The 7 Best Trading Apps UK

Looking for the best trading apps in the UK? Whether you're investing in shares, ETFs, or forex, having a fast, reliable mobile trading app is essential. With markets moving quickly, the ability to access live data, place trades instantly, and manage your portfolio on the go has never been more important.

Today, mobile trading apps offer powerful tools, real-time updates, and user-friendly interfaces – making them a must-have for both beginners and experienced investors. In this guide, we highlight the top trading apps available to UK users and what makes each one stand out.

The Best Apps for Trading

Investor needs can vary widely depending on experience and strategy. If you're just starting out, it's important to choose a platform that suits your level — ideally one that's considered among the best trading platforms for beginners in the UK. A simple, intuitive app can help you understand how the markets work without being overwhelmed by advanced features.

Beginner-friendly apps typically offer the basics: buy and sell options, price alerts, and tools like take profit and stop loss — useful for managing trades without needing deep technical knowledge.

With that in mind, here are some of the best trading apps currently available in the UK:

eToro

eToro is talked about practically everywhere since it has now taken hold thanks to its safety, its transparency and its contained costs. eToro boasts an excellent platform and very useful tools and to not miss anything it also has a mobile app. Thanks to this, it is possible to trade quite calmly using the copy trading function of eToro and monitoring it comfortably from a smartphone to verify that everything is fine.

As for the platform, eToro provides WebTrader eToro and the mobile platform. The mobile app allows you to monitor your operations by receiving volatility notifications and useful info.

eToro

• Equities, ETFs, crypto both real and derivatives
• Social trading e copy trading
• User-friendly platform and demo account

Visita

61% of investor accounts lose money by trading CFDs with this provider.

eToro Trading App Advantages

• ✅ Commissions on shares between 1$ and 2$.
• ✅ Social trading service: this is one of the features that distinguishes this broker from many of its competitors.
• ✅ Unlimited time demo account.
• ✅ Large number of assets and markets.
• ✅ It's a very easy-to-use application, focusing on short and medium term trading and investments.

eToro Trading App Disadvantages

• ❌ Lacks a larger number of activities.
• ❌ Slightly high spreads on some financial assets.

eToro is known primarily for social trading and copy trading.

👉 To find out more, read our eToro review to discover: is eToro good?

SaxoInvestor (Saxo Bank)

Saxo Bank offers SaxoInvestor, a robust platform available on mobile for UK investors seeking access to a wide range of global markets. It combines user-friendliness with advanced tools, ideal for both beginners and more experienced traders looking for flexibility.

The mobile app mirrors the full desktop platform’s functionality and includes customisable watchlists, real-time news, and comprehensive research tools. SaxoInvestor is particularly strong for long-term investing, including shares, ETFs, and bonds.

SaxoInvestor advantages

✅ Access to over 19,000 stocks globally, including UK-listed shares.

✅ Comprehensive research and market insights provided within the app.

✅ Highly secure and FCA-regulated.

SaxoInvestor disadvantages

❌ High minimum deposit (£500) may deter casual investors.

❌ Fees for inactivity and custody on some accounts.

👉 Read our Saxo review for more information.

IG Trading App

IG, a well-established UK broker, offers a powerful mobile trading app that supports both spread betting and CFD trading. It’s ideal for traders who want access to over 17,000 markets, including forex, shares, indices, and cryptocurrencies.

The app is clean, fast, and customisable, making it great for those who want to trade on the go. IG also includes access to educational tools, real-time signals, and economic calendars.

IG trading app advantages

✅ FCA-regulated and UK-based, offering strong regulatory protection.

✅ Offers spread betting and CFDs on a wide range of markets.

✅ Excellent educational tools and market analysis.

IG trading app disadvantages

❌ Share dealing service not as competitive on fees for low-volume traders.

❌ Advanced tools may be overwhelming for complete beginners.

👉 Read our IG review for more information.

Interactive Brokers (IBKR Mobile)

Interactive Brokers, known for its low-cost structure and global access, also offers a comprehensive mobile app: IBKR Mobile. The app is geared towards experienced investors and active traders, offering a wide range of instruments including UK and US shares, ETFs, options, and futures.

Its advanced tools include order types, research integration, and even ESG scoring for socially conscious investing.

IBKR Mobile advantages

✅ Access to global exchanges including the LSE.

✅ Very low fees, with no minimum for UK residents on IBKR Lite.

✅ Robust trading tools and in-depth analytics.

IBKR Mobile disadvantages

❌ The interface can be complex and less intuitive for beginners.

❌ Not as user-friendly as some UK-focused brokers.

👉 For more information, read our Interactive Brokers review.

xStation Mobile (XTB)

xStation Mobile is the proprietary trading app from XTB, offering a user-friendly yet feature-rich platform suitable for UK traders. It’s particularly good for those interested in short-term or intraday trading thanks to tight spreads and rapid execution.

The platform is intuitive and can be customised according to personal preferences, making it suitable for both beginners and more experienced scalpers.

xStation Mobile advantages

✅ Advanced, interactive charts and a simple interface.

✅ Commission-free stock and ETF trading up to a certain volume.

✅ Great conditions for active trading (low spreads and fees).

xStation Mobile disadvantages

❌ Doesn’t offer access to physical shares in all regions—focuses on CFDs.

👉 Read our XTB review for more information.

AJ Bell Youinvest

AJ Bell is one of the UK’s most reputable investment platforms, and its Youinvest app is ideal for UK-based long-term investors looking to manage ISAs, SIPPs, and general investment accounts.

The app provides easy access to UK and international markets, with a strong focus on value and customer service. It’s FCA-regulated and comes with straightforward pricing.

AJ Bell Youinvest advantages

✅ Great for ISA and pension investing in the UK.

✅ Simple pricing structure and clear fee breakdowns.

✅ Strong customer support and educational tools.

AJ Bell Youinvest disadvantages

❌ Trading fees (£9.95 per trade) may be high for frequent traders.

❌ Limited real-time charting tools for technical traders.

👉 See our AJ Bell review for more information.

Trading 212

Trading 212 is a commission-free investing and trading app that has become increasingly popular in the UK, especially among younger investors. It supports both CFD and ISA investing via a sleek, mobile-first interface.

Its appeal lies in simplicity: buying and selling UK and international shares is effortless, and fractional investing is available, making it accessible for users with smaller budgets.

Trading 212 advantages

✅ Commission-free investing in UK and US shares.

✅ Fractional shares and ISA accounts available.

✅ Intuitive design perfect for beginner investors.

Trading 212 disadvantages

❌ Limited research tools and advanced analysis features.

❌ Occasional waitlist periods for new account sign-ups.

👉 For more information see our Trading 212 review.

What to consider when choosing a trading app

In order for a stock trading app to be considered good, it is essential that it meets the following requirements

• Security: A quality trading app should offer two-factor authentication (2FA) and strong data encryption, both in transit and at rest, to protect your personal and financial information. It must comply with UK and international financial regulations and provide 24/7 fraud monitoring systems.
• Full Functionality: The app should mirror the features of its desktop platform, fully optimised for mobile use. This includes access to trading tools, analytics, and educational resources, all designed for smooth and efficient navigation on the go.
• User Experience: A clean, intuitive interface is key. The app should allow fast execution with minimal latency and well-designed user flows, making tasks like buying and selling shares straightforward and stress-free.
• Range of Services: A good app should support a wide range of financial products—stocks, ETFs, funds, bonds, options, and more. It should also include advanced tools (charts, technical and fundamental analysis) and educational content such as tutorials and articles.
• Local Language Support: Multilingual support is essential, including interface, documentation, and customer service—ideally available in your local language via chat, email, and phone.
• Real-Time Data: Access to real-time or near real-time market prices (with no more than a 15-minute delay) is a must, preferably at no extra cost.
• Demo Account: A demo account is a valuable feature for beginners, offering a risk-free way to learn the platform, test strategies, and gain confidence using real market conditions—without putting actual money on the line.

Investing App vs Broker: What’s the Difference?

A broker is the company that gives you access to buy and sell stocks, ETFs, and other assets. They essentially act as the middleman between you and the financial markets. The tool they provide to manage your investments—typically on your phone or tablet—is commonly referred to as an investment app.

When people search for the best investment app, they're often looking for the most user-friendly and feature-rich way to interact with their chosen broker and the market.

For example, with a broker like Interactive Brokers, you open an account and then use their app (such as IBKR Mobile) to trade.

FAQs

Are trading apps safe to use?

Yes, as long as they're regulated by the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority). Look for apps that use strong encryption, offer two-factor authentication, and are backed by reputable firms.

What should I look for in a trading app?

Look for strong security (like 2FA), a user-friendly interface, real-time data, a wide range of financial instruments, and access to research tools and educational content.

Do trading apps charge fees or commissions?

Some apps offer commission-free trading on stocks, while others may charge fees for certain trades, withdrawals, or premium features. Always review the fee structure before choosing.