Broker Platforms
Our students often ask which platforms we actually use. Below you’ll find three regulated providers that many of our traders use. This information is general and not personal financial advice.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the broker links on this page are partner or affiliate links. If you open and fund an account through these links, Trade Sense may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. We aim to keep all information fair, clear and not misleading.
A Confident Start to Your Trading Journey
Trading can be a meaningful skill when approached with clarity, patience and a grounded understanding of how the markets work.
It’s also important to know that Contracts for Difference (CFDs) and spread bets are complex instruments and carry a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Because of this, a high percentage of retail investor accounts lose money when trading these products, so taking time to learn, practise and manage risk thoughtfully is essential before getting started.
Our role is simply to help you see your options with ease and honesty.
⭐ CMC Markets
| 📊 Tradable products | Indices, FX, commodities, shares, ETFs, Contracts for Difference (CFDs), spread betting |
| 💷 Min deposit | £0 (you must fund before trading) |
| 🛡 Regulation | CMC Markets UK plc, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 173730) |
| ⚖️ Leverage (retail) | Up to 30:1 on major FX; lower on indices, commodities and shares |
| ⭐ Reputation | Established UK broker with thousands of online reviews and industry awards |
| ⚠️ Losing accounts | 67% of retail investor accounts lose money with this provider |
💡 At a glance
CMC Markets offers a wide range of markets with a clear, modern platform and strong charting tools. Many traders use it for day and swing trading on major indices, FX pairs and popular shares.
💰 Pricing & service
CMC publishes detailed information on spreads, overnight financing and any account fees on its website. Major FX pairs and indices are usually offered with competitive spreads, and support is available via phone, email and live chat during trading hours.
🟦 ActivTrades
| 📊 Tradable products | Forex, indices, commodities, shares, ETFs, Contracts for Difference (CFDs) |
| 💷 Min deposit | £0 for many UK/EU accounts (you must fund before trading) |
| 🛡 Regulation | ActivTrades PLC, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 434413) |
| ⚖️ Leverage (retail) | Up to 30:1 on major FX; lower on indices, commodities and shares in line with FCA/ESMA rules |
| ⭐ Reputation | UK-regulated broker known for MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and the ActivTrader platform |
| ⚠️ Losing accounts | 70% of retail investor accounts lose money with this provider |
💡 At a glance
ActivTrades offers a choice of MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and its own ActivTrader platform, which can suit traders who want flexible charting, custom indicators or automated strategies.
💰 Pricing & service
ActivTrades publishes detailed information on spreads, commissions and overnight financing on its website. Major FX and index markets are usually offered with competitive spreads, and support is available via phone, email and live chat, with additional education and market analysis for clients.
🟨 City Index
| 📊 Tradable products | Indices, FX, commodities, metals, shares, Contracts for Difference (CFDs), spread betting |
| 💷 Min deposit | £0 for many UK accounts (you must fund enough to cover margin) |
| 🛡 Regulation | City Index is a trading name of StoneX Financial Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 446717) |
| ⚖️ Leverage (retail) | Up to 30:1 on major FX; lower on indices, commodities and shares in line with FCA rules |
| ⭐ Reputation | Part of StoneX Group, a large listed financial firm with a long history in spread betting and CFDs |
| ⚠️ Losing accounts | 68% of retail investor accounts lose money with this provider |
💡 At a glance
City Index offers spread betting and Contracts for Difference (CFDs) on a wide range of global markets, backed by StoneX Group. It focuses on active traders who want straightforward access to indices, FX and major shares.
💰 Pricing & service
City Index provides a clear breakdown of spreads, commissions and overnight financing charges on its website. Pricing on leading indices and FX pairs is generally competitive, and clients have access to phone, email and live chat support, along with platform tutorials and market research.