Your guide to online trading in the UK.

We offer two quick ways to find a suitable online trading account; either use our online share dealing directory or use our short list of some of the best online trading services available, based on cost and functionality provided.

Online share dealing accounts are a very effective way of trading equities on-line. The reason being that the process is very simple and because you are transacting directly the costs are far cheaper than using a telephone to trade.

Having an online trading account also gives you far greater control of your equity portfolio. You can see the position of all your holdings at a glance, along with up to the minute details of your gains and losses.

Opening an internet account will also give you access to a wealth of market information, including the latest market news, historical data and expert analysis. You will also gain access to a powerful array of analysis tools, including portfolio management and alerts to keep you informed by email or SMS when a share rises to or falls to a certain price.

Costs for online trading can vary considerably from one stockbroker to the next, and costs will also vary depending on the size of your transactions. One stockbroker may be cheaper than another for those who deal under £1000 but the reverse may be true for those whose average transaction is over £1000. Before opening an account it is important to make sure you are not going to be paying over the odds.

At the same time, it may not always be the best solution to go with cheapest stockbroker as it is equally important to consider the functionality offered. You should make sure that the share dealing account you are considering offers the facilities that are going to be of most use to you. For example, do you want to be notified via SMS when your selected share hits a predetermined price?