Best Stock Trading Apps in the UK in 2026 (compared)

Choosing the right stock trading app isn’t easy, especially when you’re just getting started. At Investing in the Web, we follow more than 100 investment platforms globally to keep track of fees, features, regulation, and product quality.

Prioritise safety – safe beats cheap. Investing is a long-term game, so pick a platform you can trust over years and decades. For UK investors, that means choosing brokers authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), with client assets protected up to £85,000 under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). EU-passported alternatives (CySEC, BaFin) typically provide €20,000 protection under the relevant Investor Compensation Fund.

In this article, we compare some of the best stock trading apps available to UK investors in 2026 to help you choose the right fit for your needs – whether that’s commission-free investing, tax-wrapped accounts (ISA, SIPP, LISA, JISA), fractional shares, or international market access.

Trading apps that we do not recommend

For a list of brokers we do not recommend, you can visit our full list of broker reviews, and filter by “Not recommended”.

Stock trading apps in the UK compared

At a high level, we’ve outlined some of the best UK stock trading apps across the features investors typically prioritise – cost, tax-wrapped account support, fractional shares, educational resources, and international market access.

If you want to dig deeper, the comparison table below summarises the key differences across the leading UK platforms, followed by a brief review of each.

Other resources to check

Want to explore other alternatives? Some useful resources:

• BrokerMatch tool – get matched with the right broker based on your country and preferences.
• Biggest brokers by assets – check which platforms have the largest AUM and how they compare. Larger brokers often have stronger operational stability and trust signals.
• Broker comparison tool.
• Broker reviews.
• Sign-up bonuses.
• Best brokers for earning interest on cash.

Picking a single “best” trading app is hard – the right choice depends on where you live, your investor experience, the products you want to trade, the tax wrappers you need, and your priorities on cost vs. features. Explore the pages above, use our tools, and decide what fits you best.

If you need help along the way, feel free to reach out.

UK stock trading apps reviewed

Founded in 1978 and publicly listed on NASDAQ (ticker: IBKR), Interactive Brokers is a global online broker that has weathered every major financial crisis over nearly five decades. UK clients are typically served by Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Limited (IBUK), regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and covered by the FSCS up to £85,000.

IBKR offers an advanced investment platform with an exceptionally wide product range (stocks, ETFs, options, futures, bonds, mutual funds, forex, and more) across 150+ markets in 30+ countries – including the LSE, NYSE, NASDAQ, and major European and Asian exchanges. The platform features Smart Routing for high-quality trade execution and a comprehensive set of technical and fundamental analysis tools.

For UK investors, IBKR also offers a UK Stocks & Shares ISA and Junior ISA via IBUK Ltd (HMRC ISA Manager reference Z2056) – with no minimum deposit, but a £3/month activity fee on adult ISAs (£1/month on JISAs). UK and EU stock trades are charged at £3/€3 per trade, while US stock trades use IBKR’s tiered pricing (from $0.0035/share, min $0.35). IBKR’s FX conversion fees (0.20 basis points, min $2) are some of the tightest in the market – meaningful for UK investors trading US-listed assets.

For newer investors, IBKR also offers IBKR GlobalTrader, a modern mobile app designed for stocks, ETFs, and options trading with automatic currency conversions, fractional shares from $1, and a paper trading mode – ideal for easing into the IBKR ecosystem before moving on to more advanced tools.

On the downside, IBKR’s fee structure can feel complex, account opening takes a few days, and the broker isn’t commission-free. The main platforms (Trader Workstation, IBKR Desktop) also have a steep learning curve for beginners. That said, when factoring in tight FX fees, narrow spreads, securities lending income (via the Stock Yield Enhancement Program), and access to 150+ global markets from a single account, IBKR clients typically save significantly compared with most other brokers over time – particularly UK investors making regular USD-denominated trades.

Want to know more about Interactive Brokers? Check our Interactive Brokers Review.

Founded in 2007, eToro is a well-known global fintech and the leader in social trading – following and copying other investors’ trades automatically. The platform now serves over 40 million users worldwide and went public on NASDAQ (ticker: ETOR) in May 2025, adding a meaningful credibility milestone for UK investors. The interface is clean and intuitive, making it well-suited to beginners. eToro offers commission-free real ETF trading and $1 stock commissions on most major UK, US, and EU exchanges (including the LSE).

For UK investors, eToro now offers a UK Stocks & Shares ISA through a partnership with Moneyfarm – so you can invest tax-efficiently in eToro’s product range. UK clients are served by eToro (UK) Ltd, FCA-regulated (FRN 583263), with FSCS protection up to £85,000.

Opening an account is fast and fully digital, and you can practise with a free demo account ($100,000 in virtual funds) before committing real capital. eToro does support GBP deposits, but the platform’s base currency is USD – so funding in GBP triggers a currency conversion fee on deposits and withdrawals. Withdrawals also incur a $5 fee with a $30 minimum. Spreads can be wider on some products than at specialist brokers, which is the trade-off for the social trading and copy trading features.

Social trading lets users observe and learn from experienced traders in real time. Newer investors can follow the strategies of successful traders, understand their decision-making, and gain insight into market behaviour and execution. eToro’s social trading feed is intuitive – you can filter by asset class, region, or trader profile, and engage with other users on the companies and themes most relevant to you. The platform’s CopyTrader feature lets you automatically mirror up to 100 traders simultaneously, and Smart Portfolios bundle thematic strategies (AI, semiconductors, dividend stocks, clean energy) into single allocations.

Trading 212 is a London-headquartered fintech founded in 2004 that aims to democratise investing through one of the cleanest mobile and web platforms in the European retail market.

The platform serves over 5 million clients managing more than €30 billion in assets, with access to over 13,000 stocks and ETFs across UK, US, and European markets – plus forex, commodities, CFDs, and (via 212 Crypto, launched March 2026 under MiCA) real cryptocurrencies.

Trading 212 offers commission-free stocks and ETFs with a low 0.15% FX fee on non-base-currency trades, fractional shares from £1, and an automatic investment system via Pies & AutoInvest – which lets you build a diversified portfolio of stocks and ETFs in your chosen allocations, with one-tap rebalancing. The platform also pays competitive interest on uninvested cash (around 3.85% GBP, ~2% EUR, varying with central bank rates).

For UK investors, Trading 212 offers both a Stocks & Shares ISA and a Cash ISA (the Cash ISA launched in 2024 and quickly became one of the highest-yielding cash ISAs in the UK). Trading 212 UK Ltd is FCA-regulated (FRN 609146), with FSCS protection up to £85,000.

New users get a free fractional share worth up to £100 (promo code IITW). On the downside, the product range still has some gaps – notably no individual bonds, options, or futures – and the platform is less suited to advanced active traders looking for sophisticated charting tools.

Webull is one of the largest US discount brokers, with over 20 million users globally. It launched its UK operation in 2023 and has been steadily expanding its UK product range since.

UK users can invest in US stocks (including fractional shares), options, and ETFs with very low commissions. Webull recently expanded its UK offering to include UK stocks, ETFs, and a Stocks & Shares ISA (launched 2025) – a significant gap-closer relative to the platform’s initial UK launch. New users can receive a sign-up bonus. Webull also offers a high-yield interest account on uninvested USD and GBP cash balances.

The platform features no minimum deposit, no deposit/withdrawal/inactivity/platform fees, and a free paper trading account for practising risk-free. The mobile app is particularly polished – one of the better designed apps in the UK retail space – with strong charting tools, advanced order types, and real-time market data.

On the downside, the product range is still narrower than longer-established UK brokers – notably no cryptocurrency trading, no bonds, and no SIPP yet (Webull has signalled SIPP launch plans). All in all, Webull is a strong choice for UK investors looking for low-commission US market access, polished mobile experience, and beginner-friendly tools.

Webull UK is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) (FRN 996099), with client assets protected up to £85,000 under the FSCS.

Freetrade is a UK-headquartered commission-free stockbroker. It’s a strong option for investors building a long-term portfolio of stocks and ETFs without paying per-trade commissions.

Freetrade operates under a tiered subscription model:

• Basic (free): General Investment Account (GIA) only; 0.59% FX fee on non-GBP trades.
• Standard (~£5.99/month): adds a Stocks & Shares ISA, 1% interest on uninvested cash (up to £2,000), 0.59% FX fee.
• Plus (~£11.99/month): adds a SIPP, 3% interest on uninvested cash (up to £3,000), 0.39% FX fee, and access to advanced order types.

For UK investors trading US stocks regularly, the FX conversion fees can add up – even the lowest tier (0.39% on Plus) is higher than competitors like Trading 212 (0.15%) or Interactive Brokers (~0.002%). Worth weighing against the simplicity and clean UK-native experience that Freetrade offers.

Freetrade Ltd is FCA-regulated (FRN 783189), with FSCS protection up to £85,000. In April 2025, Freetrade was acquired by IG Group, the LSE-listed broker – which has strengthened its long-term backing and is expected to support continued product expansion.

Hargreaves Lansdown is one of the UK’s largest investment platforms for individual investors. It serves over 1.8 million clients with around £155 billion in assets under administration. In 2025, HL was acquired by a consortium of private equity firms led by CVC Capital Partners in a deal valuing the company at approximately £5.4 billion, taking it private after nearly two decades on the London Stock Exchange.

The platform offers a comprehensive range of financial instruments – UK and international stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, investment trusts, bonds, and gilts. UK investors have full access to all the major tax wrappers: Stocks & Shares ISA, SIPP, LISA, JISA, and Cash ISA.

HL’s pricing is on the higher side – the platform fee is 0.45% on assets up to £250,000 (declining tiers above), though it’s capped at £45/year for ETFs and shares held inside an ISA. Share dealing commissions are tiered: £11.95 (0-9 deals in the previous month), £8.95 (10-19), and £5.95 (20+) per trade. Fund trading is free.

HL is FCA-regulated, with client assets protected up to £85,000 under the FSCS. Customer service is widely regarded as market-leading among UK platforms, and HL’s educational resources (HL Insight, market commentary, fund research) are among the most comprehensive in the UK. The trade-off is the higher fee structure – HL is best suited to investors who value the full-service experience and don’t mind paying for it.

Interactive Investor is the UK’s second-largest investment platform for individual investors, serving over 440,000 customers with more than £75 billion in assets under administration. The platform was acquired by abrdn (formerly Standard Life Aberdeen) in 2022 in a £1.49 billion deal, giving it strong institutional backing.

Interactive Investor has a strong focus on UK investors. Notably, over half of its customers have been with the platform for 10+ years – a strong indicator of long-term satisfaction. It offers a vast selection of investment options including UK and international stocks, ETFs, funds, investment trusts, and bonds, along with the full range of UK tax wrappers (Stocks & Shares ISA, SIPP, JISA).

ii’s distinctive feature is its flat-fee subscription model rather than percentage-based fees – particularly attractive for larger portfolios where percentage-based platforms (like HL) get more expensive with scale. Pricing tiers (as of 2026):

• Investor Essentials (~£4.99/month): for portfolios up to £50K. Includes ISA + GIA, one free regular investment per month, then £3.99 per trade.
• Investor (~£11.99/month): covers ISA + GIA + JISA, with one free regular investment per month, then £3.99 per trade.
• Pension Builder (~£12.99/month): SIPP-focused tier.
• Super Investor (~£21.99/month): includes ISA, GIA, and SIPP, with two free trades per month, then £3.99 per trade.

If responsible/ESG investing is a priority, ii offers 200+ sustainable investment options through its ACE rated list. The platform is FCA-regulated, with FSCS protection up to £85,000.

Lightyear is a fast-growing European broker founded in 2021 in Tallinn, Estonia, by ex-Wise alumni. It has positioned itself as a low-cost, mobile-first option for European and UK investors. The product offering is more focused than larger platforms, but Lightyear makes up for it with very low fees, a clean app design, and competitive interest on uninvested cash (currently around 3.85% on GBP, varying with central bank rates).

FX conversion fees are often where brokers quietly add up costs – particularly when trading US stocks from a GBP account. Lightyear’s multi-currency account lets you hold cash in multiple currencies (GBP, EUR, USD), so you can avoid repeated FX conversions on every trade. When conversion is needed in-app, the rate is 0.35% (capped at £1 per trade) – one of the lowest in the UK retail market and a significant saving for active US-stock investors compared with the 0.59%-0.99% typical at competitors like Freetrade.

Lightyear also offers a free share worth up to £100 via our promo code.

For UK investors, Lightyear now offers a Stocks & Shares ISA (launched in 2024) – closing what was previously a meaningful gap relative to UK-native brokers. Lightyear is regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) (under EFSA passporting through its Estonian parent, with FCA permissions for UK operations), with client assets safeguarded.

On the downside, the product range is more focused than at larger brokers – no options, forex, or individual bonds, and a smaller selection of funds. Lightyear is best suited to investors who want a clean, low-cost UK investing experience focused on stocks, ETFs, and money market fund-based cash interest, rather than a full-service platform with every product category.

The bottom line

Ultimately, the right stock trading app for you depends on your experience level, the products and features you actually need (tax wrappers, fractional shares, international markets, cash interest, etc.), and your overall investment goals. UK investors are genuinely spoiled for choice in 2026 – a great problem to have, but one that can make the final decision feel harder than it needs to be.

A quick framing to help narrow things down:

• Beginner, mobile-first, low-cost: Trading 212, Lightyear, or Webull.
• Full-service platform with strong research: Hargreaves Lansdown or Interactive Investor.
• Global market access and professional-grade tools: Interactive Brokers.
• Social and copy trading: eToro.
• Pension-focused (SIPP): Interactive Investor, Hargreaves Lansdown, or Freetrade Plus.

If you’re still unsure which app suits you best, try our Help Me Choose tool – it gives you a tailored shortlist based on your country, experience level, and priorities.

FAQs