In this article, I will Talk About the Best Stock Trading Platform UK. They will help you select an option according to your trading style, goals, and levels of experience.
If you are a novice, you will appreciate the straightforward trading platform, and if you are an advanced trader, you will appreciate the tools available to you.
This document reviews the best trading platforms in the UK market so you can make smart choices about your investments.
Key Points & Best Stock Trading Platform UK List
| Platform | Key Points |
|---|---|
| eToro | Commission-free trading, social trading features, ideal for beginners |
| XTB | Low spreads, strong educational resources, no commission on stocks |
| Freetrade | Simple app interface, commission-free UK & US stock trading |
| Hargreaves Lansdown (HL) | Trusted UK brand, wide investment options, higher fees |
| Trading 212 | Zero-commission trading, user-friendly app, fractional shares |
| InvestEngine | ETF-focused platform, low-cost investing, great for passive investors |
| Saxo Bank | Advanced tools, wide market access, better for experienced traders |
| IG | Long-established, offers both trading and investing, extensive market access |
| Interactive Investor (ii) | Flat-fee pricing, good for large portfolios, wide range of investments |
| Interactive Brokers (IBKR) | Professional-grade tools, global market access, low-cost margin trading |
10 Best Stock Trading Platform UK
1.eToro
eToro is one of the best stock trading platforms in the UK as it provides a commission-free trading option for over 3,000 stocks and ETFs from 20 international exchanges. eToro’s trading platform is simple, making it easy for novices, and its sophisticated features are geared towards expert traders.
Other distinguishing tools such as CopyTrader™, which enables users to mimic the moves of other traders, and Smart Portfolios which are pre-constructed portfolios, are also available.
eToro also provides great instructional materials like the eToro Academy. Users should keep in mind that there are extra fees for withdrawals, inactivity, and other additional fees.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Type of Trading | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, CFDs |
| Fees | Commission-free on stocks; spreads apply to CFDs |
| Minimum Deposit | £50 (UK) |
| Account Types | General Investment Account (GIA) |
| Unique Features | CopyTrader™ (social trading), Smart Portfolios |
| Platform Usability | Very beginner-friendly; mobile & web platforms available |
| Regulation | FCA (UK), CySEC, ASIC |
| Drawbacks | $5 withdrawal fee, currency conversion fees |
2.XTB
XTB is a stock trading platform in the UK that offers trading on stocks and ETFs without commissions up to the value of €100,000 per month.
Its xStation 5 is a proprietary platform that uses a simplified interface, real-time performance monitoring, as well as advanced charting tools and stock screeners.
Also, XTB provides an unpaid demo account for thirty days and also pays interest for unutilized funds in the account.
XTB, however, does not offer social trading or copy trading features. XTB is, however, optimal for UK traders as it provides comprehensive trading options.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Trading Instruments | Over 3,000 stocks from 14 exchanges, ~1,350 ETFs. CFDs on forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. |
| Fees | Commission-free stock and ETF trading up to €100,000 monthly turnover; thereafter, 0.2% commission (min £10). |
| Minimum Deposit | No minimum deposit required. |
| Account Types | Standard (retail) and Professional accounts. |
| Platform Availability | xStation 5 available on mobile, desktop, and tablet. |
| Regulation | Regulated by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). |
| Unique Features | Interest on uninvested cash balances (e.g., 4.5% on GBP). |
| Drawbacks | Inactivity fee after 12 months of inactivity and no deposits in the previous 90 days; limited order types. |
3.Freetrade
Freetrade is one of the UK trading platforms, which allows commission free trading on stocks and ETFs from USA, Europe and the UK. As an investor, you can start using the platform with little to no prior expertise due to the ease of use associated with the web and mobile designs.
Freetrade, like its competitors, offers variety of accounts such a General Investment Account (GIA), Stocks and Shares ISA and Self Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs) to accommodate different types of investors.
Freetrade has Basic, Standard and Plus subscriptions with different pricing and services for each level. In addition to that, Freetrade allows buying fractional US shares
Which gives the opportunity to purchase shares which are usually very expensive. However, users should note that there are fees for trades denominated in currencies other than GBP as well as other hidden fees.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Trading Instruments | Over 6,200 global stocks and ETFs, including UK, US, and European markets. |
| Fees | Unlimited commission-free trades; FX fees vary by plan (Basic: 0.99%, Standard: 0.59%, Plus: 0.39%). |
| Account Types | General Investment Account (GIA), Stocks and Shares ISA, Personal Pension (SIPP). |
| Subscription Plans | Basic (£0/month), Standard (£4.99/month), Plus (£9.99/month). |
| Unique Features | Fractional US shares; interest on uninvested cash (Basic: 1% on up to £1,000, Standard: 3% on up to £2,000, Plus: 5% on up to £3,000); automated order types; pre-market trading. |
| Platform Availability | Mobile app (iOS and Android) and web platform. |
| Regulation | Authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). |
| Drawbacks | FX fees on non-GBP trades; limited research tools compared to some competitors. |
4.Hargreaves Lansdown (HL)
Hargreaves Lansdown (HL) is among the best investment platforms in the UK. HL offers more than 13,000 investment options which include but are not limited to Shares, Funds, ETFs, and investment trusts.
One of the unique features offered by the HL platform is the level of customer service provided. This feature assists both beginner and professional investors.
HL has a 0.45% annual fee on stocks and shares ISAs which is capped at £45. Furthermore, there are tiered online dealing fees that vary from £5.95 up to £11.95 depending on how often trades are placed.
Even though HL may charge higher fees compared to other competitors, the range of features coupled with dependable service makes HL a primary selection for UK investors.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Trading Instruments | Over 13,000 investments, including UK and international shares, funds, ETFs, and investment trusts. |
| Fees | Annual Account Fee:<br> – Stocks & Shares ISA: 0.45% (capped at £45/year).<br> – SIPP: 0.45% (capped at £200/year).<br> – Lifetime ISA: 0.25% (capped at £45/year).<br> – Fund & Share Account: No annual charge.<br> – Junior ISA: No annual charge. – Trading Fees: – UK shares: £11.95 per trade (reduced to £8.95 for 10-19 trades/month, £5.95 for 20+ trades/month). – Funds: No dealing charges. |
| Account Types | General Investment Account (Fund & Share Account), Stocks & Shares ISA, Lifetime ISA, Junior ISA, SIPP (Self-Invested Personal Pension). |
| Platform Availability | Web-based platform and mobile app (iOS and Android). |
| Regulation | Authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). |
| Unique Features | Extensive research tools, high-quality customer service with phone support six days a week, and a wide range of investment options. |
| Drawbacks | Higher platform and trading fees compared to some competitors; foreign exchange fees range from 0.25% to 1% depending on trade value. |
5.Trading 212
Trading 212 is a UK equity trading platform which provides a commission-free trading on numerous stocks and ETFs catering to all investment levels.
The ratings of its mobile application are amazing; it has 4.6 stars on the Apple Store and 4.7 stars on Google Play.
The platform also offers features such as fractional shares, accepting investments starting from 1 GBP.
Also, Trading 212 offers free practice portfolio accounts for users to practice their trading strategies without risking real money. On the other hand, personal pension accounts and some other features still aren’t available with this platform.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Trading Instruments | Over 10,000 stocks and ETFs from major global exchanges, including the NYSE, NASDAQ, and London Stock Exchange. |
| Fees | Commission-free trading on stocks and ETFs; 0.15% currency conversion fee for trades in foreign currencies. |
| Minimum Deposit | £1. |
| Account Types | General Investment Account (GIA), Stocks and Shares ISA. |
| Platform Availability | Web-based platform and mobile app (iOS and Android). |
| Regulation | Authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA); client funds protected up to £85,000 by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). |
| Unique Features | Fractional shares; multi-currency accounts supporting 13 global currencies; interest on uninvested cash (e.g., 3.2% p.a. on EUR). |
| Drawbacks | Limited product range (no options, bonds, or mutual funds); lacks advanced charting tools. |
6.InvestEngine
InvestEngine is an investment platform from the UK offering over 770 ETFs from iShares and Vanguard for commission-free investments.
Investors have the option to select between self-managed portfolios, with no platform or trading fees, and managed portfolios, which charge a fee of 0.25% a year.
General Investment Accounts (GIAs), Stocks and Shares ISAs, Business Accounts, and others are all supported by the platform and can be accessed with a minimum balance of £100.
Features like fractional investing from £1, rebalancing on demand, and auto-invest functions simplify the investing process. On the downside, InvestEngine offers no options for direct stock investments, limiting their focus solely to ETFs.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Trading Instruments | Over 500 Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) across various asset classes and sectors. |
| Fees | DIY Portfolio: No platform or trading fees; ETF costs apply.<br>- Managed Portfolio: 0.25% annual management fee; ETF costs apply. |
| Account Types | General Investment Account (GIA), Stocks and Shares ISA, Business Account. |
| Platform Availability | Web-based platform and mobile app (iOS and Android). |
| Regulation | Authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). |
| Unique Features | Fractional investing; flexible Stocks and Shares ISA; savings plans for automated monthly investments; business account for corporate investing. |
| Drawbacks | Limited to ETFs; no access to individual stocks or other securities. |
7.Saxo Bank
Saxo Bank is a notable UK trading platform that enables its clients to trade in more than 23,500 stocks from over 50 global exchanges.
The bank’s proprietary platforms, SaxoTraderGO and SaxoTraderPRO, offer advanced tools and a simple interface for both novice and experienced investors.
Saxo uses a tiered system for its accounts: Classic (with a minimum deposit of £1,500), Platinum (from £200,000), VIP (from £1 million).
Higher tiers offer lower fees and better services, while still charging a 0.12% custody fee for Classic and Platinum accounts.
Options and futures trading also tend to be expensive. Overall, best funded and active traders that are looking for extensive market reach with sophisticated tools will find Saxo Bank most suitable.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Trading Instruments | Access to over 71,000 financial instruments, including stocks, ETFs, bonds, mutual funds, options, futures, and forex. |
| Fees | Stocks & ETFs: Commissions start from $1 on US stocks and 0.03% on ETFs. – Custody Fee: 0.12% annually on stock, ETF, and bond positions. |
| Minimum Deposit | No minimum deposit required. |
| Account Types | Individual, Joint, Corporate, Professional, Stocks and Shares ISA, SIPP. |
| Platform Availability | SaxoInvestor, SaxoTraderGO (web and mobile), SaxoTraderPRO (desktop). |
| Regulation | Authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK. |
| Unique Features | Advanced trading tools; access to global markets; tiered account structure (Classic, Platinum, VIP) offering enhanced services and lower fees for higher tiers. |
| Drawbacks | Custody fees may be higher compared to some competitors; platform complexity may be challenging for beginners. |
8.IG
IG normally is a UK-based trading platform that was established in 1974 as a provides trading services in more than 17,000 markets including shares, forex, commodities and ETFs, serving over 310,000 clients.
Commission-free trading is available for US shares, while a £3 fee is imposed for UK shares. A comprehensive set of online and mobile platforms with user-friendly interfaces is complemented by sophisticated features such as trading signals and alerts.
In addition, IG offers educational materials and a demo account to foster skill development and learning. Nonetheless, users should note that a £12 monthly fee is charged for inactivity after 24 months.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Trading Instruments | Access to over 17,000 markets, including shares, ETFs, forex, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies. |
| Fees | UK Shares: £8 per trade; reduced to £3 per trade if more than three trades are made in the previous month. – Foreign Exchange Fee: 0.5% on trades in foreign currencies. – Custody Fee: £24 per quarter; waived if at least three trades are made in the quarter. |
| Minimum Deposit | £250. |
| Account Types | Share Dealing Account, Stocks and Shares ISA, Smart Portfolio (Managed ISA), SIPP (Self-Invested Personal Pension). |
| Platform Availability | Web-based platform, mobile app (iOS and Android), integration with MetaTrader 4 (MT4). |
| Regulation | Authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). |
| Unique Features | Extensive educational resources; advanced trading tools; access to international markets; integration with ProRealTime and L2 Dealer for direct market access. |
| Drawbacks | Custody fee applies if trading activity requirements are not met; minimum deposit may be higher compared to some competitors. |
9.Interactive Investor (ii)
Interactive Investor (ii) has its place as a notable investment platform in the UK and elsewhere, thanks to it being on of the first to implement flat fee pricing and having a number of investment types.
ii, based out of Manchester, has been in the business since 1995 and has over 430,000 customers in the UK, which trust ii to manage their assets oding to £50 billion.
Moreover, the platform has diversified its clientele with products like Stocks and Shares ISAs, Self Invested Personal Pensions (SIPP), General Investment Accounts (GIA) and many others.
The subscription plans start with Investor Essentials at GBP 4.99 per month for portfolios capped at 50,000, along with progressing to the Investor plan at GBP 11.99 per month for larger portfolios
Which also includes Junior ISAs and free monthly trades. Not only do novice investors use ii, veteran investors are able to enjoy the plethora of investment products available such as UK and international shares, funds, ETFs, and bonds along with many more.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Trading Instruments | Access to a wide range of investments, including UK and international shares, funds, ETFs, investment trusts, bonds, and gilts. |
| Fees | Subscription Plans:<br> – Investor Essentials: £4.99/month for portfolios up to £50,000.<br> – Investor: £11.99/month for portfolios over £50,000, includes one free trade per month.<br> – Super Investor: £19.99/month for active traders, includes two free trades per month. – Trading Fees: – UK and US shares: £5.99 per trade. – Other international shares: £19.99 per trade. – Regular Investing: Free. – Dividend Reinvestment: £0.99 per reinvestment. |
| Account Types | General Investment Account (GIA), Stocks and Shares ISA, Junior ISA, Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP). |
| Platform Availability | Web-based platform and mobile app (iOS and Android). |
| Regulation | Authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). |
| Unique Features | Flat-fee subscription model; extensive investment options; free regular investing; transparent pricing structure. |
| Drawbacks | Flat fees may be less cost-effective for smaller portfolios; higher trading fees for international shares. |
10.Interactive Brokers (IBKR)
IBKR is a premier trading platform that provides UK traders with the ability to trade in over 150 markets.
The platform is renowned for its low costs with UK stock trades starting at £3. UK investors can use Binance for Trading Accounts and ISAs, including Stocks and Shares ISAs, Junior ISAs, and Self Invested Personal Pensions.
The wide range of tools and other investment instruments available make it easier for them to manage their portfolios.
Still, the platform is beginner friendly but may require some familiarization from advanced traders. Furthermore, TBKR is one of the best options for advanced UK traders looking for diverse global markets and low trading fees.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Trading Instruments | Access to a vast array of financial instruments, including stocks, ETFs, options, futures, forex, bonds, and mutual funds across over 150 global markets. |
| Fees | Stocks & ETFs: Commissions start from 0.05% of trade value (minimum £1) for UK stocks. – Options: From £0.15 per contract. – Futures: From £0.15 per contract. – Inactivity Fees: None. |
| Minimum Deposit | No minimum deposit required for individual accounts. |
| Account Types | Individual, Joint, Trust, Retirement (SIPP), and Institutional accounts. |
| Platform Availability | Proprietary platforms including Trader Workstation (TWS) for desktop, IBKR Mobile for iOS and Android, and Client Portal for web-based trading. |
| Regulation | Authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK. |
| Unique Features | Fractional Shares Trading: Allows investment in fractional shares of eligible US and European stocks and ETFs. – GlobalAnalyst Tool: Assists in exploring investment opportunities worldwide. – Overnight Trading Hours: Enables trading of over 10,000 US stocks and ETFs nearly 24/5. |
| Drawbacks | The platform’s extensive features and tools may present a steep learning curve for beginners. |
Conclusion
To summarize, the best stock trading platform in the UK differs based on requirements. For novices, Freetrade and Trading 212 provide an easy-to-use interface without any commission charges.
For more frequent traders, IG or Interactive Brokers offer sophisticated tools. Long-term investors may lean towards Hargreaves Lansdown or Interactive Investor because of their thorough services and trustworthiness. Make the choice according to cost, capabilities, and objectives of investments.
