What is the best spread betting app in the UK?
Verdict
- Pepperstone is our pick for spread betting on a phone in the UK. One spread-betting account works in Pepperstone's own app and in the MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView apps, with GBP stakes and no commission.
- Pepperstone's published spread-bet minimums include 0.4 on the US500, 1 on the UK100 and 0.5 on EUR/USD.
- IG, CMC Markets, Spreadex and Capital.com also offer spread betting with guaranteed stops, which Pepperstone doesn't sell. That is the main reason to choose one of their apps instead.
- Work out your maximum loss before you tap: stake per point multiplied by the distance to your stop.
Most UK spread betting firms tie you to their own app. Pepperstone is the exception we found: its spread-betting account connects to five platforms, all of which have mobile versions, so you can bet from the charting app you already use. Here is how it compares, and how to size a bet safely on a small screen.
Pepperstone: spread betting across five mobile apps
Pepperstone Limited (FCA 684312) offers spread betting to UK residents on its web platform and app, MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView. That gives mobile bettors a real choice. You can trade from TradingView charts on your phone, check MT5 positions on the train, or use Pepperstone's own app to bet and fund in one place. Stakes are in pounds per point, the spread is the only trading cost, and deposits by Apple Pay or Google Pay start at £10.
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Which spread betting broker has the best mobile app?
We rank Pepperstone first for flexibility. If guaranteed stops matter more to you than choice of app, one of the others may be better. The platform lists below are as each firm publishes them. We don't have data on which third-party apps accept spread bets at each rival.
| Provider (FCA ref.) | Published platforms | Guaranteed stops |
|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone Limited (684312) | Own app and web, MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, all on the spread-bet account | No |
| Capital Com (UK) Limited (793714) | Own app and web, MT4, MT5, TradingView | Yes |
| IG Index Ltd (114059) | Own app and web, MT4, MT5, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, TradingView | Yes, premium if triggered |
| CMC Markets UK plc (173730) | Own mobile app, Next Generation, MT4 | Yes, fee refunded if not triggered |
| Spreadex Ltd (190941) | Own web platform, iPhone, iPad and Android apps, TradingView | Yes |
Sizing a spread bet on a small screen
Your risk on a spread bet is your stake per point multiplied by the number of points to your stop. Work it out before you open the bet, not after:
- £3 a point on the UK100 with a stop 40 points away risks £120, plus the spread. At Pepperstone's 1-point minimum, the spread adds £3.
- £3 a point on the US500 with the same 40-point stop also risks £120, and the 0.4 minimum spread adds £1.20.
- If £120 is more than a small part of your balance, reduce the stake rather than tightening the stop.
- On Pepperstone a stop isn't guaranteed. A gap can close your bet beyond your level, so the loss may be larger than you worked out.
What no spread betting app changes
Pepperstone charges an overnight fee on bets held past 10pm UK time. Retail leverage caps apply in the app as on desktop: 1:30 on major FX, 1:20 on major indices and gold, and 1:5 on shares. Pepperstone says spread-betting profits are exempt from capital gains tax and stamp duty in the UK, but your own tax position depends on your circumstances and the law may change.
Sources
Can I spread bet on TradingView's mobile app with Pepperstone?
Yes. Pepperstone's spread-betting account supports TradingView, along with MT4, MT5, cTrader and its own app.
Is there commission on spread bets placed through the app?
No. At Pepperstone the spread is the trading cost wherever you place the bet, plus an overnight fee if you hold past 10pm UK time.
Which spread betting app has guaranteed stops?
Of the providers in our table, Capital.com, IG, CMC Markets and Spreadex offer them. Pepperstone does not.
Spread betting from a phone is just as risky as on desktop: leverage means you can lose money fast. 73.6% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with Pepperstone Limited. Tax treatment depends on your circumstances. Not investment or tax advice.