Spread betting carries a high level of risk. Between 51-82% of retail investor accounts lose money. You should consider whether you can afford to take the risk of losing your money.
BetTheSpread
Live · 15 FCA-regulated platforms

FCA-regulated
spread betting,
ranked by data.

15 platforms scored on spreads, execution, risk tools and regulation. No paid placements. No sponsored rankings.

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No paid placementsFCA-regulated onlyUpdated July 2026
Top rated brokers · BTS scorerescored Mar 2026
IG · 94/100#1
01IG
9.41pt
02CMC Markets
9.21pt
03City Index
9.01pt
IGFTSE 100 1 pt
CMC MarketsFTSE 100 1 pt
City IndexFTSE 100 1 pt
PepperstoneFTSE 100 1 pt
SaxoFTSE 100 1 pt
Capital.comFTSE 100 1 pt
SpreadexFTSE 100 0.9 pts
FXCMFTSE 100 1 pt
IGFTSE 100 1 pt
CMC MarketsFTSE 100 1 pt
City IndexFTSE 100 1 pt
PepperstoneFTSE 100 1 pt
SaxoFTSE 100 1 pt
Capital.comFTSE 100 1 pt
SpreadexFTSE 100 0.9 pts
FXCMFTSE 100 1 pt
15Platforms reviewed
6Weighted categories
£0Sponsored rankings
Mar 2026Last full rescore
Live rankings

Top rated brokers

Scored on spreads, platform, risk tools, market range, education and regulation.

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Risk warning

Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 60% to 72.9% of retail investor accounts lose money when spread betting and/or trading CFDs with the providers listed here. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Each provider's own published loss figure is shown in its listing and on its review page. Providers update these quarterly.

Recommended01
IG logo
IGMost trustedEst. 1974

The UK's No.1 spread betting provider with 50+ years of heritage

FTSE from 1 ptMin £250FCA #195355Tax-free69% of retail accounts lose money
94/100
BTS Score
02
CMC Markets logo
CMC MarketsMost trustedEst. 1989

Award-winning Next Generation platform with 12,000+ instruments

FTSE from 1 ptMin £0FCA #173730Tax-free68% of retail accounts lose money
92/100
BTS Score
03
City Index logo
City IndexMost trustedEst. 1983

Competitive spreads and professional-grade tools backed by StoneX Group

FTSE from 1 ptMin £100FCA #113942Tax-free
90/100
BTS Score
04
Pepperstone logo
PepperstoneTightest spreadsEst. 2010

Razor-sharp spreads and multi-platform choice for active traders

FTSE from 1 ptMin £0FCA #684312Tax-free72.9% of retail accounts lose money
89/100
BTS Score
05
Saxo logo
SaxoWidest market rangeEst. 1992

Premium multi-asset platform with institutional-grade tools and 71,000+ instruments

FTSE from 1 ptMin £500FCA #551422Tax-free60% of retail accounts lose money
89/100
BTS Score
06
Capital.com logo
Capital.comBest AI toolsEst. 2016

AI-powered trading platform with smart features and commission-free trading

FTSE from 1 ptMin £20FCA #793714Tax-free61% of retail accounts lose money
87/100
BTS Score
Methodology

What to look for in a broker

The factors that actually affect your trading costs and experience.

See full scoring methodology
01

Spread costs

The spread is your primary trading cost. A 1-point difference on the FTSE 100 costs you £1 per trade at £1/pt. Over hundreds of trades, tight spreads matter more than any other factor.

02

Platform usability

Execution speed, charting tools, mobile experience, and order types vary widely. A platform for a scalper differs from one suited to a swing trader. Test with a demo account first.

03

Risk management

Between 51-82% of retail accounts lose money. Guaranteed stop-losses, negative balance protection, and margin-call handling differ by broker. These tools are not optional for leveraged trading.

04

FCA regulation

Every broker on this site is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. FCA rules require segregated client funds, leverage caps, and negative balance protection for retail clients.

Browse by category

Find the best broker for your needs

Rankings cut by trader type, market and feature.

All categories

Best Overall

Top-rated UK spread betting platforms across all criteria — spreads, platform, tools, and regulation.

4 brokers ranked

Best for Beginners

Easy-to-use platforms with strong education, demo accounts, and low minimum deposits.

8 brokers ranked

Best for AI Trading

Platforms with algorithmic trading, AI signals, API access, and automation tools.

5 brokers ranked

Tightest Spreads

Platforms offering the most competitive spreads on forex, indices, and shares.

7 brokers ranked
Head to head

Popular comparisons

Side-by-side on spreads, platforms and BTS scores.

View all comparisons
IG logo
IG vs CMC Markets
Spreads · platform · score
CMC Markets logo
IG logo
IG vs City Index
Spreads · platform · score
City Index logo
IG logo
IG vs Pepperstone
Spreads · platform · score
Pepperstone logo
IG logo
IG vs Saxo
Spreads · platform · score
Saxo logo
IG logo
IG vs Capital.com
Spreads · platform · score
Capital.com logo
IG logo
IG vs Spreadex
Spreads · platform · score
Spreadex logo
UK tax treatment

Tax-free profits in the UK.

Spread betting profits are exempt from Capital Gains Tax and Stamp Duty under current HMRC rules. Losses cannot be offset against other gains. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change.

0%
Capital Gains Tax
on profits
0%
Stamp Duty
vs 0.5% on shares
Learn

Latest guides

Spread betting mechanics, strategies and platform analysis.

View all guides
education

Cryptocurrency Spread Betting in the UK: Rules, Risks & How It Works

The FCA banned crypto derivatives for UK retail clients in January 2021. Here is what that means, what alternatives exist, and how the tax position compares with spot crypto.

10 min read2026-04-02
markets

Spread Betting on Commodities: Gold, Oil & Natural Gas Guide for UK Traders

How to spread bet on gold, crude oil and natural gas in the UK. Covers spreads, margin requirements, FCA rules, trading strategies and key price drivers.

12 min read2026-04-02
education

How to Read Trading Charts for Spread Betting Beginners

A practical guide to candlestick charts, timeframes, support and resistance, indicators and chart patterns for new spread bettors.

11 min read2026-04-02

Find the right platform
for your trading

Compare spreads, test platforms with a demo account, and check the risk tools before you commit. All brokers listed are FCA-regulated with tax-free spread betting.

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