With the rise of digital investing and a growing number of retail investors in the UK, choosing the right platform to buy and manage your shares has never been more important. Whether you’re looking for low fees, a user-friendly app, or a wide range of investment options, the UK has several excellent choices — from traditional brokers to modern app-based platforms.
In this guide, we break down the top stock trading platforms in the UK, looking at features, fees, pros and cons, and who each one is best suited for.
What Makes a Good Stock Trading Platform?
Before diving into the list, here are the key features to consider when choosing a platform:
- Fees & charges: Commission per trade, platform fees, FX fees for overseas stocks.
- User experience: How easy is it to buy, sell and monitor your shares?
- Range of investments: UK shares only or access to US, EU and global markets?
- Account types: Do they offer Stocks & Shares ISAs, SIPPs, or just a standard trading account?
- Research tools & support: Helpful if you want news, charts, or analyst insights.
- Regulation: FCA-authorised platforms protect your money and investments.
1. Freetrade
- Best for: Beginners and commission-free investing
- Account types: General Investment Account (GIA), Stocks & Shares ISA, SIPP
- Trading fees: £0 commission on UK & US stocks
- ISA fee: £5.99/month
🔹 Pros:
- Easy-to-use mobile app
- Commission-free trades
- Fractional shares for US stocks
- No FX fee on basic US trades
🔹 Cons:
- Limited advanced tools for seasoned investors
- Small fee for ISA and SIPP accounts
Ideal for: First-time investors who want a no-fuss, app-based experience with zero trading commissions.
2. Hargreaves Lansdown (HL)
- Best for: Long-term investors and those wanting research tools
- Account types: GIA, ISA, SIPP, Junior ISA
- Trading fees: £11.95 per deal (reduces with more frequent trades)
🔹 Pros:
- Excellent customer service
- Huge range of UK and global stocks, funds, and investment trusts
- Detailed research, charts, and analyst tools
- Highly trusted and well-established
🔹 Cons:
- Relatively high dealing fees
- Annual account charges (especially on large portfolios)
Ideal for: Investors who want premium service, strong research tools, and long-term support, even if it costs a bit more.
3. Trading 212
- Best for: Commission-free global investing
- Account types: GIA, ISA (free), CFD trading
- Trading fees: £0 commission; FX fee of 0.15% on non-GBP trades
🔹 Pros:
- Very low cost for international shares
- Intuitive app and desktop platform
- Fractional shares available
- Free ISA option
🔹 Cons:
- Customer support can be slow during high demand
- No SIPP offering
Ideal for: Cost-conscious investors who want to build a diversified global portfolio, especially in US stocks.
4. AJ Bell Youinvest
- Best for: Balanced investors looking for low-cost investing and research tools
- Account types: GIA, ISA, SIPP
- Trading fees: £9.95 per trade (reduces to £4.95 for frequent traders)
🔹 Pros:
- Competitive fees on trades and annual charges
- Wide choice of investments: shares, ETFs, funds, trusts
- Strong educational content and support
🔹 Cons:
- Interface slightly less modern than some app-based competitors
Ideal for: Investors who want access to all major account types and a good balance between cost and support.
5. Interactive Investor (ii)
- Best for: High-value portfolios and frequent investors
- Account types: GIA, ISA, SIPP, Junior ISA
- Platform fee: From £4.99/month (includes one free trade)
🔹 Pros:
- Flat monthly fee great for larger portfolios
- Free monthly trades included
- Strong research tools
- Access to all major markets
🔹 Cons:
- Monthly fee may be expensive for small portfolios
- Trading fee for extra trades (£5.99 each)
Ideal for: Experienced investors or those with larger portfolios who benefit from flat fees and regular trades.
6. eToro
- Best for: Social and copy trading
- Account types: Standard trading account only (no ISA/SIPP)
- Trading fees: £0 commission on stocks; FX fee applies on non-USD trades
🔹 Pros:
- Unique social trading features (copy successful investors)
- Commission-free stock trading
- Access to stocks, crypto, and commodities
🔹 Cons:
- ISA and SIPP accounts not available
- Charges FX fee on GBP deposits (since it uses USD base currency)
Ideal for: Active traders and those interested in social/copy trading, not long-term ISA holders.
7. InvestEngine
- Best for: ETF-only investors
- Account types: GIA, ISA
- Fees: £0 dealing fees; £0 ISA fee for DIY investing
🔹 Pros:
- Free investing in ETFs (great for passive investors)
- Very low fees compared to fund platforms
- Auto-invest options available
🔹 Cons:
- Only offers ETFs – no individual shares
- Less flexibility for hands-on investors
Ideal for: Long-term investors who prefer passive, low-cost ETF portfolios.
8. Halifax Share Dealing
- Best for: Simplicity and casual investors
- Account types: GIA, ISA
- Trading fees: £9.50 per trade or £2.00 with regular investing plan
🔹 Pros:
- Simple, easy-to-use platform
- Competitive regular investment fee
- Strong reputation and backing from Lloyds Banking Group
🔹 Cons:
- Not ideal for advanced investors
- Limited research and tools
Ideal for: Occasional investors who want a simple, reliable broker with a long-standing name.
9. Saxo Markets
- Best for: Advanced investors and global access
- Account types: GIA, ISA
- Fees: Competitive for larger portfolios, but varies by account level
🔹 Pros:
- Access to 30,000+ global instruments
- Excellent research tools, charts, and analytics
- Professional-grade platform
🔹 Cons:
- Higher fees and complexity for beginners
- No SIPP accounts
Ideal for: Experienced investors who want access to global markets and in-depth tools.
Summary: Best Platforms by Investor Type
| Investor Type | Recommended Platform |
|---|---|
| Beginner | Freetrade, Trading 212 |
| Long-term ISA investor | AJ Bell, Hargreaves Lansdown |
| ETF-focused investor | InvestEngine |
| Frequent trader | Interactive Investor |
| Advanced global trader | Saxo Markets, eToro |
| Budget-conscious investors | Trading 212, Freetrade |
| Retirement-focused (SIPP) | AJ Bell, HL, ii |
Things to Watch Out For
- Hidden fees: FX charges, inactivity fees, and withdrawal costs can eat into profits.
- ISA availability: Not all platforms offer tax-efficient ISA accounts.
- Platform security: Stick with FCA-regulated platforms and check for FSCS protection (up to £85,000).
- Overtrading: Commission-free platforms may tempt you to trade excessively. Long-term investing tends to yield better results.
Final Thoughts
There’s no “one-size-fits-all” when it comes to stock trading platforms in the UK. Your ideal platform depends on your goals, experience level, and how hands-on you want to be. Whether you’re just starting out with £100 or building a six-figure ISA portfolio, choosing the right platform can make a huge difference to your returns and peace of mind.
Start with a provider that aligns with your investing style, read reviews, and if possible, test the platform with a small amount before going all-in.