Broker review · Updated October 2026
Capital.com Review UK (2026): CFDs, Spread Betting, Fees and Risks
Capital.com is an FCA-regulated trading platform for CFDs and spread bets. It is slick, cheap to start and well regulated. But it is a trading platform, not an investment platform. This review explains how it works, what it costs and why most retail accounts lose money.
- Our rating
- 3.8 / 5 for experienced traders only
- Retail accounts losing
- 65% Capital.com's own figure
- Minimum deposit
- £20 most payment methods
- Regulation
- FCA reference 793714
Our verdict
A well-regulated trading app, but not a place to invest
Capital.com is a solid choice for experienced traders. It has no commission, no account fees, TradingView integration and strong FCA oversight. However, it only offers leveraged products, and 65% of its retail accounts lose money. So it is not suitable for long-term investing or for your ISA money.
Key facts
Capital.com at a glance
| UK company | Capital Com (UK) Limited, FCA reference 793714 |
|---|---|
| Products | CFDs, spread betting and an unleveraged 1X CFD account |
| Real shares, ISA or SIPP | No |
| Commission | None; you pay the spread |
| Overnight funding | Benchmark rate ± about 4% a year on indices, shares and commodities |
| Currency conversion | 0.7% for retail clients |
| Deposit, withdrawal, inactivity | Free |
| Markets | 5,000+, including 130+ currency pairs |
| Protection | Negative balance protection; FSCS up to £85,000 |
Sources: Capital.com and independent reviews, September 2026.
CFDs and spread bets explained
What CFDs and spread bets are
In simple terms, a CFD, or contract for difference, is a contract with the broker on a price move. You never own the share, index or commodity. Instead, you gain or lose the difference between your opening and closing price.
A spread bet works in a similar way. However, you bet a set amount per point of movement, such as £1 per point on the FTSE 100. In addition, spread betting profits are usually free of UK Capital Gains Tax, while CFD profits are taxable.
Also, both products let you go long or short. That is, you can profit when prices rise or fall. Yet both also use leverage, which magnifies losses just as much as gains.
How leverage works
How leverage turns small moves into big losses
For example, with 20:1 leverage on an index, a £1,000 deposit controls a £20,000 position. As a result, a 5% fall wipes out your whole deposit.
Illustrative profit or loss on a £20,000 index position opened with £1,000 margin, before costs.
First, FCA rules cap retail leverage at 30:1 on major currencies and 20:1 on major indices and gold. Also, the cap is 10:1 on other commodities and 5:1 on shares. Moreover, negative balance protection means you cannot lose more than your account balance. Still, you can lose all of it very quickly.
Fees
Capital.com fees explained
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Commission | None |
| Spreads | Variable; EUR/USD from about 0.6 pips |
| Overnight funding | Benchmark (SONIA/SOFR) ± about 4% a year |
| Currency conversion | 0.7% (retail) |
| Guaranteed stop-loss | Premium charged only if triggered |
| Deposits, withdrawals, inactivity | £0 |
Why overnight funding matters
For example, holding a £10,000 long index position costs roughly £2 a day at current rates. Over a year, that adds up to around £775. So CFDs suit short-term trades, not long-term holding.
Platform and markets
Platform, tools and markets
- Platforms: web and mobile apps, with TradingView integration.
- Markets: over 5,000, including shares, indices, commodities and 130+ currency pairs.
- Demo account: practise with virtual money before risking your own.
- Education: courses and guides on trading and risk.
Note, however, that FCA rules ban crypto CFDs for UK retail clients.
Safety
Is Capital.com safe?
The FCA authorises Capital Com (UK) Limited. In addition, it keeps client money in segregated accounts and offers negative balance protection to retail clients. If the firm failed, the FSCS could cover eligible claims up to £85,000.
In other words, Capital.com itself is a regulated, legitimate broker. The main risk is the product, not the firm. Therefore, never trade with money you need. Instead, treat the demo account as a test of whether trading suits you at all.
Trading vs investing
Trading vs long-term investing
| CFD trading (Capital.com) | ETF investing (e.g. VWRP) | |
|---|---|---|
| You own the asset | No | Yes |
| Leverage | Up to 30:1 | None |
| Ongoing cost | Spread plus daily funding | 0.14% a year fund charge |
| ISA eligible | No | Yes |
| Typical outcome | 65% of retail accounts lose money | Tracks global market returns |
Overall, for most people building wealth, a low-cost global ETF in an ISA is the better tool. Read our guide to the best ETFs to invest in or our review of VWRP.
Who it suits
Is Capital.com right for you?
Capital.com suits you if
- You are an experienced, active trader
- You want spread betting with TradingView charts
- Low entry costs matter to you
- You can afford to lose your whole stake
Look elsewhere if
- You want to invest for retirement
- You want real shares, an ISA or a SIPP
- You are new to markets
- Losses would cause you financial stress
FAQ
Capital.com review: frequently asked questions
Safety and suitability
Is Capital.com safe and regulated in the UK?
The FCA authorises Capital Com (UK) Limited (reference 793714). Also, it holds client money in segregated accounts and offers negative balance protection. In addition, the FSCS covers eligible claims up to £85,000. However, none of this protects you from trading losses.
Is Capital.com good for beginners?
Its apps are easy to use, and it offers a demo account and education. Even so, leveraged CFDs and spread bets are high risk, and 65% of its retail accounts lose money. Beginners who want to build wealth are usually better served by ETFs in an ISA.
Can I buy real shares or open an ISA with Capital.com?
No. Capital.com UK offers CFDs and spread bets, so you never own the underlying shares. It does not offer a stocks and shares ISA or a SIPP.
What fees does Capital.com charge?
There is no commission; you pay the spread. Overnight funding applies to positions held past the daily cut-off, and a 0.7% charge applies to currency conversion. Deposits, withdrawals and inactivity are free.
Is spread betting tax-free in the UK?
For most individuals, spread betting profits are currently free of Capital Gains Tax and stamp duty. However, tax treatment depends on your circumstances and can change. CFD profits, by contrast, are subject to Capital Gains Tax.
Accounts and features
What is the minimum deposit at Capital.com?
The minimum deposit is £20 for most payment methods. A higher minimum may apply to wire transfers.
What leverage does Capital.com offer UK retail clients?
FCA rules cap retail leverage at 30:1 for major currency pairs and 20:1 for major indices and gold. In addition, the cap is 10:1 for other commodities and 5:1 for shares.
Does Capital.com offer crypto?
No. FCA rules ban crypto CFDs for UK retail clients. Our guide to the best crypto exchanges in the UK covers regulated ways to buy crypto.
What is the 1X account?
It is an unleveraged CFD account. You still don't own the asset, but you avoid leverage and, on most markets, overnight funding charges.
Is Capital.com better than buying ETFs for the long term?
For long-term investing, usually not. CFDs carry daily funding costs. By contrast, ETFs such as VWRP held in an ISA are cheaper and tax-free.
Keep reading
Related guides
Sources
Sources
- FCA Financial Services Register (Capital Com (UK) Limited, 793714)
- Capital.com – Charges and fees
- Investing in the Web – Capital.com UK review (September 2026)
- MatchMyBroker – Capital.com spread betting review (2026)
- FCA – Permanent restrictions on CFDs for retail consumers
This review is general information, not personal financial advice. We based it on published information. Some links may be affiliate links, which never affect our rating. vwrp.co.uk is independent and not affiliated with Capital.com or Vanguard. Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 65% of retail investor accounts lose money when spread betting and/or trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.