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A This Is Money guide compares UK investment platforms and explains how to choose based on account type, costs, investment choice and support. Its October 2026 fee table lists providers including AJ Bell, Interactive Investor, Trading 212, InvestEngine and Prosper, but fees and features vary and can change.
This Is Money has published a comparison of UK investment platforms, setting out differences in fees, investment choice and account features as investors decide where to hold shares, funds and other assets. The guide’s central point is that the cheapest provider may not suit every investor: account type, preferred investments, service and research also matter.
The report’s table, dated October 2026, lists charges and features for providers including AJ Bell, Bestinvest, Charles Stanley Direct, eToro, Fidelity, Freetrade, Hargreaves Lansdown, IG, Interactive Investor, InvestEngine, Scottish Widows Share Dealing, Trading 212, Prosper and Vanguard. It says platforms featured must be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Charges differ by provider and can depend on the account, balance, investment and trading activity.
The guide identifies several platforms for particular needs: Trading 212 for low-cost dealing in shares, ETFs and investment trusts; Interactive Investor for flat-fee pricing and customer service; Prosper for zero-fee investing in a limited selection of funds; and InvestEngine for ETF investing. These are the report’s recommendations, not a guarantee that any platform will be suitable for every investor.
Most UK platforms offer a stocks and shares ISA and a self-invested personal pension (SIPP), while a general investment account can be used outside those tax-efficient wrappers. The source also says several providers changed fees earlier in 2026, including Freetrade, IG, Interactive Investor and Hargreaves Lansdown. Its table reflects published information, but prices and terms can change.
How Platform Costs Shape Returns
Platform charges affect the amount an investor pays to hold and trade investments, so comparing them can help people understand the cost of managing an account. The source’s examples show why headline “free” dealing does not by itself settle the choice: providers may charge account fees, transaction fees or other costs, while some services may have limitations on investment range or account type.
The decision also affects what investors can access and the help available to them. A platform focused on ETFs may not offer the same range as one with shares, funds and investment trusts. Those who value research or more accessible customer support may weigh those features against price. The guide does not establish that one provider will deliver better investment performance; investors’ returns depend on their investments and market movements, not simply the platform selected.
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UK Accounts and Fee Changes
The guide describes the growth of online, self-directed investing as making market access easier and potentially less expensive than using traditional intermediaries. It focuses on platforms that let customers choose investments themselves, rather than offering a general ranking based solely on returns or investment outcomes.
Investors can hold eligible investments in a stocks and shares ISA or a SIPP, each with different rules and purposes, or use a general investment account. The right account depends on personal circumstances and goals. The source says competition and fee changes in 2026 could put pressure on costs, but it does not quantify an industry-wide saving or show that every investor’s charges fell.
This Is Money says products in its report were independently selected by its specialist journalists. It also discloses that it may earn an affiliate commission when readers open accounts through links marked with an asterisk, while stating that this does not affect its editorial independence.
“The cheapest investment platform won’t always be the best one for you.”
— This Is Money
investment platform comparison guide
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Fees and Features Can Change
The published table is a snapshot of platform information dated October 2026, not a promise that charges will remain unchanged. The source notes that some fees may be charged monthly or quarterly and that account terms differ. Readers should check a provider’s current fee schedule and eligibility rules before opening an account.
The report does not provide enough information to determine which platform is best for a particular person without details such as their account balance, trading frequency, investment choices and need for support. Its recommendations are editorial selections, and the supplied material does not include the full set of questions referenced in the guide or a complete account of every provider’s service limitations.
self-invested personal pension (SIPP) account
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Check Current Terms Before Opening
The practical next step for readers is to compare current provider charges against their intended account and investing habits. That means checking account fees as well as dealing charges, confirming that the platform offers the desired investments and account wrapper, and reviewing available customer support and research. Investors should also read the provider’s terms directly because fees and features can change after a comparison is published.
The source does not announce a future update date or a scheduled regulatory or provider decision. Its comparison should be treated as a guide to the options and published charges at the stated time, rather than a prediction of future costs or investment performance.
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Key Questions
Which investment platform does the report recommend?
The guide highlights different providers for different preferences: Trading 212 for low-cost share, ETF and investment-trust dealing; Interactive Investor for flat-fee pricing and customer service; Prosper for zero-fee investing in a limited range of funds; and InvestEngine for ETF investing. These are the source’s selections, not a universal ranking.
What account types should UK investors compare?
The source says most UK platforms offer a stocks and shares ISA and a SIPP. A general investment account is another option for investing outside a tax-efficient wrapper. The account’s rules and purpose should be considered alongside platform fees.
Are platforms with no account fee always cheapest?
No. The guide says a low or zero account fee does not make a platform best for everyone. Investors should check dealing charges, other applicable costs, investment availability and the level of customer support and research.
How current are the fees in the comparison?
The table is dated October 2026 and reflects published platform information at that time. The report says several providers changed fees earlier in 2026. Charges and terms can change, so readers should confirm them with the provider before opening an account.
Does the guide say which platform will produce the best returns?
No. It compares platform features and costs, not guaranteed investment outcomes. The source does not claim that choosing any particular provider will improve returns.
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