With Spread Co you get the full trading experience - if you are that way inclined. Their software offers the opportunity to trade on currencies and commodities from their Forex platform, and other instruments via spread betting if you have the appropriate account open with them. However, if you are just interested in trading currencies, then their platform certainly does the job as the full range of risk management and strategy options are available. And if you do fancy a spread betting punt, then you don't have to sign up with a new broker.

The online trading screen is partially customisable, and easy to use. The quick trade option appears to be made to measure for scalpers, as there are no risk management options which means that this is the 'screen watcher's' option. If you want to take advantage of Stop loss and OCO you will need to open an order, and if your not very good with mental arithmetic then you will need to figure your losses and limits before opening the order, as it is expressed in points relative to the current currency price, not expressed as dollar loss or gain as some brokers software does.

But then again if you're no good at maths then perhaps you shouldn't be trading on Forex anyway. And besides, this method of placing risk management options is quite common across forex platforms, the only ones who use exact cash signifiers are those whose unique selling point is the simplicity of their software, but pretty soon into the trading game even newbies realize that simplicity isn't everything, it's just one of many factors with which to judge a trading platform, and although desirable, 'ease' is not at the top of the list of those factors.

One very interesting thing about trading Forex with Spread Co is the way that you can very easily jump lot sizes which is not an option with quite a few forex trading platforms. As long as you have enough margin in your account to cover the trade you can open a trade at any level. Other providers insist that you have very high deposits to trade on anything other than 10,000 lots. With Spread Co you can move very easily from a $1 per point trade up to $10. The obvious drawback with this is that you need to exercise great powers of self control, as this is a borderline spread betting situation where you can very easily get carried away with the moment, and if you haven't been acute with stop losses - repent at your leisure. And again, if your powers of self - control are somewhat lacking then you should seriously reconsider engaging in a 'career' of Forex trading - even at a retail level.

Their range of trading tools includes an economic calendar, user guides, and an online tutorial. Graphs are interactive and a have a huge variety of overlays available for use once you've passed the fundamental stages of Forex trading. News feeds are instantly accessible, although there is no dedicated in-house analysis available, but then again each trader does develop their own style, and listening to analysts can sometimes prove to be a barrier to development of Forex trading skills.

Overall, Spread Co do offer a trading platform that is comprehensive, and whilst straightforward enough for the beginner, there are enough advanced options to keep the more experienced trader happy. But, don't just take our word for it, 'try before you buy' - have a go with the demo.

Sign Up at Spread Co here

The Facts

How To Open An Account

• Sign up online

Minimum Deposit

• £100

Minimum Trade

• £25

Promotions

• Double your Spread Betting profits up to £500.

Deposit Withdrawal

• Visa and MasterCard, UK Maestro, Visa-Delta, Solo and Electron cards, bank transfer
• 2% charge on credit cards.

Trading Platform Logon

• Via website.

Tutorials

• Online

Support

• Telephone (Intl.), webform

Operating system requirements

• Online / Windows

Demo Account

• Yes