Free trading platforms have made it cheaper than ever to invest in stocks, ETFs, and more without paying account or commission fees. Most platforms in this space are genuinely free to join and trade on, though some costs, such as foreign exchange fees or inactivity charges, still apply depending on the provider.
We tested eight of the most widely used free trading platforms available to UK retail investors in 2026, with XTB ranked first.
Remember: Capital at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you invest.
Join The European Business Briefing
New subscribers this quarter are entered into a draw to win a Rolex Submariner. Join 40,000+ founders, investors and executives who read EBM every day.
SubscribeTL;DR:
- Free trading platforms vary significantly on hidden costs such as FX fees, inactivity charges, and custody fees
- XTB leads this ranking with zero-commission trading, no custody fee up to £250,000, and 4.00% interest on uninvested cash
- Account wrapper availability varies widely, with not all platforms offering an ISA or SIPP
- Regulatory protection levels differ across platforms, so FCA authorisation and FSCS coverage are worth checking before you invest
Our Review Methodology
We evaluated eight free trading platforms available to UK retail investors in 2026, gathering data from each provider’s published pricing pages, FCA registration records, and third-party review platforms including Forbes Advisor, Trustpilot, and Boring Money. Platforms were assessed against the following criteria:
- True cost of trading, including FX fees, inactivity charges, and custody fees
- Account wrapper availability (ISA, SIPP, GIA)
- Instrument range and asset class coverage
- Regulatory credentials and FSCS protection levels
- Third-party awards and independent validation
Compare 8 Best Free Trading Platforms in the UK [2026]
Here is a side-by-side breakdown of how all eight platforms compare across the criteria most relevant to cost-conscious UK retail investors.
| Rank | Platform | Min. Deposit | FX Fee | Demo Account | Regulations | Platforms | Standout Feature |
| 1 | XTB | £0 | 0.5% | ✅ | FCA (FRN 522157) | Web, Mobile | £0 commission up to €100k/month and no custody fee up to €250k |
| 2 | IG | £0 | 0.7% | ✅ | FCA (FRN 195355) | Web, Mobile, MT4 | 17,000+ markets |
| 3 | Capital.com | £0 | 0.7% | ✅ | FCA (FRN 793714) | Web, Mobile | AI-powered behavioural analysis |
| 4 | Freetrade | £0 | 0.99% | ❌ | FCA | Web, Mobile | Free SIPP on Basic plan |
| 5 | Trading 212 | £1 | 0.15% | ✅ | FCA | Web, Mobile | 13,000+ instruments |
| 6 | InvestEngine | £100 | 0% | ❌ | FCA | Web, Mobile | No FX fee |
| 7 | eToro | $50 (~£37) | 0.75% | ✅ | FCA | Web, Mobile | Social and copy trading |
| 8 | Interactive Investor | £0 | 0.25% to 0.75% | ❌ | FCA (FRN 141282) | Web, Mobile | Flat monthly fee |
1. XTB
XTB is the top-ranked free trading platform for UK retail investors, offering zero-commission trading on stocks and ETFs, no custody fee on portfolios up to €250,000, and interest on uninvested cash at 4.00% GBP p.a., a combination no direct competitor matches in full. FCA authorised (FRN 522157) and FSCS protected up to £120,000, XTB has operated for 20+ years and serves 2M+ investors globally.
Zero-commission trading, ISA and Cash ISA availability, and third-party recognition via the Boring Money Best for Low Cost ISA 2025 award make XTB the best free trading platform in the UK for 2026.
Pros:
- Zero commission on stocks and ETFs up to €100,000/month
- No custody fee on portfolios up to €250,000
- Both Stocks and Shares ISA and Cash ISA available
- 4.00% GBP p.a. interest on uninvested cash
- Free demo account for beginners
- 24/5 customer support
- Boring Money Best for Low Cost ISA 2025
Cons:
- Inactivity fee of £10/month after 365 days without activity
- 0.5% foreign exchange fee on non-GBP trades
Fees:
- Free: account opening, maintenance, deposits, withdrawals
- Free: stock and ETF trading up to €100,000/month (0.2%, min. £10 above that)
- Free: custody on portfolios up to €250,000 (0.02% p.a., min. £10 above that)
- 0.5% FX fee on non-GBP trades
- Inactivity fee: £10/month after 365 consecutive days without activity
- Minimum deposit: £0
- Minimum investment: £10
Instruments: 11,500 instruments in total, including 8,800+ stocks and ETFs across EU and US markets, 2,500+ CFD instruments spanning forex, commodities, and indices, plus Investment Plans for automated passive ETF investing. Both a Stocks and Shares ISA and a Cash ISA are available.
Platforms: xStation 5, available on web and mobile, with a free demo and training account included.
Best For: Cost-conscious UK retail investors building ISA portfolios up to €250,000 who want zero-commission trading, no custody fees, and interest on uninvested cash.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtb
Capital at risk. Investment values can rise or fall. 0% commission up to €100k/month. Other fees may apply.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 72% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
2. IG
IG is a London-headquartered share dealing and CFD platform established in 1974, offering commission-free trading on UK and US shares with no platform fee. As a FTSE 250 listed company, it carries strong financial credibility and serves 300,000+ clients across 17 countries. Its platform spans 11,000+ shares, 2,000+ ETFs, and 200 investment trusts, with access to spread betting, CFDs, ISA, and SIPP from a single account.
Pros:
- No platform fee
- No trading fees on UK and US shares
- Wide investment range including spread betting and CFDs
- ISA and SIPP available
- FTSE 250 listed company
Cons:
- No fractional share ownership
- Platform complexity less suited to beginners
- Share CFDs carry commission (0.1% UK, 2¢/share US)
Fees:
- Free: account opening and maintenance
- Free: online trading on UK and US shares
- No platform fee
- £50 per deal made over the phone
- Overseas exchange shares may carry additional dealing and exchange rate charges
- Minimum investment: £50
Instruments: 11,000+ UK, US, European, and Australian shares, 2,000+ ETFs, 200 investment trusts, and 17,000+ markets in total including spread betting markets and weekend trading.
Platforms: Web platform, mobile app, and MetaTrader 4.
Best For: Confident and experienced investors wanting advanced functionality, a wide investment range, and access to spread betting, CFDs, ISA, and SIPP from one platform.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/iggroup
3. Capital.com
Capital.com is a London-headquartered trading platform regulated in five jurisdictions including the FCA (FRN 793714), offering zero-commission stock and ETF dealing alongside CFD trading on a single platform. It operates across 180+ countries and processes $100 billion+ in monthly trading volumes. Its built-in AI-powered behavioural analysis tools and the free Investmate educational app make it accessible to newer traders alongside more active ones.
Pros:
- Zero-commission stock and ETF trading
- No account fees, inactivity fees, or withdrawal fees
- Competitive CFD spreads from 0.6 pips on EUR/USD
- Free Investmate educational app with structured courses
- Fast onboarding, approximately 20 minutes
Cons:
- No ISA or SIPP wrapper accounts
- No spread betting, CFDs only for leveraged trading
- Smaller instrument range than some alternatives
Fees:
- Free: account opening, maintenance, deposits, withdrawals
- Free: commission on real stock and ETF trades
- No inactivity fee
- FX conversion fee: approximately 0.5% on non-GBP instruments
- CFD spreads from 0.6 pips on EUR/USD
Instruments: Commission-free stocks and ETFs combined with a CFD range covering forex, indices, commodities, and other markets.
Platforms: Web platform and mobile app, with the separate Investmate educational app available.
Best For: Traders and investors who want zero-commission share dealing combined with CFD trading on one platform, without paying account fees of any kind.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/capital.com
4. Freetrade
Freetrade is a London-based investment platform founded in 2016, offering commission-free share and ETF trading across a Basic plan with no monthly fee. FCA authorised and FSCS protected to £85,000, it provides access to 7,000+ investment options including gilts and investment trusts. Its Basic plan includes ISA, SIPP, and GIA access, making it one of the few free-tier platforms to offer a pension wrapper at no cost.
Pros:
- No platform fees on Basic plan
- No trading fees on Basic plan
- ISA, SIPP, and GIA available on the free plan
- 7,000+ investment options including gilts and investment trusts
Cons:
- Foreign exchange fee of 0.99% on non-GBP trades
- Standard and Plus plans carry monthly fees of £4.99 and £9.99 respectively
Fees:
- Free: trading and platform fee on Basic plan
- Standard plan: £4.99/month
- Plus plan: £9.99/month
- FX fee: 0.99% on non-GBP trades
- Uninvested cash interest: 1% AER on up to £1,000 (Basic plan)
Instruments: 7,000+ stocks and shares, ETFs, investment trusts, gilts, and funds across UK and overseas markets.
Platforms: Mobile app and web platform.
Best For: UK investors who want a free ISA or SIPP with access to a wide range of investment types including gilts and funds, without paying a monthly fee.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/freetrade
5. Trading 212
Trading 212 is a London-headquartered investment platform founded in 2004, offering commission-free share and ETF trading with no platform fee. It serves 2 million clients and provides access to 13,000+ shares, investment trusts, and ETFs across UK, US, and European markets. Its 0.15% foreign exchange fee is among the lowest of any platform in this review, making it relevant for investors buying overseas shares.
Pros:
- No trading or platform fees
- 13,000+ investment options
- 0.15% foreign exchange fee
- Fractional shares available
- Community trading forum and demo account
Cons:
- Limited company information available on the app
- Limited research tools compared to some alternatives
Fees:
- Free: trading and platform fee
- FX fee: 0.15% on non-GBP trades
- Minimum investment: £1
Instruments: 13,000+ shares, investment trusts, and ETFs across UK, US, and European markets, with fractional shares available across supported assets.
Platforms: Mobile app and web platform, with TradingView charting integration.
Best For: Investors looking for a low-cost app, particularly those investing in overseas shares who want to minimise foreign exchange costs.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/trading212
6. InvestEngine
InvestEngine is a UK-based ETF investment platform founded in 2019, offering commission-free DIY ETF investing with no platform fee and no foreign exchange fee. FCA authorised and FSCS protected to £85,000, it provides access to 830+ ETFs covering bonds, shares, and commodities. Its auto-invest and portfolio rebalancing tools make it a functional option for passive, hands-off investors.
Pros:
- No platform fees on DIY investing
- No trading fees
- No foreign exchange fees
- 830+ ETFs with auto-invest and rebalancing tools
Cons:
- ETFs only, no direct shares, funds, or investment trusts
- No interest on uninvested cash
- Managed portfolios carry a 0.25% annual fee
Fees:
- Free: platform fee and trading fee on DIY investing
- No foreign exchange fee
- Managed portfolios: 0.25% annual fee
- Underlying ETF charges from 0.03% p.a. (levied by ETF provider)
- Minimum deposit: £1 per ETF order or £100 to open a portfolio
Instruments: 830+ ETFs covering bonds, shares, and commodities. No direct shares, funds, or investment trusts available.
Platforms: Web platform and mobile app, with auto-invest and portfolio rebalancing tools built in.
Best For: Passive investors who want a fully fee-free ETF-focused platform with auto-invest and rebalancing tools, and who do not need access to individual shares or funds.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/investengine
7. eToro
eToro is a Tel Aviv-headquartered trading platform founded in 2007, regulated by the FCA for UK users and serving approximately 40 million customers globally. It offers commission-free share and ETF trading alongside social and copy trading functionality, allowing investors to replicate the portfolios of other traders on the platform. Accounts are denominated in USD, and UK clients pay a 0.75% currency conversion fee on deposit unless they use the free eToro Money account.
Pros:
- No trading or platform fees
- Social and copy trading functionality
- Fractional shares available
- Advanced charting and company information
Cons:
- 0.75% currency conversion fee on deposits (unless eToro Money account used)
- $5 withdrawal fee on USD withdrawals
- More limited investment selection compared to some alternatives
Fees:
- Free: trading and account management fees
- FX/currency conversion fee: 0.75% on deposits (waived with free eToro Money account)
- Withdrawal fee: $5 on USD withdrawals
- Minimum investment: $10
Instruments: 5,500+ shares, 500+ ETFs, and a range of indices, with fractional shares available across supported assets.
Platforms: Mobile app and web platform.
Best For: Investors wanting a trading app with social and copy trading functionality, particularly those focused on US shares.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/etoro
8. Interactive Investor
Interactive Investor is a Manchester-based execution-only investment platform founded in 1995, operating on a flat monthly fee model that makes costs proportionally smaller as portfolios grow. FCA authorised (FRN 141282), it administers approaching £55 billion in assets for 400,000+ customers. Its Core plan at £5.99/month covers ISA and SIPP with no extra platform charge, and its free regular investing feature carries no dealing fee on monthly automated purchases.
Pros:
- Flat monthly fee rewards larger portfolios proportionally
- Free regular investing with no dealing fee on monthly purchases
- ISA and SIPP with no extra platform charge
- Wide range of UK and international investment options
Cons:
- £5.99/month subscription fee regardless of activity level
- Standard trades cost £3.99 each outside the free monthly allowance
- Fixed fee less cost-effective for very small portfolios
Fees:
- Core plan: £5.99/month (portfolio limit up to £100,000)
- Free: regular investing on monthly automated purchases
- Standard trades: £3.99 per trade outside free monthly allowance
- No extra platform charge for ISA or SIPP wrapper
Instruments: UK and international shares, funds, ETFs, and investment trusts, across ISA, SIPP, JISA, and general investment account wrappers.
Platforms: Web platform and mobile app, with virtual and ready-made portfolio tools available.
Best For: Investors with portfolios up to £100,000 who want a flat-fee ISA or SIPP with access to a wide range of investments and accounts, particularly those making regular monthly contributions.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/interactive-investor
Conclusion
XTB stands out as the best free trading platform for UK retail investors in 2026, combining zero-commission trading, no custody fee on portfolios up to €250,000, and 4.00% GBP p.a. interest on uninvested cash in a single, FCA-regulated package.
No other platform in this review matches that combination in full. For investors at any stage, from those just starting out to those building a sizeable ISA, XTB delivers the strongest overall value proposition on the market.
FAQ
What is a free trading platform?
A free trading platform is an app or website that does not charge account-opening, platform, or trading fees, though some costs such as foreign exchange fees or inactivity charges may still apply depending on the provider.
Which free trading platform is best for UK investors?
XTB is the top-ranked free trading platform for UK retail investors in 2026, offering zero-commission trading on stocks and ETFs, no custody fee on portfolios up to €250,000, and both a Stocks and Shares ISA and a Cash ISA.
Are free trading platforms safe to use?
Most reputable free trading platforms operating in the UK are authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority and covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, which protects eligible deposits and investments up to a specified limit in the event of a firm’s failure.
What fees should I look out for on a free trading platform?
The most common charges to check are foreign exchange fees on overseas trades, inactivity fees for dormant accounts, withdrawal fees, and custody or platform fees that may apply above a certain portfolio size.
