Deal4Free Spreadbet
This review is from a spread betting perspective.
In comparison to other firms deal4free have the tightest spreads i have seen, i challenge anyone to enlighten me as to a cheaper option here (spread betting only).
They have a broad range of instruments however if you are looking to trade smaller cap US stocks they will not cover these.
Occasionally in fast markets you may get re-quoted price, however this will depend on your trade size and trading £1-5 per point I hardly ever get re-quotes.
Whether you get re-quoted will also depend on your trading style, if trying to scalp (not advised with spread betting) you will undoubtedly get re-quotes.
The trading platform is rather resource intensive, with the new IT Finance Charting system it is the best trading platform of any spread betting firm imo (again I welcome anyone to challenge this) , offering customisable indicators and option to write your own indicators and systems and then back-test them on spreadbet data. The charting is surprisingly good however again is resource intensive, with recent updates to platform I have found it less reliable that it used to be due to increased computer requirements, sometimes charts can take a while to load and sometimes simply wont at all around busy market hours, though once loaded they update fine. However if ur using your own charts package then the execution side of the trading platform is robust.
They also have real-time account monitoring, which keep tracks of positions and account balance. However they keep track of positions at market price rather than bid/offer which doesnt give you exact profit/loss on eacj trade only out by a few pounds here and there but still annoying. Once the trade has been exited they obviously give exact P/L with executed entry and exit price.
They have a good range of strategy orders with market, GTC and Day Stops, One Cancels Other, Controlled Risk Bet etc.
On support there is a live chat option through which you can speak to different depts of D4F regarding general enquires perhaps on software or to dealers regarding execution. I have always found the chat to be quick and efficient in solving problems.
Whilst Deal4free spreadbet is not the ideal platform for an active day trader to work for, as a spread betting from in general I think it is by far the best out there.