FTSE 100 Oil Exposure in 2026: How Much Crude Do You Own?
[…]
Best Stocks and Shares ISAs 2026
Best Stocks and Shares
ISAs 2026
Check out our list of Best Stocks and Shares ISAs and choose the perfect provider for you this tax year!
Check out our list of Best Stocks and Shares ISAs and choose the perfect provider for you this tax year!
Check out our list of Best Stocks and Shares ISAs and choose the perfect provider for you this tax year!
1. Learn more about ISAs
2. Choose the best Stocks and Shares ISA platform that suits your needs
3. Read the short YWM key points
4. Visit your chosen platform and open an account
*You can have more than one ISA account, as long as you don’t exceed your £20,000 allowance in any given tax year.
Since April 2024, you are able to open multiple ISAs of the same type; however, the ISA allowance remains unchanged.
Which Stocks and Shares ISA is right for you?
Short on time? These are our picks by situation. Every fee behind them is checked against the provider's own published pricing, and the full comparison of all twelve sits further down this page.
Best for beginners starting small
Trading 212
Trading 212
No account fee, commission-free share dealing and you can start from just £1. The ISA is flexible, so withdrawals can be replaced in the same tax year.
Best for low-cost overseas shares
Lightyear
Lightyear
No platform fee, free share and fund dealing, and 0.10% currency conversion. That is the lowest FX charge of any fee-free platform in our table.
Best hands-off managed ISA
eToro, powered by Moneyfarm
eToro, powered by Moneyfarm
A risk-rated portfolio built and managed for you, with no minimum to open and a flexible wrapper. Most managed rivals ask for £500 to start and are not flexible.
Best for frequent US share dealing
Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers
Currency conversion of roughly 0.03% is far below anyone else here, which adds up if you buy US shares often. Best suited to confident investors, as the platform is complex.
Best for ETF-only investing
InvestEngine
InvestEngine
No account fee on the DIY plan, free dealing and no currency conversion charge at all. The trade-off is that you can only hold ETFs.
Best for larger fund portfolios
Interactive Investor
Interactive Investor
A flat monthly fee rather than a percentage, so your costs stop climbing as your portfolio grows. Fund dealing is £1.49, or free on the higher plans.
Still weighing it up? Our Find My Broker matcher narrows it down in about a minute. Your capital is at risk, and this is general information rather than personal advice.
Which ISA is cheapest for your portfolio size?
The cheapest Stocks and Shares ISA is not the same at every balance. Percentage fees barely register on a small pot but compound as it grows, while flat fees and monthly minimums work the other way round. Below is what each band actually costs a year in platform charges, using the same verified figures as the full comparison table.
Under £10,000
Lightyear, Trading 212 or InvestEngine
£0 a year in platform fees
At this size the percentage charges are almost irrelevant. AJ Bell takes 0.25%, which is £12.50 a year on £5,000, and Hargreaves Lansdown takes 0.35%, or £17.50. What actually hurts is a flat fee or a monthly minimum, because it lands whatever your balance.
Vanguard charges £4 a month below £32,000, so £48 a year. On a £5,000 pot that is 0.96%, roughly four times AJ Bell's percentage rate. Interactive investor's Core plan at £71.88 a year works out at 1.44%. Neither is a bad platform, they are simply the wrong shape for a small balance.
Dealing costs matter more here too. If you are paying in monthly, look for free regular investing rather than the lowest headline percentage.
£10,000 to £30,000
Still the fee-free platforms, with Vanguard the cheapest full fund platform
£0, or £48 a year at Vanguard
This is where Vanguard's £48 minimum stops being a penalty and starts being a bargain. Because it is flat below £32,000, the effective rate falls as you pay in: 0.48% at £10,000, but 0.16% at £30,000.
The crossover against AJ Bell sits at £19,200. Below that, AJ Bell's 0.25% on funds costs less than Vanguard's £48. Above it, Vanguard is cheaper and stays cheaper. Against Hargreaves Lansdown's 0.35% the crossover comes earlier, at around £13,700.
Interactive investor's £71.88 is still more than both at this size. It becomes competitive in the next band, not this one.
£30,000 to £100,000
Capped and flat fees start to win
£42 to £150 a year, against £175 or more on percentage pricing
Above £32,000 Vanguard switches from £4 a month to 0.15% a year, so the bill starts climbing again: £75 at £50,000 and £150 at £100,000. That is the point at which caps and flat fees take over.
Two crossovers matter here. AJ Bell caps its charge on shares and ETFs at £3.50 a month, so £42 a year however large the pot, which beats Vanguard's 0.15% above roughly £28,000. And interactive investor's £71.88 flat fee beats Vanguard's percentage above roughly £48,000.
Hargreaves Lansdown caps shares and ETFs at £150 a year, which it reaches at about £43,000. On funds there is no cap, so 0.35% on £100,000 is £350 a year.
| Platform fee on £50,000 | A year |
|---|---|
| Lightyear, Trading 212, InvestEngine | £0 |
| AJ Bell, shares and ETFs (capped) | £42 |
| Saxo, 0.12% custody | £60 |
| Interactive investor, Core plan | £71.88 |
| Vanguard, 0.15% | £75 |
| AJ Bell, funds at 0.25% | £125 |
| Hargreaves Lansdown, shares (capped) | £150 |
| Hargreaves Lansdown, funds at 0.35% | £175 |
Over £100,000
Capped fees win outright
£42 to £180 a year, against £525 on uncapped percentage pricing
Percentage pricing becomes expensive fast at this level. On a £150,000 fund portfolio, Hargreaves Lansdown charges £525 a year and AJ Bell £375, while Vanguard's 0.15% comes to £225. Vanguard's own cap of £375 does not bite until £250,000.
Anything capped or flat pulls well ahead. AJ Bell still charges just £42 a year on a shares and ETFs portfolio of any size, and Hargreaves Lansdown £150. One detail to watch on interactive investor: the Core plan only covers balances up to £100,000, so above that you move to the Plus plan at £14.99 a month, or £179.88 a year, which is still less than most percentage platforms.
| Platform fee on £150,000 | A year |
|---|---|
| Lightyear, Trading 212, InvestEngine | £0 |
| AJ Bell, shares and ETFs (capped) | £42 |
| Hargreaves Lansdown, shares (capped) | £150 |
| Interactive investor, Plus plan | £179.88 |
| Saxo, 0.12% custody | £180 |
| Vanguard, 0.15% | £225 |
| AJ Bell, funds at 0.25% | £375 |
| Hargreaves Lansdown, funds at 0.35% | £525 |
Cheapest is not always the right answer. The fee-free platforms charge nothing to hold your investments, but they are narrower: Trading 212 offers no funds, InvestEngine covers ETFs only, and none of them match the research and fund range of the established names. Fund charges of roughly 0.06% to 0.79% a year also sit on top of every figure above, and on a cheap tracker those often cost more than the platform itself. Work out what you want to hold first, then find the cheapest platform that holds it. Our broker fees calculator will run the numbers for your own balance.
But first, what is a Stocks and Shares ISA?
A Stocks and Shares ISA, or Individual Savings Account, is a financial tool enabling you to invest in stocks and shares, offering autonomy in shaping your investment portfolio.
Unlike other ISAs with predetermined options, it empowers you to choose specific stocks and shares aligned with your risk tolerance and financial objectives. Managing your Stocks and Shares ISA yourself can be a cheaper alternative in addition to the tax advantages, which shield your potential gains from Capital Gains Tax, Income Tax, and Dividend Tax.
With a significant annual allowance of £20,000, you can diversify your investments each year across various ISA types.
E.g. you can have two stocks and shares ISA accounts with two different providers, so you can split your annual allowance between them.
Remember that while offering potential for higher returns, prudent diversification is crucial to managing inherent risks associated with stock price fluctuations.
For more useful information on investing, check out our 5-minute article on stock investing.
Are Stocks and Shares ISAs safe?
All Stocks and Shares ISAs are safe to save and invest in. The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulates and authorizes ISA providers to ensure your money is protected. If you’re ever unsure about an ISA provider’s credentials, check the FCA register for verification.
Your ISA money is also covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which offers up to £85,000 of protection in case of the ISA provider’s insolvency. Additionally, your investments are held separately at major banks, held in your name, and can only be accessed by you.
It’s important to note that even though ISAs offer regulatory safety, potential losses cannot be eliminated.
However, a long-term investment strategy can help mitigate risks and maximize potential gains over time.
Best Stocks and Shares ISAs 2026
Every figure below was checked against each provider's own published pricing. Where a provider does not publish a number, we have used a third-party source and marked it with a circle.
Worth knowing: four of the twelve providers below do not offer a flexible ISA, and they include several of the best known names. With a non-flexible ISA, anything you withdraw still counts against your £20,000 allowance for that tax year, even if you pay it straight back in.
Swipe sideways to see every column.
| Provider | ISA account fee | UK and US shares | Funds | FX fee | Minimum | Flexible ISA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lightyear | £0 | Free | Free | 0.10% | None | Yes |
| Trading 212 | £0 | Free | No funds offered | 0.15% | £1 | Yes |
| InvestEngine | £0 (DIY) | ETFs only | Free | Free | None | Yes |
| XTB | £0 below €250k | Free to €100k a month, then 0.2% | No funds offered | 0.50% | None | Yes |
| eToro (powered by Moneyfarm) | 0.35%, capped £45 a year ○ | £3.95 per trade ○ | Available | 0.70% ○ | None | Yes |
| Interactive Brokers | £3 a month activity fee | From £3 UK, USD 0.005 per share | £0 to £4.95 | Around 0.03% | None | Not stated |
| Saxo | 0.12% custody, 0.05% on funds | From 0.08% | Free to trade | 0.60% | None | Yes |
| AJ Bell | 0.25%, shares capped £3.50 a month | £3.50 to £5.00 | £1.50 | 0.75% tiered | £250 or £25 a month | No |
| Hargreaves Lansdown | 0.35%, shares capped £150 a year | £6.95, or £3.95 above 20 trades | £1.95 | 0.99% | £100 or £25 a month | No |
| Interactive Investor | £5.99 to £39.99 a month | £3.99, or £2.99 on higher plans | £1.49, or free on higher plans | 0.75% down to 0.25% | None | No |
| Vanguard | £4 a month under £32k, then 0.15%, capped £375 | Own funds only | Free | Not applicable | £500 or £100 a month | Yes |
| J.P. Morgan Personal Investing | 0.75% to £100k, 0.35% above | Managed portfolios | Managed portfolios | Not applicable | £500 | No |
- ○ Taken from a third-party source because the provider does not publish the figure on its own pricing pages.
- Saxo figures are the Classic tier rates that apply to most retail investors. Platinum and VIP clients pay less on both custody and currency conversion.
- Vanguard and J.P. Morgan show no FX fee because neither offers direct overseas share dealing inside the ISA.
- Percentage account fees are charged annually unless stated otherwise.
Fees last verified: 27 July 2026. Providers change their pricing regularly, so please confirm the current rate on the provider's own site before opening an account.
How we compare Stocks and Shares ISAs
We want you to be able to check every number in the table above, so here is exactly how we put it together.
What we measure
Six costs decide what a Stocks and Shares ISA really charges you: the annual account or custody fee, share dealing commission, fund dealing charges, the currency conversion fee on overseas holdings, the minimum needed to start, and whether the ISA is flexible.
Where the figures come from
Our first source is always the provider's own published pricing page. If a provider does not publish a figure, or renders it in a way we cannot verify, we use an independent third party, corroborate it across at least two sources, and mark it in the table.
What we leave out
We exclude temporary promotions, welcome bonuses and cashback offers, because they do not reflect the long-term cost of holding an ISA. Interest paid on uninvested cash, exit fees and transfer charges are covered in our individual broker reviews instead.
Standard rates only
Where a provider runs tiered pricing, we show the entry-level tier that applies to most retail investors rather than the headline rate reserved for large or high-volume accounts. Discounted tiers are noted underneath the table.
How often we check
The full table is re-verified at least once a quarter and again whenever a provider announces a pricing change. The date it was last checked is shown directly beneath the table.
Our independence
Some links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no cost to you. This never affects which providers we include, how we order them, or the fees we report. If we get something wrong, tell us and we will correct it.
This page is general information, not personal financial advice. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and ISA rules can change. Your capital is at risk and you may get back less than you put in.
Interactive Brokers
XTB UK
Trading 212
Start your investing journey now!
Your capital is at risk. Not investment advice.
eToro
Start your investing journey now!
Your capital is at risk. ISA powered by Moneyfarm.
InvestEngine
Nutmeg now J.P. Morgan Personal Investing
AJ Bell
Vanguard
Hargreaves Lansdown
Interactive Investor
Lightyear
Saxo
Stocks and Shares ISA questions, answered
How much can I pay into a Stocks and Shares ISA in 2026/27?
£20,000 across all of your ISAs combined, not £20,000 per account. The allowance resets on 6 April each year and anything you do not use is lost rather than carried forward.
One change worth planning around: from 6 April 2027 the Cash ISA allowance drops to £12,000 for anyone under 65, while the Stocks and Shares ISA allowance stays at the full £20,000. That makes 2026/27 the last tax year in which the cash allowance is £20,000 for everyone.
Can I have more than one Stocks and Shares ISA?
Yes. Since April 2024 you can open and pay into several ISAs of the same type within a single tax year, provided your total contributions stay inside the £20,000 limit. Lifetime ISAs are the exception, as you can still only pay into one per tax year, capped at £4,000.
What is a flexible ISA, and does it matter?
A flexible ISA lets you take money out and pay it back in during the same tax year without using up any more of your allowance. With a non-flexible ISA, once you withdraw, that slice of your allowance is gone until April.
Four of the twelve providers in our table are not flexible, and they include several of the best known names, so it is worth checking before you commit.
Can I transfer an ISA I already have?
Yes, and you should always use the new provider's official transfer process rather than withdrawing the money yourself. A proper transfer keeps the tax wrapper intact, whereas taking the cash out and paying it back in eats into this year's allowance. Check for exit fees first, as some platforms charge per holding.
Do I pay tax on a Stocks and Shares ISA?
No UK Capital Gains Tax on your profits, and no tax on dividends or interest earned inside the wrapper. There is nothing to declare on a tax return either.
One exception catches people out: dividends from US shares still have withholding tax taken at source, usually 15% once you have completed a W-8BEN form with your provider. An ISA does not shelter you from that.
What happens if my provider goes out of business?
Every provider in our table is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority, and eligible claims are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme up to £85,000 per person per firm. That protects you if the firm itself fails.
It does not protect you against your investments falling in value, which is a normal part of investing and not something any compensation scheme covers.
Which Stocks and Shares ISA is cheapest?
It depends on how much you hold and how often you trade. Percentage-based fees usually work out cheaper on smaller balances, while a flat monthly fee wins once your portfolio grows. Currency conversion matters more than most people expect if you buy overseas shares.
The comparison table above shows every charge side by side, and our Broker Fees Calculator works it out on your own numbers.
Can I transfer my existing ISA to a new provider?
Yes, and it is the most common way people end up on a better platform. You can move all or part of an ISA to any provider in the table above, at any time, and it does not touch your £20,000 allowance for the year.
One rule matters more than the rest. Never withdraw the money and pay it in somewhere else. That is a new subscription, not a transfer, and anything above £20,000 loses its tax-free status permanently. Always fill in the receiving provider's ISA transfer form and let them do the work.
Does it use up my allowance?
No. Transfers are not subscriptions. You could move £80,000 built up over several years and still have the full £20,000 to pay in this tax year.
Can I move just part of it?
Yes. GOV.UK allows partial transfers, including of money paid in this tax year since the April 2024 rule change. Some providers still ask for the current year to move as a whole, which is their policy rather than the law.
How long does it take?
No more than 15 working days between two cash ISAs, and no more than 30 calendar days for everything else, including stocks and shares transfers. Your money stays tax-free while it moves.
Will I be out of the market?
Only on a cash transfer, where your holdings are sold first. An in specie transfer moves the investments themselves without selling, so you stay invested, though it takes longer.
What does it cost?
Transferring in is free at every provider in our table, and most charge nothing to leave. Watch for per holding exit charges at a few platforms, and interest penalties on fixed rate cash ISAs.
Can I switch between cash and investments?
Yes, in both directions today. Note that proposals announced in the November 2025 Budget would stop transfers from stocks and shares ISAs into cash ISAs from April 2027.
Our full guide to ISA transfer rules covers the process step by step, including partial and full transfers, in specie moves, typical timescales and the five mistakes that actually cost money.
Two free tools to narrow it down
Find My Broker
Answer a few short questions about how you plan to invest and see which platforms actually fit. Takes about a minute.
Match me with a broker
UK Broker Fees Calculator
Enter your portfolio size and how often you trade to see what each platform would really charge you over a year.
Work out my fees
Closing thoughts on Stocks and Shares ISAs
Opting for a tax-efficient account is crucial for safeguarding your investment portfolio against capital gains or dividends tax. However, it’s vital to identify the most cost-effective stocks and shares ISA. Otherwise, the savings gained from tax benefits might be offset by platform fees.
Knowing your investor profile is key in selecting the most economical stocks and shares ISA to maximize your £20,000 annual allowance.
We trust this article has offered insights into the available options in the UK.
Be sure to check out the brokers we have reviewed for you to make the best decision for your investment style and strategy.
Check out our recommended brokers
How we rank and review providers
Every provider on this page is assessed the same way, so you can see what this ranking is actually based on before acting on it.
What we assess
Six criteria, applied to every provider: cost, safety and regulation, investment range, platform experience, account options, and support and education.
Where the information comes from
Fee schedules, key features documents, terms and conditions, and the FCA Register, rather than marketing pages. We have also used several of the platforms ourselves.
How often we check it
At least once a quarter, and sooner when a provider changes its charges or launches a new account type.
How the order is decided
By how well each provider fits what our readers need. Commercial relationships do not determine the order, or what we write, and some providers here pay us nothing.
Every provider we feature is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. Our methodology sets out each criterion, where our information comes from, and how we make money.
Read our review methodology
