Big Broker Comparison: Which One Is the Best?

Comparison of brokers for the UK: Which one is the best? We assess fees, security, and overall experience. Find the right investment and trading platform for both beginners and advanced users.

  • Updated · July 2026
  • 64 brokers ranked · 25+ rated parameters
  • Licensed brokers only (FCA, CySEC, BaFin)
  • No direct sign-up links

Our picks for 2026

The most versatile choice for investors

XTB
90
overall rating
4.5 out of 5
Min Deposit
€1
Regulations
FCA (UK), Authorised in the European Union (EU), Cysec
Real Stocks and ETFs
Yes
Support
Phone, Mail, Chat
Read the XTB review
92

Number one in social investing and copy trading

eToro #2

Min Deposit: €50 · 4.6 out of 5

Read the eToro review

Broker duel

Compare two brokers head-to-head

Pick a pair and open the detailed comparison across 13 categories — from fees to regulation.

vs

Most frequent duels: Revolut × XTBSwissquote × RevolutInteractive brokers × DegiroXTB × eToroTrading212 × XTB

Full ranking — 64 brokers

Sort
01
XTB

FCA (UK), Authorised in the European Union (EU), Cysec

Review
More parameters
Rating
90 % · 4.5 out of 5
Min Deposit
€1
Regulations
FCA (UK), Authorised in the European Union (EU), Cysec
Copy Trader
No
Real Stocks and ETFs
Yes
Support
Phone, Mail, Chat
Platforms
Desktop Platform (Windows), Web Platform
02
eToro

FCA (UK), Authorised in the European Union (EU), ASIC (Australia), Cysec, CFTC Registered (USA)

Review
More parameters
Rating
92 % · 4.6 out of 5
Min Deposit
€50
Regulations
FCA (UK), Authorised in the European Union (EU), ASIC (Australia), Cysec, CFTC Registered (USA)
Copy Trader
No
Real Stocks and ETFs
Yes
Support
Mail, Chat
Platforms
Web Platform, Social Trading / Copy-Trading
03
Plus500

FCA (UK), Authorised in the European Union (EU), ASIC (Australia), Cysec, CFTC Registered (USA)

Review
More parameters
Rating
88 % · 4.4 out of 5
Min Deposit
€100
Regulations
FCA (UK), Authorised in the European Union (EU), ASIC (Australia), Cysec, CFTC Registered (USA)
Copy Trader
No
Real Stocks and ETFs
No
Support
Mail, Chat
Platforms
Web Platform
04
Trading212

FCA (UK)

Review
More parameters
Rating
82 % · 4.1 out of 5
Min Deposit
€100
Regulations
FCA (UK)
Copy Trader
No
Real Stocks and ETFs
Yes
Support
Phone, Chat
Platforms
Desktop Platform (Windows), Web Platform
05
Interactive brokers

Authorised in the European Union (EU)

Review
More parameters
Rating
90 % · 4.5 out of 5
Min Deposit
€10
Regulations
Authorised in the European Union (EU)
Copy Trader
No
Real Stocks and ETFs
Yes
Support
Phone, Mail, Chat
Platforms
Desktop Platform (Windows), Web Platform
06
Fxpro

FCA (UK), Authorised in the European Union (EU), Cysec

Review
More parameters
Rating
79 % · 4 out of 5
Min Deposit
€100
Regulations
FCA (UK), Authorised in the European Union (EU), Cysec
Copy Trader
No
Real Stocks and ETFs
No
Support
Phone, Mail, Chat
Platforms
MetaTrader 4 (MT4), cTrader, Desktop Platform (Windows), Web Platform, MetaTrader 5 (MT5)
07
Admirals

FCA (UK), Authorised in the European Union (EU), ASIC (Australia), Cysec

Review
More parameters
Rating
42 % · 2.1 out of 5
Min Deposit
€100
Regulations
FCA (UK), Authorised in the European Union (EU), ASIC (Australia), Cysec
Copy Trader
No
Real Stocks and ETFs
Yes
Support
Phone, Mail, Chat
Platforms
MetaTrader 4 (MT4), Desktop Platform (Windows), Web Platform, MetaTrader 5 (MT5)
08
EXANTE

Cysec

Review
More parameters
Rating
80 % · 4 out of 5
Min Deposit
€10000
Regulations
Cysec
Copy Trader
No
Real Stocks and ETFs
Yes
Support
Mail, Chat
Platforms
Desktop Platform (Windows), Web Platform
09
XM COM

FCA (UK), Cysec

Review
More parameters
Rating
79 % · 4 out of 5
Min Deposit
€5
Regulations
FCA (UK), Cysec
Copy Trader
No
Real Stocks and ETFs
No
Support
Phone, Mail, Chat
Platforms
MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5)
10
Swissquote

FCA (UK), Cysec

Review
More parameters
Rating
75 % · 3.8 out of 5
Min Deposit
€1000
Regulations
FCA (UK), Cysec
Copy Trader
No
Real Stocks and ETFs
Yes
Support
Phone, Mail, Chat
Platforms
MetaTrader 4 (MT4), Web Platform, MetaTrader 5 (MT5)

74% - 89% of retail traders lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford the high risk of losing your money.

Find the best broker for your investments in 2026.

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.

Safety above all: Any broker offering services in the UK must be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This regulation ensures client protection, fair practices, and safeguards your deposits if the broker goes bankrupt, thanks to the UK’s compensation schemes.

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.

Invest responsibly: Trading is not gambling! Successful trading requires education, clear strategy, and discipline. Try out demo accounts to practise without risk, and always start with money you can afford to lose. Avoid making emotional decisions as these often lead to losses.

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.

Editorial verdict

A duel of two philosophies at the top of the ranking

XTB earned its leading position as the most versatile and most reliable broker on the market. Its strength lies in combining maximum trustworthiness, full support available even by phone, and the technological maturity of the xStation platform.

eToro is a phenomenon and deservedly holds second place. The CopyTrader system changed the rules of the game and opened the world of investing even to complete beginners.

XTB For investors looking for a reliable, all-round partner. eToro For those drawn to simplicity, the power of community and learning from others.