As a UK resident, you have access to some of the most attractive long-term investment incentives available anywhere in the world. The ability to invest without paying tax on dividends, interest, or capital gains can be the difference between retiring in 20 years versus 25 – and with the Capital Gains Tax allowance now cut to just £3,000, sheltering your investments inside an ISA matters more than ever.
The good news: eToro does offer a Stocks and Shares ISA, provided through a partnership with Moneyfarm, an FCA-regulated digital wealth manager with over £6 billion in assets under management. Since first launching the partnership, eToro has expanded its ISA range to three products, all powered by Moneyfarm and accessible through the eToro app:
- Cash ISA – earn tax-free interest on your savings, with no platform fee for holding cash. Best for short-term goals or parking cash.
- Stocks & Shares ISA (DIY) – build your own portfolio from 1,000+ UK and US stocks, ETFs, bonds, and mutual funds. Best for hands-on investors who want control.
- Managed ISA – Moneyfarm’s experts build and manage a globally diversified, risk-matched portfolio for you. Best for hands-off investors.
All three are flexible ISAs (you can withdraw and replace funds within the same tax year without losing allowance) and are FSCS protected up to £85,000. Your ISA holdings also count toward your eToro Club tier. One important caveat: the eToro ISA does not support crypto or copy trading – crypto cannot be held in any ISA under current HMRC rules.
Still, there are other platforms that also offer a Stocks and Shares ISA and will explore them in this article. Let’s jump right into it!
What is an ISA, and what are its main benefits?
The acronym ISA stands for Individual Savings Account. It’s a tax-efficient wrapper that lets UK residents invest without paying tax on dividends, interest, or capital gains, with an annual allowance of £20,000 per tax year (the maximum you can pay in across all your ISAs combined).
This means you pay no tax on any dividends, interest, or capital gains realised within the account, no matter how large your ISA grows over time. As the old saying goes, nothing is certain except death and taxes – with an ISA, you can’t cheat death, but you can shelter a lot from the taxman.
There are four main types of ISA:
- Cash ISA: pays tax-free interest, similar to a savings account. Best for capital protection or money you may need in the near future.
- Stocks and Shares ISA: for investing in the capital markets (stocks, ETFs, funds, bonds) with long-term goals in mind. This is the type most relevant if you’re investing through eToro.
- Lifetime ISA (LISA): designed for first-home buyers (or retirement from age 60). The government adds a 25% bonus on contributions, but you can only pay in up to £4,000 per year (which counts toward your overall £20,000 allowance), and there are penalties for unauthorised withdrawals.
- Innovative Finance ISA (IFISA): for alternative investments like peer-to-peer (P2P) lending, which matches investors with borrowers. As of 6 April 2026, certain cryptoasset ETNs also became eligible for the IFISA.
You can split your £20,000 allowance across different ISA types in the same tax year – for example, some in a Cash ISA and some in a Stocks and Shares ISA. Note that crypto held directly cannot be placed in any ISA under current HMRC rules.
eToro ISA alternatives in the UK
All options presented below have Stocks and Shares ISA (some of the other ISA types are also available). Our selection criteria involved fees, platform interface, years in the market and customer support. Here are our top picks:
Interactive Brokers
Founded in 1978, IBKR is one of the world’s most trustworthy brokers worldwide. It offers a Stocks and Shares ISA with a minimum monthly activity fee is £3 (if you generate a £3 in commission per month, no fee is applicable) and no minimum deposit. More on Interactive Brokers ISA here.
💡 Interactive Brokers also launched IBKR GlobalTrader, a modern mobile trading app to trade Stocks, Options and ETFs, ideal for novice investors.
XTB
Founded in 2002, XTB is a major player in the brokerage industry with extensive worldwide experience, regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). It offers a flexible Stocks & Shares ISA with 0% commissions in stocks and ETFs plus interest on uninvested GBPs (calculated daily and paid out monthly).
Interactive Investor
An investment platform offering two types of ISAs: Stocks and Shares, and Junior. It charges a monthly fee starting from £4.99. More on Interactive Investor ISA here.
Hargreaves Lansdown
With over 1.8 million clients and +40 years of experience, it offers several ways to save and invest your money. It provides Stocks and Shares, Lifetime and Junior ISAs. Details on Hargreaves Lansdown ISAs here.
Vanguard
The second biggest asset manager in the world with +40 years in the business. The Stocks and Shares ISA charges a 0.15% annual fee for a starting amount of £500. Read the details of Vanguard’s ISA offering here.
All the platforms above are authorised and regulated by The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and their clients’ accounts are fully protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). If something happens to the firm you are using and you cannot receive your investments, FSCS should step in to pay compensation up to £85,000 per investor per account.
#1 Interactive Brokers
IB at a glance
Founded in 1978 and publicly listed on NASDAQ (ticker: IBKR), Interactive Brokers is one of the largest and most established global online brokers. Over its 45+ year history, the company has weathered multiple financial crises and built a reputation for resilience, rigorous risk management, and one of the broadest product ranges in the industry.
The Interactive Brokers UK Stocks and Shares ISA (IBUK ISA) gives you access to global markets through a tax-efficient wrapper. Commissions start from just £3 per trade for UK and most European stocks, and $0.005 per share for US stocks (Fixed pricing; Tiered pricing goes as low as $0.0005 per share for high-volume traders). You can also invest in fractional shares of US stocks, allowing you to buy partial shares of higher-priced names like Amazon, Apple, or NVIDIA – confirmed as ISA-eligible under HMRC’s November 2024 rules.
The IBUK ISA has a minimum monthly activity fee of £3, which is deducted from your transaction fees rather than added to them – so if you place £3 or more in trades in a given month, you pay nothing extra. The account has no custody fees, no platform fees, and no account opening fees. Users also get one free withdrawal per month, with subsequent withdrawals typically £7.
Other standout features include a currency conversion fee of just 0.03% (one of the lowest among UK brokers, and especially relevant since US stocks are priced in USD) and competitive interest on uninvested GBP cash.
On safety, Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Limited is authorised and regulated by the FCA, with client assets protected by the FSCS up to £85,000. Some IBUK clients also have positions held through IBKR’s US affiliate Interactive Brokers LLC (regulated by the SEC and CFTC, and a member of SIPC), where protection can extend up to $500,000 (with a $250,000 cash sub-limit).
Interactive Brokers also offers IBKR GlobalTrader, a modern mobile app for trading stocks, ETFs, and options – ideal for beginners. Features include automatic currency conversion, fractional shares, and a demo account. For more advanced investors, the main IBKR Mobile app and Trader Workstation (TWS) provide professional-grade tools.
#2 XTB
XTB at a glance
69-80% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
XTB is a Polish global investment firm founded in 2002, publicly listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (ticker: XTB) since 2016, and serving over 2.5 million clients worldwide. XTB UK is regulated by the FCA and offers a comprehensive range of products including stocks, ETFs, forex, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies (via CFDs).
Launched in 2024, XTB’s Stocks & Shares ISA is a tax-efficient account available to UK residents, giving access to over 8,800 stocks and ETFs across 14+ global exchanges, including the London Stock Exchange, NYSE, NASDAQ, and Deutsche Börse. All dividends, interest, and capital gains are sheltered from UK tax inside the wrapper.
XTB’s ISA pricing is genuinely competitive:
- Free account opening and maintenance, with no platform fees on the ISA.
- 0% commission on stocks and ETFs for monthly trading volume up to €100,000; above this, a 0.2% commission applies (£10 minimum).
- 0.5% currency conversion fee on trades in foreign currencies.
- Fractional shares from just £10.
- Up to 4.00% AER interest on uninvested GBP cash within the ISA (as of May 2026, variable; calculated daily, paid monthly) – among the highest cash rates on any UK Stocks & Shares ISA.
- Flexible ISA structure – withdraw and replace funds within the same tax year without affecting your allowance.
The annual ISA allowance for the 2026/27 tax year is £20,000. XTB also offers a separate Cash ISA, so UK clients can hold both wrappers on the same platform.
On safety, XTB UK Ltd is authorised and regulated by the FCA, with client assets protected by the FSCS up to a £120,000 limit (XTB tops up the standard £85,000 FSCS coverage with an additional £35,000 of insurance). The main limitations: XTB does not offer mutual funds, bonds, or a SIPP.
#3 Interactive Investor
II at a glance
Disclaimer: As investment values can go down as well as up, you may not get back all of the money you invest. If you’re unsure if an investment account is right for you, please speak to an authorised financial adviser. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future.
Founded in 1995, Interactive Investor (ii) is one of the UK’s longest-established investment platforms. With over 500,000 customers and approximately £90 billion in assets under administration, it’s the UK’s largest flat-fee platform – you pay a fixed monthly subscription rather than a percentage of your portfolio, which becomes increasingly cost-effective as your wealth grows.
On 1 February 2026, ii overhauled its pricing, replacing the previous Investor Essentials, Investor, and Super Investor plans with three new tiers. Crucially, every plan now includes a Stocks & Shares ISA, SIPP, and General Investment Account on a single subscription:
- Core – £5.99/month (portfolios up to £100,000): UK and US trades at £3.99, fund trades £3.99. Best for most investors.
- Plus – £14.99/month (no investment limit): one free monthly trade, fund trades £1.49, fee-free accounts for up to 5 family members, unlimited free Junior ISAs.
- Premium – £39.99/month: two free monthly trades, free fund trades, UK and US shares at £2.99, flat 0.25% FX fee.
Regardless of plan, all customers can use ii’s regular investing service from as little as £25 per month with no dealing fees – just set up a direct debit and your contributions are invested automatically, free of trading charges.
ii offers one of the widest investment ranges of any UK platform (40,000+ options including UK and international shares, funds, investment trusts, ETFs, and bonds). Other ISA features include a Junior ISA, a Bed & ISA service (sell investments in a taxable account and rebuy them inside your ISA), and ethical investing options via ii’s ACE 40 list. ii is FCA-regulated, with FSCS protection up to £85,000.
#4 Hargreaves Lansdown
HL at a glance
Founded in 1981, Hargreaves Lansdown (HL) is the UK’s largest investment platform for individual investors, serving over 2 million clients with approximately £172 billion in assets under administration. It’s listed in the FTSE 100 (ticker: HL.) and is widely regarded as one of the strongest brands in UK retail investing, known for its research, service, and educational content.
On 1 March 2026, HL restructured its fees. The current Stocks and Shares ISA charges are:
- Funds: 0.35% on the first £250,000 (down from 0.45%), tapering to 0.25% (£250k-£1m), 0.10% (£1m-£2m), and 0% above £2m.
- Shares, ETFs, investment trusts, bonds, gilts, VCTs: 0.35% on the first £250,000, capped at £150 per year (up from the previous £45 cap).
Dealing charges are £6.95 per trade for UK and US shares, ETFs, and investment trusts (down from £11.95), with a new £1.95 fund dealing fee (funds were previously free to trade). The regular investing service remains free for selected shares, investment trusts, and ETFs bought via monthly Direct Debit from £25/month.
The changes are mixed in impact: fund investors benefit from the lower platform fee but now pay £1.95 per fund trade, while share and ETF investors can pay more because the annual cap tripled from £45 to £150. Active traders benefit from the reduced £6.95 dealing charge.
You can open a Stocks and Shares ISA with HL in two ways:
- Do-it-yourself: manage your own account with access to over 10,000 investments (UK and overseas shares, ETFs, investment trusts, funds, bonds, gilts). Minimum £100 lump sum or £25/month via Direct Debit.
- Ready-made investments: choose from HL’s curated portfolios designed by their investment team, sorted by risk level. Minimum £100.
HL is FCA-regulated, with client assets protected by the FSCS up to £85,000. It also offers a Lifetime ISA, Junior ISA, Cash ISA, and SIPP. The platform remains more expensive than discount competitors, so its premium pricing is justified mainly by breadth of investments, research quality, and brand strength rather than headline cost.
#5 Vanguard
Vanguard at a glance
Founded by Jack Bogle in 1975, Vanguard is one of the world’s most respected asset management firms, with over $10 trillion in global assets. It pioneered the low-cost index fund and is uniquely investor-owned – it has no outside shareholders, so its interests are structurally aligned with its clients. Vanguard’s UK platform launched in 2017, offering its own funds and ETFs through a Stocks and Shares ISA, SIPP, and General Investment Account.
Important fee change: Vanguard introduced a £4 minimum monthly account fee (£48/year) for self-managed accounts with balances under £32,000. Above that, the standard 0.15% annual account fee applies, capped at £375. In practice:
- Under £32,000: £4/month flat fee.
- £32,000-£250,000: 0.15% annual fee.
- Over £250,000: 0.15% capped at £375/year.
- The £4 minimum does not apply to Junior ISAs or Managed ISAs.
There are no dealing fees for Vanguard funds; a £7.50 fee applies only to the optional “Quote and Deal” real-time ETF service (standard ETF orders at the daily aggregated price are free). You can invest through the LifeStrategy and Target Retirement ranges or build your own portfolio from Vanguard’s funds and ETFs, with ongoing fund charges (OCFs) averaging around 0.17%-0.20%.
You can get started with just £100 lump sum or £25 per month. The main limitation: Vanguard is a closed platform – you can only invest in Vanguard’s own funds and ETFs, with no individual stocks, investment trusts, or third-party funds. It’s ideal for long-term passive investors but unsuitable for stock pickers. Vanguard is FCA-regulated with FSCS protection up to £85,000. For portfolios of £32,000 or more it’s one of the lowest-cost ISA providers available; for smaller balances, the £4 monthly minimum makes alternatives like InvestEngine or Trading 212 worth considering.
Which broker should I choose for my ISA?
This is a question we can’t answer for a general audience – the best ISA provider for you depends on your personal priorities. Are low fees your main concern? Do you value the platform’s interface and ease of use? Or is customer support your number one priority? The right choice looks different for a hands-off investor who wants a managed portfolio versus an active investor building their own.
As a quick recap of the options covered above:
- eToro (powered by Moneyfarm) – good for existing eToro users who want Cash, DIY, or Managed ISA options in one app.
- Interactive Brokers – best for global market access, the lowest FX fees (0.03%), and low per-trade costs.
- XTB – strong for 0% commission investing, fractional shares from £10, and high cash interest, with £120,000 FSCS protection.
- Interactive Investor – ideal for larger portfolios thanks to its flat-fee structure (ISA + SIPP + GIA on one subscription).
- Hargreaves Lansdown – the premium all-rounder, with the widest investment range and strong research and service.
- Vanguard – the cheapest option for £32,000+ portfolios focused on low-cost index funds.
The wide range of choice makes the UK ISA market genuinely competitive – which works in your favour as an investor. Explore the providers above and decide which best fits your needs. If you need further guidance or have questions, feel free to reach out to us. We wish you the best on your investment journey!
FAQs
Who can open an ISA?
Any resident in the UK with 18+ years old can open a Stocks and Shares or Innovative Finance ISA. For Cash ISA, you only need to be 16 or older, and for Lifetime ISA, you must be at least, 18 or over but under 40 years old.
Can I withdraw money from a Stocks and Shares ISA?
Yes, you can withdraw money from it. Still, you need to know if your ISA is flexible or non-flexible. Any money withdrawal will not affect your annual allowance in a flexible ISA. For example, if you invest the full £20,000 of annual allowance in a single year and decide to withdraw £5,000 for whatever reason, you can put the £5,000 back into your ISA within the same fiscal year. However, within a non-flexible ISA, you would lose those £5,000 of the annual allowance, so you could not put back the £5,000 (you would need to wait for the following fiscal year).
Does Capital.com have an ISA?
No, Capital.com also doesn’t have an ISA.
What fees can I find in an ISA?
The fees directly associated with each provider can be management fees (some providers like Interactive Brokers do not charge this fee), dealing costs (when trading inside the ISA), and ISA transfer fees.
What’s the financial/tax year for ISAs?
The tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April of the following year.
Is the £20,000 ISA annual allowance carried forward?
No, it is not. If you do not make the most out of your ISA allowance before the end of the tax year, it will be gone. You cannot carry forward part of your ISA allowance from one year to the next. So it may make sense to maximise the amount of money you deposit in your ISA each year.
Can I have more than one Stocks and Shares ISA?
Yes, you can. However, you can only fund one Stocks and Shares ISA each tax year.
Can I hold cash in my Shares and Stocks ISA?
Yes, you may hold cash in your Shares and Stocks ISA for whatever reason (while you wait for better investment opportunities, for example, or to pay charges).
Can I transfer existing ISAs?
Yes, you can transfer your ISA from one provider to another at any time.
Do the ISA constraints differ from provider to provider?
No! An ISA has a set of rules that no provider can change: the annual allowance, tax benefits and control over your account. The differentiation between providers comes only in fees, customer support, easiness of use and other features specifically related to each company.





