Best Spread Betting Apps In UK

Our top choice for the best spread betting app overall is the Spreadex mobile app, scoring a perfect 10/10 in our testing. The app’s advanced charting tools and real-time news feed impressed us, enabling quick analysis on the go, and making it a vital tool for spread bettors. Spreadex excelled in multiple categories, including trading experience, contributing to its outstanding 96/100 overall score. If you’re seeking a top-tier spread betting experience, we highly recommend trying Spreadex.

64% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.

Spreadex’s performance in our tests stems from its trading platforms, TradingView, and the Spreadex mobile app. We were particularly impressed with the broker’s proprietary platform, which offers everything needed for comprehensive market analysis on mobile devices. The app’s fluid navigation and responsive touch controls enabled a seamless trading experience while testing the app on our phones.

We found the interface responsive when swiping between markets, tapping charting tools, and plotting our technical analysis. This smooth user experience is further enhanced by access to over 35 technical indicators, allowing for in-depth analysis on the go.

As for Spreadex’s spread betting experience, we were impressed overall, giving a top score of 96/100, placing the broker second out of the 16 brokers we’ve tested.

The broker excelled in several key areas, including the range of markets, trading costs, and trading platforms. We were impressed by their performance in these categories, which contributed significantly to their high overall rating.

One standout feature is Spreadex’s extensive range of spread betting markets. They scored a perfect 10/10 in our spread bet markets test, offering an impressive 10,000 financial spread betting markets. This selection surpasses most of the 16 brokers we tested, with only IG Markets providing a broader range. You can access multiple financial instruments, including forex, commodities, shares, indices, bonds, ETFs, and options.

When it comes to trading costs, Spreadex also performed, scoring 9/10 in our tests based on the 9 currency pairs we tested. We found their spreads among the best we tested, with their EUR/USD spread performing well at just 0.90 pips – significantly lower than the 1.12 average across the 16 brokers in our study. This competitive pricing extends across the board for forex majors, as you can see in the table below:

Pepperstone is our top choice for low-cost spread betting after we awarded the broker a perfect 10/10 score in its trading cost analysis. The broker also scored perfect scores in several of our tests, especially for trading platforms offering TradingView, MetaTrader 4, MT5, and cTrader, all available as mobile apps. Pepperstone’s low costs and platform options make it a strong contender if you’re serious about spread betting.

Pepperstone scored an impressive 98/100 in our tests, excelling in several key areas, making it the best spread betting provider overall. Its trading costs were among the lowest across the 9 most popular forex pairs we tested.

Spread Bet Spreads	EUR/USDEUR/GBPGBP/USDAUD/USDUSD/CADEUR/JPYAUD/JPYUSD/JPYUSD/SGD	EUR/USDEUR/GBPGBP/USDAUD/USDUSD/CADEUR/JPYAUD/JPYUSD/JPYUSD/SGD	EUR/USDEUR/GBPGBP/USDAUD/USDUSD/CADEUR/JPYAUD/JPYUSD/JPYUSD/SGD	EUR/USDEUR/GBPGBP/USDAUD/USDUSD/CADEUR/JPYAUD/JPYUSD/JPYUSD/SGD	EUR/USDEUR/GBPGBP/USDAUD/USDUSD/CADEUR/JPYAUD/JPYUSD/JPYUSD/SGD
	0.80	1.10	1.40	1.00	1.40
	0.90	1.20	1.40	1.10	1.80
	1.00	1.10	1.50	1.20	1.50
	0.85	1.40	1.40	0.82	1.77
	1.10	1.30	1.60	1.20	1.60
	1.20	1.30	1.30	1.20	1.70
	1.00	1.50	1.50	1.00	1.80
	1.00	1.30	1.60	1.30	1.50
	1.30	1.50	1.50	1.50	1.50
	0.90	1.40	1.40	1.30	2.20
	0.90	1.20	1.60	1.50	1.80
	1.10	1.50	1.40	1.40	1.70
	1.20	1.50	1.50	1.40	1.80
	1.90	1.20	2.00	1.00	1.70
	1.40	1.70	1.60	1.40	1.80
	1.40	1.40	1.70	1.90	1.70

Avg. spreads are taken from each broker's website and updated monthly. Last update on 20/09/2024

The lowest spreads were achieved on EUR/USD, with an average spread of 0.80 pips, significantly below the industry average of 1.12 pips. On average, this saves you 0.32 pips per trade, which can add up over time, especially if you are a scalper.

For stock spread betting, the broker also stood out. UK shares started from 4 points, while US stocks like Apple cost just 0.10%. These were the best rates among the brokers we tested, further enhancing Pepperstone’s position as the go-to broker for low-cost trading.

Platform versatility is another key strength we found while using Pepperstone. The broker offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView, all available for spread betting. While each platform performs well, TradingView has unique features, like its ability to sync charts across devices, allowing you to maintain analysis on the move, something not all platforms offer.

An important category we also tested was trading experience, where Pepperstone outperformed the industry, earning a perfect 10/10. Execution speed is a crucial factor in selecting a broker, and Pepperstone’s average of 77ms for limit orders and 100ms for market execution was the fastest among all brokers tested.

Fast execution can make a significant difference, especially if you day trade, helping you get the best available prices with minimal slippage.

We recommend OANDA as the best spread betting app for beginners because it allows you to start small, with stakes as low as 1p, and provides a guaranteed stop-loss order. These features make it ideal for starting with lower financial risk bet sizes and providing you with total control. We gave OANDA an impressive overall score of 91/100, as they excelled in crucial areas for beginners, including competitive spreads from just one pip on EUR/USD. If you’re starting out, OANDA is a broker worth considering for spread betting.

76.6% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.

After testing 16 brokers, we found that OANDA Trade’s spread betting app stands out as the best option for new traders. What impressed us is the ability to spread bet from stakes as low as 1p per point, the lowest available from any of the brokers tested.

This feature makes it incredibly easy to transition from a demo account to a live one without risking larger bet sizes (50p-£1) that other platforms start from. It’s an excellent way for beginners to get a feel for real money trading while minimising the financial impact of potential mistakes until you get settled betting with real funds.

One of the top features we like is OANDA Trade’s guaranteed stop-loss order. This tool allows you to set a precise exit point for your bets, ensuring you won’t lose more than your specified amount. As a beginner, this provides an extra layer of protection and peace of mind, knowing your maximum loss even if the market becomes volatile.

Interestingly, OANDA Trade mobile app doesn’t use TradingView’s charts like its web platform which is a letdown. Instead, you have access to 40+ analysis tools like pivot point indicators that are helpful for keeping track of current market movements.

During our testing, we found OANDA’s spreads to be consistently low, which is crucial for new traders as it means more of your profits stay in your pocket. While not quite as low as Pepperstone’s, OANDA achieved below-industry-average spreads, earning them a solid 9/10 in this category with average spreads from 1 pip on EUR/USD. These competitive spreads make OANDA one of the most cost-effective options overall, as you can see in the table below:

We recommend CMC Markets as the best spread betting app for professionals due to its NextGen app’s advanced features, like sentiment analysis tools. While the mobile version lacks some desktop tools, the Alpha program offers up to 40% savings on spreads, making it attractive for top professionals who meet the requirements. We scored the broker 62/100 overall, but the potential for significant cost savings makes CMC Markets a solid choice for serious spread bettors

69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.

When it comes to professional-grade spread betting apps, CMC Markets’ NextGen app stands out for its advanced features.

We found that the NextGen mobile app has advanced charts with 60+ indicators, including VWAP (volume-weighted average price) and other advanced indicators not commonly found on other platforms. Plus, it has a sentiment analysis tool that uses its client’s data to find where others place their bets, which can be vital information for professionals.

However, we were disappointed that the automated pattern recognition tool, available on the web version, is missing from the mobile app.

That said, CMC Markets shines when it comes to its Alpha program. This program offers up to a 40% reduction in spread betting costs, a significant advantage if you are an active trader. For example, you can trade EUR/USD with spreads as low as 0.30 pips—well below the industry average of 1.12 pips, as you can see below:

This substantial discount makes it one of the best cost-saving options for professionals.

We were also impressed with CMC Markets’ spread bet market offerings. In our tests, they scored a solid 9/10, providing access to 12,000 markets for spread betting, falling second place to IG Group.

We recommend IG Markets for its exceptional range of 17,000 spread bet markets, scoring 86/100 in our review, covering everything from forex to option markets. The IG Trading App stands out with excellent charting tools, a user-friendly interface, and access to IG’s full range of markets while also offering MT4 and Pro Real Time as alternatives. Making IG an ideal choice if you spread bet multiple markets, giving you access to the largest range of markets with a single spread betting account.

70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.

We found IG Markets to be the best spread betting app for beginners, offering an impressive 17,000+ markets, the most among the 16 brokers we tested. Only Spreadex and CMC Markets came close, earning IG a 10/10 in our spread bet market test.

The range of betting options covers forex, indices, shares, bonds, commodities, ETFs, interest rates, and options. We liked that IG offers the forward/future markets, which, despite wider spreads, don’t incur overnight fees, helping you save money on longer-term trades.

IG’s platform selection is solid, including their proprietary IG Trading Platform, MetaTrader 4, and Pro Real Time. However, we discovered that only the IG Trading app provides access to all 17,000+ markets, including futures and options.

While using the IG Trading App, we found it mirrors the desktop version’s features. So, you can still benefit from the Signal Centre, which offers trading signals for forex, indices, and commodities, complete with professional market commentary. Having access to these signals is useful if you are looking for new ideas while away from your desktop.

We believe City Index is the top spread betting app for iOS, scoring an impressive 82/100 in our broker tests. The platform excels in trading costs, market range, and platform quality, offering competitive spreads across 8,500+ markets. We were impressed by the City Index Mobile App, which features TradingView advanced charting and mobile-friendly SMART trading signals. If you’re looking for a feature-rich spread betting experience on your iPhone or iPad, we recommend choosing City Index.

71% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.

We found the City Index Mobile App to be a standout performer for iOS, earning an 8/10 in our trading platform test. The app packs a punch with features typically found on desktop platforms, making it a powerful tool for on-the-go trading.

One of the app’s strengths is its integration of TradingView charts, which we consider the best charting solution available on iOS. With 60+ indicators and drawing tools at your fingertips, we found you’ll have everything needed to produce solid market analysis while mobile.

Another major perk of the City Index app is its SMART signals. Based on real-time market data, these alerts give you a heads-up on potential trading opportunities on your mobile device.

City Index’s trading costs were very competitive in our tests, where our findings showed an average spread of just 1.1 pips on the popular EUR/USD currency pair. While not the cheapest broker, City Index did produce below industry average spreads on 7/9 of the markets tested, placing them 5th for trading costs out of the 16 brokers tested. Low costs like these can significantly affect your bottom line over time.

FXCM offers a decent range of spread betting platforms, including MetaTrader 4 and Trading Station, as mobile apps. We gave FXCM a 6/10 for its platforms due to the limited functionality of the apps compared to their desktop versions. However, we gave FXCM a total score of 64/100 due to its excellent trading conditions and customer service, which significantly boosted its overall score.

FXCM stands out with its range of spread betting platforms, offering both MetaTrader 4 and Trading Station mobile apps for iOS and Android devices.

Trading Station was particularly impressive, with over 60 indicators for comprehensive technical analysis. This extensive selection, including popular tools like RSI, MACD, and Bollinger Bands, provides you with plenty of resources for analysing the global markets on the go.

Unlike the MT4 app, we appreciate that Trading Station grants access to FXCM’s full market range, making it our preferred choice for multi-asset trading across forex, indices, and commodities.

However, it’s worth noting that some desktop features, like Capitalise.ai for trading automation, are absent from the mobile version. MetaTrader 4, while offering a solid 30+ indicators and drawing tools ideal for price action analysis, lacks the ability to use expert advisors or custom indicators on mobile.

While not the most extensive, FXCM’s market selection covers 450+ instruments, including 350+ shares and 41+ currency pairs. For a broader range, you might consider alternatives like Spreadex or IG.

In terms of trading costs, FXCM offers competitive pricing with an average spread of one pip on EUR/USD, slightly better than the industry average of 1.12 pips from our testing. Despite this, FXCM’s performance was average across eight other currency pairs tested, resulting in a 5/10 score for trading costs.

We recommend AvaTrade’s MetaTrader 4 mobile app for spread betting, which gives you access to fixed spreads and advanced charts. The broker’s fixed spreads, starting at 0.90 pips in major markets, are competitive, though spreads in shares and commodities are less impressive. While AvaTrade scored 48/100 in our testing due to limitations in market range and overall trading costs, it remains a solid choice for MT4 mobile spread betting. However, if you prioritise tighter spreads or more mobile app options, consider trying Pepperstone.

AvaTrade offers access to MetaTrader 4, featuring user-friendly navigation, real-time quotes, and advanced charting tools. However, unlike the desktop version, the app does not support custom indicators or automated trading strategies.

Despite this limitation, you can set price alerts that send push notifications directly to your devices, ensuring they stay updated with market movements.

A unique aspect of AvaTrade is its fixed spread offering. Fixed spreads can be great if you bet on markets that tend to become volatile around news announcements, protecting you from widening spreads that can make entering a market expensive.

We were particularly impressed with the low fixed spread of 0.90 pips on the EUR/USD pair, which is competitive compared to variable spread brokers like Spreadex and IG, as you can see below:

Spread Bet Spreads	EUR/USDEUR/GBPGBP/USDAUD/USDUSD/CADEUR/JPYAUD/JPYUSD/JPYUSD/SGD	EUR/USDEUR/GBPGBP/USDAUD/USDUSD/CADEUR/JPYAUD/JPYUSD/JPYUSD/SGD	EUR/USDEUR/GBPGBP/USDAUD/USDUSD/CADEUR/JPYAUD/JPYUSD/JPYUSD/SGD	EUR/USDEUR/GBPGBP/USDAUD/USDUSD/CADEUR/JPYAUD/JPYUSD/JPYUSD/SGD	EUR/USDEUR/GBPGBP/USDAUD/USDUSD/CADEUR/JPYAUD/JPYUSD/JPYUSD/SGD
	0.90	1.20	1.60	1.50	1.80
	0.80	1.10	1.40	1.00	1.40
	0.90	1.20	1.40	1.10	1.80
	1.00	1.10	1.50	1.20	1.50
	0.85	1.40	1.40	0.82	1.77
	1.10	1.30	1.60	1.20	1.60
	1.20	1.30	1.30	1.20	1.70
	1.00	1.50	1.50	1.00	1.80
	1.00	1.30	1.60	1.30	1.50
	1.30	1.50	1.50	1.50	1.50
	0.90	1.40	1.40	1.30	2.20
	1.10	1.50	1.40	1.40	1.70
	1.20	1.50	1.50	1.40	1.80
	1.90	1.20	2.00	1.00	1.70
	1.40	1.70	1.60	1.40	1.80
	1.40	1.40	1.70	1.90	1.70

Avg. spreads are taken from each broker's website and updated monthly. Last update on 20/09/2024

However, we found that other currency pair spreads were wider than industry averages, which may not be ideal if you want consistently low-cost trading across currency pairs.