Top 10 Best Forex Brokers in UK

The UK remains a global leader in forex trading, offering retail and institutional traders access to FCA-regulated brokers with the highest levels of security, transparency, and execution quality. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) mandates strict compliance with client fund segregation, fair dealing, and compensation schemes — making UK-based forex brokers some of the safest in the world.

This guide ranks the top 10 best forex brokers in the UK, based on FCA regulation, platform offerings, spreads, deposit requirements, and user reputation.

Why Trade with FCA-Regulated Brokers?

FSCS protection up to £85,000 per client
Transparent execution policies and trade disclosures
Strict anti-fraud and solvency standards
Reliable UK-based dispute resolution channels
Segregated client accounts held in tier-1 banks

Top 10 Best Forex Brokers in UK (2025 Edition)

1. IG

FCA Licence: Yes (FCA No. 195355)
Minimum Deposit: £0 (bank transfers)
Platform: IG proprietary, MT4, L2 Dealer
Best For: Spread betting, CFDs, professional analytics
Why It Ranks #1: LSE-listed, 40+ years in market, industry-leading execution

2. CMC Markets

FCA Licence: Yes (FCA No. 173730)
Minimum Deposit: £0
Platform: Next Generation, MT4
Best For: Advanced charting and tight spreads
Why It Ranks #2: Trusted since 1989, 300+ forex pairs, zero minimums

3. Pepperstone UK

FCA Licence: Yes (FCA No. 684312)
Minimum Deposit: £0 (recommended £200)
Platform: MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView
Best For: ECN-style execution and scalping
Why It Ranks #3: Ultra-low spreads, fast execution, top tech integrations

4. City Index

FCA Licence: Yes (FCA No. 113942)
Minimum Deposit: £100
Platform: MT4, WebTrader, TradingView
Best For: Spread betting and active CFD traders
Why It Ranks #4: StoneX-backed, competitive spreads, UK tax-free accounts

5. XTB UK

FCA Licence: Yes (FCA No. 522157)
Minimum Deposit: £0
Platform: xStation 5, MT4 (via request)
Best For: Commission-free trading and FX + crypto access
Why It Ranks #5: LSE-listed parent company, fast execution speeds

6. Saxo Bank UK

FCA Licence: Yes (FCA No. 551422)
Minimum Deposit: £500
Platform: SaxoTraderGO, SaxoTraderPRO
Best For: High-net-worth and multi-asset traders
Why It Ranks #6: Institutional-grade execution and asset diversity

7. FXCM UK

FCA Licence: Yes (FCA No. 217689)
Minimum Deposit: £50
Platform: Trading Station, MT4
Best For: Long-term retail traders and automation
Why It Ranks #7: Clean UK track record, solid education tools

8. Admiral Markets UK (Admirals)

FCA Licence: Yes (FCA No. 595450)
Minimum Deposit: £25
Platform: MT4, MT5
Best For: MT5-based investing and copy trading
Why It Ranks #8: Well-established MT5 broker with Invest.MT5 access

9. ThinkMarkets UK

FCA Licence: Yes (FCA No. 629628)
Minimum Deposit: £0 (Standard), £500 (ThinkZero)
Platform: MT4, MT5, ThinkTrader
Best For: Balanced traders using multiple devices
Why It Ranks #9: Multi-platform support with strong uptime

10. Capital.com UK

FCA Licence: Yes (FCA No. 793714)
Minimum Deposit: £20
Platform: Capital.com WebTrader, TradingView
Best For: AI-powered education and low-cost trading
Why It Ranks #10: Great UX, tight spreads, and FCA oversight

Key Takeaways

IG, CMC Markets, and Pepperstone UK are the most trusted and feature-rich forex brokers in the UK
All brokers listed are FCA-authorised and offer FSCS protection
Spread betting is available tax-free with brokers like IG and City Index
Traders should choose brokers based on platform preference, account types, and fee structures
Most brokers now offer £0 minimums, mobile trading apps, and commission-free accounts

Frequently Asked Questions

Which forex broker is safest in the UK?

IG and CMC Markets are considered the safest due to their long FCA history, exchange listing, and client fund protection.

Is forex trading legal in the UK?

Yes, forex trading is fully legal and regulated by the FCA under strict financial conduct laws.

Do UK forex brokers offer tax-free accounts?

Yes, spread betting accounts offered by IG and City Index are tax-free for UK residents.

Can I start trading with £0 in the UK?

Yes, brokers like CMC Markets, Pepperstone, and XTB UK allow account opening with no minimum deposit.

What platforms do UK forex brokers use?

Most support MT4, MT5, proprietary platforms, cTrader, and TradingView integration.

Top 10 Best Forex Brokers in UK

Why Trade with FCA-Regulated Brokers?