Best Junior Stocks and Shares ISAs 2026
Disclaimer
This post is not to be considered as financial advice or UK tax advice. This is for educational purposes only. Investment returns do vary and this is an illustrative example. When you invest your capital is at risk. ISA rules apply.
There’s a moment, usually not long after you have a child, where you start thinking about money differently.
Not your money.
Theirs.
You start doing mental maths about university fees, house deposits, and whether £50 a month now could actually mean something by the time they’re 18. And it can, if you pick the right account.
That’s where a Junior ISA comes in. It’s one of the best tools available for building a tax-free pot for your child over the long term. But not all Junior ISAs are built the same. Some quietly eat into returns with fees, year after year, without making a big song and dance about it.
In this guide, we compare the best Junior Stocks & Shares ISA providers in the UK, why you might want to choose one over a Cash JISA, and explain exactly what to look for before you open one for your child.
Best Junior ISA Providers 2026
Stocks & shares Junior ISAs compared by fees, investment range, cash AER, and minimum contribution.
| Provider | Platform Fee | Trading Fee | Min Contribution | Cash AER | Investments | Trustpilot | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IG ? Top Pick | £0 | £0 | None | 3.75% | 12,000+ | ? 3.9 | Zero fees |
| Hargreaves Lansdown | £0 | Applies on shares | £25/mo or £100 | ~1.51–2.75% | 14,000+ | ? 4.4 | Widest choice |
| AJ Bell | 0.25% (capped) | £5 | £25/mo or £500 | Yes (varies) | 15,000+ | ? 4.8 | Customer service |
| Fidelity | £0 | £7.50 (shares) | £25/mo or £100 | ~2.22% | 3,000+ funds | ? 4.5 | Ready-made portfolios |
| Interactive Investor | £14.99/mo flat | £3.99 | Varies | ~1.11–2.21% | 40,000+ | ? 4.7 | Larger portfolios |
| Vanguard | 0.15% (capped) | £0 | £25/mo or £100 | ~1.85% | Vanguard funds | ? 4.3 | Index fund simplicity |
| Wealthify | 0.60% | £0 | £1 | N/A (managed) | Ready-made only | — | Starting from £1 |
| Charles Stanley | 0.30% (capped) | £11.50 | £25/mo or £50 | Yes (varies) | 12,500+ | — | Active traders |
| Bestinvest | 0.40% / 0.20% | £4.95 (UK shares) | £1 lump sum | ~2.98% | 3,300+ | ? 4.3 | Free coaching |
Cash AER rates are variable and subject to change. Always verify current rates and fees directly with each provider before opening an account. Investing puts your capital at risk. The value of investments can fall as well as rise.
IG - Our Top Pick
Key Features
- No account fee
- 0% commission on stocks & ETFs
- No minimum monthly contributions
IG launched their Junior ISA recently and it's already one of the best on the market. The reason is straightforward: they charge nothing.
No account fee, no commission on stocks or ETFs.*
With over 12,000 shares and ETFs available, there's plenty to choose from whether you want to go hands-on or keep things simple with a broad index tracker.
*foreign exchange charges apply if you invest in non-UK shares
- £0 account fee
- £0 commission on stocks and ETFs*
- 12,000+ shares and ETFs
- No minimum monthly contributions
- 3.75% AER on uninvested cash
What I like about IG
IG launched their Junior ISA recently and it’s already one of the standout options on the market. The reason is simple: they charge nothing. No account fee, no commission on stocks or ETFs.
That matters a lot over 18 years.
IG demonstrates this with real historic data, comparing their product against the market by tracking £100 a month invested in a MSCI World Index. The fee difference alone adds up to thousands of pounds by the time a child reaches 18. With IG, all of that stays in the pot.
The account is opened by a parent or legal guardian. You need your own IG account first, which takes a couple of minutes to set up. Then you add your child’s details – name, date of birth – and you’re ready to go. No minimum monthly contribution. Invest as little or as much as you like, up to the £9,000 annual limit.
With over 12,000 shares and ETFs available, there’s plenty to work with whether you want to pick individual stocks or stick with a broad global index tracker.
One thing to note: foreign exchange charges apply if you invest in non-UK shares, and IG doesn’t currently offer actively-managed funds. But for UK shares, US shares, and ETFs, it’s genuinely free to trade.
IG is FCA regulated and has been operating in the UK for decades. For a zero-cost online Junior ISA with serious investment choice, it’s our top pick.
Hargreaves Lansdown
Key Features
- £0 account fee
- £0 trading fees
- Min deposit: £1
Hargreaves Lansdown removed their Junior ISA fees in 2023, making them one of the cheapest options on the market. They won Best Junior ISA at the Good Money Guide Awards 2025.
The investment range is the widest of any provider - over 14,000 options including UK and overseas shares, investment trusts, bonds, ETFs, gilts, and managed multi-asset funds.
- £0 account fee
- £0 trading fees
- 14,000+ shares, ETFs, and bonds
- Only 1% AER on uninvested cash
- Minimum £100 lump sum or £25/month
What I like about Hargreaves Lansdown
Hargreaves Lansdown removed their Junior ISA fees in 2023, making them one of the cheapest options on the market. They won Best Junior ISA at the Good Money Guide Awards 2025.
The investment range is the widest of any provider – over 14,000 options including UK and overseas shares, investment trusts, bonds, ETFs, gilts, and managed multi-asset funds. If you want maximum flexibility, HL is hard to beat.
HL also pays interest on uninvested cash held in your Junior ISA, which is a useful touch. Trading fees do still apply when buying and selling individual shares, which is worth factoring in if you plan to trade frequently. Fund trades are free.
The app is polished, customer support is UK-based and well-regarded, and the research tools available are extensive. HL offers the full range of accounts alongside the JISA, so if you want your own ISA and SIPP in one place alongside your child’s account, it’s convenient.
AJ Bell
Key Features
- 15,000+ shares, ETFs, funds, investment trust
- Minimum contribution: £25/month or £500 lump sum
- Account fee: 0.25% per year (capped at £2.50/month for shares)
AJ Bell is a FTSE 250 company with over 620,000 clients and one of the highest Trustpilot ratings of any investment platform at 4.8.
The platform fee of 0.25% is competitive among fee-paying providers, but might feel unnecessary with free providers available and does reduce expected growth.
The investment range is second only to HL, with over 15,000 options.
- 15,000+ shares, ETFs, funds, investment trusts
- 4.8 Trustpilot score
- Top-rated customer service
- Account fee: 0.25% per year (Max £2.50/month)
- Trading fee: £5 per trade for shares, £1.50 for funds
- Minimum contribution: £25/month or £500 lump sum
- 1.75% AER on uninvested cash
What I like about AJ Bell
AJ Bell is a FTSE 250 company with over 620,000 clients and one of the highest Trustpilot ratings of any investment platform at 4.8. That’s a meaningful number when you’re choosing somewhere to invest for 18 years.
The platform fee of 0.25% is competitive among the mainstream providers, and the cap of £2.50 per month on share-based investments means costs stay controlled as your portfolio grows. AJ Bell also pays interest on uninvested cash.
The investment range is second only to HL, with over 15,000 options. AJ Bell also offers a range of ready-made portfolios if you’d rather have someone else make the investment decisions. The app is easy to use and the research and educational content on the platform is strong.
AJ Bell’s simpler app Dodl charges a lower platform fee of 0.15% with a £1/month minimum and no trading fees — but it offers a much more limited investment range and does not currently offer a Junior ISA.
For a well-rounded option that scores high on customer service and offers a broad suite of accounts, AJ Bell is an excellent choice.
Fidelity
Key Features
- Account fee: No service fee on junior accounts
- Trading fee: £7.50 per share trade, free for funds
- Minimum contribution: £25/month or £100 lump sum
Fidelity has won the Boring Money Best Buy JISA award three years running, which is a meaningful signal - it's based on real customer reviews rather than an editorial decision.
They charge no service fee on Junior ISAs. Ongoing fund charges still apply depending on what you invest in, and share trading costs £7.50 per trade.
They offer some ready-made investment options if that's your thing.
- No account fee on junior accounts
- Zero trading fee for funds
- 3,000+ funds, plus shares and ETFs
- Minimum contribution: £25/month or £100 lump sum
- Trading fee: £7.50 per share trade
What I like about Fidelity
Fidelity has won the Boring Money Best Buy JISA award three years running, which is a meaningful signal – it’s based on real customer reviews rather than an editorial decision.
They charge no service fee on Junior ISAs. That’s a strong foundation. Ongoing fund charges still apply depending on what you invest in, and share trading costs £7.50 per trade, but for parents investing in funds rather than individual stocks the cost is very low.
The ready-made investment options are particularly good. Fidelity builds and manages diversified portfolios on your behalf, which suits parents who’d rather not pick stocks. There’s also a wider range of third-party funds available alongside Fidelity’s own products.
Fidelity pays interest on uninvested cash and offers good research and investor tools. It’s also one of the providers most often cited by investors who want a reliable, no-fuss option.
Interactive Investor (ii)
Key Features
- Account fee: Included in Investor plan (£14.99/month, covers adult ISA and trading account too)
- Trading fee: £1.49 per trade for funds and £3.99 for UK/US shares & ETFs
- Minimum contribution: £25/month or £100 lump sum
Interactive investor uses a flat monthly fee rather than a percentage, which makes it increasingly better value as your portfolio grows - but a significant expense at smaller values.
The £14.99/month Plus plan covers a trading account, adult ISA, SIPP and Junior ISA all in one subscription. Junior ISAs are not available without the Plus subscription.
- ISA, SIPP & Junior ISA in one subscription
- Subscription includes multiple accounts for family members
- £14.99 a month subscription required
- Expensive at smaller portfolio values
- Can't open a standalone Junior ISA
- Trading fee: £1.49 per trade for funds, £3,99 for UK/US shares & ETFs
- £0.99 per holding fee for dividend reinvestments
What I like about Interactive Investor
Interactive investor uses a flat monthly fee rather than a percentage, which makes it increasingly good value as your portfolio grows. The £14.99/month Investor plan covers a trading account, adult ISA, and Junior ISA – all in one subscription.
The investment range is the largest of any provider on this list, with over 40,000 options. ii also has one of the highest Trustpilot scores at 4.7, and pays interest on uninvested cash.
There’s one important caveat: the Junior ISA is not included in the lower-cost Investor Essentials plan. You need the Investor plan, which is £14.99/month. For small portfolios, that flat fee is proportionally high. But as the portfolio grows to £10,000+ and beyond, it starts to look more competitive against percentage-based alternatives.
Vanguard
Key Features
- Account fee: 0.15% per year (capped at £375)
- Trading fee: None
- Minimum contribution: £100 lump sum or £25/month
Vanguard's Junior ISA is endorsed by Which? and Boring Money, and the platform is built around simplicity.
The fund range is limited to Vanguard's own products - there are no third-party shares or ETFs available. But Vanguard's own range includes some of the most popular index funds in the world: global equity trackers, UK funds, and LifeStrategy funds that automatically adjust the investment mix based on the risk level you select.
The 0.15% platform fee is low, though not zero. The fee is capped at £375 annually, so for large portfolios it becomes increasingly competitive. Trading is free.
- Trading fee: None
- Minimum contribution: £100 lump sum or £25/month
- Account fee: 0.15% per year (capped at £375)
- Investment range: Vanguard funds only
What I like about Vanguard
Vanguard is the home of low-cost index investing. Their Junior ISA is endorsed by Which? and Boring Money, and the platform is built around simplicity.
The fund range is limited to Vanguard’s own products – there are no third-party shares or ETFs available. But Vanguard’s own range includes some of the most popular index funds in the world: global equity trackers, UK funds, and LifeStrategy funds that automatically adjust the investment mix based on the risk level you select.
The 0.15% platform fee is low, though not zero. On a £10,000 portfolio, that’s £15 a year – very reasonable. The fee is capped at £375 annually, so for large portfolios it becomes increasingly competitive. Trading is free.
If you want to invest in a broad global index and keep costs minimal with no decision fatigue, Vanguard is a solid choice.
Wealthify
Key Features
- Account fee: 0.60% per year
- Trading fee: None
- Minimum contribution: £1
With Wealthify you can start investing for your child with just £1. That makes it the most accessible option on the list for parents who want to start small while they get comfortable.
You pick a risk level - cautious, tentative, confident, ambitious, or adventurous - and Wealthify builds and manages a ready-made portfolio for you.
The 0.60% annual fee is higher than many providers and over 18 years that difference adds up.
- Minimum contribution: £1
- Trading fee: None
- Award winning provider
- Account fee: 0.60% per year
- Ready-made plans only
What I like about Wealthify
Wealthify makes this list because of one standout feature: you can start investing for your child with just £1. That makes it the most accessible option on the list for parents who want to start small while they get comfortable.
You pick a risk level – cautious, tentative, confident, ambitious, or adventurous – and Wealthify builds and manages a ready-made portfolio for you. It’s fully hands-off. There are no investment decisions to make.
The 0.60% annual fee is higher than every other provider on this list, and over 18 years that difference adds up meaningfully. At full contribution levels, the gap vs IG or HL could run to tens of thousands of pounds. But if starting with a tiny amount and growing from there is what gets you started, Wealthify removes almost every barrier.
Charles Stanley Direct
Key Features
- Account fee: 0.30% per year (£60 minimum, £600 maximum annually)
- Trading fee: £11.50 per share trade
- Minimum contribution: £50 lump sum or £25/month
Charles Stanley Direct is a privately-owned wealth manager that also offers a DIY investing platform. The platform fee of 0.30% sits in the mid-range, with an annual cap of £600 - useful for larger portfolios.
The investment range is solid at 12,500+ options, and managed portfolios are available.
- Investment range: 12,500+ shares, funds, ETFs, investment trusts
- Minimum contribution: £50 lump sum or £25/month
- Account fee: 0.30% per year
- Trading fee: £11.50 per share trade
What I like about Charles Stanley Direct
Charles Stanley Direct is a privately-owned wealth manager that also offers a DIY investing platform. The platform fee of 0.30% sits in the mid-range, with an annual cap of £600 – useful for larger portfolios.
The standout feature is £100 of annual trading credits, which can offset some or all of the trading fees for parents who move investments around regularly. With a trading fee of £11.50 per trade otherwise, frequent traders will get the most value here.
The investment range is solid at 12,500+ options, and managed portfolios are available. One thing to be aware of: Charles Stanley charges £10 per investment to transfer the Junior ISA to another provider “as is” rather than selling everything first. If you’re not planning to switch, it doesn’t matter – but it’s worth knowing before you open an account.
Bestinvest
Key Features
- Account fee: 0.40% per year (funds and UK shares up to £250,000), 0.20% for US shares and ready-made portfolios
- Trading fee: £4.95 per UK share trade, free for funds and US shares
- Minimum contribution: £1 lump sum
Bestinvest is owned by wealth manager Evelyn Partners. The platform fee is in the mid-to-high range and the investment range is more limited than some of the larger providers - but Bestinvest has one feature no other provider offers: free one-on-one coaching sessions with a financial coach.
For parents who are new to investing and want a human being to help them think through what to do with their child's JISA, that's a genuinely valuable extra.
- Trading fee: free for funds and US shares
- Minimum contribution: £1 lump sum
- Investment range: 1,100+ shares, 1,600+ funds, 330 ETFs
- Account fee: 0.40% per year (funds & UK shares), 0.20% (US shares and ready-made portfolios)
- Trading fee: £4.95 per UK share trade
What I like about Bestinvest
Bestinvest is owned by wealth manager Evelyn Partners. The platform fee is in the mid-to-high range and the investment range is more limited than some of the larger providers – but Bestinvest has one feature no other provider on this list offers: free one-on-one coaching sessions with a financial coach.
For parents who are new to investing and want a human being to help them think through what to do with their child’s JISA, that’s a genuinely valuable extra. Bestinvest also offers one of the widest ranges of ready-made portfolios, split into expert (maximising return), smart (low-cost passive), direct (shares and bonds), and sustainable (ESG) options.
The platform fee becomes expensive on higher-value portfolios without a cap on share-based investments, so it’s worth monitoring costs as the portfolio grows over time.
Junior ISA Types Explained: Cash vs Stocks and Shares
It’s worth clearing something up about ISAs, because these terms get used interchangeably and they really shouldn’t.
Adult Cash ISA
A Cash ISA is a savings account for adults where your interest is protected from tax. It works like a regular savings account, just without HMRC taking a cut of the interest.
The adult allowance is £20,000 per year. Note: from April 2027 this will reduce to £12,000 for cash ISAs specifically.
Junior Cash ISA
A Junior Cash ISA is the children’s version. You put money in, it earns interest, and that interest is completely tax-free. It’s low risk and the balance won’t go down.
The best junior cash ISA rates right now are around 3.55% to 3.85% AER**, with NS&I and Leek Building Society leading the table.
But over 18 years, even a decent interest rate rarely keeps pace with inflation in a meaningful way. A cash JISA protects money well. It’s less strong for growing it.
Junior Stocks and Shares ISA
A Stocks and Shares Junior ISA invests the money in assets like shares and funds. The value can go up and down in the short term, but over an 18-year time horizon, stocks and shares have historically produced far stronger returns than cash. According to Moneyfarm, a global equity portfolio has returned an average of 12.5% per year over the 10 years to August 2025, compared to just 1.2% for cash.***
That said, it’s worth thinking about timing. If a child is approaching 18 and might need the money soon, a stocks and shares JISA carries more risk. It’s generally not recommended to invest in the stock market if the money might be needed within five years – the peaks and troughs of the market can work against you in the short term. For a child with ten or more years to go, the case for stocks and shares is strong.
A child can hold one of each type – a Cash JISA and a Stocks and Shares JISA – at the same time, as long as combined contributions stay under the £9,000 annual allowance.
This guide focuses on the best stocks and shares Junior ISAs. They carry more risk than cash, but for money that won’t be touched for many years, they’re generally considered the stronger long-term option for building real wealth.
**rates correct at the time of publishing and will change over time. Always check up to date rates.
**past performance does not guarantee future results. Capital is at risk when you invest. Always do your own research.
What is a Junior ISA?
A Junior ISA (JISA) is a tax-free savings or investment account for children under 18 who live in the UK. Here’s what you need to know:
- The annual allowance for 2025/26 is £9,000
- The allowance cannot be carried forward – if you don’t use it by 5 April 2026, it’s gone
- Money is locked in until the child turns 18
- Any gains, dividends, or interest inside the account are completely tax-free
- A parent or guardian opens and manages the account, but the money belongs to the child
- Once it’s set up, anyone can pay in – grandparents, aunties, uncles, family friends
- When the child turns 18, the Junior ISA automatically becomes an adult ISA in their name
- Children aged 16 and 17 can open their own JISA, though some providers don’t transfer management until the child’s 18th birthday
It’s one of the most practical ways to build long-term wealth for a child. The only catch is that the money can’t be touched until they’re 18, no matter what.
A child born today could accumulate well over £100,000 in tax-free wealth by their 18th birthday – if contributions start early and returns are reasonable. The key word is early.
What About Child Trust Funds?
Children born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011 may already have a Child Trust Fund (CTF) – a government savings scheme that ran before Junior ISAs were introduced in 2011.
A child can’t hold both a CTF and a Junior ISA at the same time. But you can transfer a CTF into a Junior ISA, and it’s usually worth doing. The fees on CTFs tend to be higher, the investment options more limited, and the rates less competitive than what’s available through modern JISA providers.
To transfer, contact your chosen Junior ISA provider and they’ll handle the switch. It typically takes up to 30 days. The transfer doesn’t use up your annual JISA allowance.
What to Look For When Comparing Junior ISA Providers
Not sure where to start? These are the things that actually matter.
Fees. Platform fees, trading fees, and fund charges all chip away at your child’s money over time. More on this below.
Investment range. A wide choice of shares, ETFs, funds, and investment trusts gives you more control. Some platforms offer 40,000+ options; others are more limited.
Ready-made portfolios. If you’d rather not choose individual investments, look for platforms that offer managed or ready-made portfolios. Useful for hands-off parents.
Ease of use. A clean app and simple interface matters, especially when you’re investing regularly over many years.
Contribution flexibility. Can you start small? Can you pause? Can family members pay in easily?
Online access. The best online Junior ISAs let you open an account, manage contributions, and track performance without visiting a branch.
Other accounts available. If you want everything in one place – your own ISA, a SIPP, and your child’s JISA – check whether the provider offers the full suite.
Interest on uninvested cash. Some platforms pay interest on cash sitting in your account while you decide where to invest it. A nice extra if you hold cash between trades.
Trustpilot rating. A useful signal of real customer experience. Ratings vary significantly between providers.
Transfer fees. Check whether your provider charges to transfer out to another platform, and whether those charges apply per investment or to the whole account.
Regulation. Make sure the provider is FCA regulated and covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which protects cash deposits up to £120,000.
Flat Fee vs Percentage Fee: Which Is Better?
This is worth understanding before you pick a provider.
Percentage-based fees take a percentage of your total portfolio each year. They’re cheaper when the portfolio is small but get more expensive as it grows.
Flat fees charge a fixed monthly or annual amount regardless of how much you have invested. They can feel expensive on small portfolios but become much better value as the balance grows.
For a Junior ISA starting from birth with £100 a month, a percentage fee will likely be cheaper in the early years. But as the pot grows over 18 years, a flat fee platform like interactive investor could end up significantly cheaper in total. It’s worth running the numbers at your expected contribution level.
How Much Do Fees Cost Over 18 Years?
Let’s make this concrete.
Using a portfolio of £9,000 per year contributed from birth, at a 9.6% average annual return (based on historical global equity data):
- Flat fee of £144/year (rising 5% annually): portfolio worth around £424,000, total fees paid around £8,000
- 0.25% percentage fee: portfolio worth around £420,000, total fees around £12,000
- 0.40% percentage fee: portfolio worth around £412,000, total fees around £20,000
At more modest contribution levels, the differences are smaller – but they’re still real.
On a simpler example: £100 a month from birth at 7% annual return gives you around £42,000 before fees. A 0.5% annual platform fee takes £3,000-£5,000 of that. A zero-fee platform keeps all of it in your child’s account.
Zero fees compound in your favour just as much as high fees compound against you.
Best Junior Cash ISA Rates 2026
If you’re looking at cash JISAs alongside or instead of stocks and shares, the top rates right now are:
- Leek Building Society – 3.85% AER** (post or branch only)
- NS&I – 3.55% AER** (can be opened online)
**rates correct as of the time of publishing. Always check up to date rates.
These rates are variable and change regularly, so it’s worth checking current figures before opening an account. Unlike stocks and shares JISAs where returns are determined by markets, cash JISA rates are set by the provider and can be switched if you find a better deal.
Remember: a child can hold one cash JISA and one stocks and shares JISA at the same time. The combined contributions just need to stay within the £9,000 annual allowance. So you could put £3,000 into a cash JISA for security and £6,000 into a stocks and shares JISA for growth, for example.
How Much Could a Junior ISA Be Worth at 18?
Say you invest £100 a month from birth, at a 7%* average annual return:
- After 18 years, you’ve put in: £21,600
- Estimated total pot (before fees): approx. £42,000
- With a 0.5% annual platform fee: you lose £3,000-£5,000 to fees
- With zero platform fees (like IG): that money stays in the account
Now scale up. Contributing £500 a month – around £6,000 a year – at 9% annual return over 18 years produces a pot of over £250,000 before fees. At 0.40% platform fee, that’s £20,000+ lost to fees alone.
Starting early makes the biggest difference. Every year you delay is a year of compounding you can’t recover.
*based on historical market performance. Past performance does not indicate future results. Capital at risk when you invest. Always do your own research. T&Cs and ISA rules apply.
Frequently asked questions
Round Up
We hope you’ve found some useful information on the best investment ISA.
These individual saving accounts are your access to the stock market and are designed to help you create long-term wealth.
Returns from an investment ISA can far outweigh those from a Cash ISA provider over the long term, but short term remember you could lose money so we encourage you to think about your financial plan before committing any capital.
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- Disclaimer
This article does not constitute financial advice, and we are not financial advisors. We may earn a small commission if you click on one of these links. Your capital is at risk, and you may get back less than you put in. If you are worried about money or investments, please seek independent financial advice.