Options across DIY investing, passive funds, ETF platforms, managed portfolios and app-led investing.
INVESTING
Best UK Investing Platforms
Compare popular UK investing platforms for stocks and shares ISAs, ETFs, funds, managed portfolios and beginner-friendly investing apps. Use this guide to choose the right platform for how you want to invest.
Platforms with strong practical value based on cost, simplicity, investment choice and use case.
Stocks and shares ISAs, ETFs, passive funds, round-ups, automation and managed portfolios.
How this investing comparison works
The best investing platform depends on how you want to invest. A low-cost DIY app can be great for ETFs and shares, while a managed portfolio app may be better if you do not want to choose investments yourself. A full platform can offer more choice, but more choice can also mean higher fees and more decisions.
A sensible investing setup usually starts with the account type first, such as a stocks and shares ISA, Lifetime ISA, pension or general investment account. Then compare fees, investment range, ease of use, risk level and whether you want DIY control or a more hands-off service.
Best used forChoosing the right investing platform
Compare byFees, account type, investment choice and control
Trading 212
DIY investing Best low-cost DIY optionA beginner-friendly app for stocks, ETFs, fractional shares and automated investing pies.
Review summary
A flexible platform for stocks, ETFs and automated pies
Trading 212 is useful for investors who want a low-cost, app-based way to buy shares and ETFs. It works especially well for simple DIY portfolios, fractional investing and automated pie-style investing, but it still requires you to choose and manage the investments yourself.
Why it stands out
- No platform fee or dealing commission on standard share and ETF investing, although other costs such as FX or fund charges can still apply.
- Fractional shares and pies make it easier to build a diversified portfolio from smaller monthly contributions.
- The app is simple enough for beginners while still offering plenty of choice for DIY investors.
Best for
- DIY investors who want low ongoing platform costs
- People buying ETFs or individual shares regularly
- Users who want fractional investing and automated portfolio pies
At a glanceBest for low-cost DIY investing where you want control over ETFs, shares and automated pies.
Vanguard Investor
Passive funds Best simple passive investing optionA well-known option for low-cost Vanguard funds, LifeStrategy-style portfolios and long-term passive investing.
Review summary
A simple home for long-term index fund investing
Vanguard Investor is suited to people who want a straightforward way to invest in Vanguard funds without picking individual shares. It is particularly useful for long-term investors who prefer global index funds, ready-made blended funds or a simple self-managed ISA or pension setup.
Why it stands out
- Strong focus on low-cost index funds and long-term investing.
- Good for investors who want fewer distractions and less temptation to trade frequently.
- Useful for simple portfolios built around global equity, bond or LifeStrategy-style funds.
Best for
- Long-term passive investors
- People who want funds rather than individual shares
- Investors who value simplicity over advanced trading features
At a glanceBest for straightforward passive investing using Vanguard funds.
InvestEngine
ETF platform Best ETF-focused optionAn ETF-focused platform with DIY portfolios and managed portfolio options, useful for low-cost index investing.
Review summary
A focused platform for ETF portfolios
InvestEngine is useful if you want to build or use ETF-based portfolios without a traditional fund supermarket feel. It can suit investors who want a low-cost index-style approach, either by choosing ETFs themselves or using managed portfolio options.
Why it stands out
- Strong focus on ETFs, which can keep the platform simple and focused.
- DIY and managed routes make it suitable for different confidence levels.
- Useful for building diversified index-style portfolios.
Best for
- ETF investors
- People comparing low-cost ISA options
- Users who want either DIY or managed portfolios
At a glanceBest for investors who want an ETF-focused platform.
AJ Bell
Full platform Best established all-rounderA major UK investment platform with ISAs, SIPPs, funds, shares, investment trusts and ready-made options.
Review summary
An established platform for broader investment choice
AJ Bell is a strong all-rounder for investors who want access to a wide range of accounts and investments. It can suit people who want funds, shares, ETFs, investment trusts and pensions in one place, especially if they value an established UK platform.
Why it stands out
- Wide investment choice across funds, shares, ETFs and investment trusts.
- Useful account range including ISA and pension options.
- Good fit for investors who want a more established platform than app-only providers.
Best for
- Investors wanting broad choice
- People combining ISA and pension investing
- Users who want funds and shares on one platform
At a glanceBest for broad investment choice across accounts and asset types.
Hargreaves Lansdown
Full platform Best established research platformA large UK investment platform with a wide fund range, shares, ISAs, SIPPs and extensive research tools.
Review summary
A feature-rich option for investors who want tools and research
Hargreaves Lansdown is one of the best-known UK investing platforms. It can be useful if you value research, fund information, account choice and customer support, but it is important to compare the fees against lower-cost platforms before deciding.
Why it stands out
- Large range of funds, shares and investment options.
- Research and platform tools can help users compare investments.
- Strong account range for ISAs, pensions and general investing.
Best for
- Investors who value research tools
- People who want a large established platform
- Users managing multiple account types
At a glanceBest for investors who value research, tools and a large established platform.
Moneybox
Saving & investing app Best habit-building appAn app that combines saving, investing, round-ups and Lifetime ISA options in a beginner-friendly interface.
Review summary
A beginner-friendly app for building saving and investing habits
Moneybox is useful for people who want saving and investing to feel more automatic. Its round-up features, simple app and Lifetime ISA options can help beginners get started, especially if the main goal is building a habit rather than managing a complex portfolio.
Why it stands out
- Round-ups and regular deposits can help turn investing into a habit.
- Useful for users comparing Stocks and Shares ISAs and Lifetime ISAs.
- The app experience is beginner-friendly and easy to understand.
Best for
- Beginners building a regular investing habit
- People interested in Lifetime ISAs
- Users who like round-ups and app-led saving
At a glanceBest for beginners who want habit-building features and simple app-led investing.
Plum
Saving & investing app Best automation-led optionAn automation-focused money app with saving rules, budgeting features and investment options.
Review summary
An automated money app with investing built in
Plum can be useful if you want help setting money aside automatically and then investing from the same app. It is best suited to people who like automation, round-ups and simple app-based money management rather than detailed DIY portfolio construction.
Why it stands out
- Automation can help users save and invest without relying on manual transfers.
- Combines money management, saving and investing in one app experience.
- Useful for people who want small regular contributions rather than complex investing tools.
Best for
- People who struggle to save consistently
- Users who like automatic rules and round-ups
- Beginners who want a simple app-led starting point
At a glanceBest for automated saving and simple app-led investing.
Freetrade
Share dealing app Best simple share-dealing appA straightforward app for buying shares and ETFs, with paid account tiers for some features and account types.
Review summary
A simple share and ETF app for DIY investors
Freetrade is a clean app-based platform for people who want to buy shares and ETFs without using a traditional broker. It can suit DIY investors who value a simple interface, but account features, investment range and fees can depend on the plan you choose.
Why it stands out
- Simple interface for buying shares and ETFs.
- Good fit for investors who want an app-first alternative to older platforms.
- Can work well for straightforward DIY investing.
Best for
- People buying shares and ETFs
- App-first DIY investors
- Users who want a simple interface
At a glanceBest for simple app-based share and ETF investing.
Dodl by AJ Bell
Beginner platform Best simplified AJ Bell optionA simplified investment app from AJ Bell with a smaller investment range and beginner-friendly design.
Review summary
A simplified route into funds, shares and ready-made investing
Dodl is designed to make investing less intimidating by offering a simpler range of investment options than a full platform. It can suit beginners who want the backing of an established provider but do not want to browse thousands of funds and shares.
Why it stands out
- Simpler investment range can reduce decision overload.
- Backed by AJ Bell, an established UK investment provider.
- Useful for beginners who want a cleaner app experience.
Best for
- Beginner investors
- People who want a smaller investment menu
- Users comparing simple ISA apps
At a glanceBest for beginners who want a simplified investment app from an established provider.
Recommended investing setup
A sensible investing setup usually starts with a clear goal and account type. Many UK investors use a stocks and shares ISA for long-term tax-efficient investing, then choose between a DIY platform, a passive fund provider, an ETF platform or a managed portfolio app depending on how much control they want.
BeginnersStart simple and diversified
A broad fund or ETF portfolio is often easier to manage than picking individual shares from day one.
FeesCompare total platform cost
Look beyond headline trading fees and check platform charges, fund charges, FX fees and paid account tiers.
RiskInvest for the long term
Investments can fall as well as rise, so avoid using money you may need in the short term.
How to use this comparison
Use this page as a starting point before opening a stocks and shares ISA, investment account or app-based investing account. Compare whether you want DIY control, ready-made funds, ETF portfolios, automation or a fully managed service. The right choice is the platform you understand, can stick with and can afford after fees.
Referral and affiliate disclosure
Some links on this page may be referral or affiliate links. UK Fin Lab may receive a reward if you sign up or complete a qualifying action. Investment platforms, fees, account features and eligibility rules change regularly, so always check the latest provider terms before applying. Investing puts your capital at risk and the value of investments can go down as well as up.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best investing platform for beginners?
The best beginner platform is usually one that is simple, low-cost and easy to stick with. Some beginners prefer a passive fund provider or managed portfolio app, while others prefer a DIY platform with broad ETFs. The key is to understand what you are investing in before adding money.
Should I use a stocks and shares ISA?
A stocks and shares ISA can be useful for long-term investing because returns inside the ISA are sheltered from UK income tax and capital gains tax. It is still an investment account, so the value can fall and it is usually better suited to longer timeframes.
Are investing apps safe?
Investing apps can be legitimate regulated platforms, but you should still check the provider, account protection, fees and investment risks. Regulation does not stop investments from falling in value, and compensation schemes do not protect you from normal market losses.