Risk warning: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. The majority of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. This page is general information, not financial advice. Advertiser disclosure.
IG Markets and CMC Markets lead index CFD brokers for UK traders on FTSE 100 and US 500 cost, with Pepperstone close behind on raw pricing. Major equity indices carry a 20:1 FCA retail leverage cap and non-major indices 10:1. Every broker below is FCA-regulated with FSCS cover.
Which broker is best for index CFDs in the UK?
IG Markets is the best index CFD broker in the UK, with FTSE 100 spreads from 1 point advertised across the deepest index range here. CMC Markets follows on its wide index and sector menu, and Pepperstone prices the US 500 from 0.4 points with no commission. Major-index retail leverage is capped at 20:1.
Our seven picks for index CFDs, ranked:
- IG Markets: FTSE 100 from 1 point advertised, deepest range.
- CMC Markets: US 500 from 0.5 points, wide sector menu.
- Pepperstone: US 500 from 0.4 points, no commission.
- XTB: major and minor indices plus ETFs on xStation.
- Vantage: raw index pricing on the majors.
- Eightcap: raw index pricing on MT5.
- Forex.com: FTSE 100 from 1 point, spread-only.
The order reflects index-CFD cost and range, not each broker’s overall score.
Jump to Comparison table · Broker reviews · Cash vs futures · Leverage caps · What it tracks · FAQs
Comparison table: index CFD brokers
The cost that matters is the GBP-per-point spread on the indices you trade, usually the FTSE 100, US 500 and Germany 40. Several brokers charge no separate commission on index CFDs, so the spread carries the cost. Figures are advertised minimum spreads in points from each broker’s own site (see how we rate brokers).
| Rank | Broker | Index range | FTSE 100 (points) | US 500 (points) | Germany 40 (points) | Cost basis | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IG Markets | FTSE 100, US 500, Germany 40, global | from 1 | from 0.4 | from 1.2 | Spread-only |  IG review |
| 2 | CMC Markets | Wide index and sector range | from 1 | from 0.5 | from 1.2 | Zero-commission market-maker |  CMC review |
| 3 | Pepperstone | Major global indices | - | from 0.4 | - | Spread-only, no commission |  Pepperstone review |
| 4 | XTB | Major and minor indices, ETFs | from 1.4 | from 0.4 | from 0.9 | Spread-only, xStation |  XTB review |
| 5 | Vantage | Major global indices | - | - | - | Raw pricing |  Vantage review |
| 6 | Eightcap | Major global indices | see note | - | from 1.5 | Raw pricing, MT5 |  Eightcap review |
| 7 | Forex.com | Major global indices | from 1 | from 0.4 | from 1 | Spread-only |  Forex.com review |
A dash means we could not confirm an advertised minimum on the broker’s UK site. Eightcap advertises its UK100 minimum as “from 12” in the units shown on its own indices page, which are not directly comparable to the point figures above.
Advertised minimum index spreads from each broker’s UK site, captured 10 July 2026. Minimums apply in liquid hours; spreads widen outside them. Re-verify on the broker’s current UK disclosure before relying on any figure.
All seven brokers are FCA-authorised with FSCS cover up to £85,000 per eligible person and Financial Ombudsman Service access. All apply the FCA’s PS19/18 caps: 20:1 on major indices, 10:1 on non-major and sector indices, with negative balance protection and a 50% margin close-out.
The index spreads above are a desk-based assessment of each broker’s advertised UK pricing, not spreads we captured on a live account. Every FCA broker here is also assessed on demo and live accounts under our published process; the all-in test that adds any commission back to the spread is set out in the lowest spread brokers guide.
1. IG Markets: deepest index range at 1-point FTSE spreads
Index spread
FTSE 100 from 1 point (advertised)
Platforms
IG platform, MT4, ProRealTime
Best for
Deep multi-asset index range
Why it ranks first: the deepest index and sector menu here, quoted spread-only with near-24-hour weekday dealing on the majors.
Why we recommend IG Markets
IG Markets Limited advertises the joint-tightest FTSE 100 spread in this set, from 1 point, across the deepest index menu: majors, minors and sector indices in cash and futures form. Spread-only pricing keeps the maths simple, with no separate commission on index CFDs. Our UK review scored it 80 out of 100.
The trade-off is FX pricing that raw-account rivals beat and a platform set without MT5 or cTrader. Index-first traders who value range and a long FCA record, trading since 1974, will not mind. Confirm the current account minimum on IG's UK site before funding.
Pros & cons
- FTSE 100 from 1 point (advertised)
- Deepest index and sector range in the set
- Cash and futures index forms
- Spread-only pricing rather than a raw account
- No MT5 or cTrader
- Advertised minimums apply only in liquid hours
2. CMC Markets: widest index and sector menu
Index spread
US 500 from 0.5 points (advertised)
Platforms
Next Generation, MT4
Best for
Index and sector breadth
Why it ranks second: one of the widest index and sector CFD menus here on the proprietary Next Generation platform.
Why we recommend CMC Markets
CMC Markets UK plc lists one of the widest index and sector CFD ranges in this set on its Next Generation platform, spread-only with no separate commission on index CFDs. The firm has traded since 1989 and its parent is listed on the London Stock Exchange. Our UK review scored it 82 out of 100.
The market-maker spread carries the whole cost, and its advertised US 500 minimum of 0.5 points sits just behind the 0.4-point brokers. For traders who value one deep multi-asset platform over the last fraction of a point, CMC is the stronger fit.
Pros & cons
- Wide index and sector CFD range
- Strong proprietary charting
- LSE-listed parent as a structural signal
- Market-maker spread carries the cost
- US 500 from 0.5 sits behind the 0.4-point brokers
- No MT5 or cTrader
3. Pepperstone: US 500 from 0.4 points on four platforms
Index spread
US 500 from 0.4 points (advertised)
Platforms
MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView
Best for
Raw pricing across platforms
Why it ranks third: index CFDs with no separate commission across MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView.
Why we recommend Pepperstone
Pepperstone Limited pairs raw index pricing with the widest platform choice here, running MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView on one FCA account. Its advertised US 500 spread starts from 0.4 points with no separate commission on index CFDs. Our UK review scored it 90 out of 100, the highest in this set.
It publishes no advertised FTSE 100 or Germany 40 minimum, quoting those live in-platform, and its index menu is narrower than IG's or CMC's. Traders who want raw pricing and platform choice over the deepest index range will find it hard to beat.
Pros & cons
- US 500 from 0.4 points (advertised)
- No separate commission on index CFDs
- Four platforms on one account
- No advertised FTSE 100 or Germany 40 minimum, quoted live in-platform
- Narrower index menu than IG or CMC
- Raw pricing suits active traders more than occasional ones
4. XTB: index and ETF breadth on xStation
Index spread
Germany 40 from 0.9 points (advertised)
Platforms
xStation 5
Best for
Index and ETF range
Why it ranks fourth: the tightest advertised Germany 40 spread here, from 0.9 points, with ETF CFDs alongside indices.
Why we recommend XTB
XTB Limited runs everything through xStation 5 and lists one of the larger index and ETF CFD ranges of the FCA set. Its advertised Germany 40 minimum, from 0.9 points, is the tightest here, and its US 500 matches the 0.4-point leaders. Our UK review scored it 77 out of 100.
The trade-offs are an advertised FTSE 100 minimum of 1.4 points, the widest in this table, and no MetaTrader support. For traders happy on a single strong proprietary platform, the index and ETF breadth is the draw.
Pros & cons
- Germany 40 from 0.9 points, tightest advertised here
- ETF CFDs alongside indices
- US 500 from 0.4 points (advertised)
- FTSE 100 from 1.4 points is the widest advertised figure in the set
- No MetaTrader or cTrader
- Single-platform lock-in on xStation
5. Vantage: raw index pricing on the majors
Index spread
Raw, quoted live in-platform
Platforms
MT4, MT5, TradingView, proprietary
Best for
Raw-account index traders
Why it ranks fifth: a raw-account structure on the major global indices across MT4, MT5 and TradingView.
Why we recommend Vantage
Vantage Global Prime LLP offers a raw-account structure on the major global indices across MT4, MT5, TradingView and its own platform. Our UK review scored it 82 out of 100.
It publishes no advertised index minimum, quoting spreads live in-platform, so it cannot be benchmarked from a static disclosure the way IG or XTB can. Our modal spread capture for this broker is still pending, so treat the raw-pricing claim as advertised until you re-check it.
Pros & cons
- Raw-account pricing on the major indices
- MT4, MT5 and TradingView on one account
- Scored 82 in our UK review
- Publishes no advertised index minimum to benchmark
- Index menu narrower than IG or CMC
- Spread figures stay advertised pending our live capture
6. Eightcap: raw MT5 index trading
Index spread
Germany 40 from 1.5 points (advertised)
Platforms
MT4, MT5, TradingView
Best for
Raw pricing on MT5
Why it ranks sixth: an advertised Germany 40 minimum from 1.5 points on a raw MT5 account.
Why we recommend Eightcap
Eightcap Group Ltd offers raw-account index pricing on MT4, MT5 and TradingView, with an advertised Germany 40 minimum from 1.5 points. Our UK review scored it 72 out of 100.
Its UK100 figure is quoted in the units shown on its own indices page, which are not directly comparable to the point spreads in the table above, and it publishes no US 500 minimum. Confirm the quoting unit and current spreads on Eightcap's UK site before relying on either.
Pros & cons
- Germany 40 from 1.5 points (advertised)
- Raw-account pricing on MT4, MT5 and TradingView
- Scored 82 in our UK review
- Quotes its UK100 minimum in units not comparable to the point figures here
- No advertised US 500 minimum published
- Index menu narrower than IG or CMC
7. Forex.com: spread-only match for the majors
Index spread
FTSE 100 from 1 point (advertised)
Platforms
MT4, MT5, TradingView, proprietary
Best for
Spread-only on the major indices
Why it ranks seventh: advertised FTSE 100 and US 500 minimums that match IG's on a simpler spread-only account.
Why we recommend Forex.com
Forex.com, the retail brand of Gain Capital UK Limited, matches IG's advertised FTSE 100 and US 500 minimums, from 1 point and 0.4 points, on a simpler spread-only account across MT4, MT5 and TradingView. Our UK review scored it 83 out of 100.
Its index menu is narrower than IG's or CMC's, and it sits within the same StoneX group as City Index, so running an account with both adds little real diversification. For a spread-only match on the majors, it does the job.
Pros & cons
- FTSE 100 from 1 point (advertised)
- US 500 from 0.4 points, matching the leaders
- MT4, MT5 and TradingView on one account
- Narrower index menu than IG or CMC
- Sits within the same StoneX group as City Index, so splitting between the two adds little diversification
- Spread-only rather than a raw account
What an index CFD tracks
An index CFD tracks the price of a stock index, such as the FTSE 100 or US 500, without owning the underlying shares. It gives leveraged exposure to the index level, so a position profits or loses as the index rises or falls. Index CFDs let a trader take a view on a whole market in one position, rather than buying each constituent share. Index levels also respond to central-bank policy, so how interest rates affect forex shapes where an index trades.
Cash vs futures index CFDs
Index CFDs come in two forms. A cash or spot index CFD tracks the current index level and carries an overnight financing charge on positions held past the daily cut-off. The futures form tracks a dated futures contract, has no daily financing charge but a wider spread, and expires on a set date. Short-term traders usually prefer cash indices for the tighter spread; position traders often prefer futures to avoid nightly financing.
FCA leverage caps on index CFDs
The FCA splits index CFDs into two retail leverage bands under PS19/18. Major equity indices, including the FTSE 100, US 500, Germany 40 and US Tech 100, are capped at 20:1, so margin of £1,000 controls up to £20,000 of exposure. Non-major and sector indices are capped at 10:1. The FCA’s Handbook list of major indices under PS19/18, not a broker’s marketing, governs which cap applies. Negative balance protection and the 50% margin close-out rule apply to all retail index positions. For the mechanics behind those margin multiples, see what is leverage.
Tickmill is a further in-set option for index CFDs on a low commission; see the Tickmill review.
Compare brokers by the factor that decides it
Different traders rank on different things. Start from the factor that decides it for you.
Start with the overall ranking
Our main UK list scores every FCA-regulated broker on cost and execution.
What you trade decides it
Each market carries its own FCA leverage cap, so the by-asset pages rank brokers per instrument.
Cost decides it
The same trade costs different amounts on different account types. These lists rank on the all-in figure.
The platform decides it
Pick your trading software first, then compare the brokers that carry it.
FAQs
Is IG Markets the best index CFD broker in the UK?
What leverage applies to index CFDs in the UK?
What is the difference between cash and futures index CFDs?
Can I trade the FTSE 100 24 hours a day?
Are index CFD profits taxed in the UK?
What is the cheapest index to trade?
Related pages
About the author
Justin Grossbard is the co-founder and head of research at CompareForexBrokers. He has traded forex since 1998, leads UK broker research and has personally reviewed every FCA-regulated broker on this site. His work has appeared in Forbes, Kiplinger and Finance Magnates, and he holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) and a Master's in Marketing.