UK Investing Platform Comparison
I've built a comprehensive comparison of UK investment platforms while figuring out where to invest my own money. Compare ISAs, SIPPs, and General Investment Accounts all in one place – it's all the research I did to understand the fees and features for different investment goals. Nothing here is financial advice, and you should consider your own circumstances or speak to a qualified adviser before investing.
Current Investing Offers
Some UK investment platforms are currently offering incentives for new accounts or transfers. These offers change regularly, so always check the platform’s website for the latest terms. This is for information only — not financial advice. Terms always apply. Your capital is at risk.
These platforms currently have offers for new accounts or transfers, such as cashback or free shares. I’m simply highlighting them here because the promotions are live — this is not a personal recommendation, and you should always check the terms and consider your own circumstances before opening an account. Some links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you open an account, at no extra cost to you.
The Platforms I Use
I'm not a seasoned investor, and I'm not an expert. I started investing right after the first lockdown with around £1,000 and, in hindsight, made what I think was a mistake with my first platform—I picked an expensive one simply because that’s what my friend was using, rather than comparing options myself.
That’s why I created this page. Investing seemed complicated, so I started researching (by reading a lot on r/UKPersonalFinance, the UKPersonalFinance Wiki, and various blogs like Monevator) and building myself tools to me make sense of all the different platforms.
What started as personal research turned into the comparison tables below, covering everything from small portfolios like mine to much larger ones I hope to have in the future. Before diving into the tables, here’s a snapshot of the platforms where I currently hold my investments.
These platforms generally charge lower fees than traditional providers like Hargreaves Lansdown. Most are newer companies with leaner operations, which can result in lower fees compared to older platforms.
They still generate revenue, usually through interest on cash balances, payment for order flow, or currency conversion fees on international investments. I’m comfortable with this tradeoff for my small investments, but I might reconsider as my portfolio grows. You can find more details in the tables below.
UK Investing Platform Comparison Tables
Stocks and Shares (Investment) ISA Platform Comparison
Invest up to £20,000 per year completely tax-free on all gains and income.
Self-invested Personal Pension Platform Comparison
General Investment Account (GIA) Provider Comparison
Access your money anytime with no annual limits or restrictions using a GIA.
Understanding UK Investment Account Types
Before you start comparing investment platforms, you need to decide which type of account you want. Think of it like choosing the right wrapper for your investments – each one has different tax rules and restrictions that could save or cost you thousands.
Quick decision: For most people, starting with a Stocks & Shares ISA is a good option (£20,000/year, tax-free, flexible access). You may also consider a SIPP for retirement savings with tax relief. A GIA can be used for additional investments once your ISA allowance is maxed out or if you need more flexibility.
This is general information and not personalised financial advice. Individual circumstances may affect the best choice of account.
Flexible vs Standard Stocks & Shares (Investment) ISA Comparison
When comparing investment platforms, check what type of ISA they offer. Some platforms provide flexible ISAs, allowing you to withdraw and redeposit funds, while others only offer standard ISAs. This feature could be an important factor in deciding which platform to choose.
Platform Selection Tip: Choose platforms that offer flexible ISAs. They provide the same tax benefits as standard ISAs but allow you to withdraw and redeposit funds, giving you much more flexibility. This feature could be the deciding factor between two otherwise similar platforms.
Portfolio Size & Platform Considerations
Investment platform selection can depend on the size of your portfolio. The following information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personal financial advice.
Starting out (under £20,000)
For smaller portfolios, trading fees can represent a higher percentage of the investment. For example, a £5 trading fee on a £100 investment is equivalent to 5% of the invested amount. Some platforms charge no platform fees and offer commission-free trading, while others have trading fees. Platform features, investment choice, and customer support vary between providers.
These platforms use leaner, more cost-efficient methods to keep fees low, sometimes at the expense of investment choice, customer service, or additional features.
£20,000–£100,000
At this portfolio level, platforms with no platform fees may still be cost-effective, but other features may become relevant:
- Investment choice: Some platforms offer access to a wider range of funds and investment trusts.
- Research and tools: Platforms vary in the research, fund analysis, and educational content they provide.
- Customer service: Options for phone support and advisers differ between platforms.
- Platform stability: Established providers may have different track records during market volatility.
Investments are generally protected up to £85,000 per provider under FSCS rules. Security incidents, such as platform outages, can occur even with established providers, though investments themselves may remain secure.
£100,000+
With larger portfolios, fee structures can have a different impact. Some platforms charge flat fees, while others charge a percentage of assets under management. FSCS protection remains limited to £85,000 per platform, which may lead investors to use multiple providers to manage large sums.
Platform features, research, customer support, and stability are factors that some investors consider alongside cost, though priorities vary by individual.
Educational guidance
When considering platforms, it can be useful to:
- Clarify your investment strategy (e.g., index funds, active management).
- Identify platforms that provide the features relevant to that strategy.
- Compare costs and other features between multiple providers.
Some investors choose to invest gradually over time through commission-free platforms and then move larger balances to other storage platforms. Each approach carries different considerations.
This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personal financial advice. Everyone’s financial situation is different. Consider seeking guidance from a qualified financial adviser before making investment decisions.
To explore potential costs for different portfolio sizes, you can use my interactive fee calculator to compare platforms based on fees and features.
Stocks and Shares (Investing) ISA Comparison Table
This table shows what different UK investment platforms charge in fees. I've focused on execution-only platforms where you select your own investments, rather than advisory or managed services. Platform fees are just one cost to consider—underlying fund charges and your investment choices will also affect your total costs.
Default sorting: Platforms are shown with zero-fee platforms first, then hybrid fees, percentage-based fees, and fixed fees. Within each fee category, they're sorted by trading costs (commission-free first), then alphabetically by platform name.
Use the filters below to narrow down platforms by fee type, trading costs, or investment options. The table will maintain its sorting order while showing only platforms that match your selected criteria.
Capital at risk. Past performance is not a guide to future performance. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may be subject to change.
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I am not a financial advisor, and this page does not constitute financial advice. This started as my personal research to understand investment platforms for my own money and ended up with a big massive table. Please read the full terms and conditions of each platform and consider seeking independent financial advice before making any investment decisions. Some of the links in this table are affiliate links (and I hope maybe one day all of them!). This means that if you sign up using these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Self-invested Personal Pension (SIPP) Comparison Table
This table summarises the various fees on UK SIPP (Self-Invested Personal Pension) platforms, including drawdown options. SIPPs give you full control over your pension investments and how you take money out in retirement, making them ideal for hands-on investors who want flexibility with their pension pot.
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I am not a financial advisor, and this page does not constitute financial advice. This started as my personal research to understand investment platforms for my own money and ended up with a big massive table. Please read the full terms and conditions of each platform and consider seeking independent financial advice before making any investment decisions. Some of the links in this table are affiliate links (and I hope maybe one day all of them!). This means that if you sign up using these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
