Options are derivative contracts that give you the right to buy or sell an underlying asset at a certain price on or before a set date. As well as allowing investors and companies to hedge against price swings, options contracts are a popular way to speculate on market movements and can be used as tradeable assets in their own right.
Our experts have evaluated and compared dozens of options brokers. To find the best brokers for options trading, we considered:
- The commission on options contracts
- The markets you can trade
- The quality of the options trading platform
- The leverage and margin rates available
- The broker’s regulatory status and reputation
List of Best Options Brokers 2026
These are the 6 best options brokers in the United Kingdom based on our tests:
-
- Demo account
- Min. deposit: $0
- Min. trade: 0.01 Lots
70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. -
- Demo account
- Platforms: xStation
- Min. deposit: $0
74% of accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. -
- Regulator: FCA
- Platforms: Spreadex Platform, TradingView, AutoChartist
- Min. trade: £0.01
-
- Demo account
- Min. deposit: $0
- Min. trade: $1
-
- Demo account
- Platforms: WebTrader, App
- Min. deposit: $100
81% of retail CFD accounts lose money. -
- Demo account
- Regulator: FCA, CySEC, FSA, DFSA, FSCA
- Platforms: Tickmill Webtrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView
Learn how we test brokers and why you can trust our ratings.
Here is a short summary of why we think each broker belongs in this top list:
- IG 4.8/5 When we tested IG’s options trading, the platform stood out for its tight spreads (as low as 0.1 points on major indices), robust execution, and deep range - covering thousands of global options. Low minimum trade sizes, superb regulation, and seamless mobile/web usability make it ideal for active and cost-conscious options traders.
- XTB 4.8/5 XTB has rolled out options trading for German and Spanish clients with growing market access, transparent fees and the same intuitive XTB trading interface.
- Spreadex 4.5/5 During our tests, Spreadex’s options impressed with a clean, proprietary platform featuring tight forex-CFD options spreads, starting from approximately 0.6 pts on EUR/USD and 0.9 pts on GBP/USD, and efficient one‑click execution. Well-regulated, it accepts zero minimum deposits and micro‑stakes (from £0.01), great for aspiring options traders.
- Interactive Brokers 4.3/5 When we tested IBKR’s options platform, it excelled with low commissions, from $0.25 per contract for high-volume traders, no added spreads or platform fees. The platform offers access to a vast range of global options markets and advanced tools. The Trader Workstation (TWS) interface can be complex and may require a learning curve for new options traders. Accessing real-time data requires additional subscriptions.
- Plus500 4.1/5 During our tests, Plus500 offered streamlined options trading via an easy-to-use platform with rapid execution. While the range is limited to CFDs on forex options, costs are embedded in tight spreads. No commissions, low minimum deposit, and strong regulation make it accessible for casual and mobile-focused options traders.
- Tickmill 4.0/5 Tickmill is a global broker authorized by trusted regulators including the CySEC and the FCA. Hundreds of thousands of traders have opened an account with the firm with more than 530 million trades executed. Advanced trading tools, educational content and low fees make this broker stand out from competitors.
Best Options Brokers 2026 Comparison
| Broker | Options Trading | Margin Trading | Trading Platform | Minimum Deposit | Regulator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IG | ✔Yes | ✔Yes | Web, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral, ProRealTime | $0 | CFTC, NFA, FCA, BaFin, ASIC, FINMA, MAS, JFSA, FMA, DFSA, BMA, CONSOB |
| XTB | ✔Yes | ✔Yes | xStation | $0 | FCA, CySEC, KNF, DFSA, FSC, SCA, CMF, Bappebti |
| Spreadex | ✔Yes | ✔Yes | Spreadex Platform, TradingView, AutoChartist | £0 (but £5 minimum for standard payment methods) | FCA |
| Interactive Brokers | ✔Yes | ✔Yes | Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, TradingView, eSignal, TradingCentral, ProRealTime, Quantower | $0 | SEC, FINRA, CFTC, NFA, CIRO, FCA, CBI, ASIC, SFC, SEBI, JFSA, MAS |
| Plus500 | ✔Yes | ✔Yes | WebTrader, App | $100 | FCA, CySEC, EFSA, ASIC, FMA, FSCA, MAS, ISA, FSA, DFSA, SCA, JFSA, SCB, CIRO, BAPPEBTI, OJK, BI |
| Tickmill | ✔Yes | ✘No | Tickmill Webtrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView | $100 | FCA, CySEC, FSA, DFSA, FSCA |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IG | 10157 | ||||
| XTB | 3004 | ||||
| Spreadex | 2288 | ||||
| Interactive Brokers | 5535 | ||||
| Plus500 | 20117 | ||||
| Tickmill | 1195 |
IG
IG continues to provide a comprehensive package with an intuitive web platform, best-in-class education for beginners, advanced charting tools bolstered by its recent TradingView integration, real-time data, and robust trade execution for experienced day traders.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
IG quick facts
- Demo Account
- ✔Yes
- Instruments
- CFDs (not in US), Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting (UK only)
- Regulator
- CFTC, NFA, FCA, BaFin, ASIC, FINMA, MAS, JFSA, FMA, DFSA, BMA, CONSOB
- Platforms
- Web, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral, ProRealTime
- Minimum Deposit
- $0
- Minimum Trade
- 0.01 Lots
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, SEK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD
Pros
- IG is amongst the best in terms of its range of instruments, which includes stocks, forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, plus added US-listed futures and options as well as an AI Index, providing diversification opportunities.
- The IG app offers a superb mobile trading experience with a clean design that helped it secure Runner Up at our 'Best Trading App' award.
- IG offers an extensive collection of professional and engaging educational resources, including webinars, articles, and analysis.
Cons
- Beginners might find IG’s fee structure complex, with various fees for different types of trades or services, potentially leading to confusion or unexpected charges.
- IG has discontinued its swap-free account, reducing its appeal to Islamic traders.
- IG applies an inactivity fee of $12-$18 per month after 2 years, deterring casual investors.
XTB
XTB stands out as a top choice for new day traders with the terrific xStation platform, low trading costs, no minimum deposit, and excellent educational tools, many of which are seamlessly integrated into the platform.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
XTB quick facts
- Demo Account
- ✔Yes
- Instruments
- CFDs on shares, Indices, ETFs, Raw Materials, Forex currencies, cryptocurrencies, Real shares, Real ETFs
- Regulator
- FCA, CySEC, KNF, DFSA, FSC, SCA, CMF, Bappebti
- Platforms
- xStation
- Minimum Deposit
- $0
- Minimum Trade
- 0.01 Lots
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP
Pros
- XTB offers fast withdrawals with payment within 3 business days, depending on the method and amount.
- With an excellent range of educational materials, including training videos and articles integrated into the platform, XTB supports traders at all levels.
- XTB has boosted its interest rate on uninvested balances and added zero-fee ISAs (On ETFs and real shares, or 0.2% with transactions over €100k) for UK clients with a huge range of markets available.
Cons
- Not being able to adjust the default leverage level of XTB products is frustrating, as manual adjustment can significantly mitigate trade risk, especially in forex and CFD trading.
- The demo account expires after just four weeks, a serious limitation for traders who wish to thoroughly test the xStation platform and practice short-term strategies before committing real funds.
- XTB discontinued support for MT4, limiting traders to its proprietary platform, xStation, potentially deterring advanced day traders familiar with the MetaTrader suite.
Spreadex
Spreadex will appeal to UK day traders who are interested in both spread betting on financial markets and placing traditional bets on sports events. Fees are low on short trades and profits are tax-free on spread bets. There's also a powerful proprietary charting platform, plus £0 minimum deposit required to get started.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
Spreadex quick facts
- Demo Account
- ✘No
- Instruments
- Forex, CFDs, Indices, Commodities, Stocks, Crypto, Bonds, Interest Rates, ETFs, Options, Spread Betting
- Regulator
- FCA
- Platforms
- Spreadex Platform, TradingView, AutoChartist
- Minimum Deposit
- £0 (but £5 minimum for standard payment methods)
- Minimum Trade
- £0.01
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, CHF
Pros
- Our fee analysis came through with the EUR/USD at 0.6 pips in quieter hours, while FTSE and S&P 500 spreads stayed in the normal competitive range for spread-betting brokers. For day traders, costs are fair.
- The web platform works well for active trading from testing, with one-click trading, watchlists, saved layouts, while Force Open all worked smoothly. It was easy to build a clean workspace and manage short-term trade.
- Spreadex introduced trading signals to its desktop platform, powered by Autochartist, providing real-time, pattern-based insights to help active traders identify potential opportunities.
Cons
- There is no MT4, MT5, cTrader, API, VPS, or algo support - leaving Spreadex much better suited to hands-on traders than anyone running automated or custom trading infrastructure.
- Spreadex makes you use real money from the start, with no demo. It's one of the few spread betting brokers that fail to serve prospective traders this way.
- CFDs, financial spread bets, sports, and casino activity all sit in one pooled balance. For serious active traders, that means losses outside trading can directly reduce margin available for trading positions.
Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers is one of the best brokers for advanced day traders, providing powerful charting platforms, real-time data, and customizable layouts, notably through the new IBKR Desktop application. Its superb pricing and advanced order options also make it highly attractive for day traders, while its diverse range of equities is still among the best in the industry.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
Interactive Brokers quick facts
- Demo Account
- ✔Yes
- Instruments
- Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Cryptocurrencies, CFDs
- Regulator
- SEC, FINRA, CFTC, NFA, CIRO, FCA, CBI, ASIC, SFC, SEBI, JFSA, MAS
- Platforms
- Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, TradingView, eSignal, TradingCentral, ProRealTime, Quantower
- Minimum Deposit
- $0
- Minimum Trade
- $1
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF
Pros
- There's a vast library of free or paid third-party research subscriptions catering to all types of traders, plus you can enjoy commission reimbursements from IBKR if you subscribe to Toggle AI.
- With low commissions, tight spreads and a transparent fee structure, IBKR delivers a cost-effective environment for short-term traders.
- IBKR is one of the most respected and trusted brokerages and is regulated by top-tier authorities, so you can have confidence in the integrity and security of your trading account.
Cons
- IBKR provides a wide range of research tools, but their distribution across trading platforms and the web-based 'Account Management' page lacks consistency, leading to a confusing user experience.
- Support can be slow and frustrating based on tests, so you might find it challenging to reach customer service representatives promptly or encounter delays in resolving issues.
- IBKR was fined $11.8m by the US OFAC in 2025 for providing services in sanctioned jurisdictions. It was also fined $125k by FINRA in 2025 for municipal bond disclosure failures.
Plus500
Plus500 offers a super-clean experience for traders with a CFD trading platform that sports a modern design and dynamic charting. That said, the broker’s research tools are limited, fees trail the cheapest brokers, and there’s room for enhancement in its educational resources.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
Plus500 quick facts
- Demo Account
- ✔Yes
- Instruments
- CFDs on Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Options
- Regulator
- FCA, CySEC, EFSA, ASIC, FMA, FSCA, MAS, ISA, FSA, DFSA, SCA, JFSA, SCB, CIRO, BAPPEBTI, OJK, BI
- Platforms
- WebTrader, App
- Minimum Deposit
- $100
- Minimum Trade
- Variable
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, ZAR, CZK
Pros
- The customer support team continue to provide reliable 24/7 support via email, live chat and WhatsApp
- Plus500 has bolstered its suite of short-term trading products, including introducing VIX options with enhanced volatility and extended 24/5 hours trading on select stock and ETF CFDs, including SpaceX
- In 2025 Plus500 added new share CFDs in emerging sectors like quantum computing and AI, offering opportunities in stocks like IonQ, Rigetti, Duolingo, and Carvana
Cons
- Compared to some competitors, especially IG, Plus500’s research and analysis tools are limited
- Plus500’s lack of support for MetaTrader or cTrader charting tools might be a deal breaker for advanced day traders looking for familiarity
- Educational resources are limited compared to best-in-class brokers like eToro, impacting the learning curve for beginners
Tickmill
Tickmill is a stellar choice for day traders, especially if you opt for the Raw account which delivers near-zero pip spreads and impressively fast order execution during testing.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
Tickmill quick facts
- Demo Account
- ✔Yes
- Instruments
- Forex, CFDs, stocks, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, futures, options, bonds
- Regulator
- FCA, CySEC, FSA, DFSA, FSCA
- Platforms
- Tickmill Webtrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView
- Minimum Deposit
- $100
- Minimum Trade
- 0.01 Lots
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, ZAR
Pros
- Based on our actual trading experience, Tickmill consistently processes orders quickly - averaging ~59 milliseconds - with very few instances of slippage or requotes. For a day trader, that means you can trust your entry and exit prices without worrying about delays that might cost you money in fast markets.
- Tickmill’s multiple licenses with authorities like the FCA and CySEC aren’t just paperwork - they translate to real-world benefits. Your money is kept separate in secure accounts, and the broker offers negative balance protection. In practice, this means you won’t be on the hook for more than you deposit, providing peace of mind when markets get volatile.
- When using the Raw Spread account, you’ll notice how tight the spreads are - sometimes even zero pips - paired with a transparent per-trade commission. This setup helps keep your overall trading costs low, which is a significant advantage when you’re making frequent trades and want to avoid hidden fees that cut into your profits.
Cons
- If you’re used to cTrader’s modern layout and sophisticated order types, you’ll miss that here. Tickmill sticks with MetaTrader 4 and 5, as well as TradingView and its own proprietary platform, so there’s no cTrader option. This might slow down traders who rely on cTrader’s workflow or specific tools, such as cTrader Copy.
- Tickmill primarily focuses on forex pairs, select stock CFDs, indices, and a few commodities. If you like switching between many different asset classes, like crypto or a broader range of stocks, you’ll find the choices limited compared to brokers with thousands of instruments.
Best Options Brokers For Beginners
These 3 options brokers are best for new traders with a low minimum deposit, a beginner-friendly platform and free education:
Best Options Brokers For Active Traders
These 3 options brokers are best for active traders with competitive fees, advanced tools and perks for high-volume traders:
- AvaTrade
- FOREX.com
- NinjaTrader
Cheapest Options Brokers
These 3 options brokers offer commission-free trading with no hidden charges:
Best Options Trading Platforms
These 3 options brokers offer the best platforms with a user-friendly interface, reliable order execution and sophisticated analysis tools:
- AvaTrade
- eToro USA
- Firstrade
What To Look For In An Options Broker
To compile a list of the best brokers for options, we considered several key factors:
Low Commissions On Options Contracts
Most brokers charge a per-contract fee for options trading. To find the cheapest options brokers, we compared the commission per contract, which typically comes in at around $0.65 per contract. We also look for firms that offer discounts for high-volume traders.
Alongside direct trading fees, we consider non-investing charges. These can take the form of market data fees, regulatory charges, deposit and withdrawal fees, and inactivity penalties. Together, this gives us an objective view of the overall pricing.
A Range Of Tradable Markets
Options contracts can be traded on a range of underlying markets, from stocks and bonds to commodities and currencies. Importantly, the best brokers offer an array of options instruments, allowing traders to build a diverse portfolio.
We compare the underlying markets available to find the options brokers with the greatest breadth and depth in their product portfolio.
Regulated With A Good Reputation
Our team places the highest priority on safety so we always recommend picking an options broker that is regulated by a top-tier financial body. Using a regulated broker to trade options will help protect you from scams and provide security for your funds.
We verify the regulatory status of all the options brokers we review. To do this, we check the broker’s license number (often found at the bottom of the brokerage’s website) on the regulator’s register to confirm they are authorized and which countries they are allowed to accept options traders from.
Only regulated and trustworthy firms make our list of the best options brokers.
High-Quality Platform
The platform is your window to the financial markets and the tool where you can analyze instruments and execute trades. As a result, choosing a reliable, efficient and powerful platform is important.
Our team test the options platform available where possible, either by downloading the desktop software, opening the web trader, or using the mobile app. The key things we look for are a well-designed and easy-to-use interface, rich charting and analysis tools, and straightforward order management.
Margin
While some investors trade options with a cash account, many use a margin account so they can increase their buying power and prospective profits in return for a modest outlay.
Our team compare the margin requirements set by brokers, that is the funds or securities that must be deposited in your account as collateral. We also consider the cost of trading on margin, which is typically a percentage charge based on the amount you borrow.
Our Methodology
To find the best options brokers, our team spend thousands of hours each year, testing, comparing and rating firms.
The categories with the largest weighting in our options broker rankings are the fee per contract, the range of underlying assets, the quality of platforms, margin rates, and the firm’s regulatory credentials and safety record.
Our team also factor in the overall trading experience during the evaluation process to inform the final rating we assign to each options broker.
FAQ
Which Is The Best Options Broker?
We have compiled a list of the best options brokers in 2026. These are the 5 top options trading platforms in the United Kingdom based on our experts’ findings.
What Is An Options Broker?
Options brokers give traders the ability to trade options contracts on the markets they support, such as US stocks. These derivative contracts give you the right to buy or sell the underlying asset for a set price on or by a certain date.
Article Sources
- An Investor's Guide to Trading Options, Virginia B. Morris, Bess Newman
- Trading Stock Options: Basic Option Trading Strategies and How to Use Them to Profit in Any Market, Brian Burns
- Option Trader's Playbook, Joseph Kellogg, John Elliot
- eToro - Options App
- AvaTrade - Options Platform
- Webull - Options Trading Conditions
- Forex.com - Options Trading Conditions
- IG - Options Trading Conditions
The writing and editorial team at DayTrading.com use credible sources to support their work. These include government agencies, white papers, research institutes, and engagement with industry professionals. Content is written free from bias and is fact-checked where appropriate. Learn more about why you can trust DayTrading.com