A Look at Popular UK Stocks & Shares ISA Providers

A Stocks & Shares ISA is one of the most powerful tools available to UK investors.
It allows you to invest in things like funds, ETFs, bonds, or individual companies and any profits you make are free from UK tax.

With so many platforms to choose from, it can feel overwhelming.
This page gives you a clear, simple overview of several widely-used platforms and the features investors often look for.
This is not financial advice. Just general information to help you compare options.

What Is a Stocks & Shares ISA? (Quick, Simple Explanation)

A Stocks & Shares ISA is an investment account where:
You can invest up to £20,000 per tax year
Your gains, dividends, and interest are tax-free
You can choose what to invest in (depending on the platform)
Your money can go down as well as up
It’s different from a Cash ISA: instead of earning interest, your money is invested in the markets with the aim of long-term growth.

Popular UK Stocks & Shares ISA Providers

Below are several platforms that are widely used by UK investors today.
Each one has different features, fees, tools, and investing styles.

Trading 212

A modern, app-focused platform widely known for commission-free investing and beginner-friendly tools.

Key Features

Commission-free trading on UK and US shares and ETFs
Fractional shares which enable you to invest from as little as £1
AutoInvest & Pies: build automated portfolios
Cash ISA option available
Simple, clean, award-winning mobile app

Good to Know

FX fees may apply when buying US stocks
Some advanced investment options may not be available
Trading 212 is popular with people who like managing their own investments through an easy-to-use app.

Invest Engine

A platform known for its powerful ETF-focused investing and extremely low fees.

Key Features

Free DIY ETF investing: no platform or trading fees
Managed portfolios available for a small fee
SIPP option available
Clean, simple app and desktop interface
Automated portfolios based on your risk profile

Good to Know

Only offers ETFs: no individual stocks
No Cash ISA option
InvestEngine is often chosen by people who prefer long-term, diversified ETF investing.

InvestEngine Referral Bonus

If you’d like to try InvestEngine, they offer a sign up bonus of between £20 and £100. The amount is selected randomly and you must remain invested for 12 months to keep your bonus.
https://investengine.com/referral/u/uurxax/
Offers can change, so please check InvestEngine’s latest terms. We also receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Freetrade

A simple, mobile-first ISA platform with commission-free investing and long-term focus.

Key Features

Commission-free investing
Fractional shares available
Clean, easy-to-learn app
Large range of UK and US stocks and ETFs
ISA available via a monthly subscription

Good to Know

ISA has a monthly fee (instead of a percentage platform fee)
Additional advanced features require paid plans
Freetrade is often used by people who want an uncluttered, long-term investing app.

Vanguard UK

Vanguard is both a fund provider and an investing platform, which can cause confusion. So let’s make it clear.

Key Features

Low-cost index funds and ETFs
Ready-made portfolios (LifeStrategy & Target Retirement)
Straightforward ISA with a simple percentage fee
Long-term, set-and-forget investing approach

Good to Know

You can buy Vanguard funds on many other platforms
But the Vanguard platform itself only offers Vanguard products
No individual UK or US shares
App is simple but more limited compared to others
Many UK investors like Vanguard for its low-cost, long-term investing philosophy.
Vanguard does not usually offer referral bonuses or sign-up incentives in the UK.
However, we include them because they remain a popular choice for low-cost, long-term investing.

Other Popular UK Platforms You Might Come Across

The UK has a large number of ISA providers.
Other commonly used platforms include:
AJ Bell
interactive investor (ii)
Hargreaves Lansdown
Fidelity
Moneybox
eToro
Plum
These platforms offer everything from thousands of shares to fully-managed portfolios.

Why We’ve Only Highlighted a Small Selection

Rather than overwhelming you with every platform available, this page focuses on several widely-used and frequently-discussed options to help explain the features most new investors compare, such as:
fees
investment choice
ease of use
ETFs vs stocks
automation options
Some of the platforms listed are ones we have personally used on our own investing journey, which helps us describe their features more clearly. This is not a recommendation. The right choice depends entirely on your own needs and circumstances.

Choosing a Platform: What to Compare

No matter which ISA you choose, always look closely at the fees — even tiny differences add up over decades.
Things to compare
Platform fees (percentage or flat-fee?)
Fund fees (especially on ETFs or index funds)
Trading costs
FX fees (if buying US stocks)
ISA or subscription charges
Minimum investment amounts
Added features (automation, research tools, etc.)
Range of investments
There’s no single “best” ISA. Only the one that suits your style and goals.

Why Platform Fees Matter (A Lot)

Even small fees can make a big difference over time, especially over 10, 20, or 30 years.
A platform that charges:
0.25% per year vs. 0.45% per year
…may not seem like much, but on a long-term £50,000+ portfolio, the difference adds up.
That’s why we always say:
Compare fees carefully! They compound just like investments do.

Summary

A Stocks & Shares ISA is a powerful long-term tool thanks to its tax-free growth.
The platforms above are all commonly used by UK investors, but they differ in fees, features, and investment options.
Take your time to explore a few, compare the costs, and choose the one that fits how you want to invest.
Compare fees carefully.

Signup Bonuses

If you choose to open an account with any of the platforms listed above, we include signup bonuses or referral links on this page.
These can offer perks such as free shares, cashback, or a reward when you deposit or invest.
These bonuses are optional, and you never need to use a referral link to open an account, but if you do, it may help support our site at no additional cost to you.

Disclaimer

This page provides general information only and is not financial advice or a personal recommendation.
We do not provide regulated financial guidance.
Investing involves risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you put in.
Platform features, fees, and eligibility requirements can change.
Always check each provider’s official website and read their terms before opening an account.
We may receive a small commission if you choose to sign up through our links.
This does not influence the information presented, and you are under no obligation to use these links.