Which Forex Broker is Best for UK Traders in 2025?
With hundreds of forex brokers available globally — and regulations that vary from one region to another — it can be overwhelming for UK traders to choose the right one. Whether you're trading full-time or just starting out, your broker can directly impact your profitability.
In this post, I'll break down what makes a forex broker genuinely worth trusting, especially from a UK trader's perspective. We'll explore execution models, spreads, regulations, and finally, highlight one broker that continues to stand out in 2025.
Why Execution Model Matters: A-Book vs B-Book Brokers
Many UK traders don't realise that some brokers profit when you lose. These are B-Book brokers — they take the opposite side of your trade. This can lead to conflicts of interest, order manipulation, and trust issues.
A-Book brokers, on the other hand, simply act as intermediaries. Your trades are passed directly to liquidity providers — typically large financial institutions.
This model offers several key benefits:
- Transparent trade execution (no dealing desk intervention)
- Fair, market-based pricing with no manipulation or requotes
- No conflict of interest between trader and broker
In other words, your success is not your broker's loss — a crucial consideration when choosing a platform.
Regulation and Trustworthiness in the UK Market
For UK traders, regulation is more than a checkbox — it's a safeguard. You want a broker that is authorised and regulated by Tier-1 authorities, or at least operates under strict international frameworks. These can be:
- FCA
- ASIC (Australia)
- CySEC (Europe)
Trading conditions
Finally, traders should look for a platform that provides them with not just ultra-low spreads but also low-latency infrastructure and deep liquidity
The top tier market standard would be:
- Spreads from 0.0 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD
- Execution speeds in the order of ms
- Trade forex, indices, commodities, crypto, and more
In a hurry? Try out the comparison winner:
Here's how different trading platforms compare
| Feature/Broker | IC Markets | IG Group | CMC Markets | Pepperstone | eToro | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spreads (EUR/USD) | From 0.0 pips (Raw) | From 0.6 pips | From 0.7 pips | From 0.0 pips | From 1.0 pip | From 0.8 pips |
| Commission | $3/lot (Raw) | £0 on spreads | £0 on spreads | $3.5/lot (Raw) | No commission | No commission |
| Execution Model | A-Book | B-Book broker | B-Book broker | ECN / STP | B-Book broker | B-Book broker |
| Min. Deposit | £160 / $200 | £250 | £0 | £0 | £50-£200 | £100 |
| Regulation | ASIC, CySEC | FCA, ASIC | FCA, ASIC | FCA, ASIC | FCA, CySEC | FCA, CySEC |
| Leverage (Forex) | Up to 1:500 | 1:30 (retail) | 1:30 | 1:30 | 1:30 | 1:30 |
| Accepted in UK? | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Best For | Scalpers, EA users | Beginner to Advanced | Technical Traders | Scalpers, EA | Copy Trading | Beginners |
| Trading Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader | Proprietary + MT4 | Proprietary + MT4 | MT4, MT5, cTrader | Proprietary | Proprietary |
| Copy Trading? | Via 3rd-party | No | No | Yes | Built-in | No |
| Cryptos Available? | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Demo Account? | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Our final recommendation
Why IC Markets Stands Out for UK Forex Traders
After evaluating dozens of brokers over the past few years, IC Markets has consistently stood out for their exceptionally tight spreads and competitive commissions — being great for UK-based day traders, scalpers, and algorithmic traders.
Here's why:
- True ECN trading with spreads starting from 0.0 pips
- Lightning-fast execution thanks to servers in LD5 (London) and NY4 (New York)
- Low commissions and minimal slippage
- Supports advanced trading platforms like MetaTrader 4, MT5, and cTrader
IC Markets doesn't just claim to offer top-tier trading conditions — they deliver. From my personal experience and broader trader feedback, they're one of the most consistent brokers in terms of speed, pricing, and reliability.
If you're based in the UK and want a broker that performs at a professional level, IC Markets is absolutely worth considering.
IC Markets also provides a variety of educational resources, including webinars, video tutorials, and market analysis tools. These resources are particularly beneficial for beginner traders who are looking to improve their trading skills and strategies. Lastly it does not charge fees for deposits or withdrawals.
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