Which Trading App Is Best in UK? 2025 Stocks & Crypto Guide

If you’re asking "which trading app is best in UK", this comprehensive guide walks you through the best choices for 2025 across stocks, ISAs, CFDs and crypto. We compare fees, regulation, features, mobile experience and security, and show which apps suit beginners, passive investors, active traders and crypto speculators. By the end you’ll have clear, actionable steps to choose and open the right account for your goals.

Why the question "which trading app is best in UK" matters

Choosing the right trading app affects costs, taxes, protections and your ability to execute a strategy reliably. A good app reduces friction (fast deposits/withdrawals), keeps your costs low (commissions, FX, spreads, overnight fees), and gives tools that match your experience—charts, order types, research and tax wrappers (e.g., ISA, SIPP). In the UK, regulation (FCA) and investor protections are also crucial.

How I evaluated apps — practical criteria

To recommend the best app, consider these objective factors:

• Regulation & investor protection — FCA authorisations, FSCS protection where applicable.
• Costs — commissions, spreads, FX fees, inactivity fees, ISA/SIPP charges.
• Product coverage — UK & international stocks, ETFs, options, CFDs, crypto.
• User experience — mobile app performance, order types, charting tools.
• Funding & withdrawals — GBP accounts, bank transfer speed, card top-up fees.
• Customer support & education — help channels, learning materials.
• Security — 2FA, cold storage for crypto, proof of reserves, insurance.

Which trading app is best in UK — short recommendations by user type

Below are quick picks; deeper reviews follow.

• Beginners / long-term savers: Freetrade (ISA option), Vanguard/HL for funds.
• Low-cost active traders: Trading 212 (fractional shares), eToro for social trading and crypto.
• Professional & advanced traders: Interactive Brokers, IG for derivatives and order types.
• Crypto traders: For spot & derivatives look at Binance (use referral if you choose): https://accounts.binance.info/en/register?ref=12093552, Bybit https://www.bybit.com/invite?ref=Q8QKORN, Bitget https://www.bitget.com/referral/register?clacCode=WSVEGD6H&from=%2Fevents%2Freferral-all-program&source=events&utmSource=PremierInviter, and MEXC https://www.mexc.co/invite/customer-register?inviteCode=mexc-1bE4c — but always compare fees and regulation.

Top UK trading apps and what they do best (detailed)

Freetrade — best for simple, low-cost investing and ISAs

Freetrade is popular with UK beginners because of its clear mobile interface and commission-free stock/ETF trades on the basic plan. It offers a Stocks and Shares ISA, which is tax-efficient under HMRC rules (see official ISA guidance: HM Government ISA overview).

• Pros: Simple app, fractional shares, ISA & Lifetime ISA wrappers, transparent pricing.
• Cons: Limited research tools, limited advanced order types, execution quality varies.
• Best for: New investors and long-term savers who want low cost and simplicity.

Trading 212 — best for fractional shares and ease of use

Trading 212 is another strong low-cost option in the UK with fractional shares and zero commission for many instruments. It also provides ISA accounts and a user-friendly app for mobile trading.

eToro — best for social trading and crypto beginners

eToro appeals to traders who want social features (copy trading), an integrated crypto offering and an easy onboarding experience. It is useful if you value social proof and a single app that covers stocks, ETFs and many crypto tokens.

Interactive Brokers — best for serious traders and global markets

Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is the professional-grade platform with low variable commissions, access to global exchanges, advanced order types and powerful desktop tools. IBKR is ideal for experienced traders and those who trade globally and need margin/derivatives.

Hargreaves Lansdown & Vanguard — best for funds, research and pensions

HL and Vanguard are longstanding choices for investors who focus on mutual funds, investment funds and pensions (SIPP). They offer deep research, managed funds, and strong customer support, though fees may be higher than discount brokers.

IG & CMC Markets — best for CFDs and derivatives

IG and CMC Markets specialize in spread betting and CFDs with advanced charting, risk management tools, and many markets. They are best for experienced traders who understand leveraged products.

Revolut — best for hybrid fintech users

Revolut provides a multi-product fintech experience (banking, savings, crypto) with a trading feature. Good for users who want everything in one app but not a replacement for a full brokerage if you need deep tools or ISA wrappers.

Crypto-specific trading apps and exchanges (regulatory note)

Crypto apps differ from FCA-regulated brokerages. Many global exchanges operate to serve UK customers but with varying regulatory status and protections. If crypto trading is your priority, compare liquidity, trading pairs, fees and security practices (cold storage, proof-of-reserves). Always treat crypto as higher-risk and check if a platform has any UK presence or FCA registration for services such as crypto custody.

Major crypto platforms used by UK traders (examples):

• Binance — large liquidity and product suite; register here: Binance registration.
• Bybit — derivatives-focused with strong derivatives liquidity: Bybit invite.
• Bitget — copy trading and derivatives: Bitget referral.
• MEXC — growing global exchange with many altcoins: MEXC invite.

If you plan to use algorithms, bots or signals, see reputable resources on developing or sourcing bots and signal services. For an overview on building or evaluating crypto arbitrage bots, read this guide: Building a reliable crypto arbitrage trading bot.

Fees explained — what to watch on UK trading apps

Costs reduce long-term returns. Key fee types:

• Commission — per-trade fee on some platforms (e.g., Interactive Brokers variable rates).
• Spread — difference between buy/sell prices; large on CFDs and some crypto markets.
• FX conversion — trading USD/EUR pairs from a GBP account will often incur FX fees or markups.
• Platform subscription — premium plans add advanced features but may not pay off for small accounts.
• ISA/SIPP charges — custody or percentage fees for tax wrappers.
• Inactivity & withdrawal fees — hidden items to check in fee schedules.

Security & regulation — essential checks

In the UK, regulated brokerages are authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Check the FCA register to confirm an app’s status: Financial Conduct Authority.

• FSCS protection covers certain investments up to £85,000 if the firm is authorised — confirm via the FCA register.
• Look for two-factor authentication (2FA), biometric logins and notifications for withdrawals.
• For crypto, look for cold-storage policies, proof-of-reserves audits and insurance on custodial assets.
• Read the platform’s terms and risk warnings carefully; crypto is often excluded from FSCS protection.

Which trading app is best in UK for crypto trading specifically?

If your main goal is crypto, decide if you need spot trading only, or derivatives and leverage. Spot-only users may prefer regulated local exchanges or brokerages with simple custody, whereas derivatives traders will use global derivative exchanges (higher liquidity and leverage but more risk).

For guidance about futures trading profitability and risk in 2025, this realistic primer can help you weigh risks: Is Binance Futures trading profitable in 2025?

Advanced topics: bots, signals and automation

If you want algorithmic trading, automating strategies requires reliable APIs, low latency, and strong security. Many crypto exchanges offer API access; choose an exchange with robust documentation and IP whitelisting. Before running live bots, backtest rigorously and start with small allocations.

For those researching signal bots and free resources, consult this guide to signal bots and how to evaluate them: Best crypto signal bot — free guide 2025.

Step-by-step: how to choose the right trading app for you

1. Define your objective — long-term investing (ISA, SIPP), active trading, or crypto speculation?
2. Check regulation & protections — look up the app on the FCA register and confirm FSCS coverage where relevant.
3. Compare total cost — simulate a typical trade and calculate all fees (commission + FX + spread).
4. Test the app — use demo accounts where available; test deposit/withdrawal flow and customer support responsiveness.
5. Assess tools — do you need advanced charts, margin, or social/copy trading?
6. Decide tax wrappers — if you need an ISA/SIPP, shortlist apps offering those wrappers.
7. Start small — open the account and fund minimally while you learn execution and service quality.

Practical examples and mini case studies

Case: Beginner with £5,000 for passive growth

Objective: Build a diversified portfolio in a Stocks & Shares ISA, low-cost.

• Best choice: Freetrade or Vanguard (for indexed funds). Why: low/no commissions + ISA wrapper reduces tax friction.
• Action: Open an ISA account, choose low-cost ETF funds (FTSE 100, global equity ETFs), set monthly contributions.

Case: Active trader doing frequent trades (<10 trades/month)

Objective: Keep trading costs low while having access to advanced order types.

• Best choice: Trading 212 or Interactive Brokers depending on market access. Why: low execution fees and fractional trading.
• Action: Compare spreads/commissions using your average trade size; test order execution speed.

Case: Crypto trader using derivatives and arbitrage

Objective: Use multiple exchanges to take advantage of liquidity differences and derivatives spreads.

• Best choice: Use liquidity-heavy exchanges such as Binance, Bybit, Bitget and MEXC. Register and enable API access — links: Binance (https://accounts.binance.info/en/register?ref=12093552), Bybit (https://www.bybit.com/invite?ref=Q8QKORN), Bitget (https://www.bitget.com/referral/register?clacCode=WSVEGD6H&from=%2Fevents%2Freferral-all-program&source=events&utmSource=PremierInviter), MEXC (https://www.mexc.co/invite/customer-register?inviteCode=mexc-1bE4c).
• Action: Use secure API keys with restricted permissions, run bots in small test mode, and keep funds in cold storage when not trading. For arbitrage-specific development and vendor selection: see this resource.

Taxes and record-keeping

UK residents must report taxable gains from trading and crypto disposals. Use clear records: timestamps, transaction IDs, cost basis and exchange statements. HMRC guidance on crypto taxation and ISAs is essential; view HMRC resources and gov.uk guidance for up-to-date rules.

For general tax wrapper information, HM Government explains ISAs here: Individual Savings Accounts (ISA). For more on capital gains and reporting, use official HMRC guidance pages.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Chasing zero commissions — sometimes zero-commission platforms hide costs in FX markups or inferior execution. Always calculate total slippage.
• Ignoring regulation — an attractive UX doesn’t replace FCA authorisation and FSCS protections.
• Using credit to trade — leveraged trading can magnify losses; avoid unless you understand margin rules.
• Poor security hygiene — do not reuse passwords, enable 2FA, and keep API keys offline if possible.

High-authority resources to check

• FCA register — verify a UK firm's status: Financial Conduct Authority.
• HM Government on ISAs — tax-free savings information: Individual Savings Accounts.
• Overview of online brokers (background reading): Wikipedia — Online broker.

FAQ — quick answers to frequently asked questions

Q: Is a fintech app like Revolut as good as a broker?

A: For casual exposure, Revolut is convenient. For full investing features, tax wrappers and deep market access, dedicated brokers (e.g., Freetrade, Interactive Brokers) are stronger.

Q: Are crypto exchanges regulated in the UK?

A: Some have UK entities and comply with local rules; many are overseas. Crypto custody is often not FSCS-protected — check each exchange’s regulatory claims.

Q: How much should I pay in fees before switching apps?

A: If fees exceed the convenience or tools you need, consider switching. Calculate annual trading cost = (average trade cost * trades per year) + subscription and wrapper fees, and compare alternatives.

Final checklist before you sign up

• Confirm FCA authorisation and FSCS protection if investing in regulated instruments.
• Understand exact fee schedule for your trading pattern (including FX fees).
• Test customer support responsiveness with a query.
• Check if the app supports ISA or SIPP if you need tax wrappers.
• For crypto: confirm custody policies, audits/proof-of-reserves and API capabilities for bots.

Conclusion — which trading app is best in UK for you?

There is no single "best" trading app for all UK users. The answer depends on your goals:

• For long-term, tax-efficient investing: Freetrade, Vanguard, Hargreaves Lansdown.
• For low-cost active trades: Trading 212 and Interactive Brokers.
• For social trading and easy crypto access: eToro.
• For professional derivatives and global markets: Interactive Brokers, IG, CMC.
• For crypto-specific trading and derivatives: Binance, Bybit, Bitget, MEXC (links above) — but confirm regulatory standing and security.

Start by defining your objective, compare total costs, confirm regulation and test the app. If you’re exploring crypto automation or signals, review reliable guides like this signal bot primer: best crypto signal bot — free guide, and this realistic look at futures trading: Is Binance Futures trading profitable in 2025?

Not financial advice — always do your own research (DYOR), and consider speaking with a certified financial advisor if unsure. Begin with a small account, confirm the platform meets your needs, and scale as you gain confidence.