Jasmine Birtles
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7 Best Investing Platforms to Buy US Shares in the UK
Moneymagpie Team
15th Oct 2026
Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Tesla: many of the world’s best-known companies are listed in the US, and UK investors can own them with a few taps. The catch is cost. Buying US shares from a sterling account usually involves a currency conversion (FX) fee, and some platforms add dealing charges on top. Pick the wrong one and those small percentages add up.
This guide covers seven platforms that let UK investors buy US shares, what each one charges according to its own official pages, and who it suits best. This article is about buying real shares. Some of these providers also offer CFDs, which are complex, high-risk products that are not covered here.
If you are new to all this, start with our guide to the best US stocks to buy.
Affiliate disclosure: MoneyMagpie may earn a commission if you open an account through some of the links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Our platform facts come from each provider’s own website or help centre, and fees can change, so always check the current terms.
US shares platforms at a glance
| Platform | Commission on US shares | FX fee | Account or custody fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading 212 | Described as commission-free; check Terms and Fees | 0.15% on US-listed buys from a non-USD account | Not stated in the help article we checked |
| interactive investor | Per-trade fee applies; see its charges page | 0.75% (Core), 0.25% (Premium) | Plan fees apply; see its charges page |
| XTB | 0% up to about €100,000 a month | 0.5% (avoidable with a USD account) | £0 custody below €250k per its ISA page |
| IG | £0 with instant FX conversion | 0.7% | Account fees shown as free |
| Freetrade | £0 | 0.99% Basic, 0.59% Standard, 0.39% Plus | £0 ISA fee; optional paid plans |
| Hargreaves Lansdown | £6.95 or £3.95; none on monthly regular investing | 0.99% on the first £10,000, then lower | Up to 0.35% a year, capped at £12.50 a month |
| eToro | $1 or $2 a trade on real stocks, per its fee page | Varies by location, payment method and Club level | No inactivity fee |
1. Trading 212: best for low FX costs
Trading 212 is a popular app that offers shares, ETFs and a Stocks & Shares ISA. Its help centre states that buying US-listed shares from a non-USD account carries a 0.15% FX fee, which is low compared with many rivals, and that dividends do not incur the FX fee. Trading 212 UK Ltd is regulated by the FCA. Commission and stamp duty details sit in its Terms and Fees, so check these before trading. Key consideration: it is a lean, app-first service, so it suits confident self-starters rather than people wanting lots of hand-holding.
Try Trading 212 or see the Trading 212 ISA if you want a tax-free wrapper.
2. interactive investor: best for a flat-fee subscription
interactive investor (ii) charges a monthly plan fee instead of a percentage of your pot, which can suit larger portfolios. Its US markets page lists FX fees of 0.75% on Core, 0.75% on the first £50,000 then 0.25% on Plus, and 0.25% on Premium. It covers the NYSE and Nasdaq and asks you to submit a W-8BEN form if you hold a trading account or ISA. Key consideration: plan fees are charged whatever you do, so tiny portfolios may find a percentage-based platform cheaper.
Visit interactive investor to compare plans.
3. XTB: best for commission-free trading and a USD account
XTB says it charges 0% commission on real shares and ETFs up to €100,000 invested per calendar month, then 0.2% above that with a €10 minimum per trade. A 0.5% FX fee applies when the share is priced in a different currency from your account, but XTB UK offers GBP, EUR and USD accounts so you can avoid it by funding in dollars. Fractional shares start from £1, and XTB Limited is FCA-authorised (FRN 522157). Key consideration: XTB is also a CFD broker, so make sure you choose real shares or the ISA, not CFDs.
4. IG: best for an established broker with out-of-hours trading
IG offers share dealing in a general investment account, a Stocks & Shares ISA and a beginner-friendly Invest app. Its fee page lists £0 commission on US shares when you use instant FX conversion, with a 0.7% FX fee on the conversion. You can buy fractional shares from £1 in a general account, and out-of-hours trading is available on over 80 key US stocks. Key consideration: manual FX conversion carries a charge of 3 cents a share with a $15 minimum, so stick with the default if you want the cheaper route.
5. Freetrade: best for simple, commission-free investing
Freetrade is built for beginners, with an uncluttered app and a free Basic plan. It offers UK, US and European shares plus ETFs, with around 8,500 or more investments listed on its site, and fractional shares so you can start small. Dealing commission is £0 on every plan, but FX fees on non-sterling trades are 0.99% on Basic, 0.59% on Standard (£4.99 a month billed annually) and 0.39% on Plus (£9.99 a month billed annually). Freetrade is FCA-regulated (FRN 783189) and says investments are covered by the FSCS up to £85,000. Key consideration: US trades cost more on the free plan, so frequent US investors may need a paid tier.
See our Freetrade vs InvestEngine comparison for more.
6. Hargreaves Lansdown: best for support and research
Hargreaves Lansdown (HL) is one of the UK’s best-known platforms, with extensive research and support. It requires a W-8BEN form before you buy US shares. Its overseas dealing page lists FX charges of 0.99% on the first £10,000 of a deal, 0.50% from £10,000 to £25,000 and 0.20% above that, plus £6.95 a trade (or £3.95 if you made 20 or more trades last month). Monthly regular investing by Direct Debit has no dealing charge. Key consideration: HL charges up to 0.35% a year on holdings (capped at £12.50 a month on its main accounts), so it is among the pricier options for active investors.
7. eToro: best for social investing
eToro is known for its social features, letting you follow other investors. Its fee page says real stock trades cost $1 or $2 per trade when opening and closing, depending on your country and exchange, there is no inactivity fee, and conversion fees vary by location, payment method and Club level. Its UK GBP account page says funds in that account are safeguarded at a UK bank but not covered by the FSCS. Key consideration: fees are spread across several pages and depend on your set-up, so read them carefully.
Our Trading 212 vs eToro comparison covers the two head to head.
How to buy US shares from the UK
The process is the same on most platforms. Open an account, usually a Stocks & Shares ISA or general investment account, complete the W-8BEN form if asked (it helps you pay the right rate of US tax on dividends), fund your account, then search for the share and place an order.
US markets trade from 2:30pm to 9pm UK time. Within an ISA, gains and dividends are free from UK tax up to your yearly ISA allowance, although US withholding tax on dividends may still apply.
What to do next
- Decide how often you will trade. Frequent traders care most about FX and commission, while buy-and-hold investors care about account fees.
- Check your platform is FCA-authorised by searching the FCA register.
- Compare the FX fee, because that is where US investing costs usually hide.
- Think about a Stocks & Shares ISA first so you keep gains tax-free.
- Spread your risk. If a single US share feels risky, an S&P 500 ETF holds hundreds of companies in one go, and our guide to the best S&P 500 ETFs is a good starting point.
- Start small and drip-feed. Our guide to the best investment platforms and our look at the cheapest trading platform can help you compare further.
FAQs
What is the cheapest platform to buy US shares in the UK?
It depends on how you invest. Trading 212 lists a 0.15% FX fee, XTB can avoid FX with a USD account, and Freetrade’s Plus plan has a 0.39% fee. Add up commission, FX and account fees for your own pattern of trading.
Do I need a W-8BEN form?
Some platforms, including HL and ii, ask for one before you trade US shares. It declares you are a UK tax resident, which usually lowers the US tax taken from dividends.
Can I hold US shares in an ISA?
Yes, on platforms offering a Stocks & Shares ISA with US shares, subject to the yearly allowance.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not regulated financial advice. Investing involves risk, and the value of your investments can go down as well as up, so you could get back less than you put in. Fees and rates are correct as of 15 October 2026 according to each platform’s official website and are subject to change. Currency movements can also affect the value of US investments. Do your own research or speak to a regulated financial adviser.
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