# Best Investment Platforms UK _CompareFairly · en/GB · neutral comparison, cited sources, no paid placement_ **Category:** finance › investing › investment platforms **Our pick**: Hargreaves Lansdown (74/100) · **Cheapest**: Trading 212 · **Best value**: Interactive Investor ## Comparison table | Criterion | Hargreaves Lansdown | Trading 212 | Interactive Investor | eToro | Fidelity Personal Investing | AJ Bell | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Trading Fees (GBP) | 6.0 | 0 | 4.0 | 0 | 7.5 | 9.9 | | Platform Fees (GBP) | 0.5 | 0 | 5.0 | 0 | 0.3 | 0.2 | | Minimum Investment (GBP) | 25 | 1 | 1 | 50 | 0 | 25 | | Regulation | FCA Regulated | FCA Regulated | FCA Regulated | FCA Regulated | FCA Regulated | FCA | | Range of Investments (types) | 3500 | 10000 | 15000 | 5000 | 2500 | 2000 | | Fund Selection (funds) | 2000 | 0 | 1000 | 0 | 1200 | 1500 | | Share Dealing Options | Full range including UK, US, and European shares | Commission-free stock and ETF trading, fractional shares | UK, US, and international shares | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, CFDs | UK, US, and European shares | UK, US, and European shares | | Account Types | ISA, JISA, SIPP, General Investment Account | ISA, SIPP, General Investment Account | ISA, SIPP, General Investment Account | General Investment Account | ISA, SIPP, General Investment Account | ISA, JISA, SIPP, General Investment Account | | Ease of Use | Standard | Advanced | Standard | Advanced | Standard | Standard | | Research Tools | Comprehensive | Limited | Comprehensive | Limited | Comprehensive | Standard | | Customer Support | Excellent | Basic | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | | Mobile App Availability | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ## 1. Hargreaves Lansdown A trusted investment platform with 45 years of experience, offering a wide range of accounts and award-winning service. **Best for:** Investors looking for a well-established, trusted platform with a wide range of account types and strong customer service. **Pros:** - Trusted by 2 million clients with over £172bn of savings and investments - 45 years of experience in helping people save and invest - Award-winning service, including 'Best Investment App' and 'Best for Customer Service' for 2026 - Free Junior ISA with no online dealing or account charges _Source (verified): [https://www.hl.co.uk/](https://www.hl.co.uk/)_ ## 2. Trading 212 A popular investing platform known for commission-free trading, an easy-to-use mobile app, and support for low-cost investing in stocks and ETFs. **Best for:** Investors looking for commission-free trading and a user-friendly mobile app for stocks and ETFs. **Pros:** - Tax-free investing via an ISA - SIPP with no platform fee and no dealing fees - User-friendly mobile app with practice accounts available - Commission-free stock and ETF trading, including fractional shares **Cons:** - SIPP doesn't support drawdown or employer contributions - Limited educational materials when researching investments - Only offers stocks and ETFs, no mutual funds, gilts, or corporate bonds _Source (verified): [https://www.stockbrokers.com/uk/guides/investment-platforms](https://www.stockbrokers.com/uk/guides/investment-platforms)_ ## 3. Interactive Investor A platform offering a wide range of investments with flat-fee pricing, making it cost-effective for larger portfolios. **Best for:** Investors with larger portfolios seeking flat-fee pricing and extensive research materials. **Pros:** - Flat-fee pricing is cost-effective for larger portfolios - Low fees for ISAs, SIPPs, and general accounts - New managed ISA offers ready-made, diversified portfolios - Excellent research and education materials **Cons:** - Charges £3.99 for mutual fund trades - Can be pricey for small portfolios under £15,000 _Source (verified): [https://www.stockbrokers.com/uk/guides/investment-platforms](https://www.stockbrokers.com/uk/guides/investment-platforms)_ ## 4. eToro A social trading platform offering a wide range of assets including stocks, crypto, and CFDs. _Source (estimate): [https://www.etoro.com/](https://www.etoro.com/)_ ## 5. Fidelity Personal Investing Offers a broad range of investments and research tools, with competitive platform fees. _Source (estimate): [https://www.fidelity.co.uk/](https://www.fidelity.co.uk/)_ ## 6. AJ Bell An award-winning investment platform making investing easy, with options for every investor and a wide range of investment choices. **Best for:** Investors seeking an easy-to-use platform with diverse investment options and strong regulatory backing. **Pros:** - Award-winning investment platform - Options for every investor, from beginners to experienced - Wide range of investment options including funds, shares, ETFs, bonds, and gilts - Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Which? Recommended eight years running _Source (verified): [https://www.ajbell.co.uk/](https://www.ajbell.co.uk/)_ ## 7. Charles Stanley Direct A well-established investment service with a focus on investment advice and a range of investment options. _Source (estimate): [https://www.charles-stanley-direct.co.uk/](https://www.charles-stanley-direct.co.uk/)_ ## 8. Vanguard Investor UK Known for its low-cost index funds and ETFs, suitable for long-term investors. _Source (estimate): [https://investor.vanguard.co.uk/](https://investor.vanguard.co.uk/)_ ## 9. InvestEngine ## In short This comparison evaluates nine investment platforms based on twelve criteria, including trading fees, platform fees, minimum investment, regulation, range of investments, and fund selection. Hargreaves Lansdown ranks highest with a score of 74 out of 100, largely due to its perfect scores in customer support and fund selection. Trading 212 is the next best at 68 out of 100, excelling in trading fees and offering the cheapest overall option. It's important to note that data for only four out of the nine options was sourced, with the remaining values being estimates. The facts in this summary are computed from the table below; only the wording is generated. ## Frequently asked questions **What are the best investment platforms in the UK for 2026?** Based on our comprehensive comparison of trading fees, platform fees, minimum investment, regulation, range of investments, and fund selection, Hargreaves Lansdown ranks highest with a score of 74/100, followed closely by Trading 212. **How do UK investment platforms compare on trading fees?** Our comparison evaluates trading fees across various platforms, considering factors like commission per trade and spread costs to help you find the most cost-effective option for your investment strategy. **Which UK investment platform offers the widest range of investments?** We assess the breadth of investment options available, including stocks, bonds, ETFs, and funds, to identify platforms that cater to diverse investment needs and preferences. **Is Hargreaves Lansdown the best investment platform in the UK?** Hargreaves Lansdown currently leads our ranking with a score of 74/100, reflecting its strong performance across key criteria. Our rankings are based on objective data and are not influenced by commercial partnerships, ensuring a neutral assessment. --- _Generated by CompareFairly - neutral universal comparator. Ranking not for sale, data sourced._ --- _CompareFairly · https://comparefairly.com/en/GB/best-investment-platforms-uk — citation with a link is allowed; bulk extraction/redistribution is prohibited._