FTSE Spread Comparison UK: 10 Brokers Tested (2026)
Which broker has the lowest FTSE spread?
Last updated: 31st July 2026
As of 31st July 2026, the tightest FTSE spread across the 10 UK brokers we checked was 1.0pts, shared by Capital.com, City Index, Oanda and CMC Markets
| Month Checked | Tightest broker(s) | FTSE Spread |
|---|---|---|
| July 2026 | Capital.com, City Index, Oanda & CMC Markets | 1.0pts |
| June 2026 | Capital.com, City Index, FXCM, IG & CMC Markets | 1.0pts |
| May 2026 | Capital.com, City Index, FXCM, IG & CMC Markets | 1.0pts |
Between 61-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs and spread bets. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Capital at risk.
FTSE spreads from different brokers
Right, FTSE spreads… all you traders who still play the FTSE, who’s the tightest?
Because let’s be honest… is there any point paying more to trade the exact same thing elsewhere?
Probably not. Trading’s hard enough without paying more than you need to.
So, in my mega scientific way, I screenshotted ten different CFD and spread betting brokers at the same time. (Actually squeezed them all into one window, so I could get the prices all at once…)
(Quick reminder: spread betting is tax-free for UK residents, CFDs aren’t, but spreads are usually the same.)
And took live prices at exactly the same moment. 4.15 pm on Monday, 27th July 2026, to be exact. Normal cash session, no data coming out, no particularly wild volatility. Just a fair fight.
I just logged what I found…
Because we don’t care about so-called headline spreads. “From 0.8pts” means nothing to you and me.
Anyone can be the cheapest at some random time just to claim to be the cheapest.
What we want to know is the real-world spread, at a moment when traders are actually trading… That’s what matters.
Right, so here goes. I took live FTSE prices (or UK100, as many brokers call it) from ten CFD and spread betting brokers.
- Capital.com
- CMC Markets
- IG
- City Index
- FXCM
- Pepperstone
- SpreadEx
- FxPro
- Oanda
- Plus 500
And so at 4.15 pm on Monday, 27th July 2026, these were the FTSE 100 spreads ranked from best to worst
- Capital.com, City Index, FXCM, Oanda, CMC Markets 1pt
- IG 1.1pts
- Pepperstone and SpreadEx 1.2pts (variable)
- FxPro 1.25pts
- Plus 500 2pts
So, it was joint first for Capital.com, City Index, FXCM, Oanda and CMC Markets, all coming in at a decent 1pt spread for the FTSE. (Oanda was variable)
Plus 500 bringing up the rear at double with 2pts. Which I think is wild… paying twice as much for the same instrument! Use the spread saver to see the real cost of trading with an uncompetitive broker.
It just goes to show brokers aren’t tight on all markets; the findings were totally different on my other comparisons:
Indices: Dax, Dow, Nasdaq, S&P 500
Commodities: Gold, Oil
Forex: USD/JPY, EUR/USD, GBP/USD
Or take a look at my Spread Checker tool for the whole lot.
As always, do your own due diligence, spreads change, markets move. Capital.com, City, FXCM, IG and CMC Markets topped this one, but whoever you use, make sure you’re not overpaying on the market you trade most.
