Alerts
Live trading alerts can bolster investing success, whether using automation or through expert insight and guidance. Mobile notifications, market scanners, and free forex news apps are valuable tools in many investors’ arsenals. We look at the ins and outs of live trading alerts and review the best providers in the UK. Read on to find out whether using technical and currency alerts could enhance your trading experience.
UK Brokers with Alerts
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Founded in Australia in 2010, Pepperstone is a highly regarded broker specialising in forex and CFDs. Serving more than 400,000 clients globally, it provides access to over 1,300 financial instruments through popular platforms like MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView. Its fee structure is both low and transparent. With regulation by reputable bodies such as the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC, Pepperstone guarantees a safe trading environment for traders at every level.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Currency Indices, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Crypto (only Pro clients), Spread Betting FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, CMA, BaFin, SCB MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist, DupliTrade, Quantower Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $0 0.01 Lots 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) -
Established in Poland in 2002, XTB caters to over a million clients worldwide. This forex and CFD broker offers a robust regulatory framework, a diverse range of assets, and prioritises trader satisfaction. It provides an intuitive proprietary platform equipped with excellent tools to support aspiring traders.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs on shares, Indices, ETFs, Raw Materials, Forex currencies, cryptocurrencies, Real shares, Real ETFs FCA, CySEC, KNF, DFSA, FSC, SCA, Bappebti xStation Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $0 0.01 Lots 1:30 -
Founded in 1989, CMC Markets is a reputable broker publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange. It holds authorisation from top-tier regulators such as the FCA, ASIC, and CIRO. The brokerage, which has received multiple awards, boasts a global membership exceeding one million traders.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Treasuries, Custom Indices, Spread Betting FCA, ASIC, MAS, CIRO, BaFin, FMA, DFSA Web, MT4, TradingView Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $0 0.01 Lots 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) -
FXCC, a well-established brokerage since 2010, offers cost-effective online trading. Registered in Nevis and regulated by CySEC, it is distinguished by its ECN conditions and absence of a minimum deposit requirement. The account opening process is efficient, taking under five minutes.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto CySEC MT4, MT5 Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $0 0.01 Lots 1:500 -
IC Markets is an internationally acclaimed forex and CFD broker, admired for its competitive pricing, diverse trading instruments, and superior technology. Established in 2007 and based in Australia, the firm is under the regulation of ASIC, CySEC, and FSA. It has successfully drawn over 180,000 clients from more than 200 nations.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Futures, Crypto ASIC, CySEC, FSA, CMA MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade, Quantower Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $200 0.01 Lots 1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global) -
Founded in 1974, IG is a part of IG Group Holdings Plc, a publicly listed brokerage (LSE: IGG). The company provides spread betting, CFD, and forex trading, offering access to over 17,000 markets. Its platforms and investing apps are notably user-friendly. Over the past 50 years, IG has consistently been an industry leader, excelling in all essential areas for traders.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral, ProRealTime Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $0 0.01 Lots 1:30 (Retail), 1:222 (Pro) -
Eightcap, an acclaimed broker regulated by the FCA, offers exceptionally low trading costs. Recognised as the top-rated brand by TradingView's vast user base of 100 million, traders can directly access the platform. UK traders can open a live account with a minimum deposit of just £100.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities ASIC, FCA, CySEC, SCB MT4, MT5, TradingView Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage £100 0.01 Lots 1:30
Pepperstone
XTB
CMC Markets
FXCC
IC Markets
IG Index
EightcapSafety Comparison
Compare how safe the Alerts are and what features they offer to protect traders.
| Broker | Trust Rating | FCA Regulated | Negative Balance Protection | Guaranteed Stop Loss | Segregated Accounts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| XTB | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| CMC Markets | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| FXCC | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| IC Markets | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| IG Index | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Eightcap | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ |
Payments Comparison
Compare which popular payment methods the Alerts support and whether they have trading accounts denominated in British Pounds (GBP).
| Broker | GBP Account | Debit Card | Credit Card | Neteller | Skrill | Apple Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| XTB | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| CMC Markets | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| FXCC | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| IC Markets | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| IG Index | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Eightcap | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
Mobile Trading Comparison
How good are the Alerts at mobile trading using apps or other mobile interfaces.
| Broker | Mobile Apps | iOS Rating | Android Rating | Smart Watch App |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| XTB | iOS & Android | ✔ | ||
| CMC Markets | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| FXCC | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| IC Markets | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| IG Index | iOS & Android | ✔ | ||
| Eightcap | iOS & Android | ✘ |
Beginners Comparison
Are the Alerts good for beginner traders, that might want an affordable setup to get started, along with good support and educational resources?
| Broker | Demo Account | Minimum Deposit | Minimum Trade | Support Rating | Education Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| XTB | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| CMC Markets | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| FXCC | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| IC Markets | ✔ | $200 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| IG Index | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| Eightcap | ✔ | £100 | 0.01 Lots |
Advanced Trading Comparison
Do the Alerts offer features that allow for more advanced trading strategies?
| Broker | Automated Trading | Pro Account | Leverage | VPS | AI | Low Latency | Extended Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✔ | 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| XTB | Open API | ✔ | 1:30 | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
| CMC Markets | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✔ | 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
| FXCC | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✘ | 1:500 | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
| IC Markets | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, cBots on cTrader, Myfxbook AutoTrade | ✘ | 1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global) | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
| IG Index | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, build your own on ProRealTime | ✔ | 1:30 (Retail), 1:222 (Pro) | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Eightcap | TradingView Bots | ✘ | 1:30 | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
Detailed Rating Comparison
Use this heatmap to compare our detailed ratings for all of the Alerts.
| Broker | Trust | Platforms | Mobile | Assets | Fees | Accounts | Support | Research | Education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | |||||||||
| XTB | |||||||||
| CMC Markets | |||||||||
| FXCC | |||||||||
| IC Markets | |||||||||
| IG Index | |||||||||
| Eightcap |
Our Take On Pepperstone
"Pepperstone is a premier trading platform, providing tight spreads, swift execution, and sophisticated charting tools for seasoned traders. Beginners benefit from no minimum deposit, comprehensive learning materials, and outstanding 24/7 support."
Tobias Robinson
Reviewer
Pros
- Support for top-tier charting platforms such as MT4, MT5, TradingView, and cTrader. These tools accommodate different short-term trading methods, including algorithmic trading.
- Pepperstone presents itself as an economical choice for traders, offering spreads as low as 0.0 in its Razor account. The Active Trader programme provides rebates up to 30% on indices and commodities, plus $3 per lot on forex.
- Over the years, Pepperstone has consistently garnered recognition from DayTrading.com’s annual awards. Recently, it was honoured as the 'Best Overall Broker' in 2025 and was the 'Best Forex Broker' runner-up the same year.
Cons
- Despite broadening its market range, the crypto options remain limited compared to brokers like eToro, and there is no facility for investing in actual coins.
- Pepperstone doesn't offer cTrader Copy, a favoured feature for copying trades found in the cTrader platform, which is available on other platforms such as IC Markets. However, Pepperstone has launched its own user-friendly copy trading app.
- Pepperstone's demo accounts expire after 30 days, which may not provide sufficient time to explore various platforms and evaluate trading strategies.
Our Take On XTB
"XTB emerges as an ideal option for novice traders, offering the impressive xStation platform, zero commission pricing, no required minimum deposit, and outstanding educational resources, many of which are conveniently integrated into the platform."
Pros
- XTB ensures swift access to funds, providing fast withdrawals with same-day payments for requests made before 1 pm.
- Setting up an XTB account is straightforward and fully online, requiring only a few minutes. This simplicity eases new traders into the world of trading.
- XTB has raised its interest rate on uninvested funds and introduced zero-fee ISAs for UK clients, offering access to 3,000 stocks and 700 ETFs for diverse investment opportunities.
Cons
- Trading fees are competitive, with average EUR/USD spreads of about 1 pip. However, they are not as low as the most affordable brokers, such as IC Markets. Additionally, an inactivity fee applies after a year.
- The research tools at XTB are commendable but have the potential to excel further. Enhancing them with access to top-tier third-party services like Autochartist, Trading Central, and TipRanks would significantly elevate their offering.
- XTB lacks a raw spread account, a feature increasingly offered by competitors such as Pepperstone. This omission might not satisfy traders seeking the most competitive spreads.
Our Take On CMC Markets
"Equipped with advanced charts and a broad array of tradable CFDs, including an unmatched selection of currencies and bespoke indices, CMC Markets offers an excellent online platform for traders at any level."
Pros
- The brokerage excels with an extensive array of valuable resources, such as pattern recognition scanners, webinars, tutorials, news feeds, and research from reputable sources like Morningstar.
- CMC Markets is well-regulated by respected financial authorities, ensuring a secure and reliable trading environment. It upholds a strong reputation, providing traders with confidence.
- We've upgraded the 'Assets & Markets' rating due to frequent product enhancements in early 2025. These include extended trading hours for US stocks and the introduction of new share CFDs.
Cons
- Trading stock CFDs comes with a relatively high commission, particularly when compared to low-cost brokers such as IC Markets.
- Although there have been improvements, the online platform still needs further refinement to match the user-friendly trading experience offered by competitors such as IG.
- The CMC Markets app provides a comprehensive trading package; however, its design and user experience lag behind market leaders such as eToro.
Our Take On FXCC
"FXCC remains a top choice for forex traders, offering over 70 currency pairs, very tight spreads from 0.0 pips in tests, and high leverage up to 1:500 with the ECN XL account."
Pros
- FXCC has introduced MT5, which in our evaluations, mirrored the trading conditions of MT4 by offering swift execution, improved charting, and market depth tools.
- FXCC offers competitive and transparent ECN spreads starting from 0.0 pips, with no commissions. This makes it one of the most cost-effective forex brokers available.
- There are no deposit fees other than standard cryptocurrency mining charges, which benefits active traders.
Cons
- The variety of currency pairs surpasses most options, but the choice of other assets is limited. Notably, stocks are absent.
- Unaware traders might face steep withdrawal fees, such as a notable $45 for bank transfers.
- FXCC's exclusive MetaTrader platform is a limitation, especially when compared to more versatile options like AvaTrade, which offers five different platforms to cater to various trader needs.
Our Take On IC Markets
"IC Markets provides excellent pricing, swift execution, and easy deposits. With cutting-edge charting tools like TradingView and the Raw Trader Plus account, it continues to be a preferred option for intermediate and advanced traders."
Pros
- IC Markets provides reliable 24/5 support, especially for account and funding queries, drawing from direct experience.
- Access over 2,250 CFDs across diverse markets like forex, commodities, indices, shares, bonds, and cryptocurrencies. This variety enables traders to employ diversified strategies.
- In 2025, IC Markets earned DayTrading.com's accolade for 'Best MT4/MT5 Broker' due to its top-tier MetaTrader integration. This achievement highlights the broker's continuous refinement over the years to enhance the platform experience.
Cons
- The tutorials, webinars, and educational resources require enhancement, lagging behind competitors such as CMC Markets, which diminishes their appeal to novice traders.
- Certain withdrawal methods incur fees, including a $20 charge for wire transfers. These costs can reduce profits, particularly with frequent withdrawals.
- IC Markets provides metals and cryptocurrencies for trading through CFDs, though the selection is narrower compared to brokers such as eToro. This limits opportunities for traders focused on these asset classes.
Our Take On IG Index
"IG offers a complete package with an intuitive online platform, top-tier beginner education, advanced charting tools through its TradingView integration, real-time data, and swift execution for seasoned traders."
Pros
- The ProRealTime advanced charting platform remains free, provided traders meet modest monthly activity requirements.
- As a seasoned broker, IG adheres to stringent regulatory standards across various regions, ensuring significant trust.
- IG stands out with its extensive range of instruments, offering stocks, forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. Additionally, it has recently introduced US-listed futures and options, along with an AI Index. These options enhance opportunities for diversification in trading.
Cons
- In the UK and EU, negative balance protection is available. However, US clients lack account protection and guaranteed stop losses.
- IG imposes a monthly inactivity fee of $12 after two years, discouraging occasional traders.
- Based on tests, stock and CFD spreads remain less competitive than the lowest-cost brokers, such as CMC Markets.
Our Take On Eightcap
"Eightcap excels for traders, offering diverse charting platforms, educational Labs, and AI tools. With over 120 crypto CFDs, it stands out in crypto trading and has won our 'Best Crypto Broker' award twice consecutively."
Pros
- Eightcap excels with a suite of advanced trading tools, such as MT4 and MT5, and has recently joined the 100-million-user social trading network, TradingView.
- With spreads starting at 0 pips, minimal commission charges, and leverage up to 1:500 for select clients, Eightcap delivers affordable and flexible trading opportunities. These conditions suit various strategies, such as trading and scalping.
- Eightcap has excelled in all essential trading areas, surpassing all rivals to clinch our 'Best Overall Broker' award for 2024. It also earned the titles of 'Best Crypto Broker' and 'Best TradingView Broker' for 2025.
Cons
- The demo account is available for 30 days, after which it requires a request for extension. This is less convenient than XM's offering, which provides an unlimited demo mode.
- Eightcap must enhance its range of over 800 instruments to rival top competitors like Blackbull Markets, which offers 26,000+ assets, especially improving its limited commodities selection.
- Despite the growing range of tools available, Eightcap lacks popular industry resources such as Autochartist and Trading Central. These provide advanced charting analytics, live news, and essential market insights for traders focused on short-term strategies.
What Are Alerts?
Alerts are tools or software that help you make trading decisions. Much like you might have push notifications for your favourite news platform, SMS and email trading alerts keep you abreast of the latest market developments. Alerts can cover a range of different topics:
- Industry news
- Technical indicators
- Price targets & halts
- Market developments
- Sudden stock surges and drops
Types Of Trading Alerts
News Alerts
News alerts are amongst the most common and simple alerts. They allow traders to quickly review and react to market events and generate profits where every second counts.
Technical Alerts
These signals provide traders with notifications based on technical settings, such as volume, momentum and RSI. They are more specific than general news alerts and can be tweaked to your charting and moving averages needs, for example. You can also set algorithmic alerts that automatically take positions based on defined technical parameters.
Price Alerts
These alerts notify traders to changes in price, allowing for split-second decisions. They can help prevent traders from missing out on potential profits. Because price alerts are designed for immediate buy and sell, they can be costly and risky.
Economic Alerts
For markets where economic events have a significant impact, such as forex and stocks, the best trading alerts can warn you of emerging incidents. Instead of reacting to live market data, these alerts follow a specific schedule, allowing you to set reminders in the same way you would a standard calendar.
Trading Markets
Various UK trading apps and technologies cover all major areas of trading with alerts and independent indicators:
- Forex – FX remains one of the most popular financial markets globally, and as such, forex alerts are highly popular. You can find forex trading alerts for free on some platforms. In contrast, more advanced apps are available on a paid-for basis if you need flexibility or a more tailored solution.
- Stocks – Stock trading alerts are another popular option for investors, both through automated signals and manual alerts defined by expert traders. Stay up to date with the price of Amazon CFD shares or the NASDAQ and NYSE, for example.
- Cryptocurrency – Crypto trading alerts are another option for those looking to invest in Bitcoin (BTC) or Ethereum (ETH). Price, news and technical parameters are all common both within trading platforms and as stand-alone services.
- Futures – Utilising automation and defined parameters, advanced trading alerts can notify traders to opportunities in the futures and Emini markets.
- Commodities – From oil trading alerts to gas and gold price signals, commodity notifications can be an effective addition to a trading strategy.
Standard financial markets have a range of different alert services to choose from. In some cases, specific platforms and paid-for providers may encompass multiple markets, ideal for those that little to dabble in forex, stocks and cryptos, for example.
Receiving Alerts
If you’re considering trying out a swing alerts download or you want to know how best to receive day trading options alerts, there’s plenty of choices out there.
In-Software Notifications
The most common way traders start with alerts is to use what’s already available to them. Many trading platforms, including TradingView and MT4, allow you to set straightforward notifications for free.
Push Notifications
If you prefer to use your mobile for trading, push notifications are a huge benefit. Alerts can be triggered by a sound on your iPhone or Android device, allowing immediate access to information wherever you happen to be. If you aren’t in front of trading software all the time, push notifications are a great option.
SMS
SMS messaging is an alternative to push notifications and an excellent way to get immediate price warnings, for example. While SMS is falling out of favour with newer alerts systems, it’s still a mainstay for many traders.
Messaging Services
Messaging systems like WhatsApp and Telegram are increasingly being used as an alternative to SMS, providing a free and easy way to get alerts directly to your phone or desktop app.
Email notifications can prove an effective way to track updates, especially if you don’t plan to react immediately. Email offers a great way to send and receive a comprehensive daily round-up of alerts while supplementing desktop trading.
Social Media
Twitter alerts are becoming increasingly popular and don’t clog up inboxes or messages while still enabling fast responses and quick notifications.
Benefits Of Using Trading Alerts
Whether you’re a newbie looking to keep pace with the market or an experienced hand looking to refine strategies, there are several advantages of using alerts:
- Easy to use and simple to set up
- Saves time researching the markets
- Gives you access to the information you need
- Allows beginners to learn from experienced traders
- Free options are included in some trading platforms
- Keeps you connected to the market when you’re offline
Risks Of Trading Alerts
There are also downsides to relying on these notification systems:
- Can lead to an over reliance on others for market research
- The best alert systems are paid-for, which will cut into the profits
- Trading alerts aren’t always right – it’s important to use risk management tools to mitigate potential losses
Best UK Providers For Trading Alerts
As you might expect, there are plenty of options out there. Our top picks include the below.
Free Trading Alerts
- IG – IG offers price, technical and economic alerts across various markets, including forex, stocks, crypto and commodities. With various awards as a top finance app, IG’s alerts are part of their wider trading platform and included for free.
- FXCM – FXCM delivers free basic alerts across shares, forex, CFD and Bitcoin directly to your mobile via SMS. Just choose the buy and sell signals you want to follow, and you’re good to go.
Other popular providers include Trading212, TD Ameritrade and Warrior Trading.
Paid Trading Alerts
- TradingView – A comprehensive range of price alerts are offered by a trading community. Users can learn and develop their skills through economic calendars, screeners, charts and divergence alerts on specific areas. It’s also quick and easy to manage and remove custom ETF notifications, for example. The basic package is free while advanced services come at a cost.
- 1000pipbuilder.com – A popular tool, this forex alert and signals service is easy to understand and provides email and SMS notifications to clients when they sign up for a monthly subscription.
- eToro – As a leading forex and CFD broker, eToro offers high-quality alerts and signals to its user base across its range of asset classes. Users also get the benefit of working with a heavily regulated and trusted provider.
Should You Start Using Trading Alerts?
Used correctly, trading alerts can be an excellent way to improve skills. However, that doesn’t mean they are a guaranteed shortcut to profits. Due diligence and risk management are still needed to get the most out of notification services. Alerts are best thought of as a valuable tool to supplement the investing experience.
FAQ
What Are Trading Alerts?
Trading alerts notify you to a particular event, such as a price change, in a financial market. Alerts are available in multiple markets, from forex and stocks to cryptos and commodities. Alerts range from free to paid software and are available at multiple online brokers and specialised providers.
What Different Trading Alerts Are Available?
A range of alerts and signals are available. Traders can set up technical alerts, news notifications, market sentiment warnings and more. Which alerts work for you will depend on your strategy and preference.
How Can I Receive Trading Alerts?
Trading alerts can be received via SMS push notifications, email, social media and in-platform signals. Most providers offer multiple communication channels, so it’s important to find a system that works for you.
Are Trading Alerts Worth It?
Trading alerts are not a shortcut to profits. They can help inform decisions and complement strategies, but careful risk management is still needed. Alerts shouldn’t give traders an excuse not to analyse the markets and stay up to date with the assets they’re interested in trading.
Are Trading Alerts Free?
Some trading alerts are free while others are paid for. Many brokers, such as IG and BDSwiss offer free alerts as part of their service and can be accessed and set up from a trader’s platform. Other alerts, often from expert traders, must be paid for. It’s important to read reviews of services before you start trading.