24 guides · updated 2026

Spread betting,
explained properly

Free, practical guides on how spread betting works, trading strategies, risk management, tax and platform picks — written for UK traders.

★ Start here

What Is Spread Betting? The Complete UK Guide for 2026

Everything you need to know about spread betting in the UK — how it works, how tax-free status applies, and how to get started with your first trade.

Getting started8 min read2026-03-03

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

Education

Understanding Overnight Funding Costs in Spread Betting

How overnight funding works, how it is calculated using SONIA, worked examples for 1 week to 3 months, and strategies to minimise the cost of holding positions.

12 min read2026-04-02

Tax

Spread Betting Tax Rules Explained: UK Tax Guide for 2026

How HMRC treats spread betting profits, when they could become taxable, and what records you need to keep.

7 min read2026-03-04

Rankings

Best Spread Betting Platform for Beginners in 2026

The top 5 platforms for new spread bettors, ranked by ease of use, demo accounts, education quality, and beginner-friendly features.

7 min read2026-03-04

AI trading

How to Automate Your Spread Betting: A Step-by-Step Guide

Platforms with APIs, strategy builders, and everything you need to build automated spread betting systems in 2026.

9 min read2026-03-04

Education

Spread Betting vs Options: Which Is Better for UK Traders?

A direct comparison of spread betting and options trading for UK-based traders — tax, leverage, risk, and when to use each.

7 min read2026-03-04

Markets

FTSE 100 Spread Betting Guide: Strategies and Best Brokers

Everything you need to trade the FTSE 100 with spread betting — what moves the index, trading hours, strategies, and the best brokers.

8 min read2026-03-04

Markets

Forex Spread Betting: The Complete UK Guide

How to trade currency pairs tax-free through spread betting — major pairs, pip values, trading sessions, and the best forex brokers.

8 min read2026-03-04

Strategy

Risk Management for Spread Betting: Protect Your Capital

Position sizing, stop losses, guaranteed stops, and the rules that keep your trading account alive.

8 min read2026-03-04

Education

How to Choose a Spread Betting Broker: 8 Key Factors

A practical checklist of the eight things that matter most when choosing a UK spread betting platform.

8 min read2026-03-04

Strategy

Spread Betting Strategies That Work in 2026

Five proven spread betting strategies with clear entry and exit rules — trend following, breakout, range, news trading, and mean reversion.

9 min read2026-03-04

Rankings

Mobile Spread Betting: Best Apps for Trading on the Go

The top mobile apps for UK spread bettors in 2026, rated for speed, features, charting, and reliability.

7 min read2026-03-04

Education

Understanding Spread Betting Margins and Leverage

How margin works, FCA leverage caps by asset class, margin calls, and worked examples with the maths.

8 min read2026-03-04

Strategy

Day Trading with Spread Betting: A UK Guide

Intraday spread betting strategies, the best markets for day trading, time-of-day patterns, and what platforms you need.

9 min read2026-03-04

Markets

Spread Betting on Shares: How to Trade UK and US Stocks Tax-Free

How share spread betting works, dividends, corporate actions, and the best brokers for trading individual stocks.

8 min read2026-03-04

Education

What Are Guaranteed Stop Losses? When to Use Them

How guaranteed stop-loss orders work, what they cost, which brokers offer them, and when the premium is worth paying.

7 min read2026-03-04

Education

Spread Betting vs Share Dealing: Tax-Free Trading Compared

A side-by-side comparison of spread betting and traditional share dealing for UK investors, with worked tax calculations.

8 min read2026-03-04

Education

Spread Betting vs CFDs: Which Is Better for UK Traders?

The key differences between spread betting and CFD trading — tax treatment, costs, and which is right for your trading style.

6 min read2026-03-03

AI trading

AI Trading and Spread Betting: How to Build Automated Strategies in 2026

How to combine AI tools, algorithmic trading, and spread betting for tax-efficient automated trading. Platforms, tools, and strategies reviewed.

10 min read2026-03-03

Rankings

Best Spread Betting Platform 2026: Our Top 10 Ranked

We've tested every major UK spread betting platform. Here are our top 10 picks for 2026, scored across spreads, platform quality, AI tools, and regulation.