Best Investment Platforms in the UK for 2025

Investment platforms allow you to buy shares, funds, and other popular assets. There’s a lot of excitement about investing in the UK right now with the FTSE 100 setting two records just two months into the year.

The choice of an investment platform is an important decision because the right platform delivers more options that suit your investment style.

In this guide, we reveal our picks of the 14 best investment platforms in the UK for 2025. Our reviews cover the most important factors, including supported markets, fees, payments, regulations, and much more.

These top-ranked UK investment platforms reviewed

We’ll now move on to our full reviews of the best investment platforms in the UK.

1. eToro: Best investment platform overall for beginners

eToro is a good broker for beginners because of its emphasis on social and copy trading, its easy-to-use interface and commission-free investing. eToro can be used for direct share buying, apart from CFDs on shares.

The Israel-based broker also comes with a demo account with $100,000 in virtual money to practise trades. Two of the negatives for beginning investors is eToro requires a $100 minimum deposit and it has an inactivity fee. 

The platform delivers more than 5,000 financial instruments to trade, including direct shares, plus CFD trading of stocks, forex, commodities, indices and crypto. It also has Smart Portfolios that offer balanced, researched and professionally managed portfolios that can help those looking to invest in specific market segments in a hands-off way.

Smart Portfolios especially suit beginners. There are lots of smart portfolios to choose from, for example, if you want exposure to artificial intelligence, consider the AI-Revolution smart portfolio. This contains 35 companies actively involved in AI, such as Oracle, Workday, Splunk, and Palantir.

Copy trading is also worth considering if you want to invest passively. You can choose an eToro trader that aligns with your goals and automatically copy their investments. You can select a trader based on their preferred assets, trading strategy, past performance, and other important metrics.

Importantly, commission-free shares and ETFs are available both from the UK and abroad. Moreover, eToro allows you to buy fractional shares. This means that if you buy Tesla shares, you don’t need to invest over $250 (about £200). Instead, you can just buy a small slice of one share.

At eToro, you can also buy Bitcoin and dozens of other cryptocurrencies, including Ethereum, Dogecoin, Uniswap, BNB, and Ripple. You’ll only pay a commission of 1% on cryptocurrency purchases. eToro also supports commodities such as gold and silver, plus dozens of forex pairs (instrument availability varies according to regions).

_{eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.}

2. XTB: Popular CFD trading platform offering 0% commission on thousands of markets  

XTB is a regulated trading platform based in Poland that offers CFD and non-CFD trading. In 2023, it added direct share buying and direct ETF purchases to its trading arsenal of CFD stocks, indices, ETFs, commodities, forex and cryptocurrencies.

Investors can trade in fractional shares, a good way to buy into quality stocks that are a little pricey. Traders, provided they have fewer than £100,000 a month in trades, don’t pay commission on ETFs and shares. If you’re a big trader, the commission would be a minimum of 2% above £100,000. XTB also has a free demo account with £85,000 in virtual funds and a copy trader option. 

Its knowledge centre includes a news feed, including upcoming dividend announcements, a calendar of economic news and a market sentiment indicator, as well as more than 1,000 articles and videos. It also pays, in the UK, up to 4.75% interest on uninvested funds held in the account.

Its interface is easy to use and its home page shows what assets are doing at a glance, including indices, stocks, commodities and currencies. One negative is there are only a little more than 3,600 stocks available to trade. Also, if you don’t make any trades for a year, you will begin paying an inactivity fee of €10 a month.

You can also trade shares and ETFs from the US. This includes popular shares such as Amazon, Microsoft, JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Coinbase. When you trade shares and ETFs on XTB, you can apply leverage of 1:5. This will boost your position by 5x, meaning you’ll have £500 worth of capital for every £100 you deposit.

XTB also allows you to trade commodities. This includes everything from corn, wheat, and gold to silver, oil, and natural gas. As a UK trader, you can apply leverage of up to 1:20 on commodities. Moreover, XTB also supports indices such as the Dow Jones and S&P 500, plus dozens of currency pairs. XTB is also ideal if you want to short-sell an asset.

XTB has its own native trading platform called xStation 5. This allows you to perform chart analysis with technical indicators. You can also trade via MT4. In terms of safety, XTB is regulated by the FCA. It also holds licenses in other jurisdictions. There is no minimum deposit requirement at XTB.

73% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

3. FP Markets: Versatile investment platform in the UK for CFD investing

FP Markets is a good option for experienced traders who prefer to invest via CFDs. It offers more than 10,000 stocks, as well as forex, crypto, bonds, commodities and indices. The company’s IRESS platform offers stock CFDs through its standard, platinum and premier accounts or you can use its other trading platforms, such as MT4, MT5, cTrader or WebTrader.

FP markets has a demo training account with US $100,000 in virtual money to practise with. It isn’t regulated by the FCA, though in Europe, it’s regulated by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). At AU $100, the minimum deposit for opening an account is higher than many of its competitors.

The platform maintains tight spreads starting from 0.0 pips, top-tier liquidity, and rapid execution speeds.

FP Markets also serves as an educational hub, offering a variety of investment-related blogs and multilingual customer support. For those interested in mimicking the strategies of seasoned traders, FP Markets offers a copy trading facility for British users.

4. Pepperstone: CFD trading platform supporting more than 1,200 instruments 

Pepperstone is an Australian company that has trading in forex and cryptocurrencies, as well as CFD trading on stocks, indices, metals, and commodities. It has a foothold in more than 174 countries. This is a solely CFD trading platform, so Pepperstone may be attractive to experienced traders. 

However, beginners can take advantage of Pepperstone’s educational resources and access multiple webinars and articles on learning how to trade CFDs. Pepperstone offers more than 1,200 instruments, such as Forex, crypto, shares, commodities, and indices. UK investors can access more than 100 UK-based shares on Pepperstone. It also has a demo account.

It’s relatively easy to set up an account with Pepperstone. There’s no minimum deposit to open an account, no inactivity fee and the EDGE Standard doesn’t charge commission on trades. Pepperstone has fast trade execution speeds. Its platforms include MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, and the Pepperstone Trading Platform, most of which deliver advanced technical analysis and charting.

On UK share CFDs, Pepperstone charges a fixed commission of 0.10%, or £7. It also charges a spread of 1 pip for a trade. By getting the Pepperstone Razor account, users will not be required to pay any spreads on their trade. 

5. Admiral Markets: Access fractional trading with just £1 at this multi-asset broker 

Admiral Markets offers more than 8,000 financial instruments to trade. That includes direct share and ETF assets, as well as forex and CFD trading. The investment platform offers more than 4,300 direct shares as well as more than 3,000 UK, European and US stocks for CFD trading and more than 300 ETFs for CFD trading.

It also offers fractional trading, so you can buy partial ownership of a stock or an ETF for as little as €1 and also, an auto-investing option.

Admirals offers webinars, articles, tutorials, guides, e-books, online courses and a glossary of terms, so it has plenty of educational opportunities for new traders. It doesn’t charge a commission on direct share buying and its fees for forex and CFD trading are around average for the industry. It does charge a minimum deposit and an inactivity fee.

Its trading platforms include an Admiral Markets mobile app, MT4, MT5, and WebTrader. Other tools include MetaTrader Supreme Edition, a virtual private server and Stereo Trader. Islamic accounts are also available. 

6. PrimeXBT: Best investment platform for crypto with commission-free trading, copy trader feature

PrimeXBT is a Seychelles-based broker that offers CFDs on forex, commodities, indices, crypto and crypto futures. It also has a copy trading program. It does not offer direct shares or ETF trading.

The broker delivers market news, including up-to-date crypto news. Prime XBT also has informational articles on a variety of topics, including commodity-specific articles. It also has a demo account to allow you to practise trading and comes with $10,000 in virtual currency.

Its platforms include a proprietary PrimeXBT app and its desktop PrimeXBT, as well as WebTrader and MT5.

7. Trade Nation: Low-cost investment platform with more than 1,000markets 

The next UK-based investment platform on our list is Trade Nation. This platform allows traders to access more than 1,000 markets and offers low-cost fixed or variable spreads. Its CFD offerings include forex, commodities, indices and shares. The broker charges no commission.

Trade Nation users can access anything from FX pairs to shares, indices, and commodities. Trade Nation’s proprietary trading platform is TN Trader, which works on desktops and mobile phones. It also offers access to TradingView’s analytical charts.

The platform charges a fixed spread on any trade without adding hidden fees. Thus, investors know the exact cost before even making the trade. Trade Nation also offers negative balance protection. This feature ensures that if your trading balance becomes negative, the balance bounces back to zero by the next trading session. 

Users can also access the MT4 trading account to access CFD trades on FX pairs and other instruments. Users can sign up and open accounts on both MT4 and the proprietary trading platform. MT4 also provides access to Trade Nation’s TradeCopier app, which enables traders to automatically mirror other trading experts.

Payments can be made using multiple options such as VISA, MasterCard, AstroPay, Skrill, and Neteller. There are no withdrawal or deposit fees charged on Trade Nation. There is no minimum deposit on Trade Nation, making it a potential choice for beginner investors. Trade Nation also provides a free demo account with $10,000 in virtual funds. 

This popular trading platform holds a licence from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) since 2014, and it’s covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) in the UK. 

8. Hargreaves Lansdown: Invest in shares, bonds and funds in one account             

Founded in 1981, Hargreaves Lansdown is an established UK-based investment platform with more than 1.9 million users. It offers a huge range of traditional assets from the UK and abroad. This includes more than 3,600 investment funds, which will appeal to passive investors. Hargreaves Lansdown offers a ‘fund finder’ tool that allows you to find the most suitable investments.

For example, you can filter by strategy, provider, historical yield, and income type. Hargreaves Lansdown also supports thousands of shares. This includes shares from the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250, not to mention the AIM. Shares in the US are also supported. Hargreaves Lansdown’s share trading charges begin at £5.95 per share trade and can be as much as £11.95. You’ll also pay an additional 1% if you buy shares from overseas.

Hargreaves Lansdown is also one of the best investment platforms for buying bonds. This includes UK-listed corporate bonds issued by Halifax, Yorkshire Building Society, Lloyds Bank, and Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust. You can also buy gilts, which are issued by the UK government. Do note that most bonds need to be purchased over the telephone.

The best thing about Hargreaves Lansdown is its options for accounts, which include ISAs, SIPPs and JISAs, as well as regular share dealing accounts. The share dealing account requires only a minimum £1 to open.

9. Moneybox: Automatically invest spare change            

Moneybox is a popular UK investment platform that was founded in 2015. It has more than 1 million users and its key selling point is a roundup feature that allows you to invest every time you make a transaction with your debit card.

For example, if you spend £4.85 on your double dairy-free mocha latte, it will charge you £5 and roundup the extra 15p into the stock market. The thought is that small investments add up and are relatively painless.

The round-up feature is supported by most UK banks. This includes challenger banks like Revolut and Monzo. If your bank isn’t supported, you can make regular investments via a direct debit agreement. Either way, Moneybox gives you three fund options when selecting a suitable investment strategy. This includes ‘Cautious’, ‘Balanced’, and ‘Adventurous’.

Moneybox’s platform is made for beginners, thanks to an easy-to-use interface and the ability to do robo-investing, perfect for investors who are not comfortable doing stock picking. The ability to trade with zero commission and a small £1 monthly subscription fee is a plus. There is no minimum deposit requirement.

All three options invest in diversified tracker funds. Alternatively, you can also invest on a DIY basis. This enables you to choose individual shares and ETFs. That said, only US-listed shares are supported, meaning you won’t be able to invest in FTSE 100 companies.

Moneybox charges a £1 monthly fee plus 0.45% on the value of your investments. US stocks attract a 0.45% currency conversion fee. You’ll also pay up to 0.58% when investing in funds, which is charged annually.

10. IG: Low investment fees for active traders

IG offers more than 13,000 financial instruments to trade, including CFD trading and direct share and ETFs. It also offers negative balance protection for CFD accounts, so that service prevents traders from losing more than the balance in their account.

IG relatively high share trading fees, drop for more frequent traders. It also charges no commission on international stocks. UK stocks cost £8 per trade, but the commission drops to £3 if you make more than three trades per month. US stocks are more expensive at £10 per trade, but free if you make more than three trades a month.

IG also supports a huge range of ETFs and investment trusts. What’s more, IG allows you to invest in UK IPOs. This enables you to buy shares in a company before they are listed on the London Stock Exchange

IG is also suitable if you want to invest via a Stocks and Shares ISA. You can avoid paying ISA fees by trading at least three times per month or having £15,000 or more in your portfolio. If you can’t meet this threshold, you’ll pay £24 per quarter. IG also charges a 0.5% fee on non-UK assets. There is also a 0.5% (MasterCard) and 1% (Visa) charge on debit/credit card deposits.

11. Interactive Investor: User-friendly shares investment platform

Interactive Investor is one of the best investment platforms in the UK for beginners and has more than 400,000 clients. The UK broker is known for its flat-fee investing service. You can make investments online or via the Interactive Investor app. This is available on both iOS and Android smartphones.

We like that Interactive Investor supports more than 40,000 global markets. Financial assets include UK, US, and international shares on 17 global exchanges, plus ETFs, funds, investment trusts, bonds, gilts, and VCTs.

If you’re not sure which investments to make, Interactive Investor also supports automated portfolios. These are hand-picked by industry experts and cover a wide range of strategies.

However, while Interactive Investor is suitable for newbies, it’s also one of the more expensive platforms for fees. For example, there is a minimum monthly fee of £4.99. What’s more, you’ll need to pay a £3.99 commission on UK and US shares, or £9.99 on other international markets. You’ll also pay 99p to automatically reinvest dividend payments.

12. Trading 212: Fractional investments of £1 without no commission charges

Trading 212 has more than 4 million customers and allows you to invest in more than 11,000 direct shares and ETFs as well as CFDs for forex, stocks, index, commodities.

One of Trading 212’s distinct features is share lending, which allows you to earn interest on your stocks by lending them to other investors, as well as paying interest on uninvested funds in your account, with the rate currently 4.9% in the UK.

Trading 212 doesn’t charge commissions or custody fees on stocks and it has a feature called automatic investing, which permits investors to schedule deposits and invest in a ready-made balanced ETF pies or one of their own choosing. It features commission-free CFD trades with relatively tight spreads.

There’s no minimum deposit required, and it takes only €1 to trade in stocks or ETFs. It also allows investors to buy fractional shares. The company also has a savings plan, called AutoInvest, which permits you to build a diversified portfolio and customise it to your needs.

Trading 212 offers Stocks and Shares ISAs without management fees. We also like that deposits up to the first £2,000 are processed free of charge.

After that, there’s a 0.7% charge. You can deposit funds in various ways, including debit/credit cards, instant bank transfers, PayPal, and Google/Apple Pay. The minimum deposit requirement is just £1. Trading 212 also offers a beginner-friendly app for iOS and Android. The app supports free demo accounts, allowing you to practise trade with risk-free funds.

13. Freetrade: Free general investment accounts with more than 1,500 shares and ETFs            

Freetrade has more than 1.5 million clients and supports more than 6,200 stocks and ETFs from the UK, Europe and the US as well as access to popular ETFs from Vanguard, Invesco, and iShares.

The UK-based investment platform has three tiers: Basic, Standard, and Plus. The Basic plan doesn’t charge an account fee and is commission-free for trading stocks and ETFs. However, there is a currency conversion fee of 0.99% on US and European stocks.

Freetrade allows fractional shares of US stocks and offers a 1% interest rate on up to £1,000 in uninvested cash. The Standard and Plus plans, priced at £4.99 and £9.99 monthly, include ISA trading, advanced technical analysis, and lower currency conversion fees. They also pay more on uninvested cash, including 3% on up to £2,000 in uninvested cash in the Standard Plan and 5% on up to £3,000 in uninvested cash in the Plus Plan.

Freetrade’s strengths lie in its simple account setup, intuitive mobile app, and user-friendly interface. It’s limited in features compared to other platforms, offering primarily stocks, ETFs, investment trusts, and UK Treasury bills. It also offers a stocks and shares ISA.

You can invest in shares and ETFs from just £2. This means you can get exposure to expensive shares such as Amazon and Tesla without breaking the bank. However, the fee-free account on Freetrade does come with limitations, and charges for some services. For example, you’ll need to pay £5.99 per month to invest in a Stocks and Shares ISA.

14. Nutmeg: ETF specialist investing platform with thematic smart portfolios or fixed allocation portfolios

Nutmeg is a good platform for passive investors. It offers general investing accounts and stocks and shares ISAs (and junior ISAs). The biggest downside for Nutmeg is it costs a minimum of £500 to open a stocks and shares ISA or a General Investment Account. The biggest upside is its professional management and no trading fees.

Nutmeg has a limited number of funds, built from ETFs, for investing and doesn’t directly offer shares. It makes up for that lack of choice because its funds are professionally managed. Those funds are subject to management fees. For example, 0.45% for the first £100k invested in a fixed allocation fund and 0.25% for any amount invested in the fund over £100k. Those fees don’t count the fees that come with the funds themselves.

The fees for the funds range from 0.45% to 0.75% for accounts under £200,000 to between 0.25% to 0.35% for accounts with more than £200,000. So, it’s a good option for those able and willing to invest more, but not the best option for lower-end investors. One of Nutmeg’s better services is that customers can also book a free phone-based financial guidance appointment.

Thematic portfolios let you invest in specific areas such as healthcare innovation or machine learning. Smart Alpha portfolios are designed for risk-tolerant investors who want to maximize their returns.

Fees at Nutmeg vary based on the type of portfolio you choose. Fixed allocation portfolios have the lowest fee, 0.7% per year, while fully managed portfolios have the highest fee at 1.1% per year. You’ll pay an additional 0.2-0.25% for fund management fees.

What to look for in an investment platform

We’ll now discuss what factors you should consider when researching the best investment platforms in the UK.

FCA regulation and FSCS eligibility 

The most important aspect when choosing an investment platform is the safety of your funds. There are two core metrics to check in this regard.

First, you should only consider a UK investment platform if it’s authorized and regulated by the FCA. This is the UK’s financial watchdog and it helps keep consumers safe. FCA-regulated brokers must follow many guidelines, such as keeping client funds in segregated bank accounts. They must also clearly present the risks of investing and ensure that your withdrawals are processed in a reasonable timeframe.

Second, you should only sign up with a UK investment platform if it’s eligible for FSCS protection. The FSCS covers brokerage collapses up to the first £85,000 per client. In other words, if your chosen investment platform goes bankrupt, your capital is protected up to this amount. If you’re planning to invest more than £85,000, it’s wise to spread your investments across at least two brokers. Otherwise, your capital is at risk.

Range of assets 

The best investment platforms in the UK provide access to many different assets. You can check what assets are supported by checking out the provider’s website.

If you’re looking to invest in shares, eToro is the best platform in the market. You can access thousands of UK and international shares without paying any commission. eToro also supports investment funds. For example, you can invest in the FTSE 100, S&P 500, or Dow Jones. Once again, there are no premiums to pay when gaining exposure to foreign-listed assets.

If you’re looking to trade alternative assets, XTB might be more suitable. You can speculate on currency exchange rates, such as GBP/USD or EUR/USD. You can also trade commodities like gold and oil, not to mention indices.

If you’re looking to buy Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, eToro is also the best option. You can invest in cryptocurrencies for just $10 and commissions are very competitive.

Ultimately, it’s best to choose an investment platform that supports all of the markets you want to trade. This removes the need to sign up with multiple platforms.

Fees 

Understanding fee structures can be complicated. Some UK investment platforms have many different trading fees that can vary depending on the account type and market. Moreover, some providers aren’t transparent with what they charge, so you might need to do a lot of digging.

The main fees to look for when choosing the best investment platform in the UK are as follows:

• Commissions: Many investment platforms make money by charging commissions. This will be charged when you buy and sell an asset. For example, IG charges £3 when you invest in shares. And when you sell your shares, you’ll also pay £3. At eToro, you can invest in shares and funds without paying any commission.
• Spreads: UK investment platforms also make money from the spread. This is the difference between the buy and sell prices offered by the platform. This small gap in pricing ensures the investment platform makes a profit regardless of which way the markets move. If you’re investing in blue-chip shares, you shouldn’t pay a spread of more than 0.5% per slide.
• Payment fees: You might need to pay fees when depositing funds. The fee can vary depending on the payment method. Check this before opening an account.
• FX fees: If you’re planning to buy Amazon shares or any other international asset, you might be charged FX fees. This usually averages 0.5%-1% of the investment amount.
• Platform fees: You might also be charged platform fees by your chosen provider. For example, some platforms charge a flat fee that you need to pay every month. While others charge a fee based on how much you invest. Investment platforms like Moneybox charge both.

As you can see, there are many fees to check when choosing an investment platform in the UK. If you’re looking to save some time – we found that eToro is the overall cheapest option. Not only in terms of commissions and spreads, but also non-trading fees.

Research and analysis tools  

The best investment platforms in the UK allow you to make informed trading decisions. This means you’ll have access to research and analysis tools that can help you pick the best investments.

This should include financial news related to your chosen assets. For example, if you’ve invested in Apple shares, you’ll want to know when the firm declares a dividend. Moreover, you should also look for investment platforms that offer expert insights.

These are research articles that offer trading suggestions, based on the analyst’s view of the market. Another research tool we like is sell-side analyst ratings. This will show you whether your chosen shares are a ‘Buy’ or ‘Sell’, and what the estimated price target is. You can view sell-side ratings for free on eToro, as long as you have a verified account.

If you’re looking for chart analysis tools, XTB is the best option. It has its own proprietary trading suite called xStation 5. This comes with charting tools and technical indicators, such as the MACD, stochastic oscillator, and exponential function.

Minimum deposit

Most investment platforms in the UK have a minimum deposit requirement, though many of the ones we list do not. If you’re using a platform aimed at beginners, this might only be a few pounds.

For example, Hargreaves Lansdown and Trading 212 require just £1 from first-time customers.

However, you’ll find that at Nutmeg, you’ll need to deposit at least £500 to start your stocks and shares ISA or general investment account.

Demo account

If you’re new to investments, consider choosing a platform that offers a demo account. You’ll get to buy and sell assets without risking your own money. After a few weeks, you’ll know whether or not you’re ready to trade with real funds. If not, you can continue practicing in demo mode.

Demo accounts also allow you to try the investment platform’s features. In particular, you can assess whether the investment platform is suitable for your experience.

On eToro, you can open a free demo account in under a minute. You’ll have $100,000 in paper funds to play with, which you can replenish at any time. Furthermore, eToro demo accounts never expire.

Investment app

Most investment platforms offer a mobile app. This will connect to your main account, allowing you to invest on the move. The importance of having an investment app should not be understated.

After all, you might be away from your desktop device and hear some bad news concerning one of your share investments. In this instance, you might want to sell the shares immediately. The best investment apps in the UK allow you to do this at the click of a button.

Payment methods

Most investment platforms accept convenient payment methods. This makes it easy to deposit and withdraw funds.

For example, most accept Visa and MasterCard, which is the fastest way to fund your account. E-wallets are increasingly becoming popular too.

That said, we also came across UK investment platforms that only support bank transfers. This means you might need to wait several days for the funds to arrive in your investment account.

Customer service 

We give preference to UK investment platforms that offer an all-round great customer experience. This means that you should have access to a support agent whenever you need one.

Traditional investment platforms like Hargreaves Lansdown and IG offer telephone support. However, most investors in the UK prefer the convenience of live chat. This is available at eToro, XTB, and many other top-rated investment platforms.

Types of Investment Platforms

You’ll come across many different types of investment platforms in the UK. Not only in terms of supported assets and markets but the account type offered.

It’s important you choose the right investment platform for your financial goals, so let’s explore what’s available in 2025.

General investment accounts

General investment accounts allow you to invest on a DIY basis. In other words, you will be selecting your own investments for your portfolio. In most cases, you can invest in shares from the UK and abroad. You’ll likely have access to funds and investment trusts too.

But this isn’t always the case, so you’ll need to assess what markets are supported by the investment platform. For example, eToro’s general investment accounts support thousands of shares and ETFs from over a dozen exchanges. This includes the UK, the US, Hong Kong, Germany, and Saudi Arabia. eToro also supports cryptocurrencies, forex, and commodities.

In contrast, some investment platforms only support UK-listed markets. This means that you will be missing out on popular foreign-listed companies like Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft.

Automated investing accounts

Some investment platforms in the UK offer automated investing accounts. This means that you can invest without needing to choose your own investments. That said, you’ll still need to select a suitable strategy that aligns with your risk tolerance and financial goals. Moreover, there are many different types of automated investing options in the market.

For example:

• Moneybox offers automated investments every time you use your debit card. It rounds each transaction to the nearest pound and then invests the difference into funds. You can choose from three different fund strategies, based on your risk profile.
• Interactive Investor also offers automated investments. In this instance, you can choose from portfolios that have been hand-picked by industry experts. Each portfolio has its own strategy and risks, so all investor profiles are supported.

All that being said, we found that eToro’s smart portfolios are best for investing automatically. Each smart portfolio tracks a niche market, such as renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and even drone technology.

The latter includes 35 companies actively involved in drones, such as United Parcel Service, NVIDIA, Microsoft, and Texas Instruments. Unlike other automated investment accounts, eToro doesn’t charge additional fees on smart portfolios. Moreover, smart portfolios are actively managed, meaning eToro rebalances them automatically.

In addition, eToro also offers copy trading portfolios. This allows you to follow a proven trader and automatically mirror their investments. There are thousands of traders to choose from and the minimum investment is just $200 (about £160).

Stocks and shares ISAs

Another option to consider when investing online is a Stocks and Shares ISA. While similar to general investment accounts, Stocks and Shares ISAs come with tax benefits.

For example, in the current tax year, you can invest up to £20,000 in a Stocks and Shares ISA. Any shares, funds, or bonds you add to an ISA will not attract capital gains or dividend tax. In the following tax year, your ISA limits will reset. Although the UK government used to increase ISA limits annually, it hasn’t done so for several years. As such, 2024/25 limits will likely remain at £20,000.

That said, Stocks and Shares ISAs won’t be suitable for all investors. In most cases, you’ll need to pay an annual ISA fee, which can make the process unviable. Moreover, ISA providers typically charge trading commissions. This means your investment fees could be more than what you’re saving in tax.

After all, you won’t pay any capital gains tax in the UK if your investment returns are below £3,000 this year. Plus, capital gains tax is only required after you sell your investments. In the meantime, you’ll be paying an annual ISA fee on the value of your portfolio.

Spread betting and CFD accounts

Spread betting and CFD accounts are another option to consider when choosing an investment platform. These account types are aimed at active traders who want access to:

• Leverage
• Short-selling capabilities
• Super-low fees
• Non-traditional markets such as commodities and forex

Both spread betting and CFDs allow you to speculate on the future value of an asset. You won’t own the asset that you trade. Rather, you’re merely speculating whether its value will rise or fall.

In the UK, spread betting and CFD markets can be traded with leverage of up to 1:30, depending on the asset. You can also place a ‘sell order’ if you believe the asset will decline in value. This allows you to profit when market prices are declining.

Spread betting and CFD trading also offer access to non-traditional markets, such as gold, natural gas, wheat, and currency pairs.

How to get started with a UK investment platform

Before concluding this guide, we’re going to walk you through the investing process using eToro as an example, which came out at the top among the UK investment platforms we’ve reviewed.

Step 1: Open an account

First, you’ll need to visit the eToro website to open a general investment account.

Click ‘Sign Up’ to populate the registration form. Signing up is fast and simple; enter some basic personal information and contact details.

On the next page, you’ll be asked to confirm your mobile number. eToro will send you a text message; enter the code provided.

Step 2: Complete a quick KYC process

You will now need to complete a KYC (Know Your Customer) process.

• Upload a copy of your passport or driver’s licence.
• Upload a document showing your home address (e.g. bank statement).

As long as your documents meet the UK government’s KYC guidelines, eToro will verify them almost instantly. As such, you then deposit some investment funds into your eToro account.

Step 3: Deposit investment funds 

The deposit process at eToro is also very simple. You’ll first need to choose your preferred deposit method. If you’re looking to deposit funds instantly, choose a debit card or e-wallet.

You can also deposit funds with a UK bank account. However, the minimum deposit increases to $500 (about £400).

Step 4: Search for an investment 

The next step is to do some research on which investments to make. You can click on your preferred asset class to see what eToro supports, such as stocks, ETFs, or cryptocurrencies.

You can also use the search box if you know which investments you want to make. In our example, we are searching for Microsoft shares. Click on ‘Trade’ next to your chosen asset to proceed.

Step 5: Invest in your chosen asset 

Now that we’ve clicked on ‘Trade’, an investment box appears on our screen. This enables us to choose how much money we want to invest.

As we’re investing in Microsoft, which is listed in the US, we’ve entered our investment amount in US dollars. We’re investing $500 in our example.

You can place your trade by clicking on ‘Open Trade’ (if the market is open) or ‘Set Order’ (if the market is currently closed). In doing so, the shares will be added to your eToro portfolio.

Investment platform FAQs