Best Forex Brokers in UK for 2026

Best Forex Brokers in UK for 2026

Top FCA-regulated forex brokers offering spread betting, tax-free profits, and GBP accounts for British traders.

Lisa Martinez

Written by

Lisa Martinez

James Wilson

Fact Checked by

James Wilson

Last reviewed:
By:Lisa Martinez
Fact-checked by:James Wilson

Top 10 Forex Brokers for UK Traders in 2026

The UK remains a global forex hub under the strict supervision of the FCA. Entering 2026, spread betting retains its tax-free status for retail traders, offering a key advantage over CFDs. Our updated rankings prioritize brokers with confirmed 2026 FCA standing, superior GBP payment speeds, and robust spread betting platforms. Pepperstone and IG continue to lead the market with exceptional service and execution.

Is forex trading regulated in the UK?

Yes, forex trading in the UK is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). UK traders benefit from strong protections including segregated client funds and FSCS coverage up to £85,000.

Key Features for UK Traders

Compare essential features of FCA-regulated forex brokers available to UK residents.

Broker
Axi£3.50/lot£0
CMC MarketsNone£0
IG GroupNone£250
Pepperstone£2.25/lot£0
Saxo BankNone£500
City IndexNone£100
XTBNone£0
SpreadexNone£0
FXCMNone£50
Admiral MarketsNone£100

Detailed Broker Analysis

CMC Markets logo
CMC Markets
Read Review
Recommended
Best overall forex broker for UK traders.
5.0/5App Score

CMC Markets is a FTSE 250 listed company offering over 10,000 instruments through their award-winning Next Generation platform. UK traders enjoy tight spreads, excellent research, and comprehensive educational resources.

Forex spread classLow
Minimum deposit£0
Inactivity fee£10/mo
Currency pairs330
Deposit methodsBank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Debit Card, PayPal
Withdrawal fee£0
IG Group logo
IG Group
Read Review
Recommended
Market leader with 50 years of experience.
4.9/5App Score

IG Group is the UK original CFD and spread betting pioneer. With five decades of experience, they offer unparalleled market access, award-winning platforms, and world-class customer support.

Forex spread classLow
Minimum deposit£250
Inactivity fee£12/mo
Currency pairs80+
Deposit methodsBank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Debit Card, PayPal
Withdrawal fee£0
Pepperstone logo
Pepperstone
Read Review
Recommended
Ultra-low spreads for active traders.
4.6/5App Score

Pepperstone delivers institutional-grade execution with some of the tightest spreads in the market. Their Razor account is perfect for scalpers and high-volume traders seeking raw pricing.

Forex spread classUltra-Low
Minimum deposit£0
Inactivity fee£0
Currency pairs97
Deposit methodsBank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Debit Card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller
Withdrawal fee£0
Saxo Bank logo
Saxo Bank
Read Review
Recommended
Premium platform for sophisticated investors.
4.7/5App Score

Saxo Bank offers a premium trading experience with superior research, multi-asset trading, and professional-grade platforms. Ideal for experienced traders and high-net-worth individuals.

Forex spread classLow
Minimum deposit£500
Inactivity fee£0
Currency pairs185
Deposit methodsBank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard
Withdrawal fee£0
City Index logo
City Index
Read Review
Recommended
Excellent mobile trading experience.
4.5/5App Score

City Index combines competitive pricing with an excellent mobile app and strong research tools. A great choice for UK traders who want flexible trading on the go.

Forex spread classLow
Minimum deposit£100
Inactivity fee£12/mo
Currency pairs84
Deposit methodsBank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Debit Card, PayPal
Withdrawal fee£0
Recommended
Strong research with xStation platform.
4.4/5App Score

XTB's proprietary xStation platform offers advanced charting, sentiment analysis, and excellent execution speeds. Popular among technical traders for its innovative tools and comprehensive market analysis.

Forex spread classLow
Minimum deposit£0
Inactivity fee£10/mo
Currency pairs57
Deposit methodsBank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Debit Card, PayPal
Withdrawal fee£0
Spreadex logo
Spreadex
Read Review
Recommended
Spread betting specialists for UK traders.
4.2/5App Score

Spreadex specializes in spread betting and CFDs, offering tax-free spread betting for UK residents. Known for competitive spreads on sports betting and financial markets.

Forex spread classLow
Minimum deposit£0
Inactivity fee£0
Currency pairs60
Deposit methodsBank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Debit Card
Withdrawal fee£0
Recommended
Proven execution with competitive pricing.
4.0/5App Score

FXCM has been serving UK traders since 1999 with reliable execution and transparent pricing. Their trading platform offers a range of tools for both beginners and experienced traders.

Forex spread classAverage
Minimum deposit£50
Inactivity fee£50/yr
Currency pairs39
Deposit methodsBank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Debit Card
Withdrawal fee£0
Recommended
Low-cost trading with advanced tools.
3.9/5App Score

Axi (formerly AxiTrader) offers optimized MT4 terminals with advanced ProTrader tools. FCA regulated with competitive spreads and fast execution, popular among systematic traders.

Forex spread classUltra-Low
Minimum deposit£0
Inactivity fee£10/mo
Currency pairs70
Deposit methodsBank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Debit Card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller
Withdrawal fee£0
Admiral Markets logo
Admiral Markets
Read Review
Recommended
MetaTrader specialist with broad asset range.
4.1/5App Score

Admiral Markets (now Admirals) specializes in MetaTrader platforms with extensive customization options. Offers over 8,000 instruments and excellent educational resources for traders at all levels.

Forex spread classLow
Minimum deposit£100
Inactivity fee£10/mo
Currency pairs80
Deposit methodsBank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Debit Card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller
Withdrawal fee£0

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, forex trading in the UK is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). UK traders benefit from strong protections including segregated client funds and FSCS coverage up to £85,000.

Under ESMA regulations adopted by the FCA, retail traders can access up to 30:1 leverage on major forex pairs and 20:1 on minor pairs. Professional clients can access higher leverage after meeting qualification criteria.

Spread betting profits are currently tax-free in the UK, making it attractive for profitable traders. However, CFD losses can be offset against capital gains. Choose based on your trading style and tax situation.

Visit the FCA Register at register.fca.org.uk and search for the broker firm reference number. This confirms their regulatory status and permissions.

The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protects eligible clients up to £85,000 per person, per firm. Client funds must also be held in segregated accounts.

Why Trust BrokerAnalysis?

Our reviews are built using verified broker data, regulatory records, and hands-on testing. Rankings are updated regularly and are not influenced by paid placements.

Not Financial Advice:

Information on this website is for educational and comparison purposes only. This does not constitute financial, investment, or trading advice. How we rank brokers →

Affiliate Disclosure:

BrokerAnalysis may earn commissions from partners listed. This does not influence our rankings or analysis, which are based on our independent methodology.

Regional Availability Notice

Broker availability depends on your country of residence. Some brokers may not accept clients from certain jurisdictions including the USA, Canada, Japan, and others. The comparison table on this page shows country acceptance status. Please verify availability with the broker directly before proceeding.

Independent Analysis

Rankings based on verified data and hands-on testing. See our methodology →

Data Verified

January 2026