Best Day Trading Platforms - Business Expert
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As active traders, we know how important it is to use a platform that works exactly how you need it, without delays, glitches or missing features.

This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide to the top day trading platforms available in the UK, helping you make an informed decision based on your individual needs, preferences, and goals.

We will cover a variety of platforms, comparing unique features, benefits, and pricing structures, to ensure that you find the perfect fit. 

Our methodology

Best Day Trading Platforms 2023

eToro: the Best Day Trading Platform for Beginners

💳
Min. Deposit
📈
Trades per 5 Days
✍️
Demo Account
$503

Founded in 2007, eToro has quickly emerged as the best choice for novice day traders. Not only does it offer a user-friendly interface and a wide variety of financial instruments, but it also brings the power of social trading to the fingertips of its users. 

This innovative feature makes eToro stand out among its competitors, as it enables beginners to learn and grow by following and interacting with experienced traders from around the world.

eToro Day-Trading Features

  • ProCharts ProCharts lets you analyse and visualise financial instruments in real-time. Its customisable and intuitive interface allows you to access multiple charts simultaneously and compare different instruments, timeframes, and chart types. 
  • CopyTraderCopyTrader is a unique social trading tool that enables you to automatically replicate the trading strategies of top-performing traders on the eToro platform.
  • SmartPortfolios – These portfolios are designed by eToro’s investment committee and are based on specific market strategies or themes, such as technology, cryptocurrencies, or high-growth stocks.
  • Economic Calendar – eToro’s Economic Calendar offers a comprehensive list of global economic events, such as GDP releases, central bank meetings, and employment reports. By keeping track of these events, you can anticipate market fluctuations and adjust your trading strategy accordingly.
  • Market News and Analysis – eToro offers a dedicated news and analysis section to access the latest financial news, market updates, and expert opinions. This valuable resource can help you stay ahead of the curve and make more informed trading decisions based on current market trends and sentiment.
  • Risk Management Tools – eToro offers a variety of risk management tools, such as stopping loss and taking profit orders, which enable you to protect your investments and lock in profits when your trades reach a specified level.

eToro Fees and Commissions

Fee TypeDetails
Stock and ETF feesCommission-free trading for long positions without leverage. Short positions and positions with leverage are subject to financing fees.
Forex feeseToro charges a spread on forex trades, which varies depending on the currency pair being traded, and it can be as low as 1 pip.
Crypto feeseToro charges a base fee on the spread which is 1% and this is included in the price shown when users open or close a position.
Withdrawal feeeToro charges a flat $5 withdrawal fee for all withdrawals, regardless of the withdrawal amount. The minimum withdrawal amount is $30.
Inactivity feeIf you do not log in to your eToro account for 12 months, you will be charged a $10 inactivity fee per month until you log in again or your account balance reaches zero.
Conversion feeeToro charges a currency conversion fee when you deposit or withdraw funds in a currency other than USD. The conversion fee varies depending on the converted currency and can range from 50 to 250 pips.

Reasons to choose eToro

  • Ability to copy the trades of other successful traders. 
  • User-friendly interface
  • Advanced charting and other market analysis tools
  • Wide range of financial assets
  • Demo account available
  • eToro’s Smart Portfolios allow you to invest in curated collections of assets with just a click.

Reasons to avoid

  • Limited access to fundamental research and educational materials
  • High fees for withdrawals and inactivity
  • Not suitable for high-frequency trading
  • A limited selection of cryptocurrencies compared to other platforms
  • Customer service is via web ticketing only

Please keep in mind that CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 76% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Plus500, Best Day Trading Platform for Analytical Tools

💳
Min. Deposit
💸
Trading Fees
📈
Trades per 5 Days
✍️
Demo Account
£100£03

Launched in 2008, Plus500 has consistently proven itself to be a top choice for traders across the globe who value cutting-edge technology, user-friendly interfaces, and unparalleled customer service. 

Their platform is designed to provide comprehensive, real-time market data and analysis, which empowers you to make informed trading decisions. With their sophisticated charting tools, customisable indicators, and a vast array of technical analysis options, you’ll have all the information you need right at your fingertips.

Plus500 Day Trading Features

  • Technical Indicators – Plus500 offers a wide range of technical indicators which can help you identify trends, support and resistance levels, and potential entry and exit points.Some of the most popular technical indicators available on Plus500 include Moving Averages, Bollinger Bands, MACD, RSI, Stochastics and Fibonacci Retracements and Extensions.
  • Charting Tools – Plus500 offers several advanced charting tools, including candlestick, line, bar and Heikin-Ashi charts
  • Price Alerts – Plus500’s price alerts feature allows traders to set up notifications for specific price levels. Once the price of an instrument reaches the specified level, the trader receives an alert via email, SMS, or push notification. 
  • This can be particularly useful for day traders, enabling them to monitor multiple instruments simultaneously and quickly take action when a trading opportunity arises.
  • Economic CalendarThe economic calendar on Plus500 provides a comprehensive overview of upcoming economic events and announcements, such as interest rate decisions, GDP releases, and employment data. 
  • Risk Management Tools – Effective risk management is crucial for day traders, as it can help protect their capital and maximise their long-term profitability. Plus500 offers several risk management tools, including Stop Loss Orders, Take Profit Orders and Trailing Stop Orders.
  • Plus500 +Insights – In addition to the analytical tools mentioned above, Plus500 also offers a valuable resource called +Insights, which provides traders with up-to-date market analysis, news, and expert opinions. 
  • Expert Opinions – Learn from the insights and opinions of experienced market professionals who share their perspectives on current market trends, trading strategies, and risk management techniques.

Plus500 Fees and Commissions

Fee TypeDetails
Spread-only pricingPlus500 operates on a “spread-only” pricing model, meaning no commissions are charged on trades. The spread can vary depending on the financial instrument being traded. For example, the spread for the EUR/USD currency pair is typically 0.6 pips, while the spread for the S&P 500 index CFD is around 0.4 points.
Inactivity feePlus500 charges an inactivity fee of £10 per month for accounts without trading activity for three consecutive months.
Withdrawal feesPlus500 does not charge any fees for withdrawing funds from your account, making it an attractive option for those who need to make frequent withdrawals.
Currency conversion feesWhen trading financial instruments denominated in a currency other than your account’s base currency, Plus500

 

Reasons to choose

  • Useful analytic tools for day traders
  • Robust charting and alerts
  • Wide range of trading instruments
  • User-friendly platform and app

Reasons to avoid

  • Educational content is limited compared to the competition
  • Apart from analytical tools, the trading tools and features are limited

It is essential to remember that trading CFDs is a complex and high-risk activity. 84% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with Plus500.

AvaTrade, Best Day Trading Platform for Range of Trading Platforms

💳
Min. Deposit
💸
Trading Fees
📈
Trades per 5 Days
✍️
Demo Account
£100£03

AvaTrade is an ideal choice for day traders seeking diversity and adaptability. With its huge range of trading platforms and innovative copy trading features, AvaTrade caters to both new and experienced traders alike.

What particularly sets Avatrade apart from the competition is its array of trading platforms that cater to various trading styles and preferences. The broker offers the popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, the user-friendly AvaTradeGO mobile app and the advanced AvaOptions for options trading. 

Avatrade Day Trading Features

  • Multiple Trading Platforms – AvaTrade offers multiple trading platforms catering to different experience and preferences. You can choose from the popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, opt for one of their proprietary platforms, such as WebTrader and access them from their mobile App Avatrade Go.
  • Advanced Charting Tools – AvaTrade’s trading platforms come equipped with advanced charting tools that enable you to analyse market trends. These tools include numerous technical indicators, timeframes, and drawing tools to help you identify potential entry and exit points. Additionally, you can save and customise your charts for quick reference in the future.
  • Automated Trading – AvaTrade supports automated trading through Expert Advisors (EAs) on the MT4 and MT5 platforms. EAs allow you to automate your trading strategies, freeing you from constantly monitoring the markets. 
  • AvaSocial – allows users to connect with other traders and investors, follow their strategies, and even copy their trades.
  • Duplitrade – an automated trading platform that enables users to automate their trading strategies by copying the trades of professional traders.
  • Capitalise.ai – a platform that focuses on automating trading using algorithmic strategies. The platform allows users to create, test, and deploy algorithmic trading strategies using natural language programming.
  • One-Click Trading – AvaTrade’s one-click trading feature allows you to execute trades quickly, directly from your chart. With a single click, you can open, close, or modify your trades, minimising delays and ensuring you always take advantage of profitable opportunities.
  • Risk Management Tools – Managing risk is essential for any day trader, and AvaTrade provides various tools to help you do that. These include stop-loss and take-profit orders, trailing stops, and guaranteed stop-loss orders.
  • Economic Calendar – AvaTrade’s integrated economic calendar is customisable, allowing you to filter events by country, category, and impact level, making it easy to focus on the events that matter most to your trading strategy.

AvaTrade Analytical Tools

  • Autochartist – Autochartist is a powerful market-scanning tool that automatically identifies chart patterns, support and resistance levels, and Fibonacci patterns.
  • Trading Central – AvaTrade offers access to Trading Central, which provides comprehensive technical analysis reports, including chart analysis, indicators, and price projections. As a day trader, you can leverage these insights to refine your trading strategy and make more informed decisions.
  • Avatrade Academy – AvaTrade provides an all-in-one educational and analytical hub to help traders stay informed and up-to-date on market events.

AvaTrade Fees and Commissions

Fee TypeDetails
SpreadThe spread is the difference between a particular financial instrument’s buy and sell prices. AvaTrade charges variable spreads depending on market conditions and the trading instrument. Generally, their spreads are competitive, especially in the forex market, where they offer as low as 0.9 pips on major currency pairs like EUR/USD.
Inactivity FeeAvaTrade charges an inactivity fee of $50 per quarter if you do not execute any trades for three consecutive months. To avoid this fee, maintain regular trading activity on your account.
Withdrawal FeeWhile AvaTrade does not charge fees for deposits, they do impose a withdrawal fee of $100 if the amount withdrawn is less than the required minimum withdrawal amount of $100.
Currency Conversion FeeIf your account’s base currency differs from the currency of the financial instrument you’re trading, AvaTrade will apply a currency conversion fee. This fee is not explicitly disclosed on their website, so it’s essential to factor in potential conversion costs when trading instruments in different currencies.

AvaTrade Fees

Fee TypeDetails
SpreadThe spread is the difference between a particular financial instrument’s buy and sell prices. AvaTrade charges variable spreads depending on market conditions and the trading instrument. Generally, their spreads are competitive, especially in the forex market, where they offer as low as 0.9 pips on major currency pairs like EUR/USD.
Inactivity FeeAvaTrade charges an inactivity fee of $50 per quarter if you do not execute any trades for three consecutive months. To avoid this fee, maintain regular trading activity on your account.
Withdrawal FeeWhile AvaTrade does not charge deposit fees, they impose a withdrawal fee of $100 if the amount withdrawn is less than the required minimum withdrawal amount of $100.
Currency Conversion FeeIf your account’s base currency differs from the currency of the financial instrument you’re trading, AvaTrade will apply a currency conversion fee. This fee is not explicitly disclosed on their website, so it’s essential to factor in potential conversion costs when trading instruments in different currencies.

Reasons to choose

  • There is a Vast range of trading platforms to choose from depending on your preferences
  • Useful trading tools
  • Social trading
  • Copy Trading
  • Automated Trading1
  • On-point analytical tools

Reasons to avoid

  • Product range limited to CFDs, Forex and cryptos
  • Inactivity Fees on the high-side
  • Average overall fees

Capital Risk Applies

Trade Nation – Best Platform for Tight Spreads

💳
Min. Deposit
💸
Trading Fees
📈
Trades per 5 Days
✍️
Demo Account
£0£3.993

Trade Nation establishes itself as a top choice for day traders who prioritize tight spreads and rapid trade execution.

Trade Nation’s commitment to providing tight spreads ensures that day traders can enter and exit positions with minimal transaction costs. This competitive advantage helps to amplify potential profits and makes Trade Nation an attractive option for traders who need to act swiftly on market movements.

Moreover, Trade Nation’s lightning-fast trade execution guarantees that day traders can capitalise on the smallest price fluctuations in real-time without worrying about delays or slippage.

Trade Nation Day Trading Features

Smart News – Staying up to date with the latest news and market developments is critical for day traders. Trade Nation’s Smart News feature is a powerful AI-driven feed that delivers real-time market news and updates.

  • Signal Centre – Trade Nation offers an exclusive trading tool, the Signal Centre, which provides actionable trading ideas based on technical analysis.
  • Charting Tools – Trade Nation offers an advanced charting package that allows users to perform in-depth technical analysis on their preferred instruments.
  • Sentiment Analysis – Trade Nation’s platform features an innovative sentiment analysis tool that provides insights into the market’s overall mood.
  • Trading Central – Trade Nation has partnered with Trading Central, a leading independent research and market analysis provider. This partnership offers users access to in-depth market insights, technical analysis, and trading strategies, further enhancing their ability to make well-informed trading decisions.
  • Cloud-based Platform – Trade Nation’s trading platform is entirely cloud-based, ensuring users can access their accounts and trade from any device with an internet connection.

Trade Nation Fees and Commissions

Trade Nation operate on a spread-only fee structure. This means that there are no separate commission charges on trades. Instead, the cost of trading is included within the spread, which is the difference between a financial instrument’s bid (buy) and ask (sell) price.

The platform prides itself on offering tight spreads that benefit day traders. Tighter spreads result in lower trading costs, enabling traders to maximise their profits. It is essential to know that spreads may vary depending on the asset class and market conditions.

Fee TypeDetails
Fixed SpreadsAnother noteworthy aspect of Trade Nation’s fee structure is its fixed spreads. Fixed spreads remain consistent regardless of market volatility or fluctuations. This is particularly useful for day traders who must clearly understand their trading costs upfront.
Financing ChargesWhile Trade Nation does not charge commissions on trades, there are financing charges to consider for those who keep positions open overnight. This charge, also known as the swap rate, is applied to any leveraged position held past the market close.
Inactivity FeeIf a trading account remains inactive for 12 consecutive months, Trade Nation charges a monthly inactivity fee of £12 (or equivalent currency). This fee is waived if the account is reactivated by placing a trade.
Currency Conversion FeeIf you deposit or withdraw funds in a currency different from your account’s base currency, a 0.5% currency conversion fee will be applied.

Reasons to choose

  • Competitive spreads
  • User-Friendly web-based platform
  • Great customer support
  • Negative balance protection

Reasons to avoid

  • Limited product range
  • Limited educational resources
  • No Meta Trader support

Capital Risk Applies

What Does Day Trading Mean?

As the name suggests, day trading is buying and selling financial instruments, such as stocks, options, futures, or currencies, within a single trading day. 

The goal of day traders is to capitalise on short-term price fluctuations and, ideally, exit their positions by the end of the day with a profit., after commissions. This contrasts with long-term investors, who might hold onto their investments for months or years.

Day traders often focus on specific periods of high volatility during the trading day in order to capitalize on short-term price movements. These periods are typically:

  1. The opening hour when the market opens: During this time, there is a significant influx of orders, which often leads to increased price volatility. Day traders look for opportunities to take advantage of this volatility to make quick profits.
  2. The closing half-hour when the market closes: Similar to the opening hour, the closing half-hour tends to see increased trading activity and price volatility as traders close out their positions before the end of the trading day.

What are the Key Aspects of Day Trading?

  • Time Commitment: Day trading demands a significant time commitment, as traders must be active during market hours, monitoring price movements, news events, and other factors affecting their positions. This trading style may not be ideal for those who cannot devote several hours daily to their investments.
  • Technical Analysis – Day traders often rely heavily on technical analysis, which studies historical price data and chart patterns to predict future price movements. They use various indicators and tools to identify entry and exit points for trades.
  • Risk Management – Due to the fast-paced nature of day trading, managing risk is paramount. Day traders must be disciplined and employ strict risk management techniques, such as setting stop-loss orders and maintaining a proper risk-reward ratio.
  • Psychology – Day trading can be an emotional rollercoaster, as traders are constantly exposed to the ups and downs of the market. Developing a strong psychological foundation and maintaining emotional discipline are crucial for success.
  • Costs and Fees – Day trading can incur higher costs and fees than other trading styles, as frequent trading generates more commissions and spreads.
  • Regulatory Requirements – In the UK, leveraged products, such as spread bets, contracts for difference (CFDs), and other margin-based trading accounts, are subject to higher margin requirements for day traders. Brokers may impose their own additional requirements on top of the regulatory minimums.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is day trading Legal in the UK?

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