The "best" stocks and shares ISA depends on what you'll hold and how much you have invested. Percentage fees hurt more as your pot grows, and flat fees hurt more when it's small. This guide compares the main UK platforms using fee schedules checked in October 2026, shows what each would cost you, and explains which suits which type of investor.

Capital at risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you invest.

Key takeaways

  • £0 platform fee: InvestEngine (DIY ETF portfolios) and Trading 212 (shares and ETFs). Freetrade's Basic plan also includes an ISA.
  • Traditional platforms: AJ Bell charges 0.25%, capped at £42 a year for shares and ETFs. Hargreaves Lansdown charges 0.35%, capped at £150 for shares and ETFs, since March 2026.
  • Vanguard charges 0.15% with a £4-a-month minimum, so it's poor value below about £32,000.
  • Interactive Investor uses a flat £5.99 a month (Core), which gets cheaper in percentage terms as your pot grows.
  • Fees matter, but what you invest in matters more. A low-cost global index fund is the usual starting point.
Bar chart of yearly platform costs for an ETF ISA at £10,000 and £50,000: Trading 212, InvestEngine and Freetrade £0; AJ Bell £25 and £42; Hargreaves Lansdown £35 and £150; Vanguard £48 and £75; ii Core £72
Platform fees only, excluding dealing, FX and fund charges. Checked October 2026

Which stocks and shares ISA platforms are best in 2026?

Platform Platform fee Dealing Best for
InvestEngine £0 DIY; 0.25% managed £0 on its ETF range Low-cost ETF portfolios, automated investing
Trading 212 £0 £0 shares and ETFs; 0.15% FX on non-GBP Shares and ETFs in an app, small amounts
Freetrade £0 on Basic (ISA included); paid plans from £4.99/month Commission-free; FX 0.99% on Basic App investors who want individual shares
AJ Bell 0.25%; shares/ETFs capped at £3.50/month £5 shares, £1.50 funds Funds and shares with research
Hargreaves Lansdown 0.35%; shares/ETFs capped at £150/year £6.95 shares, £1.95 funds; free for regular investing Research, service and fund choice
Vanguard 0.15%, minimum £4/month £0 on Vanguard funds Larger pots in Vanguard funds
Interactive Investor £5.99/month (Core) Fund trades £3.99 on Core Larger pots wanting a flat fee

Prices are platform charges only. Every fund or ETF also has its own ongoing charge (OCF), typically 0.1-0.25% a year for a global index tracker. Check each provider's charges page before you open an account, as fees change.

How much will a stocks and shares ISA cost you?

It depends on the size of your pot and what you hold. For an ETF-only ISA, the yearly platform fee would be roughly:

Platform £10,000 ISA £50,000 ISA
Trading 212 £0 £0
InvestEngine (DIY) £0 £0
Freetrade Basic £0 £0
AJ Bell £25 £42 (capped)
Hargreaves Lansdown £35 £150 (capped)
Vanguard £48 (minimum fee) £75
ii Core £72 £72

Funds are different. Caps usually apply only to shares, ETFs and investment trusts. Traditional funds (OEICs) on AJ Bell or HL are charged the full percentage with no cap. A £50,000 fund portfolio at 0.35% costs £175 a year.

Take Action: Decide whether you'll hold ETFs or traditional funds first. That one choice changes which platform is cheapest.

Which ISA should you choose?

  • You want the lowest cost and you're happy with ETFs: InvestEngine or Trading 212. See our Trading 212 vs InvestEngine comparison.
  • You want individual shares in an app: Trading 212 or Freetrade.
  • You want traditional funds, research and phone support: AJ Bell (cheaper) or Hargreaves Lansdown (more research and service).
  • You have £100,000+: a flat fee like Interactive Investor's, or capped share and ETF charges, can be the cheapest.
  • You don't want to choose investments: a managed ISA such as InvestEngine's managed portfolios or a robo-adviser like Wealthify. Compare them in our robo-adviser guide.

How do you switch your stocks and shares ISA?

  1. Open an ISA with the new provider.
  2. Ask the new provider to transfer your existing ISA. Don't withdraw the money yourself, or it loses its tax-free status.
  3. Choose in specie (moving your investments as they are) or cash (sold, moved, then reinvested). In specie avoids time out of the market, if the new platform offers the same holdings.
  4. Transfers typically take a few weeks. Previous years' ISA money doesn't use your current allowance.

Check whether your old provider charges an exit fee. Many don't.

What are the tax benefits?

Inside a stocks and shares ISA you pay no capital gains tax, no dividend tax and no income tax, and you don't need to report it to HMRC. You can pay in up to £20,000 in 2026/27, shared across all your ISAs. Because the capital gains tax allowance is now just £3,000 and the dividend allowance £500, an ISA is the main way most people can invest tax-free. Our ISA allowance guide covers the rules. The planned £12,000 cash ISA cap for under-65s was scrapped in the Budget on 28 October 2026, which also announced a new Starter ISA for first-time investors (see our Budget 2026 guide). If you're deciding what to do with cash before then, our look at fixed savings rates topping 5% covers fixed cash ISAs and bonds.

How to get started

  1. Decide your goal and timeframe. Investing suits money you won't need for at least five years.
  2. Keep an emergency fund in cash first. See our emergency fund guide.
  3. Pick a platform from the table above.
  4. Choose a simple core investment, such as a low-cost global index ETF or fund, or a ready-made portfolio.
  5. Set up a monthly payment and let it run.

FAQ

What is the cheapest stocks and shares ISA in the UK?

For ETF investors, InvestEngine (DIY) and Trading 212 both charge no platform fee and no commission, making them the cheapest in 2026. Freetrade's Basic plan also has no platform fee but charges 0.99% FX on non-sterling trades. You still pay each fund's own ongoing charge.

Is Hargreaves Lansdown worth the fees?

It can be if you value its research, customer service and fund range. Since March 2026 HL charges 0.35% a year, capped at £150 for shares and ETFs, with share dealing at £6.95 (free for regular investing). For a simple ETF portfolio, cheaper platforms cost far less.

Which ISA platform is best for beginners?

Beginners often do well with a simple, low-cost platform and a ready-made or index investment: InvestEngine's portfolios, Trading 212's Pies, or a robo-adviser like Wealthify if you don't want to choose. The key is low fees, a diversified investment and regular contributions.

Can I have more than one stocks and shares ISA?

Yes. Since April 2024 you can pay into more than one stocks and shares ISA in the same tax year, as long as your total across all ISAs stays within the £20,000 allowance. You can also hold old ISAs with different providers.

How long does an ISA transfer take?

Usually a few weeks. Cash transfers between stocks and shares ISAs often complete within 30 days, while in-specie transfers of investments can take longer. Always request the transfer through your new provider so the money keeps its tax-free status.

The information in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Capital at risk: the value of investments can fall as well as rise. Platform fees were checked in October 2026 and can change; check the provider's current charges before opening an account.

Sources: Hargreaves Lansdown fee changes (IFA Magazine), Gilt Edge ISA platform comparison, Moneymeister ISA platform comparison, GOV.UK: ISAs.