FTSE Spread Comparison UK: 10 Brokers Tested (2026)
Which broker has the lowest FTSE spread?
Last updated: 1st October 2026.
The tightest FTSE spread across the 10 UK brokers we checked was 1.0pt, shared by CMC Markets, Capital.com, IG, Forex.com and FXCM.
| Month Checked | Tightest broker(s) | FTSE Spread |
|---|---|---|
| September 2026 | Capital.com, FXCM, IG, Forex.com & CMC Markets | 1.0pts |
| August 2026 | Capital.com, City Index, FXCM, Oanda, Forex.com & CMC Markets | 1.0pts |
| 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 in 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 eleven 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 on 1st October 2026. 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 eleven CFD and spread betting brokers.
- Capital.com
- CMC Markets
- IG
- City Index
- FXCM
- Pepperstone
- Forex.com
- FxPro
- Oanda
- Plus500
- XTB
These were the FTSE 100 spreads ranked from best to worst.
- Capital.com, CMC Markets, IG, FXCM and Forex.com 1pt
- City Index 1.1pts
- FxPro 1.25pts
- Pepperstone 1.3pts
- Oanda 1.5pts
- Plus500 2pts
- XTB 2.4pts
So, it was joint first for Capital.com, CMC Markets, IG, FXCM and Forex.com, all coming in at a decent 1pt spread for the FTSE.
At the other end, XTB came in at 2.4pts, with Plus500 at 2pts.
And that’s quite a difference when you’re trading the exact same underlying market.
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
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, CMC Markets, IG, FXCM and Forex.com topped this one, but whoever you use, make sure you’re not overpaying on the market you trade most.
