Best Brokers For Funds In The United Kingdom

Quick Overview

As investors in the United Kingdom seek reliable and regulated online brokers for fund trading in 2025, a growing emphasis is placed on financial safety, cost transparency, and platform sophistication. Under the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), brokers in the UK must adhere to strict capital requirements, maintain segregated client funds, and offer negative balance protection for retail traders. These requirements ensure that UK investors benefit from one of the most secure trading environments globally. Whether you are a retail investor focused on diversified ETF investing or an active trader managing commodities and forex portfolios, selecting a broker with robust safety measures and transparent fees is crucial. The brokers highlighted below offer FCA-regulated services or equivalent top-tier oversight, global platform access, and competitive pricing for UK-based users.

Top Picks (Regulated Brokers)

The following are leading FCA—or equivalently—regulated brokers that accept clients from the United Kingdom. Each delivers a blend of fund access, cost efficiency, and multichannel availability.

• IG – An FCA-regulated UK broker offering access to more than 17,000 global markets and funds, renowned for its proprietary platform and consistent spreads.
• Exness – Known for low spreads starting at 0.3 pips and tier-1 regulation across multiple jurisdictions, including the UK, ideal for forex and fund investors.
• FxPro – A long-standing UK broker offering MT4, MT5, and cTrader platforms, suitable for traders seeking deep liquidity and professional-grade tools.
• Pepperstone – FCA-regulated and highly competitive on pricing, offering access to platforms such as MT4, MT5, and TradingView with institutional-grade execution.
• eToro – The most social of all brokers, with FCA oversight, offering fund and stock trading alongside its renowned copy-trading features.
• Interactive Brokers – The global standard for professional investors, offering direct market access, fund management, and fractional share investing with FCA authorisation.

Comparison Table: Spreads, Fees, Platforms

How We Rank

Each broker was evaluated using five objective criteria: regulatory quality (tier-1 and retail fund safeguarding), fund and instrument availability, cost structure transparency, platform depth, and service reliability. Only FCA-licensed or equivalently tier-1 regulated brokers that publicly confirm acceptance of UK residents were considered. Brokers with segregated client accounts, negative balance protection, and proven complaint resolution were prioritized. Cost analysis includes all-in trading cost comparisons with both spread-only and commission-based accounts. Platform capability considers order execution, research materials, and usability across web and mobile. Funding and withdrawals were assessed for transparency and domestic relevance—particularly UK-accepted card and bank transfer support.

Regulation & Safety

In the United Kingdom, the Financial Conduct Authority governs the operation of brokers dealing in funds, forex, and derivatives. The FCA mandates stringent capital adequacy standards and the segregation of client assets under the Client Assets Sourcebook (CASS). Retail investors are protected up to £85,000 under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). Global brokers operating under equivalent regulation—such as ASIC (Australia) or CySEC (Cyprus)—provide additional oversight under EU or Commonwealth frameworks. Investors should confirm their trading account is held under a UK or EEA-regulated entity to ensure maximum protection, including dispute recourse and protection from insolvency-linked losses.

Broker Snapshots

Fees & Spreads

As of 2025, the UK brokerage market demonstrates a narrow cost variance among top-tier brokers. IG’s forex spreads start around 0.6 pips for EUR/USD, while Exness and FxPro both offer spreads below 0.3 pips on ECN-style accounts. Pepperstone’s Razor account remains one of the lowest-cost options for active traders, with raw spreads near zero and a $7 round-trip commission per lot. eToro maintains commission-free stock trading and transparent conversion and withdrawal fees. Interactive Brokers, geared towards institutional investors, provides market-direct pricing with minute spreads on major pairs, making it ideal for systematic funds and large portfolio managers.

Platforms & Tools

Platform technology remains the strategic differentiator in 2025. IG’s proprietary platform integrates charting, news, and an API interface for third-party automation. Exness and FxPro deliver MT4/MT5 access coupled with automated trading and social integrations. Pepperstone leads in platform diversity, incorporating cTrader and TradingView with low-latency execution backed by Equinix servers. eToro distinguishes itself with social trading and CopyTrader, allowing investors to replicate successful portfolios. Interactive Brokers’ TWS platform provides institutional data feeds, fixed income access, and advanced simulation tools. All selected brokers support demo accounts and mobile apps for Android and iOS, critical for nationwide accessibility.

Account Types & Minimum Deposit

UK-based traders benefit from flexible account structures. FxPro and Pepperstone offer both standard and commission-based accounts suited to variable strategies. Exness allows micro-deposit trading from $1, supporting gradual scaling for new investors. IG sets a minimum deposit of £250 and is tailored for moderate fund investors. eToro requires a $200 minimum, while Interactive Brokers no longer enforces a minimum deposit for standard IBKR accounts, allowing accessibility to retail and fund traders alike.

Funding & Withdrawals

All featured brokers support localised payment rails commonly used in the UK, including debit/credit cards, SEPA and SWIFT transfers, and e-wallets such as Skrill and PayPal. Exness and FxPro offer instant card processing with no internal fees. Pepperstone and IG support UK Faster Payments, reducing delays for withdrawals. eToro charges a fixed $5 withdrawal fee, while Interactive Brokers processes funds through domestic clearing networks, considerably reducing transaction costs for GBP-denominated accounts. Turnaround times vary from instant to three working days depending on method and financial partner. Demo and Islamic account options remain accessible across most platforms.

Pros, Cons & Best For

IG

• Pros: Extensive market range and FCA regulation ensure strong fund safety and transparency.
• Cons: Minimum deposit of £250 may limit accessibility for micro investors.
• Best For: Long-term investors and traders needing a trusted UK-regulated multi-asset broker.

Exness

• Pros: Exceptional pricing transparency with spreads from 0.3 pips and very low entry threshold.
• Cons: Fewer third-party research and fund analysis tools than institutional platforms.
• Best For: Cost-conscious traders and small fund managers seeking flexibility.

FxPro

• Pros: Multiplatform support, including MT4, MT5, and cTrader for professional-grade strategies.
• Cons: Slightly higher commissions on ECN accounts than price-leading peers.
• Best For: Institutional traders and algorithmic strategy developers.

Pepperstone

• Pros: Ultra-low spreads with cross-platform execution and advanced liquidity network.
• Cons: Lacks proprietary platform innovations beyond third-party integrations.
• Best For: Active UK traders prioritising execution speed and low costs.

eToro

• Pros: Pioneering copy-trading ecosystem and FCA regulation ensure usability and safety.
• Cons: Limited depth for advanced chart customisation compared to MT5 platforms.
• Best For: Beginner-to-intermediate investors seeking social investing exposure.

Interactive Brokers

• Pros: Direct market access across global exchanges, sophisticated analytics suite, and zero minimum deposit.
• Cons: Interface complexity can be challenging for new users.
• Best For: Professionals managing diversified global fund portfolios.

How to Choose

Choosing a UK broker in 2025 should start with four criteria: FCA regulation, transparent cost schedule, platform compatibility, and support responsiveness. Verify account domicile with FCA register entries to ensure coverage under FSCS. Review platform demos to confirm live-data access, native charting, and compatibility with your investment instruments (funds, ETFs, or derivatives). Examine deposit and withdrawal schedules, including potential conversion or e-wallet processing fees. Finally, review the broker’s complaint resolution and investor compensation mechanisms to ensure security against operational risk.

Related Comparisons

• Best Low-Spread Forex Brokers (2025)
• Best Stock Brokers for US/EU Market Access
• Best Islamic (Swap-Free) Accounts

FAQs About Best Brokers For Funds In The United Kingdom

Conclusion & Next Steps

For UK investors comparing brokers in 2025, the ideal choice depends on your trading style and fund exposure. IG remains the most comprehensive for diversified asset access, Exness and Pepperstone lead on costs for active traders, eToro provides the most social investing environment, and Interactive Brokers dominates institutional and global fund access. Regardless of the selection, always confirm FCA regulation and understand your account’s protection under FSCS before funding. Investing and trading carry risk—past performance does not guarantee future outcomes, and leverage may magnify losses. Conduct your due diligence, test via demo, and choose platforms that align with long-term goals and personal tolerance for risk.