Choosing the right spread betting platform can make a real difference to your trading results. The spread you pay on every trade, the tools available for analysis, and the quality of execution all compound over time.
We've tested and scored every major FCA-regulated spread betting platform across six dimensions: Spreads & Fees, Platform Quality, AI & Automation, Market Range, Education, and Regulation. Here are our top picks for 2026.
Quick Summary
| Rank | Broker | Score | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IG | 95/100 | Overall best |
| 2 | CMC Markets | 91/100 | Best platform |
| 3 | Pepperstone | 89/100 | Tightest spreads |
| 4 | City Index | 88/100 | Algo trading |
| 5 | Saxo | 86/100 | Professionals |
| 6 | Capital.com | 84/100 | AI features |
| 7 | Spreadex | 82/100 | Sports + finance |
| 8 | eToro | 79/100 | Copy trading |
| 9 | FXCM | 78/100 | Forex |
| 10 | Plus500 | 74/100 | Simplicity |
How We Score
Each platform is scored across six dimensions:
- Spreads & Fees (25%) — how competitive are the spreads on major markets? Use our spread calculator to model costs.
- Platform Quality (20%) — charting, execution, mobile app, UX
- AI & Automation (20%) — algo trading, API access, AI tools
- Market Range (15%) — number and variety of tradeable instruments
- Education (10%) — learning resources, demo accounts, research
- Regulation (10%) — FCA status, financial strength, track record
See our full methodology page for details on how each score is calculated.
Between 51-82% of retail investor accounts lose money when spread betting. You should consider whether you can afford to take the risk of losing your money.
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