A Stocks & Shares ISA lets you invest up to £20,000/year completely tax-free. Here are the best platforms for beginners — compared on fees, minimums, and ease of use.
| Platform | Min. investment | Fees | Best for | Key advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top pickTrading 212 | £1 | £0 (no commission) | Beginners | Zero fees, fractional shares, clean app |
| Vanguard | £100/month or £500 lump sum | 0.15% platform fee + fund fee | Low-cost index funds | Owned by investors, ultra-low ongoing costs |
| Hargreaves Lansdown | £25 | 0.45% platform fee + fund fee | Research & fund choice | Widest fund selection, best research tools |
Fees shown are platform fees only. Individual fund charges apply on top. Always check the latest fees on each platform before opening an account. Information accurate as of April 2026.
Choose Trading 212. With zero platform fees and no commission, it's the cheapest option for smaller portfolios. The £1 minimum means you can start immediately without saving up a lump sum. The app is intuitive and designed for beginners.
Choose Vanguard. Their platform only offers Vanguard funds, which simplifies the choice. The FTSE Global All Cap Index Fund gives you exposure to over 7,000 companies worldwide. The 0.15% platform fee is among the lowest in the UK for a fund platform.
Choose Hargreaves Lansdown. They offer thousands of funds, shares, investment trusts, and ETFs. Their research tools and fund ratings help you make informed decisions. Higher fees, but worth it if you want extensive choice and premium research.
Annual allowance
£20,000
Per tax year (April to April)
Tax on ISA growth
£0
No CGT, no dividend tax
The £20,000 allowance is shared across all ISA types (Cash, Stocks & Shares, Lifetime, Innovative Finance). You can split it however you like. Unused allowance does not carry over.
See how your ISA could grow over time with our free calculator.
Open ISA growth calculatorStart from £1 with zero commission. No platform fees on the Stocks & Shares ISA. FCA regulated with FSCS protection up to £85,000. Used by over 2 million UK investors.
Capital at risk. This is not financial advice. Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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