Looking for the best stocks and shares ISA?
Stocks and shares ISAs historically tend to provide a greater return on investment than cash ISAs so they’re well worth a look if you have money to invest.
Below are my picks of the best UK Stocks and Shares ISA providers in October 2024.
Best low cost ISA
Capital at risk. T&Cs apply.
Lowest cost platform
- Excellent customer service
- Suitable for all levels of experience
- Fractional shares available
Best commission-free ISA
Capital at risk. T&Cs apply.
Zero commission
- Free share for new accounts
- Beginner-friendly interface
- Fractional shares available
Best flexible stocks and shares ISA
Capital at risk. T&Cs apply.
Flexible ISA
- Very low cost
- Reliable customer service
- Easy transfer service
- Our best rated investment platforms in the UK, October 2024
- What’s my methodology?
- Top Stocks & Shares ISA providers for October 2024
- What is a Stocks and Shares ISA?
- How to choose a Stocks and Shares ISA
- Can I pay into two different Stocks and Shares ISAs in the same year?
- How long should you keep a Stocks and Shares ISA?
- Alternatives to stocks and shares ISAs
- Investment (stocks & shares) ISA FAQs
Our best rated investment platforms in the UK, October 2024
- InvestEngine – Best low-cost ISA
- FreeTrade – Best commission-free* ISA
- CMC Invest – Best flexible stocks and shares ISA
- Interactive Brokers – Best ISA for interest
- Nutmeg – Best done for you ISA with access to human experts
- MoneyBox – Best ISA for beginners and savers
- Interactive Investor – Best ISA for DIY investors
- BestInvest – Best ISA with free advice
- Saxo – Best ISA for frequent traders
- AJ Bell – Best ISA for frequent trading
If you are looking for a low-cost, simple way to invest, then look no further than InvestEngine. Here, you can invest in a choice of 500+ Exchange Traded Funds for as little as £1.
Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are actually a lot simpler than they sound. They are merely a mix of assets, including commodities and shares, that aim to track the performance of a stock market. They make investing a breeze and are diversified, which can help reduce your risk.
What I like about the InvestEngine Stocks and Shares ISA
With no setup fees or ISA fees to contend with, InvestEngine is one of the cheapest ways to invest in the stock market via a Stocks and Shares ISA. At InvestEngine, you can build your own portfolio or leave it to their experts for a more hands-off approach.
The InvestEngine Stocks and Shares ISA also comes with some great automation tools, including Auto Invest and Smart Portfolio top-ups so you can sit back and relax while your money is put to work for you.
Fees: 0.25% platform fee for managed portfolios, £0 DIY portfolio
Minimum balance: £100
Products available: S&S ISA, Personal Account, Business Account
Pros
- Lowest cost platform available
- Excellent customer service
- Suitable for all levels of experience
Cons
- No direct share dealing
- No SIPP product
- No ethical investment options
With investment, your capital is at risk. This could mean the value of your investments goes down as well as up.
When you open an account at Freetrade, and deposit at least £50, they give you a free share straight into your account.
The share you get will be worth between £10-£100 which is a nice way to top up your portfolio.
What I like about the Freetrade Stocks and Shares ISA
For DIY investors who like to pick and choose their own assets, Freetrade offers commission-free investing when you buy or sell stocks. There are over 6,000 stocks to choose from, which should be ample for most investors, and you can even access expensive stocks for just £2 with their fractional shares.
It’s important to point out that you will need to pay a monthly fee to access the Stocks and Shares ISA at Freetrade, which, at a minimum, comes in at £4.99 (soon to be increased to £5.99). This makes this a better option for DIY investors who like to frequently buy and sell their own investments, and for those who have a sizable portfolio.
Fees: Commission-free trading on all stocks, shares, and ETFs; £4.99 for the standard plan that includes the Stocks and Shares ISA.
Minimum balance: £0
Products available: General Investing Account, Stocks and Shares ISA, SIPP, Freetrade Plus
Pros
- Zero commission fee
- Free share for new accounts
- Very beginner-friendly interface
Cons
- $3 per month ISA fee
- Only provides access to US and UK shares
- Limited research is available
When you invest your capital is at risk, the value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than what you invest. Eligibility to invest into an ISA and the value of tax savings depends on personal circumstances and all tax rules may change. Other charges may apply. ISA Promotion free share terms and conditions apply.
CMC Invest is a reasonably new investment platform that I found to be very suitable for beginners and mid-level investors. They have a range of ETFs that provide an easy way to create a diversified portfolio, in addition to US and UK shares.
CMC is constantly expanding its product portfolio, with mutual funds and a SIPP in the pipeline.
What I like about the CMC Invest Flexible Stocks and Shares ISA
This is a flexible ISA, which you won’t find often. This doesn’t mean the CMC Invest ISA can touch its toes; much better than that, it means you can deposit and withdraw from your ISA without affecting your ISA allowance. This gives you the flexibility to access your ISA money when you need it.
The other thing I like about the CMC Invest Flexible Stocks and Shares ISA is the transfer service they offer. Simply fill out the form within your app, and they will do all the legwork for you. More information on the transfer process as well as the CMC Invest transfer bonus is available on their website.
You will pay £10 a month for the ISA, which is slightly higher than the industry average; however, this includes a multicurrency USD wallet and mid-cap UK shares. New customers upgrading to this Plus Plan will get their first 3 months free (T&Cs apply).
Fees: £0 for GIA and £10 per month for ISA
Minimum balance: £0
Products available: General Investment Account, Flexible Stocks and Shares ISA
Pros
- Easy to use
- Very low-cost
Cons
- Limited range of products
- £10 per month for a Flexible Stocks and Shares ISA
Capital at risk.
Interactive Brokers is well known as a low-cost broker that offers a wide range of tradable assets from global markets. These are accessible from a range of five different platforms, each suited to different levels of experience.
This highly tailored approach, with its advanced research platform and risk analysis tools, as well as technical research news, advanced charting, and 20 order types, makes for the ideal place for active traders to save into an ISA.
What I like about the Interactive Brokers Stocks and Shares ISA
Interactive Brokers successfully stands out from the crowd of ISA providers by offering up to USD 4.85% interest on instantly available cash balances. In addition, there are no custody or transfer fees, and ISA holders can enjoy low commissions on all trades (£3 per trade for UK and European stocks).
There are also fractional shares available here and powerful trading tools such as GlobalAnalyst to identify opportunities. Traders and investors can easily create a globally diversified portfolio either on desktop, web, or mobile app.
Fees: £3 per trade for Western European stocks
Minimum balance: £0
Products available: S&S ISA, Personal Account, SIPP
Pros
- Extensive range of assets
- Interest available
- Low cost for high-volume traders
Cons
- Poor level of customer service
- Hidden fees on the IBKR Pro Plan
Capital at risk.
Nutmeg is an established robo advisor in the UK, offering security in their size and longevity in an otherwise saturated marketplace. They offer a range of pre-made, fully managed portfolios that can be matched to your level of risk.
What I like about the Nutmeg Stocks and Shares ISA
In addition to their excellent range of accounts is the Stocks and Shares ISA, which provides access to Nutmeg’s great service and choice of portfolios and can be easily managed from their easy-to-use mobile app.
For those that already have a Stocks and Shares ISA with another provider, the Nutmeg experts will help you understand how your current provider compares to Nutmeg, so you can be sure that this is the best move for your portfolio.
Fees: 0.25%–0.75% annual management fee plus an average 0.2% fund management fee.
Accounts: Stocks and Shares ISA, Junior ISA, Lifetime ISA, General Investment Account, Pension account
Features: Smart Alpha Portfolios, socially responsible portfolios, fixed allocation portfolios, fully managed portfolios
Pros
- Leading UK Robo Advisor
- Good selection of portfolios
- Excellent customer service
Cons
- Fees can work out higher than other investment platforms
- Minimum investment contributions
Approved by Nutmeg 
22/03/23
As with all investing, your capital is at risk. Tax treatments depend on your individual circumstances and may change in the future. The value of your portfolio with Nutmeg can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you invest.
Moneybox has managed to develop a really user-friendly app that takes all the complexities out of saving and investing, even for those who historically struggle in these areas. The round-up feature here can help drip-feed money into either investments or one of Moneybox’s five savings accounts, helping to build a nest egg with minimal effort on your part.
What I like about the Moneybox Stocks and Shares ISA
Moneybox has intentionally made investing as simple as possible, meaning even those with no knowledge of investing can confidently get started. Downloading the app and opening an account can be done in minutes, and beginners can then make use of the three Starting Options on offer or, alternatively, choose to customise their allocations with a range of tracker funds and US stocks.
One of the big advantages of this Stocks and Shares ISA is the 3.25% AER (variable) that you can earn on any uninvested cash you have in your Moneybox account.
Fees: £1 subscription fee for non-pension accounts, 0.45% annual platform fee, 0.12% to 0.58% fund costs
Minimum balance: £1
Products available: General Investment Account, Stocks and Shares ISA, Junior ISA, Personal Pension, range of savings accounts
Pros
- Great for beginners
- Quick and easy to set up
- Auto saving capabilities
Cons
- Limited choice of investment products
- Fees can work out higher than other options
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.
If you are a DIY investor who plans to build a diversified portfolio from a range of individual stocks and funds, then interactive investor is the best platform to meet your needs.
Here, you can access more than 40,000 UK and international investment options, and the trading app provides plenty of functionality for managing your portfolio.
What I like about the interactive investor Stocks and Shares ISA
The cost of the interactive investor Stocks and Shares ISA comes in at £4.99 a month, which may seem a lot at first glance. Still, in reality, this is much more cost-effective for larger portfolios than a percentage fee such as you might find at another platform.
interactive investor also provides a regular investing service where you can commit to as little as £25 a month. This can be an excellent way to drip-feed your money into the stock market and average out the price you pay for your investments.
Fees: £5.99 per trade, annual custody fee starting at £4.99, £40 bonds fee
Minimum balance: £0
Products available: S&S ISA, Junior cash ISA, Junior stocks and shares ISA, Self-invested personal pension, company account, cash savings
Pros
- Wide range of financial instruments
- Excellent account options
- One free trade per month
- Free, regular investing
Cons
- Expensive for small investment pots
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.
Bestinvest is rare in that it offers users free coaching sessions with human financial planners. These 45-minute sessions take place over the phone or online and aim to identify your financial goals, help you with some of the decisions surrounding your investments, and come up with an investment strategy to help you realise your financial goals.
What I like about the Bestinvest Stocks and Shares ISA
Apart from the outstanding addition of financial planners, the Bestinvest Stocks and Shares ISA is worth considering for its excellent value. Whilst they do charge a percentage fee, those with larger portfolios need not be deterred, as the tiered annual account fees ensure all costs are kept to a minimum.
At Bestinvest, you also have the freedom to invest in a way that suits your knowledge and style, with both pick your own investments and a good selection of ready-made portfolios to choose from.
Fees: Tiered service fees of 0.2% or less a year, no set-up fees and share dealing for just £4.95 per trade
Minimum Balance: £50
Products available: Stocks and Shares ISA, Junior Stocks and Shares ISA, Investment Account, SIPP
Pros
- Good customer service
- Transfer fees covered by BestInvest
Cons
- Lack of tools for share dealing
- Lack of fee transparency
Capital at risk.
Saxo Markets has a great range of platforms, designed to suit all levels of experience, from which to trade over 11,000 ISA eligible stocks and shares. The tiered fee structure here means that high-volume traders can enjoy low transaction fees.
It’s important to note that Saxo is not a low-cost platform, but rather a high-end broker that offers tools and features to enhance your trading experience.
What I like about the Saxo Markets Stocks and Shares ISA
When you trade stocks via the Saxo Markets ISA, you open up access to a wealth of features and tools to help you make informed decisions and gain inspiration. This includes quality research, live market updates, in-depth macro analysis, and impactful insights, all available from the trading platform.
Saxo doesn’t charge any entry or exit fees, and it’s free to transfer an existing ISA to their platform.
Products available: Saxo Account, Joint Account, ISA, SIPP, Trust Account, Corporate Account, Professional Account
Pros
- User friendly platform
- Extensive product portfolio
- Up to date research facilities
Cons
- Relatively high fees for bonds, options, and futures
- No 24/7 support
67% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs, or any of our other products work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. The value of your investments can go down as well as up. Losses can exceed deposits on some margin products. Professional clients can lose more than they deposit. All trading carries risk.
If you think you might trade more than 10 times a month, then this can work out as a really cost-effective solution for those with a modest portfolio.
AJ Bell has an excellent platform that is easy to use and fully functional, with access to a good range of assets and a selection of ready-made funds.
What I like about the AJ Bell Stocks and Shares ISA
AJ Bell is a well-established brand in the UK and is listed on the FTSE 250, providing you with peace of mind that your investments are always in safe hands.
The account management fee of 0.25% can work out really cost-effective for smaller portfolios, although if you have amassed a large portfolio, you may want to find a platform with a flat fee.
Fees: £5.00 per month for the first nine trades each month
Minimum balance: £0
Products available: Dealing Account, S&S ISA, SIPP, Junior Stocks and Shares ISA, Junior Dealing Account, Junior SIPP
Pros
- Quick and seamless account opening process
- Easy to use platform
- Excellent customer service
Cons
- Can work out expensive
- 1% exchange fee on overseas shares
Remember that investments go up and down in value, and you could lose money as well as make it. How you’re taxed will depend on your circumstances, and the rules can change.
What’s my methodology?
To come up with my list of the best stocks and shares ISA providers in the UK, I have compared the following factors and features:
- Provider / custody fees
- Other costs including dealing fees and withdrawal charges
- Minimum deposits
- Range of investments available
- Whether ‘ready-made’ or DIY portfolios are available
- Type and level of customer service
- Education and resources
- Quality of research underpinning management decisions
I have also gone through the onboarding process for each provider, set up accounts, compared service charges, and made requests using customer support services. I have trialled mobile apps, desktop apps, and websites to provide my unbiased opinion on the best Stocks and Shares ISAs currently available in the UK.
I’ve divided this table into those top-rated platforms I considered to be best for those who are new to investing or feel less confident making investment decisions, and those who are more experienced and would like more active control over how their portfolio is built and managed.
| Highly rated for new or less confident investors | Highly rated for experienced investors | Fees | Minimum balance | Investment options | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. AJ Bell |
|
You’ll never pay more than 0.25% to hold your investments (0% for holding over £500k in funds) + Dealing fees: £9.95 – £1.50 |
£500 lump sum or at least £25 monthly as a regular saver. |
Managed and DIY ISAs. 4,000 funds and shares from 24 markets, investment trusts and ETFs |
|
| 2. InvestEngine |
|
Managed platform: 0.25% DIY portfolio: £0 + Average annual fund cost: 0.23% |
£100 |
Managed and DIY ISAs. Choice of 580 ETFs. |
|
| 3. Wealthify |
|
Monthly management fee: 0.6% + Fund fees = average of 0.16% for Original portfolio and 0.7% for Ethical. |
£1 |
Managed ISAs. Invested in mostly ETFs and mutual funds. |
|
| 4. Moneyfarm |
|
Managed ISAs: Platform fees: 0.75% – 0.40% Share Investing ISAs: £3.95 per trade – currently at £0 until 31/10/23. Custody service fees: 0.35% (max £45.00 pa) – currently at £0 until 31/10/23. Currency conversion fees are 0.70%. |
£500 |
Managed & DIY ISAs. Choice of stocks, ETFs and mutual funds. |
|
| 5. Nutmeg |
|
Account fees: 0.75% Fund fees: 0.36% – 0.21% Market spread: 0.04% |
£500 | Managed ISAs invested in ETFs. | |
| 6. Vanguard |
|
Managed ISA total fee: 0.60% Build-your-own ISA total fee: 0.21% – 0.95% |
£500 |
Managed and DIY portfolios. Choose from 85 different Vanguard funds. |
|
| 7. Freetrade |
|
£5.99/mo Standard plan or £59.99/yr | £0 |
DIY investors only. Choose from more than 6,000 UK, US and European stocks, ETFs and investment trusts. |
|
| 8. IG |
|
Tiered management fees: max. £250 pa. ETF costs: average 0.15%. Market spread: estimated 0.07% pa. |
£500 |
DIY and Managed ISAs. For DIY ISAs, choose from over 13,000+ global stocks and ETFs. |
|
| 9. CMC Invest |
|
Custody service fee: £10 per mo. (New customers to the Plus Plan will get their first 3 months free.) |
£0 | DIY ISAs. Choose from 250 UK equities, 3000+ US shares, large-cap UK shares, 400+ EFTs and investment trusts, 2,100+ funds. | |
| 10. Interactive Investor |
|
Subscription fee: £4.99 per month. UK and US trades: £3.99 per trade. |
£0 | DIY ISAs. Choose from 40,000 UK and global stocks, plus a wide range of shares, funds, trusts and ETFs |
An investment ISA, also known as a Stocks & Shares ISA (individual savings account), is an investment account that allows you to invest in the stock market and you won’t pay dividend, capital gains tax, or income tax.
Anyone over the age of 18 is able to open an ISA and deposit up to £20,000 of ISA allowance into their ISA for the tax year 2022/23.
In order to choose the most suitable ISA (individual savings accounts) for your needs, you should first ask yourself some important questions:
Will you need help with your investment?
Investing can be complex and for aspiring investors who don’t have much knowledge of the market and who don’t have time to dedicate to meticulously studying the marketplace, there are platforms that can manage the whole process for you.
These ‘set it and leave it’ type investments are constantly monitored throughout, with a team of experts and a fund manager who can make changes to the funds underlying investments in response to fluctuations within the marketplace.
Whilst a fully managed portfolio will usually incur a management fee, this is usually a worthwhile cost if you have little experience to fall back on and require help with investment ideas.
The management fee you are charged will vary between providers, so it is worthwhile shopping around as high fund charges can end up eating into your profits.
Would you rather do your own trading?
If you would rather engage in a ‘do-it-yourself’ option, then there are plenty of do-it-yourself platforms that can facilitate this, and in this instance, you may want to consider what tools you will require in order to make informed choices when trading stocks and shares.
The trading fees will also be a consideration, and each platform will have its own charging structure, so you should ensure you engage with the best one for your investment strategy.
How much are you looking to invest?
The reason this is relevant is due to the various charging structures within the platforms that are available.
For a smaller investment pot, you may be best to look for a platform which charges a percentage of your pot in order to keep costs low.
However, percentage fees can soon add up for larger investment pots and in this instance, it is best to find a provider with a flat fee.
Many providers will also require an initial lump sum to get your investments started. It would be prudent to check the value of the lump sum required. Should you wish to invest on a monthly basis there are providers who don’t require a lump sum and will allow you to start investing for as little as £1. In this instance, beware of providers who charge a flat rate, as this can eliminate small investment amounts quickly.
What are you looking to invest in?
Most DIY platforms will provide access to a wide variety of investments, including UK and overseas shares, corporate bonds, investment funds, investment trusts, and ETFs. But some are limited to, for example, just funds. You’ll need to decide if this is important to you.
There are then some key factors to consider:
Cost
Cost is obviously an important factor, and fees can vary considerably between various providers. For small investment amounts, look for a percentage fee, and for large portfolios, look for a flat fee. Also, consider whether you will be paying tax over and above the personal allowance. If not, the fees associated with an ISA may not be worth it.
Range of investments
Ensure the provider offers the investments you would like to include in your portfolio, whether they are funds, shares, or ETFs. This will provide you with greater flexibility when building your portfolio.
Customer service
This is especially important for beginners, who may require some additional support. The best customer service is available via phone, live chat, and email, and agents should be quick to respond and helpful in providing investment guidance.
Features
Depending on your investment style, you may require research tools, analysis, and even tax assistance.
Is it worth getting a Stocks and Shares ISA?
As far as savings accounts go, it is really important to understand that while you could earn more in a Stocks and Shares ISA, you can also lose some, or even all, of the money you invest.
That being said, the returns from a Stock and Shares ISA are free from income tax, and they could be a lot higher than you would get from the interest earned in a Cash ISA. A Cash ISA acts as a tax-free savings account, usually offering a small amount of interest on the money held within the account. Currently, the interest rates on Cash ISAs are starting to pick up, and given that the gains over the personal savings allowance and dividend allowance are free from any income tax, they are also a good option.
If you currently have a Cash ISA and you decide that you would rather move your savings to a Stocks and Shares ISA, it is important to remember NOT to withdraw money from your Cash ISA but rather to contact your Cash ISA provider to arrange a transfer. This is to avoid exceeding your annual ISA allowance by withdrawing and depositing. Transfers do not count towards your allowance.
It is also possible to reduce your risk by creating a truly diversified investment portfolio across different markets and sectors. Remember that you don’t have to pay tax on any income earned within a Stocks and Shares ISA; should you still be uncertain as to whether this is a good option for you, then financial advisers are always well placed to help.
In short, no. You can pay into a Cash ISA and a Stocks and Shares ISA but not two different Stocks and Shares ISAs. That being said, you are allowed to have more than one Stocks and Shares ISA open at any one time while still taking advantage of the tax-free benefits of each; it’s just that you can only pay into one of them.
What happens if I pay into two Stocks and Shares ISAs?
Paying into two Stocks and Shares ISAs is a common mistake that is easy to rectify.
The main thing to remember is that you should never try to rectify this error yourself, as you could lose your ISA allowance completely for that same tax year.
You should contact HMRC, which will advise you on the best course of action.
Investing in a Stocks and Shares ISA should always be considered a long-term endeavour, and experts agree that investors should remain in the market for a minimum of five years in order to recover from any volatility in the market.
A Stocks and Shares ISA is not the best option for everyone, so please consider my alternative options before you commit to one.
Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs)
If you won’t need access to your funds before you retire, then this is definitely the most tax-efficient way to invest your money. SIPPs attract up to 45% in bonus money, which is paid in directly from the government to help you save for your retirement. For more information on SIPPs and to find the best SIPP for you, please refer to my article, Best SIPP Providers UK.
Lifetime ISAs
If you are between the ages of 18 and 40 and are saving for your first home, then this is definitely the best option for you. Lifetime ISAs can only be used for the purchase of your first home; however, they attract a government bonus of 25% on any deposits you make into your Lifetime ISA. For more information and to find the best Lifetime ISA for you, please refer to my article, Best Lifetime ISA for UK Savers.
General Investment Account
This is a useful vehicle if you have already maxed out your ISA allowance (currently £20,000 for the 2023–24 tax year) and would like to invest more of your money in the stock market.
Unlike an ISA, there are no limits as to how much you can deposit and invest in general investment accounts. However, you will be liable to pay Capital Gains Tax on any profits you make from your investments.
For more information on General Investment Accounts and to find the best provider for you, please refer to my article, Best General Investment Accounts UK.
Cash ISAs
If you want to take advantage of climbing interest rates but shield your gains from the taxman, then a Cash ISA would be the best option for you. The advantage of a Cash ISA is that you can access your money when you need it (unless you have opted for a fixed-term Cash ISA), whereas it is always advisable to leave your investments in a Stocks and Shares ISA for a minimum of five years.
For more information on Cash ISAs and where to find the best rates, please refer to my article, Best Cash ISA.
Innovative Finance ISAs
These ISAs are dedicated to helping users earn tax free interest on peer to peer lending.
Is it possible to track the performance of my investment ISA?
Can I open more than one investment ISA?
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