Best Stock Brokers in the UK | Compare Fees

A stock broker gives you access to the stock market, and in the UK that comes in two forms. Share dealing brokers let you buy and own real shares, funds, and ETFs, and hold them in an account such as a Stocks and Shares ISA or a SIPP. CFD brokers let you trade on a share’s price with leverage without owning it. This guide covers both, all FCA-authorised, so you can pick the model that fits how you want to invest or trade.

Below you’ll find our current picks, in-depth reviews, and a clear rundown of what to weigh up before you open an account. The most important first decision is whether you want to own shares or trade them with leverage, so we start there.

Choosing a stock broker starts with one decision: do you want to own shares or trade them with leverage? A share dealing broker lets you own real shares and hold them long term, including in an ISA or SIPP. A CFD broker lets you speculate on a share’s price, up or down, using leverage, which magnifies gains and losses, does not give you ownership or an ISA, and is higher risk. Once you have settled on the model, the things that matter most are the all-in cost (commissions and platform fees for share dealing, or the spread and overnight charges for CFDs), the accounts on offer, and how much foreign exchange costs you when trading overseas shares. The sections below work through each in priority order.

Here are our current picks at a glance. These platforms are presented for informational purposes and are not listed in order of preference. Fees and features change, so always verify with the broker directly before opening an account.

These are the features that matter most, ordered by how much they affect your long-term returns.

The cost of investing is the biggest thing you control, and it comes in several parts. For share dealing, compare:

• The dealing commission per trade, which may be a flat fee, a percentage, or advertised as zero (in which case check where the broker makes its money).
• Any ongoing platform or custody fee, charged as a flat amount or a percentage of your holdings.
• Inactivity fees on dormant accounts.

A flat-fee broker often suits larger portfolios, while a percentage-fee platform can be cheaper for smaller balances. For CFDs, the cost model is different: you usually pay through the spread, plus an overnight funding charge for holding a leveraged position, so the true cost depends on how long you hold and how much leverage you use.

The wrapper you invest through can save you as much as the fee. Check which of these each broker offers:

• Stocks and Shares ISA
• Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP)
• General Investment Account (GIA), for investing beyond your ISA and pension allowances.
• Lifetime ISA or Junior ISA, if you are saving for a first home or for a child.

If you want to buy US or international shares, foreign exchange fees can quietly become one of your biggest costs. Every time you convert pounds to dollars to buy, and back again to sell, a broker may charge a percentage, and the difference between a low and a high FX fee is large over time. Check the FX rate charged, whether the broker offers a multi-currency account to hold dollars, and which exchanges beyond the London Stock Exchange you can reach.

Check the broker lists what you actually want to hold. Most offer UK shares on the main market and AIM, but the range of US and international shares, ETFs, funds, investment trusts, and bonds varies. If you plan to build a diversified portfolio, breadth of choice matters; if you only want a handful of well-known shares, almost any broker will do.

If you invest smaller amounts regularly, look for fractional shares, which let you buy a slice of a high-priced share, and automated regular investing, which lets you drip-feed a set amount each month. Dividend reinvestment, where dividends are automatically used to buy more shares, is another useful feature for long-term compounding.

Good research helps you make informed decisions. Depending on how hands-on you are, look for company data and fundamentals, screeners, live or delayed prices, analyst views, and charting. Beginners may value curated ideas and clear education; more active investors may want advanced charting and real-time data.

Check how you move money in and out. Most brokers support GBP deposits by Faster Payments and debit card, and the ability to transfer an existing ISA or pension in through the provider’s transfer service is worth confirming if you are switching provider. Look at withdrawal times too.

Finally, weigh how the platform feels to use across web and mobile, and the quality of support. Clear reporting on your holdings, performance, and costs is a good sign, and responsive UK-based support matters when something needs fixing.

Match your priorities to the profile below, then compare the brokers that fit.

If you want a simple, guided platform to buy your first shares or funds.

If keeping dealing and platform fees as low as possible is your priority.

If you want to invest through a Stocks and Shares ISA or a SIPP.

If you want wide global market access with low FX fees.

If you want to build a diversified portfolio from funds and ETFs.

If you want advanced charting, data, and fast execution.

If you want to trade on share prices with leverage rather than own the shares, accepting the higher risk and the possibility of losing more than you deposit.

Our review process evaluates stock brokers on the features that matter most to UK investors.

• Trust and Security: We only feature brokers authorised and regulated by the FCA. Our regulation guide explains how to check a firm on the FCA register.
• Cost: We compare the real cost of investing, combining dealing commissions, platform fees, and often-overlooked FX charges, rather than the headline rate alone.
• Accounts:We check which accounts each broker supports, including the Stocks and Shares ISA, SIPP and General Investment Account.
• Market Access: We assess access to the London Stock Exchange, AIM, and key international markets.
• Experience: We test the platforms across desktop and mobile for ease of use and reliability.
• Support: We check the quality and hours of UK support.

The best stock broker in the UK depends on your goals. If you are building long-term wealth, prioritise a broker with a Stocks and Shares ISA or a SIPP, low all-in costs, and access to the markets you want, so more of your return stays with you. If you are investing in overseas shares, pay close attention to FX fees, which can outweigh the headline commission. Whichever you choose, make sure it is FCA-authorised, so your money is held separately and your eligible investments are protected.