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8 Best UK Online Brokers
By Jodie Price | Updated September 15, 2025
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Interactive Investor: Trading Account
Our pick as the “Best for Investment Choice,” the Interactive Investor Trading Account charges £3.99 (approx. $5.39) for UK/US shares, £9.99 ($13.10) for other international shares, and £3.99 (approx. $5.39) for funds, with a flat annual fee from £60 (approx. $78.58).
Accessible via app, online, or telephone, it offers over 40,000 shares, ETFs, funds, and trusts across 17 global markets, including the UK, US, Canada, and Europe.Why We Picked It
Interactive Investor is one of the UK’s largest platforms, serving over 450,000 clients. Its fixed monthly fee structure—£11.99 (approx. $15.71) for the Investor plan with one free trade per month, can be attractive for larger portfolios, as costs don’t rise with portfolio value. The lower-cost Investor Essentials plan at £4.99 (approx. $6.54) per month includes a trading account and Stocks and Shares ISA but limits portfolios to £50,000 (approx. $65,480) and charges £3.99 (approx. $5.23) per trade.
The platform offers access to a wide range of investments, including 17 overseas markets, along with options for monthly investing and interest on cash balances. While there’s no live chat, customer service by phone and email is responsive, and the ii Community app lets users chat, share portfolios, and track market news.
Interactive Investor is a strong choice for cost-conscious investors seeking broad market access and a predictable fee model. Until 31 July 2025, new customers can also receive £100 (approx. $130.96) in free trades when opening an ISA or general investing account.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Flat monthly fee can be cheaper for larger portfolios
- Access to UK and global markets
- Wide choice of shares, funds, and ETFs
- Option to hold investments in ISA or SIPP
- Research tools and model portfolios included
Cons
- Flat fee may be expensive for small portfolios
- £5.99 charge for most UK trades outside free monthly trades
- No commission-free US share dealing
- Platform interface may feel less modern than some rivals
- Limited free educational content for beginners
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AJ Bell: Dealing Account
Rated as the “Best Premium Provider,” the AJ Bell Dealing Account charges £5 (approx. $6.55) per share trade, £1.50 (approx. $1.96) for fund trades, and a 0.25% platform fee. Accessible via app, online, or telephone, it offers 15,000 shares, over 2,000 funds, 3,800 ETFs, and 450 investment trusts across 24 markets, including the UK, US, Japan, and Europe.
Why We Picked It
AJ Bell, a FTSE 250 company with over 500,000 clients, is a strong all-rounder known for its competitive platform fees on funds and extensive research tools to support investment decisions. Online share trades cost £5 (approx. $6.55), reduced to £3.50 (approx. $4.58) if you make 10 or more trades in the prior month, while fund trades are just £1.50 (approx. $1.96).
The platform fee of 0.25% is at the low end for traditional trading platforms and applies to both shares and funds, capped at £42 (approx. $54.40) per year for shares. AJ Bell also offers monthly investing, tools like stop-loss orders, and pays interest on cash balances.
Customer service is available six days a week, with calls answered promptly and a live chat option for faster support. Overall, AJ Bell is a cost-effective and versatile choice for a wide range of investors.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Low platform fee for shares (0.25%, capped at £30/year)
- Wide choice of investments, including global markets
- Monthly investing from £25 (approx. $31.75)
- Interest paid on cash balances
- Telephone support six days a week
Cons:
- Fund platform fees can be higher than some competitors
- Foreign exchange fees apply for overseas trades
- No free share dealing option
- Limited advanced charting tools for technical traders
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Trading 212: Trading 212 Invest
Considered the “Best Low-Cost Provider,” Trading 212 Invest offers zero trading fees and no platform fee, making it highly cost-effective. Accessible exclusively through its app, it provides access to over 13,000 shares and ETFs across the UK, US, and Europe.
Why We Picked It
Trading 212 is a UK fintech that offers commission-free trading through its app, with access to over 13,000 global stocks and funds, including fractional shares. The platform supports Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) but does not offer Open Ended Investment Company (OEIC) funds. Investors can hold 13 different currencies, including GBP, USD, and EUR, and earn interest on cash balances.
Customer support is available via in-app chat, which proved quick and informative in testing, though there is no telephone helpline. Trading 212 also offers the lowest overseas share trading costs, making it appealing for international investors.
While its low fees and broad investment range suit confident, self-directed investors, it provides limited research tools compared to other platforms. This makes it a better fit for those comfortable making their own investment decisions without extensive guidance.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Commission-free stock and ETF trading
- Fractional shares available for high-priced stocks
- Access to UK, US, and global markets
- ISA option for tax-efficient investing
- Simple and user-friendly interface
- Low minimum deposit requirement
Cons:
- Limited advanced research tools
- No support for other asset classes like bonds or mutual funds
- Currency conversion fees for non-GBP trades
- No live customer support by phone
- Not ideal for active day traders who need advanced order types
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eToro: Trading Platform
Named as the “Best for International Share Trading,” eToro’s platform charges no account opening or management fees, though there is a $5 withdrawal fee along with some additional costs. Available through its app, it provides access to more than 5,500 shares, 500+ ETFs, and a variety of indices from markets worldwide.
Why We Picked It
eToro, founded in 2007, is a social investing platform with around 30 million users. It charges no trading or platform fees but does have costs for services like stop losses, limit orders, and leveraged trading. Features like “social” and “copy” trading allow beginners to learn from experienced investors, while offering a broad range of shares and ETFs.
Accounts are held in US dollars, and UK clients face a 0.75% currency conversion fee unless they use a free eToro Money account to convert funds before transfer. There’s also a $5 withdrawal fee and a $10 monthly inactivity fee after 12 months without login activity.
While eToro doesn’t offer telephone support for most users, live chat and messaging are available with responses typically within hours; phone trading is reserved for accounts over $25,000. Overall, it suits confident investors seeking minimal support or those focusing on US markets over UK shares.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Commission-free stock and ETF trading in the UK
- Access to 30+ cryptocurrencies alongside traditional assets
- CopyTrader and social trading tools for learning and diversification
- Simple account opening process with low minimum deposit
- User-friendly interface on both web and mobile
Cons:
- Limited choice of individual stocks compared to some UK brokers
- Currency conversion fees for non-GBP trades
- No advanced charting tools for professional-level technical analysis
- Withdrawal fees apply
- Customer support can be slow during busy periods
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IG: Trading and Investments
Known as the “Best for Advanced Traders” in this list, IG’s Trading and Investments account charges no trading fees and has a flat platform fee of £96 (approx. $121.92) per year. Accessible via app, online, or by telephone, it offers more than 13,000 shares, funds, and investment trusts across the UK, US, Europe, and Australia.
Why We Picked It
IG is a FTSE 250 company with over 300,000 clients across 17 countries, offering a wide range of investments and advanced technical trading tools suited for experienced DIY investors. Trading funds and shares online is free, and the flat platform fee can be cost-effective for those with higher-value portfolios. This fee is waived entirely for clients making at least three trades per quarter.
For occasional traders with smaller portfolios, the platform fee structure may be less appealing. IG provides 24/7 weekday support and weekend availability from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with calls answered almost immediately during testing.
Overall, IG appeals to confident traders seeking complex investment options and advanced tools. Until 15 August 2025, new clients can earn up to £100 (approx. $130.96) in free UK shares when opening eligible accounts, investing at least £20 (approx. $25.40), and keeping funds invested until at least 31 August 2025.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Access to over 13,000 markets worldwide
- Choice between CFDs, spread betting, and share dealing
- Advanced research tools and charting features
- Competitive fees for active traders
- Well-designed desktop and mobile platforms
Cons:
- Higher share dealing fees for low-volume traders
- Inactivity fee after 24 months without trading
- CFD and spread betting involve higher risk due to leverage
- Some advanced tools may feel complex for beginners
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Hargreaves Lansdown: Fund and Share Account
Hargreaves Lansdown’s Fund and Share Account charges £11.95 (approx. $15.19) per share trade, no fund trading fee, and a 0.45% platform fee for funds. It offers online, app, and telephone access to 8,500 shares, 3,000 funds, 1,400 ETFs, and 400 investment trusts across the UK, US, Europe, and Canada.
Why We Picked It
Hargreaves Lansdown (HL), a FTSE 100 company with over 1.7 million clients, is one of the largest trading platforms in the UK, offering extensive research, a wide range of investments, and strong all-round service. Its standout strength is customer service, with telephone helpdesks open six days a week and calls answered within a minute during testing.
The platform provides a full suite of trading options, allowing clients to place orders online, via the app, or by phone. It supports monthly investing, offers tools like stop-loss orders, and pays interest on cash balances. This premium service is expensive, with HL charging high trading and platform fees, along with a 1.0% foreign exchange fee for smaller transactions.
Platform fees are tiered, reducing for larger portfolios, and there’s no fee for holding shares or trading funds. Overall, HL suits investors willing to pay extra for high-quality service and comprehensive support.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Wide choice of investments, including UK and overseas shares, ETFs, and thousands of funds
- No account fee for holding shares, ETFs, or investment trusts
- Strong research tools and market analysis included
- Easy-to-use online platform and mobile app
- Good customer service with phone support
Cons:
- Fund holdings have a platform fee: 0.45% up to £250,000 (approx. $317,500)
- Share dealing fees can be high for frequent traders: £11.95 (approx. $15.19) per deal, lower with volume discounts
- No free regular investing for shares (fee applies per trade)
- Currency conversion fees on overseas trades
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Bestinvest: General Investment Account
Bestinvest’s General Investment Account charges a £4.95 (approx. $6.29) UK share trading fee and a 0.40% platform fee. It provides online, app, and telephone access to over 1,400 shares, 1,600 funds, 390 ETFs, and 270 investment trusts, with availability limited to the UK and US.
Why We Picked It
Bestinvest, owned by wealth management firm Evelyn Partners, serves over 50,000 clients and offers one of the lower UK share trading fees at £4.95 (approx. $6.29), with no trading fees for funds or US shares. However, it has a relatively high foreign exchange fee of 0.95% and one of the higher platform fees of up to 0.4% for non-ready-made portfolios.
It charges lower rates for US shares and ready-made portfolios, with fees starting at 0.2% for portfolios up to £250,000 (approx. $317,500). Clients can trade online, via app, or by phone, with a low £30 (approx. $38.10) telephone dealing fee.
The platform supports monthly investing, offers tools like limit orders, and pays interest on cash balances. Bestinvest also provides six-day-a-week telephone and email support, along with free one-on-one investment coaching sessions, though its company-specific research is more limited.
In addition to DIY investing, Bestinvest offers ready-made portfolios with tiered management fees—0.2% for portfolios up to £500,000 (approx. $635,000) and 0.1% for those between £500,000 (approx. $635,000) and £1 million (approx. $1,270,000), with no fees above £1 million (approx. $1,270,000). Overall, it provides a strong all-round service for those investing in UK and US shares and funds.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- No minimum investment to open an account
- Free investment coaching sessions available
- Wide choice of funds, shares, ETFs, and trusts
- No annual fee for holding shares or ETFs
- Access to ready-made portfolios for easier diversification
Cons:
- 0.40% platform fee on funds may be higher for large portfolios
- £4.95 dealing fee applies to each share or ETF trade
- Limited tools for advanced technical analysis
- No interest paid on uninvested cash
- Ready-made portfolios have additional management costs
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Fidelity: Investment Account
Fidelity’s Investment Account has a £7.50 (approx. $9.53) share trading fee and a 0.35% platform fee. It offers online, app, and telephone access to over 2,500 shares, 3,100 funds, 400 ETFs, and 180 investment trusts across the UK, US, and Europe.
Why We Picked It
Fidelity, a privately owned US fund giant, serves over 80 million clients worldwide, including 1.5 million in the UK. Unlike many fund managers, it allows clients to trade in whole-of-market investments rather than only Fidelity products. Its non-tiered platform fee structure charges 0.20% on portfolios over £250,000 (approx. $317,500), while smaller portfolios are charged at 0.35%.
The platform applies fees on funds and requires a minimum initial investment of £1,000 (approx. $1,270), unless clients choose the monthly investing option starting at £25 (approx. $31.75). Fidelity offers a broad range of investments, a mid-range share trading fee of £7.50 (approx. $9.53), and foreign exchange fees between 0.25% and 0.75%, but does not pay interest on cash balances.
Customer service is strong, with telephone support available six days a week and quick response times. Overall, Fidelity is considered a solid all-rounder, with its non-tiered fee structure particularly appealing to investors with higher-value portfolios.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Wide choice of investments, including funds, ETFs, and shares
- Access to UK and international markets
- Strong research tools and educational content
- Multiple account types, including ISA and SIPP
- Reliable mobile app and desktop platform
- Clear, competitive fee structure for many investors
Cons:
- Percentage-based platform fee may be higher for small portfolios
- Some fund and international trade charges can add up
- No flat-fee option for frequent traders
- Limited free trading offers compared to some competitors
Frequently Asked Questions
Which UK online brokers offer the best free trading platforms?
Several UK brokers offer commission-free trading on stocks and ETFs, with some also waiving account setup fees and providing free demo accounts for practice. However, it’s important to choose platforms that keep spread costs and currency conversion fees low, as these can still impact your overall trading expenses.
How do I choose the best brokerage account for my needs in the UK?
Begin by assessing your risk tolerance and investment strategy. Frequent traders should prioritise brokers with low trading and inactivity fees, while beginners may benefit more from platforms offering robust educational resources and demo accounts to practice without risking real money.
Can you provide a list of the most reputable stock brokers operating in London?
London hosts several well-regulated brokers, including firms authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) that are present in this list. Reputable names often have long track records, transparent fee structures, and strong customer support. Many also offer access to both UK and international markets for stocks, forex trading, and CFD trading.
What features should I look for when selecting an online stock broker in the UK?
When selecting an online stock broker in the UK, look for FCA regulation, competitive fees, and a platform that offers the markets and instruments you want to trade. Consider features such as intuitive trading tools, research resources, and tax-efficient account options like ISAs or SIPPs. It’s also worth checking for strong customer support, mobile access, and additional services like regular investing plans or demo accounts.
Are there any top trading platforms in the UK that cater specifically to advanced traders?
Yes, several UK trading platforms cater specifically to advanced traders, offering sophisticated tools and market access. IG’s Trading and Investments account provides advanced charting, analytics, and access to a wide range of global markets, while eToro’s Trading Platform supports social and copy trading alongside diverse asset classes. Interactive Investor’s Trading Account also appeals to experienced investors with its flat-fee pricing and extensive research resources.