{"id":87091,"date":"2018-02-02T12:17:21","date_gmt":"2018-02-02T12:17:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/uk\/?page_id=87091"},"modified":"2026-07-16T16:58:59","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T15:58:59","slug":"cfd-trading","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/uk\/cfd-trading","title":{"rendered":"Compare CFD trading platforms"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>\n@media (min-width: 768px) { #page, #side-nav-container { padding-top: 45px !important; } }\n#fixeddisclaimer { top: 0; left: 0; position: fixed; right: 0; width: 100%; -webkit-transition: 0.5s ease-in-out; transition: 0.5s ease-in-out; z-index: 40001; text-align: center; }\n.fixeddisclaimerbody { font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; background-color: #fff; -webkit-box-shadow: 0 -2px 18px #424242; box-shadow: 0 -2px 18px #424242; overflow: hidden; letter-spacing: -0.2px; }\n.gn .nav-slideout--active { top: auto !important; }\n@media (max-width: 767px) { .fixeddisclaimerbody { font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: -0.4px; } }\n@media only screen and (max-width: 960px) and (min-width: 551px)  { #page, #side-nav-container { padding-top: 70px !important; } }\n@media only screen and (max-width: 550px) and (min-width: 401px)  { #page, #side-nav-container { padding-top: 80px !important; } }\n@media only screen and (max-width: 400px) { #page, #side-nav-container { padding-top: 90px !important; } }\n<\/style>\n\n<div id=\"fixeddisclaimer\" class=\"visible\" data-template=\"masthead-two-columns\">\n<div id=\"fstdisclaimer\" class=\"fixeddisclaimerbody\"><div class=\"has-padding-top-xxsmall has-padding-bottom-xxsmall text-center\">CFDs and spread bets are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage.<span id=\"secondsection\"> <strong>Between 51%-77% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs.<\/strong> You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>If traditional investing is like buying a house and watching its value grow over decades, trading contracts for difference (CFDs) is more like betting on the speed of a race car without ever owning the steering wheel. It is fast, highly volatile, and definitely not designed for casual investors or beginners.<\/p><p>For newcomers, entering the world of derivatives can feel like stepping onto a financial minefield. However, for experienced traders looking to hedge a portfolio or capitalise on short-term market swings, choosing the right platform is half the battle. Here is our complete, expanded guide to understanding how these complex instruments work and how to compare the best platforms in the UK market.<\/p><div class=\"keyTakeaways\">\n  <div class=\"keyTakeaways__header\">\n          <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"32\" height=\"21\" viewbox=\"0 0 314.16 201.03\" fill=\"none\">\n  <path d=\"M212.32,190.62c-19.66,0-38.8-6.44-54.42-18.24-15.63,11.79-34.77,18.24-54.42,18.24-49.84,0-90.39-40.55-90.39-90.39V9.83h199.24c49.84,0,90.39,40.55,90.39,90.39s-40.55,90.39-90.39,90.39Z\" fill=\"white\"><\/path>\n  <path d=\"M212.32,15.9c46.57,0,84.33,37.75,84.33,84.33h0c0,46.57-37.75,84.33-84.33,84.33h0c-20.75,0-39.74-7.51-54.42-19.94-14.69,12.43-33.68,19.94-54.42,19.94h0c-46.57,0-84.33-37.75-84.33-84.33V15.9h193.18M212.32,3.76H7.01v96.46c0,53.19,43.27,96.46,96.46,96.46,19.47,0,38.46-5.92,54.43-16.84,15.96,10.91,34.95,16.84,54.42,16.84,53.19,0,96.46-43.27,96.46-96.46S265.51,3.76,212.32,3.76h0Z\" fill=\"#232320\"><\/path>\n  <path d=\"M216.34,90.21c.19-1.69,1.76-2.87,3.43-2.6,11.91,1.94,22.41-7.31,20.93-20.1-.45-3.93-2.28-6.56-4.43-9.31-1.05-1.35-.74-3.34.71-4.26,15.6-9.82,31.64-1.91,40.78,13.29,11.21,18.64,11.54,47.15.53,65.94-15.41,26.3-42.91,23.48-56.04-3.04-6.09-12.29-7.47-26.4-5.92-39.93Z\" fill=\"#232320\"><\/path>\n  <path d=\"M105.92,90.21c.19-1.69,1.76-2.87,3.43-2.6,11.91,1.94,22.41-7.31,20.93-20.1-.45-3.93-2.28-6.56-4.43-9.31-1.05-1.35-.74-3.34.71-4.26,15.6-9.82,31.64-1.91,40.78,13.29,11.21,18.64,11.54,47.15.53,65.94-15.41,26.3-42.91,23.48-56.04-3.04-6.09-12.29-7.47-26.4-5.92-39.93Z\" fill=\"#232320\"><\/path>\n<\/svg>        <h3 data-toc=\"false\">Key takeaways<\/h3>\n  <\/div>\n\n    <ul>\n          <li>CFD trading allows you to speculate on price movements without owning the underlying asset<\/li>\n          <li>You can profit from both rising and falling markets, but <strong>leverage<\/strong> can rapidly magnify your losses.<\/li>\n          <li>The right platform should offer tight spreads, robust risk-management tools, and transparent overnight fees.<\/li>\n      <\/ul>\n\n  \n  <\/div>\n<h3>What is CFD trading?<\/h3><p>CFD stands for <strong>\u201ccontract for difference\u201d<\/strong>. It is a financial derivative, meaning its price is derived entirely from an underlying asset like a stock, stock index, commodity, or currency pair. Unlike buying standard shares where you want to collect dividends and watch the company grow, CFDs are pure speculation on short-term price direction.<\/p><p>When you trade a CFD, you never actually take legal ownership of the underlying asset. Instead, you enter an agreement with a broker to exchange the difference in the price of an asset from when you open the contract to when you close it. Because you do not own a physical asset, CFDs do not have expiry dates like traditional options or futures contracts \u2013 they simply remain open until you choose to close the position.<\/p><p>CFDs have exploded in popularity across the UK because they give retail traders massive market exposure from a relatively small amount of starting capital. Online brokers have made it seamless to trade from your phone, but that convenience masks a reality where the vast majority of retail accounts lose money.<\/p><h3>How do you trade CFDs?<\/h3><p>Trading derivatives involves a completely different set of mechanics than traditional buy-and-hold investing. To navigate these platforms effectively, you need to master a few core concepts.<\/p><h4>Going long in a rising market<\/h4><p>If you expect a specific market to move upwards, you buy a contract at the platform\u2019s <strong>\u201coffer\u201d price<\/strong> (the higher of the two quoted prices). If your prediction strikes gold and the asset value climbs, you can sell your position at the new <strong>\u201cbid\u201d price<\/strong>. Your profit will be the total price increase minus the platform\u2019s built-in spread fee.<\/p><h4>Going short in a falling market<\/h4><p>If you believe a market or an individual stock is about to crash, you can \u201csell\u201d a CFD at the current bid price. If the market drops as expected, you buy the contract back later at a lower offer price. You then pocket the difference as profit. However, if the market rallies against your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/uk\/cfd-trading\/how-to-trade-a-short-squeeze\">short<\/a> position, you will suffer a loss.<\/p><h3>The reality of margin and leverage<\/h3><p>The main reason traders flock to CFDs is leverage. Instead of paying the full value of a trade upfront, you only need to deposit a small percentage, known as the <strong>margin<\/strong>. The rest of the capital is effectively a loan borrowed from your broker.<\/p><p>While this sounds like an easy win to multiply your trading power, leverage is an incredibly dangerous double-edged sword. Because your market exposure is based on the full value of the trade, a tiny price movement against you can instantly wipe out your initial margin deposit and require you to inject more cash to keep the trade alive.<\/p><h3>Understanding the spread and how it costs you<\/h3><p>CFD prices are always quoted in pairs: the sell price (bid) and the buy price (ask\/offer). The gap between these two numbers is known as the <strong>spread<\/strong>. This spread is how brokers primarily make their money, meaning your trade starts slightly in the red the moment you open it.<\/p><p>Let\u2019s look at how the spread affects an open trade in practice:<\/p><table class=\"luna-table\"><thead class=\"luna-table__header\"><tr><th scope=\"col\">SELL<\/th><th scope=\"col\">BUY<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody class=\"luna-table__body\"><tr><td>6499.5<\/td><td>6500.5<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><p>The spread is the difference between 6499.5 and 6500.5, which is 1 point (that\u2019s what it\u2019s called, we don\u2019t know why). Let\u2019s say you think the value will go up, in this case, you\u2019ll buy at the offer price.<\/p><p>Now, let\u2019s say the value rises by 5 points over the space of a week. At that point, you\u2019ll see this:<\/p><table class=\"luna-table\"><thead class=\"luna-table__header\"><tr><th scope=\"col\">SELL<\/th><th scope=\"col\">BUY<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody class=\"luna-table__body\"><tr><td>6504.5<\/td><td>6505.5<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><p>To exit your position and lock in your gains, you must take the opposite action and sell at the current bid price of 6,504.5. Even though the market moved up by 5 full points, your net profit is 4 points because you had to overcome that initial 1-point spread cost. Depending on your contract size, those points translate directly into your financial return or loss.<\/p><div class=\"eeQuote box u-rounded--lg source-finder type-expert\">\n    <div class=\"eeQuote__gridContainer\">\n        <div class=\"eeQuote__photoContainer\">\n            <div class=\"eeQuote__startQuoteIcon\">\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"40\" height=\"36\" viewbox=\"0 0 32 28\" fill=\"none\">\n  <path d=\"M13.1114 3.54845C12.05 5.01898 11.1447 6.64935 10.3955 8.43956C9.64624 10.2298 9.24041 11.8282 9.17798 13.2348C10.7389 13.8102 11.9563 14.6733 12.8304 15.8242C13.767 16.975 14.2352 18.3816 14.2352 20.044C14.2352 22.0899 13.5484 23.8482 12.1749 25.3187C10.8637 26.7253 9.2092 27.4286 7.21127 27.4286C5.15091 27.4286 3.43394 26.7253 2.06036 25.3187C0.686788 23.9121 0 21.8661 0 19.1808C0 16.3037 0.749223 13.043 2.24767 9.3986C3.74611 5.75424 5.83769 2.62138 8.52241 0L13.1114 3.54845ZM30.8762 3.54845C29.8148 5.01898 28.9095 6.64935 28.1602 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transform=\"translate(3 6.3158)\"><\/rect>\n        <\/clippath>\n      <\/defs>\n    <\/svg>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n                                    <\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"eeQuote__contentContainer \">\n            <div class=\"eeQuote__content\">\n                                    <div class=\"eeQuote__heading\">Our expert says: Is CFD trading safe for beginners?<\/div>\n                                <div class=\"eeQuote__quote\">\n                    <p>\"In short: <strong>absolutely not<\/strong>. CFDs are high-risk financial instruments that require an advanced understanding of market mechanics and active risk management. When you buy traditional stocks, your downside is strictly capped at zero.<\/p><p>With leverage, you are trading with borrowed money, meaning market volatility can incinerate your account balance faster than you can log in to check it. <\/p><p>If you\u2019re new to the markets, you should look into safer, long-term options like standard share dealing accounts or a tax-free stocks and shares ISA wrapper.\"<\/p>\n\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n                            <div class=\"eeQuote__authorInfo\">\n                                            <div class=\"eeQuote__authorPhoto--mobile\">\n                            <figure class=\"eeQuote__photo\">\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"George Sweeney, DipFA's headshot\" src=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/2025\/11\/GeorgeSweeneyF1_Finder_600x600.png\" class=\"avatar avatar-200 photo finder-avatar\" height=\"200\" width=\"200\" 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12C20.999 8.86454 18.4502 6.3158 15.3147 6.3158H15.3179ZM3.63088 12.0032V6.94983H8.68421C11.4695 6.94983 13.7375 9.21784 13.7375 12.0032C13.7375 14.7885 11.4695 17.0565 8.68421 17.0565C5.89888 17.0565 3.63088 14.7885 3.63088 12.0032ZM15.3179 17.0565C14.3022 17.0565 13.3401 16.76 12.5073 16.1985C13.6492 15.1576 14.3716 13.6655 14.3716 12C14.3716 9.79824 13.113 7.88984 11.2771 6.94667H15.3179C18.1032 6.94667 20.3712 9.21468 20.3712 12C20.3712 14.7853 18.1032 17.0533 15.3179 17.0533V17.0565Z\" fill=\"#232320\"><\/path>\n        <path d=\"M10.9808 8.88653C10.5992 8.88653 10.2427 9.03163 9.93043 9.28083C10.1859 9.47956 10.3563 9.78553 10.3563 10.1357C10.3563 10.735 9.8705 11.2208 9.27117 11.2208C9.14184 11.2208 9.02197 11.1955 8.90526 11.1545C8.85163 11.4227 8.82324 11.7066 8.82324 11.9999C8.82324 13.7191 9.78849 15.1165 10.9808 15.1165C12.1732 15.1165 13.1384 13.7222 13.1384 11.9999C13.1384 10.2776 12.1732 8.88338 10.9808 8.88338V8.88653Z\" fill=\"#232320\"><\/path>\n      <\/g>\n      <defs>\n        <clippath id=\"clip0_5290_9827\">\n          <rect width=\"18\" height=\"11.3684\" fill=\"white\" transform=\"translate(3 6.3158)\"><\/rect>\n        <\/clippath>\n      <\/defs>\n    <\/svg>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"eeQuote__authorDetails\">\n                                                    <a class=\"eeQuote__authorName\" href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/uk\/author\/georgesweeney\" itemprop=\"url\" target=\"_blank\">\n                                George Sweeney, DipFA\n                            <\/a>\n                                                                            <div class=\"eeQuote__authorTitle\">Deputy editor<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3>Tactical approaches: Hedging and pairs trading<\/h3><p>Experienced investors don\u2019t just use CFDs for directional bets; they deploy them as strategic tools within a broader portfolio.<\/p><ul><li><strong>Portfolio hedging.<\/strong> If you hold a significant amount of physical shares in a company but expect a short-term market downturn, you can open a short CFD position on that exact stock. The profits from your short CFD will offset the temporary losses on your physical equity portfolio, allowing you to weather the storm without liquidating your long-term assets.<\/li><li><strong>Pairs trading.<\/strong> This strategy involves identifying two historically correlated stocks such as two major UK high-street banks. If the share price of one temporarily weakens due to short-term noise while the other stays strong, a trader might \u201cgo long\u201d on the underperforming stock and \u201cgo short\u201d on the stronger one, wagering that the valuation gap between the two will eventually snap back to historical norms.<\/li><\/ul><h3>A tale of two trades: Long vs short<\/h3><p>To see exactly how leverage alters your risk profile, let\u2019s contrast how two different traders manage the exact same stock using a 5% margin requirement when <a href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/uk\/cfd-trading\/cfd-going-long-vs-going-short\">going long versus going short<\/a>.<\/p><article class=\"luna-card luna-card--primary\"><div class=\"luna-card__block\"><h4>Example scenario<\/h4><ol><li><strong>Dan goes long.<\/strong> Dan believes Joe Bloggs Enterprises is set for a massive bull run. He buys 4,000 CFDs at \u00a35 each, creating a total market exposure of \u00a320,000. Because the broker only requires a 5% margin, Dan only has to hand over \u00a31,000 from his account balance to open the trade. The stock jumps by 10% to \u00a35.50. Dan closes his position at a profit of 50p per contract, securing a \u00a32,000 return. By using leverage, he has effectively doubled his initial capital outlay.<\/li><li><strong>Daniella goes short.<\/strong> Daniella looks at the same company but believes the stock price is completely overvalued. She takes a short position, selling 4,000 CFDs at \u00a35 each with the exact same \u00a320,000 exposure and \u00a31,000 margin deposit. When the stock unexpectedly climbs 10% to \u00a35.50 instead of falling, her trade incurs a loss of 50p per contract. Daniella does not just lose her \u00a31,000 margin deposit; she actually owes the broker an additional \u00a31,000 to cover the total \u00a32,000 loss from her open contract. Leverage allowed her to borrow \u00a319,000 for the trade, but it ultimately magnified her losses beyond her starting capital.<\/li><\/ol><\/div><\/article><h2>How to compare CFD platforms<\/h2><p>Finding a reliable home for your derivative trades requires looking past shiny marketing banners. You need to weigh several key technical metrics before opening an account.<\/p><ul><li><strong>Spreads and commissions.<\/strong> Look closely at how a provider charges you to access the markets. Some platforms offer zero-commission trading but feature wider spreads, while others offer razor-thin spreads alongside flat transaction fees. You may also have to pay a premium to access live, premium market research data.<\/li><li><strong>Overnight holding fees.<\/strong> Because leverage relies on borrowing capital, brokers charge an interest fee (often called an overnight financing fee or swap rate) if you keep a position open past closing hours. These fees compound daily and can quickly dissolve your trading profits if you hold positions over weeks rather than days.<\/li><li><strong>Margin call protocols.<\/strong> If an open trade moves against you and your account balance drops below the minimum maintenance margin, your broker will trigger a margin call. While some modern platforms send automated alerts to notify you, others place the responsibility entirely on you and will instantly liquidate your positions without warning to cover the debt.<\/li><li><strong>Risk-management tools.<\/strong> Ensure the platform supports advanced order types like standard stop-losses, take-profit limits, and stop-entry orders. A high-quality provider should also offer guaranteed stop-losses, which eliminate the risk of overnight price gaps for a small fee.<\/li><li><strong>Trading methods and accessibility.<\/strong> Evaluate how smoothly the software runs. Can you execute trades seamlessly via a robust mobile app, a web browser, or via phone support during high-volatility events? Make sure the user interface matches your execution speed.<\/li><\/ul><h2>Pros and cons of CFD trading<\/h2><div class=\"fin-pros-cons\">\n            <div class=\"fin-pros-cons__section\">\n            <h4 class=\"fin-pros-cons__heading\">Pros<\/h4>\n            <ul class=\"icon-list icon-list--check-circle\">\n                                    <li>Enables you to trade with leverage, requiring a fraction of the capital of traditional investing<\/li>\n                                    <li>Allows you to build short positions easily to profit during market crashes and corrections<\/li>\n                                    <li>Gives you global exposure to shares, stock indices, foreign currencies, and commodities from one single account<\/li>\n                                    <li>Provides a highly efficient mechanism to hedge downside risks on an existing equity portfolio<\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    \n            <div class=\"fin-pros-cons__section\">\n            <h4 class=\"fin-pros-cons__heading\">Cons<\/h4>\n            <ul class=\"icon-list icon-list--x-circle\">\n                                    <li>Carries a massive level of financial risk due to the compounding nature of leverage<\/li>\n                                    <li>You can easily lose significantly more money than your initial account deposit<\/li>\n                                    <li>Overnight financing swap fees make holding positions over long periods incredibly expensive<\/li>\n                                    <li>Counterparty risk means you are exposed to the financial health of the platform provider itself<\/li>\n                                    <li>Requires continuous portfolio tracking and a highly disciplined approach to stop-loss settings<\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<h3>Bottom line<\/h3><p>The answer is both yes and no. Philosophically, any market speculation involves taking structured risks for a desired outcome. However, under UK law, CFDs do not fall under standard gambling regulations. This means profits generated from CFD trading are subject to <strong>Capital Gains Tax (CGT)<\/strong>.<\/p><p>On the bright side, because they are taxed as financial contracts, you can offset your trading losses against your capital gains to reduce your overall tax bill. If you want completely tax-free derivatives trading, you should look into <a href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/uk\/cfd-trading\/spread-betting\">spread betting<\/a> instead, which is legally classified as gambling in the UK and is therefore exempt from CGT<\/p><ul class=\"luna-accordionGroup accordionGroup\">\n\t<li class=\"luna-accordion\" data-accordion=\"accordion\">\n    <div class=\"luna-accordion__summary\">\n        <h4 class=\"luna-accordion__heading\">\n            <button class=\"luna-accordion__action collapsed\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"faq-builder-0000000000\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#faq-builder-0000000000\">\n                <span class=\"luna-accordion__title\">What\u2019s the difference between investing in shares and trading in CFDs?<\/span>\n                <svg class=\"luna-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-down\" data-accordion-icon=\"show\"><\/use>\n                    <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-up\" data-accordion-icon=\"hide\" class=\"is-hidden\"><\/use>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/h4>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"luna-accordion__details collapse\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"faq-builder-0000000000\" data-accordion=\"details\">\n        <div class=\"accordionContent\">\n            <div>\n                <p>When you invest in physical shares, you take legal ownership of a piece of the company, giving you the right to vote in corporate meetings and receive dividend payouts. When you trade CFDs, you own absolutely nothing except a contract that mirrors the price action of that underlying asset.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"luna-accordion\" data-accordion=\"accordion\">\n    <div class=\"luna-accordion__summary\">\n        <h4 class=\"luna-accordion__heading\">\n            <button class=\"luna-accordion__action collapsed\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"faq-builder-0000000001\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#faq-builder-0000000001\">\n                <span class=\"luna-accordion__title\">What underlying assets can I buy or sell CFDs on?<\/span>\n                <svg class=\"luna-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-down\" data-accordion-icon=\"show\"><\/use>\n                    <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-up\" data-accordion-icon=\"hide\" class=\"is-hidden\"><\/use>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/h4>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"luna-accordion__details collapse\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"faq-builder-0000000001\" data-accordion=\"details\">\n        <div class=\"accordionContent\">\n            <div>\n                <p>Most mainstream UK brokers provide direct access to thousands of global asset classes. This includes major UK and international equities, global stock market indices (like the FTSE 100 or S&amp;P 500), hard and soft commodities, treasury bonds, and foreign exchange currency pairs.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"luna-accordion\" data-accordion=\"accordion\">\n    <div class=\"luna-accordion__summary\">\n        <h4 class=\"luna-accordion__heading\">\n            <button class=\"luna-accordion__action collapsed\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"faq-builder-0000000002\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#faq-builder-0000000002\">\n                <span class=\"luna-accordion__title\">I\u2019m a casual investor \u2013 should I start trading CFDs?<\/span>\n                <svg class=\"luna-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-down\" data-accordion-icon=\"show\"><\/use>\n                    <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-up\" data-accordion-icon=\"hide\" class=\"is-hidden\"><\/use>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/h4>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"luna-accordion__details collapse\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"faq-builder-0000000002\" data-accordion=\"details\">\n        <div class=\"accordionContent\">\n            <div>\n                <p>CFD trading is strictly not recommended for casual or retail investors. Because of the highly specialized knowledge required and the aggressive risk profile attached to leverage, this corner of the market is best left to professional, experienced traders.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"luna-accordion\" data-accordion=\"accordion\">\n    <div class=\"luna-accordion__summary\">\n        <h4 class=\"luna-accordion__heading\">\n            <button class=\"luna-accordion__action collapsed\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"faq-builder-0000000003\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#faq-builder-0000000003\">\n                <span class=\"luna-accordion__title\">But I can only lose the money I invest, right?<\/span>\n                <svg class=\"luna-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-down\" data-accordion-icon=\"show\"><\/use>\n                    <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-up\" data-accordion-icon=\"hide\" class=\"is-hidden\"><\/use>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/h4>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"luna-accordion__details collapse\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"faq-builder-0000000003\" data-accordion=\"details\">\n        <div class=\"accordionContent\">\n            <div>\n                <p>Wrong. Because you are trading with leverage (borrowed money), a sudden market gap or a rapid drop in asset value can wipe out your margin deposit and leave you owing your broker significant additional funds. Always assume your entire account balance is exposed.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"luna-accordion\" data-accordion=\"accordion\">\n    <div class=\"luna-accordion__summary\">\n        <h4 class=\"luna-accordion__heading\">\n            <button class=\"luna-accordion__action collapsed\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"faq-builder-0000000004\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#faq-builder-0000000004\">\n                <span class=\"luna-accordion__title\">How do I know which CFD trading platform is right for me?<\/span>\n                <svg class=\"luna-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-down\" data-accordion-icon=\"show\"><\/use>\n                    <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-up\" data-accordion-icon=\"hide\" class=\"is-hidden\"><\/use>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/h4>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"luna-accordion__details collapse\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"faq-builder-0000000004\" data-accordion=\"details\">\n        <div class=\"accordionContent\">\n            <div>\n                <p>The best way is to do deep objective research. Compare platform fee structures, available asset ranges, and compliance credentials. Once you have a shortlist, open a virtual demo account to test execution speeds and software reliability before depositing real capital.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"luna-accordion\" data-accordion=\"accordion\">\n    <div class=\"luna-accordion__summary\">\n        <h4 class=\"luna-accordion__heading\">\n            <button class=\"luna-accordion__action collapsed\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"faq-builder-0000000005\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#faq-builder-0000000005\">\n                <span class=\"luna-accordion__title\">Will a CFD education seminar teach me everything I need to know?<\/span>\n                <svg class=\"luna-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-down\" data-accordion-icon=\"show\"><\/use>\n                    <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-up\" data-accordion-icon=\"hide\" class=\"is-hidden\"><\/use>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/h4>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"luna-accordion__details collapse\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"faq-builder-0000000005\" data-accordion=\"details\">\n        <div class=\"accordionContent\">\n            <div>\n                <p>While training seminars run by reputable financial organizations can teach you useful technical strategies, attending a single course is by no means enough to prepare you for the realities of live market volatility. True risk management takes disciplined practice and experience.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"luna-accordion\" data-accordion=\"accordion\">\n    <div class=\"luna-accordion__summary\">\n        <h4 class=\"luna-accordion__heading\">\n            <button class=\"luna-accordion__action collapsed\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"faq-builder-0000000006\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#faq-builder-0000000006\">\n                <span class=\"luna-accordion__title\">I\u2019m looking for a steady investment \u2013 is this something trading CFDs offers?<\/span>\n                <svg class=\"luna-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-down\" data-accordion-icon=\"show\"><\/use>\n                    <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-up\" data-accordion-icon=\"hide\" class=\"is-hidden\"><\/use>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/h4>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"luna-accordion__details collapse\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"faq-builder-0000000006\" data-accordion=\"details\">\n        <div class=\"accordionContent\">\n            <div>\n                <p>No, CFD trading is the antithesis of a steady investment. It is a volatile, high-turnover trading tool. If you are looking for safe, secure, or predictable returns on your capital, you should explore long-term investments like index tracking funds or fixed-term savings products.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"luna-accordion\" data-accordion=\"accordion\">\n    <div class=\"luna-accordion__summary\">\n        <h4 class=\"luna-accordion__heading\">\n            <button class=\"luna-accordion__action collapsed\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"faq-builder-0000000007\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#faq-builder-0000000007\">\n                <span class=\"luna-accordion__title\">Will I receive dividends on my CFD positions?<\/span>\n                <svg class=\"luna-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-down\" data-accordion-icon=\"show\"><\/use>\n                    <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-up\" data-accordion-icon=\"hide\" class=\"is-hidden\"><\/use>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/h4>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"luna-accordion__details collapse\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"faq-builder-0000000007\" data-accordion=\"details\">\n        <div class=\"accordionContent\">\n            <div>\n                <p>When you hold a long CFD position through a company's dividend payout date, the broker will typically credit your account with a dividend adjustment that mirrors the payout. However, you do not hold any actual voting rights or legal benefits of corporate ownership because you do not own the underlying shares.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"luna-accordion\" data-accordion=\"accordion\">\n    <div class=\"luna-accordion__summary\">\n        <h4 class=\"luna-accordion__heading\">\n            <button class=\"luna-accordion__action collapsed\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"faq-builder-0000000008\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#faq-builder-0000000008\">\n                <span class=\"luna-accordion__title\">Is there a minimum investment amount required?<\/span>\n                <svg class=\"luna-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-down\" data-accordion-icon=\"show\"><\/use>\n                    <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-up\" data-accordion-icon=\"hide\" class=\"is-hidden\"><\/use>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/h4>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"luna-accordion__details collapse\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"faq-builder-0000000008\" data-accordion=\"details\">\n        <div class=\"accordionContent\">\n            <div>\n                <p>Technically, there is no set minimum trade size because contracts can be scaled down, but brokers require an initial margin deposit to open an account. While minimum deposits to start trading can be small on some apps, standard professional-grade platforms often look for a more substantial starting capital buffer.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Key CFD terms to know<\/h3><ul><li><strong>Ask (or Offer price).<\/strong> The specific market price at which you can open a buy position or go long.<\/li><li><strong>Bid price.<\/strong> The specific market price at which you can open a sell position or go short.<\/li><li><strong>CFD (Contract for difference).<\/strong> A financial contract entered into by two parties who agree to exchange the change in value of an underlying asset between the contract\u2019s opening and closing points.<\/li><li><strong>Derivative.<\/strong> A financial instrument whose market price is derived entirely from the performance of an underlying asset.<\/li><li><strong>Going long.<\/strong> Opening a trade that will generate a profit if the underlying asset price increases.<\/li><li><strong>Going short.<\/strong> Opening a trade that will generate a profit if the underlying asset price decreases.<\/li><li><strong>Hedging.<\/strong> Taking an opposite tactical position to reduce or offset the downside risks associated with an existing core asset.<\/li><li><strong>Initial margin.<\/strong> The minimum cash deposit required by your broker to successfully open a leveraged position.<\/li><li><strong>Leverage.<\/strong> Using a small amount of your own capital to borrow funds and gain full exposure to a much larger financial position.<\/li><li><strong>Open interest \/ Overnight financing.<\/strong> The daily interest swap rate applied to all leveraged CFD positions that are held open past closing hours.<\/li><li><strong>Stop-loss order.<\/strong> An automated instruction that closes your trade at a predetermined price level to prevent further capital destruction.<\/li><\/ul><article class=\"luna-card luna-card--alt\"><div class=\"luna-card__block has-padding-small\">The offers compared on this page are chosen from a range of products we can track; we don't cover every product on the market...yet. Unless we've indicated otherwise, products are shown in no particular order or ranking. The terms \"best\", \"top\", \"cheap\" (and variations), aren't product ratings, although we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it; this is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/uk\/terms-of-use\" class=\"fin-text-navy\">subject to our terms of use<\/a>. When making a big financial decision, it's wise to consider getting independent financial advice, and always consider your own financial circumstances when comparing products so you get what's right for you. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables is provided by Defaqto. In other cases, Finder has sourced data directly from providers.<\/div><\/article>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn what to consider if you&#8217;re planning to trade CFDs online.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1273,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-nb-table-with-filters.php","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"Compare CFD trading platforms","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Read our guide to learn the risks of CFD trading, which is for experienced investors only. Compare features of providers in our table.","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image-id":"","post_is_fact_checked":"false","post_co_author":"-1","post_co_author_date":null,"post_co_author_manual_date_checked":"false","post_reviewer":"-1","post_reviewer_date":"","post_reviewer_manual_date_checked":"false","post_editor":"-1","post_editor_date":null,"post_author_date":"2026-07-10T16:08:37","post_author_manual_date_checked":"false","_last_updated_date_data":"{\"is_updated_date_published\":true,\"last_updated_date\":\"2026-07-16 15:57:11\",\"timezone_offset\":\" +00:00\",\"last_update_summary\":\"We added Finder Scores to our comparison.\"}","_last_major_update":"","_search_priority":0,"feature_finder_bot_teaser_enabled":false,"feature_finder_bot_teaser_message":"","feature_finder_bot_teaser_placeholder":"","feature_finder_bot_teaser_suggestions":"","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-87091","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.6 (Yoast SEO v27.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Compare CFD trading platforms - Finder UK<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Read our guide to learn the risks of CFD trading, which is for experienced investors only. 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Compare features of providers in our table.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/uk\/cfd-trading\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Finder UK\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/findercomuk\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@findercomUK\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"13 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.finder.com\\\/uk\\\/cfd-trading\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.finder.com\\\/uk\\\/cfd-trading\",\"name\":\"Compare CFD trading platforms - Finder UK\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.finder.com\\\/uk\\\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2018-02-02T12:17:21+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-07-16T16:57:11+00:00\",\"description\":\"Read our guide to learn the risks of CFD trading, which is for experienced investors only. 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