Which broker offers the most CFD instruments in the UK?
Verdict
- Pepperstone is our pick for UK traders who want breadth with low costs: its UK accounts page counts 1,444 CFDs and 1,432 spread bets, and its markets page says more than 2,700 spread bets and CFDs in total.
- Brokers count markets in different ways, and Pepperstone's own pages give three different figures, so a single 'most instruments' ranking would not be reliable.
- Most of Pepperstone's range is shares: 1,162 share CFDs, against 93 FX pairs, 26 indices, 40 commodities and 95 ETFs.
- UK retail clients cannot trade crypto CFDs at any FCA-regulated firm, and Pepperstone's perpetual CFDs are for Professional clients only.
The honest answer is that market counts are not comparable between brokers: one firm counts each share twice, another counts every expiry. Rather than crown a winner on a number, we show what Pepperstone, our top pick, actually lists for UK clients, and how to check any broker against your own watch-list.
What Pepperstone lists for UK clients
The accounts table on Pepperstone's UK site, with data sourced on 12 March 2025, counts the markets per account type. The same page also says '1350+ markets', and its FAQ says 'over 2700+ spread bets and CFDs', which is the two account types added together. We use the itemised table:
| Asset class | Spread betting | CFD (Standard / Razor) |
|---|---|---|
| Currency pairs | 91 | 93 |
| Indices | 26 | 26 |
| Commodities | 40 | 40 |
| Shares | 1,162 | 1,162 |
| ETFs | 95 | 95 |
| Total | 1,432 | 1,444 |
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Where the shares come from
Pepperstone's share list covers more than 600 US shares on the NYSE and Nasdaq, over 100 London Stock Exchange shares, around 200 ASX and 46 Hong Kong shares, and a German and European range. Selected US shares also trade around the clock on weekdays as 24-hour CFDs. Share CFD commission is 0.10% per side on UK shares (minimum £0.01) and $0.02 per share on US shares.
What is not on the UK retail list
- Crypto CFDs: the FCA banned crypto derivatives for retail consumers from 6 January 2021, and Pepperstone's UK site has no retail crypto page.
- Perpetual CFDs on gold, US indices, oil and single stocks: Professional clients only in the UK.
- Guaranteed stop-loss orders: not offered on any Pepperstone instrument.
How to check a broker covers what you trade
- Write down the 10 to 20 markets you actually trade.
- Search for each one in the broker's market list or platform, and note whether it is a spread bet, a CFD or both.
- Check the cost of each: published spread, commission (Pepperstone's share CFDs carry one; indices and FX on Standard do not) and overnight financing.
- Check leverage: UK retail limits are 1:20 on major indices and gold, 1:10 on other commodities and 1:5 on shares.
Sources
Market counts as published by Pepperstone, and the FCA's crypto derivatives rule.
How many markets does Pepperstone offer in the UK?
Its UK accounts table lists 1,444 CFDs and 1,432 spread bets (data from 12 March 2025). Its marketing pages round this to more than 2,700 spread bets and CFDs combined.
Can UK retail clients trade crypto CFDs at Pepperstone?
No. Crypto derivatives have been banned for UK retail consumers since January 2021, and Pepperstone shows crypto only to Professional clients in the UK.
Is a bigger market list always better?
No. A list of thousands of shares matters only if it includes yours at a fair cost. Check the specific markets you trade.
A wide market range adds choice, not safety. CFDs and spread bets are complex and leveraged, with a high risk of losing money quickly. We report broker-published figures; this is not investment advice.