Jasmine Birtles
Your money-making expert. Financial journalist, TV and radio personality.
5 Best Stocks and Shares ISA Apps for UK Investors in 2025
Ruby Layram
25th Feb 2025
Investing in a Stocks and Shares ISA is a savvy way to grow your wealth tax-efficiently. With the rise of mobile technology, managing your investments has never been more accessible. But with a plethora of apps available, how do you choose the right one? In this guide, we take a look at the top five Stocks and Shares ISA apps for UK investors and explore what makes each stand out.
| ISA app | Minimum deposit | Trading fees | Withdrawal limits | Investment options | Overall rating |
| XTB | £0 | 0% commissions on US and UK stocks. | You can withdraw funds at any time without affecting your allowance. | Stocks, shares, ETFs (fully-managed portfolios are available) | 5/5 |
| Lightyear | £1 | £/€/$1 per trade (free of Lightyear execution fees for ETFs) | Penalty-free withdrawals. You can take money in and out without it impacting your allowance. | ETFs, US shares, EU shares, UK shares | 4.5/5 |
| Interactive Investors | £250 | £4.99 per month | You can withdraw funds at any time. However, this does not restore your allowance. | Stocks, shares, ETFs (fully-managed portfolios are available) | 4.5/5 |
| Trading 212 | £1 | Free | You can withdraw funds from your ISA at any time without it impacting your allowance | Stocks, shares ETFs, commodities | 4.5/5 |
| IG | £500 | £3 for UK shares, £0 for US shares | You can withdraw money at any time without it affecting your allowance | Stocks, shares ETFs, commodities | 4/5 |
| Plum | £1 | From £2.99 per month | Limited to 3 withdrawals per year. | Stocks, shares ETFs, commodities | 3.5/5 |
How to Choose an ISA App
Before narrowing our list down to the 5 best stocks and shares ISA apps, we reviewed a wide selection of different providers (13 to be exact!). Selecting the perfect ISA app requires careful consideration of several factors:
Flexibility
A flexible ISA allows you to withdraw and replace funds within the same tax year without affecting your annual allowance. This feature is particularly appealing to investors seeking liquidity and adaptability in their investment strategy.
Key considerations:
- Withdrawal Policies: Ensure the app permits flexible withdrawals and replacements.
- Investment Options: Check if flexibility applies to both cash and invested assets.
Flexible ISAs are suitable for people who are looking to dip in and out of their portfolio. While this may seem appealing, taking money out of your ISA regularly can prevent you from making the most of long-term growth.
Minimum investment
Understanding the minimum investment requirements is crucial, especially for beginners who don’t have heaps of money to invest.
Some apps require a substantial initial investment, while others are more accessible. Out of the ISA apps that we reviewed, Trading212, Lightyear and Plum offer the lowest initial deposit.
You should also look for platforms that accommodate your preferred investment schedule, whether it’s monthly contributions or lump sums.
Some apps have monthly limits which require you to deposit a minimum amount each month.
App fees
Fees can significantly impact your investment returns over time. It’s essential to be aware of all associated costs. These could include
- Platform fees: Ongoing charges for using the app.
- Trading fees: Costs per transaction or trade.
- Currency conversion Fees: Applicable when dealing with foreign investments.
- Withdrawal fees: Charges for accessing your funds.
Try to find an app that offers transparent, flat fees. This will make it is a lot easier to keep ontop of the costs that come with using the platform.
Security and platform reputation
Your chosen app should prioritize security and have a strong reputation amongst users. It says a LOT if other people recommend a platform to you.
Spend time reading through customer reviews and watching review videos to understand others’ experiences with the app.
You should also ensure the platform is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and look for apps with robust security measures to protect your personal and financial information.
Investment options
A diverse range of investment options allows you to build a diverse portfolio aligned with your financial goals.
Look for:
- Asset variety: Availability of stocks, ETFs, bonds, and funds.
- Market access: Ability to invest in domestic and international markets.
- Thematic investments: Options to invest in sectors or themes you’re passionate about.
Customer support and research tools
In order to make informed investing decisions, you will need to be able to access advanced research tools and expert assistance. Therefore, look for apps that provide a library of research tools, 24/7 customer support and other useful resources.
- The best platforms should make it easy for you to find the tools that you need to succeed.
Usability
An intuitive and user-friendly interface makes managing your investments more straightforward.
Prioritise a clean layout and easy navigation – this will make it a lot easier to use the platform. It’s also important that the app is available on both desktop and mobile app so that you can switch between your desired devices.
Also see: 5 Best AI Investing Apps for Beginners
XTB: Earn 6.5% Interest on Uninvested Cash!
If you’re looking for a flexible, low-cost, and user-friendly Stocks and Shares ISA, XTB is definitely worth checking out!
As one of Europe’s leading investment platforms, XTB offers a seamless mobile app experience, making it easy to invest in stocks, ETFs, and other assets while enjoying tax-free returns within an ISA.
XTB stands out for its commission-free stock investing, a wide range of investment options, and advanced research tools to help you make informed decisions. The app is designed for both beginners and experienced investors.
For those who prefer to keep some cash uninvested, XTB offers one of the best ISA interest rates on the market. Right now, they’re running a limited-time boosted offer, giving you a market-leading 6.5% AER on uninvested GBP funds in your ISA for the first 90 days—that’s 2% extra on top of their standard 4.5% AER!
Act fast—the boosted rate expires April 30, 2025!
Capital at risk. The value of your investments may go up or down. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and ISA regulations which may change. A 2% AER boost will be added to the standard variable interest rate on your free ISA funds for the first 90 days. T&Cs apply
Interactive Investor: The Best Stocks and Shares ISA App
Interactive Investor is renowned for its comprehensive platform catering to both novice and experienced investors. With a vast array of investment options and competitive fees, the ISA app stands out as a top choice for UK investors.
What stood out to us the most was the option to build either a managed portfolio or a DIY portfolio. If you’re new to the world of investing, opting for a managed portfolio could be beneficial. Here, the team of experts at Interactive Investors make investing decisions on your behalf (based on your budget, goals and risk tolerance). This could significantly minimize research time on your end!
We were also impressed by the app’s low, flat monthly fees which make it easy to work out the costs of investing through the platform.
Altogether, Interactive Investors stood out as the best stocks and shares ISA app in the UK. However, it is worth noting that we found more flexible options out there which may be more suitable for investors who want to be able to withdraw funds whenever they wish.
SIGN UP TO INTERACTIVE INVESTOR
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right Stocks and Shares ISA app is a pivotal step in your investment journey. By considering factors such as flexibility, fees, security, investment options, customer support, and usability, you can select a platform that aligns with your investing strategy and comfort level.
Remember, the best app for you depends on your individual needs and investment goals. Take the time to research and perhaps even test a few platforms to find the perfect fit.
Are you interested in learning more about investing? Why not sign up to the MoneyMagpie bi-weekly Investing Newsletter? It’s free and you can unsubscribe at any time if you find it isn’t for you.
Disclaimer: MoneyMagpie is not a licensed financial advisor and therefore information found here including opinions, commentary, suggestions or strategies are for informational, entertainment or educational purposes only. This should not be considered as financial advice. Anyone thinking of investing should conduct their own due diligence. When investing your capital is at risk.
Leave a Reply