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UK investors can easily trade stocks on an FCA-regulated app. This means you’ll never be more than a click away from the financial markets.
In this guide, we compare the best stock trading apps in the UK for 2024. Read on to discover the best FCA-regulated trading apps for low fees, supported markets, investment tools, and much more.
The Best Trading Apps UK Ranked
Here’s our list of the best stock trading apps in the UK for beginners and experienced pros alike:
eToro – Stock trading app with 0% commission on thousands of UK and global shares and a free £100,000 demo account.
XTB – Best no-commission mobile stock trading platform; apply leverage of up to 1:5 and even short-sell your chosen companies.
AvaTrade – Trade more than 600 stocks commission-free from the UK, US, and European markets with leverage of up to 1:5.
FP Markets– Provides MetaTrader 4 & MetaTrader 5, TradingView, IRESS, cTrader and WebTrader & mobile apps.
Pepperstone – Access premium and advanced trading options and advanced order types. Trade more than 100 UK shares.
Admiral Markets – Access Forex, CFDs on shares, commodities, cash indices, commodity futures, and bonds. Demo account, educational content, and trading tools.
Trade Nation – Access more than 1,000 markets and more than 90 technical indicators and multiple trading tools.
IUX – Trade more than 250 financial products worldwide with zero commission fees and spreads from 0.0 PIPs.
Capital.com: 0% commission platform with over 2,800 stocks. Trade on the London Stock Exchange as well as indices, ETFs, commodities, and forex.
Hargreaves Lansdown: Established UK broker supports thousands of stocks, funds, trusts, and bonds as well as ISAs and SIPPs.
IG: Popular share dealing broker with thousands of markets. You can invest in UK stocks from £3 per trade, and US stocks from £0.
Freetrade: Low-cost stock mobile trading app with more than 1,500 global stocks on the free plan and commission-free trading.
Trading 212: Commission-free stock trading app allows you to buy and sell shares from just £1. It also supports fee-free ISAs and CFD trading with leverage.
Best Stock Trading Apps for Beginners Reviewed
We’ll now review the 12 best stock trading apps listed above. Find out more about each provider, including trading fees, available stock markets, minimum investment requirements, and much more.
1. eToro – 0% Commission UK Stock Trading App with Copy Trading
eToro is a powerful stock trading app that offers thousands of shares from the FTSE, NYSE, NASDAQ, and other markets around the globe. All share and ETF trades are commission-free, making this one of the most competitive apps to trade stocks in the UK today.
On the eToro app, you can buy and sell shares with just a few taps. Regulated by leading bodies in the US, UK and Europe, it’s easy to see what shares are trending or set up price alert push notifications so that you never miss a trading opportunity.
For more in-depth analysis, eToro offers a proprietary mobile trading platform with customizable charts and dozens of technical indicators. You can compare multiple shares on the same chart, which is great for deciding between stocks to trade in the same industry.
Another great thing about eToro is that it supports copy trading. You can start copying experienced stock traders instantly in the app, then sit back as stock trades are executed automatically in your account.
Traders who want to build and test their own strategies can do so using eToro’s £100,000 demo account. The demo account includes access to all of eToro’s features, including copy trading, and you can reset your virtual balance at any time.
Supported Markets
Pricing System
Fee to Invest in Amazon Stock
Min. Deposit
Top Features
Stocks
ETFs
Forex
Indices
Commodities
Bonds
0% commission for Stock and ETF trading
Commission free
Dependent on region
Invest in thousands of global stocks
Purchase real stocks and ETFs (not CFDs)
0% commission for all share trades
Supports stock copy trading
£100,000 demo account included
Pros
0% commission on thousands of UK and global shares
76% of retail CFD accounts lose money – your capital is at risk.
2. XTB – Popular Stock Trading App With 3,000+ Global Stocks at 0% Commission
XTB is one of the best stock brokers in the UK. You can trade online, via its native desktop software, or by downloading the XTB app for iOS/Android. All three options come packed with features, including chart analysis tools, technical indicators, and lightning-fast execution speeds. XTB offers two types of stock trading markets.
First, you can invest in traditional stocks, meaning you own the underlying shares. More than 3,000 real stocks are supported and you won’t pay any commissions to trade. This includes US-listed stocks, so you can buy Tesla shares in the UK cost-effectively. You can also invest in Apple, Amazon, IBM, Ford Motors, Microsoft, and many other popular US companies.
You can also invest in UK-listed stocks, such as AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Lloyds Bank, and BT. The second option you have is to trade stock CFDs. These are financial derivatives that track real-world stock prices. They enable you to trade stocks with leverage of up to 1:5, so you’ll have £50 in trading capital for every £10 you deposit. XTB supports thousands of stock CFDs and you can go long or short on your chosen companies.
Stock CFDs are also commission-free, just like real shares. Irrespective of which stock type you opt for, you can get started with a free demo account. This enables you to trade stocks in live market conditions risk-free. Or, you can begin trading with real money – no minimum deposit is required. You can fund your XTB account via its app; payment types include debit/credit cards and e-wallets.
Another feature of the XTB app is it supports other asset classes. For example, you can trade commodities like oil, gold, silver, sugar, corn, and natural gas. On the lookout for the top UK forex brokers in 2024? XTB has traders covered as they can also trade forex pairs like GBP/USD, USD/CAD, and EUR/GBP. Indices from around the world are supported too, including Japan, China, Germany, and the US. If you’re new to trading, XTB offers free educational guides, articles, and ebooks.
Supported Markets
Pricing System
Fee to Invest in Amazon Stock
Min. Deposit
Top Features
Stocks
ETFs
Forex
Indices
Commodities
All supported markets can be traded commission-free
Commission-free
No minimum deposit
Invest in over 3,000 stocks from the UK, US, and other markets
Trade stock CFDs with leverage of up to 1:5
Commission-free trading on all supported assets
Trade on the XTB app, desktop software, or via web browsers
Lots of stock charting tools and technical indicators
Pros
Invest in over 3,000 global stocks at 0% commission
Alternatively, trade stock CFDs to access leverage and short-selling
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 80% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
AvaTrade is one of the best stock trading apps in the UK for short-term traders. It specializes in two different types of financial derivatives that can be traded with leverage. First, AvaTrade supports spread betting markets – meaning you can buy and sell stocks without paying tax on your capital gains. Second, you can also trade stock CFDs.
Both options support leverage of up to 1:5, plus the ability to go long or short. Moreover, AvaTrade supports more than 600 stocks, mainly from the UK and US markets. Best of all, AvaTrade doesn’t charge trading commissions, regardless of whether you are spread betting or CFD trading. You’ll find some of the lowest spreads in the market too. For example, most stocks can be traded with spreads of just 0.13%.
So, if you place a £100 position, you’re simply paying 13p to enter the market. However, AvaTrade won’t be suitable for long-term investments. Every day you keep a position open, you’ll be charged overnight financing fees. This can be expensive in the long run, so AvaTrade is best suited for day trading. After all, if you close a leveraged position before the end of the trading day, no overnight financing fees apply.
AvaTradeGO, its native app for iOS and Android, is very user-friendly. It comes with many market insights, such as the best and worst-performing stocks over the prior day. The app also comes with more advanced trading tools, such as optimized technical indicators. If you want to give AvaTradeGO a test drive, you can open a free demo account. Or, if you want to trade stocks with real money right away, simply meet a minimum deposit of £100.
Supported Markets
Pricing System
Fee to Trade Amazon Stock
Min. Deposit
Top Features
Stocks
ETFs
Forex
Indices
Commodities
Bonds
Options
All supported markets can be traded commission-free
Commission-free
£100
Trade stocks via spread betting or CFDs
User-friendly trading app that also comes with advanced analysis tools
Also supports commodities, ETFs, forex, and other popular assets
76% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
4. FP Markets – Offers Multiple Trading Options Through Mobile App
FP Markets stands out as an excellent choice for beginners looking for a versatile trading app. It supports a wide range of platforms, including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, IRESS, cTrader, WebTrader, and TradingView, all compatible with iPhones and Android devices. This comprehensive suite makes FP Markets one of the most fully-featured options available.
While the platform is user-friendly, some beginners might find its advanced features, like the real-time trading client portal, challenging initially. However, FP Markets mitigates this with round-the-clock multilingual customer support and a learning module that educates new investors on navigating the platform and the basics of investing.
FP Markets allows trading in over 70 forex pairs, 10,000 stocks, 19 indices, and a variety of commodities, bonds, metals, and digital currencies. With a low commission model and ultra-low spreads starting from 0.0 pips, it is highly attractive for cost-conscious traders. Beginners will particularly appreciate the 30-day demo account, which helps them acclimate to the platform’s extensive functionalities.
Interested in learning more about this CFD trading app? Read our detailed FP Markets review for everything you need to know about this popular broker.
5. Pepperstone – Advanced Trading Options with the Pepperstone cTrader Mobile App
One of the most popular trading platforms, Pepperstone, is used in more than 174 countries. The platform is also regulated by multiple regulatory bodies, such as the Financial Conduct Authority and the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC).
The Pepperstone platform offers a TradingView account and Meta Trader 4 & 5. However, Pepperstone also offers a separate cTrader mobile trading application for more experienced investors. This application allows users to access features such as advanced risk management, open APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), and advanced platform customization.
You also get regular access to trade statistics, price alerts, and advanced order management settings. The cTrader app also offers advanced processing of expert advisors and indicators, which can be a benefit when conducting technical analysis.
On the cTrader mobile app, users can trade more than 1,200 instruments, including over 100+ UK-based shares. When trading UK shares, the average commission is 0.10% per trade, or £7. A spread of 1 pips is also added to the order.
Users can also access educational webinars through the mobile app. The minimum deposit is set at $200.
75.3% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.
6. Admiral Markets – Start Trading with Just £1 Through this Popular Stock Trading Application
Admiral Markets is a popular stock trading platform that allows users to trade more than 8,000 instruments. Users can trade more than 3,000 share CFDs through the Admiral Markets trading app and even access spot trading options.
Catering to the customers, the Admiral Markets app is accessible in 10+ languages. For beginner investors looking to start their investing journeys, Admiral Marketss supports educational content such as webinars and articles on the application.
Another key feature of Admiral Markets is fractional investing. Those on a tight budget do not need to purchase an entire stock. Instead, they can purchase as little as £1 worth of the share. The minimum investment on Admiral Markets is set at £25.
The Admiral Markets app offers a quick account opening process. Thus, users can start trading in just a few minutes. The application comes with a range of charting tools and technical indicators that one can leverage before trading.
Along with shares, users can access forex, CFDs on shares, commodities, cash indices, commodity futures, and bonds. When trading stocks such as Amazon, users are only required to pay a low commission of $0.02. You get one free commission per day.
In the UK, Admiral Markets is regulated by the FCA. Payments can be made using credit/debit cards and bank transfers. While you get one free withdrawal on bank transfers every month, there is a subsequent charge of $10 per withdrawal. The application also offers a demo account and trading tools such as MetaTrader Supreme Edtion and Stereo Trader.
Supported Markets
Pricing System
Fee to Trade Amazon Stock
Min. Deposit
Top Features
Forex
Indices
Commodities
Bonds
ETFs
CFDs for all assets
Commission + spreads (For trading CFDs)
$0.02
£25
Spread betting and CFDs supported
Offers fractional investing
Supports. ademo account
Pros
Offers fractional sharing options
Supports spread betting and CFD trading
Low commission charged
Regulated by the FCA
Cons
Charges $10 on withdrawals vis bank transfers (One free withdrawal per month)
The next top UK stock trading app is Trade Nation. Users can trade more than 1,000 instruments through the Trade Nation app, including over 100 UK shares.
The Trade Nation app offers a straightforward user interface, allowing one to purchase new assets in just a few clicks. The app has multiple trading tools, such as real-time news, to inform you of market updates.
You can also access risk management tools such as stop orders to limit your losses. Through the Trade Nation app, one can also access multiple drawing and annotation tools when conducting technical analysis. Charting on the mobile application is powered by ChartIQ, allowing you to access over 90 technical indicators.
Other than stocks, users can access forex pairs, commodities, and indices on Trade Nation. Users can practice stock trading and CFD (Contrat for Differences) trading on Trade Nation. This platform is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) since 2014. It is also covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) in the UK.
To get started, traders can make an investment with debit/credit cards such as VISA and MasterCard. Other payment options include AstroPay and e-wallets such as Neteller and Skrill.
67.3% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
8. IUX – Zero Fee Commission and Low Spread Trading With More Than 250 Financial Products
IUX is a popular stock trading app that provides access to more than 250 financial products including crypto CFDs. With a focus on forex trading, IUX also caters to stock traders with access to more than 120 of the world’s most popular companies. Furthermore, IUX provides access to CFDs in commodities, indices and stocks making IUX one of the most popular platforms on the market today.
IUX offers zero commission on all trades and spreads start from as little as 0.0 PIPs making the platform one of the most competitive on the market today.
IUX currently process more than $1.5 billion worth of CFDs per day making it one of the top stock brokers by volume. As you might expect, a platform like IUX relies on some pretty serious software in order to retain its position in the market.
The platform uses Equinix LD4 servers to ensure the average trade time remains at just 30ms per trade. However, if that isn’t fast enough, IUX also offers access to Low Latency Collocated VPS for even faster order execution. IUX has unrestrained access to some of the deepest pools of liquidity on the market today meaning no matter the size of your trade, you can rest assured it will always execute.
You can use IUX via desktop or mobile application and the platform currently supports more than 10 languages ensuring the site has global appeal. With more than 35,000 registered downloads for the mobile application so far, IUX remains one of the most popular destinations for stock traders today.
67.8% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
9. Capital.com – Trade Thousands of Stocks With Leverage of up to 1:5
Capital.com is one of the best stock trading apps in the UK for active traders. This provider specializes in leverage CFDs, so you can trade stocks with leverage. You can also short-sell companies that you believe will decline in value. More than 2,800 stocks are supported on the Capital.com app. This gives you lots of trading opportunities throughout the day.
For example, you can trade UK-listed stocks like Barclays, Wizz Air, Tesco, Vanquis Banking, HSBC, and BAE Systems. You can also trade stocks from the Asian markets, including Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore. Other supported stock markets include the US, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Norway. When trading UK stocks, you only need to meet a minimum trade size of one share.
If you’re trading US stocks, the minimum is just 0.1 shares. For instance, if you’re trading Apple stocks at $179, the minimum would be $17.90, or about £14. Other markets have their own minimums, but you can easily view this by clicking on the respective stock. Either way, you can trade UK and international stocks on Capital.com commission-free.
We like that Capital.com makes it easy to find a suitable stock to trade. You can use the search bar, or filter by the exchange or industry. The latter covers everything from utilities, healthcare, and energy to financial, basic materials, and technology. Capital.com also supports other asset classes, including commodities, forex, indices, and ETFs.
Capital.com is a safe and trusted trading app. It’s authorized and regulated by the FCA and is a member of the FSCS. Moreover, Capital.com has over 555,000 registered traders and it handles more than $54 million in monthly trading volume. Payments are simple and hassle-free too – you can deposit funds instantly with a UK debit/credit card or e-wallet. When using one of these deposit types, you’ll only need £20 to get started.
Supported Markets
Pricing System
Fee to Trade Amazon Stock
Min. Deposit
Top Features
Stocks
ETFs
Forex
Indices
Commodities
All supported markets can be traded commission-free
Trade thousands of stocks from the UK, Europe, Asia, and North America
Debit/credit card and e-wallet deposits require just £20
Trade stocks with leverage of up to 1:5
Pros
Supports a huge range of UK and international stock markets
US stocks can be traded in units of 0.1 shares
Long and short orders can be placed at 0% commission
Very competitive spreads when trading large-cap stocks
Minimum deposit requirements start at £20
Cons
Does not support ‘real’ stocks – CFD derivatives only
10. Hargreaves Lansdown – Traditional Stock Trading App Supporting ISAs and SIPPs
Hargreaves Lansdown offers a comprehensive range of investments and trading markets. This includes thousands of shares from the London Stock Exchange and the AIM. You can also invest in US-listed stocks like Apple and Tesla. However, Hargreaves Lansdown doesn’t support fractional investments – meaning you’ll need to buy at least one share.
This can make US-listed stocks expensive, as many trade for hundreds of dollars each. In addition, the Hargreaves Lansdown app also supports diversified investments. This includes thousands of investment funds, ETFs, and trusts. This offers a passive way to invest in the stock market. You can also buy UK-issued corporate and government bonds.
We also like that Hargreaves Lansdown has an extensive research department. Its in-house analysts produce free stock reports on major UK companies, including quarterly earnings. You’ll also find information related to dividends and key accounting ratios. Hargreaves Lansdown also offers a range of ISAs, allowing you to invest in stocks tax-efficiently. It also supports SIPPs.
All that being said, Hargreaves Lansdown isn’t the cheapest stock trading app in the UK. It has a flat commission of £11.95 when you buy and sell investments. If you put these investments into an ISA, you’ll pay an additional 0.45%. Plus, if you trade US-listed stocks, you’ll be charged a 1% foreign exchange fee. Nevertheless, we like that the Hargreaves Lansdown app is user-friendly and the minimum deposit is just £1.
Supported Markets
Pricing System
Fee to Invest in Amazon Stock
Min. Deposit
Top Features
Stocks
ETFs/Funds
Investment Trusts
Bonds/gilts
£11.95 per trade. Reduced to £8.95 when trading 10 times in the previous month
0.45% annual charge on ISAs
£11.95 commission
You’ll also pay a 1% foreign exchange fee
£1
Industry-leading stock reports and market insights
Huge range of assets, including stocks, bonds, and trusts
Pros
User-friendly stock trading app backed by an established UK broker
Trade thousands of markets from the UK and the US
Invest in ISAs and SIPPs for tax-efficient growth
Get started with a minimum deposit of just £1
Cons
£11.95 commission when buying and selling assets
You’ll need to trade at least 10 times per month to reduce your commission
11. IG – Established UK Brokerage App Supports Thousands of Traditional Investment Markets
IG is an FCA-regulated broker that was founded nearly 50 years ago. It is also a member of the FSCS and has an excellent reputation for first-class customer service. You can invest via the IG website or its native app for iOS and Android. Both options support thousands of traditional investment markets. This includes most companies listed on the London Stock Exchange and the AIM.
You can also invest in global stocks from the US, Australia, and multiple European exchanges. You’ll need to deposit at least £250 to open an IG account. Accepted payment types include debit/credit cards and bank transfers. While the latter is fee-free, Visa and MasterCard payments cost 1% and 0.5% respectively.
You’ll also need to pay a £24 custody fee every three months if you have less than £15,000 in your portfolio, or you trade less than three times during the quarter. Trading commissions are also pricey if you don’t trade regularly. For example, US stocks attract a commission of £10 if you traded less than three times in the prior month. Similarly, UK stock commissions amount to £8.
But you can reduce your US and UK stock commissions to £0 and £3 respectively when you reach the three-trade threshold. As such, IG won’t be suitable if you want to invest small amounts every now and then. Plus, IG doesn’t support fractional shares. Nevertheless, IG is a safe and trusted trading app that offers excellent research tools. It also supports leveraged trading via spread betting and CFDs.
Supported Markets
Pricing System
Fee to Invest in Amazon Stock
Min. Deposit
Top Features
Stocks
ETFs/Funds
Investment Trusts
CFDs
Spread Betting
UK investments are charged £3/£8, depending on monthly trading volumes
US stocks cost £0/10
EU/Australian stocks cost 0.10% of the investment amount
£10 commission unless you trade at least three times in a month
You’ll also pay a 0.5% foreign exchange fee
£250
Supports traditional investments, spread betting, and CFDs
Highly-rated customer service department
FCA-regulated and FSCS-protected
Pros
Invest in thousands of traditional markets – including shares and funds
Also supports CFDs and spread betting
Established in 1974 and covered by the FSCS
Instant in-app deposits via UK debit/credit cards
Cons
Visa and MasterCard deposits cost 1% and 0.5% respectively
12. Freetrade – Popular Stock Trading App for Fractional Investments
Freetrade is one of the best stock trading apps in the UK for making fractional investments. You only need to meet a minimum trade size of £2. This is the case with all supported stocks from the UK, the US, and multiple European exchanges. However, while Freetrade supports over 6,000 stocks in total, the free account is limited to 1,500.
Moreover, the free account charges an FX fee of 0.99% on international stock investments. That said, you won’t pay any trading commissions. If you upgrade to the standard plan (£5.99/month), this is reduced to 0.59%. The standard account also comes with 1% interest on uninvested cash (up to £2,000) and automated order types (e.g. stop-losses).
If you upgrade to the plus plan (£11.99), you’ll also get priority customer support, and interest on uninvested cash is increased to 3% (up to £4,000). You’ll also reduce the FX fee on non-UK stocks to 0.39% and have access to SIPPs. Irrespective of your chosen account type, there are no minimum deposit requirements at Freetrade. Its app is available on iOS and Android.
Supported Markets
Pricing System
Fee to Invest in Amazon Stock
Min. Deposit
Top Features
Stocks
ETFs
No commissions on any supported markets
FX fee on non-UK assets of up to 0.99%
Commission-free, but you’ll pay a foreign exchange fee of up to 0.99%
No minimum deposit
Free stock trading app that supports fractional investments from £2
Premium account features include automated order types, interest on uninvested cash, and access to SIPPs
Pros
Fractional investments from just £2 per trade
Trade UK and international stocks commission-free
One of the best free stock trading apps in the UK for newbies
Regulated by the FCA
Cons
FX fee of up to 0.99% when trading non-UK stocks
Monthly fees of £5.99 or £11.99 to access premium features
13. Trading 212 – Low-Cost Stock Trading App With Dividends and Share Lending
Trading 212 is one of the cheapest stock trading apps in the UK. It offers 0% commission trading on all supported markets. This is the case with stocks in the UK, the US, and Spain, France, Portugal, and other European exchanges. Moreover, Trading 212 has a minimum trade requirement of just £1. Trading 212 is ideal for long-term investors who want to earn regular income.
For example, you’ll receive stock dividends as soon as the distribution is made. You’ll even earn dividends if you only own a small fraction of one share. What’s more, Trading 212 allows you to lend out your shares to short-sellers. Those borrowing your shares will pay interest until they are transferred back. Trading 212 also supports auto-investing portfolios.
This is another passive way to build wealth, as your investments are automated. Trading 212 also supports leveraged stock CFDs and ISAs. There are no additional fees to invest in ISAs and all supported stocks are eligible. You can deposit funds instantly via the Trading 212 app; accepted payment types include Apple/Google Pay and debit/credit cards. While deposits are initially free, after the first £2,000 you’ll pay 0.7%.
Supported Markets
Pricing System
Fee to Invest in Amazon Stock
Min. Deposit
Top Features
Stocks
ETFs
Forex
Indices
Commodities
No commissions on any supported markets
Commission-free, but you’ll pay a foreign exchange fee of 0.15%
No minimum deposit
One of the few UK trading apps to offer fee-free ISAs
Lend out your shares to earn passive income
Pros
Beginner-friendly trading app with fractional investments of £1
Earn passive income by leading out your shares to short-sellers
Supports UK and international stocks at 0% commission
Also offers leveraged CFDs – including forex and commodities
Cons
After you deposit £2,000 you’ll pay 0.7% in transaction fees
No two stock trading apps are the same, so you’ll need to know what to look for when choosing a provider.
For example, while some trading apps are ideal for buying US-listed shares, others focus on the London Stock Exchange. There are many other factors to consider when researching the best apps for stock trading, which we discuss below.
Regulation and FSCS Protections
The UK investment industry is heavily regulated. This is to ensure that UK consumers have access to fair and transparent trading conditions. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has regulatory oversight over UK stock trading apps. As such, you should ensure that your chosen trading app is authorized and licensed by the FCA.
FCA-regulated trading apps cannot use your investments to pay creditors – even if they file for bankruptcy. As such, while the FSCS covers cash balances, you’ll still remain a shareholder in your purchased stocks. The stocks will simply be transferred to another broker.
None of the protections listed above will be available if you choose a stock trading app that isn’t FCA-regulated. This includes FSCS protections and client fund segregation.
This is why we rank XTB so highly. Not only is the trading app regulated by the FCA but also licensing bodies in other jurisdictions. Moreover, XTB is a member of the FSCS. This means that as long as you don’t have more than £85,000 invested – you’re fully protected.
Supported Stock Markets
When exploring the best apps for stock investments, you’ll need to assess what share markets it supports.
If you want to invest in UK-listed shares, look for trading apps that support the London Stock Exchange. In doing so, you’ll be able to buy shares in BP, HSBC, 888 Holdings, Barclays, BT, GlaxoSmithKline, and many other popular UK companies.
Additionally, if you want to invest in smaller UK companies, look for a trading app that supports the Alternative Investment Market (AIM). The AIM lists small-cap stocks that aren’t large enough for the London Stock Exchange.
Alternatively, many UK investors prefer to trade stocks from overseas. In particular, the US markets are popular, as this is where some of the world’s largest companies are listed. For example, Tesla, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, IBM, and Alphabet.
What’s the Best Way to Invest in US Stocks from the UK?
US-listed stocks have never been more popular with UK investors. Not only do US stocks like Apple and Amazon have global recognition but they have produced huge returns in recent years.
If you want to buy individual US stocks, XTB offers commission-free access. You simply need to cover a small spread, which is the gap between the buy and sell prices.
While you might initially want to trade shares, the best stock apps also support other asset classes. For example, XTB, and Capital.com also allow you to trade forex pairs. These popular trading apps also support indices and commodities like gold and oil.
Fees
The best stock trading apps in the UK offer low fees. That said, we found that many providers have ‘hidden’ fees that aren’t easy to locate. As such, let’s break down the main fees that you will need to check before choosing a provider.
Trading Commissions
The first fee to explore is commissions. This is one of the main ways that stock trading apps make money. Put simply, the app will charge you a commission when you buy and sell assets.
For example:
Let’s say that you buy £100 worth of stocks on the Hargreaves Lansdown app
You will pay a flat commission of £11.95 (11.95% of the investment size)
Let’s say that a few months later, your stocks are worth £150
You want to sell, so you again pay a flat commission of £11.95 (8% of the sale proceeds)
As you can see, Hargreaves Lansdown isn’t suitable for buying and selling stocks unless you’re investing huge amounts.
Now consider the same investment at XTB. To enter the market, you’ll pay 0% in commission. And to sell your stocks, you’ll also pay 0% in commission. This means that you would have saved £23.90 by using XTB.
Spreads
The spread is an additional trading fee to look for when choosing a stock buying app. This is simply the difference between the buy and sell prices of the asset you’re trading.
For example:
Suppose you want to trade Apple stocks on the XTB app
Currently, the buy price is $179.38
And the sell price is $179.10
This means that for every stock you trade, you’re paying a spread of just $0.28
Plus, XTB doesn’t charge commissions, so that’s saved you even more.
Not all UK trading apps display the spread, so you might need to work this out yourself. Moreover, the spread changes based on market conditions. Nonetheless, you’ll want to trade with the lowest spreads possible.
So, that’s £5 for every £1,000 invested. You won’t need to pay stamp duty tax when selling your UK-listed shares.
Moreover, stamp duty isn’t required when you buy international stocks.
FX Fees on International Stocks
One of the main drawbacks of trading international stocks is that you might need to pay FX fees. This is because you’re investing in assets that trade in a different currency.
Here are some examples of FX fees charged by popular stock market apps in the UK:
Hargreaves Lansdown: 1%
Freetrade: Up to 0.99%
Trading 212: 0.15%
Platform Fees
Some UK stock trading apps charge platform fees. This is a fee charged to keep your account open. You might need to pay a flat monthly fee or a percentage of your portfolio value.
For example, standard and plus plans on Trading 212 cost £5.99 and £11.99 per month, respectively. This means that investing small amounts can be unviable, as you’re paying monthly fees regardless of whether you make a profit.
IG also charges a flat platform fee. You’ll pay £24 every quarter if you don’t meet minimum trade requirements. Any commissions you pay during the quarter are reduced from the platform fee.
If you’re trading via a Stocks and Shares ISA, then a percentage fee is more likely. For example, you’ll pay 0.45% at Hargreaves Lansdown.
Trading Tools and Analysis
The majority of stock trading apps offer tools to help you analyze the markets. This often includes live pricing charts with drawing tools and technical indicators. That said, these tools might not be suitable if you’re a beginner.
A more suitable option would be market insights from expert analysts. These help you make informed trading decisions, as you’ll be extracting insights from experienced investors. You’ll find plenty of research reports on Hargreaves Lansdown that are easy to understand. This includes an analysis of quarterly earnings reports.
Account Minimums
You might need to meet some account minimums when using a UK stock trading app. For example, some apps come with a minimum deposit requirement. There’s sometimes a minimum withdrawal requirement too.
Additionally, most stock trading apps require you to meet a minimum trade size.
Apps like Hargreaves Lansdown and IG don’t support fraction stocks – so you need to buy and sell full shares.
This isn’t an issue when trading UK stocks, as they trade in pennies.
But US stocks trade in dollars, so you might need to meet a much higher minimum.
The good news is that many stock trading apps support fractional shares. This means you don’t need to buy and sell full shares. At XTB, the minimum stock trade size is $10. So, if you invested $10 in Booking Holdings, you would own about 0.3% of one share.
XTB also supports fractional shares – the minimum is just €10 (about £8.50).
Demo Account
The most effective way to choose a stock trading app is to open a demo account. You won’t need to deposit any funds or provide payment details.
Demo accounts come pre-loaded with virtual trading funds. This enables you to test the trading app risk-free. If the app is to your liking, you can then open a real money account.
Payment Methods
You’ll need to choose a stock trading app that supports your preferred payment method.
Most providers allow you to deposit funds directly in the app. Your payment will be processed instantly if you use a UK debit/credit card. E-wallet deposits are also fast, especially when using PayPal.
If you prefer transferring money from your UK bank, you’ll need to manually copy and paste the broker’s account number and sort code. Moreover, it can take 1-3 working days before the money is added to your trading account.
Customer Service
The best stock investment apps offer in-app customer service. You can normally speak with an agent via live chat.
You’ll likely find that customer service is available around the clock during the week. Some trading apps also offer customer support over the weekend.
However, do note that live chat isn’t always available. If it isn’t, you might need to call the trading app provider.
How We Test Stock Investment Apps
The only way that we can offer accurate and up-to-date information on the best stock trading apps is to test them ourselves. Before getting started, we explore the fundamentals directly from the provider’s website.
This means exploring trading fees, spreads, minimum deposit requirements, and accepted payment methods. We also research the trading app’s regulatory status. For instance, confirming its registration number on the FCA register and verifying its FSCS membership.
After that, we’ll open a demo account with the stock trading app. This enables us to test the app in live market conditions. We can assess what trading tools and features are supported, and how quickly market orders are executed. We’ll also review live market spreads to see how competitive the trading app is.
When researching the best stock trading app for you, we would suggest you follow the same process. After all, by testing a trading app yourself, you’ll know whether or not it’s right for you.
Conclusion
Overall, we found that the best stock trading app in the UK is eToro. We like that eToro offers thousands of commission-free stocks. The app also offers a dozen of technical indicators and charting options.
eToro offers the best stock app in the UK. You can trade UK and international stocks from just $10 (about £8) without paying any commissions.
What is the best way to invest in stocks in the UK?
The best way to invest in stocks is with a UK broker like eToro that offers 0% commission on trades.
How do I pick a stock investment app?
You’ll need to ensure that the stock investment app is FCA-regulated and a member of the FSCS. You should also explore the stock markets it supports and what fees you’ll be charged to trade.
What is the best stock market cap
Apple has the largest market cap in the stock market, currently valued at over $2.8 trillion (about £2.2 trillion). In contrast, the largest market cap on the FTSE 100 is AstraZeneca, currently valued at over £162 billion.
Kane Pepi is an accomplished financial and cryptocurrency writer who has an extensive portfolio of over 2,000 articles, guides, and market insights. With his expertise in specialized subjects such as asset valuation and analysis, portfolio management, and financial crime prevention, Kane has built a reputation for providing clear explanations of complex financial topics. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Finance and a Master's Degree in Financial Crime, and is currently pursuing his Doctorate degree, which focuses on investigating the complexities of money laundering in the cryptocurrency and blockchain technology sectors. Kane's wealth of knowledge and experience in the field make…