Jasmine Birtles
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The Best Platforms to Invest in Stocks and Gold in the UK
Moneymagpie Team
27th Oct 2026
Shares can grow your money over time. Gold is often seen as a “safe haven” that can steady a portfolio when markets wobble. Many UK investors want both, but where do you buy them? The good news is you don’t have to choose between a stockbroker and a bullion dealer: several platforms let you hold shares and gold-related investments in one place.
This guide compares six well-known options, explains the different ways to own gold, and helps you pick the right fit.
First, how can you invest in gold?
There is more than one way to get gold exposure, and they work differently:
- Physical gold: coins or bars that you own outright. Storage, insurance and the gap between buying and selling prices (the premium) matter here.
- Gold ETCs and ETFs: an exchange-traded commodity (ETC) is a fund-like product that tracks the gold price, and some physically-backed ones hold real gold. You buy them like shares, and they can usually be held in a Stocks and Shares ISA. Hargreaves Lansdown, for example, cites the iShares Physical Gold ETC with an ongoing charge of 0.12% at the time of its article, plus any platform charge.
- Gold mining shares and funds: you own companies that dig up gold. They can rise faster than gold in good times and fall further in bad ones. See our list of gold stocks to watch.
- Spread bets and CFDs: leveraged products that are very risky. IG warns that they come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage, and that 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading them with that provider. They are not a sensible starting point.
A key tax point: the Royal Mint says UK legal tender coins such as the Sovereign and Britannia are exempt from Capital Gains Tax (CGT) for UK residents, and VAT-free for private individuals.
Other routes, like bars, ETCs and mining shares, can be subject to CGT above the £3,000 annual allowance unless held in an ISA or pension. Tax rules can change, so check the latest.
The 6 best platforms to invest in stocks and gold
1. Trading 212: best for low-cost stocks and gold ETCs
Trading 212 is commission-free on shares and ETFs, and its help centre says the only fee it can charge on its Invest, ISA and SIPP accounts is a 0.15% FX fee. Its site lists several physically-backed gold ETCs listed in London, such as iShares Physical Gold and Invesco Physical Gold. You can open a Stocks and Shares ISA with a £1 minimum deposit. Note that 0.5% stamp duty applies when buying UK shares (not ETFs), and that it does not offer traditional funds.
Best for: cost-conscious beginners who want shares and gold ETCs in one cheap app. Watch out for: check an ETC’s own charges and exchange costs before you buy.
Open a Trading 212 account or start with a Trading 212 ISA.
2. Hargreaves Lansdown: best for research and guidance
Hargreaves Lansdown (HL) lets you build an ISA from funds, UK and overseas shares, investment trusts, bonds and ETFs, so you can mix shares with gold ETCs or gold funds. Its website says the account charge is no more than 0.35% a year on the investments you hold, with a £100 lump sum or £25 a month to start, and no dealing charge on regular investing. HL also publishes plenty of research, including ideas on how to invest in gold.
Best for: people who like in-depth research and an all-in-one account. Watch out for: the percentage account charge can add up on larger pots, and dealing charges apply to one-off trades.
Open an account with Hargreaves Lansdown
3. interactive investor: best for a subscription-style approach
interactive investor (ii) is a long-established UK platform covering shares, funds, ETFs and ETCs. Its analysts regularly cover gold, including physically-backed gold ETCs and gold mining funds, and caution that gold has traded above its five-year average and that miners can fall sharply in downturns. ii’s pricing is plan-based, so check its current pricing page to see whether a flat fee suits the size of your portfolio.
Best for: investors with larger pots who prefer a flat fee over a percentage. Watch out for: a monthly fee can be poor value for very small balances.
4. IG: best for range and ISA dealing
IG’s Stocks and Shares ISA offers more than 12,000 global stocks and ETFs, according to its website. Its page shows zero commission on US shares and £3 for UK shares when you trade three or more times in the previous month, plus a 0.5% currency conversion fee. IG is authorised and regulated by the FCA. IG also sells riskier products such as spread bets and CFDs on gold, which are high risk. For long-term investing, stick to shares and ETFs in your ISA.
Best for: active investors who want a wide range of global shares and ETFs. Watch out for: the best dealing rates depend on how often you trade, and the leveraged products are not for beginners.
5. eToro: best for an app-first, social approach
eToro UK is authorised by the FCA (FRN 583263) and says it is covered by the FSCS up to £85,000 per person. Its fees page says ETFs have zero commission, while stock trades generally carry a $1 or $2 commission, with 0.5% stamp duty on UK shares. Withdrawals from a GBP account are free, though conversion fees can apply to non-GBP deposits. eToro also offers CFDs, and warns that 55% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with it, so stick to real shares and ETFs if you’re a beginner.
Best for: people who like a modern app and social features. Watch out for: layered fees such as commission, conversion and overnight CFD charges.
your capital is at risk.
6. Bullion Club: best for physical gold coins
If you want gold you can hold, Bullion Club sells Royal Mint legal tender gold coins, including Britannias and Sovereigns, and graded coins. Its website says you can have insured delivery or storage in a segregated vault in your name, with a quarter Sovereign available from around £250. The Royal Mint confirms that these types of coins are CGT-exempt for UK residents.
Best for: investors who want physical gold and the potential CGT advantage of legal tender coins. Watch out for: premiums, storage costs and resale spreads can eat into returns.
Quick comparison
| Platform | Stocks | Gold route | Key cost point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading 212 | Shares and ETFs | Physically-backed gold ETCs | 0.15% FX fee; commission-free |
| Hargreaves Lansdown | Shares, funds, ETFs, trusts | Gold ETCs, funds and mining shares | Account charge up to 0.35% a year |
| interactive investor | Shares, funds, ETFs | Gold ETCs and funds | Plan-based pricing; check current fees |
| IG | 12,000+ global stocks and ETFs | Gold ETCs and shares in an ISA | £3 UK shares (3+ trades); 0.5% FX |
| eToro | Stocks and ETFs | Gold ETFs and shares | ETFs commission-free; $1 to $2 on stocks |
| Bullion Club | None | Physical Royal Mint coins | Premium and storage not disclosed |
How much gold should you own?
Most commentary suggests keeping gold to a modest slice of a diversified portfolio. HL suggests a small part, and ii’s analyst suggests typically no more than 10%. Gold pays no dividends, so returns depend only on its price, which can be volatile.
Read our guide on diversifying beyond shares with gold, bonds and property and our latest gold price prediction, and remember predictions aren’t guarantees.
How to choose: 5 steps
- Decide your goal: long-term growth, diversification, or holding something physical.
- Choose your route: ETC in an ISA for simplicity, physical coins for tangible ownership.
- Compare total costs, including platform fees, FX, stamp duty, premiums and storage. Our investment platform comparison can help.
- Use your ISA allowance where possible. See our best Stocks and Shares ISAs.
- Start small and review once or twice a year. Our guide to building a portfolio shows how gold fits in.
New to all this? Start with 5 best investments for beginners in the UK.
FAQs
Is gold a good investment? It can diversify a portfolio, but it pays no income and its price can swing sharply. It is not guaranteed to protect you from losses.
Can I hold gold in an ISA? Many gold ETCs and ETFs and mining shares can be held in a Stocks and Shares ISA, but check eligibility with your platform. Physical coins can’t be held in an ISA.
Is physical gold or an ETC better? Physical gold offers tangible ownership and, for legal tender coins, CGT exemption, but has premiums and storage. ETCs are cheaper to trade and fit in an ISA.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not regulated financial or tax advice. Investing involves risk, investments can go down as well as up, and you could get back less than you put in. Past performance is not a guide to the future. Fees, features and tax treatment are as published by each provider or authority and may change. Do your own research or speak to a regulated financial adviser.
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