Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Bestinvest vs Halifax, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, investment options, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
Alongside the cost per trade, most UK online brokers also charge a monthly, quarterly, or annual management fee, which varies based on the account type and balance. Based on our thorough review, Halifax offers better pricing than Bestinvest for share dealing.
Assuming a £30,000 portfolio size, here are the total annual costs for share dealing with both brokers, given different monthly activity scenarios.
5 trades per year - Bestinvest would cost £144.75 per year, while Halifax would cost £83.50 per year.
12 trades per year - Bestinvest would cost £119.40 - £179.40 per year, while Halifax would cost £150 per year.
36 trades per year - Bestinvest would cost £238.20 - £357.60 per year, while Halifax would cost £378 per year.
120 trades per year - Bestinvest would cost £654 - £714 per year, while Halifax would cost £1,176 per year.
3 fund trades per year - Bestinvest would cost £50 per year, while Halifax would cost £0 per year.
What type of trader are you?
New to the world of investing? See our picks for the Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners. More experienced traders should read our guide to the Best UK Trading Platforms for Active Traders.
When comparing the investment options available from Bestinvest and Halifax, both platforms provide strong choices for UK investors. Bestinvest enables share trading, ETFs, investment trusts, and fund trading, topped with comprehensive advisor services. However, it does not provide options for corporate bond or government bond (gilts) trading. On the other hand, Halifax not only offers trading for shares, ETFs, funds, and investment trusts but also extends its services to corporate and government bonds alongside similar advisory support.
In terms of ratings, Bestinvest achieves a commendable 4.5 stars for investment choices from UK.StockBrokers.com, while Halifax is slightly ahead with a full 5-star rating. Despite Bestinvest being ranked #10 out of 21 brokers in investment choices, Halifax comes in stronger, grabbing the #7 spot. This distinction highlights Halifax's broader range of investment offerings, appealing to those interested in more diverse asset classes within the UK market.
| Feature |
Bestinvest
|
Halifax
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | ||
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes |
| Spread Betting | ||
| Crypto Trading | ||
| Advisor Services | Yes | Yes |
| Investment Choices |
|
|
Low-cost US and UK shares.
Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
When comparing the trading tools of Bestinvest and Halifax, several distinctions are evident. Bestinvest shines with its charting capabilities, offering 9 drawing tools and 36 technical indicators, which are considerably more advanced compared to Halifax, which provides none. Bestinvest further enhances user experience by allowing the addition of notes and stock overlays to charts, features that Halifax does not support. Both platforms offer browser-based trading, providing easy access to trade management and market updates. Additionally, each platform supports creating alerts for stock price updates, ensuring investors stay informed on market shifts in real-time.
For investors who value detailed analytical tools in their trading platform, Bestinvest could be the preferable choice, offering a more comprehensive suite of charting features. Although both brokers enable users to manage their trades through a web interface and maintain up-to-date market information through price alerts, the feature set of Bestinvest is better suited for those looking to delve deeper into chart analysis and customization. Halifax may appeal to investors seeking a more straightforward approach without the extra charting functionalities.
| Feature |
Bestinvest
|
Halifax
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 36 | 0 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 9 | 0 |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | ||
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | |
| Charting - Index Overlays |
When comparing Bestinvest and Halifax for retirement accounts, both brokers offer Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) and Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs), making them solid options for UK investors looking to plan for their future. Bestinvest provides a user-friendly platform, while Halifax is well-known for its widespread branch network across the UK. Each broker caters to different preferences, so your choice between the two might depend on whether you prioritize a seamless online experience or access to in-person support. Both offer ISAs and SIPPs, enabling you to save and invest efficiently for retirement.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
For UK investors seeking convenient mobile trading options, both Bestinvest and Halifax offer apps for iPhone and Android devices. Each of these platforms has been rated 3.5 stars by UK.StockBrokers.com for their mobile offerings, indicating a satisfactory user experience. When comparing their rankings among 21 brokers, Bestinvest holds a slight edge, securing the 16th position, while Halifax follows closely at the 18th spot. Both brokers provide similar mobile accessibility, making them viable options for traders looking for on-the-go investment solutions.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When comparing the educational resources for beginner investors offered by Bestinvest and Halifax, it's clear that Bestinvest excels in providing comprehensive support. Bestinvest not only hosts educational client webinars but also archives these sessions for on-demand viewing, making learning convenient and accessible. Their educational content covers key investment topics such as share trading, funds, and retirement planning, offering a well-rounded foundation for new investors. In contrast, Halifax does not provide webinars or archived educational sessions, nor does it cover specific topics like share trading, funds, or retirement in a structured educational format. This difference in educational offerings is reflected in user ratings and rankings, with Bestinvest earning a 5-star rating and a #6 ranking out of 21 brokers from UK.StockBrokers.com for beginner education, while Halifax receives a 3.5-star rating and ranks much lower at #18.
| Feature |
Bestinvest
|
Halifax
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | |
| Education |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When weighing the market research features of online brokers Bestinvest and Halifax, UK investors will find that Bestinvest offers research reports for funds and allows users to view portfolio allocation by asset class, services not listed for Halifax. Both platforms provide research on shares, ETFs, and funds, catering to diverse investment interests. However, when it comes to bonds, only Halifax provides research insights. Neither platform offers research on CFDs, making this a non-factor for comparison. Each broker has its strengths, but the choice may come down to which research areas are most valuable to the individual investor.
| Feature |
Bestinvest
|
Halifax
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | ||
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | Yes | |
| Research - Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes |
Which broker is better overall, Bestinvest or Halifax? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found Bestinvest to be a better trading platform overall.
Bestinvest is a very good broker that should appeal to a wide range of investors. Fees are competitive, particularly if you invest in funds or US shares, and the investment options are extensive. The Bestinvest platform is relatively easy to use and the offer of a free 45 minute session with a financial coach can be a useful starting point for newer investors. Bestinvest is also a great option for a Junior SIPP, as it is one of very few UK brokers offering children’s pensions and with a low entry point.
| Feature |
Bestinvest
|
Halifax
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Charges & Fees |
|
|
| Investment Choices |
|
|
| Mobile App |
|
|
| Website |
|
|
| Ease of Use |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
When comparing online brokers, it's important to note that Bestinvest does not offer crypto trading services, whereas Halifax also does not provide crypto trading options, making both platforms unsuitable for investors interested in digital currencies.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | Bestinvest | Halifax | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Charges & Fees |
|
| |
| Investment Choices |
|
| |
| Mobile App |
|
| |
| Website |
|
| |
| Ease of Use |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Review | Bestinvest Review | Halifax Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | Bestinvest | Halifax | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | Yes | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | ||
| CFD Trading | |||
| Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | Yes | ||
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | ||
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | |||
| Crypto Trading | |||
| Advisor Services | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Fees | Bestinvest | Halifax | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £50 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £0 - £4.95 | £9.50 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £0 - £4.95 | £9.50 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £0 - £4.95 | £9.50 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £144.75 | £83.50 | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £119.40 - £179.40 | £150 | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £238.20 - £357.60 | £378 | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £654 - £714 | £1,176 | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £60 or £120 | £64.50 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | Up to £500 or £1,000 | £36 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £500 - £1,000 | £36 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | £100 - £1,000 | £36 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | £0 | £36 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | £4.95 | £9.5 | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | £4.95 | £9.5 | |
| ETFs - Fee | £4.95 | £9.5 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | £4.95 | £9.5 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | £30 | £25 |
| Broker Screenshots | Bestinvest | Halifax | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| Platforms & Tools | Bestinvest | Halifax | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 36 | 0 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 9 | 0 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | ||
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | |||
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | ||
| Charting - Index Overlays |
| Research | Bestinvest | Halifax | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | |||
| Research - Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | ||
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | Yes | ||
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes |
| Education | Bestinvest | Halifax | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | ||
| Education (Funds) | Yes | ||
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | ||
| Client Webinars | Yes | ||
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes |
| Overall Summary | Bestinvest | Halifax | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Charges & Fees |
|
| |
| Investment Choices |
|
| |
| Mobile App |
|
| |
| Website |
|
| |
| Ease of Use |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Review | Bestinvest Review | Halifax Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
Trading 212 Review
Interactive Brokers Review
Hargreaves Lansdown Review
XTB Review
IG Group Review
eToro Review
Saxo Review
CMC Invest Review
Freetrade Review
Halifax Review
Vanguard Review
