Introduction 

The fact that both spread betting and CFD trading do not involve the ownership of the assets purchased has often led many to suppose that both are the same thing. While there exists strong similarities between both, they remain different from each other. Spread betting, for instance, requires over 20% margin for placing each bet while CFD trading requires only a 2% margin, and so on. 

This work will therefore help you learn the difference between spread betting and CFD trading. You will also find in this work the list of the best spread betting brokers and the best brokers to choose from for CFD trading. 

What is spread betting?

Spread betting is a speculative form of trading that allows investors to speculate on the future price movement of a given financial instrument and place a bet as their reward for every price movement from the moment the order is placed. For instance, a trader might forecast a downward trend for a given asset such as Gold and then proceed to bet for a downward movement for gold with a betting company. Assuming the price of gold is $1680, the bettor can bet to receive $10 for every point lost by gold in the market. So let’s say the price of gold gets to $1600 which means it has lost 80 points, then the bettor will have made $800 from the current fall. 

On the contrary, the bettor will lose the same amount assuming the price of gold rose to $1760 after he placed such a bet.

Nonetheless, Spread betting requires a set out 20% margin for each bet placed on the platform. This means the company begins to cut off the negative positions once the loss equals 80% of the trader’s betting capital. 

What is CFD trading?

CFD trading is a leveraged form of trading that allows traders to make predictions on the future prices of the underlying assets and take positions in the market based on such predictions. Here, traders tend to analyze a given financial instrument and project its future price target based on the prevalent market conditions. This leads them to either long or short the given asset using the leverage provided by the broker. In CFD trading, the trader receives as his rewards the price difference of the asset traded from his entry to the exit point. 

Major difference between spread betting and CFD

Spread betting  CFD trading 
No commissions are charged for betting  Commissions are charged for trading 
There is no tax charged for profits made from betting  Takes are charged from profits made from trading 
The spreads are usually very high  The spreads are lower 
Requires a margin of 20% Requires a lower margin of 2%
Has an expiry date  Does not have an expiry date 

List of best Spread betting Brokers 

  • AvaTrade
  • HFM
  • Moneta Markets
  • Pepperstone
  • Vantage Markets
  • FXCM
  • City Index
  • BDSwiss
  • FP Markets 
  • IC Markets 
  • Activ Trades
  • CMC Markets

Business concept. desktop computer making business plan, business investment advisor consulting. Handshake of business people with double exposure of their team working in office, global digital network. concept of technology and international business

List of Best brokers for CFD trading

  • eToro
  • Capital.com 
  • Hantec Markets
  • FXTM
  • XTB 
  • Exness 
  • Pepperstone 
  • Interactive Brokers 
  • Plus500
  • ATFX

Is there any similarities between spread between and CFD trading?


Despite the fact that spread betting is quite different from CFD trading, there exists some remarkable similarities between them. We have highlighted these similarities below.

  • Both are contracts entered into with a broker. 
  • There is no ownership of the assets bargained. 
  • They are speculative forms of trading. 
  • Leverage is offered for trading which helps traders to maximize their profits. 
  • Offers a good opportunity for hedging as the trader can either long or short the asset. 

Image Source: BigStockPhoto.com (Licensed)

Disclaimer 

Cryptocurrency products are unregulated and can be highly risky. There may be no regulatory recourse for any loss from such transactions.

The information on this website is provided for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only, without any express or implied warranty of any kind, including warranties of accuracy, completeness, or fitness for any particular purpose.

The information contained in or provided from or through this website and related social media posts is not intended to be and does not constitute financial advice, investment advice, trading advice, or any other advice.

The information on this website and provided from or through this website is general in nature and is not specific to you the user or anyone else. You should not make any decision, financial, investment, trading, or otherwise, based on any of the information presented on this website without undertaking independent due diligence and consultation with a professional broker or financial advisory.

You understand that you are using any and all Information available on or through this website at your own risk.

The trading of Bitcoins, alternative cryptocurrencies has potential rewards, and it also has potential risks involved. Trading may not be suitable for all people. Anyone wishing to invest should seek his or her own independent financial or professional advice.

Site Disclaimer 

The Content in this post and on this site is for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Nothing contained on our Site constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, or offer by HII or any third party service provider to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments.

Nothing in this post or on this site constitutes professional and/or financial advice. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this post or on this site. 

You recognize that when making investments, an investor may get back less than the amount invested. Information on past performance, where given, is not necessarily a guide to future performance.

Related Categories: Invest, Money, Reviews