4 Best Stock CFD Brokers in Europe of 2024

List of Top Stock CFD Brokers in Europe

Regulatory Landscape in Europe

The European stock CFD (Contract for Difference) trading landscape is heavily shaped by stringent regulatory measures enforced by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). These regulations, designed for increased investor protection, include leverage caps, negative balance protection, and a prohibition on trading volume-based bonuses. While each European country may impose additional regulations, the overarching theme is a focus on transparency and trader safety.

How did FXEmpire select the Best Forex Brokers for trading Share CFDs in Europe?

• We carefully considered the needs of share CFD traders in Europe and focused on the qualities that benefit this group the most.
• We looked for brokers regulated by European authorities, including FCA, CySEC, FINMA, and ESMA, and assessed their level of trustworthiness, reliability, and financial strength.
• We focused on brokers with low spreads, commissions, and swap fees for trading CFDs on shares.
• We reviewed available software for share CFD trading, focusing on platforms with robust charting, diverse order types, 1-click trading, watchlists, alerts, and an intuitive interface.
• We checked the availability of a strong variety of tradable CFDs on shares from global exchanges.
• We examined the available leverage for CFDs on shares. Leverage allows you to trade without paying for the full value of your position upfront.
• We looked for insightful research and educational content to help traders develop effective trading strategies and make informed decisions when trading CFDs on shares.
• We verified the availability of a diverse range of European deposit and withdrawal methods, ensuring quick and easy money transfers in and out of your account.

Our team of experts has identified each broker’s strengths and weaknesses using FX Empire’s comprehensive methodology. Here’s how we test.

Now let’s go through the selected brokers.

How to Choose the Best Share CFD Broker in Europe?

When looking for a CFD broker in Europe for trading shares, you should pay special attention to the following points.

Can I trust the broker?

To be authorized and regulated, brokers must undergo audits, meet capital requirements, and provide segregated accounts and negative balance protection. You can search the regulator’s website to confirm the broker’s status and check for any disciplinary action. The broker’s size and operating history are also worth considering. You can usually find this information on the company’s LinkedIn page.

Read more about best regulated forex brokers in our detailed guide.

What fees to consider when choosing a CFD broker for share trading?

It’s important to understand and compare the fee structures of different brokers before deciding which one to use. When choosing a CFD broker, there are main types of fees that a trader should consider:

• Spreads: The spread is the difference between the buying and selling price of a financial instrument. It’s the main way CFD brokers make their money. Lower spreads generally mean lower trading costs. See our guide on the best lowest spread forex brokers.
• Commissions: Some brokers charge a commission on trades in addition to spreads. This is often a fixed fee per trade, or it can be a percentage of the total trade volume.
• Overnight or Swap Fees: If you hold a CFD position open overnight, you might have to pay a fee known as an overnight or swap fee. The swap fee represents the cost of holding a leveraged position in CFDs on shares. Discover best low swap fees brokers.
• Inactivity Fees: Some brokers charge inactivity fees if you don’t make a certain number of trades within a specified timeframe.
• Withdrawal Fees: Some brokers may charge you for withdrawing money from your account. Check the fee structure and withdrawal methods before choosing a broker.

Not all brokers charge fees in the same way. Some charge a commission per trade, while others earn through the spread. Some may also include hidden charges like inactivity fees or withdrawal fees. It’s crucial to understand these fee structures to make an informed comparison.

How to choose a CFD trading platform?

An intuitive, easy-to-navigate platform will allow you to launch into the trading world with minimal hitches. The most user-friendly platforms are typically browser-based platforms created by the broker. Look for easy-to-implement features such as watchlists, trading from the chart, search, news, and a customizable interface. MetaTrader and cTrader platforms have advanced features like backtesting, automated trading, and a wide range of order types, though are less user-friendly.

There are a variety of trading platforms available to forex traders. Here are a few that you may want to consider for gaining great trading results.

• MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 are two of the most popular and widely used forex and CFD trading platforms, offering a good range of features and tools, such as advanced charting tools, automated trading through expert advisors, custom indicators and expert advisors, one-click trading and portfolio management. Read more about the platforms in our dedicated guides on the best MT4 and best MT5 forex brokers.
• TradingView is another growing and popular charting platform that makes it possible to track almost all markets, and describes itself as a “supercharged super-charting platform and social network for traders and investors.” TradingView has over 50 million users. Check out our list of the best forex brokers offering TradingView.
• cTrader, developed by Spotware Systems, is a strong platform for high-frequency day traders of the forex market. It specializes in providing an algorithmic, social trading community for the financial market. Read more about the best cTrader brokers.
• ZuluTrade is a social forex and CFD trading platform that allows you to easily follow and copy other traders. As Zulutrade has a more social approach, tools for charting and technical analysis are limited.

You can also check out our dedicated guide on best forex trading platforms.

What is the minimum deposit?

The minimum deposit required by a CFD broker varies widely and depends on the individual broker’s policies. Typically, the minimum deposits at CFD brokers are relatively low. For example, among the brokers listed in this article, minimum initial deposits range from $0 in the case of XTB to $200 in the case of IC Markets.

What account types are available?

A broad range of account types helps a broker cater to different trader profiles. For example, a simple STP account may be the best for beginners in the markets, while an ECN/Raw Spread account can help sophisticated, active traders keep their costs to a minimum.

Here are some of the most common account types offered by CFD brokers:

• Standard Accounts. These are the most common types of accounts that CFD brokers offer. They usually provide access to a wide range of financial instruments, including indices, commodities, shares, and more. The minimum deposit requirement for standard accounts can vary greatly between brokers.
• Mini or Micro Accounts. These accounts are designed for beginners or traders with smaller account balances. They often allow trading with smaller contract sizes, which can be a way to manage risk, especially for new traders learning the ropes.
• VIP or Premium Accounts. These accounts are designed for high-volume or professional traders. They often come with lower spreads or commissions, a dedicated account manager, and other perks like free access to premium research or advanced trading tools. However, they usually require a higher minimum deposit.
• Demo Accounts. Almost all CFD brokers offer demo accounts where traders can practice their strategies with virtual money before risking real money. This is a great way to get to know the broker’s platform and test your trading skills. Read more about the best forex demo accounts.
• Islamic Accounts. These are swap-free accounts that comply with Islamic law, which prohibits earning or paying interest. They are designed for traders of the Islamic faith. See our guide on the best Islamic forex accounts.

What is the available leverage?

The leverage options at CFD brokers offer a substantial advantage when trading CFDs. The extent of leverage you can access depends on where your broker (or broker’s entity) is located. For instance, if you’re trading through a UK-based, FCA-regulated broker, you’ll find the maximum leverage capped at 1:30. In contrast, offshore brokers frequently provide much higher leverage, sometimes reaching 1:500 or beyond.

The level of available leverage depends on what type of asset you are trading. When you are trading via a CySEC-regulated broker, the maximum leverage for trading CFDs on shares is 1:5. Here is the complete breakdown across each asset category:

• Forex Majors: 1:30
• Forex Minors: 1:20
• Forex Exotics: 1:20
• Indices Majors: 1:20
• Indices Minors: 1:10
• Commodities: 1:10
• Gold: 1:20
• Metals: 1:10
• Energies: 1:10
• Cryptos: 1:2
• Futures: 1:10
• Bonds: 1:5
• Shares: 1:5

Beware of using excessive leverage, even if it is tempting. It’s an enthralling feeling to control a large position in the market. But when markets are moving fast and you are holding a highly leveraged position, there is a very high risk of losing money. Accounts can get wiped out in seconds.

However, if you’re set on pursuing higher leverage, FX Empire offers a list of the best forex brokers with high leverage, carefully selected to suit specialized trading needs.

Is customer support reliable?

Having solid support on hand is essential. Check the hours of availability, for example, whether help is on hand 24/7 or only during business hours. Chat support is the most convenient, so look for an easy-to-access chat window built into the broker platform. In the case of a platform outage, it is also important to be able to contact support via phone.

What to avoid when choosing a CFD broker?

Opening an account with an unregulated offshore broker entails substantial risk. In some instances, brokers with offshore entities purchase private insurance from Lloyds of London to mitigate the risk for clients. Be sure to check what kind of account insurance is available to safeguard your account – whether a compensation fund is provided in association with a regulator or private insurance.

Another important area to check is trading costs and fees. Some brokers may have very wide spreads making it expensive to get in and out of trades. In some cases, for example, when trading CFDs on shares, commissions may also be added. Among account-related fees, find out if there is an inactivity fee – many brokers charge a sum each month after your account has been dormant for a set period. If you take a break from the market and are unaware of this, you could be surprised to find your account balance lower when you return to trading.

How to avoid forex and CFD scams?

• High-Return Guarantees. A common scam in the forex and CFD industry involves vendors offering a trading strategy that guarantees an outlandishly high return in little time. These may involve automated trading using bots or a signal service where trades are shared via chat or social media. Nobody can guarantee returns with certainty, and it is more likely that such strategies will lose money. When assessing strategy or signal providers, you should look for a live track record audited by a third party and be conscious that past performance does not guarantee future results.
• Lack of Protection. Traders should also be cautious about opening an account with an unregulated offshore broker. Such brokers may offer a straightforward account opening process, bonuses, and high levels of leverage, but client funds are typically not protected. Meanwhile, brokers regulated by top-tier authorities must undergo regular audits and are held accountable for misconduct. Traders can also benefit from having their funds held in segregated accounts, negative balance protection, and a compensation fund in the event of broker insolvency.

And if you are still uncertain, you can always check out our database of reviews to find the most reliable brokers.

Our Methodology

In selecting the best stock CFD brokers for Europeans, we relied on the findings of our advanced proprietary methodology. All of the brokers listed were among the leaders in our tests.

FXEmpire has been reviewing brokers since 2011 and has pioneered the in-depth evaluation of CFD brokers. Our process has taken years to refine and involved hundreds of reviews. We’ve gone to a granular level – with over 250 data points in our analysis of each broker – so you can feel confident in selecting the right platform.

To provide the most comprehensive view, we break down the brokers according to nine different categories:

• Trust
• Fees
• Platforms and tools
• Tradable instruments
• Customer service
• Deposit and withdrawal
• Account types
• Research
• Education

In our individual broker reviews, we explain complex areas like regulatory status, so you can easily understand the safety of your funds and the benefits you are guaranteed.

Data is gathered through live testing, research, detailed questionnaires, and in-person broker demonstrations. An account is opened with each broker, focusing primarily on the services of one entity and testing the most standard account type and platform. We conduct live tests of spreads and measure overnight swap fees and account-related costs.

Our side-by-side analysis reveals whether a broker is competitive in relation to the industry as a whole. Trading platforms take time to master, but we have already done the legwork for you, and our evaluations highlight their important features and usability.

FX Empire abides by strict guidelines for editorial integrity. Scoring is based on objective criteria and mostly measurable data, so our reviews cannot be swayed by individual preferences or biases. The review process is independent and follows a strict protocol. In addition, all facts are carefully checked and rechecked, as reviews are continually updated. Read more about our review process here.

For this guide, we focused on brokers regulated by top European authorities that offer low spreads, commissions, and swap fees for share CFD trading. We also ensured these brokers offer a wide range of tradable share CFDs from global exchanges, coupled with suitable leverage options that allow trading without the need for full upfront payment for positions. Additionally, we checked for a diverse range of European deposit and withdrawal methods, guaranteeing convenient and efficient money transfers for traders’ accounts.

We abide by our strict guidelines for editorial integrity based on the objective standards we have set for our reviews. You can read more about our review process here.

Meet Our Writers

The team of forex and CFD writers and editors at FX Empire is composed of trading industry professionals and seasoned financial journalists. Our writers have been published on leading financial websites such as Investopedia and Forbes. In addition, they all have extensive trading experience.

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