Core Spreads

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Core Spreads Review

Core Spreads offers its clients access to thousands of markets using two trading platforms: CoreTrader 2 and MetaTrader 4. Whether traders choose CFDs or spread betting, Core Spreads allows them to trade forex in over 30 of the most prominent currency pairs, as well as gold, silver, and Brent crude oil through Core Spread’s commodities options. Core Spreads is a UK-based online forex and CFD broker that emphasizes low spreads, transparent pricing, and simple account structures. Focused primarily on forex, indices, commodities, and select CFDs, Core Spreads aims to deliver cost-effective conditions for both novice and experienced traders. In 2026, the broker continues to leverage its regulatory status and execution model to appeal to traders who prioritize straightforward pricing, robust execution quality, and easy-to-use platforms.

This detailed review explores everything you need to know about Core Spreads, including regulation, trading platforms, fee structures, tradable instruments, execution policy, deposit/withdrawal options, customer support, pros/cons, and who the broker is best suited for.

Users may also trade shares in the United Kingdom, Europe, and the United States, as well as a variety of prominent indexes.

Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Core Spreads is fully compliant with the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA).

Company Background & History

Core Spreads was founded to provide a transparent, responsive trading environment rooted in one of the world’s most respected regulatory jurisdictions — the United Kingdom. Unlike brokers that rely primarily on marketing gimmicks or complex tiered accounts, Core Spreads built its reputation around competitive spreads and a pricing model designed to be straightforward and easy to understand.

Over the years, it has maintained a focused product suite while onboarding technologies that enhance execution, platform stability, and customer service.

Regulation and Safety

Regulatory Oversight

Core Spreads is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom, one of the most stringent regulators globally. FCA regulation requires brokers to follow strict standards for:

• Capital adequacy and financial reporting
• Client money segregation
• Periodic independent audits
• Transparent pricing and conduct standards

FCA-regulated brokers are also required to adhere to client protection frameworks that limit conflicts of interest between the broker and its users.

Client Funds Protection

Under FCA rules, client funds are kept in segregated bank accounts, separate from the firm’s operating capital. This means that trader funds are not used for the broker’s corporate liabilities and are better protected if the broker faces financial stress.

Negative Balance Protection

Retail clients under FCA regulation benefit from negative balance protection. This ensures that a trader cannot lose more than the amount deposited in their trading account — a critical safety feature during flash events or extreme volatility.

Security Standards

Core Spreads applies standard security measures to protect account access and personal data, including:

• Encrypted transmissions (SSL)
• Two-factor authentication (2FA)
• Regular compliance and audit routines

These practices are designed to safeguard user information and financial transactions.

Tradable Markets & Instruments

Core Spreads offers a focused but comprehensive suite of markets tailored to forex and CFD traders:

Forex Markets

Forex remains the core of Core Spreads’ offering, with access to a broad range of currency pairs, including:

• Major pairs (EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY)
• Minor and cross pairs
• Select exotic pairs (subject to liquidity and regulatory conditions)

Currency markets provide competitive spreads and deep liquidity, which are ideal for short-term strategies such as scalping and day trading.

Indices

CFDs on major global indices allow traders to speculate on broad market movements without owning individual stocks. Trading opportunities include major indices such as:

• FTSE 100 (United Kingdom)
• S&P 500 (United States)
• DAX 40 (Germany)
• Nikkei (Japan)

Index CFDs are popular for macroeconomic trading strategies and risk management.

Commodities

Commodity CFDs provide exposure to key markets like:

• Precious metals such as gold and silver
• Energy markets like crude oil

Commodity markets often react to macroeconomic factors such as central bank decisions, inflation data, and supply-demand dynamics.

Trading Platforms & Tools

Core Spreads provides reliable trading platforms that blend usability with essential analytical tools.

MetaTrader 4 (MT4)

Core Spreads supports MetaTrader 4, a global industry standard platform known for:

• Advanced charting functionality
• Custom indicators and EAs (Expert Advisors)
• Multi-timeframe analysis
• Automated trading capability
• Stable execution environment

MT4 remains popular among both discretionary and algorithmic traders.

Web Trader

For traders who prefer not to download software, the Web Trader offers:

• Browser-based access
• Real-time charting
• Trade placement and monitoring
• Simplified interface for quick execution

Web Trader makes it easy to manage trades on any computer with internet access.

Mobile Trading

Core Spreads also offers mobile trading apps for iOS and Android, enabling:

• On-the-go trade execution
• Position monitoring
• Custom alerts
• Portfolio tracking

Mobile platforms ensure that traders stay connected even when away from their desktops.

Spreads, Fees & Trading Costs

Understanding trading costs is critical for profitability, especially for active traders. Core Spreads is known for its competitive and transparent pricing model.

Spreads Structure

Spreads at Core Spreads are variable, which means they change depending on market liquidity and volatility. On major forex pairs — especially during peak market hours — spreads are tight relative to peers.

For example:

• EUR/USD spreads may be observed tightening significantly when major sessions overlap.

Commissions

Core Spreads typically incorporates its fee into spreads rather than charging separate commissions. This “all-in” approach avoids confusing mixed fee structures and makes cost calculation simpler.

Swap & Overnight Financing

If positions are held overnight, swap or financing charges may apply. These fees are based on interest rate differentials in the underlying markets plus a broker markup, and they may be positive or negative depending on position direction and instrument.

Non-Trading Fees

Core Spreads generally has a straightforward fee structure, but traders should note potential costs such as:

• Currency conversion fees
• Inactivity fees (if applicable)
• Non-standard withdrawal fees

All charges are disclosed in the broker’s official fee schedule.

Leverage & Margin Requirements

Under FCA rules, retail traders are subject to regulated leverage limits designed to protect against excessive risk. These limits vary by instrument and are often lower than offshore or unregulated markets, but they reflect a strong focus on risk management.

For example:

• Major forex pairs may have lower leverage caps
• High-volatility instruments may be subject to tighter leverage controls

Margin requirements are transparently displayed in trading platforms, helping traders manage exposure and understand risk thresholds.

Order Execution & Quality

Core Spreads uses a market execution model, meaning orders are filled at the best available price from aggregated liquidity providers rather than on a purely dealer-provided quote.

Execution performance benefits from:

• Deep liquidity pools
• Automated price feeds
• Visible fill quality

However, like all brokers, slippage may occur during periods of extreme volatility, such as high-impact news or market gaps — a common industry issue rather than a Core Spreads-specific flaw.

Deposits & Withdrawals

Core Spreads supports several secure and regulated funding options:

Deposit Methods

• Bank transfers
• Debit/Credit cards
• E-wallets (in supported regions)

Deposits are generally processed quickly, and funds must often pass a verification check to comply with KYC/AML regulations.

Withdrawal Process

Withdrawals typically follow the principle of returning funds to the original source. Processing times depend on:

• Payment method
• Bank processing times
• Completed account verification

Withdrawals may require proof of identity before release, a standard practice for regulated brokers.

Education & Research Tools

While Core Spreads focuses more on trading execution and pricing than extensive educational content, traders can access:

• Market news feeds
• Basic trading guides
• Platform tutorials

These tools help beginners get started and intermediate traders stay informed.

Pros & Cons of Core Spreads

Pros

• FCA regulation and client protection
• Transparent fee structure with competitive spreads
• Supports MetaTrader 4, web, and mobile platforms
• Simple account structure
• Demo accounts for practice

Cons

• Limited non-forex CFD variety compared to some larger brokers
• Education resources are basic
• Leverage caps may feel restrictive to aggressive traders

Who Core Spreads Is Best For

Core Spreads is well suited for:

• Traders who value regulation and safety
• Forex traders focused on cost-effective execution
• Users who prefer MetaTrader 4
• Intermediate traders seeking transparent pricing
• Risk-aware retail traders following FCA protections

It may be less ideal for:

• Traders seeking ultra-high leverage
• Those needing advanced proprietary platforms
• Investors wanting direct share ownership (not CFDs)

A minimum deposit of $1 is required to create a live account. Core Spreads also offers a demo account that you may use to experiment and become acquainted with their platform.

Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom (FRN: 525164), Core Spreads keeps all customer funds in a separate bank account and works with tier-1 institutions to do so. Core Spreads has been in business since 2014, with headquarters in the United Kingdom.

While we show you the specifics of Core Spreads’ spreads, fees, platforms, and trading tools, you may want to open their website in a new tab by clicking the button below to get the most up-to-date information straight from them.

Visit Core Spreads

Full disclosure: We may receive a commission if you sign up with a broker using one of our links.

What are the spreads and costs for Core Spreads?

Core Spreads, like other brokers, charges a fee on the spread, which is the difference between both the purchase and sell price of an asset.

The commissions and spreads shown here are based on the Core Spreads website’s minimum spreads.

Forex	Core Spreads	City Index	XTB
EUR/USD(Average: 0.7 pips)	0.6 pips	0.7 pips	0.1 pips
GBP/USD(Average: 1.1 pips)	0.8 pips	1.7 pips	0.1 pips
USD/JPY(Average: 1.1 pips)	0.7 pips	0.6 pips	0.1 pips
AUD/USD(Average: 0.8 pips)	0.8 pips	0.6 pips	0.2 pips
USD/CHF(Average: 2.3 pips)	1.4 pips	2.3 pips	0.2 pips
USD/CAD(Average: 2.9 pips)	0.9 pips	0.5 pips	0.3 pips
NZD/USD(Average: 3.6 pips)	1.8 pips	2.8 pips	0.3 pips
EUR/GBP(Average: 2.4 pips)	0.6 pips	0.5 pips	0.1 pips

As you can see, the minimum spread for trading EUR/USD with Core Spreads is 0.6 pips, which is relatively low in comparison to the average EUR/USD spread of 0.70 pips. The table below calculates the output of trading one lot of EUR/USD with Core Spreads to similar brokers.

SEE ALL SPREADS

How much does it cost to trade 1 lot of EUR/USD using Core Spreads?

If you bought one standard lot of EUR/USD (100,000 units) using Core Spreads at 1.1719 and then sold it the next day at the identical price, you would most likely pay $9.15. Here is a general summary of the fees and how they compare to IG and XTB.

	Core Spreads	IG	XTB
Spread from:	$ 6.00	$ 6.00	$ 2.00
Commission:	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
Total cost of a 100k trade:	$ 6.00	$ 6.00	$ 2.00
		$0 less	$4 less
	VISIT Core Spreads	VISIT IG	VISIT XTB

All fees/prices are for informational purposes and are subject to change.

Core Spreads may be used to trade a variety of instruments.

Core Spreads provides over 1,605 distinct trading products, including over 30 currency pairings. We’ve reviewed all of the numerous types of instruments offered by Core Spreads below, along with IG and XTB instruments for comparison.

FX / Currencies	Core Spreads	IG	XTB
# of forex pairs offered	30	90	48
Major forex pairs	Yes	Yes	Yes
Minor forex pairs	Yes	Yes	Yes
Exotic forex pairs	Yes	Yes	Yes
Cryptocurrencies*	Yes	Yes	Yes

Commodity CFDs	Core Spreads	IG	XTB
# of commodities offered	9	34	21
Metals	Yes	Yes	Yes
Energies	Yes	Yes	Yes
Agricultural	No	Yes	Yes

Index & Stock CFDs	Core Spreads	IG	XTB
# of stocks offered	1550	8000	1606
UK shares	Yes	Yes	Yes
US shares	Yes	Yes	Yes
German shares	Yes	Yes	Yes
Japanese shares	No	Yes	Yes
	SEE CORE SPREADS’S INSTRUMENTS	SEE IG’S INSTRUMENTS	SEE XTB’S INSTRUMENTS

Visit Core Spreads

What’s the Core Spreads trading experience like?

1) Platforms and apps

Core Spreads provides the well-known MT4 forex trading platform. See our MT4 broker comparison for a list of the best MT4 brokers. They also provide their proprietary CoreTrader platform.

They now provide mobile apps for Android and iOS, making it easy to monitor and execute trades while on the go.

SEE THE PLATFORMS OF CORE SPREADS

Still unsure?

Open a practise account and begin learning to trade.

2) Executing Trades

Core Spreads allows you to make a transaction for as little as £0.50. This may differ based on the type of account you establish. The maximum trading requirements differ based on the trader account and the instrument.

Core Spreads, as a market maker, may have lower entrance criteria than an ECN broker, who benefits from a higher number of transactions and generally has higher capital and minimum trading requirements. Market makers generally have a lower minimum deposit, lower minimum trade requirements, and no trading commission.

Margin requirements, like those of other brokers, vary based on the trader, account, and instrument. The most recent margin requirements may be seen on their website.

Finally, we’ve included some of the more popular funding methods available to Core Spreads clients.

Trading Features:

• Low min deposit
• Guaranteed stop loss
• Allows scalping
• Allows hedging

Accounts offered:

• Micro account
• Standard account
• Demo account

Funding methods:

• Credit cards
• Bank Transfer
• Skrill
• Payoneer

3) Client support

Core Spreads only support a few languages, including English.

4) What you’ll need to open an account with Core Spreads

Because Core Spreads is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, every new customer must pass a few simple compliance tests to verify that you know the implications of trading and that you are permitted to trade. When you establish an account, you will most likely be asked for the following information, so keep it handy:

• A scanned colour copy of your passport, driving license or national ID
• A utility bill or bank statement from the past three months showing your address

You’ll also need to complete a few basic compliance inquiries to prove your trading expertise, so allow at least 10 minutes to finish the account opening procedure.

While you may be able to browse their platform immediately, it is essential to note that you will not be able to execute any transactions until you pass compliance, which might take several days depending on your scenario.

To start the process of opening an account with Core Spreads you can visit their website here.

Open a demo account

79% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

In 2026, Core Spreads remains a solid choice for forex and CFD traders seeking a regulated, transparent environment with cost-effective pricing. Its FCA license, straightforward fee model, and industry-standard platforms make it a compelling option for both new and experienced traders who value security and reliable execution over gimmicks or heavy promotion.

Before trading, potential users should confirm product availability and fees for their region, and test execution quality via demo accounts.

FAQs

1. Is Core Spreads regulated?
   Yes, Core Spreads is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK.
2. What trading platforms does Core Spreads support?
   Core Spreads supports MetaTrader 4, a web trader, and mobile trading apps.
3. Are spreads fixed or variable at Core Spreads?
   Core Spreads uses variable spreads that change with market liquidity and volatility.
4. Does Core Spreads charge commissions?
   Most account types use spread-inclusive pricing instead of separate commissions.
5. Can I practice trading before funding real money?
   Yes, Core Spreads offers demo accounts to test markets and platforms.