Home » Rankings »

BEST STOCK BROKERS IN THE UK

Thinking about investing in UK stocks but not sure which broker to choose? This ranking highlights the most trusted stock brokers in the UK, tested across key criteria such as fees, platform usability, research tools and customer service quality. Whether you’re building a long-term ISA portfolio or prefer an active trading approach, these platforms combine competitive commissions with robust investor protection under FCA regulation. With the right broker, investors can gain reliable access to the London Stock Exchange and manage their portfolios confidently in a secure, regulated environment.

2025-10-30

A good choice

Ranking Methodology

To compile the ranking, we rely on a professional criterion that follows these steps:

We test the platforms based on several basic parameters (see list).
We test the platforms based on ranking-specific parameters.
We ensure the results are accurate (consistency and absence of outliers).
We verify on social media and forums that our parameters are socially sound and that no relevant negative reviews exist.
We present and publish the ranking.

Basic Testing Parameters for Apps Included in the Ranking

They allow accounts to be opened by local clients, meaning we exclude platforms not available in certain countries.
Regulatory compliance and security.
Transparency, reputation, and data protection.
Total costs (commissions, spreads, non-trading fees, deposits/withdrawals).
User experience (UX/UI), stability, and performance (uptime, latency).
Platform and tools (charts, alerts, backtesting, mobile, desktop, API).
Execution and liquidity (order quality, slippage, depth).
Customer support (languages, coverage, response times).
Education and resources (guides, research, demos, simulators).

Specific Parameters for the Equities Ranking

Access to domestic and international markets (NYSE, Nasdaq, LSE, etc.).
Fundamental and corporate data (dividends, splits, events).
Fractional shares and extended-hours trading (pre/after-market).
Routing and order execution quality (PFOF, smart routing).
Stock lending/short selling (availability, rates, location).
Advanced order types (OCO, bracket, stop-limit with triggers).
Custody fees, currency conversion, and position transfer.
Margin and financing rates (levels, requirements, calls).

Our ranking

TOP PICKS

Ranking

# 1

eToro

eToro tops this ranking for stock trading thanks to its unique combination of zero-commission investing, social trading, and global market access. With over 40 million users worldwide across over 100 countries, eToro allows investors to buy and sell thousands of stocks (over 6,000) from leading exchanges like NASDAQ, NYSE, and LSE, while simultaneously fostering collaborative investing. Its flagship feature, CopyTrader, enables users to automatically replicate the portfolios of top-performing investors.The platform is strongly regulated by bodies such as the FCA (UK), CySEC (EU), ASIC (Australia), and FINRA (in the US), balancing accessibility with regulatory trust. It offers fractional share purchasing and real-time data, along with its thematic Smart Portfolios, which simplify diversification through expert-curated, pre-built portfolios. Its transparent fee structure (including zero commission for buying real stocks) and community-driven approach make eToro the leading platform for investors seeking both simplicity and social functionality, securing its #1 position in this segment.

Need more info? View review

# 2

FxPro

FxPro is a global broker headquartered in Cyprus with offices in the United Kingdom, the Bahamas, and South Africa. Regulated by CySEC, FCA, and other authorities, it operates under a No Dealing Desk model with access to forex, stocks, indices, commodities, and crypto CFDs. With spreads starting at 0.3 pips and advanced platforms like cTrader, MT4, and MT5, FxPro is ideal for experienced traders seeking direct execution and powerful tools.

TRY IT NOW

Need more info? View review

# 3

XM is a global broker with over 10 million users, regulated in Australia, Cyprus, Belize, and the UAE, with an active presence in more than 190 countries. It offers more than 1,000 instruments including forex, stocks, indices, commodities, and crypto CFDs. Its low initial deposit, robust educational platform, and compatibility with MT4/MT5 make it ideal for beginner traders as well as more advanced operators.

TRY IT NOW

Need more info? View review

Not sure?

How to open a Stock Trading Account

Opening a stock trading account in the UK is simple once you’ve chosen a broker from our ranking. The process follows standard steps for buying and selling listed shares securely through FCA-regulated platforms.

Go to the broker’s site: Click “Open account” or “Start trading”.
Fill in your details: Name, email, phone and address. A valid ID and proof of residence (like a British Gas bill or recent bank statement) are required.
Verification: Approval may be instant or take a few days.
Set preferences: Choose your account type and trading currency (GBP, USD, or EUR).
Fund your account: Deposit via bank transfer, debit card or e-wallet.

You’re ready to buy and sell shares.