Best Stocks and Shares ISAs for 2026

Company	Overall Rating	Minimum Deposit	ISA	SIPP
Trading 212		£1	Yes	No

Trading 212 has solidified its position as the primary frontrunner in the modern UK investing space, offering a combination of affordability and functionality that few other ISA providers can replicate. My testing confirmed that the platform’s greatest appeal lies in its total rejection of the traditional fee model; there are no annual platform management charges and no dealing commissions. This represents a significant shift from the legacy brokers that often burden long-term savers with high entry costs, making it an ideal environment for monthly contributors and large-scale portfolio holders alike.

Investments and cash interest: The user interface is notably fluid, particularly the "Pies and AutoInvest" feature. This tool allows for the creation of diversified portfolios of stocks and ETFs, where you can automate investments based on specific target weightings. During my evaluation, I found that the inclusion of fractional shares ensures that even the smallest deposits of your £20,000 ISA allowance are fully utilized. For those waiting for market entry points, the ISA offers a highly competitive 4.05% interest rate on uninvested GBP cash, with earnings accrued daily. This is a benefit that often outperforms standard high-street savings rates.

Flexible ISA: Furthermore, the flexible ISA status is a vital benefit, allowing you to withdraw and replace funds within the same tax year without impacting your annual contribution limit. The lack of mutual funds and SIPPs may be a drawback for investors seeking an all-in-one retirement solution, but for a self-directed stocks and shares ISA, the combination of 24/5 access to select U.S. stocks and zero fees is about as good as it gets in today’s market.

Elizabeth's take

"Trading 212 has a fantastic ISA offering that is one of the best options available for U.K. investors. It’s flexible, low-cost, and easy to use."

Elizabeth Anderson

Company	Overall Rating	Minimum Deposit	ISA	SIPP
InvestEngine		£100	Yes	Yes

InvestEngine has secured its place as a top-tier alternative for investors who prioritize the diversified, cost-effective nature of Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs). In a market where many ISA providers offer a dizzying array of complex derivatives, I found InvestEngine’s hyper-focus on a single asset class to be both refreshing and highly effective. The platform operates a zero-fee DIY model, meaning you pay no annual platform charges or dealing commissions for building your own portfolios from their extensive range of over 800 ETFs. This streamlined approach makes it arguably the most economical vehicle for those building long-term wealth through index tracking rather than active stock picking.

Auto-investing: The platform's technical tools are specifically calibrated for fund-based investing. During my testing, I was particularly impressed by the "Auto-invest" and one-click rebalancing features. These tools allow you to align your portfolio back to your target weights with a single interaction—a task that is often tedious and expensive on platforms that charge per trade. Additionally, the "multiple named pots" feature within the ISA is an excellent organizational tool, allowing you to separate different financial goals, such as a house deposit or retirement, while remaining under one tax-efficient wrapper.

Once-a-day execution: One critical distinction for active traders is that InvestEngine uses a once-a-day execution model, which is perfectly suitable for long-term savers but not for those seeking real-time fills. While it does not pay interest on uninvested cash, the lack of a platform fee means your invested capital compounds at a much higher rate over time compared to traditional, percentage-based brokers. It is a precise, low-maintenance tool for the modern ETF investor.

Company	Overall Rating	Minimum Deposit	ISA	SIPP
IG		£0	Yes	Yes

IG represents the definitive choice for the sophisticated investor who demands a deeper level of market access than most ISA providers currently offer. With a massive universe of over 12,000 global shares and ETFs, it provides a breadth that allows for truly granular portfolio construction. During my time using the platform, I found the dual-app approach particularly effective: the "IG Trading" app caters to experienced users with its dense data and alerts, while the newer "IG Invest" app provides a streamlined, approachable entry point that doesn't sacrifice technical quality.

Pricing: The pricing model is distinctly optimized for the active participant. While there is a £24 quarterly custody fee, IG waives this for anyone who makes at least three trades in that period or holds £15,000 in their "Smart Portfolios." This makes it an exceptionally competitive option for those who manage their ISA actively. Furthermore, IG’s offering of up to 4.5% interest on uninvested GBP cash, provided you hold an active position or trade monthly, is among the most generous incentives in the market for 2025.

Research: Where IG truly distinguishes itself is in its research ecosystem. Tools like the TipRanks consensus and integrated client sentiment data provide a significant advantage when evaluating international equities. While the 0.7% foreign exchange fee is higher than some boutique disruptors, the platform's stability, comprehensive education through the IG Academy, and commission-free dealing on UK and US shares make it a formidable contender for those who treat their ISA as a serious, professional-grade investment vehicle.

Company	Overall Rating	Minimum Deposit	ISA	SIPP
XTB		£0	Yes	No

XTB has quickly emerged as a formidable challenger among modern ISA providers since its 2024 launch, positioning itself as a high-value alternative for those who prioritize zero platform overheads. My testing highlighted a core strength: XTB offers a flexible ISA with 0% commission on stocks and ETFs for monthly volumes up to €100,000. For the vast majority of retail investors, this effectively makes the account free to operate, with the primary cost being a 0.5% currency conversion fee on international assets.

I found the 4.25% interest rate on uninvested GBP cash particularly attractive, serving as a generous incentive for those holding capital while waiting for market entry points. While the interface retains a technical feel, the "Investment Plans" tool simplifies the creation of themed ETF portfolios. It is an excellent specialist choice for investors who value aggressive pricing and flexible capital access.

Company	Overall Rating	Minimum Deposit	ISA	SIPP
Lloyds Bank		£1	Yes	Yes

Lloyds Bank is a compelling choice for investors who prioritize the security and convenience of having their ISA integrated directly with their primary banking app. Unlike many disruptor ISA providers that use percentage-based models, Lloyds employs a transparent, flat platform fee of just £36 per year. This structure is particularly advantageous for those with larger portfolios, where a flat cost often proves more economical than a variable one.

I found the "Ready-Made Investments" ISA to be an excellent entry point for hands-off savers, while the "Share Dealing" ISA offers a respectable range of over 3,000 funds. While the £9.50 commission for one-off UK trades is higher than the market average, the inclusion of free regular monthly investing makes it a cost-effective powerhouse for disciplined, long-term accumulators.

Company	Overall Rating	Minimum Deposit	ISA	SIPP
Interactive Brokers		£0	Yes	Yes

Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is the definitive platform for the sophisticated investor who views their ISA as a vehicle for institutional-grade execution. My testing confirmed that its primary edge lies in unparalleled global access, allowing you to trade across 90 stock markets worldwide with a market-leading 0.03% foreign exchange fee. While there is a £3 monthly minimum activity fee, this is waived if you generate equivalent trading commissions, which are highly competitive at just £3 for UK shares.

For 2025, the inclusion of mutual funds within the ISA has significantly broadened its appeal for long-term diversifiers. Although the interface is complex, the "GlobalTrader" app offers a more approachable on-ramp for those seeking the most efficient way to manage a globally diversified, tax-efficient portfolio among modern ISA providers.

Choosing the right stocks and shares ISA provider is key to maximizing your investment potential while keeping fees low. Below, you'll find a comparison of top providers, highlighting their features, costs, and investment options to help you decide which one suits your needs best.

Company	Overall Rating	Minimum Deposit	ISA monthly fees	Stocks and shares ISA	Cash ISA	Flexible ISA	Junior ISA
Trading 212		£1	£0	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
InvestEngine		£100	£0	Yes	No	Yes	No
IG		£0	£0	Yes	No	Yes	No
XTB		£0	£0	Yes	No	Yes	No
Lloyds Bank		£1	£3	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Interactive Brokers		£0	£3	Yes	No	No	Yes
Vanguard UK Investor		£500	£4	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
AJ Bell		£250	£0	Yes	No	No	Yes
Hargreaves Lansdown		£100	£0	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Interactive Investor		£1	£5	Yes	No	No	Yes

Elizabeth Anderson has been a financial journalist for more than a decade. She’s written for major national newspapers, contributed to corporate reports and research, and reviewed dozens of share dealing platforms, SIPP providers, ISAs, and brokerage firms. Elizabeth started her career at Bloomberg and has worked for the BBC, The Telegraph, The Times and the i newspaper. She is passionate about helping people understand finance and investing. A keen investor herself, Elizabeth invests through general dealing accounts, ISAs and several SIPPs.

Steven Hatzakis is a well-known finance writer with 25+ years of experience in the foreign exchange and financial markets. He is the Global Director of Online Broker Research for Reink Media Group, leading research efforts for ForexBrokers.com since 2016. He has served as a registered commodity futures representative for domestic and internationally-regulated brokerages. Steven holds a Series III license in the US as a Commodity Trading Advisor (CTA).

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At UK.StockBrokers.com, our online broker reviews are based on our collected quantitative data as well as the observations and qualified opinions of our expert researchers. Each year we publish tens of thousands of words of research and collect hundreds of data points while testing brokerage firms, share dealing platforms, SIPP providers, ISA providers, and other financial service providers relevant to U.K. investors.

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Our researchers thoroughly test a wide range of key features, such as the availability and quality of trading platforms for web, desktop, and mobile, charting, real-time and streaming quotes, and educational resources – among other important variables. We also evaluate the overall design of the mobile experience, and look for a fluid user experience moving between mobile and desktop platforms.