Best Stock Trading App UK - Beginner Friendly Apps Revealed

Kane Pepi

Pro Investor

Updated: 15 March 2023

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Looking for popular stock trading apps in the UK? If so, you’ve got a lot of research to do. After all, there are dozens of UK online brokers that now allow you to trade via a dedicated trading app.

In order to separate the wheat from the chaff – you’ll need to look at everything from fees and commissions to tradable shares and supported payment methods. Don’t have countless hours spare to research a provider yourself?

In this guide, we review stock trading app in the UK right now. On top of discussing the many factors that you need to look out for prior to downloading a new stock trading app, we also show you how to get started with an account today!

Popular Stock Trading App UK List

Below you will find the popular stock trading apps UK for 2023, ranked by fees, usability and markets.

• eToro – Stock App with Access to 1,700+ Stocks with 0% Commission and no Dealing Fees.
• Alvexo – Innovative CFD Trading App
• Skilling – An easy to use stock CFD app for UK investors
• Libertex – Top Stock CFD App with Zero Spreads
• Plus500 – A Really Good UK Trading App For CFDs
• Avatrade – Great Stock Trading App with Low Spreads
• Fineco – Stock App for Advanced Traders
• FXCM – Stock App Platform with Great Reputation
• IG – UK Stock Trading App With Over 17+000 Markets
• Trading212 – Share Dealing App in UK
• Hargreaves Lansdown – Stock App for Experienced Investors
• Barclays – Respected Banking Institution with Secure Stock Trading App
• Eightcap – Excellent MT4 Stock App with Low Spreads

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Popular Stock Trading Apps UK

Finding the UK stock trading app for you and your financial goals can be challenging. This is why we have done the hard work for you by reviewing five providers currently active in the space. Whether you’re looking for popular stock app for Android or the top stock market app for iPhone, we’ve got you covered.

Here’s which trading apps made the cut for the UK list of apps to buy stocks right now.

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eToro – Stock Trading App UK with Zero Commission

Without a doubt, we would argue that eToro is a stock trading app for beginners available to UK investors. Even if you’re new to investing, there is every chance that you have come across the eToro brand. It runs several adverts on British television and is even present on Premier League stadium billboards.

Much of the excitement surrounding eToro is that the platform allows you to buy, sell, and trade the stocks on a 100% commission-free basis. While at first glance this might sound too good to be touch – it really isn’t. Not only can you make free trades without paying any commissions, but there is no registration, set up, or monthly/annual fees to worry about. Instead, eToro makes most of its money from the 0.5% currency conversion fee it charges on deposits. But, this is actually countered when you consider that eToro waves stamp duty fees – which also equates to 0.5%.

On top of being a popular UK stock trading app in terms of trading fees and commissions, this provider also wins the award for user-friendliness. That is to say, anyone can use the eToro trading app as it was designed with newbies in mind. In fact, opening an account takes just minutes once you have downloaded the app – which is available on iOS and Android devices. You can easily deposit funds, too. This is because eToro accepts UK debit/credit cards, e-wallets, and a bank transfer. Did you know that eToro is also considered one of the day trading apps or automated trading apps across the board?

In terms of what you can trade, this leading UK stock app offers heaps of asset classes. For example, you can buy or trade over 1,700+ stocks from over 17 UK and international markets. You can also trade indices, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), cryptocurrencies, forex, and commodities. Regarding the latter, this covers oil, natural gas, gold, silver, and several agricultural products. What we also like about the eToro app is that you can trade shares from just $50. This is because it supports fraction ownership.

For those unaware, fractional ownership means that you can buy or trade ‘part’ of shares, as opposed to needing to invest in the full stock. This is great for newbies and those on a tight budget. Additionally, eToro offers a ‘Copy Trading’ service that allows you to copy the trade of an experienced investor. This allows you to trade stocks and other assets in a completely passive nature. Finally, eToro is heavily regulated. It has a license issued by the FCA and is covered by the FSCS.

Still not convinced on the eToro investment app? Read our comprehensive eToro app review to find out more about what this app offers.

Number of Stocks	800
Fee Structure	0% commission + Variable Spread
Price to Buy Amazon Shares	Variable spread – around 0.1%
Stock Trading Features	Totally commission-free trading Innovative CopyTrader feature

68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

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Alvexo – Innovative CFD Trading App

Founded in 2014, Alvexo has experienced exceptional growth, now boasting a client base spread across 100+ countries. Some brokers offer an outstanding online dealing service, others focus more on investor education; Alvexo has managed to bring these two together under one trading app. It isn’t difficult to see why the company’s UK client base continues to grow!

So, what makes Alvexo so unique? Why is it seen as one of the ost popular trading apps UK?

The ability to trade CFDs on the move is delivered through what is known as the MetaTrader trading platform. This speedy, safe and flexible mobile platform allows you to set up basic or very complex trades at the touch of a button. Easy-to-use, with instructions and guides readily available, it won’t take you long to bring yourself up to speed. The Alvexo app provides an array of features, such as:

• Multiple technical indicators
• Chart tracking
• Instant execution
• Real-time alerts
• Market signals

There is also an extensive research section providing information for novices, right through to elite investors.

The Alvexo trading platform offers access to more than 450 assets taking in forex, indices, commodities, equities and the fast-growing cryptocurrency market. The broker is continually pushing boundaries, incorporating new tradable assets, making them readily available to UK investors.

As CFDs are traded on margin, it is essential to know the leverage numbers. They start at 1:30 for retail clients up to 1:300 for professional traders.

All trading through the Alvexo platform is free of commission, with charges incorporated into the spread. The buy-sell spread for CFDs ranges from 2.9 pips for the Classic account down to 0.1 pips for professional traders.

There are five different trading accounts:-

• Classic
• Gold
• Prime
• ECN Gold
• ECN VIP

The minimum account size varies from 500 € (Classic) to 50,000 € (Prime), negotiable for the VIP trader. Many believe that Alvexo offers one of the most popular trading apps UK investors have seen for many years.

No commission, competitive spreads, a vast range of technical indicators and access to a massive research library, it is not difficult to see why Alvexo boasts a growing UK client base. Seen as one of the most popular investment apps UK, this online broker is set to go from strength to strength.

75.26% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and/or CFDs with this provider.

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Skilling – An easy to use stock CFD app for UK investors

Founded in 2016 and regulated by CySEC, Skilling is a broker that offers forex and CFD trading to both retail and institutional investors. The scandinavian company aims to provide a smooth trading experience with competitive spreads, transparent pricing, and fast order execution.

Skilling offers an app that can be used on both Android and iOS devices. Here, you can trade forex and CFDs on the go, including the hottest stocks, like Facebook, Apple, Amazon, and Google.

The great thing about this stock trading app is that you can go long or short on your favorite stocks at any time! For example, if you anticipate that Tesla will drop in value, you can simply short-sell it with the tap of a few buttons.

To maximize your gains, you have the option to use leverage, which means you can trade with a higher volume than you actually have. For example, if you apply a 1:20 leverage on a £50 stake, your trade value will automatically become £1000.

The innovative UK trading app comes with a wide range of features, such as:

• Real-time price quotes
• Market analysis
• Trade Assistant
• Charting tools
• Trade history and order book
• Copy trading

The Skilling Trade Assistant teaches new traders how to make trades, which involves introducing popular assets, recommending instruments, and even teaching how to manage risk by setting stop losses. This makes it a UK stock trading apps for beginners.

Perhaps the most attractive feature of Skilling is the copy trading functionality, which gives instant access to 1000+ trading strategies. As one of the most popular UK stock trading apps, it’s good to see that people can earn while they learn!

When it comes to trading fees, the only commission charges are on FX pairs and on the “Spot Metals” for holders of Premium accounts. These charges start from $35 per million USD traded. Deposits are free (£100 minimum) regardless of whether you use Visa Debit, Skrill, or one of the other options.  So don’t worry, you won’t be concerned by these charges if you’re just getting started with this stock app.

Number of Stocks CFDs	700+ international stocks
Fee Structure	Commission charges only on FX pairs and Spot Metals on the Premium account type
Stock Trading Features	Skilling Trade Assistant Copy trading functionality

66% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

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Libertex – App to Buy Stocks CFDs

Libertex is a CFD broker that’s well known for its unique pricing model – instead of charging spreads on CFDs, it only charges commission! The commission charged typically sites between 0% and 0.5%, so this is a vary competitively priced broker with some of the lowest fees around.

This trading app offers a decent selection of over 50 stock CFDs, including all the major US blue chips as well as good selection of stocks from Europe and Latin America. You can trade stock CFDs with up to 1:5 leverage with Libertex. The app also offers a range of CFDs for other asset classes, including forex, commodities, indices and ETFs.

You can choose to trade on Libertex’s own proprietary platform, and the broker is also compatible with MT4. There are some really useful resources, such as news, blogs and educational materials, so it’s a great choice for both beginners and more advanced traders.

Libertex has won some of the most prestigious trading platform awards in the industry, which shows just how good it is and how it deserve to be on our list of apps to buy stocks. For example, in 2020 alone it picked up Trading Platform awards from the EuropeanCEO Awards, the FX Report Awards, and World Finance!

One of the best things about Libertex is that it offers one of the widest range of payment methods we’ve ever seen on a stock trading app. PayPal, Skrill, Trustly, paysafecard, Sofort, Giropay, Neopay – take your pick. of course, you can also deposit with a debit or credit card as well. Finally, Libertex is a highly regulated stock app that’s licensed by CySEC, so you’re in good hands. Also, don’t miss our Libertex App review here!

Number of Stocks	+50
Fee Structure	ZERO spread + variable commission
Price to Buy Amazon Shares	Between 0.1% and 0.2%
Stock Trading Features	Zero spread structure Free demo account feature

75.3% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

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Plus500 – A Really Good UK Trading App For CFDs

Plus500 is the market leader when it comes to contracts-for-differences (CFDs). These are financial instruments that allow you to trade your favourite asset class without you needing to take ownership. This is because CFDs will track the market price of the asset in real-time, subsequently allowing you to trade it with ease. For example, if the price of BT shares increases by 1.75%, as will your CFD instrument.

If you’re wondering why you should use a CFD stock app as opposed to one issued by a traditional broker – let us elaborate. First and foremost, Plus500 is a 100% commission-free trading app. This means that the only trading ‘fee’ that you need to consider is that of the spread. Next up is that of its long/short offering. Put simply, the Plus500 CFD app allows you to choose from a buy or sell order on all markets.

This allows you to make gains irrespective of which way the asset is moving. Additionally, Plus500 is also a good option if you are looking to obtain leverage. For those unaware, this allows you to trade at an amount greater than you have in your brokerage account. On the Plus500 CFD trading app, you can get as much as 1:30. This means that a £200 balance would permit a buy/sell order worth up to £6,000. When trading stocks, however, this is capped to 1:5.

Outside of stocks, Plus500 also allows you to trade forex, indices, crypto, interest rates, bonds, options trades and more – all vis CFD instruments. The Plus500 app is available on both Android and iOS devices and it can be downloaded free of charge. The app can be used in conjunction with the main Plus500 website, and you will be required to meet a small account minimum deposit of just £100 to get started. The FCA-regulated app accepts various payment methods – including debit/credit cards and Paypal.

Read our in-depth Plus500 app review here.

Number of Stocks	1900
Fee Structure	0% commission + Variable Spread
Price to Buy Amazon Shares	0.75% spread on average
Stock Trading Features	Speedy account opening 16 base currencies supported

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AvaTrade – Great Stock Trading App with Low Spreads

Another great option to consider is AvaTrade. AvaTrade was founded back in 2006 and has a fantastic reputation as a safe and low-cost broker. In terms of oversight, AvaTrade is regulated by top-tier entities such as ASIC and the JFSA. This ensures all traders are protected when using the platform.

AvaTrade has a huge selection of CFDs to trade, including stocks, currencies, commodities, and even cryptos. Notably, AvaTrade employs a 0% commission model, which means that users avoid hefty transaction fees. Instead, all fees are incorporated into the spread. These spreads tend to be pretty tight, usually around 0.13 points above the market rate during peak hours.

The minimum deposit at AvaTrade is $100, which can be made via credit/debit card, bank transfer, or certain e-wallets such as Skrill and Webmoney. AvaTrade offer a user-friendly trading app for iOS and Android, which offers all of the functionality of their web platform. In addition, AvaTrade even offer MetaTrader support through their app, which is ideal for FX traders.

Number of Stocks	90
Fee Structure	0% commission + Variable Spread
Price to Buy Amazon Shares	+0.13 points above market
Stock Trading Features	5:1 leverage Funds held in segregated accounts

There is no guarantee you will make money with this provider.

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Fineco – Stock App for Advanced Traders

Fineco is a favourite of experienced traders, thanks to the platform’s fantastic reputation worldwide. Fineco is regulated by the Bank of Italy and is also covered under the jurisdiction of the FCA. Furthermore, Fineco Bank is even listed on the Italian Stock Exchange and holds a banking license.

Fineco uses a flat-fee structure, which means that for UK users, each trade will cost £2.95 to make – regardless of the size. This is the same fee if you were to invest in ETFs, which is ideal as it is completely transparent so traders know exactly how much they will be paying. Another great thing about Fineco is that they charge no non-trading fees – so deposits and withdrawals are completely free to make.

Notably, Fineco has its own trading app, available on iOS and Android. The app has exceptional functionality, allowing you to set price alerts and monitor charts in real-time. Finally, Fineco has a minimum deposit of $0 – ensuring that traders with any level of disposable income can begin trading using the Fineco platform.

Read our in-depth Fineco review here.

Number of Stocks	540
Fee Structure	Flat-fee of £2.95 per trade
Price to Buy Amazon Shares	£2.95
Stock Trading Features	Various order types User-friendly design

There is no guarantee you will make money with this provider.

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FXCM – Stock App Platform with Great Reputation

FXCM has a long history in the financial markets, having launched back in 1999. With over 22 years of industry experience, FXCM is owned by the Jeffries Financial Group, which is listed on the NYSE. In addition to this, FXCM is regulated by the FCA and ASIC, which are two of the most-respected organisations in the sector.

FXCM is primarily a forex broker, although they do have some great stock trading options too. Users have access to 48 of the top stock CFDs in the market, including Amazon, Tesla, and Apple. FXCM’s trading fee is included in the spread, which remains competitive with other brokers during peak trading hours. Apart from these spreads, FXCM charges no monthly account fee, deposit fee, or withdrawal fee.

One of the most appealing facets of FXCM’s services is the number of platforms on offer. FXCM offer their own trading app, along with full support for MT4 and ZuluTrade. FXCM’s app, called Trading Station, is very user-friendly and offers numerous order types. Furthermore, it is available on iOS and Android for free, ensuring all users can trade on the go.

Read our in-depth FXCM review here.

Number of Stocks	48
Fee Structure	0% Commission + Variable Spread
Price to Buy Amazon Shares	Variable Spread – around 500 pips
Stock Trading Features	Lots of educational content Easy to open an account

There is no guarantee you will make money with this provider.

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IG – UK Stock Trading App With Over 17+000 Markets

When it comes to the tradable markets, it really doesn’t get much better than IG. This UK brokerage house – which offers free stock apps on both iOS and Android, gives you access to over 17,000 markets. This includes thousands of tradable stocks from dozens of exchanges. Whether you’re interested in trading companies from the UK, US, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, or France – IG has you covered.

If it is primarily stocks that you wish to trade, IG allows you to do this via CFD instruments. The platform actually has a variable commission structure in place, with the specific rate depends on which market you are trading. For example, you can trade UK stocks via the app at a rate of 0.10%. This comes with a £10 minimum, meaning that IG is likely better suited for those of you wishing to trade larger amounts. If you want to trade American stocks, things are priced slightly differently.

This is because you will pay 2 US cents for each stock that you trade. Albeit, this comes with a $15 minimum. Other stock exchanges come with different commission rates, so be sure to check this out. If you also want to trade other asset class, IG covers indices, ETFs, mutual funds, digital currencies, forex, futures, options trading and more. Best of all, non-stock CFD markets on this UK trading app can be accessed commission-free. In terms of the specifics, IG requires an accountminimum deposit of £250 to get started.

You can fund your account with a UK debit/credit card or bank transfer. However, if you are an iPhone user, you can only fund your account via the main website. Additionally, iOS holders will not benefit from mobile pricing alerts. Nevertheless, we should also note that IG allows you to trade via MT4. This is great for performing in-depth technical analysis and deploying advanced strategies. Finally, IG was launched in 1974 and is heavily regulated. Amongst many others, this includes an FCA license.

Want to learn more about the IG trading app? Check out our expert IG review.

Number of Stocks	12000
Fee Structure	Over 8 trades per month = £3 per trade Less than 8 trades per month = £3 per trade
Price to Buy Amazon Shares	£3 to £8
Stock Trading Features	No minimum deposit No withdrawal fees

There is no guarantee you will make money with this provider.

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Trading 212 – Share Dealing App in UK

Much like eToro, Trading 212 offers a mobile trading app that offers the full functionality of the desktop platform and all markets commission-free. This means that you won’t need to pay any share dealing fees when buying and selling shares, and no commissions when trading stocks. Regarding the former, you can purchase over 4,000 stocks and ETFs on the app.

This covers several UK and international exchanges. If you are more interested in trading stock CFDs, you’ll have access to even more marketplaces. On top of being a fee-free share dealing app, Trading 212 is a great option if you are new to the space. For example, you can utilize its demo account facility without even needing to open an account – let alone deposit funds.

This means that as soon as you download the app – which is available on iOS and Android devices, you can start share dealing straight away. We also like the fact that Trading 212 does not have a minimum deposit threshold in place. This means that if you decide to start trading stocks with real money, you can deposit as little as you like. In order to do this, you can choose from a UK debit/credit card, e-wallet, or bank transfer.

In terms of reviews available in the public domain, Trading 212 is highly rated. For example, the app holds a rating of 4.5/5 on Google Play. iOS users are even keener on the online trading app, with an Apple Store rating of 4.7/5. When it comes to safety, Trading 212 is licensed by the FCA. Furthermore, and perhaps most importantly, your funds are covered by the FSCS. This means that Trading 212 is not only a low-cost and user-friendly trading app, but completely safe, too.

Read our comprehensive Trading 212 app review to find out more about what this brokerage firm offers.

Number of Stocks	3000
Fee Structure	Free
Price to Buy Amazon Shares	Free
Stock Trading Features	Offers real stocks and CFDs Two-step login on app

There is no guarantee you will make money with this provider.

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Hargreaves Lansdown – Stock App for Experienced Investors

Rounding off our list of stock apps is Hargreaves Lansdown. Hargreaves Lansdown has a fantastic reputation in the UK and has been in operation since 1981. It is regulated by the FCA and is even a member of the FTSE 100 – providing unparalleled levels of credibility to their platform.

Hargreaves Lansdown does have some relatively high trading fees when it comes to stock trading, due to the fact their services are targeted more towards professional investors. The exact commission depends on the amount of trading volume you had in the previous month, so commissions can range between £5.95 to £11.95 per trade. Other than these fees, Hargreaves Lansdown charge no deposit, withdrawal, inactivity, or monthly account fees.

In terms of the trading platform, Hargreaves Lansdown allows users to trade on their web-based platform or their mobile app. The mobile app is well protected, offering Touch ID and Face ID login options. There are various order types you can utilise, such as market orders and limit orders – and you can even employ trailing stops if you wish. Finally, the account opening process with Hargreaves Lansdown is rapid, with no minimum deposit required!

Number of Stocks	8000
Fee Structure	£5.95 to £11.95 per trade, depending on your activity
Price to Buy Amazon Shares	Fee of £5.95 to £11.95
Stock Trading Features	FTSE 100 constituent Fantastic customer service

There is no guarantee you will make money with this provider.

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Barclays – Respected Banking Institution with Secure Stock Trading App

Another stock trading app to consider is the one offered by Barclays. This app is provided through Barclays’ ‘Smart Investor’ service, allowing users to invest in a range of assets or place their capital in an investment ISA. At present, Barclays offers a wide range of assets to choose from, including stocks, bonds, and ETFs – with users even able to invest in IPOs from the London Stock Exchange.

Barclays also offers access to international stocks through their partner company, Saxo Capital Markets, although you’d need to create an account there to trade them. In terms of fees, Barclays charges an ongoing ‘Customer Fee’ that equates to 0.2% p.a. on your fund holdings and 0.1% p.a. on your other investments.

There is also a £3 fee when investing in a pre-made fund or a £6 fee if you wish to buy shares individually. The app itself can be downloaded for free from the Apple Store or Google Play, allowing you to monitor your portfolio, make deposits, and open positions. The Barclays app even allows you to set up recurring investments into certain assets, helping make your market activities more passive.

Number of Stocks	2000+
Fee Structure	Ongoing ‘Customer Fee’ based on holdings + £6 transaction fee when opening stock trade
Price to Buy Amazon Shares	N/A (Barclays only offers UK-based equities)
Stock Trading Features	Can set up recurring investments Partners with Saxo to offer international stocks

There is no guarantee you will make money with this provider.

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Eightcap – Excellent MT4 Stock App with Low Spreads

Eightcap is a new and exciting stock app that’s quickly become popular with traders. For starters, it’s compatible with both MT4 and MT5, so it’s ideal if you want to take advantage of the many advanced trading tools available on these platforms.

This app is a popular good choice if you’re looking to invest in US and Australian stocks, with great coverage of these markets. This means you can invest in a wide range of top companies, from Amazon and Apple in the US to Rio Tinto and BHP Group in Australia.

One of the best things about trading stocks on Eightcap is the incredibly low spreads, which start from 0 pips if you choose a RAW account. This account has a very low £3.5 commission, or you can go for a zero commission standard account in which spreads start from just 1 pip.

The minimum deposit is also just $100, so you can get started with a relatively small amount. You can make your deposit through a variety of different methods, including PayPal, POLi, Neteller and Skrill.

Eightcap is a very transparent trading app that offers direct market access with no price manipulation, and it also boasts premium liquidity. Overall, this is a great app if you’re looking to trade US and Australian stocks with low spreads.

Number of Stocks	250+
Fee Structure	Commission or spread depending on account
Price to Buy Amazon Shares	$3.5 for raw account, 1 pip for standard account
Stock Trading Features	MT4 and MT5 Analysis & market updates

Your capital is at risk.

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Popular UK Stock Apps Comparison Table

As you can see from the list above, there are numerous brokers on the market that allow you to trade quickly and easily using their stock apps. To help compare these options, the table below presents a breakdown of the stocks, fees, and features of each stock app, ensuring you have all the information you need to make the right decision.

Broker	Number of Stocks	Fee Structure	Price to Buy Amazon Shares	Stock Trading Features
eToro	800	0% commission + Variable Spread	Variable spread – around 0.1%	Totally commission-free trading Innovative CopyTrader feature
Eightcap	250+	Commission (raw account), spread (standard account	$3.5 for raw account, 1 pip for standard account	MT4 & MT5 Market analysis
Skilling	+700	0% commission + Variable Spread	0.1% on each side	Super fast execution Multi-assets stock trading app
Libertex	50	ZERO spread + Variable Commission	Between 0.1% and 0.2%	ZERO spread structure Free demo account feature
AvaTrade	90	0% commission + Variable Spread	+0.13 points above market	5:1 leverage Funds held in segregated accounts
Plus500	1900	0% commission + Variable Spread	0.75% spread on average	Speedy account opening 16 base currencies supported
Fineco	540	Flat-fee of £2.95 per trade	£2.95	Various order types User-friendly design
FXCM	48	0% commission + variable spread	500 pips during peak hours	Lots of educational content Easy to open an account
IG	12,000	Over 8 trades per month = £3 per trade Less than 8 trades per month = £3 per trade	£3 to £8	No minimum deposit No withdrawal fees
Trading212	3000	Free	Free	Offers real stocks and CFDs Two-step login on app
Hargreaves Lansdown	8000	£5.95 to £11.95 per trade, depending on your activity	Fee of £5.95 to £11.95	FTSE 100 constituent Fantastic customer service

How to Choose a Stock Trading App UK for You

As we briefly noted earlier, there are dozens of UK stock apps to choose from at present. While having lots of choices is always a good thing, this does mean that finding a suitable provider can be a time-consuming process. For example, you need to look at everything from regulation, trading fees, ease of use, commissions, tradable stocks, customer support, and more.

To help clear the mist and ensure you only sign up with a stock trading app that meets your needs, below you will find the most important factors that you need to look out for.

• Regulation
• User Experience
• Tradable Stocks
• Fees
• Trading Tools & Features
• Education, Research & Analysis
• Device Compatibility
• Payment Methods
• Customer Service

Regulation

Even if your chosen UK stock app offers low fees and thousands of tradable shares – if it isn’t regulated by the appropriate bodies you should reconsider your interest. At the forefront of this is ensuring the stock app is licensed by the Financial Conduct Authority – which is the body responsible for regulating the UK financial sector.

In addition to an FCA license, you should also ensure that your funds are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). This will cover your money up to the first £85,000 and investments up to £50,000.

User Experience

Attempting to trade stocks on a small mobile screen can at times be challenging. This is especially the case if you want to perform technical analysis while on the move. With this in mind, it is imperative that your chosen UK stock trading app offers an all-round seamless trading experience. Not only should this cover research, but the process of placing buy and sell orders.

A lot of free stock trading apps don’t allow you to access to the main platform without first funding your account. This makes it difficult to know whether or not the app is user-friendly. This is why we suggest opting for eToro, as you have instant access to a demo account facility that comes pre-loaded with $100,000 in paper trading funds, making it one of the most popular stock investing apps out there.

Tradable Stocks

It goes without saying that your chosen stock trading app gives you access to your preferred marketplace. For example, while most UK stock apps will give you access to the London Stock Exchange, what about the AIM? Additionally, you might want to dabble in a few US or Candian stocks, so again, you need to check this out before opening an account.

In addition to the specific exchange and marketplace, you also need to check whether you are trading CFDs and investing in shares. For example, while the likes of eToro and Trading 212 give you access to both, Plus500 only cover CFDs. In most cases, you can check this out from the provider’s website before signing up.

Trading fees and comissions

In or to buy, sell, and trade stocks via your chosen app – there is likely to be a range of fees that you need to factor in. This starts at the very offset when it comes to depositing funds. More importantly, you need to have a firm grasp of what trading commissions you’ll be required to pay. Apart from IG, all of the UK trading app providers listed on this page allow you to trade stocks commission-free.

This means that the only fee applicable is that of the spread (and overnight financing fees for leveraged positions kept open after standard market hours). There is every likelihood that you will need to pay monthly fees, such as an inactivity fee, too. This is a fee charged when your account is marked as dormant – so be sure to check this out too.

Trading Tools & Features

UK stock investing apps come in various shapes and sizes. While some offer an abundance of features and tools, others focus on a more basic, ‘skin and bones’ service.

68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

Some of the most notable trading features that we look out for when reviewing UK stock trading apps are:

• Copy Trading: This is a feature dominated by eToro. It allows you to browse over 700,000 active traders and copy one that you like the look of. This allows you to invest passively and is especially ideal if you are a trading newbie.
• Leverage: All of the UK stock investing apps listed on this page allow you to apply leverage. This falls in line with ESMA limits – meaning CFDs can be traded with leverage of up to 1:30.
• Fractional Shares: If you are looking to invest in shares then you’ll likely want to ensure that you choose a stock market app that offers fractional ownership. This allows you to buy a ‘fraction’ of a share – which is great for investing small volumes.
• Watch Lists: These can be customised so that you can easily keep track of financial instruments you’re interested in.
• Economic Calculator: This is great for keeping tabs on the wider financial markets. The UK stock apps will let you know when a company’s earnings report is due, alongside other important events.
• Trading Calculator: Trading calculators are not only great for estimating how much you might make or loss, but also in terms of working out what fees and commissions you will incur.
• Market Orders: In order to stocks via your chosen app, you need to place a buy or sell order. However, we prefer mobile trading apps that go one step further by offering a range of other order types – such as stop-loss, take-profit, and limit orders.

Once again, you check whether or not your chosen UK stock app offers your preferred feature or tool by checking out its website before opening an account.

Education, Research & Analysis

If you will be trading stocks via an app for the first time, it’s probably best to stick with a user-friendly provider. In doing so, you will likely have access to a range of educational materials. This might include guides on how to place orders and create a trading strategy, or regular webinars hosted by the app’s team of in-house active traders.  Share dealing apps provide a host of educational resources and materials for beginner traders to access and boost their stock trading knowledge.

When it comes to research and analyzing the stock markets, you’ll want access to several tools that will allow you to do this via the app. While charting and technical indicators are offered by several trading apps, you still need to ensure that this is conducive for smaller screens. Additionally, having access to real-time fundamental news in the form of a mobile notification is of great value.

Device Compatibility

Without intending to state the obvious, you need to check that your chosen stock app is compatible with your device. Not only this, but you need to ensure that the app compatible with your specific operating model is sufficient for your needs.

For example, if you’re looking for ta stock market apps for iPhone, you likely won’t want to pick IG. This is because the iOS version of its trading app does not support deposits/withdrawals or real-time pricing alerts.

Payment Methods

Unless you are searching for a free stock trading app for its demo account offering, you will at some point need to deposit some funds. After all, the essence of trading is to make money. As such, it is important that your chosen UK stock trading app supports your preferred payment option.

If you want to benefit from an instantly credited payment method – you’ll want to choose from a debit/credit card or e-wallet. This is because stock investing apps typically take a few days to credit a UK bank transfer -even when it goes through the faster payments network.

Some UK stock apps even allow you to deposit and withdraw funds via Google/Apple Pay.

Customer Service

Whether you’re an experience trading pro or a complete newbie – there will likely come a time where you need assistance on your account. If using a stock app, you’ll want to be able to contact a support member at the click of a button. This is why we prefer providers that offer live chat via the app.

If this isn’t offered, the next best thing is a telephone support number. This is because you will still be able to receive assistance in real-time. Failing that, you’ll need to elect for an email or support ticket.

Popular Stocks Investing Apps

There are plenty of offerings within the industry on stocks investing apps. Recently, with Robinhood’s hype, more and more traders got engaged in in-depth research on what are apps to buy stocks.

Brokers like Acorns, E*Trade, SoFi, Charles Schwab, Ally Invest, and Fidelity are often praised for their offerings on share dealing apps.

When the Coronavirus pandemic started, people focused on looking for portability and contactless solutions, and it created a domino effect in several areas of the economy: mobile banking, e-shopping, live streaming, among others, which helped to create awareness on the importance to rely on top-notch stocks investing apps that make the trader’s life easy in the midst of a changing world.

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Popular Stock Apps Reddit

A Reddit group called Wallstreetbets has had a big effect on the stock market recently. Traders in the group spotted that hedge funds were mass selling stock of troubled video game retailer Gamestop. The group then initiated a mass buying of Gamestop stock, causing the price to rocket up and costing hedge funds billions of pounds in the process. A similar thing happened to some other stocks the funds were shorting, most notably AMC.

This caused some leading stock apps, such as Robinhood, to start losing money. Robinhood then reacted by stopping retail traders from buying Gamestop stock, a controversial move that prompted lots of traders to look elsewhere and search for the ‘best stock apps Reddit’.

While many Redditors have their own opinion on stock apps, lots have pointed to eToro. Others have also mentioned the likes of, which continued to other retail clients Gamestop stock without any limits.

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How to Download a Stock App & Start Trading

Once you have chosen a UK stock trading app that you like the look of, the next stage is to open an account and make a deposit. if this is something that you have never done previously, we are now going to show you what you need to do. eToro is a popular trading app for beginners in the UK, but the process remains similar across other brokers.

Trading in Bullish and Bearish markets

When places trades through a stock app, it is important to be aware of the market conditions in which you are trading. Market conditions can cause volatility and understanding the possible direction of the market could help you to make informed trading decisions.

There are two main market conditions that you make come across when trading: Bullish and Bearish markets.

A Bullish market is a market condition in which stock prices are predicted to increase. To be classed as bullish, stock prices must increase by at least 20% over time after decline by two periods of 20% each. On the other hand, a bearish market is a condition in which prices are expected to continuously fall. In a bearish market, asset prices fall by at least 20% from a recent high.

Trading in either condition can be risky as both bullish and bearish markets are prone to volatility.

Latest Stock Market News UK

Before buying shares in the UK, it is a good idea to be up-to-date with the latest stock market news. Here are some of the top stories from the week beginning the 13th March.

• The Collapse Of Silicon Valley Bank Shows Gaps In The Finance System, according to Larry Fink (CEO of BlackRock Inc.) The banking firm went into administration over the weekend, leaving a number of Fintech firms and startups worried about the future. 
• Finance Minister Jeremy Hunt has said the UK will NOT fall into a recession this year. This is based on recent forecasts that have been released from the Office for Budget Responsibility.
• European Bank stocks have taken a hit. Credit Suisse shares have fallen by 30 per cent  to an all-time low. This comes after the largest share holder revealed that they will not be providing the bank with anymore capital.

Our Verdict on Stock Trading Apps

By downloading a stock trading app to your phone – you can buy, sell, and trade shares no matter where you are located. The app also allows you to check the value of your stock positions at the click of a button – as well as ensure that you never miss a trading opportunity again. Crucially, you can typically use your chosen stock app in conjunction with the provider’s main desktop website.

68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

Frequently Asked Questions about Stock Trading Apps

Which stock trading app is suitable for beginners UK?

Even if you have never traded stocks previously, eToro makes the process super simple. Not only is the app great for beginners, but you can trade and buy shares without paying any commission.

How do Beginners Trade Stocks UK?

Stock trading beginners typically start with a long-term buy and hold strategy. This means that you will be adding solid companies to your stock portfolio and keeping hold of the shares for several months or years. In doing so, you are less concerned with short-term volatility.

Can you trade stocks for free UK?

Yes, by using a stock app that offers a demo account facility - you can trade for free. However, it is important to remember that you are trading with 'paper funds' - meaning that you won't be able to make real money!

Are UK stock trading apps safe?

Yes, UK stock apps are safe - but only on the proviso that the provider is regulated by the FCA. An additional safeguard that you need to look out for is whether or not the stock app is covered by the FSCS.

What shares can you trade on a stock app UK?

This depends on your chosen stock app. For example, eToro allows you to trade stocks across UK and international markets. On the other hand, some UK trading apps only allow you to buy shares listed on the FTSE 100.

What is a popular UK stock trading app?

eToro is a popular UK stock trading app on the market right now. With access to international stock markets, and innovative trading tools, this trusted social trading platform offers all the advanced features of its desktop platform via a convenient and fully-fledged mobile stock trading app. Furthermore, you can invest in stocks with as little as $20 as eToro supports fractional share trading. This means that you can manage your investment portfolio anywhere at any time that's right for you.

How much money do you need to start trading UK?

This depends on the broker that you choose. For instance, the minimum deposit to open a live trading account with eToro is just $20, while the minimum deposit requirement for IG is £250. Then when it comes to trading on eToro you can do so with as little as $20 through fractional share trading.

How do you trade stocks in the UK?

To start trading stocks in the UK you will need to choose a stock trading apps such as eToro. Then simply open a trading account, deposit funds, and start trading stocks in the UK with 0% commission and low non-trading fees.