James Warwick

｜

Edited by 

  John Michaels

｜

Published: July 31, 2026

SpreadEx: Broker Review UK 2026

SpreadEx is one of those brokers that you hear again and again in conversation. They’ve been around since 1999 – which is donkey’s years compared to newer brokers like Capital.com (2016) but still a way off from IG (1974), but how do they compete against these two – are they ultra-modern or are they a legacy brand name?

In this review we’ll look at where SpreadEx’s advantages lie and when you might want to use them.

TLDR: If you are looking for a broker that offers tight spreads, great mobile trading platform, daily market news, clean charting experiences and options trading, you can’t go wrong with SpreadEx.

The stand-out feature was their native platform and mobile app experiences. SpreadEx wins our award for ‘Best Mobile App’. However, go well beyond this, SpreadEx provides everything an intermediate or advanced level trader needs including tight spreads, great options trading experiences and live market news. They excel however, in making the complex, simple.

What we wanted to test in this review is whether SpreadEx, which also offers a betting arm, was also capable of offering a great CFD trading and Spread betting platform for all kinds of traders – beginner, intermediate and advanced. The answer was obvious the moment we signed-up, yes.

Here’s what I found out:

In Summary: I quickly learnt that SpreadEx is really designed for all kinds of traders – beginner, intermediate and advanced – and that it is, in fact, an extremely capable broker across many areas like charting tools, mobile trading and news-based trading.

I’d recommend using SpreadEx if you are looking for a broker that gives you great mobile spread betting experience, tight forex spreads, and the option to trade US & UK stocks all in a simple, clean trading interface. It doesn’t overcomplicate but has everything you will need as you progress as a trader.

Is SpreadEx a Good Broker?

Verdict:

SpreadEx is a great broker for beginner traders, mobile trading and spread betting. By using SpreadEx, you quickly realise what a good broker looks like – exploring their range of features like market updates, news, upcoming calendar events, upcoming stock earnings reports etc. serves as the perfect jumping off ground for new traders. If you are a more experienced trader, SpreadEx will still surprise you with their options trading capabilities, market news, the ability to trade SONIAs, Bonds, and equities. They may not have the depth of instruments within each category, but they have more than enough for beginner to intermediate level traders.

What Can I Trade on SpreadEx?

Trading Markets – 4 / 5 Stars

SpreadEx offers forex, equities, indices, commodities, ETFs, options, bonds (including GILTs), interest rate derivatives, and upcoming IPOs. Whilst their range of assets isn’t the deepest, it was certainly wide enough to trade multiple instruments that are offered by equally top-tier brokers. We couldn’t find any publicly-available number of instruments on their site, but from our research and testing, it’s certainly more than Axi’s instrument offering and less than IG.

Whilst not offering the widest depth, they still managed to impress us with their range of possible assets and ease of navigation on their platform (more on that later).

Now this is interesting for several reasons:

The Positives

• The range of instruments points to a universal appeal – appealing to beginners, intermediate and advanced level traders – which SpreadEx does successfully through options trading, SONIAs & ETFs.
• Trading equities is super simple – click on the little flag icons to see what’s available in each region – this is a really nice touch for ease-of-use.
• The Forex CFD depth is there. Most major and minor forex CFDs are available, we counted 55 forex pairs although some may be duplicated in our count, so you won’t be short of things to trade.

The Drawbacks

• The formatting is a bit odd, with Austrlasian & Scandenavian FX pairs called out as distinct from Major, Minor and Exotic pairs but given their popularity, this might be rational.
• If you are looking for a depth of forex CFD minor or exotics instruments, then an IG or even a CMC might be a better option.

What is SpreadEx Good At?

SpreadEx offers a range of instruments like stocks, bonds, and forex pairs for both spread betting and CFD trading. We found their range of stocks to be exceptional. The range of forex pairs is relatively standard – not the depth of minors and exotics you’d find with CMC, but still a solid option. The commodities selection was good – mainly for metals like Gold, Silver and Platinum. They are a bit weaker on soft commodities with no soybean or wheat options, but that’s just being picky!

Overall, SpreadEx competes well with other top-tier brokers like Capital.com & Pepperstone – you might not have the depth or range of IG, but you get a clean navigation, a great range of ETF, Stock, Bond and Forex trading options that make it a great choice for all traders.

What You Can Trade:

• Forex: You get access to around 50+ currency pair CFDs, including majors, minors & exotics.
• Indices: You have 35+ major index across European, US, UK and Asia including the VIX, S&P, FTSE 100 and Nasdaq.
• Commodities: All the major commodities available: Gold, Silver, Platinum, Natural Gas, Brent, Sugar but SpreadEx is a bit weaker on soft commodities – there are no wheat or soy bean instruments.
• Shares & ETFs: 1000+ share CFDs in the UK – In fact SpreadEx is a bit of a standout for stock trading. The navigation / discoverability was super simple, and they had all major US & UK stocks that would interest UK traders from Lloyds to Tesla.
• Bonds: You can trade Gilts, Bunds, and US treasury bonds.
• Interest rate instruments: Eurobor & SONIA futures are also available.

My Experience:

Before signing up with SpreadEx, I was initially a bit sceptical. I wondered whether they could hold their own against some of the range, and depth of instruments offered by top-tier brokers. However, i found, once i was in their platform, the range of instruments is frankly unparalleled, especially for spread betting. I mean, how often can you spread bet German Bunds, Lloyds plc, sugar, and GBP/JPY all in the same session? The answer is really only with top tier brokers, and SpreadEx is certainly in that category.

Verdict:

SpreadEx performs well on instrument variety but underperforms slightly on depth of commodities, and forex pairs. They standout as a fantastic stock trading option and offer a compelling range of instruments for traders of all levels. They compete with some of the best brokers like Capital.com & Pepperstone, for the range of instruments they offer. We were particularly impressed by the vast range of UK and US stocks (see screenshot below) as this is an often underdeveloped area for spread betting businesses.

The fact that SpreadEx lists which index (AIM, FTSE 100, FTSE 250) the stock is listed in, as well as the industry of the stock, makes stock trading on SpreadEx a really nice experience. You can explore a company, do more research and even place a forward contract on stocks.

Whilst they lack the range of forex exotics and minor pair CFDs that CMC offers, they compete well on the range of advanced instruments like bonds, interest rate futures and share CFDs for UK traders.

What Are the Fees for SpreadEx?

Fees – 4 / 5 Stars

SpreadEx is one of those brokers that really excels when it comes to fees. They don’t shout about it either – but if you know, you know.

Here’s the TLDR: SpreadEx offers Gold spreads starting from 0.3 pips – some of the lowest in the industry. 1pt spreads on the DAX & FTSE 100 are good index spreads, and spreads from 0.6 pip spreads on EUR/USD is the exact pip spread as IG – so they are roughly equal on fees which is outstanding for a ‘smaller’ broker.

What to Expect:

• Forex & Index Spreads: Spreads start at 0.6 pip spreads for EUR/USD and 0.9 pips for GBP/USD – these are good spreads, and in line with top brokers. In testing, we found this to be true with pips hovering at 0.6 most of the time and briefly going to 0.7 pips.
• Share & ETF CFDs: Expect the spread costs, commission, currency conversion and holding fee charges to be applied to share CFDs – given the range of instruments this is to be expected, but if you are looking for no share CFD commissions then Capital.com might be a better option.
• Commodity Spreads: SpreadEx charges an exceptionally low fee for Gold CFDs, from 0.3 pip spreads, which is very very competitive. Other commodities we tested were also highly competitive.
• Inactivity Fees: SpreadEx doesn’t charge and inactivity fee.
• Deposit/Withdrawal Fees: No internal deposit or withdrawal fees but they have a minimum deposit of £5.

My Experience:

We tested SpreadEx’s forex fees on EURUSD & other majors on July 30th 2026 at 12.30 and found the spreads to be as tight as they stated (see screenshot below). This is exceptionally good as US markets hadn’t opened yet. We testing both the Spread Betting account and CFD account.

SpreadEx is transparent with their pricing and you can check all their stock CFD prices on this page and you can see a detailed breakdown for each stock that you can trade (see below for Nvidia). This kind of detailed stock CFD pricing is something not many other brokers offer.

Verdict

SpreadEx has great spreads for major forex pairs, Gold and indices, in line with some of other major brokers like IG. They also don’t charge an inactivity fee, and have a low minimum deposit of £5. Their Stock CFD pricing varies but you can check pricing for each stock on this page.

What is SpreadEx’s Trading Platform Like?

Trading Platforms – 5 / 5 Stars

Spread Ex offers their native platform alongside TradingView integration. There is no MT4, MT5 or cTrader option, so it might feel somewhat limiting for more advanced traders or Metatrader-diehards. However, their native platform and mobile app more than make up for it.

We found their charting signals to be a particular highlight (see below) showcasing flag patterns, breakouts and more. This is a great instructional guide for beginner traders, offered in real-time!

They also integrate news seamlessly into their platform with live events reported from leading sources like Reuters. Whilst not unique, it certainly felt easier to use, digest and understand than some major competitors.

In fact, when logging into their mobile app, there is something distinctly familiar about the layout, the look and feel is professional and clean. It feels remarkably similar to the best bits of MetaTrader. The standout on SpreadEx’s mobile app is the Trading Signals & their ability to showcase their wide instrument range with a clean navigation.

What’s Available:

• Proprietary Webtrader: It’s simple, easy to navigate, features great charting capabilities (see below)
• TradingView: Also a great option, although probably not necessary given how clean their own charting is within their platform and the integrated tooling, signals and more are all available. However, this does open the door to some automation capabilities that otherwise would be missing!
• Mobile App: A standout here, their mobile app felt clean, professional and had all the best elements from their desktop version including Trading Signals.
• MT4: For MetaTrader fans, there are no Metatrader options.
• API Access / Automated trading: This is something only a few brokers offer, but it’s rising in popularity, unfortunately automated trading /API access are both unavailable with SpreadEx currently.

My Experience

We found SpreadEx’s platform to be one of the easiest to use for beginner traders. It is the perfect starting point for traders looking to learn about markets, charting basics, and spreads. Everything is laid out clearly for quick navigation, education and support with a helpful ‘Chat’ function within the desktop app itself. The analysis by instrument was a great touch and, although it’s perfect for beginners, it has all the features and functionality that you expect from top-tier brokers and competes shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the giants for features and functionality.

On TradingView, SpreadEx proved itself to be a great option, they showed up for most major and minor pairs and even offered forward contracts as well, which is a nice touch. It was easy to connect and the same great spreads are available there too.

Verdict

SpreadEx is a broker that sits alongside the best brokers like Capital.com & IG for their platform ease-of-use, design aesthetic, charting capabilities, market analysis / news and ease-of-navigation. Despite not having MetaTrader, their mobile app is the best I’ve used. It’s a testament to how brokers are moving towards better user experiences in 2026 and how platform experience is the experience to win.

Is It Easy to Get Up and Running on SpreadEx?

Onboarding Process – 5 / 5 Stars

Onboarding for SpreadEx was quick and painless, you fill in your email and password and are immediately taken to the desktop application to complete the rest of the application – it feels like embedded KYC, not a bolt-on.

Once you are onboarded, you are taken to the spread betting account first but there is an option to change this to the CFD trading account using the drop down menu (see below).

When we were onboarded a member of the SpreadEx team reached out to us with a plethora of useful information, including a free FT Subscription, a list of their educational content including video training, and weekly news (more on that later).

My Experience:

SpreadEx onboarding is frankly the best I’ve experienced in a long time. Not only does it have a similar ease-of-use feeling like Capital.com, with a simple but effective KYC process, but the personal outreach from the staff felt personal, welcoming and genuinely one of the best experiences I’ve had with a new broker.

Verdict

SpreadEx’s customer service is exceptional. They are friendly, available through their desktop platform with the ‘Chat’ functionality, and they reach out from day 1 with educational materials to help you get started. SpreadEx’s onboarding and customer service was second to none.

Is SpreadEx a Safe and Regulated Broker?

Regulation and Security – 5 / 5 Stars

Yes, SpreadEx is a safe and regulated broker in the UK. They are regulated by the FCA under the FCA-number: 190941. We did a quick check on the FCA-checker and found all the relevant details (see screenshot below) They were established in 1999, so they have been in business for over 20 years!

What Makes Them Safe:

• FCA Regulation: SpreadEx is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, which means strict capital requirements, conduct rules, and client‑money protections.
• Segregated Client Funds: Client money is held in segregated accounts at tier‑one banks, separate from SpreadEx’s own operating funds, in line with FCA rules.
• FSCS Protection: Eligible UK clients benefit from FSCS protection up to £85,000 in the event that SpreadEx was ever unable to meet its obligations.

My Experience:

SpreadEx are upfront about their UK regulations, their company registration number and FCA-regulation for UK residents. All the respective details are available on their FAQ’s page.

Verdict:

SpreadEx is a fully-regulated broker by the FCA in the UK.

Is SpreadEx Beginner‑Friendly?

Education – 5/ 5 Stars

SpreadEx is extremely beginner-friendly, but don’t confuse their beginner-friendliness with a lack of information… They offer a huge range of educational material: market analysis, video content, earnings calendars and economic calendars. SpreadEx feels like a broker that really wants you to learn.

What’s Available:

• Economic Calendar: For forex traders, an economic calendar is a must-have, and SpreadEx helpfully links this from their proprietary platform, making it easy to access.
• Earnings Calendar: For stock traders, trading news-based events, this is extremely useful.
• Video Guides: YouTube video content on what to expect, how to place a trade, add guaranteed stops and more – this. is a proper video-first guide for traders.
• Market Analysis: Breaking news from Reuters as well as their own ‘Week Ahead’ and ‘Daily Summary’ analysis provides a great benchmark to understanding the market.

My Experience:

We found their market information with daily and weekly commentary to be particularly useful – it’s always best to see a broker / experienced analysts take on major world events (see above). It was a fantastic way to get a quick digest / understanding of what to trade.

We also found their video content on learning to use their platform exceptionally useful (see above). The videos were well-made and kept up-to-date with any platform changes.

Verdict:

SpreadEx offers a great range of content for beginners and their market information, roundups and weekly news is on par with some of the best brokers.

Final Verdict

SpreadEx is a fantastic broker if you are just starting your trading journey or are looking for an intermediate to advanced-level trader looking for tight spreads, regular market updates, and a great mobile trading app. They excel with their proprietary platform, mobile app and range of stocks to trade.

Some drawbacks are that there is no MetaTrader option and their depth of instruments is not going to match IG or CMC. But apart from that, they have all bases covered, tight spreads from 0.6 pips (same as IG), CFD and Spread Betting options, market analysis, educational content, mobile trading, a proprietary platform, TradingView options and great customer service.

Who Should Use SpreadEx?

✅ Choose SpreadEx if:

• You want tight spreads on major forex pairs (from 0.6 pips)
• You want to trade or spread bet a variety of stocks
• You want to spread bet options, bonds and complex derivatives
• You’re are a beginner looking for a broker that does it all

❌ Consider alternatives if:

• You want a range of forex minors / exotics – CMC may be a better alternative
• You want a commission-only account & automated trading capabilities (Pepperstone would be a better option).

FAQs

Here are answers to some of the most common questions traders ask about SpreadEx:

Is SpreadEx Good for Spread Betting?

Yes, SpreadEx has the best mobile trading app for spread betting. It is similar to MetaTrader, but features advanced charting, Trading Signals showing you technical analysis patterns, and an easy-to-use interface.

Is SpreadEx good for advanced traders?

Yes, SpreadEx is good for intermediate to advanced-level traders. With options trading capabilities, daily & weekly market analysis as well as a comprehensive library of stocks, it’s well-suited to advanced traders.

Is SpreadEx good for beginners?

SpreadEx is the best beginner broker from our research. They provide video how-to guides, market news, an easy to use platform navigation and great customer service / support. They also offer all major and minor forex CFD instruments that appeal to beginners like GBPJPY and EURUSD.

Can you trade options on SpreadEx?

Yes, you can trade European-style options on SpreadEx.

What is SpreadEx good at?

If you’re looking for a mobile spread betting app that performs extremely well, then SpreadEx is the best option.

If you are also at the start of your trading journey, looking for a broker that can guide you through trading , then SpreadEx provides this level of support with videos, content and customer support.

If you are an intermediate to advanced level trader then SpreadEx also provides market analysis, options trading, interest rate trading and ETF options, as well as a huge library of stocks to trade.

• Author
• Recent Posts

James Warwick

CEO of Trading Brokers at Trading Brokers

James is the CEO of Trading Brokers as well as Spread Bet (spreadbet.ai). He is a leader in the space of trading broker comparisons and reviews for a UK audience. Previously a Senior Director working in a FTSE 100 company, he is now a full-time trader and has a passion for educating UK traders.

Latest posts by James Warwick (see all)

• Best High Volume Brokers for UK Traders - July 22, 2026
• Best Brokers for Professional Traders in the UK - July 9, 2026
• Pepperstone, IG or CMC Markets: Which is Better? - July 3, 2026