CFD indices trading allows the speculation upon the performance of stock markets or industries as a whole. Find out how trading an index using a CFD works, including the opportunities and risks. We’ve also tested and listed the top brokers with index CFDs.
Best CFD Index Trading Brokers
These are the top-rated platforms from our tests that offer CFDs on popular stock market indices:
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- FTSE Spread: 1.4
- GBPUSD Spread: 0.8
- Stocks Spread: 1.79 (Apple)
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- FTSE Spread: 17.5
- GBPUSD Spread: 0.4
- Stocks Spread: 0.01
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- FTSE Spread: 3.42
- GBPUSD Spread: 1.3
- Stocks Spread: 0.12 (Apple)
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- FTSE Spread: 1.5
- GBPUSD Spread: 0.5
- Stocks Spread: No mark-up
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- FTSE Spread: 2.5
- GBPUSD Spread: 1.5
- Stocks Spread: 1.53 (Apple)
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- FTSE Spread: 1.5
- GBPUSD Spread: 1.9
- Stocks Spread: 0.57 (Apple)
61% of retail CFD accounts lose money. eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.
Learn how we test brokers and why you can trust our ratings.
This is why we think these brokers are the best in this category in 2026:
- XM 4.8/5 XM delivers for CFD traders with flexible leverage and a huge range of markets, including bespoke thematic indices for exposure to popular sectors like artificial intelligence. The MT4/MT5 platforms are also fast and dependable while a free VPS is available to qualifying XM traders running algo trading strategies.
- RoboForex 4.5/5 RoboForex offers a growing suite of over 12,000 CFDs, encompassing forex, stocks, indices, commodities, futures and ETFs. With an initial deposit of $10 and micro lot trading through to margin access, RoboForex caters to a broad range of derivative traders. On the downside, analysis reveals execution speeds of 1-3 seconds, noticeably slower than IC Markets at 0.35 seconds, and suboptimal for fast-paced strategies like scalping.
- FBS 4.3/5 FBS is a CFD broker, allowing you to speculate on the price movements of these assets without actually owning them. CFDs are available in various asset classes, including forex, commodities, indices, and stocks, but there are no opportunities for trading ETFs, bonds, or options. However, what truly empowers traders is the competitive spreads and generous leverage up to 1:3000 (capped at 1:30 for EU traders), all without inactivity or withdrawal fees.
- BlackBull 4.5/5 BlackBull is an obvious choice for CFD traders, providing leveraged trading, low spreads from 0.0 pips, and 24/7 support that performed excellently during testing, providing a sense of confidence for active traders operating in fast-moving markets.
- Markets.com 4.4/5 Markets.com delivers a broad CFD offering spanning forex, commodities, indices, stocks, ETFs, bonds, cryptocurrencies, and even unique thematic blends and IPOs. Low trading costs and accessible education make it beginner-friendly, while feature-rich charting platforms and specialized tools like hedge fund confidence and insider trading alerts give experienced CFD traders an analytical edge.
- eToro 4.0/5 You can trade CFDs on over 3,000 assets and access rich market data through the integrated TradingView charts. There are also comprehensive free learning tools available for beginners via the eToro Academy, including dedicated CFD trading courses and guides.
Compare CFD Index Fees
Compare direct CFD spreads on the FTSE 100 UK index side-by-side:
| Broker | FTSE 100 CFD Index Sread |
|---|---|
| XM | 1.4 |
| RoboForex | 17.5 |
| FBS | 3.42 |
| BlackBull | 1.5 |
| Markets.com | 2.5 |
| eToro | 1.5 |
Community Sentiment
See how users rate these brokers based on the average customer ratings submitted on DayTrading.com, plus ratings from Trustpilot, the Apple App Store and Google Play.
| Broker | Our Users' Rating | Trustpilot Score | Trustpilot Reviews | iOS App Rating | Android App Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XM | 3133 | ||||
| RoboForex | 773 | ||||
| FBS | 10177 | ||||
| BlackBull | 3515 | ||||
| Markets.com | 1257 | ||||
| eToro | 32200 |
XM
With a low $5 minimum deposit, advanced charting platforms in MT4 and MT5, expanding range of markets, and a Zero account offering spreads from 0.0, XM provides all the essentials for active traders, even earning our ‘Best MT4/MT5 Broker’ award in recent years.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
XM quick facts
- FTSE Spread
- 1.4
- GBPUSD Spread
- 0.8
- Stocks Spread
- 1.79 (Apple)
- Leverage
- 1:1000
- Regulator
- CySEC, DFSA, FSCA, SCA, FSA, FSC-Belize, FSC-Mauritius, CMA-Kenya, CMA-UAE
- Platforms
- MT4, MT5, TradingCentral
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, ZAR
Pros
- XM stands out for its commitment to trader education, with a wealth of well-presented resources, including webinars, tutorials, and even real-time trading sessions through XM Live.
- XM’s customer support has delivered over years of testing, with 24/7 assistance in 30 languages, response times of under 2 minutes and a growing Telegram channel.
- XM has rolled out platform upgrades with integrated TradingView charts and an XM AI assistant, delivering faster execution, smarter analysis, and a sleeker, more intuitive trading experience.
Cons
- XM relies solely on the MetaTrader platforms for desktop trading, so there’s no in-house downloadable solution for a more beginner-friendly user experience with unique features.
- XM is falling behind the curve by not offering cTrader, which is favored over MetaTrader by some serious traders for its smoother user experience and superior charting package.
- Although trusted and generally well-regulated in some regions, XM also has global entities registered with the weak regulators like FSC (Belize) and FSA (Seychelles), whilst UK clients are no longer accepted, reducing its market reach.
RoboForex
RoboForex is great if you want a vast range of 12,000+ day trading markets with ECN accounts, powerful charting and loyalty promotions. It also stands out for stock traders with its user-friendly R StocksTrader platform, featuring 3,000+ shares, fees from $0.01 and sophisticated watchlists.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
RoboForex quick facts
- FTSE Spread
- 17.5
- GBPUSD Spread
- 0.4
- Stocks Spread
- 0.01
- Leverage
- 1:2000
- Regulator
- FSC
- Platforms
- R StocksTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR
Pros
- In July MobileTrader Telegram Mini App was released - bringing out one of the first solutions we've seen that lets users execute trades and manage positions without leaving the Telegram messaging app.
- RoboForex is known for its tight spreads starting from 0 pips and low minimum deposits from $10, making it accessible to those on a budget. The ability to trade with micro lots further lowers the barrier to entry for new traders.
- In 2026, RoboForex introduced swap-free trading across all accounts, removing overnight interest charges, and potentially appealing to swing forex traders, though spreads and commissions may still apply.
Cons
- RoboForex now restricts base currency options to USD and EUR. This limitation may inconvenience day traders preferring to manage their accounts in other currencies, while potentially leading to conversion fees.
- While RoboForex offers competitive spreads, some of its account types come with high trading commissions up to $20 per lot, trailing the cheapest brokers, such as IC Markets.
- Despite offering a range of platforms, RoboForex still doesn't support the increasingly popular cTrader. This might deter traders who prefer this specific platform for their day trading activities and is available at firms like Fusion Markets.
FBS
FBS is an excellent choice for day traders at every level and budget, with just a $5 minimum deposit and intensive academy for aspiring traders alongside access to MT4 and MT5.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
FBS quick facts
- FTSE Spread
- 3.42
- GBPUSD Spread
- 1.3
- Stocks Spread
- 0.12 (Apple)
- Leverage
- 1:3000
- Regulator
- ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, FSC
- Platforms
- FBS App, MT4, MT5
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, AUD, JPY
Pros
- The introduction of the FBI Assistant has given active traders useful, AI-powered intelligence to assess charts and patterns with potential trade ideas that can be executed in one click.
- FBS offers lightning-fast execution speeds from just 10 milliseconds, placing it among the industry leaders for highly active traders like scalpers who demand rapid order processing.
- The trading firm has picked up over 90 awards and amassed more than 27 million clients, making it one of the largest and most established brokers globally.
Cons
- There are only four base currencies available - EUR, USD, AUD and JPY (region dependant) - which isn't practical for minimizing currency conversion fees for many global traders, and is especially striking given the broker’s user base spans over 150 nations.
- Despite enhancing the selection of currency pairs, now providing over 70, FBS still trails industry leaders like BlackBull Markets in its market offering with a particularly narrow selection of commodities and indices.
- Although the FBS app offers a terrific mobile trading experience for aspiring traders and MT4/MT5 cater to advanced traders, the absence of cTrader and TradingView, which are increasingly offered by alternatives like Pepperstone, will deter day traders familiar with these platforms.
BlackBull
After improving its trading infrastructure with Equinix servers in London, reducing latency for traders, BlackBull is an obvious choice if you want to day trade stock CFDs with ECN pricing. With competitive spreads and no commission on a growing roster of digital tokens paired with USD, BlackBull also works for active crypto traders.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
BlackBull quick facts
- FTSE Spread
- 1.5
- GBPUSD Spread
- 0.5
- Stocks Spread
- No mark-up
- Leverage
- 1:500
- Regulator
- FMA, FSA
- Platforms
- BlackBull Invest, BlackBull CopyTrader, MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, ZAR, SGD
Pros
- With two ECN-powered accounts (Standard and Prime), plus Prime+ - an active trader rewards program offering trading rebates - BlackBull accommodates beginners through to high-volume active traders.
- After partnering with ZuluTrade and Myfxbook, alongside improvements to its own CopyTrader, and finally enabling cTrader Copy, BlackBull offers one of the most comprehensive copy trading experiences we've seen.
- BlackBull offers every ingredient for day traders; fast execution speeds of <100ms and tight spreads from 0.0 pips.
Cons
- Although the Education Hub now features improvements like webinars and tutorials, the courses we’ve explored need more focus on explaining the wider economic factors influencing prices.
- Despite a growing selection of 2,180+ assets, including additions to its Asia Pacific indices, they are mainly stocks with an average selection of currency pairs and indices.
- Unlike most top brokers, BlackBull charges an irritating $5 withdrawal fee, which can detract from the overall cost-effectiveness, especially for active traders who frequently move funds.
Markets.com
Markets.com is best suited to retail investors who trade frequently but don’t want to calculate commissions, thanks to its spread-only pricing (EUR/USD around 1.3 pips). It especially appeals to short-term traders who value fast execution, flexible asset choice spanning 2,200+ instruments and proprietary tools like hedge fund confidence indices and insider trade alerts.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
Markets.com quick facts
- FTSE Spread
- 2.5
- GBPUSD Spread
- 1.5
- Stocks Spread
- 1.53 (Apple)
- Leverage
- 1:500
- Regulator
- ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, BVI FSC
- Platforms
- Web Platform, MT4, MT5, TradingCentral
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, ZAR, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, PLN, CZK
Pros
- Switching between the proprietary web platform (great for alerts and quick analysis) and MT5 (strong for algorithmic EAs) was smooth in our tests; positions synced across desktop, web, and mobile without gaps or re-quotes.
- Markets.com’s Hedge Fund Confidence and Insider Trading tools pulls SEC filings into the dashboard within 24 hours of disclosure, helping to spot fund moves and C-suite buys before most retail newsfeeds updated.
- Within the 2,200+ CFDs, Markets.com offers thematic baskets like the Warren Buffett Blend and Cannabis Blend, which behaved like ready-made mini-ETFs during testing, saving the work of balancing weights manually.
Cons
- During sign-up, we hit unclear account type explanations and got stuck in an email verification loop that locked us out for an hour - way less streamlined than other brokers we’ve tested.
- While CySEC and FSCA oversight is solid, the SVGFSA and BVIFSC entities offers 1:500 leverage under a light-touch framework, meaning protections like compensation schemes and strict conduct rules lag behind the strictest regulatory standards.
- Inactivity charges kick in after just 3 months, while variable spreads are wider than top ECN brokers during testing, which may deter day traders and high-frequency traders.
eToro
eToro's social trading platform leads the pack with a terrific user experience and active community chat that can help beginners find opportunities. There are also competitive fees on thousands of CFDs and real stocks, plus excellent rewards for experienced strategy providers.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
eToro quick facts
- FTSE Spread
- 1.5
- GBPUSD Spread
- 1.9
- Stocks Spread
- 0.57 (Apple)
- Leverage
- 1:30 EU
- Regulator
- FCA, CySEC, MiCA, MFSA, FSRA, ASIC, FSAS, MAS, GFSC
- Platforms
- eToro Web, CopyTrader, TradingCentral
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, DKK
Pros
- July 2026 brought welcome upgrades, notably eToro Edge with a charting package that will meet the demands of active day traders, plus AI agent trading through Tori.
- eToro introduced EUR and GBP accounts, and more recently BTC and ETH payments, cutting conversion fees and providing a localized trading experience.
- Top copy traders can receive annual payments up to 1.5% of assets under copy in the broker's Popular Investor Program.
Cons
- There is a $30 minimum withdrawal amount and a $5 fee, which will affect novices with low capital.
- There are limited contact methods aside from the in-platform live chat.
- There are no guaranteed stop loss orders which would be a useful risk management feature for beginners.
What Is An Index?
An index is a financial term for a method of tracking the performance of a market or a group of assets in a set, uniform way.
Indices can follow specific stock markets, like the ASX, or areas of economies and industries, like the top technology stocks, top non-technology stocks, etc.
Additionally, indices can encapsulate an entire market, such as the TAIEX which tracks the performance of the Taiwan Stock Market as a whole. Within finance, you cannot invest directly in an index.
Indexes may have different methods for calculating their value and weighting their constituents. Generally, an index would have a base value, e.g. 100, and a base year.
The value would then increase or decrease based on the performance of the index’s constituents.
The change in the value of an index is often more important than the value itself, as that indicates if the market is growing or not.
Popular Indices
CFD indices trading is popular in markets across the world. Some of the most commonly-traded indices include:
FTSE 100
The FTSE 100 is a UK stock market index that tracks the performance of the shares of the best 100 enterprises listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE).
Note, just because the index tracks London Stock Exchange-listed stocks, that doesn’t mean that only UK-based companies can be found there. This index is maintained by the FTSE Group, which is a subsidiary of the London Stock Exchange Group. The FTSE 100 is one of the most popular instruments for CFD indices trading.
NASDAQ 100
This is a US index of the 100 largest non-financial companies that are listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange. The weights of stocks in the index are based on their market capitalisations, with rules implemented to cap the influence of the larger listed securities. You can find an index consisting only of the financial companies in a separate index called the NASDAQ Financial-100.
Dow Jones
This is a US index of the largest 30 companies that are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
S&P 500
This is a US index of the 500 companies that have the largest market capitalisation. This is favoured for CFD indices trading as it tracks a massive portion of the US economy.
DAX
This is a German index that tracks the performance of the largest 40 companies listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Although not as big a market as some others, it remains quite popular for CFD indices trading due to more regular market movements.
Why Are Indices Suitable For CFD Trading
CFD indices trading involves speculating on some of the best-performing companies in global markets. This provides diversified exposure to the underlying market without having to invest in individual companies, spreading the risk.
This in turn means that there is a reduction in the possibility of wild market movements in reaction to sudden news releases.
In addition, as an investor, you do not have to carry out as much in-depth technical analysis of individual companies when CFD indices trading.
Your investment will likely be spread over several industry sectors, reducing the stress of having to manually identify potential stocks worth looking into.
Moreover, CFD indices trading is possible throughout the day and is not necessarily limited to normal stock trading hours.
Pros
- Your positions are naturally spread across multiple industries and companies, diversifying your investment and reducing the possibility of drastic instability.
- Returns are measured on the performance of the index as a whole instead of any particular stocks, meaning that the trade wins or loses based on the performance of all of the listed stocks on the index.
- You can “short” an index if its overall performance is in decline, allowing you to still speculate on bearish markets.
- CFD indices trading allows you to speculate upon different global markets as a whole, rather than individual stocks, which requires much less in-depth research.
Cons
- You do not own any of the stocks listed within the particular index in which you open a CFD position.
- Although the performance of the index you speculate against is not majorly influenced by any single company and is more stable than trading individual stocks, the index value could still undergo drastic changes. It is a real possibility that you could lose more than you invest if trading on margin, so great caution needs to be taken.
- CFD indices trading is not supported in all countries. For example, the USA has banned all CFD trading.
Strategies
Follow The News
Before deciding what index you want to speculate upon using CFD indices trading, keeping yourself up-to-date on the latest financial news is paramount.
Changes in local laws can have a huge effect on any indices based in the area and being able to spot where the market is likely to head will place you in a better position to make the right choices.
More importantly, this will allow you to stay aware of possible future movements, reducing the chances of the market catching you off guard.
Hedging
Since CFD indices trading allows you to sell (“short”) the index, it is often used to hedge existing investments.
If your portfolio consists of several stocks from the same index and you expect there to be a sudden decline in the market, you can short the index with CFDs to offset the losses you would see from your main investment, reducing your downside exposure.
Check that your broker permits hedging prior to trading.
How To Start CFD Indices Trading
Choosing A Broker
To begin your CFD indices trading journey, you must first find a CFD broker that offers the right instruments. When doing your research, it is helpful to consider the following points:
- Leverage Rates: If you have a particular index in mind, you should investigate and compare the margin trading conditions offered. The lower the margin, the lower the required initial investment.
- Spreads: CFD indices trading brokers often make money from the spreads that they offer to you. The lower the spread, the lower the price movement you need to cover the trade cost.
- Reputation: The reputation of a broker is important when dealing with CFD indices trading, given that certain countries have limited regulations for this kind of trading. Is the broker well known? Have they had any reported issues with their platform before?
- Customer Support: The last thing that an investor wants is not being able to access their funds or make decisions on their positions due to errors with the platform. Customer support should not be overlooked, some brokers even offer 24/7 support.
- Fees: There can be many fees associated with CFD indices trading, such as overnight holding charges and transaction fees. Compare the costs of using each broker and try to consider them against your trading approach.
There are lots of different brokers that can offer you CFD indices trading on commercial or proprietary platforms, including City Index and Fineco Bank. Choosing the right broker could mean the difference between success or failure when CFD indices trading, see our list of top recommendations here.
Opening Your Position
As a rule of thumb, you should never invest more than you are comfortable losing. Most CFD indices trading platforms are easy to use, and entering/exiting your position is quick and simple. You will be presented with the options to buy (long) or sell (short) your chosen index.
Going long when CFD indices trading means that you expect the value rise to rise while going short is the position to take when you expect price drops. Most broker platforms offer you extensive information about different instruments, showcasing their data history to help inform your decisions.
Monitoring Your Position
You should keep a close eye on your positions once you open them, putting in place automated exit strategies if possible. If you think that your position is going to start failing, you should exit it to avoid losses. Some platforms allow you to place automated limits, called stop orders, which, once hit, will exit your position for you.
However, the negative balance protection offered by brokers is less a guarantee than a target, as severely unfavourable trading conditions, often coupled with lots of leverage, can still result in you losing a lot of money. Rapid and volatile changes in the market can sometimes be too quick for loss prevention strategies to react to.
Tips For CFD Indices Trading
Here are some useful tips that could help you during your CFD indices trading journey.
- Use stop losses and take profits to limit your losses.
- If you hold a stake in a given index through owning stocks in companies listed on there, consider hedging during times of poor market performance to offset any of your losses.
- Don’t invest more than you can handle losing.
- Be wary of using high leverage rates as, while profits are increased, losses are magnified.
Bottom Line?
CFD indices trading is a great way for retail traders to access the indices markets without needing to physically invest in funds and trackers, simply making money from correct speculation of an index’s price movements. Leveraged trading is offered by most CFD brokers and allows profits to be magnified and markets to be accessed for less capital, though losses are also amplified. If you wish to begin CFD indices trading, check out our top CFD brokers.
FAQ
What Is Going Long/Short When CFD Indices Trading?
When you buy “long”, you are predicting that the index will go up in value. When you sell “short”, you are predicting the opposite, that the index is going to decrease in value. If your predictions are correct, you will make money on your trade, and vice versa if you are wrong.
Are Trading Hours the Same Across All CFD Indices Trading Instruments?
No. CFD indices trading hours vary from index to index. Some indices may be 24-hours, while others follow the opening hours of the equities markets they are based on.
Do I Have To Pay Stamp Duty On My CFD Index Trades?
Not normally, CFD indices trading is exempt from stamp duty in the UK. However, other countries may have different taxation policies, you can check out our CFD taxes page for an overview, though it is recommended you speak to a qualified advisor before making any tax-related financial decisions.