Which broker is better for United Kingdom traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
United Kingdom traders seeking a reliable forex broker face a tough choice between FP Markets and FXTM, two globally recognised brands with strong FCA regulation. Both brokers serve UK retail and professional traders, offering access to major forex pairs, indices, and commodities. FP Markets, rated 4.7/5, is known for its ultra-competitive pricing and deep liquidity, making it a favourite among cost-conscious UK traders. FXTM, scoring 4.3/5, excels in educational resources and multi-asset trading, appealing to a broader range of traders. With local payment methods like Bank Transfer, PayPal, Skrill, and Faster Payments supported by both, UK traders can deposit and withdraw in GBP with ease. This comparison focuses on what matters most to UK traders: regulation, spreads, platforms, and local support.
| Instrument | FP Markets | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FXTM |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FXTM |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FXTM |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FXTM |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $200 | FP Markets |
For UK traders, trading costs are a critical factor. FP Markets offers a Raw account with spreads from 0.0 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD, plus a $3 commission per lot per side, ideal for scalpers and high-volume traders. FXTM’s Standard account has spreads from 1.3 pips with no commission, while its ECN account offers spreads from 0.1 pips with a $2 commission. On a typical 10-lot trade per month, FP Markets can save UK traders up to £50 in spreads compared to FXTM’s standard offering. Both brokers are transparent about costs, but FP Markets leads for low-cost trading.
| Account Type | FP Markets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✓ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $200 |
| Entity / Asset | FP Markets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:3000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 1:3000 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Asset Class | FP Markets | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FP Markets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FP Markets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | FP Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | 1,000+ | ✗ | FXTM |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FP Markets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✓ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
UK traders need robust platforms, and both brokers deliver. FP Markets provides MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and the proprietary IRESS platform, offering advanced charting and algorithmic trading capabilities. FXTM offers MT4, MT5, and its own WebTrader, plus a mobile app. For UK traders who value speed and customisation, FP Markets’ IRESS platform is a standout, while FXTM’s WebTrader is user-friendly for beginners. Both brokers support VPS hosting for automated trading, a must for UK algorithmic traders.
| Factor | FP Markets | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FXTM |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FP Markets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
Execution quality matters for UK traders, especially scalpers. FP Markets offers ultra-low latency execution with ECN technology, achieving average execution speeds under 40ms. FXTM also uses ECN execution but has slightly higher average speeds of around 50ms. For UK traders trading major pairs during London session, FP Markets provides a marginal edge in slippage and fill rates.
| Safety Factor | FP Markets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both FP Markets and FXTM are authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom, ensuring UK traders benefit from strict regulatory oversight. FCA regulation means UK clients are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000 per person, and negative balance protection is mandatory. FP Markets operates under FCA reference number 715381, while FXTM holds FCA number 600962. For UK traders, this level of regulation provides peace of mind and legal recourse.
| Payment Method | FP Markets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | 24 hours | 24 hours (often in 30 minutes),Credit / Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard): 1 to 3 business days. |
United Kingdom traders enjoy convenient deposit and withdrawal options with both brokers. FP Markets supports Bank Transfer, PayPal, Skrill, and Faster Payments, with no deposit fees for GBP accounts. Withdrawals are processed within 1-2 business days, and PayPal withdrawals are typically faster. FXTM similarly accepts Bank Transfer, PayPal, Skrill, and Faster Payments, plus credit/debit cards and Neteller. Both brokers allow free deposits and withdrawals, though FXTM charges a small fee for bank transfers over a certain limit. For UK traders using Faster Payments, deposits are instant and withdrawals are processed within 24 hours.
| Islamic Account Feature | FP Markets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
UK Muslim traders can access swap-free Islamic accounts at both FP Markets and FXTM. FP Markets offers Islamic accounts on all account types, including Raw and Standard, with no swap charges on overnight positions. FXTM provides Islamic accounts on its Standard and Cent accounts, also swap-free. Both brokers require a simple request via customer support to activate these accounts. For UK traders adhering to Sharia law, both options are compliant and transparent.
| Support Feature | FP Markets | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FP Markets |
Customer support is vital for UK traders. FP Markets offers 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support in English, with a dedicated UK phone number. FXTM provides 24/5 support via live chat, email, and phone, plus a comprehensive FAQ section. Both brokers respond within minutes on live chat, but FP Markets edges ahead with slightly faster response times and more localised support for UK queries.
| Mobile Feature | FP Markets | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FP Markets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FP Markets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✓ | ✗ | FP Markets |
| Resource | FP Markets | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FP Markets |
Choose FP Markets if you...
Choose FXTM if you...
For United Kingdom traders, FP Markets is the stronger choice overall, thanks to its lower spreads, faster execution, and higher rating (4.7/5 vs 4.3/5). Its FCA regulation and support for local payments like Bank Transfer, PayPal, Skrill, and Faster Payments make it highly accessible for UK residents. FXTM remains a solid option for beginners and those seeking educational tools, but FP Markets delivers better value for cost-conscious and active traders. If you prioritise low costs and professional-grade trading, FP Markets is the recommended broker for UK traders in 2026.