The United States may steal the best online brokers UK with its huge share of global stock markets, but the UK represents a sizable chunk of the market. The best online brokers UK will offer you access to a full range of British and international stocks as well as a host of popular exchange traded funds (ETFs). Most also supplement their trading services with quality research written by industry experts.
Investor protection: All brokers that accept residents of the UK must be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, a globally acknowledged regulatory body. Look for the FCA’s registration number on the broker’s website.
Top ETF Platforms in the UK for Diversifying Your Portfolio
Customer support: Look for a broker that offers multiple contact methods and lengthy hours of operation. Even the most advanced online brokers can experience technical problems, so you want to be able to reach someone to help resolve those issues quickly.
Variety of available asset classes: Both beginners and expert traders benefit from investing in a diverse portfolio. Choose a broker that offers a broad selection of stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, commodities, forex and cryptocurrencies from top exchanges around the world.
If you’re looking to invest for the long term, consider a low-cost platform that charges only in sterling such as Hargreaves Lansdown, AJ Bell Youinvest and Halifax Share Dealing or its budget brand iWeb. If you’re a frequent trader, opt for a firm that allows you to hold and settle in a wide range of foreign currencies such as Interactive Brokers or Saxo Markets.