10 Best ETF Trading Platforms UK

Investors might choose an ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund) trading platform for a variety of reasons, as ETFs have become a popular investment vehicle due to their flexibility, diversification benefits, and relatively low costs.

In short: The best ETF platforms for UK investors are InvestEngine, IG, XTB, eToro, Freetrade, Interactive Investor and Hargreaves Lansdown. You will find that they are all easy to open an account and have a good range of ETFs for UK investors.

It’s important for investors to carefully evaluate different ETF trading platforms based on factors such as trading fees, account minimums, available ETFs, research tools, and customer service. The choice of platform will depend on the investor’s specific needs, investment goals, and preferences.

Low-cost Trading platform

 Zero commission

  • 0% commission
  • Fractional shares available
  • 24-hour support

Featured investing platform

 Copy top traders

  • Low cost ETFs
  • Zero platform fees
  • Easy account opening

Featured Trading platform

Plus500 Logo

2000+ CFDs

  • User friendly mobile app
  • CFD demo account
  • Trading academy

Trusted partner

Plus500 Logo

80% of retail CFD accounts lose money

 2000+ CFDs

  • User friendly mobile app
  • unlimited CFD demo account
  • Trading academy

 

XTB Trading logo

Low-cost trading platform: XTB

XTB offers access to a wide range of 1,300+ ETFs, making it an excellent platform for investors looking to build a diversified, low-cost portfolio. With zero-commission investing on ETFs (up to £100,000 monthly), XTB provides a cost-effective way to invest in passive funds that track market indices, sectors, or specific themes. The platform also features ETF investment plans, which simplify the process of constructing portfolios for long-term, hands-off investing. Fractional investing allows you to start with as little as £10, making ETFs accessible even for small-scale investors. While XTB lacks mutual funds or ready-made portfolios, its ETF offering is robust enough to cater to most investment strategies, supported by tools like screeners and detailed asset insights on the xStation5 platform. For investors seeking a balance of simplicity, flexibility, and affordability, XTB’s ETF selection is a standout feature.

Fees: Zero commission tradingup to £100k per month, Over £100k 0.2% of the trade value. Free withdrawal or £5 withdrawal fee if under £50, £10 inactivity fee per month after 12 months, 0.5% currency conversion fees

Minimum balance: £10

Products available: General Investment account, Stock and Shares ISA and Savings

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Comprehensive trading platform: Admiral Markets

Admiral Markets offers a comprehensive platform for trading Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) through its Invest.MT5 account. This account provides access to a wide range of ETFs across various global markets, allowing investors to diversify their portfolios efficiently.

Key Features:

  • Platform Accessibility: Investors can trade ETFs using the MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platform, renowned for its advanced charting tools, real-time market data, and user-friendly interface.
  • Competitive Fees: Admirals offers low trading fees, especially for forex and CFD trading. While specific ETF trading fees are not detailed in the provided sources, the broker’s overall fee structure is competitive.
  • Regulatory Oversight: The broker is regulated by several top-tier financial authorities, including the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), ensuring a secure trading environment.
  • Educational Resources: Admirals provides a wealth of educational materials, including webinars, articles, and tutorials, to assist traders in making informed decisions.

Fees:

  1. Trading Commissions:
    • EU Stocks and ETFs: From €0.02 per share, with a minimum commission of €1.
    • US Stocks and ETFs: $0.02 per share, with a minimum commission of $1.
  2. Currency Conversion Fee (FX Fee):
    • A 0.3% currency conversion fee applies if you’re trading assets in a different currency from your account’s base currency. Admirals supports funding accounts in 10 base currencies, which can help reduce these costs.

Minimum deposit: $100

Products available: General Investment account, Stock and Shares ISA and Savings

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Plus500 Logo

Best ETF CFD platform for trading: Plus500

Plus500 shines for traders who are serious about CFD trading, particularly if you’re eyeing ETFs among other asset classes. Its platform is designed for active, tactical trading—not for those who prefer a casual “dip in and out” approach. If you’re an active trader looking for a streamlined experience with tight spreads and robust risk management tools, Plus500 is an impactful choice. Just keep in mind that it’s not ideal for long-term buy-and-hold investors or those new to the high-stakes world of leveraged products.

Why I like Plus500 for ETFs

Plus500 isn’t just another trading platform—it’s a dynamic, innovation-driven ecosystem that empowers traders with the tools and insights needed to navigate the markets with confidence. Its focus on CFDs, including ETF CFDs, makes it perfect for those who demand a fast, responsive trading experience with a comprehensive suite of risk management features. However, if your goal is to own ETFs directly, you might need to look elsewhere. For active traders who thrive on leveraging market opportunities, Plus500 delivers an exceptional, 5-star experience that’s both smart and fun.

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 80% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

eToro

Best ETF platform for copy trading: eToro

eToro boasts one of the largest copy trading communities in the UK so if you are interested in following what successful ETF traders are doing, this is the platform for you.

Another stand-out feature at eToro is the 0% commission on trades which is helpful for keeping costs low.

If you feel that you need to practice before risking any of your actual funds, then eToro provide an excellent demo platform with virtual money. You can engage in copy trading from the demo platform as well.

Why I like eToro for ETFs

eToro is home to over 300 ETFs in addition to a range of other assets should you wish to expand beyond just ETFs.

They also offer a great selection of educational tools including ‘Digest and Invest’, eToro’s podcast where they provide investment guidance including their latest episode which covers how ETFs can be a great tool for diversification.

Fees: Zero commission trading, $5 withdrawal fee, $10 inactivity fee, currency conversion fees

Minimum balance: £10

Products available: General Investment account

{etoroCFDrisk}% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply. For more information, visit etoro.com/trading/fees

InvestEngine logo

Best ETF platform for low-cost ETFs: InvestEngine

At InvestEngine they have kept costs low across the board with zero platform fees, set up fees, dealing fees, ISA fees, or withdrawal fees.

This really is one of the lowest-cost ways to invest in ETFs, and ETFs are what they do best. They have managed to bring to market a way of investing in ETFs that would suit both novice and experienced investors with both a robo-advisory service and DIY options.

Why I like InvestEngine for ETFs

The choice of ETFs here is extensive, with over 550 ETFs to choose from and zero fees on the DIY portfolio. Even the managed service is excellent value at just 0.25% a year and anyone can get started with just £100.

Fees: 0.25% platform fee for managed portfolios, £0 DIY portfolio

Minimum balance: £100

Products available: Stocks and Shares ISA, Personal Account, Business Account

With investment, your capital is at risk. This could mean the value of your investments goes down as well as up.

Interactive Investor logo

Best ETF platform for range of investments: interactive investor

interactive investor have a fixed pricing structure that can work out very cost-effective for large investment pots. There is also a good range of account options, including ISAs and pension accounts, to keep your gains safe from Capital Gains Tax.

Why I like interactive investor for ETFs

Being the second largest platform in the UK, interactive investor are well known for their excellent range of assets and the selection of ETFs is almost unrivalled here with over 1,000 ETFs to choose from.

interactive investor have also recently launched their new Essentials Plan which brings the cost of investing in ETFs via a tax-efficient ISA down to just £4.99 a month.

Another great reason to choose interactive investor for ETFs is the level of education and data on ETFs. There is an up-to-date list of the most purchased ETFs in recent months as well as the top performers.

Fees: £5.99 per trade, annual custody fee starting at £4.99, £40 bonds fee

Minimum balance: £0

Products available: Stocks and shares ISA, Junior cash ISA, Junior stocks and shares ISA, Self-Invested Personal Pension, company account, cash savings

Important information - investment value can go up or down and you could get back less than you invest. If you're in any doubt about the suitability of a Stocks & Shares ISA, you should seek independent financial advice. The tax treatment of this product depends on your individual circumstances and may change in future. If you are uncertain about the tax treatment of the product you should contact HMRC or seek independent tax advice.

Hargreaves Lansdown logo

Safest ETF Platform: Hargreaves Lansdown

Hargreaves Lansdown are the biggest platform in the UK by market share, meaning you never need to worry about the longevity of the platform holding your long term investments.

Here you can open an account with just £1 with a range of accounts designed to meet all your investment needs.

Why I like Hargreaves Lansdown for ETFs

You can hold ETFs for free in the fund and share account at Hargreaves Lansdown, but if you did decide to move to a tax wrapper, the ISA can be accessed for a 0.45% annual charge with a maximum of £45.

Hargreaves Lansdown also publish their most popular ETFs and there is a research section of the website dedicated to ETFs where you can register to receive updates.

Fees: £11.95 per trade, 0.45% annual custody fee

Minimum balance: £1

Products available: Stocks and shares ISA, Fund and Share Account, SIPP, Lifetime ISA, Active Savings, Junior Stocks and Shares ISA, Junior SIPP, Junior Investment Account

As with any investment the value can go down as well as up. Past performance is no indicator of future performance. The tax treatment of ISAs depends on your individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future.

IG Investments logo

Best expert ETF platform: IG Investments

IG are one of the most established platforms in the UK, providing a multitude of investment services at low cost and with excellent levels of customer service.

Another draw card for IG is that they are listed on the London Stock Exchange which provides additional security. They also have a very robust education section, the IG academy, with several elements to help develop your investment skills.

Why I like IG for ETFs

IG provide investors with both execution and fully managed accounts, meaning you can either be actively involved in buying and managing your ETFs or, you can choose to have their team of experts invest on your behalf with an IG Smart Portfolio.

In addition, the ETF screener at IG is a useful tool for finding ETFs that can match your investment objectives. There are more than 2000 global ETFs to choose from that can be categorised by asset class, performance, or ISA eligibility.

Fees: ETFs from just 0.4%

Minimum balance: £250

Products available: Stocks and shares ISA, share dealing account, Smart Portfolio account, Smart ISA Portfolio account

Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

What is an ETF trading platform?

An ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund) trading platform is an online platform or digital service that enables investors to buy, sell, and manage their investments in ETFs. ETFs are investment funds that trade on stock exchanges, similar to individual stocks, and represent a diversified portfolio of assets such as stocks, bonds, commodities, or other securities.

An ETF trading platform provides a convenient and user-friendly way for investors to access and engage with these funds.

How does an ETF trading platform work?

  1.  Account Setup: Investors need to open an account with the ETF trading platform. This involves providing personal information, completing necessary forms, and agreeing to the platform’s terms and conditions.
  2. Fund Research: The platform typically provides tools and resources to help investors research and analyze various ETFs. This can include information about the ETF’s holdings, performance history, expense ratios, and other relevant data.
  3. Investment Selection: Investors can choose from a wide range of available ETFs listed on the platform. These ETFs cover different asset classes, sectors, regions, and investment strategies. The platform usually provides filters and search options to help investors find ETFs that match their investment objectives.
  4. Buying and Selling: Once an investor selects an ETF, they can place orders to buy or sell shares of that ETF through the platform. The trading platform connects the investor’s order with the relevant stock exchange where the ETF is listed. Orders can be executed at current market prices.
  5. Portfolio Management: ETF trading platforms often include portfolio management features. Investors can view their holdings, monitor their portfolio’s performance, and make adjustments as needed. Some platforms may offer tools for rebalancing portfolios to maintain desired asset allocations.
  6. Market Data and Analysis: The platform typically provides real-time market data, price charts, historical performance data, and other analytical tools to help investors track their investments and make informed decisions.
  7. Education and Research: Many ETF trading platforms offer educational resources, articles, videos, and market insights to help investors learn about ETFs, investing strategies, and market trends.
  8. Customisation and Automation: Some platforms allow investors to create custom portfolios by selecting a mix of different ETFs. Additionally, certain platforms offer automated investing options, where investors can set up periodic investments or use robo-advisory services that create and manage a diversified portfolio on their behalf.
  9. Account Management: Investors can manage their account details, track transaction history, and view statements through the platform.
  10. Customer Support: ETF trading platforms typically offer customer support channels, such as live chat, email, or phone, to assist investors with any questions or issues they may encounter.