Best Trading Platforms UK

UK-focused comparison · Fees and products last checked: 26 September 2026 · Written by Emily Harrington · Educational comparison, not personal financial advice

Finding the best trading platform UK readers can use is not simply a search for the lowest advertised dealing fee. The right comparison depends on what you want to buy, how often you invest, whether you need an ISA or SIPP, the size of your portfolio, currency exposure, research tools and the legal entity providing the service.

This UK-focused guide compares platforms using official provider information wherever possible. It separates ordinary investing and share dealing from funds and ETF platforms, and from leveraged CFDs, forex and spread betting. Those products are not interchangeable: leveraged trading can magnify losses and should not be presented as a substitute for long-term investing.

Fees, terms, products and regulatory arrangements can change. Check the provider’s current information and the FCA Firm Checker before opening an account.

What do we mean by “trading platform”?

The phrase can describe several different services:

• Investment platforms and share-dealing accounts: execution-only services through which you may buy investments such as shares, ETFs, funds or investment trusts.
• Funds and ETF platforms: platforms focused on pooled investments. Some, such as Vanguard Investor, are intentionally narrower than a general share broker.
• Online brokers: firms that arrange or execute trades. The brand shown in an app may not be the same as the legal entity that contracts with you.
• CFD, forex and spread-betting platforms: leveraged products with a different risk profile and different product rules. They are not the same as owning shares or units in a fund.

Quick comparison of UK trading platforms

The table is organised by platform category rather than a hidden ranking. “Not verified at the time of publication” means UKMT did not find sufficient current official evidence for that field; it does not mean that a feature or charge does not exist.

Last checked: 26 September 2026. Figures and product descriptions are snapshots, not guarantees. Platform fees, product availability and account terms can change, so readers should verify current details on the linked official provider page before opening an account.

How UK Markets Today compares platforms

UKMT uses a source-led comparison rather than an arbitrary numerical score or universal ranking.

1. UK availability and legal entity: we identify the UK contracting entity where official information is available.
2. Regulation and permissions: we check the FCA Register or Firm Checker and avoid treating a trading name as proof of authorisation.
3. Product fit: we separate real shares, funds, ETFs, fractional exposure, CFDs, forex and spread betting.
4. Account wrappers: we check ISA, SIPP and general investment-account availability separately.
5. Total cost: we consider dealing fees, platform fees, FX, fund charges, levies, transfer and other possible costs rather than headline commission alone.
6. Practical features: we check app/web access, research, order tools, regular investing and support where official evidence is available.
7. Limitations: each profile must explain who may prefer an alternative.
8. Freshness: volatile fields carry a last-checked date and an official source link.
9. Corrections: if a provider changes a fee or product, UKMT should update the relevant field rather than silently carrying forward stale data.

This page is editorially independent of future affiliate relationships. Approved partner links may be added later only after platform approval and a separate disclosure review. Commission must not determine inclusion, comparison order or assessment.

Platform profiles

Use these neutral profiles as a starting point, not as a ranking. Each card summarises the current comparison fields; the detailed profiles below explain limitations and link to official information.

Trading 212

May suit readers prioritising: low-cost, app-led investing and fractional exposure.

UK entity and products: Trading 212 UK Ltd is identified by the provider as the UK entity and is listed with FCA FRN 609146. The service separates Invest, ISA, SIPP and CFD accounts. The CFD account should not be treated as ordinary share ownership.

Fees to check: the official Invest/ISA/SIPP fee page states commission-free and custody-free investing, with 0.15% FX. UK stamp duty and other levies may apply. Confirm the current schedule before opening an account.

Practical limits: portfolio transfers may involve whole shares only, with fractional positions converted to cash. Web-platform detail and closure terms were not verified at the time of publication.

UKMT assessment: worth comparing for readers who prioritise a low-cost app and fractional investing, but not a universal choice and not a substitute for a full-service fund/SIPP comparison.

Official information: Trading 212 fees and portfolio transfers. Last checked: 26 September 2026.

Freetrade

May suit readers prioritising: simple app-led investing, plan choice and US fractional shares.

UK entity and products: Freetrade Ltd is listed with FCA FRN 783189. Official plan information covers general investment, ISA, JISA and SIPP routes, with stocks, ETFs, funds and investment trusts subject to the plan and product range.

Fees to check: the official comparison page lists Basic at £0 per month, Standard at £4.99 and Plus at £9.99, with plan-dependent FX charges. Commission-free dealing does not remove FX, fund or market charges.

Practical limits: fractional US shares are supported in the official material, while fractional ETFs are not supported. Fractional holdings may not transfer in specie.

UKMT assessment: worth comparing for straightforward app-based investing, but readers should compare the monthly plan and FX cost against their portfolio and trading pattern.

Official information: Freetrade plans and fractional shares. Last checked: 26 September 2026.

AJ Bell

May suit readers prioritising: a broad UK investing service with ISA, SIPP and general-account choice.

UK entity and products: AJ Bell plc is the parent group. Its retail investment services are provided by FCA-authorised subsidiaries, including AJ Bell Management Limited (FRN 211468), AJ Bell Securities Limited (FRN 155593) and AJ Bell Asset Management Limited (FRN 774048). The group’s official charges material covers Stocks & Shares ISAs, SIPPs, dealing accounts and other wrappers, with shares, ETFs and funds. Check the exact legal entity and permissions in the FCA Firm Checker.

Fees to check: the official page states an account charge of no more than 0.25%, dealing from £1.50, regular investing from £25 and an international FX cap of 0.75%. Wrapper-specific schedules and conditions must be checked.

Practical limits: fractional-share availability, closure charges and all wrapper-specific caps were not verified at the time of publication.

UKMT assessment: worth comparing for readers who want a broad wrapper and investment range rather than only an app-led low-cost service.

Official information: AJ Bell charges. Last checked: 26 September 2026.

Hargreaves Lansdown

May suit readers prioritising: an established full-service platform, research and a broad range of investment products.

UK entity and products: Hargreaves Lansdown Asset Management Ltd is identified in official material with FCA FRN 115248. The platform offers fund and share accounts, ISA, SIPP and other wrappers.

Fees to check: current official charges state 0.35% for shares/equities capped at £12.50 per month, funds £1.95 per trade and shares £6.95 per trade for 0–19 prior-month trades or £3.95 for 20+ trades. Overseas-share FX is tiered at 0.99% up to £10,000, 0.50% from £10,000–£25,000 and 0.20% above £25,000.

Practical limits: a broad service can cost more than an app-led alternative for some portfolio sizes or trading patterns. Fractional exposure was not verified.

UKMT assessment: worth comparing for readers who value established support and research, but total charges should be compared with the intended portfolio and trade frequency.

Official information: HL charges and share-dealing charges. Last checked: 26 September 2026.

Interactive Investor

May suit readers prioritising: a flat-plan structure and broad investment choice.

UK entity and products: Interactive Investor Services Ltd is the UK service identified in its charges material. Official pages cover trading accounts, ISAs, SIPPs, funds, shares, ETFs and investment trusts.

Fees to check: current plan pages state Core at £5.99 per month, Plus at £14.99 and Premium at £39.99. Dealing, FX and regular-investing charges vary by plan, so a single headline price is insufficient.

Practical limits: fractional shares, closure terms and all transfer/SIPP caps were not verified at the time of publication.

UKMT assessment: worth comparing for readers who prefer a subscription-style platform and may hold a larger or more varied portfolio, but compare the fixed fee with portfolio size.

Official information: ii charges. Last checked: 26 September 2026.

Fidelity

May suit readers prioritising: funds, tax wrappers and a long-term investment account.

UK entity and products: Financial Administration Services Ltd is identified in official material with FCA FRN 122169. Fidelity offers ISA, SIPP, Investment Account and junior wrappers, with funds and exchange-traded investments.

Fees to check: official fee information states a 0.35% service fee on exchange-traded assets in ISA/SIPP accounts, reducing above £250,000 and capped at £7.50 per month. Fund dealing information should be read alongside the current terms.

Practical limits: this should not be presented as a universal commission-free share broker. Exact share-dealing, FX, app and fractional-share details were not fully verified.

UKMT assessment: worth comparing for fund and wrapper choice, especially where fund access matters more than app-led share dealing.

Official information: Fidelity charges and ISA and SIPP. Last checked: 26 September 2026.

Vanguard Investor

May suit readers prioritising: a fund-focused approach using Vanguard investments.

UK entity and products: Vanguard Asset Management Ltd is identified in official material with FCA FRN 527839. The UK service offers fund-focused general, ISA, junior and personal-pension routes.

Fees to check: the current self-managed service charges £4 per month below £32,000 of invested assets, then 0.15% per year above that threshold, capped at £375 per year. Fund costs, ETF dealing charges and any managed-service fee remain separate.

Practical limits: Vanguard is not a general individual-share broker in the same sense as a broad share-dealing platform. Minimum-payment and transfer rules also need checking for the reader’s circumstances.

UKMT assessment: a specialist alternative for readers comparing fund-focused investing, not a universal answer to direct-share trading.

Official information: Vanguard fees explained. Last checked: 26 September 2026.

InvestEngine

May suit readers prioritising: ETF-focused investing and a DIY/managed choice.

UK entity and products: InvestEngine (UK) Ltd is identified in official material with FCA FRN 801128. It is an ETF-only platform offering GIA, ISA and SIPP routes, alongside DIY and managed portfolios.

Fees to check: current official cost pages state £0 platform fees for DIY portfolios and a 0.25% annual fee for managed portfolios; InvestEngine states no ISA, SIPP or dealing fees and free FX conversion, while ETF charges still apply. Current help guidance states a £100 portfolio minimum, £1 minimum DIY ETF order and £10 minimum recurring top-up.

Practical limits: it is ETF-only and does not provide the same individual-share choice as a general broker. Fractional exposure and transfer terms were not verified.

UKMT assessment: worth comparing for ETF investors, but not as a direct-share platform.

Official information: InvestEngine costs. Last checked: 26 September 2026.

CMC Invest

May suit readers prioritising: a newer plan-based UK investing service and fractional exposure.

UK entity and products: CMC Markets Investments Ltd is identified in official material with FCA FRN 948126. CMC Invest pages cover GIA, ISA, SIPP and shares/ETFs subject to the service scope.

Fees to check: official plan information states Core at £0, Plus at £6.99 per month and Premium at £10.99 per month. Current plan information states FX rates of 0.99% Core, 0.50% Plus and 0.39% Premium; custody, government charges and other tariff conditions still apply.

Practical limits: the pricing and product structure are newer and may change. Do not turn a promotional transfer offer into a permanent fee claim.

UKMT assessment: worth comparing as a newer plan-based alternative, provided the current tariff and account conditions are checked carefully.

Official information: CMC Invest and fee tariff. Last checked: 26 September 2026.

XTB

May suit readers prioritising: UK ISA access, stocks/ETFs and an app/web service with fractional rights.

UK entity and products: XTB Ltd is identified in official UK material with FCA FRN 522157. The UK ISA and stock/ETF service must be kept separate from XTB’s CFD and forex offering.

Fees to check: current UK pages state 0% commission up to the equivalent of €100,000 monthly turnover, then 0.2% with a minimum £10 charge, plus a 0.5% currency-conversion fee. Account maintenance is free and the minimum investment is £1, subject to terms.

Practical limits: SIPP availability was not verified. Fractional rights are not identical to owning a whole share and may carry different rights and transfer treatment.

UKMT assessment: worth comparing for readers seeking ISA and active stock/ETF access, but not as a full-service pension alternative without verified SIPP evidence.

Official information: XTB UK ISA and account and fees. Last checked: 26 September 2026.

Specialist and alternative platforms

Interactive Brokers UK

May suit advanced or global investors who need broad market access and more complex tools. It should not be presented as a beginner default. Official UK material identifies Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Ltd with FCA FRN 208159 and shows ISA information, but current account constraints, fractional exposure, regular investing and SIPP details require final verification.

Official commissions. Last checked: 26 September 2026.

IG

IG is relevant to both investing and active trading, but the share-dealing, ISA/SIPP and CFD services must be separated. The current dynamic UK investment fee page was not fully verifiable in this pass, so no final fee conclusion should be drawn here.

Official share dealing. Last checked: 26 September 2026.

eToro

eToro should be treated as a conditional comparison because UK-specific ISA, investing, copy-trading and CFD terms need to be separated. Do not import global or US pricing into a UK comparison. Verify the current UK legal entity, fee page and ISA terms before inclusion.

Official fees and risk disclosure. Last checked: 26 September 2026.

Barclays Direct Investing

Barclays Direct Investing is a mainstream bank-platform alternative for investment accounts and ISAs. Current online dealing fees and post-2026 rebrand conditions require verification before a full comparison row is added.

Official investment costs. Last checked: 26 September 2026.

DEGIRO

DEGIRO may be relevant to readers comparing a general international account, but it should not be presented as equivalent to UK ISA/SIPP platforms. Its UK legal material identifies an overseas service arrangement and states that UK FSCS protection is not available. Verify the current terms before use.

Official UK legal documents and fees. Last checked: 26 September 2026.

Which type of platform do you need?

Beginner investor

Prioritise clear product explanations, simple order handling, customer support, account security, FCA verification and a cost structure you can understand. Do not choose solely because an app advertises commission-free trades.

Monthly investor

Compare regular-investing charges, minimum payments, available funds/ETFs, FX treatment and platform fees. A small dealing charge can matter more when contributions are regular and modest.

ISA investor

Check that the exact service offers a Stocks & Shares ISA, whether transfers are supported, what investments are eligible and whether the platform fee differs from the general account.

SIPP investor

Check the pension operator, annual SIPP charges, dealing and FX costs, transfer rules and investment range. A general investment account is not a SIPP.

ETF investor

Compare ETF range, dealing costs, FX, bid-ask spreads, fund OCFs, tracking difference and whether the service is ETF-only or also supports shares and funds.

Direct-share investor

Check the markets available, dealing fees, FX, stamp duty or other levies, fractional-share rights, corporate actions and custody arrangements.

Low-cost investor

Calculate total cost at your expected portfolio size and trading frequency. A £0 dealing fee can coexist with a platform fee, FX charge, spread, fund charge or levy.

Frequent trader

Compare dealing tiers, FX, execution tools, market access, order types, platform reliability and support. A long-term investment platform may not provide the tools or pricing structure an active trader expects.

Advanced or global investor

Check market access, currency conversion, product permissions, reporting, margin rules and platform complexity. More markets and tools can also mean more responsibility and more ways to incur costs.

CFD or forex trader

Use the separate leveraged-trading pathway. Read the FCA risk warning, leverage and margin rules, overnight financing, spread and negative-balance terms. CFDs are not ordinary share ownership.

How trading platform fees actually work

• Dealing commission: a charge for buying or selling an investment.
• Platform or account fee: a recurring charge, percentage charge or plan fee for holding or using the service.
• FX fee: the cost of converting currency when buying or selling overseas assets.
• Fund charge and OCF: costs inside a fund or ETF. These are not the same as the platform fee.
• Regular-investing fee: a charge, minimum or plan condition applying to scheduled contributions.
• Transfer and closure fees: charges that may apply when moving holdings or closing an account.
• SIPP or ISA charges: wrapper-specific account costs and conditions.
• Dividend and corporate-action fees: charges that may apply to reinvestment or special actions.
• Inactivity, withdrawal and overnight charges: particularly important for some active, CFD or forex services.
• Spreads and levies: the difference between buy and sell prices, plus taxes or market charges such as UK stamp duty where applicable.

Platform fee ≠ fund charge ≠ tax ≠ market levy. A meaningful comparison must identify which cost belongs to the provider, the investment product, the tax system or the market.

Worked cost examples

The following examples are illustrative comparisons, not personal financial advice. They do not identify a cheapest provider and do not predict investment returns.

To calculate a meaningful figure, use the exact provider plan, account type, asset, trade frequency, currency and wrapper. Do not compare a £0 commission headline with a percentage platform charge unless both are included in the same scenario.

How to check whether a trading platform is legitimate

1. Search the exact legal entity in the FCA Firm Checker and the Financial Services Register.
2. Check that the firm is authorised or registered for the specific service and product you intend to use.
3. Compare the website, telephone number and email address with the FCA Register. A clone firm may copy a genuine firm’s name, address or FRN.
4. Check the FCA Warning List and never rely on an app brand alone.
5. Read the provider’s client-money, custody, terms and product documents.
6. Check whether the relevant activity may qualify for FSCS investment protection. Protection depends on the firm, product, service and circumstances.

FCA authorisation and client-asset rules are not guarantees that an investment cannot fall. FSCS compensation is not protection against normal market losses or poor investment performance. Verify the legal entity and product rather than relying on a generic “FCA regulated” or “FSCS protected” statement.

Common mistakes when choosing a platform

• Choosing only on a £0 commission headline.
• Ignoring FX when buying overseas shares or ETFs.
• Ignoring platform, plan or custody charges.
• Forgetting fund OCFs and other product costs.
• Assuming transfer, closure or withdrawal costs are always zero.
• Confusing a brand with the legal entity shown on the FCA Register.
• Confusing long-term investing with CFDs, forex or spread betting.
• Ignoring ISA and SIPP restrictions.
• Assuming every fractional product gives the same rights as a whole share.
• Relying solely on an influencer or a generic “best” badge.
• Failing to recheck current fees before opening an account.

FAQ

What is the best trading platform in the UK?

There is no single platform that is best for every UK reader. Compare the exact products, wrappers, fees, FX, tools and legal entity against your intended use. The platform that may suit a monthly ETF investor can be unsuitable for an active CFD trader.

Which platform may suit beginners?

Beginners should prioritise clear product information, simple fees, customer support, account security, FCA verification and access to the account type they need. A simple app is not automatically a suitable investment service.

What is the cheapest trading platform?

That depends on portfolio size, trade frequency, currency, wrapper and products. Compare total cost rather than only commission, including platform fees, FX, fund charges, spreads and levies.

Are trading platforms FCA authorised?

Some UK entities are FCA-authorised or registered, but the answer must be checked for the exact legal entity and service. Use the FCA Firm Checker and confirm that the permissions match the product.

How do I check a broker?

Search the exact legal entity in the FCA Firm Checker and Financial Services Register, compare the listed contact details, review permissions and check the FCA Warning List. Do not rely on a copied FRN or app name.

What is the difference between a broker and a platform?

A platform is the interface or service used to view and place investments. A broker or investment firm may execute, arrange, hold or administer those investments. The legal entity and custody arrangement matter more than the label.

Which platform may suit an ISA?

Compare providers that offer a Stocks & Shares ISA, then check investment range, dealing and platform charges, transfers, FX and the provider operating the wrapper. Do not assume a general account can be converted into an ISA without conditions.

Can I use a US platform in the UK?

Availability, residency, tax reporting, regulation, product permissions and investor protection vary. Check whether the service is legally available to UK residents and which entity contracts with you before depositing money.

What happens if a platform fails?

Client-asset segregation, custody arrangements, the firm’s permissions and FSCS eligibility may affect what happens. FSCS protection is conditional and does not cover ordinary market losses. Read the provider’s terms and the relevant FSCS guidance.

Are trading profits taxable?

Tax treatment depends on the product, wrapper, activity and personal circumstances. Shares held outside an ISA can create Capital Gains Tax considerations; ISA investments have different treatment. CFDs and spread bets require product-specific analysis. Use current GOV.UK and HMRC guidance or obtain professional advice.

Are CFDs the same as investing in shares?

No. A CFD is a leveraged derivative and does not give the same ownership as buying a share. FCA warnings explain that CFDs are complex and can result in rapid losses because of leverage.

Final decision framework

UKMT sources and related guides

For regulatory and tax context, see the FCA Firm Checker, FCA clone-firm guidance, FSCS investment protection, GOV.UK ISA guidance, GOV.UK Capital Gains Tax allowances and GOV.UK share-sale tax guidance.

Related UKMT resources include the Investment MOT, global index-fund guide, FTSE 100 guide and our FTSE 100 Movers Today page, which explains the day’s biggest risers and fallers in plain English.