This guide helps users find the best trading platforms in the UK for beginners. With numerous online brokers available, it can be challenging to choose the right platform for specific financial goals, needs, and trader personalities.
Conducting proper research, comparisons, and background checks on different brokers can help traders and investors avoid platforms with complex interfaces, inconvenient features, high fees, and poor customer support.
This guide evaluates 68 online brokers in the UK to help users find the ideal platforms for their needs. Below is a list of the best trading platforms in the UK for beginners, followed by detailed reviews and comparisons.
Top 6 Trading Platforms for Beginners in the UK
Top Brokers for Beginners in UK Compared
The table below compares the key features of online brokers with the highest-rated platforms for beginners.
Important Notice: Leveraged and speculative products are not suitable for all investors. You should consider whether you can afford the high risk of losing your money. Capital is at risk.
Best Trading Platforms in UK for Beginners Reviewed
Below are reviews of 5 online brokers with the highest-rated trading platforms for beginners in the UK.
1. AVAtrade – Best Trading Platform For Beginner Forex and CFD Traders
Rating: 4,9/5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
☑️Min Deposit: $100
☑️Fees: 4.9
☑️Assets available: 4.9
☑️Total Fees: 0.9 pip
71% of retail CFD accounts lose money
AvaTrade Overview
AvaTrade is a DFSA-regulated forex and CFD broker offering access to over 1,250 CFDs and 44 forex pairs. Users can start trading with as little as $100 or practice with a free demo account funded with $100,000. AvaTrade provides a maximum leverage ratio of 30:1 and offers negative balance protection through AVAprotect.
Trading Platforms and Tools
AvaTrade provides access to 8 different trading platforms and beginner-friendly add-ons like DupliTrade and ZuluTrade, which allow beginners to copy trades from advanced traders. The platforms also feature easy buy/sell options and technical analysis tools, including indicators, drawing tools, and an economic calendar.
Educational Resources
Beginners can benefit from a wide range of educational resources, including guides, eBooks, and video tutorials on CFD and forex trading.
Fees and Costs
AvaTrade charges no commissions on CFDs, with an average spread during peak trading hours of only 0.22, making it one of the most cost-effective brokers to trade with.
Customer Support
AvaTrade’s customer service is available 24/7 in English and Arabic via email, live chat, WhatsApp, and phone. The UAE customer support number is 97-145-285-110.
Pros
✔ Beginner-friendly trading platform
✔ Up to 30:1 leverage, low spreads, no commissions, and instant order execution
✔ Broad range of educational material and research tools
Cons
✖ Not all educational material is aimed at beginners
✖ Only offers CFD trading
✖ Charges inactivity fees of $50 after 3 months and a $100 administration fee after 1 year of inactivity
Key Features
➕ Access to over 1,250 CFDs and 44 forex pairs
➕ Beginner-friendly social trading platform
➕ Intuitively designed mobile trading app
➕ Low trading fees
➕ Well-suited for beginner traders
➕ Compatible with MetaTrader 4 and 5 and other external trading software
2. eToro – Best Trading Platform and App in UK for Beginners
Rating: 4,9/5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
☑️Min Deposit: $100
☑️Fees: 4.8
☑️Assets available: 4.8
☑️Total Fees: 0.9 pips
eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.
eToro Overview
eToro is an excellent choice for beginners and casual traders, offering an easy-to-use trading platform, extensive educational materials, and social/copy trading features.
Financial Instruments Available
Beginners can choose from over 5,000 financial instruments, including:
Most of these instruments are available as both “real assets” and CFDs.
Trading Platforms
eToro offers both a web platform (Web Trader) and a mobile platform (Mobile Trader). Both are smooth, easy to use, and feature copy trading abilities, allowing beginners to follow and replicate the trades of professional traders. Trading features include one-click trading, price alerts, and excellent charting tools.
Research Tools
eToro supports beginners with great research tools such as Tip Ranks, The Bull Club, and eToro Plus, which provide insights from leading analysts and financial institutions, as well as a broad range of technical indicators and dynamic charting features.
Account Types
Users can choose between four different account types, including a beginner (retail) account with a low minimum deposit of $50, 1:5 leverage on CFDs, and access to all tradable assets. Beginners can also use a free demo account with $100,000 in virtual money to test trading strategies before investing real money.
Customer Support
eToro offers excellent customer support around the clock in both Arabic and English.
Pros
✔ Easy-to-use trading platform
✔ Broad range of educational materials and research tools
✔ Excellent social trading services for all types of traders
Cons
✖ Some research tools are only available to VIP members
✖ Platform lacks advanced features for professional traders, such as advanced order types and MetaTrader 4 and 5 compatibility
✖ Relatively high fees on crypto trades (1%) compared to other brokers
Key Features
➕ Great social trading platform for beginner and advanced traders
➕ Over 5,000 tradable assets
➕ More than 10 different payment methods to fund your account
➕ Super-fast registration and KYC process
➕ Commission-free stock trading
➕ Beginner-friendly trading platform and app
3. Plus500 – Best for Mobile Trading
Rating: 4,8/5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
☑️Min Deposit: $100
☑️Fees: 4.9
☑️Assets available: 4.9
☑️Total Fees: 0.8 pips
✅️✅️✅️READ REVIEW✅️✅️✅️
CFD Service. Regulated by the DFSA. Trading carries risk.
Plus500 Overview
Plus500, founded in 2008, is an internationally operating multi-asset broker offering trading and investing in over 3,000 financial assets, including 66 forex pairs, stocks, ETFs, commodities, cryptocurrencies, options, futures, and CFDs on these asset classes.
Trading Platforms
Plus500 is known for its beginner-friendly and intuitively designed proprietary web-based trading platforms and apps, including Plus500 CFD and Plus500 Invest. The broker offers commission-free stock and CFD trading and charges a 1.00% commission on cryptocurrency trades. Spreads are low and variable, starting at 0.8 pips (on EUR/USD).
Fees
Account Details
Platform Features
Plus500’s platforms are aimed at beginner to intermediate traders and do not include advanced features such as level 2 order book data, volume depth analysis, or detailed option chains. Users can engage in long-term investing via Plus500 Invest or self-directed trading via the Plus500 CFD trading platforms and apps. The broker also provides a wide range of research and analytical tools, as well as educational material, earning it the title of Best Trading Platform for Beginners by our experts.
Customer Service
Plus500 offers 24/7 customer service in English and Arabic via email, live chat, and phone. The broker does not have physical offices in the UAE and does not offer broker-assisted trades or PAMM/MAMM accounts.
Regulation
Plus500 is regulated by four top-tier financial regulators: CySEC, FCA, ASIC, and Dubai’s DFSA (Dubai Financial Services Authority). This makes Plus500 one of the best beginner trading platforms for UAE-based traders and investors.
Comparison
Use the table below to compare key features for beginner traders and investors between Plus500, AvaTrade, and eToro.
Pros
✔ Low minimum deposit requirement to open an account
✔ Regulated by the DFSA
✔ Access to over 3,000 financial instruments with up to 30:1 leverage
Recommended by LinkedIn
Cons
✖ Platforms lack features for advanced traders
✖ Fewer long-term investment options compared to other brokers
✖ Separate balances for Plus500 CFD and Plus500 Invest
Key Features
➕ Beginner-friendly trading platforms and apps
➕ Commission-free CFD trading, low-cost share trading, and competitive spreads
➕ Option for long-term investing or self-directed short-term trading (day trading, swing trading, scalping, etc.)
➕ Free demo account available for beginner traders
➕ Wide range of educational materials, research tools, and analysis features
➕ Multiple order types (market order, limit order, guaranteed limit order, etc.)
➕ Low minimum deposit requirement to open a live trading account ($100)
4. Pepperstone – Best CFD Platform
Rating: 4,9/5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
☑️Min Deposit: $0
☑️Fees: 4.9
☑️Assets available: 4.8
☑️Total Fees: 0.0 pips
✅️✅️✅️READ REVIEW✅️✅️✅️
74-89% of retail CFD accounts lose money
Pepperstone Overview
Pepperstone is an Australian CFD broker founded in 2010. Their platform offers access to over 180 financial instruments, including forex and CFDs on stocks, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies.
Trading Platforms on Pepperstone
Pepperstone charges zero spreads on most forex pairs and a fixed commission of $3.50. The broker is regulated by top-tier financial authorities, including the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
Customer Support
Pepperstone provides 24/7 customer support in English and Arabic, accessible via email, live chat, and phone.
Pros
✔ Algorithmic trading features
✔ Multiple third-party integrations (MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView)
✔ Competitive fees
✔ Social trading features
✔ Excellent education and research materials
Cons
✖ Limited video educational resources
✖ Limited advanced order types
✖ Customer support not available in Arabic
Key Features
➕ 60+ forex pairs and 700+ different CFDs
➕ MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader trading platforms
➕ TradingView integration
➕ Zero spreads on some forex pairs, including EUR/USD
➕ Special tools for professional traders
➕ Islamic swap-free account available
5. Sarwa – Best Full Service Stock Broker in UK
Rating: 4,2/5⭐⭐⭐⭐
☑️Min Deposit: $0
☑️Fees: 4.5
☑️Assets available: 4.5
☑️Total Fees:
Sarwa Overview
Sarwa is a full-service broker based in Dubai, offering users the ability to trade and invest in over 4,000 US stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, indices, and cryptocurrencies.
Features
Sarwa combines automated investing, self-directed trading, and financial advisory services all in one dashboard, making it easy for beginners to enter the market. Users can either have professionals trade on their behalf or trade independently with support from a financial advisor.
Fees
Sarwa offers commission-free stock trading, 0.50% – 0.85% advisory fees on investment services, and 0.75% spreads on cryptocurrency transactions, making their fees quite low. Users can also deposit AED without incurring any extra transaction or conversion fees.
Trading Platform
Sarwa’s trading platform is intuitive and easy to use, featuring basic buy/sell options, watch lists, and search features, which are ideal for beginners. Users can also choose from five pre-made portfolios: Conventional, Halal, Socially Responsible, Conventional Crypto, or Socially Responsible Crypto, without needing to conduct any research.
Customer Support
Sarwa provides 24/7 customer service in English and Arabic via email, live chat, and phone. Users can also visit Sarwa’s physical offices in the UAE to speak directly with financial advisors.
Regulation
Sarwa is regulated by two top-tier financial regulators in the UAE: the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Abu Dhabi (FSRA), ensuring a safe trading environment.
Pros
✔ No minimum deposit requirement to open an account
✔ Access to financial advisors and long-term investment services
✔ Beginner-friendly trading and investing platform
Cons
✖ No demo account available
✖ Cannot choose individual long-term investments
✖ Crypto portfolios have only 5% exposure to cryptocurrencies
Key Features
➕ Trade or invest in over 4,000 US stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies
➕ Five diversified portfolios available for investment
➕ Physical offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
➕ Suitable for both beginners and advanced traders and investors
➕ Multiple order types (Limit, Market, and Stop Limit)
➕ Access to historical and real-time price data
➕ Commission-free stock trading and no transaction fees for AED deposits from UAE bank accounts
What is a Trading Platform?
A trading platform, also known as an investment platform or broker, is where you buy and sell investments such as shares, funds, and bonds. You may also be able to trade alternative assets such as currencies, oil, gold, and crypto. Beginners may want to start with traditional investments — shares, funds, and bonds — as alternative assets can be more volatile.
How Do I Choose a UK Trading Platform?
When choosing a UK trading platform, consider factors such as fees, whether they offer an ISA or SIPP, and the available investment options. You can open separate accounts with different platforms if you like aspects of various brokers and want to try several. Some platforms offer commission-free trading but may have more limited investment options or accounts. Reading reviews of top UK brokers can also help you decide which platform suits you best.
How Do I Open a UK Trading Account?
To open a UK trading account:
How Do I Buy Shares Online in the UK?
To buy shares online, follow these steps:
How Does Regular Investing Work?
Regular investing involves committing a fixed amount each month to your chosen investments. This approach allows you to save consistently and benefit from pound-cost averaging, which helps smooth out market fluctuations. Many UK investment platforms offer discounted or no fees for regular investing.
Are Online Trading Platforms Safe?
All the UK trading platforms we review are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), ensuring compliance with stringent regulatory requirements. Your money is protected up to £85,000 if a platform goes out of business. However, all investing carries risk, and your returns depend on your investment choices.
What is the Best Crypto Trading Platform for Beginners in the UK?
For beginners, we recommend starting with traditional investments like stocks and funds. Cryptocurrency is complex and highly volatile, posing a high risk of loss. If you want to trade crypto, use a regulated broker. eToro is a top recommendation, along with Saxo, Interactive Brokers, and XTB.
What is an ISA?
An Individual Savings Account (ISA) allows for tax-free saving and investing. For the current tax year, you can save up to £20,000 in a stocks and shares ISA, cash ISA, Junior ISA, innovative finance ISA, Lifetime ISA, or a combination of these.
What is a SIPP?
A Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) is a tax-efficient way to save for retirement in the UK. SIPPs are government-approved and allow individuals to make their own investment decisions, offering more flexibility compared to traditional pension models with limited investment options.
Conclusion
With the numerous online brokers in the UAE offering various platforms and features, finding the ideal choice for individual needs can be challenging. Evaluating and comparing the services of different providers requires time and expertise.
This guide simplifies the process by assessing top platforms for different types of traders and investment goals. The results of our analysis and comparison of the best trading platforms in the UAE for beginners are summarized in the table below.
Important Notice: Leveraged and speculative products are not suitable for all investors. You should consider whether you can afford the high risk of losing your money. Capital is at risk.
✅RANK✅BROKER✅PLATFORM SCORE✅BEST FOR✅WEBSITE
#1 AVAtrade - 4,9/5 • Forex Traders • Official website
#2 eToro - 4,9/5 • Overall • Official website
#3 Interactive Brokers - 4,2/5 • Stock and ETFs • Official website
#4 Plus500 - 4.9/5 • Best for Mobile Trading • Official website
#5 Pepperstone - 4,9/5 • CFD Platform • Official website
#6 Sarwa - 4,2/5 • Full Service Stock Broker • Official website
eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Leveraged and speculative product. Not suitable for all investors. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Capital is at risk. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Trading history presented is less than 5 complete years and may not suffice as basis for investment decision. Copy Trading does not amount to investment advice. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk. Crypto assets are unregulated& highly speculative. No consumer protection. Capital at risk.eToro USA LLC does not offer CFDs and makes no representation and assumes no liability as to the accuracy or completeness of the content of this publication, which has been prepared by our partner utilizing publicly available non-entity specific information about eToro.
