Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Bestinvest vs Lloyds Bank, 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, Lloyds Bank 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 Lloyds Bank would cost £95 per year.
12 trades per year - Bestinvest would cost £119.40 - £179.40 per year, while Lloyds Bank would cost £40 - £172 per year.
36 trades per year - Bestinvest would cost £238.20 - £357.60 per year, while Lloyds Bank would cost £40 - £328 per year.
120 trades per year - Bestinvest would cost £654 - £714 per year, while Lloyds Bank would cost £40 / £1,000 per year.
3 fund trades per year - Bestinvest would cost £50 per year, while Lloyds Bank 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 exploring investment opportunities, UK investors will find that both Bestinvest and Lloyds Bank offer a range of services tailored to different needs. Bestinvest allows share trading, ETFs, funds, and investment trusts, providing a diverse mix for those looking to grow their portfolios. On the other hand, Lloyds Bank matches these offerings, while also providing trading opportunities in corporate and government bonds. This additional range could be appealing for investors keen on traditional bond investments, which are not available through Bestinvest.
In terms of overall investment choices, Lloyds Bank scores slightly higher with a 5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com, coming in 8th out of 18 brokers in the UK. Bestinvest follows closely with a 4.5-star rating and is ranked 10th. Both platforms offer professional advisor services, aiding clients in making informed decisions. However, neither platform currently supports trading in cryptocurrencies, CFDs, or engaging in spread betting, keeping their investment routes more conventional.
| Feature |
Bestinvest
|
Lloyds Bank
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | No | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | Yes |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes |
| Spread Betting | No | No |
| Crypto Trading | No | No |
| Advisor Services | Yes | Yes |
| Investment Choices |
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Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
Low-cost US and UK shares.
When it comes to charting tools, Bestinvest offers a more feature-rich experience compared to Lloyds Bank. Bestinvest provides nine drawing tools and 36 technical indicators, allowing users to personalize and enhance their analysis. Additionally, users can add notes and stock overlays directly to charts, features that are missing from Lloyds Bank's platform. Both platforms lack the ability to display corporate events like earnings or dividends on charts, and neither offers index overlays or real-time market data.
Both Bestinvest and Lloyds Bank feature browser-based trading platforms, making them accessible from any internet-enabled device. They also allow users to set up alerts for stock price updates, keeping investors informed of market movements. However, those seeking a more comprehensive suite of charting tools may find Bestinvest to be the more attractive option, given its broader range of features for in-depth analysis.
| Feature |
Bestinvest
|
Lloyds Bank
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 36 | 0 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 9 | 0 |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | No |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
When comparing retirement account options between Bestinvest and Lloyds Bank for UK investors, both platforms offer Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) and Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs). Whether you choose Bestinvest or Lloyds Bank, you can access tax-efficient saving and investing opportunities through their ISA and SIPP offerings. Consider your specific investment needs and platform features to determine which provider suits you best, as both have similar account options for managing your retirement savings.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
When it comes to mobile apps, both Bestinvest and Lloyds Bank offer options for iPhone and Android users, making trading and banking accessible on-the-go. Rated similarly by UK.StockBrokers.com, the mobile apps for both Bestinvest and Lloyds Bank receive 3.5 out of five stars, indicating a shared level of user satisfaction. Despite the identical star rating, Bestinvest ranks slightly ahead at 16th place compared to Lloyds Bank's 17th out of 18 brokers in the UK for mobile app performance. This subtle difference in ranking suggests a marginal preference for Bestinvest’s app in terms of overall usability and features. For UK customers deciding between these two platforms, the choice might come down to personal preference in app design and specific functionalities, as both provide ample tools for managing financial investments and everyday banking needs.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
For UK beginner investors seeking educational resources, Bestinvest emerges as a strong contender compared to Lloyds Bank. Bestinvest offers live and archived educational webinars, enabling flexible access to expert insights at one's convenience, whereas Lloyds Bank lacks this feature. Additionally, Bestinvest provides comprehensive educational content on share trading, funds, and retirement, areas in which Lloyds Bank does not offer dedicated resources. Rated 5 stars for beginner education by UK.StockBrokers.com, Bestinvest ranks 6th out of 18 brokers, highlighting its commitment to investor education. In comparison, Lloyds Bank holds a 4-star rating and ranks 14th, indicating a more limited offering for those new to investing.
| Feature |
Bestinvest
|
Lloyds Bank
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | No |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | No |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | No |
| Education |
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|
Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When comparing the market research features of Bestinvest and Lloyds Bank, both platforms provide research reports for funds and offer insights on shares and ETFs. However, Bestinvest stands out by allowing users to view their portfolio allocation by asset class, a feature not available with Lloyds Bank. Additionally, while neither offers research on CFDs, Lloyds Bank uniquely provides research on bonds, which Bestinvest does not. This distinction can make a difference depending on your investment strategy, with each platform offering strengths in different areas of market research.
| Feature |
Bestinvest
|
Lloyds Bank
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | No | No |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | No | Yes |
| Research - Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | No |
Which broker is better overall, Bestinvest or Lloyds Bank? 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
|
Lloyds Bank
|
|---|---|---|
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When comparing online broker Bestinvest to Lloyds Bank, both platforms do not offer crypto trading options, providing a traditional investment approach without cryptocurrency access.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Bestinvest | Lloyds Bank | |
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| Review | Bestinvest Review | Lloyds Bank Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | Bestinvest | Lloyds Bank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | Yes | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | No | No | |
| Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | No | Yes | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | Yes | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | No | No | |
| Crypto Trading | No | No | |
| Advisor Services | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Fees | Bestinvest | Lloyds Bank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £50 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £0 - £4.95 | £8, £10, £11 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £0 - £4.95 | £8 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £0 - £4.95 | £8 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £144.75 | £95 | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £119.40 - £179.40 | £40 - £172 | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £238.20 - £357.60 | £40 - £328 | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £654 - £714 | £40 / £1,000 | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £60 or £120 | £44.50 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | Up to £500 or £1,000 | £40 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £500 - £1,000 | £40 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | £100 - £1,000 | £40 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | £0 | £40 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | £4.95 | £8 - £11 | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | £4.95 | £8 - £11 | |
| ETFs - Fee | £4.95 | ||
| Investment Trusts - Fee | £4.95 | ||
| Telephone Dealing Fee | £30 | £35 |
| Broker Screenshots | Bestinvest | Lloyds Bank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
| Platforms & Tools | Bestinvest | Lloyds Bank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
| Research | Bestinvest | Lloyds Bank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | No | No | |
| Research - Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | No | Yes | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | No |
| Education | Bestinvest | Lloyds Bank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | No | |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | No | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Overall Summary | Bestinvest | Lloyds Bank | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Review | Bestinvest Review | Lloyds Bank Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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