What is a trading platform?

A trading platform, also called an investment platform or broker, is where you buy and sell investments such as shares, funds and bonds. You may also be able to trade alternative assets such as currencies, oil, gold and crypto. Beginners may want to consider sticking to traditional investments — shares, funds and bonds — to begin with, as alternative assets can be more volatile.

How do I choose a UK trading platform?

I've found that some of the most important considerations for choosing a UK trading platform include the broker's fees and the available investment options. If you are savings or retirement-focused, I'd recommend seeing whether they offer ISAs (like a stocks and shares ISA or a cash ISA) or SIPPs . It's worth noting that there's nothing stopping you from opening separate accounts with different platforms, if you like aspects of different brokers and want to try out several. Some platforms offer commission-free trading but may have more limited investment options or accounts. I recommend taking the time to read some of my U.K. broker reviews to help you pick the best platform for your needs.

How do I open a UK trading account?

First, you'll want to choose the best platform for your needs – whether you are a beginner trader, an active trader , or you just want the best broker for mobile trading . Then, you'll want to open the broker's website or app and select the ‘open account’ option. Most platforms will allow you to sign up and fund your account within minutes. You’ll need to provide ID such as a photo of your driving licence or passport, along with providing your National Insurance number and proof of address. You can then pay money into your account through a bank transfer or using your debit card.

How does regular investing work?

Regular investing is where you invest a fixed amount on a monthly basis, to be paid directly into your investment or investments of choice. You benefit from saving little and often, which feels more achievable for some, and you can benefit from pound cost averaging to help smooth out fluctuations in the stock market. Most U.K. investment platforms offer discounted fees — or charge nothing at all — for regular investing.

Are online trading platforms safe?

All the U.K. trading platforms we review are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, which means they comply with stringent regulatory requirements. Your money is protected up to the value of £85,000 should a platform go out of business. However, be aware that all investing comes with an element of risk and your returns will depend on your own investment decisions.

What is the best crypto trading platform for beginners in the UK?

If you are just becoming familiar with investing, I recommend starting out with traditional investing in instruments such as stocks and funds. Cryptocurrencies are complex products, and, moreover, the cryptocurrency market tends toward the volatile, carrying a high risk of loss. If you do want to try your hand at trading crypto, use a regulated broker. eToro is one of our top recommendations; other reputable brokers that offer crypto in the U.K. include Saxo , Interactive Brokers and XTB .

An Individual Savings Account is a means of tax-free saving and investing. For the current tax year, an individual can save up to a maximum of £20,000, which can be held in a stocks and shares ISA , a cash ISA, a Junior ISA , an innovative finance ISA, a Lifetime ISA , or in a "Mix and Match" combination of these. Check out my complete guide to ISAs in the UK to learn more.

A Self-Invested Personal Pension, or SIPP, is a tax-efficient means of saving funds for retirement in the U.K. SIPPs are government approved, and enable individuals to make their own investment decisions. Unlike more traditional pension models where investment choice is often restricted to a limited number of funds, a SIPP offers investors the ability to self-direct their investments. account_balanceWant to learn more about SIPPs? I currently have three self-invested personal pensions with different providers, each offering different investment propositions. Check out my complete guide to SIPPs in the UK and then check out my picks for the Best SIPP Providers in the UK .

Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2024

Written by Elizabeth Anderson
Fact-checked by Steven Hatzakis
Edited by John Bringans

October 01, 2024

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We've been reviewing financial products and services and writing about U.K. markets since 2016. Blain Reinkensmeyer, Elizabeth Anderson and Steven Hatzakis have each placed thousands of trades, including shares, options, futures, cryptos, and forex. Find out more about us and how we test.

As a beginner investor, you may be overwhelmed by the choice of platforms and investments out there; there are around 20 investment platforms in the U.K. and several thousand investment choices spanning stocks and shares, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, and investment trusts.

I’ve reviewed over 20 of the biggest investment platforms in the U.K., gathering nearly a thousand data points across dozens of variables in the process. In this guide, I’ll share my picks for the best UK trading platforms for beginners.