UK investment platforms offer welcome bonuses including free shares and cash rewards when you open an account and meet their terms. These bonuses can help boost your initial investment, but it’s important to understand the conditions, probabilities, and risks involved before signing up.
Good to know:
Most free share offers are weighted — expect the lower end of any advertised range. You’ll need to be 18+, a UK resident, and a new customer. Hold periods (30 days to 12 months) apply, and minimum deposits vary by platform. Free shares may be subject to income tax and capital gains tax. As always, your capital is at risk when investing.
IG is a UK investment platform offering commission-free trading through ISAs, SIPPs, and GIAs. New customers using code FS500 can get £50–£500 in free US shares when investing £500+ by 30th April 2026. Hold until 31st July 2026. 18+ UK only. T&Cs apply. Offer valid until 30th April 2026.
Min spend £300 · Deadline: 31 Dec 2026 · FCA regulated · Verified 15 Apr 2026
IG is a UK investment platform offering commission-free trading through ISAs, SIPPs, and GIAs. New customers signing up via Scrimpr using code WELCOME300 can get £40–£300 in free UK shares when investing £300+ by end of the same month as their first trade. Maintain £300 average for 3 months after. Offer valid until 31st December 2026. Capital at risk, T&Cs apply. Offer valid until 31st December 2026.
Webull UK offers commission-free US stock trading for your first 90 days, plus London stocks and ETFs from just 50p. You can also earn interest on uninvested cash through their Easy Access or Notice savings accounts. Sign up via my link above, deposit £100+, and get a £50 ETF voucher. Webull usually has a refer a friend offer also. Capital at risk, T&Cs apply. Offer valid until 30th April 2026.
IG offers ISAs, GIAs and SIPPs with commission-free share dealing on stocks, ETFs, and investment trusts. Sign up via my link above using code TRANSFER5K and transfer £5,000+ from another provider by 31st May 2026 to get 1% cashback, up to £5,000 max bonus. Your transfer must complete by 31st July 2026 and you'll need to maintain at least one open position until 31st May 2027 to qualify. Cashback is paid by 30th June 2027. Capital at risk, T&Cs apply. You can refer your friends to get a bonus also. Offer valid until 31st May 2026.
IG offers ISAs, GIAs and SIPPs with commission-free share dealing on stocks, ETFs, and investment trusts. Sign up via my link above using code CASHBACK250 and invest at least £500 by 30th April 2026 to get up to £250 cashback. Invest £10,000+ for the maximum £250 reward. You'll need to maintain your average invested value during the holding period until 31st October 2026. Cashback is paid by 30th November 2026 into your GIA. Capital at risk, T&Cs apply. Offer valid until 30th April 2026.
Robinhood has launched a stocks and shares ISA in the UK — and to mark the occasion they're offering a 2% cash bonus on deposits made into the ISA before 5th April 2026, up to £400 max. Head to the link above, open your Robinhood ISA, and deposit directly from your bank account before the end of the tax year to claim the bonus. You'll need to keep the funds invested for 1 year to hold onto it. Note the bonus is paid in USD into your brokerage account, and US withholding tax may apply. Capital at risk, ISA rules apply, T&Cs apply. Offer valid until 5th April 2026.
XTB is an investment platform recommended for long-term investors. The best thing about XTB is their commission-free trading on stocks and ETFs (although standard costs apply as usual). By signing up via my link above, you will receive a free Rolls Royce share when you make your first deposit. Capital at risk, T&Cs apply. Offer valid until 28th February 2026.
Interactive Investor (ii) is a UK investment platform offering ISAs, SIPPs, and Trading Accounts. Transfer or contribute £20,000+ to a new SIPP and receive £100-£3,000 cashback depending on amount. Must keep SIPP open 12 months. 18+ UK only. T&Cs apply. Offer valid until 31st January 2026.
Interactive Investor (ii) is a UK investment platform offering ISAs, SIPPs, and Trading Accounts. New customers get £100 in Trading Credits when opening an ISA or Trading Account - no minimum deposit required. Offer ends 31st January 2026. Credits valid until 30 April 2026. 18+ UK only. T&Cs apply. Offer valid until 31st January 2026.
Refer-a-Friend Investment Bonuses
These platforms offer bonuses when you’re referred by an existing customer. Ask a friend you know to refer you.
IG is a UK investment platform offering commission-free trading through ISAs, SIPPs, and GIAs. New customers using code FS500 can get £50–£500 in free US shares when investing £500+ by 30th April 2026. Hold until 31st July 2026. 18+ UK only. T&Cs apply. Offer valid until 30th April 2026.
Webull UK offers commission-free US stock trading for your first 90 days, plus London stocks and ETFs from just 50p. You can also earn interest on uninvested cash through their Easy Access or Notice savings accounts. Sign up via my link above, deposit £100+, and get a £50 ETF voucher. Webull usually has a refer a friend offer also. Capital at risk, T&Cs apply. Offer valid until 30th April 2026.
IG offers ISAs, GIAs and SIPPs with commission-free share dealing on stocks, ETFs, and investment trusts. Sign up via my link above using code CASHBACK250 and invest at least £500 by 30th April 2026 to get up to £250 cashback. Invest £10,000+ for the maximum £250 reward. You'll need to maintain your average invested value during the holding period until 31st October 2026. Cashback is paid by 30th November 2026 into your GIA. Capital at risk, T&Cs apply. Offer valid until 30th April 2026.
AJ Bell is a UK investment platform offering SIPPs, ISAs and Dealing accounts. New customers get a £100 Amazon gift card for depositing £10,000+ within 120 days. Cannot have held account in past 12 months. 18+ UK only.
Beanstalk is a UK Junior ISA and ISA investment platform. Both referrer and referee receive £5 when the referred friend opens and contributes to a JISA/ISA within 3 months of joining. Must be genuine new customers. Capital at risk - investments can go down as well as up.
Charles Stanley Direct is a UK online investment platform. New customers transferring £20k+ get £300-£1,500 (plus fee waiver on £200k+) after holding 12 months. Referrers earn £250 per friend (max 5/year). Must be invited existing clients with £1k+ holdings. Capital at risk. 18+ UK only.
Dodl is AJ Bell's investment app for ISAs, LISAs, and pensions. New customers get £30 when investing £500 via referral (must complete referral form before signup). Referrers earn £30 per friend. Keep £500+ in account when bonus pays (month after deposit). Capital at risk. You may get back less than you invest. UK only.
Fidelity offers £100 Amazon Gift Cards when you open a Stocks & Shares ISA via referral and invest £5,000 lump sum on same day. Both you and your friend get £100 each. Gift cards issued within 120 days. Annual fees apply. Capital at risk. 18+ UK only.
Interactive Investor (ii) is a UK investment platform offering ISAs, SIPPs, and Trading Accounts. Referred friends get 12 months fee-free when funding with £5,000+ within a year. Referrers earn £200 (ISA/Trading Account) or £400 (SIPP) per referral. 18+ UK only. T&Cs apply.
InvestEngine is an investment service that is recommended for long-term investors. The best thing about InvestEngine is their commission-free trading on exchange traded funds (although ETF costs apply as usual). They offer new users a Welcome Bonus of up to £100 when you invest your first £100, and your friend also gets up to £100 when they sign up using your referral. Capital at risk, T&Cs apply.
Robinhood offers commission-free US stock trading with fractional shares from just $1, plus 3.25% AER on your uninvested cash. Sign up via a friend's referral link, open a brokerage account, and make a deposit within 14 days — you'll both get to pick a free stock worth up to $175 (approximately £130). Note that ~96% of rewards are $7–$8, and US withholding tax applies. Capital at risk, T&Cs apply.
Wealthyhood is a beginner-friendly investing app with commission-free trading in global stocks and ETFs from just £1. It's a great option for building a diversified long-term portfolio at low cost, with money market funds available for your uninvested cash too. Sign up via my link above, deposit and invest at least £100 within 7 days, and we'll both receive a free ETF share worth up to £200. Capital at risk, T&Cs apply.
How to Claim Free Shares: Step-by-Step Guide
1
Choose Your Platform
Compare offers above based on bonus value, minimum deposit, and account types (ISA, SIPP, GIA). Check the platform is FCA-regulated.
2
Sign Up Using Promotional Link
Click the offer link above. You must be a new customer and use the correct referral link or code where required.
3
Complete Verification
Provide ID (passport or driving licence) and proof of address. This usually takes 10-30 minutes.
4
Meet Deposit Requirements
Deposit and invest the minimum amount (varies from £1 to £500). Your bonus is typically triggered after this investment.
5
Receive Your Bonus
Free shares appear within 5-30 days. Check the platform’s timeline in the table above.
6
Respect Hold Periods
Keep your investment for the required period (30 days to 12 months) or your bonus may be withdrawn.
Can You Use Multiple Offers?
Yes, you can open accounts with multiple platforms and claim their welcome bonuses. However, only do this if you have a genuine investment strategy across multiple platforms. Consider:
Will you actually use all these accounts?
What are the ongoing fees if you don’t trade regularly?
Does spreading your money across platforms make sense for your goals?
Here are examples of how investors might legitimately use multiple platforms:
Testing Different Platforms
New investors might start with small amounts across a few platforms to find which interface and features they prefer before committing larger sums.
Example: £1 on one platform to test fractional shares, £100 on another for ETF-focused investing
Different Account Types
You might use different platforms for different account types based on their strengths – one for your ISA, another for a SIPP, and a third for general investing.
Example: ISA on a low-fee platform, SIPP on a platform with strong pension features
Important: Don’t open accounts solely to collect bonuses. Consider ongoing platform fees, whether you’ll actively use the accounts, and if the platforms align with your investment goals. Bonus hunting without a genuine investment plan can cost you more in fees than you earn in bonuses.
Understanding Free Share Probabilities
Manage Your Expectations: The bonus ranges advertised (e.g., £40-£200) can be misleading. The probabilities below show you’re far more likely to receive the minimum value. Don’t invest based on the maximum advertised amount.
Most platforms use weighted probability distributions, meaning you’re more likely to receive lower-value bonuses. Here’s what to expect:
Platform
Bonus Range
Most Likely Value
Probability
IG Trading
£40-£200
£40-£50
60%
Trading 212
£8-£100
£8-£25
80%
Freetrade
£10-£100
£10-£25
80%
InvestEngine
£20-£100
£20-£24
75%
Key takeaway: Advertised maximum values are rare. Base your expectations on the “most likely value” column above.
Important Considerations Before Claiming
Tax Implications
Free shares may be subject to tax:
Income tax: The value of free shares when received may count as taxable income
Capital gains tax: If shares increase in value before you sell, gains above the annual allowance (£3,000 for 2024/25) are taxable
ISA advantage: Free shares placed in a Stocks & Shares ISA are protected from both taxes (though many platforms place bonuses in GIAs instead)
Platform Fees & Charges
Free shares are attractive, but consider ongoing costs:
Custody fees: Some platforms charge quarterly fees (e.g., IG Trading: £24/quarter, waived with 3 trades)
Trading fees: Check commission costs if you plan to trade actively
FX fees: Charges for buying US stocks (typically 0.5-1%)
Inactivity fees: Some platforms charge if you don’t trade regularly
Expecting maximum bonus values (most get lower amounts)
Withdrawing before the hold period ends
Ignoring ongoing platform fees
Using incorrect referral links or codes
Forgetting about tax obligations
Opening accounts you won’t actually use
Frequently Asked Questions
Which UK investment app gives the biggest welcome bonus?
IG Trading currently offers the largest advertised bonus at up to £200 in free shares when you invest £50. However, 60% of users receive £40-£50. For guaranteed cash bonuses, Webull offers £50 when you deposit £500 for 30 days.
Can I withdraw my free shares immediately?
No. All platforms have hold periods ranging from 30 days to 12 months. If you withdraw your investment or bonus before this period, the platform will reclaim the bonus.
Do I pay tax on free shares?
Potentially yes. Free shares may count as taxable income when received. If the shares increase in value and you sell them, you may also owe capital gains tax on profits above £3,000 (2024/25 allowance).
Can I use multiple free share offers?
Yes, you can sign up to multiple platforms and claim their welcome bonuses. However, only do this if you have genuine reasons to use multiple platforms (e.g., different account types, testing platforms). Consider ongoing fees and whether you’ll actively use all accounts.
What if my free shares don’t appear?
Check you’ve met all terms (minimum deposit, correct referral link, processing time). If everything is correct, contact the platform’s customer service. Most resolve missing bonuses within 5-10 business days.
Are free share offers safe and legitimate?
The platforms listed are legitimate and FCA-regulated, making them safe from a regulatory perspective. However, “safe” doesn’t mean “risk-free” – the value of your investments can go down as well as up, and you could lose money. Free share offers are genuine marketing incentives, but your capital is always at risk when investing.
Disclaimer: I’m not a financial advisor. This is editorial content comparing investment platforms. The value of investments can go down as well as up. Links may be affiliate/referral links. Always read full T&Cs before signing up.
Quick Heads Up
I'm just one person running Scrimpr, not a big company or financial advisor.
I make these information and comparison pages because I genuinely enjoy researching financial products and helping UK households make informed decisions. But here's what you should know:
Not financial advice: I'm sharing information, not telling you what to do with your money
Affiliate links: Some links here are referral/affiliate links (partner offers are marked with *) - I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you
Always check T&Cs: Offers change. Read the full terms on each platform before signing up
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