Spread betting is different from traditional fixed-odds betting when it comes to sports and financial markets. With spread betting, you can speculate on whether an outcome will be higher or lower than the bookmaker's spread instead of backing a simple win or a loss.
If you're right in spread betting, your winnings multiply based on your prediction’s accuracy, but the same applies to losses.
We've spent considerable time testing the limited number of spread betting apps available in the UK. While spread betting is more commonly associated with financial markets, there are spread betting apps with sports markets covering football, cricket, horse racing, and more.
What are the Best Spread Betting Platforms in the UK right now?
Here are the best spread betting platforms in the UK that you can start using today:
1. Spreadex
Spreadex is the best spread betting app in the UK for sports betting. The Spreadex app combines both fixed-odds and spread betting markets in one app, so it’s one of the most flexible choices out there.
We rate Spreadex highly because it offers spread betting across 24 sports with genuinely diverse markets. The app’s live streaming quality is solid, and customer support has been responsive.
While Spreadex’s interface could look confusing at first, especially for newcomers, it’s still one of the best spread betting platforms for beginners. The platform provides detailed explanations for each market via info buttons, so the navigation gradually becomes easier.
Place a £10 fixed odds single or £10 each-way bet at minimum odds of 1/2 and get 3 x £10 free fixed odds bets, 3 x £5 Total Goals football spread bets and 3 x £5 Winning Favourites spread bets and a £1 racing Race Index spread bet. Spread betting losses can exceed deposit. 18+ www.gambleaware.org.
2. Sporting Index
Sporting Index is a decent alternative to Spreadex. It features fewer markets, but it still has all the essentials. The in-app experience on Sporting Index is slightly more basic, and that can be an advantage for users with a more simplistic approach.
Top Spread Betting Brokers and Firms as Alternatives
Our expertise is in sports betting apps, whereas spread betting is far more common in financial markets. If you're interested in spread betting on forex, indices, commodities, or shares rather than sports, there are several FCA-regulated brokers in the UK that specialize in this, like:
The spread betting brokers above focus on financial spread betting and CFD trading. Some may even provide spread betting demo accounts, so you can practice before risking real money. We don't review these platforms directly since they fall outside our area of focus, but they are regulated and widely used by traders in the UK.
What is Spread Betting and How Does It Work?
Spread betting is a way to bet on whether something like a sports score or a market price will go higher or lower than a bookmaker’s prediction. Your profit or loss isn't based on not just on winning or losing as it depends on right or wrong you're. The bigger the difference, the more you win or lose.
Simple Sports Spread Betting Example:
Liverpool vs Chelsea:
The spread for total goals is 2.8 – 3.0.
You buy at 3.0 if you think there’ll be more than three goals.
You sell at 2.8 if you think there’ll be fewer than three goals.
- You buy at 3.0 for £5 per goal.
If the match ends 4–1 (5 goals) → you win on two goals: 2 × £5 = £10 profit
If the match ends 1–1 (2 goals) → you lose on one goal: 1 × £5 = £5 loss
The further the result is from your prediction, the bigger your win or loss.
Simple Financial Spread Betting Example:
FTSE 100 spread: 7,498 – 7,502
- You think the index will rise, so you buy at 7,502 for £2 per point.
If it goes up to 7,550, you win: (7,550 – 7,502) × £2 = £96
If it falls to 7,450, you lose: (7,450 – 7,502) × £2 = £104
Sports Spread Betting FAQs
Spreadex is the best app for sports spread betting in the UK. It includes live streaming and has a strong welcome offer for new customers.
Yes, spread betting is riskier because your losses can exceed your initial stake and deposit.
A margin call happens when the spread betting firm asks you to deposit more funds to cover the shortfall on your active bet/position. If you fail to deposit additional funds in time, they'll close your position at the current price.
Stop losses automatically close your bet at a set level to limit losses. However, in fast-moving markets, "gapping" can occur, meaning your stop loss might not execute at your chosen trigger, so always be careful.
Most UK spread betting firms, like City Index and IG, offer negative balance protection. This measure prevents users from losing more than the funds in their accounts.
Spread betting isn't everyone's cup of tea. It requires a lot more of a hands-on approach. You often need to actively manage your bets or trades. The rewards can also seem more enticing at first, but the same logic could be applied to losses too, so I recommend starting small with low deposits or demo accounts in spread betting apps.
Betting Apps US
Betting Apps Canada
Betting Apps India
Betting Apps Nigeria