Jasmine Birtles
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Top Zero-Commission Trading Platforms for UK Investors
Ruby Layram
29th Oct 2026
Affiliate disclosure: MoneyMagpie has commercial partnerships with some platforms listed here and may earn a fee if you open an account through our links, at no extra cost to you. Partners are listed first. Our order reflects how well each suits beginners, and every fact comes from the platform’s own website. Fees change, so check current terms.
Paying £5 or £10 every time you buy a share used to be normal. Not any more. Plenty of UK platforms now let you buy shares and ETFs with no dealing commission at all, which is brilliant when you’re starting small and investing little and often. But “zero commission” doesn’t always mean “zero cost”, so here’s what to look out for and which platforms are worth a look.
What does “zero commission” actually mean?
Commission is a fee charged each time you buy or sell. With zero-commission platforms that fee is £0, but other costs can still apply. These include FX fees (charged when you convert pounds into dollars to buy US shares), stamp duty (a 0.5% government tax when you buy UK shares, which every platform has to collect), and the ongoing charges inside any ETF you buy. Always look at the full picture.
The 6 top zero-commission platforms
1. Trading 212: best all-rounder for low costs
Trading 212 is an app-based platform offering a Stocks & Shares ISA and general investing account. Its help centre says it charges no commission and no custody fee, and that the only fee it charges on Invest and ISA accounts is a 0.15% FX fee.
Why it stands out: “Pies” let you build a portfolio of stocks and ETFs and automate regular investing, and fractional shares mean you can start small. Trading 212 also lists 24/7 support.
Watch out for: 0.5% stamp duty when buying UK shares (ETFs are exempt), and the 0.15% FX fee on non-sterling trades. You must consent to cash being held in money market funds to earn interest, so check the current rate in the app.
your capital is at risk.
2. eToro: best for social investing
eToro is a well-known platform with a social element, where you can see what other investors are doing and copy their trades. eToro says its ISA now has 0% dealing commission and no annual custody fee (announced July 2026), and ETFs carry no commission.
Why it stands out: it’s easy to use and good for browsing ideas. Eligible new customers also get a boosted Cash ISA rate for 12 months, per eToro’s announcement.
Watch out for: FX charges still apply on non-GBP assets, and eToro’s fees page lists stamp duty of 0.5% on UK shares and a $5 fee for withdrawing from a USD account. Its ISA is powered by Moneyfarm (an FCA-authorised firm), so read the ISA terms carefully. Fees on investments outside the ISA differ, so check the trade screen before you confirm.
your capital is at risk.
3. InvestEngine: best for hands-off ETF investors
InvestEngine an ETF-only platform. Its costs page says DIY investing is commission-free with no ISA, set-up, withdrawal or FX fees.
Why it stands out: Savings Plans automate regular investing at no cost, fractional investing is available, and the ISA is flexible. If your plan is “buy a global ETF each month”, this does the job. ETF charges start from 0.03% a year.
Watch out for: it’s ETFs only, no individual shares. Uninvested cash earns no return, and InvestEngine keeps any interest earned on it, so invest your cash promptly.
your capital is at risk.
4. XTB: best for a broad range and ISA cash interest
XTB a global broker with a UK Stocks & Shares ISA. XTB’s ISA page lists 0% commission on stocks and ETFs up to €100,000 of monthly trading volume, then 0.2% (minimum £10).
Why it stands out: account opening and maintenance are free for active clients, fractional shares start from £10, and it lists 4% AER on free ISA funds (promotional rates have varied).
Watch out for: a 0.5% FX fee may apply, and the ISA page we checked still quotes a 2024/25 allowance, so confirm current limits and cash rates before you sign up.
your capital is at risk.
5. IG: best for established, full-service investing
IG is a long-established broker. IG’s fees page says share dealing is commission-free on UK and US shares when you use its default instant FX conversion.
Why it stands out: a big name with a Share Dealing ISA, free electronic transfers in and out, and free deposits and withdrawals when no currency conversion is needed.
Watch out for: the standard FX fee is 0.7%. If you choose manual FX conversion, UK shares cost £3 a trade, and a commission-free offer can come with conditions, so read the small print. “Bed and ISA” is a paid service.
your money is at risk.
6. Freetrade: a simple alternative
Freetrade a commission-free app with a Stocks & Shares ISA. Its Basic plan is free, with a 0.99% FX fee; paid plans at £4.99 and £9.99 a month cut that to 0.59% and 0.39%. It lists 9,000+ investment choices and says there’s no minimum to open an ISA.
Watch out for: FX fees on the free plan are higher than several rivals above.
Zero-commission platforms at a glance
| Platform | Commission | ISA fee | FX fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading 212 | £0 | None stated | 0.15% |
| eToro | 0% in ISA; ETFs £0 | No custody fee (ISA) | Applies on non-GBP assets |
| InvestEngine | £0 (ETFs only) | None | None |
| XTB | 0% up to €100k a month | Free for active clients | 0.5% may apply |
| IG | £0 with instant FX | No general ISA fee listed | 0.7% |
| Freetrade | £0 | None on any plan | 0.99% / 0.59% / 0.39% |
How to pick the right one
Mostly buying UK shares and ETFs? Look closely at ETF-only platforms like InvestEngine or at Trading 212.
Buying lots of US shares? FX fees matter most, so compare those first. Want everything in one place with an established name? IG or XTB might suit. And whichever you choose, use a Stocks & Shares ISA first, as gains and dividends inside it are free from UK tax.
What to do next
- Decide what you’ll buy. ETFs only, or individual shares too?
- Compare FX and ISA terms. Read each platform’s current fee page.
- Check regulation. Confirm the firm is on the FCA Register.
- Open an ISA first. For example, via Trading 212’s ISA or any platform above, and use your £20,000 allowance before 5 April.
- Start small and automate. A regular monthly amount builds the habit.
Disclaimer: This article is for information and education 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 invest. MoneyMagpie may earn a commission from some links. Fees and rates are correct as at 28 October 2026 per each platform’s official website and are subject to change. Do your own research or speak to a regulated financial adviser.
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