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 share CFD brokers for UK traders on single-stock range across UK and US markets, with Interactive Brokers and Saxo strongest for direct access to the underlying shares too. Retail share leverage is capped at 5:1, the tightest FCA band, and every one of the eight brokers below is FCA-regulated.
Which broker is best for share CFDs in the UK?
IG Markets is the best share CFD broker in the UK, with the broadest UK and US single-stock range here at £3 per side UK commission, advertised. CMC Markets follows with commission-free UK and EU share CFDs, and Interactive Brokers has the lowest US per-share rates. Retail share leverage is capped at 5:1.
Our eight picks for share CFDs, ranked:
- IG Markets: UK and US stocks, £3 UK commission advertised.
- CMC Markets: no commission on UK and EU share CFDs.
- Interactive Brokers: lowest US per-share rates plus underlying shares.
- Saxo: global stock CFDs plus direct share dealing.
- Pepperstone: 0.10% UK commission, US and global stocks.
- XTB: share CFDs plus commission-free real-share investing.
- eToro: spread-based stock CFDs on the simplest platform.
- Plus500: spread-only pricing on selected single stocks.
Jump to Comparison table · Broker reviews · CFDs vs buying shares · Leverage cap · FAQs
Share CFD cost is usually a commission per side, charged once when you open and again when you close, rather than a spread. The figure that matters is the all-in commission plus any overnight financing on a held position. Rates below are advertised figures from each broker’s own site (see how we rate brokers); Interactive Brokers’ figures are its commissions for dealing in the underlying exchange-listed shares.
| Rank | Broker | Market access | UK share commission | US share commission | Charged | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IG Markets | UK, US, global | £3 | 3 cents per share (min $15) | Per side |  IG review |
| 2 | CMC Markets | UK, US, global | No commission | 2 cents per share (min $10) | Per side |  CMC review |
| 3 | Interactive Brokers | UK, US, global + underlying | Tiered 0.05% (min £1) or fixed £3 per order | $0.005 per share (min $1) | Per order |  IBKR review |
| 4 | Saxo | UK, US, global + underlying | Commission per side (see broker) | Commission per side (see broker) | Per side |  Saxo review |
| 5 | Pepperstone | US, global | 0.10% | 2 cents per share | Per side |  Pepperstone review |
| 6 | XTB | UK, US, EU + underlying | In the spread | In the spread | Spread on open and close |  XTB review |
| 7 | eToro | US, global | No commission, 0.15% spread | No commission, 0.15% spread | Spread on open and close |  eToro review |
| 8 | Plus500 | Selected stocks | No commission, cost in the spread | No commission, cost in the spread | Spread on open and close |  Plus500 review |
Commissions and spreads on this page are a desk-based assessment of each broker’s advertised UK pricing, accessed on each broker’s own site on 10 July 2026, not figures captured on a live account. Saxo and XTB share CFD rates should be re-checked on their current UK rate cards. Overnight financing applies on held CFD positions and is not shown here. Re-verify before relying on any figure.
All eight brokers hold FCA authorisation with FSCS cover up to £85,000 per eligible person and access to the Financial Ombudsman Service. All apply the FCA’s 5:1 retail leverage cap on individual equities under PS19/18, with negative balance protection and a 50% margin close-out rule.
Because share CFDs price on commission rather than spread, the per-side test in the lowest commission brokers guide is the right way to rank them.
1. IG Markets: broadest UK and US single-stock CFDs
Share commission
£3 UK, 3 cents per share US (min $15)
Market access
UK, US, global single stocks
Best for
UK and US single-stock breadth
Why it ranks first: one of the deepest single-stock CFD menus in the set, backed by the longest FCA record here, trading since 1974.
Why we recommend IG Markets
IG Markets Limited runs one of the widest single-stock CFD ranges available to UK traders, spanning the London market plus US and global exchanges. UK share CFDs carry a £3 commission per side and US shares 3 cents per share (minimum $15), both advertised figures. Our UK review scored it 80 out of 100.
The wider group also offers direct share dealing and a Stocks and Shares ISA, so a trader can hold leveraged CFD exposure and long-term shares under one brand. Cost-focused traders on US names may prefer Interactive Brokers, but for UK single-stock breadth IG is hard to beat.
Pros & cons
- Broad UK, US and global single-stock CFD range
- £3 UK commission per side, advertised
- Share dealing and a Stocks and Shares ISA through the wider group
- Commission per side adds up on frequent trades
- Retail share CFDs capped at 5:1
- Platform depth suits committed traders
2. CMC Markets: commission-free UK and EU share CFDs
Share commission
No UK commission, 2 cents per share US (min $10)
Market access
UK, US, global single stocks
Best for
Cost on UK and EU share CFDs
Why it ranks second: no dealing commission on UK and EU share CFDs, with cost carried in the spread and strong charting on Next Generation.
Why we recommend CMC Markets
CMC Markets UK plc charges no dealing commission on UK and EU share CFDs, pricing them in the spread instead, and applies 2 cents per share (minimum $10) on US shares. 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.
Next Generation lists a broad single-stock CFD menu with advanced charting, though the platform takes time to learn. For UK and EU share traders who value commission-free entry and deep charts, CMC is the strong pick.
Pros & cons
- No commission on UK and EU share CFDs
- Broad single-stock menu across UK, US and global markets
- LSE-listed parent as a structural signal
- US shares carry a 2 cents per share commission
- Retail share CFDs capped at 5:1
- Proprietary platform has a learning curve
3. Interactive Brokers: lowest US rates plus underlying shares
Share commission
0.05% tiered (min £1) UK, $0.005 per share US
Market access
UK, US, global, plus underlying shares
Best for
Low US rates and share ownership
Why it ranks third: some of the lowest per-share US rates in the set, on an account that also deals in the underlying exchange-listed shares.
Why we recommend Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Limited pairs some of the lowest per-share US commissions here, from $0.005 per share (minimum $1), with UK dealing at 0.05% tiered (minimum £1) or a fixed £3 per order. The same account deals in the underlying exchange-listed shares, so leverage and ownership sit side by side. Our UK review scored it 87 out of 100.
The trade-off is complexity: the platform is built for active multi-asset traders rather than first-timers. For cost-led US trading and a genuine route to owning the shares, Interactive Brokers leads on this page.
Pros & cons
- Low per-share US commission from $0.005
- Underlying share dealing alongside share CFDs
- Deep global market access on one account
- Professional platform steeper than the retail apps here
- Retail share CFDs capped at 5:1
- Pricing rewards larger, active accounts
4. Saxo: global single-stock CFDs plus direct share dealing
Share commission
Commission per side (advertised, see broker)
Market access
UK, US, global, plus underlying shares
Best for
Global range with a share-dealing route
Why it ranks fourth: a large global single-stock CFD range with a direct share-dealing route on the same account, the dual-access mix IBKR is known for on a more retail-polished platform.
Why we recommend Saxo
Saxo Capital Markets UK Limited runs one of the larger single-stock CFD ranges available to UK traders, spanning major US, UK, European and Asian exchanges. The same account gives direct share dealing, so a position can be held as a CFD for leverage or as the underlying stock for investment. Our UK review scored it 78 out of 100.
Pricing is commission-based and rewards larger accounts, and SaxoTraderGO suits active multi-asset traders more than first-time CFD users. For a global single-stock range with a genuine ownership route, Saxo sits close behind Interactive Brokers.
Pros & cons
- Broad single-stock CFD range across US, UK, European and Asian exchanges
- Direct share dealing alongside CFDs on one account
- FCA-regulated with FSCS cover
- Commission pricing rewards larger accounts
- Platform aimed at active multi-asset traders
- Retail share CFDs capped at 5:1
5. Pepperstone: low-cost US and global single stocks
Share commission
0.10% UK, 2 cents per share US
Market access
US and global single stocks
Best for
Low-cost US and global stocks
Why it ranks fifth: competitive commission on US and global single-stock CFDs, on the same account that carries MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView.
Why we recommend Pepperstone
Pepperstone Limited competes hard on cost, charging 0.10% on UK share CFDs and 2 cents per share on US names, both advertised figures. The share CFD offer leans toward US and global stocks rather than the London market. Our UK review scored it 90 out of 100, the highest here.
Traders who want the London single-stock depth of IG or CMC will look past it, but for low-cost US and global share CFDs on a flexible platform set, Pepperstone is the value pick.
Pros & cons
- Competitive commission on US and global stocks
- Four trading platforms on a single account
- Highest overall UK score in this set at 90
- Leans US and global, thinner on UK single stocks
- Commission per side on share CFDs
- No underlying share dealing or ISA
6. XTB: share CFDs plus commission-free real-share investing
Share commission
Share CFDs in the spread; real shares 0% to a monthly cap
Market access
UK, US, EU, plus real stocks and ETFs
Best for
Starting on CFDs, holding real shares too
Why it ranks sixth: spread-priced share CFDs alongside commission-free real stock and ETF investing, all on the xStation 5 platform at no minimum deposit.
Why we recommend XTB
XTB Limited pairs share CFDs with commission-free real stock and ETF investing on its own xStation 5 platform. UK traders can hold long-term share positions with no dealing commission up to a monthly turnover cap, and trade the same tickers as CFDs when they want leverage or short exposure. Our UK review scored it 77 out of 100.
The share CFD list is smaller than IG's or CMC's, which keeps XTB mid-table on range, and there is no MetaTrader option. For traders who want to start on CFDs and hold real shares on one account, it is a strong fit at zero minimum deposit.
Pros & cons
- Share CFDs plus commission-free real-share and ETF investing to a monthly cap
- No minimum deposit
- Well-built single platform in xStation 5
- Share CFD list smaller than IG's or CMC's
- Single-platform lock-in, no MetaTrader
- Retail share CFDs capped at 5:1
7. eToro: spread-based stock CFDs made simple
Share commission
No commission, 0.15% spread on stock CFDs
Market access
US and global single stocks
Best for
New traders wanting a simple platform
Why it ranks seventh: the simplest platform in the set, with spread-based stock CFDs and a real-share investing option alongside them.
Why we recommend eToro
eToro (UK) Ltd prices stock CFDs through a 0.15% spread with no separate commission, and the platform is the simplest here. Real-share investing sits alongside the CFD account, so newer traders can move between the two. Our UK review scored it 68 out of 100.
Accounts are USD-denominated, so GBP deposits pay a conversion fee, and the spread sits wider than the commission-based leaders once positions grow. For new traders who want an easy platform, eToro earns its place.
Pros & cons
- Simple, beginner-friendly platform
- Spread-based pricing with no separate commission
- Real-share investing available alongside CFDs
- USD account base means GBP deposits pay a conversion cost
- Spread wider than the commission-based leaders on size
- One platform only
8. Plus500: spread-only on selected single stocks
Share commission
No commission, cost in the spread
Market access
Selected single stocks
Best for
Simple all-in single-stock quotes
Why it ranks eighth: a single streamlined platform with spread-only single-stock CFDs and no separate dealing commission.
Why we recommend Plus500
Plus500UK Ltd prices single-stock CFDs in the spread with no separate dealing commission, on a single streamlined platform. It suits occasional traders who want a simple all-in quote rather than raw-plus-commission maths. Our UK review scored it 70 out of 100.
The single-stock list is narrower than IG's or CMC's, and dynamic spreads are harder to benchmark than a fixed commission. For a clean interface and one-line pricing on selected names, it does the job.
Pros & cons
- Spread-only pricing, no separate commission
- Clean, streamlined platform
- Listed parent as a structural signal
- Selected single stocks rather than a deep menu
- Dynamic spreads are hard to benchmark
- No underlying share dealing
Beyond the ranked eight, Trading 212 offers commission-free underlying share dealing and an ISA alongside its CFD account, a different mix best compared in the Trading 212 review.
Share CFDs vs buying shares
A share CFD and a share purchase differ on ownership, leverage and tax.
| Feature | Share CFD | Buying the share |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | No, leveraged exposure only | Yes, you own the share |
| Leverage | Up to 5:1 for retail | None, paid in full |
| Stamp duty (SDRT) | None | 0.5% on UK share purchases |
| Tax on gains | Within Capital Gains Tax | Within Capital Gains Tax |
| Dividends | Cash adjustment, no voting rights | Paid, with voting rights |
| Short selling | Yes | Not directly |
Share CFDs carry no stamp duty because no share changes hands, while buying UK shares incurs 0.5% Stamp Duty Reserve Tax. Both sit within Capital Gains Tax for UK residents, and CFD losses can offset capital gains. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change; the CFD explainer covers it in full. The table above is the summary; for the full decision between the two products, worked through ownership, dividends, tax and costs, see CFD vs stock.
FCA leverage cap on share CFDs
The FCA caps retail leverage on individual equities at 5:1 under PS19/18, the tightest CFD band. Margin of £1,000 controls up to £5,000 of share exposure. The cap reflects the higher single-stock risk from gaps and earnings moves. Negative balance protection means a retail account cannot fall below zero, and the 50% margin close-out rule applies.
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.
You are starting out
Simple platforms and demo accounts to learn on before any money is at risk.
FAQs
Is IG Markets the best share CFD broker in the UK?
What leverage can I use on share CFDs in the UK?
Do you pay stamp duty on share CFDs?
Can I short sell UK shares with a CFD?
Do share CFDs pay dividends?
Can I hold share CFDs in an ISA or SIPP?
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.