TL;DR
This Is Money has updated its guide to UK investment platforms, including fees following pricing changes at several providers in 2026. It says investors should compare total costs, account types, investment choice and support rather than choosing on headline price alone.
This Is Money has updated its comparison of UK DIY investment platforms, listing provider fees and account features after several firms changed their prices in 2026. The guide says investors should weigh total costs, account type, investment choice and support when selecting a platform, rather than treating the lowest headline charge as the best option for everyone.
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The report says Freetrade, IG, Interactive Investor and Hargreaves Lansdown were among platforms that changed fees earlier in 2026. Its comparison, attributed to published provider information and dated October 2026, lists different charging models: some providers charge a percentage of assets, some use fixed monthly or annual fees, and others advertise no account fee while charging for particular services or investment activity.
Examples in the table include a £5.99 monthly Core plan at Interactive Investor for accounts below £100,000, with a Plus plan listed at £14.99 a month. Hargreaves Lansdown is shown with a 0.35% account charge, capped at £150 a year for shares, trusts and ETFs in an Isa, Sipp or general investment account. The guide lists Trading 212 as having no account fee or share dealing charge, while InvestEngine is limited to ETFs and Vanguard offers its own products only. Fees and features can change, so the figures should be checked against providers’ current terms.
The platforms differ in the accounts and investments they offer. The guide describes stocks and shares Isas, Sipps and general investment accounts as the main account options available from many UK providers. It also lists choices such as shares, funds, investment trusts, ETFs and bonds, while noting that individual firms may restrict their range. Its highlighted options include Trading 212 for low-cost dealing in shares, ETFs and investment trusts, Interactive Investor for flat-fee pricing, Prosper for a limited range of funds and InvestEngine for ETF investing.
Fees Are Only Part of the Choice
Platform charges can reduce investment returns over time, but the comparison shows why a zero account fee does not automatically mean the lowest overall cost. Dealing charges, fund costs, foreign-exchange fees and service charges may also apply, depending on what someone buys and how often they trade. A fixed monthly fee may suit an investor with a larger balance differently from someone investing a small amount, while percentage-based fees rise with the amount held.
Account features can matter as much as price. A reader who wants a Sipp or stocks and shares Isa needs a provider that offers that account; someone seeking a particular fund, bond or overseas share needs to confirm it is available. Service and research are also relevant: This Is Money says lower-cost apps may offer less sophisticated customer service and analysis than some higher-priced providers. The right comparison is therefore personal, not a universal ranking.
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How UK Platforms Differ
The report places the market’s growth in the context of the rise of DIY investing and online trading, which has made it easier for individuals to access investments without using a traditional stockbroker, adviser or fund manager. Online platforms and apps can offer access to a range of assets, but the scope of that access varies by provider. Some let users select individual investments; others offer ready-made portfolios or restrict customers to a narrower set of products.
This Is Money says it selects products through its specialist journalists and discloses that it may receive an affiliate commission when readers open accounts through marked links. The publication says commissions do not affect its editorial independence. It also says platforms featured in its comparison must be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. That requirement is not a recommendation to use a particular provider, and investors still need to review account terms and investment risks.
“The cheapest investment platform won’t always be the best one for you.”
— This Is Money
What the Fee Table Cannot Settle
The comparison is a snapshot based on published information dated October 2026. Provider prices, eligibility rules and features may change, and the table alone does not establish what a particular investor would pay after all charges. Costs can depend on account size, investment type, trading frequency, payment method and whether optional services are used.
The source material does not provide a complete, like-for-like calculation of total costs for the same portfolio across every platform. Nor does it establish that any provider is best for all investors. Readers should check current fee schedules and account availability directly with each firm. Investment values can fall as well as rise, and the guide does not make future performance or savings certain.
Check Costs Before Opening an Account
Before opening an account, compare the platform’s current charges against the way you expect to invest: the amount you will hold, the assets you want, and how often you plan to buy or sell. Confirm that the provider offers the required Isa, Sipp or general investment account, and check whether it supports the investments you intend to use.
Then review service arrangements, research tools, transfer rules and any charges not captured by a headline account fee. The source does not identify a further industry announcement or a fixed next review date; the immediate next step for readers is to verify provider terms, which can change after the comparison is published.
Key Questions
What should I compare when choosing an investment platform?
Compare all relevant fees, the account types offered, available investments, customer support and research tools. Consider how the charges apply to your balance and how often you expect to trade.
Does a platform with no account fee mean investing is free?
Not necessarily. Other costs, such as dealing, fund, foreign-exchange or service charges, may apply. Check the provider’s full current fee schedule and the costs of the investments themselves.
Which accounts does the report say UK platforms commonly offer?
The guide identifies stocks and shares Isas, Sipps and general investment accounts as common options. Availability varies by provider, so check the account you need before opening an account.
Are the fees in the comparison guaranteed to be current?
No. The table is presented as based on published information from October 2026. Providers can change prices and terms, so confirm charges directly with the platform before making a decision.
Source: rss
