you may buy and sell these contracts.

However, you choose how many contracts to buy rather than how much of a specific asset you would like to invest in, such as 100 HSBC shares.

If the market shifts in your favour, your position will be profitable. It will suffer a loss if it advances against you. You will realise your profit or loss when you complete the position by selling the contracts you initially purchased.

How CFD Trading Works

Four of the fundamental ideas behind CFD trading are covered in this article: spreads, transaction sizes, durations, and profit/loss.

1.   Commission And Spread

The purchase and sale prices are the two prices used to quote CFDs.

  • The price at which you can start a short CFD is known as the sale price (or bid price).
  • The cost at which a long CFD can be opened is known as the buy price (or offer price).

Buy prices will always be higher than the going rate, and sell prices will always be somewhat lower.

The spread usually covers the cost of opening a CFD position, which means that buy and sell prices will be adjusted.

The share CFDs are an exception to this rule because they do not incur spread fees. Instead,  the buy and sell prices align with the value of the underlying market, and it charges a fee when creating a share CFD position.

Because a commission is applied, speculating on share prices using a CFD is more akin to buying and selling shares on the market.

2.   Deal volume

Standardized contracts are used for trading CFDs (lots). The value of a single contract fluctuates depending on the underlying asset being exchanged, typically mirroring how that thing is sold on the market.

For instance, silver is traded in lots of 5000 troy ounces on commodities markets, and its corresponding contract for difference has a value of 5000 troy ounces.

The contract size for share CFDs often corresponds to one share of your trading firm. You would purchase 500 HSBC CFD futures to simulate purchasing 500 shares of HSBC to open a position.

3.   Duration

Contrary to options, most CFD trades have no set expiration date. A position is instead terminated by entering a trade that is placed in the opposite direction from the one that initiated it.

For example, selling 500 gold contracts would be used to settle a purchase position of 500 gold contracts.

If you keep a daily CFD trade open past the cut-off time, you will be charged an overnight financing cost (usually 10 p.m. UK time, but this may differ for other markets). The price represents how much money your supplier has effectively lent you to open a leveraged transaction.

4.   Gains and Losses

Multiply the deal size of the position (the total number of contracts) by the value of each agreement to determine the profit or loss from a CFD transaction (expressed per point of movement).

The difference in effectiveness between the price when the contract was opened and when it was closed is multiplied by that amount.

You would also deduct any charges or fees you paid from the total computation of the profit or loss from a deal. These might be commission costs, overnight finance, or guaranteed stop fees.

The Top 7 Best CFD Platforms In The UK

You want your money to be in safe hands when it comes to that. After introducing significant factors for you to think about, the following is a brief introduction of the top CFD brokers in the UK:

1. eToro

A multi-asset brokerage called eToro was established in 2007. The FCA in the UK is one of the top-tier nations that severely regulates eToro. They are the most OK CFD broker for novices because of their copy trading feature, which leads the market.

Their mobile app and web-based trading platform are user-friendly and excellent for novice and intermediate traders. Advanced users might use Interactive Brokers if they seek a more advanced service.

Numerous items are available on eToro, including actual stocks, with no fees. It is, therefore, a fantastic option for UK traders seeking alternatives to CFD trading.

For bank transfers, the minimum deposit amount on eToro in the UK is $500 and $10.

The spreads include the cost of CFD trading. The price for cryptocurrencies is a fixed 1%.

I highly recommended eToro as the best CFD platform in the UK. I have used eToro myself and can attest to the fact that it is an excellent platform with a myriad of features that are perfect for both novice and experienced investors alike. 

Pros

  • governed by the FCA, MiFID, and ASIC
  • 0% stock commission
  • Social trading and copying

Cons

  • More pricey than the majority of its rivals
  • Metatrader platforms are absent.

2. Plus500

For CFD trading in the UK, Plus500 is a fantastic trading platform. Since its founding in 2008, Plus500 has risen to the top of the CFD market worldwide. High-calibre agencies, such as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, oversee their regulation.

Its trading platform is simple to use as a web page and a mobile application. For bank transfers, the minimum deposit is £500 and is set at Plus500 at £100. There are no charges for withdrawal.

Trading commissions are typical for the sector.

There are no commissions at Plus500. They impose costs for guaranteed stop orders, overnight financing, currency conversion, and inactivity.

More than 15 different base currencies are now supported, and more are added.

Pros

  • 2,500 or more important financial instruments
  • 24/7 client assistance

Cons

  • Currently unavailable to customers in the US
  • not integrating APIs
  • CFDs only
  • avoiding social copy trading

3. AvaTrade

For UK traders, AvaTrade is a fantastic Forex CFD Trading Platform. This CFD broker is an excellent choice as it was established in 2006 and is governed by prestigious authorities.

Through ZuluTrade or DupliTrade, they do provide duplicate trading.

We suggest it to UK traders seeking a reputable and safe CFD broker.

Forex, Spread Betting, Shares, Commodities, Bonds, Treasuries, ETFs, Cryptocurrencies, and Indices are all products offered by AvaTrade.

Trading expenses are typical for the sector. $100 is the Avatrade Minimum Deposit.

The inactivity cost, which rises to £50 each quarter after three months of inactivity, is more than the industry standard.

Pros

  • globally regulated
  • several platforms, including MT4 and MT5.
  • Positive balance defence
  • Welcome bonus of 20%
  • educational materials
  • a variety of payment options
  • Fixed margins

Cons

  • Stocks cannot be purchased.
  • Annual and quarterly inactivity charges
  • There is no customer help accessible. 24/7
  • No bonus for clients based in the EU
  • US customers are not accepted
  • counterfeit crypto assets

4. XTB

XTB was founded in 2002 and is a reputable all-around broker. It trades on the Warsaw Stock Exchange and is subject to FCA regulation.

Opening an account has no minimum deposit.

The xStation five platforms used by XTB have full customization options, search features, and a contemporary appearance.

It serves as a platform with all the usual instruments for study and education.

Although all cryptocurrency trading is suspended on weekends, it has more than 2,000 stocks.

Overall, XTB’s primary drawbacks are that it has a small selection of essential data and charges hefty commissions for specific CFD transactions.

Pros

  • controlled by the FCA
  • Low currency fees
  • swift fee-free withdrawal and deposit
  • Live customer service through chat

Cons

  • US clients absent
  • a small product range
  • High CFD stock trading costs

5. Vantage Market

Since its establishment in 2008 as a transparent forex broker, Vantage Markets has expanded to provide 290 CFDs and 44 FX pairs (including cryptocurrency, shares, commodities and indices).

Vantage Markets provides access to the markets via the well-liked MT4 and MT5 platforms and a mobile app packed with features.

Vantage Markets’ CFDs primarily focus on US, UK, and EU blue chip businesses.

More than 70 EU/UK firm shares are accessible as CFDs, and they may be traded on the MetaTrader 5 platform with a minimum transaction of 10 Euros (for UK/EU shares CFD) and a minimum trade commission of 6 USD (for the US shares CFD).

All share CFDs at Vantage Markets have a leverage ratio of 1:20.

Pros

  • governed by the FCA and ASIC
  • Low currency fees
  • No fee for idleness
  • No fees for deposits or withdrawals
  • excellent MetaTrader add-ons
  • Online trading

Cons

  • US customers are not eligible
  • Trading CFDs involves risk.
  • You need $200 to begin trading.

6. CMC Markets.

Awards for having the most acceptable trading conditions have been given to CMC Markets.

There are 9,400 shares outstanding globally, and commissions begin at 0.10% for each share.

Although there is no required minimum deposit, the trader must have money on hand to purchase and sell.

The educational resources are first-rate, and live chat, email, and phone customer support are responsive promptly.

CMC Markets has negative balance protection and is listed on the stock exchange. Even though it does not have a banking license, it is under the FCA’s strict regulation.

Regrettably, stock CFD costs are expensive, whereas FX fees are minimal.

Pros

  • There is no required down payment
  • various trading tools
  • Low currency fees
  • high levels of regulation internationally and in the UK
  • a wide variety of trading tools
  • Mobile trading application

Cons

  • High CFD commissions on stocks and ETFs
  • can only transact using spread betting or CFDs
  • does not result in the acquisition of trading assets

7. Pepperstone.

There is no minimum deposit requirement and little commission on Pepperstone.

It provides excellent market research and trading suggestions.

The news flow is simplistic, despite the abundant educational resources.

Customers may contact customer support by phone, email, or live chat, and all questions are immediately resolved.

The FCA, ASIC, CySEC, BaFin, DFSA, CMA, and SCB oversee its regulation.

Platforms used by Pepperstone include MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader. One of the top CFD systems is MetaTrader.

Twenty-five important stock indexes, more than 60 shared CFDs, 21 cryptocurrencies, and 17 prominent commodities are accessible through it.

Pros

  • heavily regulated
  • There is no required down payment
  • Low costs, with most withdrawals being free
  • excellent client service

Cons

  • Clients outside the UK, EU, and EEA are not protected as investors.
  • withdrawal charge for customers outside of the EU and Australia
  • CFDs only

The Best CFD Trading Platform UK For Beginners

1.      Suitable UK CFD + Spread Betting Broker: City Index.

2.      Best Selection Of CFD + Currency Pairs at CMC Markets.

3.      XTB offers the largest ETF and Index CFD Range.

4.      Overall, Pepperstone is the best UK CFD, broker.

5.      Top CFD Trading Platforms For Novices: Plus500

6.      The top CFD broker in the UK for social trading is eToro.

Read Also:

Top 10 Best Forex Trading Platforms in Australia for Beginners

7 Best CFD Trading Platform in Australia 2022

10 Top Best CFD Brokers in South Africa 2022

Conclusion

If you’re an experienced trader, you probably already know what you want in a broker, but the options could be confusing if you’re new to the market.

Make use of trials or demo accounts before choosing a CFD broker so you can fully understand the interface. To keep in mind are the following:

  • It delivers fantastic value and is open about costs.
  • An excellent trading platform is available.

Find a trading education that suits you in our post on the finest day trading courses if you consider trading as a job or pastime.

FAQS

Is CFD Trading Legal In the UK?

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) released stringent recommendations in 2019 to safeguard retail consumers even though CFD trading is permitted in the UK.

Is CFD Trading Taxable In The UK?

The majority of UK citizens are not subject to tax on spread bets. For the most part, you won’t be required to pay capital gains tax on your profits or stamp duty. CFDs are exempt from stamp duty, but any profits may be subject to capital gains tax.

Is CFD Trading Good For Beginners?

Due to easy access to leverage, CFD trading is popular among newcomers. In margin trading, a broker lends you the remaining funds while you invest a little portion of an asset’s entire cost. This implies that you may acquire a sizable position while just investing a part of the cost upfront.

Is CFDs High Risk?

Day traders find CFDs appealing because they can employ leverage to trade more expensive-to-buy-and-sell assets. CFDs may be highly dangerous due to lax industry regulation, potential lack of liquidity, and the requirement to maintain a sufficient margin due to leveraged losses.

Is CFD A Gamble?

CFDs are leveraged derivative contracts with a short maturity that track the value of an underlying instrument and are paid out in line with that value. Spread betting entails making a speculative wager on an underlying instrument’s price changes without owning the asset.

Why Do People Lose Money With CFD?

CFDs may be highly dangerous due to lax industry regulation, potential lack of liquidity, and the requirement to maintain a sufficient margin due to leveraged losses.

Is CFD Better Than Investing?

No, is the most straightforward response to this query. The majority of traders believe that CFDs are not suitable for long-term investments. CFDs are often exclusively viewed as short-term trading tools by traders since they incur substantial costs if kept for extended periods.

You can learn more from the video below:

About Author

best CFD platforms in the UK
Lydia Alolade
I am a professional article and e-book writer with 4 years of experience, I write on well research content on cryptocurrency, stocks, loans and finances.

Get Latest Market Updates!

Enter your name & email to get started!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Sharing is caring...

Leave a Comment