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Plus500 has the most polished of the eight FCA-regulated trading apps we compare, with clean order entry and built-in risk tools on mobile. Pepperstone wins for active traders, putting MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView on your phone, and eToro leads for copy trading. All eight come from FCA-authorised brokers, so UK retail protections apply wherever you place a trade.
Which is the best forex trading app in the UK?
Plus500 has the best trading app in the UK for straightforward trading, with the cleanest mobile interface and built-in risk tools. Pepperstone puts MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView on your phone, and eToro leads mobile copy trading. Every app comes from an FCA-authorised broker, so FSCS cover up to £85,000 applies.
Our eight picks, ranked:
- Plus500: the cleanest mobile interface, with built-in risk tools.
- Pepperstone: MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView on your phone.
- eToro: the largest copy-trading network in an approachable app.
- Trading 212: the lowest-friction app for commission-free investing.
- CMC Markets: the most advanced mobile charting on the list.
- FXCM: the Trading Station app with automation and copy support.
- IG Markets: the broadest market range in your pocket.
- Swissquote: a solid app backed by a Swiss-listed banking parent.
One name UK readers often search for is not ranked here on purpose: markets.com has withdrawn from UK retail under Finalto Financial Services Limited, so it is covered as a status record rather than recommended as a live app.
Jump to Comparison table · App reviews · How to choose · Fees · How we rank · FAQs
Comparison table: UK trading apps
The table compares the ranked apps on what each broker puts on your phone, whether copy trading is built in, the advertised cost, and how each app is rated in the stores UK traders download from. Spreads are the brokers’ advertised from-rates, so the cost figures here are a desk-based assessment of each broker’s advertised UK pricing rather than spreads we recorded on a live account. The recorded-spread protocol sits on the methodology page.
Advertised spreads and store ratings move with every release cycle and with the market. We do not publish a fixed star rating, because it shifts between app versions; check the current App Store and Google Play scores and the live spread against the broker’s own app listing before relying on any figure here.
| App | Platforms on mobile | Copy trading | EUR/USD advertised spread | App Store / Google Play rating | FCA FRN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Plus500 | Plus500 app | No | Dynamic, no fixed minimum | See App Store and Google Play | 509909 |
 Pepperstone | Pepperstone app, MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView | Yes, cTrader Copy | From 0.0 pips on Razor plus £2.25 per side | See App Store and Google Play | 684312 |
 eToro | eToro app | Yes, CopyTrader | From 1.0 pips (indicative) | See App Store and Google Play | 583263 |
 Trading 212 | Trading 212 app | No | Dynamic, no advertised minimum | See App Store and Google Play | 609146 |
 CMC Markets | Next Generation app, MT4 | No | From 0.5 pips (indicative) | See App Store and Google Play | 173730 |
 FXCM | Trading Station app, MT4, TradingView | Yes, ZuluTrade | Built into the spread, no advertised minimum | See App Store and Google Play | 217689 |
 IG Markets | IG app, MT4, ProRealTime | No | From 0.6 pips (indicative) | See App Store and Google Play | 195355 |
 Swissquote | CFXD app, MT4, MT5 | No | From 1.6 pips (indicative) | See App Store and Google Play | 562170 |
1. Plus500: the cleanest app for straightforward trading
EUR/USD spread
Dynamic, no fixed minimum
Platforms
Plus500 app (web and mobile)
Best for
Clean mobile order entry and risk tools
Why it ranks first: the most uncluttered mobile order ticket in this set, with risk controls surfaced where a phone trader needs them.
Why we recommend Plus500
Plus500UK Ltd (FCA FRN 509909) built its whole offer around the app, and it shows: uncluttered order tickets, guaranteed-stop options and risk controls placed where a mobile trader reaches for them. Our UK review scored it 70 out of 100.
Pricing is dynamic and spread-only, so there is no advertised minimum to benchmark; check the live spread in the app before you trade. There is no MetaTrader route and no copy trading, so an active or platform-led trader will prefer one of the names below.
Pros & cons
- Cleanest mobile interface in the set
- Built-in stop and guaranteed-stop options (confirm current terms)
- Single-account model keeps setup simple
- No MetaTrader or TradingView option
- Dynamic spreads publish no advertised minimum
- No copy trading
2. Pepperstone: every serious platform on your phone
EUR/USD spread
From 0.0 pips on Razor plus £2.25 per side
Platforms
Pepperstone app, MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView
Best for
Full platform choice on mobile
Why it ranks second: five mobile platform builds on one FCA account, with raw Razor pricing underneath.
Why we recommend Pepperstone
Pepperstone Limited (FCA FRN 684312) is the pick for active traders because the app choice is yours: its own app plus full MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView mobile builds. The Razor account advertises spreads from 0.0 pips plus a fixed £2.25 per lot per side on GBP accounts, and it publishes a retail loss figure of 72.9%. Our UK review scored it 90 out of 100.
The trade-off is that raw pricing only compares fairly once you add the commission back in, and the range of platforms is more setup than a beginner needs. For a trader who already knows which platform they want on mobile, it is the rational first stop.
Pros & cons
- Five mobile platform options on one account
- Razor raw pricing advertised from 0.0 pips plus £2.25 per lot per side on GBP accounts
- cTrader Copy available on mobile
- Platform choice adds setup for a beginner
- Commission applies on the Razor account
- Its own app is less featured than the third-party platforms
3. eToro: copy trading built for mobile
EUR/USD spread
From 1.0 pips (indicative)
Platforms
eToro app (web and mobile)
Best for
Copy trading on mobile
Why it ranks third: the CopyTrader network and social feed are native to the app, not bolted on.
Why we recommend eToro
eToro (UK) Ltd (FCA FRN 583263) leads for copy trading, with the CopyTrader network and social feed built into the app rather than reserved for desktop. Our UK review scored it 68 out of 100.
The account is USD-denominated, so GBP deposits pay a conversion fee; confirm the current rate in the review before funding. Headline spreads sit wider than a raw account, so a cost-focused active trader will do better elsewhere, but for learning by following others the app is hard to beat.
Pros & cons
- Largest copy-trading network in this set
- Approachable design for newcomers
- Wide instrument range including real shares
- USD account base adds a conversion cost on GBP deposits
- Spread-only pricing wider than the raw rivals
- One platform only, app and web
4. Trading 212: the lowest-friction app on the list
EUR/USD spread
Dynamic, no advertised minimum
Platforms
Trading 212 app (proprietary)
Best for
Low-cost, app-led investing
Why it ranks fourth: commission-free investing, a Stocks and Shares ISA and a minimum around £1 make it the lowest-friction entry here.
Why we recommend Trading 212
Trading 212 UK Ltd (FCA FRN 609146) is the app UK newcomers most often already have on their phone. It is built around commission-free investing, a Stocks and Shares ISA and a minimum near £1, and CFD trading runs in the same app under the FCA-regulated UK entity, priced in the spread. Our UK review scored it 74 out of 100.
The CFD side is deliberately simple, with no MetaTrader route and no advertised minimum spread to benchmark, so an active forex trader will outgrow it. As a first, low-cost app for investing with occasional CFD access, it is the lowest-friction pick on this page.
Pros & cons
- Commission-free real investing and a Stocks and Shares ISA
- Very low minimum deposit, around £1
- Clean, beginner-friendly app
- No MT4, MT5, cTrader or TradingView
- CFD tooling is basic next to specialist brokers
- Dynamic CFD spreads publish no advertised minimum
5. CMC Markets: charting power on a phone
EUR/USD spread
From 0.5 pips (indicative)
Platforms
Next Generation app, MT4
Best for
Advanced mobile charting
Why it ranks fifth: the Next Generation platform's charting fits onto a phone better than any rival here.
Why we recommend CMC Markets
CMC Markets UK plc (FCA FRN 173730) squeezes the Next Generation platform's pattern tools, indicator depth and wide market range onto mobile, with MT4 as an alternative. 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 trade-off is that the same depth makes the interface busier than the beginner apps above, and there is no MT5 or cTrader. For a chart-led trader who wants that toolkit on a phone, it is the strongest fit here.
Pros & cons
- Most advanced mobile charting in the set
- Wide instrument range
- Established LSE-listed parent as a structural signal
- Interface density can overwhelm a beginner
- No MT5 or cTrader route
- Spread-only standard pricing
6. FXCM: automation-friendly mobile stack
EUR/USD spread
Built into the spread, no advertised minimum
Platforms
Trading Station app, MT4, TradingView
Best for
Automation and copy on mobile
Why it ranks sixth: three mobile platforms plus ZuluTrade copy trading in one FCA account.
Why we recommend FXCM
FXCM, trading as Stratos Markets Limited (FCA FRN 217689), pairs its own Trading Station app with MT4 and TradingView on mobile and supports ZuluTrade copy trading, so automation and copy tools sit in one stack. Our UK review scored it 75 out of 100.
Because FXCM builds its cost into the spread with no advertised minimum, the all-in figure is harder to benchmark than a raw account, and the app looks dated beside the newer designs above. For a trader who wants MetaTrader plus copy and automation on a phone, the platform mix is the draw.
Pros & cons
- Three mobile platforms, including MT4 and TradingView
- ZuluTrade copy option
- API and automation pedigree
- No advertised minimum spread published
- App design dated next to Plus500 and eToro
- Standard account may be market-made, so check the type
7. IG Markets: the broadest market range in your pocket
EUR/USD spread
From 0.6 pips (indicative)
Platforms
IG app, MT4, ProRealTime
Best for
Broadest market range on mobile
Why it ranks seventh: the widest market coverage of the eight, on a mature, polished app.
Why we recommend IG Markets
IG Markets Limited (FCA FRN 195355) puts the widest market coverage of the eight on mobile, with a mature app, ProRealTime charting and MT4 as alternatives. Its FCA record runs back to 1974, the longest here, under an LSE-listed parent. Our UK review scored it 80 out of 100.
Headline FX spreads sit wider than Pepperstone's raw pricing, and the depth of features takes some learning. Traders who want breadth and a long track record over the tightest majors pricing will find IG hard to beat.
Pros & cons
- Broadest instrument range here
- Polished, mature app with ProRealTime charting
- LSE-listed parent and the longest UK record in the set
- Standard pricing wider than the raw rivals
- Feature depth carries a learning curve
- No cTrader route
8. Swissquote: banking-grade backing
EUR/USD spread
From 1.6 pips (indicative)
Platforms
CFXD app, MT4, MT5
Best for
Bank-backed multi-asset app
Why it ranks eighth: the CFXD app alongside MetaTrader, backed by a SIX-listed Swiss banking group.
Why we recommend Swissquote
Swissquote Ltd (FCA FRN 562170) offers the CFXD app alongside MT4 and MT5, backed by a SIX-listed Swiss banking group. Our UK review scored it 71 out of 100.
Its headline pricing is wider than the raw and low-cost names above, and the minimum deposit is higher. It suits a trader who weights institutional backing and MetaTrader access over the tightest spread rather than one chasing the lowest cost.
Pros & cons
- Listed banking parent as a structural signal
- MetaTrader alongside the proprietary app
- Multi-asset reach on one account
- Pricing is not the tightest here
- Higher minimum deposit than the app-first names
- Fewer copy-trading tools than eToro or FXCM
9. City Index: post-trade analytics in your pocket
EUR/USD spread
1.4 pips tested, spread-only
Platforms
City Index app, Web Trader, MT4, TradingView
Best for
Scoring your own trading discipline
Why it ranks ninth: Performance Analytics grades the discipline of your own closed trades and sets loss guardrails, and StoneX keeps it to City Index and Forex.com alone.
Why we recommend City Index
City Index trades as a brand of StoneX Financial Ltd (FCA FRN 446717), and its app carries a tool the rest of this list does not have. Performance Analytics reads your closed trades and returns a discipline score, a daily loss limit and a per-trade loss cap. It is built on Chasing Returns, which StoneX owns and offers only through City Index and Forex.com, and it runs on Web Trader and the mobile app (broker site, accessed 16 July 2026). Our UK review scored it 78 out of 100.
The app is not the cheapest way to trade. Our July 2026 recording put EUR/USD at a modal 1.4 pips, the widest we tested, with no raw account to move to. Take this app for the analytics and the heritage, not the spread.
Pros & cons
- Performance Analytics scores discipline from your own trades
- Loss guardrails cap the day before you break the plan
- Web Trader, MT4 and TradingView behind the app
- Widest EUR/USD spread we tested, at 1.4 pips
- No raw or commission account
- Analytics is the draw, not the pricing
How to choose a trading app
Match the app to how you trade on the move. A beginner wants a clean layout, clear order entry and built-in risk controls, which is where Plus500 and eToro lead. An active trader wants full charting, price alerts, watchlists and the option of MT4, MT5 or TradingView on mobile, which Pepperstone and CMC provide. The best MT4 brokers UK guide lists which brokers put MetaTrader on your phone. Check the current app store rating, the deposit methods supported in GBP, and whether biometric login is available.
Most beginner-friendly trading app
For a first trading app, the clearest interface wins. Plus500, eToro and Trading 212 all strip the experience back to the essentials, with simple order entry, visible risk controls and a layout that does not overwhelm. eToro adds the social and copy features that suit a newcomer learning by watching, Trading 212 leads on low-cost investing with a Stocks and Shares ISA, and Plus500 keeps the focus on a clean single-account experience. The best forex broker for beginners UK guide covers the wider beginner question.
Which app has the lowest spreads?
App cost mirrors account cost, so the raw-account brokers lead on spread and then add a commission you count in. Among the ranked eight, Pepperstone runs the tightest advertised raw pricing, from 0.0 pips plus £2.25 per lot per side on GBP accounts, while Plus500, eToro and CMC Markets price spread-only. Two brokers outside this app ranking, Eightcap and Tickmill, advertise tighter raw spreads still and both run capable mobile apps; they sit outside the eight because this page ranks on mobile usability first. On one standard lot of EUR/USD, a 0.10 pip spread costs roughly £0.79 before commission. The lowest spread forex broker UK guide works the all-in cost out properly.
Which app is best for copy trading?
eToro’s app is the strongest for copy trading, with the largest CopyTrader network built into the mobile experience. Pepperstone supports copy trading through cTrader Copy on mobile, and FXCM offers ZuluTrade. The best copy trading platform UK guide covers the regulatory side of copying through an app.
What these apps actually look like
Screens beat adjectives here, so these are the five apps in this ranking doing the thing each is known for: Plus500 arming a guaranteed stop, eToro ranking the investors you can copy, Swissquote surfacing Autochartist setups, CMC charting EUR/USD, and IG quoting a watchlist of indices and majors.
Trading app screenshots
Which app scores your trading discipline?
City Index, and only City Index or its StoneX sister brand Forex.com. Performance Analytics reads the trades you have already closed and returns a discipline score, a daily loss limit and a maximum loss per trade, so the app pushes back when you break your own plan. It is built on Chasing Returns, which StoneX bought and keeps exclusive to those two brands, and it runs on both Web Trader and the mobile app (City Index, checked 16 July 2026). The screenshots below still carry the older Chasing Returns branding.
City Index Performance Analytics screenshots
Nothing else in this ranking offers post-trade psychology scoring, so if that is what you want from an app, the choice is narrow. Weigh it against the cost: City Index tested at a modal 1.4 pips on EUR/USD in July 2026, the widest in our set.
What fees apply when using a trading app?
The app does not add fees of its own; the broker’s normal costs apply. You pay the spread on every trade, a commission per lot on a raw account, overnight swap charges on positions held past the daily cut, and any currency-conversion fee if you trade an instrument priced outside your GBP account. Inactivity fees can also apply after a dormant period. The app is just the access point; the cost sits with the account.
How we rank the eight trading apps
We compare each app on order entry, charting depth, alerts and watchlists, biometric login, the platforms available on mobile and the GBP funding methods supported, using each broker’s published app documentation and store listings alongside our account testing. Every broker here is FCA-authorised and is tested with GBP funding on demo and live accounts under our published process; the per-app cost figures stay a desk-based assessment of each broker’s advertised UK pricing rather than live-captured spreads. Full detail sits in how we rate brokers.
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.
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.
Your strategy decides it
Pick your trading software first, then compare the brokers that carry it.
What you trade decides it
Each market carries its own FCA leverage cap, so the by-asset pages rank brokers per instrument.
FAQs
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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.