Best UK Stock Trading Apps of 2026

Written by Elizabeth Anderson
Lead Writer for the UK

Reviewed by Blain Reinkensmeyer
Managing Partner

Fact-checked by Steven Hatzakis
Director of Online Broker Research

Edited by John Bringans
Managing Editor

April 02, 2026

Fact Checked

Elizabeth Anderson
Lead Writer for the UK

Elizabeth Anderson is the lead writer and researcher for U.K. content on StockBrokers.com. She has been a financial journalist for more than a decade and has written for major publications including BBC, The Times, and Bloomberg.

See full bio

Why you can trust us

Led by Elizabeth Anderson, Lead Writer and Researcher, the StockBrokers.com research team for the U.K. collects data and tests products on an ongoing basis. We review the tools and features most important to U.K. investors – including beginners, casual investors, passive investors, and active traders.

We collect and track data on trading charges, fees, and interest rates to make it easier to understand the cost of investing in the U.K. We analyze a wide range of savings and investment offerings, like ISAs, SIPPs, investment portfolios, pensions, and active trading accounts. We hand-collect and audit data across more than 50 variables in our coverage of the best U.K. investment platforms.

Our researchers open personal brokerage accounts and test all available platforms on desktop, web, and mobile for each broker reviewed on StockBrokers.com. Learn more about how we test.

Mobile trading has become the default way many people invest in the U.K. Whether you’re buying your first share or managing a growing portfolio, trading apps make it possible to invest, monitor markets, and place trades directly from your phone.

I tested 16 stock trading apps available in the U.K., placing trades, exploring features, and comparing how each one performs in everyday use. While most apps now offer similar core tools, the overall experience can vary significantly — especially for beginners.

To rank highly, an app had to combine ease of use with strong functionality, competitive pricing, and a smooth mobile experience. I looked at how intuitive each app feels, how simple it is to place trades, and how well it supports investors beyond just the basics. Below are my picks for the best stock trading apps in the U.K. for 2026.

Best UK Stock Trading Apps

The apps below stood out for delivering a reliable, well-rounded mobile investing experience. Each one offers something slightly different, whether that’s beginner-friendly design, advanced trading tools, or strong overall value. Here’s a look at the best stock trading apps available in the U.K. right now.

Overall Score

4.5/5

Best stock trading app in the UK

Minimum Deposit: £0
Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month: $1 / £3 / €3
ISA: Yes
SIPP: Yes

Why we like it

Review

Saxo’s trading platform is highly sophisticated and used by both professional traders and private investors. Saxo offers a huge range of investments across 50 global stock exchanges. However, Saxo has high trading fees compared to other brokers. Read full review

Pros

Excellent web and mobile trading app.
Offers ISAs and SIPPs.
Offers mutual funds, in addition to stocks and ETFs.
Excellent range of guides, webinars, and educational material.

Cons

High fees for share and bond transactions.
Platform or custody fees can work out to be expensive.
Limited chart features on the mobile app.
A steep learning curve for newer investors.

Overall Score

4.5/5

Best mobile app for day traders

Minimum Deposit: £0
Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month: £0 info
ISA: Yes
SIPP: Yes

Why we like it

Review

IG’s excellent online trading platform puts it among the U.K.’s top brokers – particularly for experienced and regular traders looking for high capabilities. IG offers shares, trusts and ETFs, as well as spread betting and CFDs. Read full review

Pros

Trade 11,000+ shares, trusts, and 2,000 ETFs with £0 commission.
Pays 4.5% interest on uninvested cash balances.
Invest via an ISA or SIPP.
One of the best U.K. stock trading apps for active traders.

Cons

No mutual funds, bonds, or demo account for share trading.
Chart tools are limited unless on Pro or £30/month plan.
£8/month custody fee unless you make three trades/quarter.

Overall Score

4.5/5

Best for beginners

Minimum Deposit: £1
Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month: £0
ISA: Yes
SIPP: No

Why we like it

Review

Trading 212 is a popular investing platform best known for its commission-free trading, easy-to-use mobile app, and support for low-cost investing in stocks and ETFs. Read full review

Pros

Tax-free investing via an ISA.
High interest rate on cash balances.
User-friendly mobile app with practice accounts available.
Commission-free stock and ETF trading, including fractional shares.

Cons

Doesn't offer a SIPP.
Limited educational materials when researching investments.
Only offers stocks and ETFs; does not offer mutual funds or bonds.

Overall Score

4.5/5

Best for social and copy trading

Minimum Deposit: $50 info
Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month: £0
ISA: Yes
SIPP: No

Why we like it

Review

eToro is an investment platform known for its social trading features and low fees. It’s easy to use and is popular among younger investors looking to test stock market trading. A downside is that eToro does not offer ISAs or SIPPs. Read full review

Pros

Commission-free trading and no custody fees.
Top-tier mobile app packed with trading features.
Social and copy trading make investing feel interactive.

Cons

Limited investment options.
Hidden currency and withdrawal fees.
Better for active traders than hands-off investors.

Overall Score

4.5/5

Best for advanced global trading tools

Minimum Deposit: £0
Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month: £3
ISA: Yes
SIPP: Yes

Why we like it

Review

Offering a range of tools and capabilities, Interactive Brokers is aimed at confident investors but also offers great value and resources for newer investors. Share trading fees are low at £3 and there are no custody charges. Read full review

Pros

Trade stocks with low commissions and no minimum deposit.
Offers shares, ETFs, funds, trusts, bonds, and 14,000 no-fee funds.
Fractional shares available; ideal for beginners.
Mobile app and tools suit active traders.

Cons

Complex platform may overwhelm new investors.
U.S.-focused education, less tailored for U.K. clients.
Platform charges and fees can be confusing.

Your capital is at risk.

1. Saxo - Best trading app in the UK

Company	Overall Rating	Minimum Deposit	iPhone App	Android App
Saxo UK		£0	Yes	Yes

Saxo takes the #1 spot for Best Stock Trading App in the U.K. thanks to its polished, professional-grade mobile platforms. The SaxoTraderGO and SaxoInvestor apps deliver a fast, stable trading experience with clear portfolio tracking, intuitive watchlists, and a clean trade ticket. It’s one of the few apps that feels like a desktop platform in your pocket.

Unmatched global market access. Saxo offers access to around 23,500 shares across 50 global exchanges, which is more than any other U.K. broker we tested. You can also trade ETFs, mutual funds, bonds and gilts, plus hold investments within a Stocks and Shares ISA or SIPP. For investors who want global diversification and advanced tools in one place, Saxo stands out.

The SaxoInvestor mobile app is more streamlined than the SaxoTrader app, but still offers many more features than the mobile trading apps of other platforms.

Strong research and education tools. The app integrates news from Dow Jones, analyst consensus data, ESG scores, and themed investment ideas. Educational content is also a strength, with webinars, guides, and in-depth market commentary available directly through the platform. It’s particularly well suited to active or internationally focused investors who value data-driven insights.

Elizabeth's take:

"SaxoInvestor is clean, intuitive, and powerful. The combination of global access, strong research tools, and smooth trade execution makes it one of the best mobile trading apps available in the U.K."

Elizabeth Anderson
Lead Writer for the UK

Best suited to experienced investors. Saxo’s pricing structure includes a 0.12% custody fee (Classic accounts) and percentage-based trading commissions, which can be costly for smaller portfolios. While the streamlined SaxoInvestor app helps, there’s still a learning curve. For serious traders who want global reach and premium functionality, it’s the best mobile experience available.

2. IG - Best mobile app for day traders

Company	Overall Rating	Minimum Deposit	iPhone App	Android App
IG UK		£0	Yes	Yes

IG’s mobile offering is one of the most comprehensive in the U.K., designed for investors who like to stay close to the markets. Through the IG Trading app, you can trade shares, ETFs, investment trusts and even crypto, set price alerts, and access live news feeds. The layout is clean but data-rich, with stock screeners and filters that let you sort by sector, earnings dates, or analyst sentiment.

Two apps for different experience levels. IG offers both the full-featured IG Trading app and the newer IG Invest app. IG Trading mirrors much of the functionality of its web platform and is best suited to experienced or frequent traders. IG Invest, by contrast, is simpler and more streamlined, making it easier for newer investors to buy shares or ETFs and learn the basics through built-in lessons.

Competitive pricing for regular traders. IG now offers commission-free trading on U.K. and U.S. shares, bringing it in line with many app-first competitors. However, an £8 monthly custody fee applies if you place fewer than three trades per quarter, which means the platform works best for those who trade at least occasionally. A 0.7% FX fee applies when buying overseas shares.

Strong research and market insight on the go. IG integrates tools such as analyst consensus data, economic calendars, and curated market news directly into the app. While advanced charting requires the ProRealTime upgrade on desktop, the mobile app still provides enough functionality for most active investors managing portfolios from their phone.

Investing in education and research tools is a priority for IG, which offers some of the best educational material among investment platforms. The Invest app makes it easy to learn the basics of investing through the Learn section.

3. Trading 212 - Best for beginners

Company	Overall Rating	Minimum Deposit	iPhone App	Android App
Trading 212		£1	Yes	Yes

Trading 212 is one of the easiest stock trading apps to use in the U.K., particularly if you want to keep costs down. There are no dealing fees on shares or ETFs and no platform charges, so you can place trades without worrying about fixed commissions eating into smaller investments. You can start with as little as £1 and buy fractional shares, which makes it accessible if you’re building a portfolio gradually.

Account options. You can invest through a general Invest account or a flexible Stocks and Shares ISA. The ISA allows you to withdraw and replace money within the same tax year without affecting your £20,000 allowance. Trading 212 doesn’t offer a SIPP, mutual funds, or bonds, so it’s best suited to investors who are comfortable building a portfolio using listed shares and ETFs.

Trading 212 offers thousands of stocks and ETFs. Through the ‘search’ tab on the mobile app, you can view investments by most popular, by sector or you can browse all stocks and ETFs.

Mobile app. The app is clean and intuitive, with quick access to watchlists, price alerts, and performance tracking. You can browse by most owned stocks, top movers, or sector, and there are more than 50 charting indicators available for technical analysis. Also, a built-in practice account lets you test ideas with virtual money before committing real funds.

Low fees. While trading is commission-free, a 0.15% FX fee applies when buying and selling overseas shares if currency conversion is required, and 0.5% stamp duty applies when buying U.K. shares (not ETFs). Trading 212 also pays interest on uninvested cash (rates vary by currency), which is a useful feature if you tend to keep part of your balance in cash.

4. eToro - Best for social and copy trading

Company	Overall Rating	Minimum Deposit	iPhone App	Android App
eToro UK		$50 info	Yes	Yes

eToro is best known for its social investing features, which allow you to see what other traders are buying and even copy their portfolios. The app is modern and easy to navigate, and it also offers a free virtual account so you can practise before investing real money. It tends to appeal more to active or short-term traders than long-term investors.

Wide range of markets. You can trade shares and ETFs commission-free in a general account, and eToro also offers access to crypto, forex, and CFDs. There’s no SIPP, but you can open a Stocks and Shares ISA through its partnership with Moneyfarm, including a managed ISA option.

Fees to watch. While share trading is commission-free, there are currency conversion charges and a $5 withdrawal fee. ISA fees are higher than many competitors, so long-term investors may find better value elsewhere.

5. Interactive Brokers - Best for advanced global trading tools

Company	Overall Rating	Minimum Deposit	iPhone App	Android App
Interactive Brokers UK		£0	Yes	Yes

Interactive Brokers’ IBKR Mobile app is designed for active traders who want deep functionality on the go. You can trade shares, ETFs, funds, bonds, and even crypto across more than 90 global exchanges, all from your phone. The app supports fractional shares and offers access to global markets that many U.K. apps simply don’t.

Low-cost trading with powerful tools. U.K. trades cost £3 and U.S. shares start from $1, while FX fees are just 0.03%, which is among the lowest in the industry. The app includes advanced order types, detailed charting, and professional-grade research tools rarely found in mobile-first platforms.

Feature-rich, but not beginner-focused. IBKR also offers a simplified GlobalTrader app and a free demo account. However, beginner traders may find the platform overwhelming compared to simpler brokers.

Trading apps comparison

Company	Mobile App	Minimum Deposit	Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month	Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £0 - £250,000
Saxo UK		£0	$1 / £3 / €3	0.4%, 0.2%, 0.1% info
IG UK		£0	£0 info	N/A info
Trading 212		£1	£0	£0
eToro UK		$50 info	£0	N/A
Interactive Brokers UK		£0	£3	£0

FAQs

What are some factors to consider when choosing a trading app?

When choosing a trading app, start by considering fees, usability, and asset coverage. Beginners might prioritise commission-free trading and ease of use, making apps like Trading 212 or Freetrade good options. More experienced traders may want advanced charting tools and in-depth research, as offered by Saxo or IG.

Security is also crucial. Make sure the app is FCA-regulated and supports two-factor authentication. Check out our comprehensive reviews to get a sense of the app’s usability before committing, as the right interface can make managing your investments far easier.

What is the best stock trading app for beginners in the UK?

Beginners will likely want to prioritise low fees, which made Trading 212 my top pick for beginners in this guide. This means you can invest small amounts without being stung by high trading charges. Other U.K. brokers with the lowest stock trading fees are Freetrade, XTB, eToro, and IG, which now offers zero-commission trading on U.K. and U.S. shares (which makes it cheap if you can avoid the custody fee).

You may also want to consider an app that offers good educational material to help you on your way. All the low-cost apps mentioned above — Freetrade, Trading 212, XTB, eToro, and IG — offer some educational content and FAQs. IG Invest, IG’s new app for beginners, also includes simplified investment tools and an in-app ‘lessons’ section. Another app offering great learning resources is Dodl (run by AJ Bell). Dodl is designed with simplicity in mind, featuring an intuitive interface and straightforward investment options, making it well-suited for beginners who want to build confidence without feeling overwhelmed.

What is the best day trading app in the UK?

IG is the best day trading app in the U.K. due to its comprehensive mobile trading features, including detailed chart analysis, the ability to set price alerts, and access to real-time news from Thomson Reuters. The app’s intuitive design makes it easy to track market movements and respond quickly to price changes. Plus, you can sort stocks by sector or upcoming earnings, which is helpful for spotting opportunities.

While IG is my top pick for day trading, other apps worth considering include Saxo and Interactive Brokers for their advanced charting and analytical tools. However, IG’s mobile app stands out for its balance of functionality and ease of use, making it my top recommendation for active traders.

Which app is best for stock analysis?

SaxoTraderGO, by Saxo, offers the best research, analysis and educational material of any app we tested. When selecting a stock, you’ll see a chart, analyst recommendations, key financials, news and general company information. You can also compare different stocks on a single chart.

Are trading apps safe?

All 21 trading apps we tested are owned by investment platforms that are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This means they must adhere to strict standards for protecting client funds, maintaining transparency, and ensuring operational stability. FCA regulation also requires firms to segregate client money from their own funds, adding an extra layer of security. Two-factor authentication is typically offered by investment platforms, enhancing app security. However, you should do careful research before investing to reduce the chances of losing money — remember that security and regulation cannot protect against market gains and losses.

Our testing

Why you should trust us

Elizabeth Anderson has been a financial journalist for more than a decade. She’s written for major national newspapers, contributed to corporate reports and research, and reviewed dozens of share dealing platforms, SIPP providers, ISAs, and brokerage firms. Elizabeth started her career at Bloomberg and has worked for the BBC, The Telegraph, The Times and the i newspaper. She is passionate about helping people understand finance and investing. A keen investor herself, Elizabeth invests through general dealing accounts, ISAs and several SIPPs.

Steven Hatzakis is a well-known finance writer with 25+ years of experience in the foreign exchange and financial markets. He is the Global Director of Online Broker Research for Reink Media Group, leading research efforts for ForexBrokers.com since 2016. He has served as a registered commodity futures representative for domestic and internationally-regulated brokerages. Steven holds a Series III license in the US as a Commodity Trading Advisor (CTA).

All content on StockBrokers.com is handwritten by a writer, fact-checked by a member of our research team, and edited and published by an editor. Our ratings, rankings, and opinions are entirely our own, and the result of our extensive research and decades of collective experience covering the U.K. brokerage industry.

Ultimately, our rigorous data validation process yields an error rate of less than .1% each year, providing site visitors with quality data they can trust. Learn more about how we test.

How we tested

At StockBrokers.com, our online broker reviews are based on our collected quantitative data as well as the observations and qualified opinions of our expert researchers. Each year we publish tens of thousands of words of research and collect hundreds of data points while testing brokerage firms, share dealing platforms, SIPP providers, ISA providers, and other financial service providers relevant to U.K. investors.

Mobile testing is conducted on modern devices that run the most up-to-date operating systems available:

For Apple, we use MacBook Pro laptops running the latest version of and the iPhone 15 running the latest version of iOS.
For Android, we use the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra devices running Android OS 14.

All websites and web-based platforms are tested using the latest version of the Google Chrome browser.

Our researchers thoroughly test a wide range of key features, such as the availability and quality of trading platforms for web, desktop, and mobile, charting, real-time and streaming quotes, and educational resources – among other important variables. We also evaluate the overall design of the mobile experience, and look for a fluid user experience moving between mobile and desktop platforms.

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About the Editorial Team

Elizabeth Anderson, lead writer and researcher for the U.K. market, has been a financial journalist for more than a decade. In addition to her work with StockBrokers.com, she has written extensively for major publications including BBC, The Times, and Bloomberg. A keen investor herself, she is passionate about helping people understand finance and investing.

Blain Reinkensmeyer has 20 years of trading experience with over 2,500 trades placed during that time. He heads research for all U.S.-based brokerages on StockBrokers.com and is respected by executives as the leading expert covering the online broker industry. Blain’s insights have been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and the Chicago Tribune, among other media outlets.

Steven Hatzakis is the Global Director of Research for ForexBrokers.com. Steven previously served as an Editor for Finance Magnates, where he authored over 1,000 published articles about the online finance industry. Steven is an active fintech and crypto industry researcher and advises blockchain companies at the board level. Over the past 20 years, Steven has held numerous positions within the international forex markets, from writing to consulting to serving as a registered commodity futures representative.

John Bringans is the Managing Editor of StockBrokers.com. An experienced media professional, John has a decade of editorial experience with a background that includes key leadership roles at global newsroom outlets. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from San Francisco State University, and conducts research on forex and the financial services industry while assisting in the production of content.