Online trading can be a fun and profitable endeavor, but a prerequisite for this is having a stock trading app that matches the user’s ambitions and capabilities.
However, in such a saturated marketplace, thorough research is needed to narrow down the options.
After extensive research, we found that eToro is the best UK stock trading app for most people. Read on for our full and carefully-curated list of the best UK stock trading apps available in 2024.
- Ideal for beginner investors
- Copy trade successful investors
- Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, Forex, Indices, Commodities
- Trade stocks, ETFs and CFDs
- Beginner-friendly interface
- Trade global markets from your phone or computer
- Best copy trading platform for leveraged CFDs
- No commissions or copy trading fees
- Regulated in nine jurisdictions
Our selections for the best UK stock market apps in 2024
Let’s start with a quick preview of our 8 best UK stock trading apps for beginners and experienced traders.
- eToro: One of the world’s most popular stock trading platforms, eToro has a powerful, easy-to-use mobile app. There is also a strong focus on social and copy trading to allow beginners to learn from experienced investors.
- XTB: A well-established brand that offers traders access to a wide range of assets at extremely low fees. Moreover, the platform provides outstanding customer service and competitive research.
- Avatrade: Another reputable platform that provides users with basic and advanced trading tools in an easy-to-use interface. Additionally, it offers a risk management feature that has proven to be a game changer for many traders.
- Trade Nation: This popular trading app is perfect for both part-time and professional traders who want to minimise trading costs and gain access to powerful trading tools.
- Pepperstone: Provides users with several trading platforms to choose from. The trading app also offers traders many useful third-party tools and plugins to facilitate quick and better decisions.
- PrimeXBT: A mid-tier, technologically advanced multi-asset trading platform suitable for both beginners and professionals. It provides traders with access to real-time market data and a wide range of trading tools while maintaining security and liquidity.
- Trading 212: Offers an easy-to-use web trading platform and mobile app to make customer experience seamless for beginners. Moreover, the broker offers a diverse selection of products with highly competitive fees.
- Robinhood: An easy-to-use trading app from a leading financial services firm that allows UK users to trade US stocks without paying any commission. The platform is perfect for beginners who want to invest small amounts of money in US stocks.
How we chose the best crypto day trading exchanges
We analysed crypto day trading exchanges using criteria such as ease of use, number of assets available, security, and fees. Our expert reviewers also used their own experience with the platform to judge subjective qualities like ease of use and customer service. Read more about how we rank crypto exchanges in our full methodology below.
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A closer look at the best UK stock market apps in 2024
Now that you know the best UK stock market apps, let’s find out what makes them the best.
1. eToro – Simple, easy-to-use and packed with features
Founded in 2007, eToro is a powerful stock trading app that provides investors access to a wide range of stock market products. The platform has a user-friendly interface, which makes it ideal for beginners and experienced traders.
With just a few taps, traders can use the platform to buy and sell shares and set up price alert push notifications. The platform offers customisable charts and numerous technical indicators for more in-depth analysis, including the ability to compare multiple shares on the same chart.
eToro has a clear layout, making it super easy to search for needed items. Traders can either search the items they are looking for in the search bar or visit the “Discover” tab to browse categories, daily movers, traders to copy, and more.
To help traders advance their learning curve, there is the eToro Academy, where traders—both advanced and beginner—can find a range of useful videos and guides covering stocks, crypto, investing, and the eToro platform.
Traders can also use eToro’s £100,000 demo account to build and test their own strategies. The demo account includes all of eToro’s features.
In all, eToro is a powerful stock trading app that gives traders easy access to different asset classes and provides them with extensive education resources.
Your capital is at risk
Pros
- User-friendly trading interface
- Advanced features available for more experienced traders
- Extensive education resources
Cons:
- Withdrawal, currency conversion, and inactivity fees apply
- Limited assets when compared to many traditional brokers
| AI stock picker | No |
| Free plan | Yes |
| Mobile app | Yes |
| Educational resources | Yes |
| Asset classes available | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto,Currencies, Commodities, Indices |
2. XTB – Popular, easy-to-use UK trading app with zero commission
XTB is another UK trading app, available on both desktop and mobile, that comes packed with a range of trading features, including chart analysis tools and technical indicators. Moreover, the platform can execute trades at lightning-fast speeds.
XTB gives traders access to more than 3,000 real stocks, including US-listed stocks, without paying any trading commission. It also allows traders to go long or short on their chosen stock and trade stocks with leverage of up to 1:5. Moreover, it supports thousands of stock CFDs, which are also commission-free.
XTB also provides access to other asset classes, including commodities, currency, indices, and more. It may not offer extensive charting tools and indicators like some of its competitors, but it does allow overlaying different stocks or indices on the same chart to make comparisons easier.
Unlike traditional UK platforms that either levy a flat fee or a percentage of the portfolio, XTB has no custody charges for maintaining an account. The platform also doesn’t charge anything to pay GBP into your wallet, but holding USD is subject to a 2% fee.
The platform offers educational guides, articles, and ebooks for new traders. It also provides users with a free demo account to develop and test their strategies.
Overall, XTB is an affordable, popular, and easy-to-use trading app that provides traders with all the necessary trading features to conduct trades efficiently.
76% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
Pros
- Low fees, including commission-free stock and ETF trading
- Access to leverage and short-selling
- Publicly traded and well regulated
Cons:
- Not all assets supported, such as mutual funds and bonds
- Comparatively expensive for high volume traders
| AI stock picker | No |
| Free plan | Yes |
| Mobile app | Yes |
| Educational resources | Yes |
| Asset classes available | Stocks, ETFs, Currencies, Commodities, CFDs |
3. AvaTrade – User-friendly UK trading app with in-built risk management support
AvaTrade is another popular UK trading app that charges no commission on trading. In addition, the platform offers some impressive features that make it popular among traders, especially day traders.
AvaTrade offers a sleek and straightforward interface. A notable UI feature is the easy accessibility of tutorials, which are available from the trading screen, meaning users don’t have to leave the trading screen to learn about something.
To facilitate trading, AvaTrade supports leverage of up to 1:5 and the ability to go long or short. It supports more than 600 stocks, including popular ones from the US. The platform doesn’t charge trading commissions, and its spreads are among the industry’s lowest.
Another point that makes Avatrade better than most others is the volume and quality of its learning resources. These resources offer almost everything, from technical and fundamental analysis to trading psychology and much more, making it a good learning platform for beginners and experienced traders.
The AvaTradeGO mobile app is also user-friendly and provides basic and advanced trading tools, including optimized technical indicators. The app also offers a free demo account.
AvaTrade focuses on trading and risk management. Its AvaProtect feature allows traders to reduce their risk by partially hedging their position with a forex option (at extra cost, of course).
Overall, AvaTrade is a user-friendly trading app that provides all tools and features, including educational resources, to carry trade efficiently.
Pros
- Well regulated
- Offers risk management feature
- Supports forex trading
Cons:
- Charges overnight fees, which discourages long-term holding
- High inactivity fees after just 3 months of non-use
| AI stock picker | No |
| Free plan | Yes |
| Mobile app | Yes |
| Educational resources | Yes |
| Asset classes available | Stocks, ETFs, Currencies,Commodities, Indices, Bonds |
4. Trade Nation – Reliable, low-cost UK trading platform
Trade Nation is another UK trading app with a straightforward user interface, allowing the purchasing of new assets with just a few clicks. Moreover, it offers a wide range of standard and advanced functionalities, making it apt for beginners and experienced traders.
Trade Nation provides users with multiple trading and drawing tools, such as real-time news and risk management tools, including stop orders. It also offers negative balance protection, ensuring the account balance automatically returns to zero if it goes negative.
Trade Nation’s mobile app provides access to multiple drawing and annotation tools for technical analysis. The charting on the mobile app is powered by ChartIQ, giving users access to more than 90 technical indicators.
Trade Nation has a transparent and very competitive fee structure. Unlike most brokers that offer variable pricing, Trade Nation has competitive fixed-spread pricing across its tradeable symbols. Moreover, it has no minimum deposit requirement and doesn’t charge a withdrawal fee.
Trade Nation is regulated by some of the world’s most respected financial governing bodies, ensuring a high level of compliance and peace of mind for traders. In addition to stocks, Trade Nation allows users to trade forex pairs, commodities, and indices.
Overall, Trade Nation is a reliable and affordable trading app with a transparent and very competitive fee structure. It also provides users with multiple trading and drawing tools.
Pros
- No minimum deposit
- No inactivity fee
- Advanced charting options
Cons:
- Educational offerings may not appeal to experienced traders
- Limited customer support options
| AI stock picker | No |
| Free plan | Yes |
| Mobile app | Yes |
| Educational resources | Yes |
| Asset classes available | Stocks, Crypto, Currencies, Commodities, Indices |
5. Pepperstone – A range of trading platforms with advanced third-party add-ons
Pepperstone is a diverse UK trading app that offers several trading platforms, including TradingView, MetaTrader 4 and 5, and cTrader.
Moreover, the platform offers several advanced trading tools. One such tool is Autochartist, which simplifies the technical analysis process and helps identify trading opportunities and patterns. It also shows probabilities and forecasts based on past performances.
Another thing that makes Pepperstone better than most stock market apps is the availability of third-party tools and plugins to facilitate better decision-making. Like other popular trading apps, Pepperstone also offers a free demo account and facilitates copy trading.
The platform has a good amount of educational content, mainly aimed at beginners. Pepperstone offers traders a decent amount of research, which includes in-house content and access to third-party research.
The platform has low forex and non-trading fees, but it’s CFD financing rates are comparatively higher for a few assets. It doesn’t charge inactivity and account fees, nor does it have a withdrawal fee for credit and debit cards and electronic wallets.
Overall, Pepperstone, with its different trading platforms and suite of features, is a trading app well-suited for both beginners and experienced traders.
Pros
- No withdrawal and inactivity fees
- Provides multiple platform add-ons
- Access to in-house and third-party research
Cons:
- High costs for holding positions overnight
- Learning resources suitable only for beginners
| AI stock picker | No |
| Free plan | Yes |
| Mobile app | Yes |
| Educational resources | Yes |
| Asset classes available | ETFs, Currencies, Commodities, Indices, Share CFDs |
6. PrimeXBT – A one-stop hub for various assets and strategies
PrimeXBT is popular for trading cryptocurrencies, but its offerings extend beyond digital currencies to forex pairs, commodities, and indices, making it a comprehensive one-stop solution.
PrimeXBT allows traders to boost their potential returns using leveraged trading options for both long and short positions. The platform provides advanced trading features, such as ‘take profit’ and ‘stop loss,’ to enable users to manage market risk.
PrimeXBT’s copy trading is also a popular feature. It allows traders to copy the standalone or portfolio trading strategies of top traders or create their own trading strategies for others to follow. The platform also gives users access to chart drawings and technical indicators powered by TradingView.
PrimeXBT’s other popular features are a referral and affiliate program and rewards and contests for traders. Moreover, it has no minimum deposit requirement, supports multiple languages, and has robust security measures.
PrimeXBT operates in over 150 countries, giving it a massive and diverse user community. Moreover, it has a simple onboarding process that offers all trading options in a single account. It also offers a free demo account to allow traders to test their strategies and master platform tools.
Overall, PrimeXBT is a comprehensive, one-stop UK trading app for efficiently trading different asset classes.
Pros
- No minimum deposit requirement
- Multiple assets under one account
- Presence of advanced features
Cons:
- Not much regulated
- No support for spot trading
| AI stock picker | No |
| Free plan | Yes |
| Mobile app | Yes |
| Educational resources | Yes |
| Asset classes available | Stock Indices, Commodities Currencies, Crypto |
7. Trading 212 – Ideal broker for beginner traders
Trading 212 offers a solid stock and ETF selection that can be traded commission-free. The trading app has a user-friendly trading interface – both web and mobile – and offers excellent features, such as a safe two-step login and easy search.
Trading 212 has partnered with Interactive Brokers to ensure the smooth execution of trades. The platform also has an optional lending feature, in addition to a tool that ensures the idle cash in your account earns some interest.
Trading 212 is a highly regulated and reputable broker regulated by the FCA. Moreover, it has many safety features, including negative balance protection. It also has an ‘AutoInvest’ feature that allows traders to develop and customise a diversified portfolio based on their financial goals.
Trading 212 offers two types of trading accounts – an Invest Account and a CFD Account. The Invest Account offers commission-free investing in stocks and ETFs, while the CFD Account is suitable for more advanced traders.
In addition to having no commission, the platform doesn’t charge account, inactivity, or withdrawal fees. Depositing to CFD accounts and depositing via bank transfer to Invest accounts is also free. However, its forex trading fee is on the higher side.
Overall, Trading 212 has all the traits to be on the list of the best UK trading apps, but compared to others on the list, it may fail to attract professional traders.
Pros
- Pays interest on uninvested cash
- Comparatively low fees
- Optional security lending feature
Cons:
- Comparatively higher forex fees
- Limited advanced features
- Limited customisation option
| AI stock picker | No |
| Free plan | Yes |
| Mobile app | Yes |
| Educational resources | Yes |
| Asset classes available | Stocks, ETFs, Currencies, Commodities, CFDs |
8. Robinhood – UK newcomer with low fees
Robinhood is a popular, low-cost trading app that only recently launched in the UK. The UK version of the app allows users to invest in US shares commission-free, but its investment range is limited for now.
Robinhood users don’t need to pay anything for buying or selling investments. Users also don’t have to worry about service charges or other ongoing management fees, making Robinhood one of the lowest-cost trading platforms in the UK.
A point to note is that Robinhood UK operates in US dollars. So, when a user pays in Sterling, it is converted to US dollars for a small fee of 0.03%. The app offers an impressive 5% interest on uninvested cash and allows traders to schedule a stock trade outside market hours.
Regarding safety and protection, the platform has Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance in place, covering up to $2.25 million on cash held in a user’s account.
Robinhood’s app has an easy-to-use interface. Users can easily buy and sell assets and monitor the performance of their portfolio. Share price data can be adjusted to show either price or percentage change.
Robinhood users can easily create a watchlist and screeners to identify potential investment opportunities.
The fact that Robinhood only recently launched in the UK makes it last on our list. On the positive side, it also means that the trading app already has things in place to at least make it to the list within just months of launching in the UK.
Pros
- Low FX fees
- Ability to schedule trade outside market hours
- High interest on uninvested cash
Cons:
- Limited charting tools
- Only US stocks offered
| AI stock picker | No |
| Free plan | Yes |
| Mobile app | Yes |
| Educational resources | Yes |
| Asset classes available | Stocks |
Best UK investment apps compared
| AI stock picker | Free plan | Mobile app | Educational resources | Asset classes available | |
| eToro | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto,Currencies, Commodities, Indices |
| XTB | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Stocks, ETFs, Currencies, Commodities, CFDs |
| Avatrade | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Stocks, ETFs, Currencies,Commodities, Indices, Bonds |
| Trade Nation | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Stocks, Crypto, Currencies, Commodities, Indices |
| Pepperstone | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | ETFs, Currencies, Commodities, Indices, Share CFDs |
| PrimeXBT | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Stock Indices, Commodities Currencies, Crypto, |
| Trading 212 | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Stocks, ETFs, Currencies, Commodities, CFDs |
| Robinhood | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Stocks |
How to pick a stock app
There are a few factors that traders need to consider before picking a stock app:
User-friendliness
A stock trading app must be user-friendly, which means the platform should be easy to navigate and operate. The platform’s interface should be self-explanatory, and users should find no difficulty looking for the features they want and executing their trades.
Markets and products
Make sure the stock app you select supports the markets you want to invest in. For instance, if you want to invest in large-cap, UK-listed stocks, your stock trading app must support the London Stock Exchange (LSE). Additionally, if you want to invest in currencies or crypto, ensure your app supports these assets.
Trading tools
If you are a beginner, make sure your stock trading app provides you with the basic tools needed to efficiently carry out trading, such as live prices, the ability to monitor portfolios, and more. For experienced traders, the app must offer advanced trading tools, such as drawing tools and technical indicators.
Fees and costs
Make sure to check the broker’s fee structure and compare it with other brokers before selecting a stock app. High trading fees can erode your profits, making your trading strategy less effective in the long run. In addition to trading fees, you must consider the spread cost, platform cost, and other similar costs.
Customer service
Your trading app must provide in-app customer service, meaning you should be able to speak to an agent directly via live chat for quick query resolution. Moreover, customer service should ideally be available around the clock during the week.
What assets can you trade on UK stock market apps?
You can trade almost all types of assets on UK stock market apps. Below are some of the most common examples.
Company shares
Almost all stock market apps allow users to trade stocks, but the selection of stocks may differ. UK stock market apps usually give users access to UK stocks, in addition to a selection of the most popular US stocks.
Additionally, stock market apps allow investment in fractional shares. A fractional share is a portion of the stock; the fraction amount depends on the amount you want to invest. Owners of fractional shares enjoy the same rights as those of usual shares.
Forex
Forex involves buying and selling international currency to profit from the price difference. This market is also referred to as the foreign exchange market, forex, or the FX market. It runs 24 hours a day in different parts of the world. Currency or forex trading is in pairs, i.e., buying one currency while selling another simultaneously.
Commodities
UK investors can trade commodities, including gold, oil, wheat, copper, and more, depending on whether they believe the price of that commodity will go up or down. Trading commodities is similar to trading stocks: if you go long on a commodity and its prices rise, you can close the trade and pocket the price difference as profit.
Historical data suggests a low correlation between commodity and equity prices, making the former a good choice to diversify a portfolio. Commodities have demonstrated a high correlation with inflation, making them a good hedge against inflation.
Indices
Indices trading provides investors with a great way to gain exposure to the financial markets. Basically, indices allow traders to track the performance of a group of assets based on their size, sector, or characteristics, such as the FTSE 100 Index, which comprises 100 blue-chip companies listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE).
Investors can trade indices round the clock, 5 days a week, as they are available as a CFD (Contract for Difference). One can also trade indices through futures, spread betting and ETFs (exchange traded funds).
Different ways to trade stocks using apps in the UK
The UK stock trading apps that made it into our final list all offer several methods of buying and selling assets, going beyond just trading shares in individual companies. Here are some of the most prominent methods:
Trading stocks
This is the traditional method of trading assets through online brokerages, and arguably still the most popular.
The vast majority of UK trading apps allow users to select individual companies to purchase a stake in. In most cases, you simply select your chosen company, the amount of stock you wish to purchase, and proceed to complete your transaction.
The majority of trading apps also allow you to use strategic tools such as a limit order. This involves setting your maximum buying price or minimum selling price, with the order only executing if these parameters are met.
Trading CFDs
CFDs (or contracts for difference) allow you to speculate on how the price of an asset will fluctuate. Essentially, you agree to exchange the difference in the asset’s price in the period of time between the contract opening and closing.
CFDs can allow users to generate profits from both rises and dips in the asset’s price. However, crucially, CFDs do not allow you to own the underlying asset.
Similarly to other forms of asset, CFDs can easily be purchased by navigating to the relevant section on your chosen broker’s app or website, and following the steps to open the contract.
Trading ETFs
An ETF (or exchange-traded fund) tracks the performance of a group of assets, most commonly in the form of an entire index, such as the Financial Time Stock Exchange.
ETFs are popular due to their diversification effect – in other words, they allow investors to avoid putting all their eggs in one basket.
ETFs are easy and hassle-free to purchase through most reputable UK stock trading apps. It’s worth noting that some platforms refer to ETFs as ‘indices’.
Trading futures
Like CFDs, futures are a type of contract agreement for trading assets. Specifically, they are a legal agreement to buy or sell the asset at a predetermined price on a future date.
While potentially highly profitable, there is also exceptional volatility involved in futures trading, so education on the subject is recommended.
It is also recommended that futures traders use stop-loss orders – an order to sell a security once is reaches a certain price – to limit losses.
Futures are relatively simple to buy through most major stock trading apps, but many require you to set up a separate account in order to do so.
Paying tax on your stocks in the UK
Investing can be an excellent way to make your money work harder, but taxes can significantly compromise this. Here is a quick overview of everything you need to know regarding taxation on stocks in the UK.
Capital gains tax (CGT)
Investors in the UK pay capital gains tax on profits made from selling assets that have increased in value.
For ‘basic’ rate taxpayers (those earning up to £50,270 annually), the rate you pay depends on the size of your gain and various other factors.
‘Higher’ or ‘additional’ rate taxpayers (those earning up to or more than £125,140 annually) will pay a 20% rate on their gains.
In the UK, CGT is only paid on profits above £3,000.
Dividend tax
In the UK, dividends – lump sums paid out to investors when a company makes a profit – are taxed separately from capital gains and income tax.
The tax-free threshold for dividend income in the UK is currently £500.
As with capital gains, the tax rate paid on dividends varies depending on the individual’s income level. The breakdown is as follows:
| Tax band | Tax rate on dividends over the allowance |
| Basic rate (up to £50,270) | 8.75% |
| Higher rate (up to £125,140) | 33.75% |
| Additional rate (over £125,140) | 39.35% |
Stamp duty reserve tax (SDRT)
Stamp duty reserve tax (SDRT) is a small tax paid on shares bought electronically through the ‘CREST’ system (computerised register of shares and shareowners).
The tax, charged 0.5% rounded to the nearest penny, applies when shares are bought electronically in the UK.
SDRT is calculated based on the total value of the shares purchased, and is collected automatically by your broker at the point of sale.
Note: SDRT and stamp duty are very different, but they are often confused. Stamp duty is a tax levied on property transactions in the UK.
The pros and cons of using UK brokerage apps
Pros
- The use of mobile apps reduces additional latency, as traders don’t need to speak to brokers to place their trades.
- Brokerage apps give traders and investors better control over their trades and portfolios.
- Regardless of location or time constraints, traders can easily place their trade.
- Traders get extensive tools and data to hone their trading skills and make informed decisions.
Cons
- Trading apps depend on the Internet to operate. So, an unstable Internet connection could result in trading issues, including losses.
- Though a trading app gives traders more control, it also means they are fully responsible for their decisions.
- Trading apps can prove costly if a trader selects an app with unreasonable charges.
Are trading apps safe?
Trading apps from reputable and regulated companies are considered to be safe. For instance, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulated apps in the UK are considered to be legitimate investing apps.
Thus, users must check for regulatory compliance before selecting a trading app. One easy way to do this is to visit the trading app’s website.
Additionally, users need to consider credible user reviews and a transparent fee structure to determine whether or not the app is safe. Fake apps usually promise unrealistic returns and don’t have verifiable credentials.
Methodology
For ValueWalk’s review of the best UK stock trading apps, we carefully assessed more than 20 platforms in order to produce a final list of 8.
Our analysis involved paying close attention several key areas. These included:
- User-friendliness: In order to be accessible to traders of all experience levels, trading apps must be simple and enjoyable to navigate. Easy account setup, search functions and a clear order execution process are all essential to this.
- Markets and products: Most traders are seeking a single platform to fulfil all their needs, and a broad range of investment options is critical to this. The best investment apps will allow users to trade stocks, ETFs, CFDs, commodities and even crypto.
- Trading tools: Particularly important to advanced traders, tools and features are a key components of brokerage apps. Examples of this include copy trading, market analysis and educational resources.
- Fees and costs: Fees are one of the main areas of competition in the trading app market. We consider fees for buying, selling, depositing, withdrawing and more when researching this topic.
- Customer service: We assess the quality and accessibility of customer support provided by each exchange. This includes response times, the variety of support channels available, and more.
