Capital.com offers a feature-rich and intuitive spread betting experience tailored for UK traders. With tax benefits* for individuals, access to thousands of global markets, and a modern trading platform, Capital.com continues to attract retail traders seeking flexible, leveraged exposure across asset classes.
Spread betting is tax-free for UK residents under current rules*, but tax treatment varies by individual circumstances and may differ outside the UK.
What Is Spread Betting on Capital.com UK?
Spread betting allows traders to speculate on the direction of a market’s price without owning the underlying asset. Positions are sized in pounds per point of movement, and profits or losses are calculated based on the number of points the market moves multiplied by the stake size.
Spread betting typically utilises leverage, which magnifies both gains and losses. Traders can take long (buy) or short (sell) positions, allowing them to participate in both rising and falling markets.
Capital.com Spread Betting UK Market’s
Capital.com offers spread betting on over 4,700 instruments, including:
- Major and minor forex pairs
- Global indices such as UK 100, US 500 and the Germany 40
- Commodities including gold, oil, and natural gas
- Thousands of individual shares
- ETFs
This breadth makes Capital.com suitable for multi-asset traders who want to access a wide range of markets from a single platform.
Capital.com UK Platform and Tools
Capital.com’s trading platform is designed to be accessible to beginners yet sophisticated enough for advanced users. Key features include:
- Web and mobile apps with real-time pricing, alerts, watchlists, and news feeds tailored by asset
- Integration with TradingView and MetaTrader 4, offering advanced charting, 12 chart types, and over 100 technical indicators
- Fast execution and clear pricing, with average execution speed of 0.014 seconds, according to internal server data from January-October 2025. Spreads are displayed transparently before placing a trade
- Advanced risk management tools such as guaranteed stop-loss orders (GSLOs), which incur a fee if activated, trailing stops, and take-profit orders
The interface is user-friendly across both desktop and mobile, making it straightforward to manage positions and analyse markets.
Tax Benefits for UK Traders
For UK residents, profits from spread betting are typically exempt from both capital gains tax and stamp duty*. This makes spread betting a potential option for those looking to trade the markets in a tax-efficient way. However, tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change or differ in jurisdictions outside the UK.
Margin and Leverage
Spread betting accounts are margin-based, allowing traders to open positions with a fraction of the trade’s notional value. Typical margin requirements include:
- Major indices: 5% (20:1 leverage)
- Major forex pairs: 3.33% (30:1 leverage)
- Shares: 20% (5:1 leverage)
Capital.com provides clear notifications when margin levels are breached. If account equity falls to around 50% of the required margin, positions may be closed automatically to manage risk.
Spread and Costs
Trading costs are embedded within the spread. Spreads may vary based on:
- Liquidity of the market
- Market volatility
- Trading hours
- Scheduled economic releases
Overnight funding charges apply when positions are held beyond the daily rollover. Forward bets, which expire quarterly, do not incur daily funding – instead, the cost of funding is reflected in a wider spread.
Order Types and Risk Management
Capital.com offers a suite of risk management tools designed to help traders control exposure:
- Standard stop-loss orders close positions when a market reaches a predefined level (subject to slippage). These are not guaranteed to execute at the selected price.
- Guaranteed stop-loss orders (GSLOs) guarantee execution at the selected price, even in volatile conditions. A premium applies if triggered.
- Take-profit orders allow profits to be locked in automatically at a chosen level.
- Price alerts notify users when an instrument hits a specific level.
Retail accounts come with negative balance protection, ensuring that losses are limited to the funds available in the account.
Capital.com Spread Betting UK Account Setup and Customer Support
Getting started with Capital.com is a three-step process:
- Open an account online (subject to eligibility checks)
- Fund the account via secure payment options
- Start trading across thousands of markets
Disclaimer: Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 60% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and 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.
Support is available 24/7 via phone, live chat, and email in multiple languages. The platform also offers educational resources, including video tutorials, explainers, webinars, and trading guides.
Education and Analysis
Capital.com places a strong emphasis on trader education. Spread betting clients benefit from:
- A full educational suite with foundational and advanced content
- Webinars and video guides covering key trading concepts
- Regular trading insight and market analysis integrated within the platform
These resources are designed to help traders make informed decisions and understand the mechanics and risks of trading leveraged products.
Fast Withdrawals and Platform Security
According to internal data, 98.19% of client withdrawals are processed within 24 hours. The platform uses advanced encryption and data security protocols to protect client funds and information.
Awards and Recognition
Capital.com has received industry recognition, including:
- Spread Betting Provider of the Year – IC Celebration of Investment Awards 2024
- Best Online Broker – BrokerChooser Awards 2025
- Best Trading Account – Good Money Guide Awards 2025
These awards reflect ongoing platform development, innovation, and client satisfaction.
Capital.com Spread Betting UK vs CFD Trading
Capital.com also offers CFD trading, which shares many features with spread betting. The key differences include:
- Tax treatment: CFDs may be subject to capital gains tax, while spread betting is usually tax-free for individuals*
- Trade structure: CFDs are contract-based, spread bets are priced in £ per point
- Corporate accounts: CFDs allow institutional access, spread betting is typically limited to individuals
Many UK traders choose spread betting for its tax efficiency and intuitive pricing model.
🌟 Open a Spread Betting account
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 60% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and 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.
*Disclaimer: Spread betting is a leveraged financial product. You can lose more than your initial deposit. Retail clients benefit from negative balance protection, but this does not eliminate all risk. Tax treatment depends on your personal circumstances and may change or differ in jurisdictions outside the UK. The information above is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. You should assess whether you understand how spread betting works and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
