Big Broker Comparison: Which One Is the Best?

Find the best broker for your investments in 2025. We provide you with independent, in-depth reviews and unbiased comparisons of FCA-regulated brokers for stock, ETF, cryptocurrency, Forex and CFD trading. Making the right choice will save you both on fees and your precious time. Easily compare key criteria such as typical EUR/USD spread, minimum deposit requirements, or the selection of popular trading instruments.

When choosing a broker, it is essential to pay attention to several important factors. The most crucial is the broker’s regulation and the security of your funds, which also includes the reliability and speed of withdrawals – a key mark of trust. Just as important is a stable and user-friendly trading platform, delivering fair market pricing without manipulation or excessive slippage. A well-chosen broker should offer a wide range of markets – from traditional shares and ETFs (including indices such as the S&P 500 or FTSE 100) to fast-evolving cryptocurrencies (BTC, ETH) and their derivatives. Finally, quality customer support in English and a proven company track record on the market are important considerations as well.

Regulation & Licensing

All brokers we recommend are authorised by the FCA or highly reputable European regulators (such as CySEC or BaFin). This ensures strong investor protection and rigorous oversight.

Transparency & Warnings

We actively monitor and warn against untrustworthy companies and fraudulent practices in financial markets, helping you avoid common pitfalls.

Accessible Expertise

Our analysis and guides are written in clear language, suitable for both complete beginners and experienced traders.

Community & Availability

We believe that quality, independent information on investing should be freely accessible to everyone.

What is a broker and how do they work?

A broker is a licenced financial intermediary that lets you access the global financial markets. Nowadays, brokers are more often referred to as investment or trading platforms. Basically, they are licensed financial apps you can use directly on your phone, acting as your gateway to global markets—there’s no need to download anything to your computer anymore. Through such platforms, you can easily buy and sell a wide range of assets: from stocks (either real company shares or their CFD derivatives) and ETFs, through commodities like gold and oil, to currency pairs (Forex) and modern cryptocurrencies.

How do brokers earn money?
Broker revenue breakdown
Commissions: A fee charged for executing trades.
Spreads: The difference between buying (ask) and selling (bid) price.
Account fees: For inactivity, account maintenance, or deposits/withdrawals.
Swaps: Overnight charges for holding positions after market close.

A reputable broker makes their profit from providing reliable access to the markets, not from client losses. Their interests are aligned with your active trading.

What can you trade?
Overview of the most popular investment instruments
Shares: Physical holdings or CFDs on global companies (e.g. Apple, Tesla, Barclays).
ETFs & Indices: Access to markets like S&P 500, NASDAQ 100, FTSE 100, or DAX.
Currency pairs (Forex): Trade major pairs like EUR/USD, GBP/USD, or GBP/JPY.
Commodities: Market access to gold, silver, oil, natural gas and more.
Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin, Ethereum and others (available as CFDs or direct asset purchase).
Spot Crypto ETFs: Directly track the price of cryptocurrencies with regulated funds.

What makes a good broker?

Regulation & Licence

This is absolutely critical. The broker must be directly regulated by the FCA or by another respected European regulatory authority to provide assurance that your money is safe.

Platform Reliability

A stable trading platform is a must – the best brokers offer fast trade execution, no downtime, and real-time, accurate market data.

Trading Platforms

Look for high-quality mobile apps, a modern web platform, and support for trusted standards like MetaTrader 4/5, cTrader, or proprietary solutions.

Fees & Withdrawals

Transparent fee structure and competitive spreads are essential. Also pay attention to how quickly and reliably you can withdraw your funds.

Customer Support

Quick, English-speaking support should be available via live chat, phone, or email – ideally 24 hours a day Monday to Friday.

Tools & Education

Advanced charting, technical indicators, economic calendars, news feeds and robust learning resources like articles and webinars should be part of the service.

Ready to find your next broker?

Spend less time researching and avoid costly mistakes. Take advantage of our advanced comparison tool and filter brokers by what matters most to you – be it spreads, minimum deposits, or crypto offerings. If after reading our review you sign up using a broker link, we may receive a small referral fee. This costs you absolutely nothing extra, but it helps us keep this site running and improve our services. Thank you for your support!

Pro tip for getting started: Always try a free demo account first. Test the platform and your strategies with virtual funds before risking real capital.

Our approach to responsible recommendations

You won’t find direct, instant registration links in our broker comparisons. We believe it’s important that your decisions are based on solid information. Each of our reviews provides an in-depth analysis of fees, platforms, pros and cons – aspects that a simple table can’t show. The financial world is always evolving, so while we do our best to keep information current, we can’t guarantee every detail is up to date at all times. Before making your final decision, always double-check key details directly with the broker and consult more than one source.

Please take time to read our full review before you decide. All important links can be found inside.

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Final Assessment
A contest between two distinct philosophies at the top of the table.

While several strong names are present in this ranking, the very top is a battle between two distinct approaches. XTB has rightfully earned its position as the most versatile and reliable broker on the market. Its strength doesn't lie in a single groundbreaking feature, but rather in the perfect blend of three key pillars: utmost trustworthiness (as a publicly listed company subject to the highest level of scrutiny), full UK support including telephone assistance, and the technological excellence of the xStation platform. It's a choice for investors who don't compromise on security or the quality of their tools.

eToro is a phenomenon and is rightfully second. Its CopyTrader system has truly changed the rules of the game and opened up investing to absolute beginners. For newcomers, the ability to automatically copy successful traders is a huge pull, making eToro an obvious choice. In direct comparison, it lags behind in areas such as phone support or advanced analytical tools, but when it comes to social investing, it is simply unmatched.

The other brokers are not to be overlooked, as each one excels in its own field. Trading 212 appeals with zero charges, Plus500 stands out for its simplicity in CFD trading, and Interactive Brokers is the undisputed leader for professionals seeking the lowest costs and the broadest access to international markets.

These two brokers have proven long-term reliability: For UK investors seeking a dependable and all-round partner, XTB is the clear winner. However, if you value simplicity, community, and want to learn from others, eToro delivers a unique and highly practical alternative.