CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Spread betting broker comparison
What is the best broker for spread betting?
IG is the best forex broker that offers spread betting. Year after year, IG has shown itself to be the best broker in the forex industry. Highly trusted and regulated in a staggering eight Tier-1 jurisdictions, IG holds a Trust Score rating of 99. Though IG does offer MetaTrader 4, IG’s proprietary web-based trading platform steals the show with its wide variety of rich features, market research, and powerful trading tools. IG also offers seamless integration of trading signals into its web platform. IG has won countless Annual Awards from our sister site, ForexBrokers.com, and is a fantastic choice for forex traders of all experience levels.
IG Trading Platform Screenshots
How is spread betting different from forex trading?
Spread betting and forex trading are different in structure, taxation, and accessibility.
In spread betting, investors place bets on the price movement of a financial instrument, such as a currency pair, without actually owning the underlying asset. They speculate on whether the price will rise or fall, making profits or losses based on the difference between the price at the time of the bet and when it is closed. Profits from spread betting can be tax-free in certain jurisdictions, such as the U.K., because it's considered a form of gambling.
Forex trading involves the direct exchange of one currency for another. Forex traders can actually buy or sell the underlying currency pair. Profits and losses are realized from the fluctuation in exchange rates between the two currencies being traded. Forex trading may incur capital gains tax, depending on the trader's jurisdiction and individual tax situation.
Pros of spread betting
- Tax benefits: In certain jurisdictions (like the U.K.), profits from spread betting can be tax-free, meaning no capital gains tax or stamp duty.
- Flexibility: Traders have the ability to go long or short on an asset, meaning they can profit from both rising and falling markets. This allows for a wider range of potential trading opportunities.
- Access to leverage: With leverage, traders can control a larger position with a smaller initial deposit, potentially amplifying profits (and losses).
- Diverse markets: Traders can speculate on indices, shares, commodities, and more, all from a single account.
Cons of spread betting
- Leverage risks: The leverage involved in spread betting means that losses can exceed initial deposits and can result in substantial financial consequences.
- Not globally available: Spread betting is not as globally available as other types of trading, such as forex trading.
- Overnight financing charges: Holding a position overnight might result in additional costs or fees.
- Complexity: Requires a solid understanding of markets and in-depth knowledge of the specific nuances of spread betting.
Can spread betting be profitable?
Yes, spread betting can be profitable. The flexibility to bet on both rising and falling markets provides diverse opportunities for gains. However, due to the inherent risks (including the use of leverage) losses can also be significant. It's essential for traders to be well-informed and practice prudent risk management.
Is spread betting allowed in the USA?
No, spread betting is not legal in the United States. The U.S. has stringent financial regulations, and spread betting does not fit within the regulatory framework set by agencies like the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). U.S. residents interested in forex trading typically engage in spot forex trading through regulated brokers.
Where is spread betting legal?
Spread betting is legal in various countries, but its prominence and regulatory acceptance are most notable in the U.K. and Ireland. Spread betting originated in the United Kingdom and is regulated in the U.K. by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
In other countries, the legal status of spread betting is either not clearly defined or is considered a form of gambling and not permitted as a financial instrument. Always check your local regulations before attempting to engage in spread betting.
BrokerNotes.co 2024 Overall Rankings
To recap, here are our top forex brokers for 2024, sorted by Overall ranking.
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Methodology
At BrokerNotes.co, our data-driven online broker reviews are based on our extensive testing of brokers, platforms, products, technologies, and third-party trading tools. Our product testing extends to the quality and availability of educational content, market research resources, and the accessibility and capabilities of mobile platforms and trading apps. We also dive into each broker’s trading costs, such as VIP rebates, inactivity fees, custody fees, bid/ask spreads, and other fee-based data points.
Steven Hatzakis, an industry veteran with decades of experience in the forex market, leads the BrokerNotes research team. All BrokerNotes content is researched, fact-checked, and edited by the research team.
All websites and web-based platforms are tested using the latest version of the Google Chrome browser. Our Desktop PCs run Windows 11, and we use MacBook Pro laptops running the latest version of macOS to test trading on the go. We test mobile apps and products using iPhones running iOS 17 and Samsung devices running Android OS 14.
Note: The online brokers on our site provide the ability to trade forex in one or more ways, such as non-deliverable spot forex (i.e., rolling spot contracts), contracts for difference (CFD), or other derivatives such as futures. The availability of specific markets or features will depend on your country of residence and the broker's applicable brand or entity that services your account(s).
Forex Risk Disclaimer
There is a very high degree of risk involved in trading securities. With respect to margin-based foreign exchange trading, off-exchange derivatives, and cryptocurrencies, there is considerable exposure to risk, including but not limited to, leverage, creditworthiness, limited regulatory protection and market volatility that may substantially affect the price, or liquidity of a currency or related instrument. It should not be assumed that the methods, techniques, or indicators presented in these products will be profitable, or that they will not result in losses. Learn more about foreign exchange risk.
About the Editorial Team
BrokerNotes.co provides unbiased forex broker reviews and ratings to help traders and investors find the best broker for their needs. All content is researched, fact-checked, and edited by our research team and all ratings and rankings are based on the team’s in-depth product testing.
Steven Hatzakis is the Global Director of Online Broker Research for BrokerNotes.co and ForexBrokers.com. Steven previously served as an Editor for Finance Magnates, where he authored over 1,000 published articles about the online finance industry. A forex industry expert and an active fintech and crypto researcher, Steven advises blockchain companies at the board level and holds a Series III license in the U.S. as a Commodity Trading Advisor (CTA).
Joey Shadeck is the Content Strategist and Research Analyst for BrokerNotes.co and ForexBrokers.com. He holds dual degrees in Finance and Marketing from Oakland University, and has been an active trader and investor for close to ten years. An industry veteran, Joey obtains and verifies data, conducts research, and analyzes and validates our content.
John Bringans is the Managing Editor of BrokerNotes.co and ForexBrokers.com. An experienced media professional, John has close to a decade of editorial experience with a background that includes key leadership roles at global newsroom outlets. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from San Francisco State University, and conducts research on forex and the financial services industry while assisting in the production of content.
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