Whether you’ve started investing already or not, getting an extra boost to your portfolio is very welcome.
Many investment apps and platforms will give new customers free shares for signing up and depositing or investing with them.
And it can add up quick!
Below I’ve listed the best platforms that offer free stocks and shares, as well as how to sign up for these bonuses.
Remember this is not financial or UK tax advice. Capital is at risk when you invest. Always do your own research. ISA rules and T&Cs apply.
Best ISA
Trading 212
Commission-free shares and ETFs in an ISA, Invest account or SIPP
Offer: Free fractional shares worth up to £100 with promo code GAINS (code must be used within 10 days of registering; value is random, most awards £8 to £25). Capital at risk, T&Cs apply.
- Commission-free trading, no account fee
- Pays interest on uninvested cash
- Stocks ISA and SIPP in one app
- CFDs in the same app: 77% of retail accounts lose money
- 0.15% FX fee each way on non-GBP trades
- Card deposits cost 0.7% after your first £2,000
- No Junior ISA or Lifetime ISA
- £1
- minimum
- Free
- platform fee
- Free
- trading fee
- 0.15% FX fee on non-GBP trades
Affiliate link. Capital at risk.
UK Investing Apps That Offer Free Shares
These investment apps offer free share bonuses for signing up:
Trading212 – Up to £100 free fractional shares
You’ll receive a free fractional share worth up to £100 when you use the code ‘GAINS’ within 10 days of registering (the value is random and most awards are £8 to £25).
(Capital at risk when you invest, T&Cs apply)
IG – Up to £300 in free shares**
Invest at least £300 to get up to £300 in free shares**.
**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.
Freetrade
Gives you a share worth £10-£100 for depositing £50.
(Capital at risk when you invest, T&Cs apply)
IG Junior ISA
IG’s £50 Junior ISA bonus ended on 5 April 2026, but its Junior ISA still has no account fee and no commission on UK and US shares.
(Your capital is at risk. ISA tax benefits depend on personal circumstances.)
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How To Get Free Shares
The process depends on the platform but typically you’ll need ID as well as some money ready to fund the account you choose.
Normally, you have to follow these steps:
- Sign up for an account on the platform’s website via the links above. Normally, you’ll need to provide your National Insurance Number and verify your ID (usually taking a photo of your passport and a selfie these days for automatic verification).
- Once your account is set up, you’ll need to make the minimum deposit stated.
- Abide by the terms and conditions stated. This could include waiting a certain amount of time before withdrawing your funds. For example, some platforms won’t provide your free share if you pull out within the first 30 days.
- Claim your free share. You may not even have to claim it – the bonus may just appear in your account once conditions have been met.
- Send referral links out to your peers to unlock additional free stocks and shares.
Read nextHow To Invest 40k – The Ultimate GuideHow Do Free Shares Work?
Free stock and shares work in exactly the same way as the stock and shares you buy with your own money.
You can trade them on the stock market, their value can change, and you’re also taxed on them in the same way (more on this later).
Once you’ve gained your free share/stock, you can do whatever you want with it.
You can invest your own cash to try and gain a better return, or sell it off and withdraw the cash.
Or you can rebuy into your favourite blue chip stocks like Apple.
Normally, there is a limit to how long you have to wait before you can withdraw the cash.
You could also put your free stock or share into a General Investment Account (GIA) or an Individual Savings Account (ISA).
The free share is enough for you to start investing and even earn compound interest.
Why Companies Give Out Free Shares
The reason why companies offer free stock to new customers is to get them to sign up for their platform.
The idea of attaining free stock to play with – and the potential investment reward that could be made from this free stock – entices many beginners to sign up.
Once you’re on the platform and doing whatever you want with your free share, you may be enticed to invest further. Especially when the platform is well laid out and easy to understand.
Not sure where to start?
Pick your goal (debt free, start investing, side income, saving for something big) and get a free money plan you can level up on. Takes about two minutes.
Get your free money planAre Free Stocks and Shares Taxed?
Both income and profits from shares can be subject to tax.
Here is a summary of how each type of income might be taxed:
- Dividend Income: Dividends are taxed separately from other forms of income. For the tax year 2026-2027, the dividend tax rates are as follows:
- Personal Allowance: If your total income (including dividends) is below the personal allowance threshold (£12,570 for 2026-2027), you don’t have to pay any tax on your dividends.
- Dividend Allowance: In addition to the personal allowance, there is a dividend allowance (£500 for 2026-2027), which is a tax-free amount on dividend income.
- Basic rate taxpayers: 10.75% on dividend income above the dividend allowance
- Higher rate taxpayers: 35.75% on dividend income above the dividend allowance
- Additional rate taxpayers: 39.35% on dividend income above the dividend allowance
Please note that these rates and thresholds may change, so always check the latest information provided by the UK government or consult with a tax professional.
- Capital Gains: Profits from selling shares, known as capital gains, are subject to Capital Gains Tax (CGT). You have an annual tax-free allowance for capital gains, known as the Annual Exempt Amount.
For the tax year 2026-2027, the Annual Exempt Amount is £3,000. If your capital gains exceed this amount, you will need to pay CGT on the difference. The CGT rates for the tax year 2026-2027 are:
- Basic rate taxpayers: 18% on capital gains
- Higher rate and additional rate taxpayers: 24% on capital gains
ISA account
If you have an ISA, your free share provider may allow you to put your free stock/shares into your ISA. With an ISA account, you are not taxed for the first £20,000 you deposit into it.
£20,000 is the maximum you can contribute into ISAs for the 2026/2027 tax year.
This way, you can save up money without losing any to taxation. In this case, you could avoid being taxed for your free stock investment and earnings.
However, not all free share providers will allow you to deposit your bonuses into your ISA account.
Best Stocks and Shares ISAs 2026
Read the guideFrequently Asked Questions
Can you receive free stocks and shares more than once from an investment app?
Many investment accounts allow you to receive free stocks and shares more than once. Besides the initial sign-up bonus, you can also receive free stocks and shares through a referral bonus.
This is when you successfully refer a friend or family to sign up for the platform. You may receive a bonus one time for this, or a bonus for every time you successfully refer a new person.
Is it free to trade on the stock market in the UK?
Some online trading platforms will charge you a fee every time you trade on the market. So, whenever you buy or sell a share, you may be charged something.
However, many platforms offer commission-free trading and investing.
What is the minimum amount you need to start trading in the UK?
If you’re new to trading, start with a small investment amount. If the platform offers some form of free share, use this amount initially.
If the platform requires a minimum deposit, simply put forward however much is required – or, however much you’re prepared to lose. It’s best to start small to get used to how the market works.
Are trading apps safe to use?
If you’ve downloaded the app from the Apple Store or Google Play (and it’s got plenty of positive and authentic reviews) then you can probably trust that it’s safe to use.
Never use a trading app downloaded from a third-party site – i.e., a site not associated with Apple or Google Play.
Final Thoughts
You’re able to enjoy free share opportunities on most major trading platforms today.
Sometimes, all you have to do is sign up for a UK-based investment platform and follow the terms and conditions to receive your free shares.
You can sometimes also forward a referral code or referral link to receive an additional free bonus.
These bonuses are obviously in place to entice you to use the platform further – which you may or may not want to do.
Either way, a free share is a nice bonus if it’s a platform you’d be happy to use anyway.
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Disclaimer: Content on this page is for informational purposes and does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research before making a financially related decision.
