Compare stocks & shares ISAs - Find the best platform for you
An individual savings account (ISA) is a tax-free savings or investment account that allows you to save up to £20,000 a year tax-efficiently. Compare the best stocks and shares ISAs for 2025 from leading UK providers below.
What is a stocks and shares ISA?
A stocks and shares ISA is one that holds investments instead of cash.
Despite the name, it can hold a wider range of investments than just equities (stocks and shares), and may include bonds, investment funds and investment trusts too.
How do stocks and shares ISAs work?
When setting up your stocks and shares ISA, you’ll get to choose your investments.
This is a critical step that determines both the risk level and potential growth of the ISA, so it’s worth taking financial advice.
At the very least, you should read carefully the documents from the ISA provider, to ensure you understand the various funds and assets in which your money may be invested.
Stocks and shares ISA platforms to compare and consider
The platforms we've listed below shouldn't necessarily be considered the 'best', but represent a range of established options recommended by MoneySavingExpert.
This information is for general insight and guidance only and does not constitute investment advice.
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Founded in 1995 by Andy Bell and Nicholas Littlefair, AJ Bell has grown into one of the largest online investment platforms in the UK.
Based in Manchester, the company is publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange and manages billions in assets for hundreds of thousands of customers across the country.
AJ Bell prides itself on simplicity, transparency, and affordability, positioning itself as a trusted provider for both experienced investors and newcomers to financial markets.
Minimum investment amount
£250 or £25 a month
Advantages
Risk based portfolios
Easy to use platform
Low costs for an established platform
Cost to you
0.25% (max £3.50 per month)
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Founded in 1995, Interactive Investor is a UK-based online investment service. As of 2022, it became a subsidiary of Abrdn (formerly Standard Life Aberdeen).
Headquartered in Manchester, ii serves over 450,000 customers, making it the UK's retail investment platform.
The platform provides access to a wide range of investment options, including UK and international shares, funds, ETFs, investment trusts, bonds, and gilts.
Minimum investment amount
No min or £25 a month
Advantages
Flat-fee pricing model
Wide range of investment options
Free regular investing
Cost to you
£4.99 a month
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Established in 1981, Hargreaves Lansdown is one of the UK’s leading financial services companies.
Over the years, it has grown into a trusted name, serving over 1.8 million clients and looking after £142 billion of assets under management (AUM).
Based in Bristol, the firm offers a broad range of investment and savings services to cater to novice and experienced investors.
Known for its premium service, Hargreaves Lansdown helps individuals take control of their financial future through various accounts and investment choices.
Minimum investment amount
£100 or £25 a month
Advantages
Wide range of investment options
Excellent customer service and phone support
Comprehensive research tools and educational resources
Cost to you
0.45% a year
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Fidelity International, established in , is a global investment management company serving clients across the UK, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
With over 50 years of experience, Fidelity offers a broad spectrum of investment solutions, including mutual funds, retirement planning, and wealth management services.
Minimum investment amount
£2 or min £50 for a free share
Advantages
No service fees on junior accounts
Financial advice services available for investors with portfolios over £100,000
Access to a broad range of funds
Cost to you
£5.99 a month or £59.88 a year
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Vanguard is one of the largest investment management companies in the world, established in 1975 by Jack Bogle in the United States.
It has built a reputation around providing straightforward, low-cost, and accessible investment products, primarily index and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
Vanguard expanded its operations to the UK , rapidly gaining popularity among British investors who value transparency, affordability, and simplicity.
Minimum investment amount
£500 or £100 a month
Advantages
Clear and straightforward products
Decades of industry experience and is trusted globally
User-friendly online platform
Cost to you
£4 a month on balances below £32,000,
0.15% a year above (max £375)
What are the benefits of a stocks and shares ISA?
The main benefit of a stocks and shares ISA is it allows you to invest in various investments without paying capital gains tax (CGT) on the growth, which you will do if you exceed your CGT allowance.
This can be particularly useful if you’ve made other capital gains elsewhere in that year, such as selling a second property.
Selling a large asset like this can wipe out your CGT allowance, so holding other investments in an ISA can protect that growth from tax.
Should I invest in a stocks and shares ISA?
A stocks and shares ISA can be a great vehicle for saving for mid-term or longer-term goals.
If you have money you can put away for several years without touching it, a stocks and shares ISA will, in most cases, deliver better value than cash savings.
Stocks and shares ISAs are particularly popular for , where saving can begin when the child is a baby and continue until they reach 18.
18 years is a good amount of time for stock market investment, and historical growth over similar periods has almost invariably beaten inflation and cash savings.
How to buy a stocks and shares ISA
To open a stocks and shares ISA, you’ll need to decide how much you want to invest.
Remember that you can invest up to £20,000 of tax-free money into an ISA, so decide what proportion you’d be happy investing (or can invest).
You then need to select a platform or provider to open your ISA.
You can choose what stocks and shares you want to invest in yourself, delegate the investment to someone else, or potentially choose from a pre-set ISA with a set number of investments.
Get expert investment advice
A stocks and shares ISA can be a powerful way to grow your wealth tax-efficiently while giving you access to a broad range of investment options beyond just shares.
However, with choice comes complexity, and the decisions you make at the outset can have a lasting impact on your returns and risk exposure.
Unbiased can match you with a qualified financial adviser to help ensure your ISA is tailored to your goals, risk appetite, and tax position, giving you greater confidence that your investments are on the right track.
We’ll find a professional perfectly matched to your needs. Getting started is easy, fast and free.
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