Best Stocks and Shares ISAs 2026
| Platform | Min Deposit | Platform Fee | Trading Fee | Trustpilot | ISA | SIPP | FSCS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Trading 212
|
Visit
Get up to £100 in free fractional shares when you open an account and deposit at least £1 via a link. Capital at risk. Terms apply.
This is an affiliate link: we may earn a small commission.
|
£1 | Free | Free |
★★★★★
4.6
|
✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
|
IG
|
Visit
Get up to £300 in free UK shares when you open an account and invest at least £300 via our link. Capital at risk, terms apply.
This is an affiliate link: we may earn a small commission.
|
£50 | Free* | £0 - £8 |
★★★★
4.3
|
✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
|
InvestEngine
|
£100 | Free (DIY) | Free |
★★★★★
4.7
|
✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
|
Freetrade
|
Visit
Get a free share worth between £10 and £100 when you sign up and fund your account with at least £50 via our link. Capital at risk, terms apply.
This is an affiliate link: we may earn a small commission.
|
£2 | Free | Free |
★★★★
4.3
|
✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
|
Lightyear
|
£1 | Free | Free |
★★★★★
4.7
|
✓ | ✗ | ✓ | |
|
AJ Bell
|
£500 (£25/mo) | 0.25% | £1.50 - £5 |
★★★★★
4.9
|
✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
|
Hargreaves Lansdown
|
£100 (£25/mo) | 0.35% | £1.95 - £6.95 |
★★★★
4.3
|
✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
|
interactive investor
|
None | From £5.99/mo | £3.99 |
★★★★★
4.6
|
✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
|
Vanguard
|
£500 (£100/mo) | 0.15%** | Free |
★★★★★
4.7
|
✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
|
XTB
|
None | Free | Free |
★★★★
3.6
|
✓ | ✗ | ✓ | |
|
eToro
|
$50 (~£40) | Free | Free |
★★★★
4.2
|
✓ | ✗ | ✓ | |
|
Moneybox
|
£1 | £1/mo + 0.45% | None |
★★★★
4.4
|
✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
|
Moneyfarm
|
£500 | 0.35% - 0.75% | None |
★★★★
4.2
|
✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
|
Nutmeg (J.P. Morgan)
|
£500 | 0.45% - 0.75% | None |
★★★★
4.2
|
✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
|
Wealthify
|
£1,000 | 0.60% | None |
★★★★★
4.5
|
✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
*IG has a £24 quarterly custody fee, waived with 3+ trades per quarter. **Vanguard charges a minimum of £4 per month on balances under £32,000 (0.15% above, capped at £375 per year). Trading 212's SIPP launched in 2026 and may still be waitlist-only. eToro's stocks and shares ISA is provided in partnership with Moneyfarm. Wealthify needs £1,000 to open an ISA, then top-ups from £1. Capital at risk when you invest. Last updated: June 2026. While every effort has been taken to provide up to date information, rates and fees change frequently so always check the latest before making a financial decision.
You’ll need an account with low fees, access to a wide range of investments and one with a good reputation.
Don’t forget every adult can invest up to £20,000 per tax year as part of your ISA allowance.
Put simply:
- DIY – you choose your investments yourself (usually lower fees but you are solely in control)
- Robo advisor – you answer a series of questions and based on your answers you are match with a suitable portfolio with. no human interaction.
- Expert Managed – you answer a series of questions and are assisted by a human to create you a suitable portfolio.
For me the best DIY Stocks and Shares ISA is Trading 212 due to their easy to use mobile app and commission free trading*.
Plus you’ll receive up to £100 free fractional shares if you invest a minimum of £1 with the code ‘GAINS’.
(Capital at risk when you invest, T&Cs apply)
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.
Below we split the accounts by robo-advisors and self-invested (DIY) starting with the best robo-advisors.
These ISA platforms includes apps, websites, high street banks and robo-advisors giving you access to global markets where you can purchase stocks, ETFs (exchange-traded funds), bonds, investment trusts and other investing products
If you want further information on any of the products then we have full reviews also available further down the page.
Best Robo Advisor / Expert Managed Stocks And Shares ISA
| Platform | Min Deposit (And Sign-Up Offer) | Management Fee | Average Fund fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moneyfarm* | £500 (initial) / £25 after | 0.45% - 0% (annual - varies by portfolio size) | 0.16% |
| Moneybox* | £1 | 0.45% + £1 a month subscription | 0.13 - 0.58% |
Robo-advisors run off technology and algorithms to provide investors with financial products that require little or no human supervision.
Expert financial advisors and investors will create the funds within the robo-advisors in what is also called a managed portfolio or ready made portfolio.
They work by asking you a series of questions to establish your financial goals, risk tolerance and investment preferences. These types of accounts are fantastic for beginners and hands-off investors who want experts to manage their money for them.
Best DIY Stocks and Shares ISA
| Platform | Min Deposit (And Sign-Up Offer) | Cost | Buy / Sell Share Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading 212* | £1 - Get up to £100 in fractional shares (T&Cs Apply) | None | Free (other fees apply) |
| IG* | £50 - Invest at least £300 to get up to £300 in free shares**. (Capital at risk when you invest, T&Cs apply) | None | Free (other fees apply) |
**Capital at risk. New customers only. Offer valid until 30 days after opening your account on ISA, GIA or SIPP accounts. Minimum share value £40. Cannot be used in conjunction with other offers. T&Cs apply.
With a DIY ISA be prepared to do it all yourself. You need to research, invest and keep track of all of your own investments.
Make sure you’re aware of the platform fees, dealing fees and fund charges before making an investment.
It’s important to note that fund charges will vary by fund and this amount will be displayed on the platform of your choice.
Below we have put together a table which includes our recommended DIY ISAs.
Trading 212
Key Features
- DIY ISAs & Investment Funds
- Annual Platform Fee: Free
- Min deposit: £1
Trading 212 provides access to over 10,000 stocks, funds, ETFs and investment trusts.
They offer commission-free trading* and their auto investing feature is excellent.
OUR OFFER - To get free fractional shares worth up to 100 EUR/GBP, you can open an account with Trading 212 using promo code 'GAINS'. Terms apply
*Other fees may apply. See terms and fees
**When investing, your capital is at risk. If you enable interest, Trading 212 will hold your cash in qualifying money market funds and banks. Otherwise, your cash will be held only in banks. Interest applies on cash in an investment account. Terms apply.
- Commission free trading*
- Earn interest on uninvested cash**
- Fantastic mobile app
- Award winning ISA
- No personal pension
What I like about Trading 212
Trading 212 is for me hands down the cheapest and the best investment ISA in the UK right now.
They provide access to a range of over 10,000 stocks and funds plus have the ability to create your own funds called investment pies.
With commission free investing and a highly engaging mobile app this is a great option for DIY investors.
IG - Best Sign-Up Offer
Key Features
- DIY ISA
- Annual Platform Fee: Free for ISA & GIA
- Min deposit: £50
What I like about IG
IG has the best sign-up offer for an investment ISA in the UK right now.
They provide access to a range of over 11,000 stocks and funds plus they pay interest on uninvested cash.
With commission-free trading and an award winning mobile app this is a great option for DIY investors.
Moneybox
Key Features
- Ready made & DIY ISAs
- Annual platform fee: 0.45%
- Minimum deposit: £1
Moneybox has a comprehensive selection of ISAs including Cash, Stocks & Shares, Lifetime and Junior ISAs and has other savings accounts and personal pensions available, a one-stop-shop for all your wealth-building accounts.
They offer up to 4.30% interest on their Cash ISA and up to 4.08% on their 95-day notice account.
There is a £1 per month subscription fee and a 0.45% platform fee, but for me, Moneybox is the perfect option for those looking for a more extensive selection of ISAs (including Lifetime ISAs for home buyers) and personal pensions.
- Wide range of ISAs available
- Award winning personal finance app
- Offers savings accounts and personal pensions too
- No budgeting tools
- £1 subscription fee + 0.45% platform fee
- Only 20 US stocks and a range of funds available
What I like about Moneybox
Moneybox is one of the most popular low cost ISA providers and investment apps in the UK. The app is fantastic and has so many great features to help savers and investors.
The investing arm of the business gives you access to some of the worlds best ETFs, funds and stocks so you have a suite of products to choose from.
They offer self and expert managed options so they really do cater for all types of investors.
They also offer the ability to round-up purchases directly into your chosen accounts alongside personal pensions and more!
What Types of Stocks & Shares ISAs Are There?
Stocks & Shares ISAs
Stocks and Shares ISAs are a tax-free way of investing in the stock market in the UK. You can invest £20,000 per year and the profits are not subject to capital gains tax.
These account types provide you access to the stock market and the potential returns that come with it.
It essentially a place for you to house your investment portfolio.
Junior Stocks and Shares ISAs
Junior ISAs allow you to give your children a tax-free head start in life. You can open a Junior ISA for each of your children if they’re under the age of 18.
This money can be kept in cash or invested and you also keep all of the gains you may receive.
The tax allowance for each Junior Stocks and Shares ISA is £9000 and this does not affect your £20k annual ISA allowance for your personal ISA.
Ethical ISAs
Ethical ISAs follow similar principles to a standard Stocks and Shares ISA. The difference being where your money is invested.
The funds or stocks within these ISAs look to invest in ESG (environmental, social, governance) funds that are green focused or looking to benefit the planet in some way.
Lifetime Stocks and Shares ISAs
Lifetime Stocks and Shares ISAs allow you to invest up to £4000 a year and receive a £1000 (25%) government bonus.
They differ slightly from the standard Lifetime ISAs which you would usually only save into.
These products are great for those looking to put money away for retirement or their first home.
If you withdraw before you retire or buy your first home, then you lose your bonus.
Frequently Asked Questions About Stocks & Shares ISAs
An investment account that lets you put up to £20,000 a year into shares, funds, ETFs and bonds without paying tax on the growth, dividends or interest.
£20,000 for the 2026/27 tax year. Shared across all your ISAs, with the Lifetime ISA capped at £4,000 of that.
Yes. Sell your investments back to cash, then withdraw to your bank account. Most providers process withdrawals within 3 to 5 working days.
One thing to watch: what you sell for could be less than what you bought for. Don’t dip in and out of a Stocks and Shares ISA for short-term cash needs.
Pros:
- Tax-free growth, dividends and interest
- Historically beats Cash ISAs over the long term
- Transferable between providers
- Huge range of investments to choose from
- Flexibility on DIY vs ready-made
Cons:
- Your capital is at risk
- Fees can eat into returns if you’re not careful
- Not suitable for money you need in the short term
Since April 2024, you can open and pay into more than one ISA of the same type in the same tax year (with the exception of Lifetime ISAs, where you can still only pay into one per year).
Individual shares, ETFs, investment trusts, unit trusts, OEICs, corporate and government bonds, and REITs. The exact range depends on the provider.
Neither is better than the other as they have very different purposes.
Cash ISAs are great for saving and shorter-term goals, whilst Stocks and Shares ISAs are best for investing and longer-term financial goals.
If you have a flexible ISA, you can withdraw money and put it back in the same tax year without using up your allowance again. Not all providers offer flexible ISAs, so check with yours before relying on it.
If your ISA isn’t flexible, any money you put back in counts as a fresh contribution.
Our verdict - which Stocks and Shares ISA should you choose?
Quick decision tree:
- You’ve never invested before and want it simple: Moneybox.
- You want to pick your own stocks and keep fees as low as possible: Trading212.
- You’ve got £500+ to invest and want someone else to manage it: Moneyfarm.
- You want a chunky sign-up offer and a big range of investments: IG.
Whichever you pick, the most important thing is to actually start.
The longer your money is invested, the more compounding works in your favour.
A boring global tracker, drip-fed every month for 30 years, will quietly beat almost any clever strategy you can dream up.
Pick one, set up a monthly direct debit, and let it run.
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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.
