A best spread betting platform a wide choice of trading assets. This includes UK and international shares, FTSE 100 indices, commodities like gold and silver, and currency markets. Some brokers also offer a choice of fixed or variable spreads, and a selection of order types.

It’s important to find the right balance between low spreads and the number of trading assets offered. Some brokers charge extra commissions on top of the spreads, while others have different fee structures depending on the type of account and market traded. This is why it’s worth comparing the fees of each broker before opening an account.

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IG Group has one of the most extensive ranges of assets available to spread bet on. You can trade a total of 17,000 spread betting and CFD markets, including forex, indices, and commodities. It’s comprehensive enough for professional traders and accessible to newcomers.

Spreadex offers a unique proposition for UK and Irish traders, by combining sports and financial spread betting on the same platform. It’s a bit like your friendly neighbourhood sports pub, allowing you to get involved in football, cricket, rugby and horse racing.

CMC Markets has the second-largest number of trading products available to trade via a spread betting platform, with over 12,000 instruments to choose from. These include popular currency pairs, equities, and bonds. The broker offers low spreads, especially for major forex pairs. It also calculates a specific minimum spread for each of its 12,000 markets, from exotic crosses to Euro BUXL bonds.