7 Best Futures Broker UK Choices for Traders

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This guide is for UK-based traders who want to trade futures via CFDs or direct access. You will get a clear shortlist of 6 brokers. Match your trader profile: beginner, active intraday, or professional DMA (direct market access). Skip long, vague reviews. Read a focused summary with specific numbers for fees, markets, and platform features.

Check each broker by three quick tests: market count, cost per trade, and platform capability. Expect brokers offering 30 to 100+ markets. Expect margin rates from 2% to 50% depending on product and leverage. Expect account minimums of £0 to £10,000 on different tiers. Use this guide to match your needs fast.

Quick Answer / TL;DR

• If you want a reliable, full-featured platform with strong support → 1. IG.
• If you need DMA and low per-contract execution for pro trading → 2. Interactive Brokers.
• If you want the easiest onboarding and social-style charts → 3. eToro.
• If you favour UK spread-betting or local customer support → 4. SpreadEX.
• If you need in-depth research and 100+ instruments on a polished trading platform → 5. Saxo.
• If you want a simple, low-entry CFD-focused option → 6. AvaTrade.

What We Looked For

Check FCA regulation first. Ensure your broker holds UK oversight. Expect regulated firms to follow client money rules and capital buffers.

Compare market access. Count the futures and CFD markets. Top brokers list 50, 100, or more instruments. Note indices, commodities, rates, and interest-rate futures.

Compare execution type. DMA means direct market access (the order hits an exchange). CFD means synthetic exposure through a broker. Professionals need DMA. Retail traders often prefer CFDs for simplicity.

Compare costs and margin. Look for per-contract commissions, spreads, and initial margin percentages. Watch margin rates of 2% to 20% for major indices, and 10% to 50% for commodities. Check commission ranges from low cents to several dollars or pounds per contract.

Compare platform and tools. Check charting, order types, APIs, mobile apps, and platform uptime. Note API speed in milliseconds for algo trading and mobile app ratings out of 5. Test demo accounts for at least 7 days.

1. IG — Best overall for reliability and analytics

IG is a large UK-regulated broker. It offers futures via CFDs and a dedicated futures account. Trade 50 to 100+ index and commodity futures as CFDs. Access extended hours on many indices, often 24 hours on key products.

Use IG for research and education. Expect 10+ chart types, 20+ built-in indicators, and live news feeds. Phone support often covers more than 12 hours per day. Demo accounts come with virtual balances like £10,000 for practice.

Choose IG when you value platform features over the cheapest per-contract fees. Trade sizes from 0.1 to 10 contracts in CFD wrappers. Expect spreads that vary widely by product; typical spreads for liquid index futures start from 0.5 points. Commission structures include spread-based and tiered fees on futures account types.

Best for: Traders who value platform features and support over the absolute lowest per-contract cost.
Skip if: You need raw DMA to exchanges and the tightest exchange and clearing fees.

Key points:
– Market access: 50–100+ futures and CFD markets covering indices, commodities, and rates.
– Platform uptime and market hours: Round-the-clock or extended dealing on key indices (up to 24 hours).
– Fees: Spread-based pricing; typical spreads start from about 0.5 points on liquid indices.
– Account/demo: Demo with virtual balance, often £10,000 for testing.
– Customer support: Local UK phone support, often available 10–12+ hours daily.

Watch out for: Many futures are offered as CFDs (synthetic exposure) instead of exchange-cleared contracts. That affects clearing and custody.

2. Interactive Brokers — Best for professional DMA and low execution costs

Interactive Brokers (IB) offers direct market access to dozens of futures exchanges. Expect DMA to CME, ICE, Eurex, LME, and other venues. Trade per-contract quantities from 1 to 10,000 with exchange-level fills. Commissions per contract often range from $0.20 to $2.50 or equivalent, depending on exchange and routing.

Use IB if you trade more than 50 contracts per month. Expect advanced algo routing and smart order types such as adaptive, TWAP, and iceberg. Access APIs with sub-100ms order acknowledgement for automated systems. Margin rates can be as low as 2% on major index futures for portfolio margin accounts, and around 5%–20% for commodity futures.

Choose IB when you need transparent exchange fees and liquidation control. Expect tiered pricing, direct clearing, and segregated exchange clearing in many markets. Account opening can be fast; deposit options include bank transfer and debit card, with minimum deposits often £0 for basic accounts but higher recommended balances for professional usage.

Best for: Professional traders and institutions wanting DMA and low commission per contract.
Skip if: You prefer a simple CFD platform or want heavy hand-holding.

Key points:
– Market access: Direct access to dozens of exchanges worldwide (CME, ICE, Eurex).
– Fees: Per-contract commissions often from $0.20 to $2.50 depending on exchange.
– Account size: No formal minimum for many accounts; recommended balances vary by strategy.
– Margin: Portfolio and exchange margin options; example margins from 2% to 20%.
– Technology: Powerful API with sub-100ms ACK for many cloud regions.

Watch out for: Platform complexity. Expect a steeper learning curve and technical setup for APIs.

3. eToro — Best for social features and simple onboarding

eToro is a retail-focused broker with CFD-based futures exposure and a social layer. Open an account quickly. Many traders fund accounts from as low as $10 to $200, depending on payment method. Use copy trading to mirror experienced traders. See trade histories, risk scores, and performance over 30, 90, and 365 days.

Use eToro if you want low entry and a community feel. The platform lists roughly 30–70 instruments depending on region. Spreads are the primary fee; expect spreads to start from around 0.5 to 2.0 points on popular indices. Leverage follows retail rules; typical leverage ranges from 2:1 to 30:1 depending on instrument and regulation.

Choose eToro for simplicity and social tools. Expect mobile-first charts and a web interface with 10+ technical indicators. Account verification often completes in 24 to 72 hours. Withdrawals typically take 2 to 5 business days.

Best for: Beginner to casual traders who prioritise UX and community features.
Skip if: You need DMA, advanced order types, or lowest per-contract fees for high-frequency trading.

Key points:
– Onboarding: Fast verification in 24–72 hours; deposits from $10–$200 depending on method.
– Market count: Around 30–70 CFD instruments; product mix varies by region.
– Fees: Spread-based pricing; spreads often start from 0.5–2.0 points on liquid products.
– Leverage: Typical retail leverage between 2:1 and 30:1 based on instrument.
– Social tools: Copy trading with performance windows of 30, 90, and 365 days.

Watch out for: Futures exposure is CFD-based, not exchange-cleared. Copy trading can magnify losses quickly.

4. SpreadEX — Best for UK spread betting and local support

SpreadEX is a UK-focused firm specialising in spread betting and CFDs. Use it for tax-efficient spread betting where applicable. Expect product coverage of 30 to 60 UK-focused instruments. Platforms tailor hours to UK and key global sessions, with many markets available 24 hours during weekdays.

Use SpreadEX when UK customer support matters. Local phone lines and tailored UK market products are common. Expect spreads for UK indices to start from around 0.4 to 1.5 points. Account minimums are often low, with demo accounts and small deposit thresholds from around £100 via bank transfer.

Choose SpreadEX if you prefer spread betting for potential tax treatment and want localised support. Expect simple order types and mobile web apps. Withdrawals and deposits usually clear in 1 to 3 business days.

Best for: UK retail traders who use spread betting and want tailored support.
Skip if: You require DMA to global futures exchanges or professional low-latency execution.

Key points:
– Product format: Spread betting and CFDs rather than exchange-cleared futures.
– Market count: 30–60 UK and global instruments, focused on UK indices.
– Costs: Spread-based pricing; spreads for UK indices often start at 0.4–1.5 points.
– Hours: Many markets open 24 hours during the working week; some have 24/5 coverage.
– Local support: UK phone and email support, often within 1 business day response.

Watch out for: Spread betting suits retail strategies. It is not suitable for exchange-cleared futures or institutional clearing needs.

5. Saxo — Best for research and 100+ instruments on a polished platform

Saxo offers a refined multi-asset platform with deep research. Expect access to more than 100 futures and CFD markets. Combine futures with FX, stocks, bonds, and ETFs in one account. Platform tools include portfolio-level reporting, margin calculators, and 20+ research providers integrated on the platform.

Use Saxo if you manage multi-asset strategies. Account tiers include Standard, Platinum, and VIP with minimum balances often from £0 to £10,000 or more depending on tier. Fees are tiered; active traders often receive lower spreads or lower commission rates after passing volume thresholds, such as 50 trades or monthly volumes above £100,000.

Choose Saxo when research and portfolio tools matter. Expect advanced charting, custom watchlists, and trade cost analysis. Settlement and reporting may include daily P&L statements and CSV exports for up to 365 days.

Best for: Active traders who need research, portfolio-level tools, and multi-asset access.
Skip if: You need raw DMA at the absolute lowest per-contract cost.

Key points:
– Market access: 100+ futures and CFD markets alongside stocks and ETFs.
– Account tiers: Multiple tiers with minimums typically from £0 to £10,000 depending on tier.
– Fees: Tiered commissions; active traders may unlock lower pricing after volume thresholds.
– Research: 20+ integrated research providers and daily market briefings.
– Reporting: Portfolio-level P&L, trade-level commissions, and 365-day export capability.

Watch out for: Higher margins or minimums on premium tiers. Platform sophistication can overwhelm novices.

6. AvaTrade — Best for simple CFD futures exposure and low-entry accounts

AvaTrade focuses on CFD trading with user-friendly platforms. Expect minimum deposits from £0 to £100 depending on promotions and payment methods. Platforms include web, desktop, and mobile, with simple charting and 10–20 technical indicators.

Use AvaTrade if you want to trade small sizes and learn futures via CFDs. Typical instrument coverage ranges from 30 to 70 CFD instruments. Spreads are spread-based and start from around 0.6 to 2.0 points on popular indices. Leverage follows retail rules; expect leverage ranges from 2:1 to 30:1 on different products.

Choose AvaTrade for low-entry learning and demo accounts. Demo accounts often provide virtual balances such as £10,000 for at least 14 days. Deposits and withdrawals clear in 1 to 5 business days depending on the method.

Best for: Beginners and low-volume traders who prioritise simplicity and low entry.
Skip if: You need DMA, advanced algos, or the tightest professional commissions.

Key points:
– Minimum deposit: Low-entry options from £0–£100 depending on payment method.
– Product type: CFD-based exposure to futures and indices with 30–70 instruments.
– Platform options: Web, desktop, and mobile with 10–20 indicators.
– Fees: Spread-based pricing; spreads often start from 0.6–2.0 points.
– Demo: Typical demo balance around £10,000 for testing.

Watch out for: Not designed for high-frequency or institutional futures trading.

Comparison table intro

Quick snapshot comparing access type, market count, pricing style, and best use-case across brokers.

One-sentence summary

DMA brokers suit pros seeking low per-contract costs; CFD and spread-bet brokers suit beginners and UK retail with simpler onboarding.

Closing — How to Choose / Bottom Line

If you need raw DMA, low latency, and the lowest per-contract fees, choose a DMA provider. Expect per-contract fees from $0.20 to $2.50 and margins as low as 2% on major indices. Trade volume matters: aim for 50+ contracts per month to justify DMA costs.

If you prioritise simplicity, choose a CFD or spread-bet broker. Expect spreads from 0.4 to 2.0 points and low or zero minimum deposits, often £0 to £200. Use demo balances of £10,000 to test ideas for 7 to 30 days.

Match the broker to your plan:
– Beginner: pick platforms with demo accounts and low deposits, such as eToro or AvaTrade. Start with £100–£1,000 of practice capital.
– Active intraday: pick reliable execution and 24-hour access like IG or Saxo. Trade sizes from 1 to 50 contracts per session.
– Professional: pick DMA and API access like Interactive Brokers. Target volume above 50 contracts monthly to unlock low per-contract economics.

Test for at least 7 days on demo. Compare spreads, commissions, and one-way round-trip costs—which often total 0.5% to 2% of a position for small trades. Check withdrawal times of 1–5 business days. Check margin calls and overnight funding rates, which can add 1% to 5% annually on leveraged positions.

Pick the broker that fits the numbers you need. Match markets, margin, and tools to your strategy. Test accounts for 7–30 days before funding live capital.