If you are just starting out on this journey of financial spread betting, the choice of broker can be pretty overwhelming and the range of tools, platforms etc. is often too much for a beginner. In this list we’ll break down the best trading platform for beginners, why they are the best, what platform to use and why and ultimately hopefully guide you in your decision.
Which is the Best Spread Betting Broker for Beginners
1. Tradenation
The one thing you don’t want to think about if you are just getting started in spread betting is execution cost & fees. With TradeNation’s fixed costs, you don’t have to, you just sign-up and go. So if you’re just getting into spread betting, TradeNation is a solid place to start. Fixed spreads give beginners confidence in knowing their entry costs, even in more volatile markets.
- Fixed spreads make trading costs predictable
- No commission on trades, making it affordable
- Easy-to-use proprietary platform with a clean interface
- Supports TradingView for direct chart trading
- No minimum deposit, making it accessible to everyone
- Limited selection of instruments compared to larger brokers
- No MT4 or MT5, which may deter advanced traders
- Basic trading tools might feel limiting as experience grows
Overall: TradeNation’s fixed spreads make it an excellent choice for beginners. Their simple, no-frills platform is easy to navigate, and their transparent pricing means no surprises, especially during volatile times. Plus, they’ve integrated TradingView, giving you access to its full suite of charting tools, which can be a great introduction to market analysis.
£250 Recommended Deposit
Best for Beginners
TradeNation offers a proprietary trading platform with fixed spreads resulting in an easy, reliable trading environment for those just getting started.
2. SpreadEx
SpreadEx has a unique twist, offering both spread betting and sports betting, all under one roof. This setup gives beginners versatility if they’re interested in trying different types of betting, but SpreadEx doesn’t sacrifice on financial tools – its trading platform is surprisingly robust.
- Unique combination of financial spread betting and sports betting
- Low entry requirements with no minimum deposit
- User-friendly, intuitive platform that suits beginners
- FCA-regulated, adding an extra layer of security
- Limited financial instruments compared to other brokers
- Doesn’t support MT4 or MT5, which advanced traders may miss
- Limited educational resources for learning advanced strategies
Overall: For a beginner who wants to dip their toes into both financial and sports spread betting, SpreadEx is ideal. It’s well-regulated, offers a smooth, straightforward platform, and allows you to start without a hefty initial investment.It’s a proper “Best of British” Broker as its HQ is in St. Albans.
£250 recommended deposit
Best Service
Founded in 1999, one of the old-heads in the industry, SpreadEx has won multiple accolades for it's outstanding customer service and great range of markets.
64% of retail investors lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.
3. ActivTrades
ActivTrades provides a unique experience for beginners, especially those who want access to a proprietary platform with powerful tools. Their ActivTrader platform is straightforward yet feature-rich, and their support is top-notch, making it easy to get answers as you learn.
- Proprietary platform ActivTrader with intuitive tools
- Comprehensive educational resources, from webinars to tutorials
- Low spreads on forex pairs with no commission
- Strong regulatory background with FCA oversight
- Fewer platform options (no MT5)
- Less focus on cryptocurrency compared to some brokers
- Not all account types and features are available in every region
Overall: ActivTrades is perfect for beginners who want a strong platform (ActivTrader) combined with ample educational support. ActivTrades is known for reliability, solid customer service, and FCA regulation. If you want to start on a platform that combines beginner-friendly features with room to grow, ActivTrades has you covered.
£250 recommended deposit
Best for Forex
Founded in 2001, ActivTrades is a gloablly regulated and widely-recognised broker offering excellence in their proprietary platform.
83% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
4. Vantage Markets
If you’re looking for high-quality charting and analytics tools right from the get-go, Vantage Markets is a standout with its ProTrader platform based on TradingView. This platform lets you trade directly from TradingView charts, giving you access to powerful technical tools that are easy to learn yet extremely effective.
- Low-cost trading with the Raw Spread account
- Supports MT4, MT5, and ProTrader (TradingView integration)
- High-quality educational content through Vantage Academy
- Fast execution with ECN-like setup
- Commission-based pricing on Raw Spread account
- Limited range of non-CFD assets
- Free VPS only available for high-volume traders
Overall: Vantage Markets, with its TradingView-powered ProTrader platform, offers beginners a rich technical toolkit. With low spreads and fast execution, it’s particularly good for those who might be interested in algorithmic or high-frequency trading as they progress. Their educational content is comprehensive, making it easier for newcomers to get up to speed on core trading concepts.
£500 Recommended Deposit
Best All-Rounder
Vantage Markets in a seasoned provider of both CFD & Spread Betting tools with a range of over 1000+ instruments to trade
70.5% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs and Spread Bets with this provider.
5. Pepperstone
Pepperstone combines low spreads, multiple platforms, and a stellar reputation, making it a favorite choice among beginner and seasoned traders alike. For beginners, Pepperstone’s support and education stand out. Plus, they offer cTrader, one of the most beginner-friendly platforms with advanced charting and user experience.
- Low spreads starting from 0.0 pips on Razor Account
- Multiple platform options, including MT4, MT5, and cTrader
- Fast order execution with No Dealing Desk model
- Excellent educational resources, from webinars to in-depth guides
- Commission on Razor Account trades
- No proprietary platform – relies on third-party options
- Inactivity fee after six months without trading
Overall: Pepperstone is a top-tier broker that offers beginner traders the chance to explore powerful platforms like cTrader. With tight spreads, quick execution, and comprehensive education, Pepperstone sets the bar high, especially for new traders who value access to diverse tools and a supportive learning environment.
£500 Recommended Deposit
Best Reputation
Pepperstone is a Melbourne-based broker that offers an excellent selection of trading instruments in the financial trading markets, including commodities, shares, ETFs and more.
75.5% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading on margin with this provider
What Do I Think?
Your favourite broker should always be the one you feel most comfortable with, my recommendation would be to start with TradeNation & SpreadEx to see which one you prefer, we even have a side-by-side broker comparison of them both so you can compare. But you can, and should, see which one you prefer before making a long-term commitment. They both offer easy-to-use proprietary platforms for any spread bettor wanting to get up and running and basic educational tools for those wanting to learn. If spread betting is just a hobby or past-time for you then these might be the way to go.
If you are looking for a broker with all the bells-and-whistles and you know more about ECN, STP & NDD or are looking for a broker for life, then I’d consider a Pepperstone or ActivTrades as my go-to broker. It’s crucial that you do your own research and feel them out but hopefully this was enough to get you started and thinking about spread betting more seriously.
Happy trading!
Useful Resources for Beginners
James is a former FTSE100 AI Director and trader with 10+ years trading his own capital. He is the Managing Director of SpreadBet.AI and currently trades his own capital through both CFD trading & spread betting as well as working with one of the leading prop firms in the world.
