13 Best Investment Apps UK for Beginners 2023

If you’re looking to invest in stocks and other assets on your mobile phone – most online brokers offer an app.

In this guide, we compare the 13 best investment apps in the UK for 2023. Read on to discover which investment apps offer the lowest fees, best range of markets, and overall top user experience.

The Top UK Investment Apps Ranked

The 13 best investment apps in the UK are listed below:

  1. eToro: Overall, eToro offers the best investment app in the UK. Established in 2007, this FCA-regulated broker supports thousands of stocks and ETFs. UK and international markets can be accessed commission-free and fractional investments of $10 (about £8) are supported. You can also invest in smart portfolios and copy trading, allowing you to diversify passively. eToro accepts UK debit/credit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers.
  2. XTB: If you’re more of an active trader, XTB is well worth considering. It offers commission-free access to thousands of stocks, not to mention currencies, indices, and commodities. There’s no minimum deposit requirement and you can go long or short on your chosen market. You can also apply leverage to your positions, enabling you to amplify your trading bankroll.
  3. AvaTrade: AvaTrade is a multi-asset broker that has a top-rated investment app. It supports UK and international stocks, indices, commodities, and currencies. The minimum deposit is £100 and no trading commissions or account fees are charged. AvaTrade offers leverage of up to 1:5 when trading stocks, and more on other supported markets.
  4. Trade Nation: Highly rated commission-free fixed Spread CFD broker with MT4, MT5, and proprietary TN software. Offers fixed spreads of $0.02 and is simple and easy for market newcomers who have no desire for advanced trading features. The mobile application is simple and easy to use. 
  5. Admirals: Large and well-rounded financial provider with a huge array of services, 8,000 instruments, and up to 1:500 leverage depending on the product.  £85k UK investor protection, low spreads, fixed-income products, and Islamic accounts are available through this international broker. 
  6. Pepperstone: Pepperstone is a great option if you’re looking to spread bet stocks. This enables you to speculate on UK and international stocks without paying any tax on your profits. There are no commissions to pay and Pepperstone supports leverage of up to 1:5 when trading stocks. You can choose from various investment apps when using Pepperstone – including MT4, MT5, and cTrader.
  7. Plus500Low fee provider with 2,800 CFDs and fast withdrawals for customers. Plus500 is great for traders looking for a simple interface and low fees with a large range of available products. The mobile application offers close to the same functionality as the web version, with plenty of technical indicators.
  8. Capital.com: This commission-free broker offers an investment app for iOS and Android. You can trade thousands of assets, from stocks, ETFs, and indices to currencies and commodities. Spreads are competitive and no deposit or withdrawal fees are charged. The Capital.com app also supports short-selling and leverage. What’s more, Capital.com has a minimum deposit requirement of just £20.
  9. IG: This established UK broker was launched in 1974. It offers an iOS/Android app that supports thousands of stocks and investment funds. You’ll pay £8 per trade at IG, or £3 if you make regular investments. IG also supports US-listed stocks from the NYSE and NASDAQ.
  10. Hargreaves Lansdown: While fees are expensive, this UK broker is popular for its Stocks and Shares ISAs. You’ll pay 0.45% per year to open an ISA and stock trading fees amount to £11.95. You’ll also pay a 1% premium to invest in international stocks. That said, Hargreaves Lansdown has one of the best research departments in the industry.
  11. Trading 212: Trading 212 is a budget-friendly investment app that offers commission-free trading. This is the case across more than 12,000 global stocks and ETFs. Best of all, you’ll only need to invest a minimum of £1 into your chosen assets. While foreign exchange fees apply to non-UK markets, this stands at just 0.15%.
  12. Freetrade: Freetrade is also popular with UK investors who want to invest small amounts into the stock market. Available on both iOS and Android, Freetrade has a minimum investment requirement of just £2. It supports stocks from the UK, US, and European markets. No commissions are charged. However, you’ll need to sign up for a paid plan to access its full list of stocks.
  13. Moneybox: This investment app supports a range of products, including UK and US stocks, ISAs, and savings accounts. That said, its best feature is the ’round-up’ tool. Moneybox rounds your debit card transactions up to the nearest pound, and invests the difference into the stock market. This is a great way to build exposure to stocks without actively saving money.

The list above covers a wide range of UK investment apps. Some support traditional shares and ETFs, while others specialize in leveraged CFDs and spread betting markets. You can read on to find out more information about each investing app.

Best Investment Apps for Beginners Reviewed

This section reviews the 13 best investment apps in the UK for 2023. You’ll find information on what assets and markets each app supports, plus trading fees, minimum deposit requirements, and other important data.

1. eToro – Overall Best Investment App for Beginners

If you’re searching for the best investment apps for beginners; look no further than eToro. Available on iOS and Android – as well as online, eToro is used by over 30 million investors. It was launched in 2007 and is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). eToro also offers FSCS protections of up to £85,000, should the unlikely happen and it goes bust.

The eToro app is very user-friendly. You won’t need any prior experience to get started, let alone buy and sell assets. Furthermore, eToro has a very low minimum deposit requirement of $10, which is about £8. You can easily deposit funds with a UK debit/credit card. E-wallets and bank transfers are also accepted. This includes PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller.

eToro app review

Irrespective of your preferred markets, you’ll find them on the eToro investment app. If you’re interested in stocks, eToro supports more than 3,000 companies. This includes all FTSE 100 constituents, such as HSBC, AstraZeneca, Shell, Unilever, BP, and Rio Tinto. If you’re more interested in international stocks, eToro offers access to the US, European, and Asian markets.

In the US, you buy Amazon shares, as well as Apple, Tesla, Alphabet, Bank of America, and many others. Popular European stocks include Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, L’Oreal, and SAP. In addition to stocks, the eToro investment app also supports ETFs. This includes index funds like the FTSE 100 and Dow Jones. There are also ETFs that cover growth stocks, dividend stocks, emerging market stocks, and commodities like gold.

eToro app review

In addition, eToro is also one of the best Bitcoin brokers in the UK. Its app allows you to buy Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Litecoin, Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, and dozens of other popular altcoins. When it comes to trading fees, eToro is one of the most affordable investment apps around. You can buy and sell stocks and ETFs without paying any commission. Not only in the UK, but all supported international markets.

Moreover, if you’re trading cryptocurrencies, you’ll only pay a 1% commission. What’s more, eToro waivers the 0.5% stamp duty tax when you invest in UK stocks. eToro also allows you to trade leveraged stocks without paying any overnight financing fees. This means that you entered leveraged positions long-term without being hit with high interest rates.

eToro app review

If you’re a complete beginner, you might like eToro’s smart portfolios. These are baskets of stocks that are hand-picked and managed by the eToro team. Each smart portfolio targets a specific market, such as growth stocks or dividend stocks. Either way, smart portfolios allow you to invest passively. Copy trading is also popular with UK investors. You’ll pick a successful trader to ‘copy’ and all future positions will be mirrored in your own portfolio.

Supported Markets Pricing System Fee to Invest in Amazon Stock Min. Deposit Top Features
  • Stocks
  • ETFs
  • Cryptocurrencies
  • Forex
  • Indices
  • Commodities
  • Stocks and ETFs can be traded commission-free.
  • Cryptocurrencies attract a 1% commission.
  • CFD assets can be traded on a spread-only basis.
Commission-free $10 (about £8)
  • FCA-regulated
  • Commission-free stocks and ETFs
  • No surcharge on international stocks
  • User-friendly app
  • Smart portfolios support passive investments

Pros pros

  • One of the best free investment apps in the UK
  • Invest in thousands of UK and international stocks at 0% commission
  • Minimum deposit of $10 (about £8)
  • FCA-regulated and covered by the FSCS
  • Also supports ETFs, crypto, indices, commodities, and forex
  • Invest passively via smart portfolios and copy trading

Cons cons

  • Deposit fee of 0.5% on GBP payments

74% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

2. XTB – Trade Thousands of Assets With Leverage at 0% Commission  

XTB is one of the best investment apps for active traders. It specializes in CFDs, so you can trade assets without taking ownership. Instead, you simply need to decide whether the asset will rise (long order) or fall (short order) in value. XTB supports thousands of markets, so you’ll never be short of trading opportunities.

For example, it supports over 2,100 stocks and ETFs from multiple markets. If you’re interested in UK stocks, you’ll find everything from Asos, BP, Royal Mail, EasyJet, and Rolls-Royce. Plenty of US stocks are supported too, such as Johnson & Johnson, Amazon, Microsoft, and Ford. You can also trade stocks from Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and other leading European exchanges.

XTB app review

XTB is also one of the best investment apps for trading commodities. It supports oil, natural gas, gold, silver, cattle, cocoa, and coffee. As one of the most popular UK forex brokers, XTB also supports dozens of forex pairs, such as GBP/USD and EUR/USD. Like all CFD brokers, XTB doesn’t allow UK traders to speculate on cryptocurrencies. Nonetheless, XTB makes up for this with industry-leading trading fees.

For instance, all UK and international markets can be accessed commission-free. You’ll also benefit from competitive spreads and fee-free deposits and withdrawals (excluding e-wallets). There are no ongoing account fees either. Moreover, we like that XTB offers leverage on all supported markets. You’ll get up to 1:5 when trading stocks. Commodities can be traded at 1:20 and forex at 1:30.

XTB app review

Put simply, leverage allows you to trade with more money than you have in your XTB account. XTB also offers a free demo account, should you wish to practice CFD trading with virtual funds. You can switch to a real money account at any time. There’s no minimum deposit requirement to meet at XTB and you can fund your account with a UK debit/credit card, e-wallet, or bank transfer.

Supported Markets Pricing System Fee to Trade Amazon Stock Min. Deposit Top Features
  • Stocks
  • ETFs
  • Forex
  • Indices
  • Commodities
  • All supported markets can be traded commission-free
Commission-free No minimum deposit  
  • No minimum deposit requirement to get started
  • Commission-free access on all supported markets
  • Trade thousands of stocks from multiple UK and international exchanges
  • Stocks can be traded with leverage of up to 1:5

Pros pros

  • Authorized and regulated by the FCA
  • No commissions to pay on any supported market
  • One of the best stock brokers – over 2,100 markets supported
  • Leverage is available – trade with more than you have in your account
  • Go long or short on your chosen market

Cons cons

  • Limited range of emerging market stocks

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 80% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

3. AvaTrade – Popular UK Investment App for Tax-Free Spread Betting    

AvaTrade is one of the best investment apps in the UK for spread betting. If you’re new to spread betting, you’ll be speculating on whether you believe an asset will rise or fall in value. Your profits or losses are determined by the number of points the asset moves. Most importantly, you won’t pay any tax on your spread betting gains. At AvaTrade, you can spread bet more than a thousand markets.

You won’t pay any trading commissions, including UK and international assets. This includes stocks listed in the UK and US, not to mention commodities like gold. wheat, silver, and oil. AvaTrade also supports indices, ETFs, bonds, and options. You can apply leverage to any spread betting markets; UK traders are capped at 1:30.

AvaTrade app review

You’ll also benefit from AvaTrade’s proprietary app software, which supports chart analysis and fundamental news. While the AvaTrade app is suitable for beginners, you’ll need to meet a minimum deposit of £100. You can also open a demo account without depositing any money. Although AvaTrade is regulated in nine countries, this doesn’t include the UK. Nonetheless, it is a safe and trusted broker that has been operating since 2006.

Supported Markets Pricing System Fee to Trade Amazon Stock Min. Deposit Top Features
  • Stocks
  • ETFs
  • Forex
  • Indices
  • Commodities
  • Bonds
  • Options
  • All supported markets can be traded commission-free
Commission-free
  • £100
 
  • Established in 2006 and has a great reputation for safety
  • Trade UK and international assets at 0% commission
  • Spread betting markets offer tax-free profits

Pros pros

  • One of the best investment apps in the UK for spread betting
  • Established online broker that was launched in 2006
  • Supports stocks, indices, forex, commodities, and other assets
  • Get started with a free demo account before making a deposit

Cons cons

  • Minimum deposit of £100

76% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

4. Trade Nation – Commission Free Fixed Spread CFD Broker With Intuitive Android & iOS Applications

Trade Nation is a 4.7 star rated broker on TrustPilot with outstanding customer reviews. It has no minimum deposit, is FCA regulated, has MT4 and MT5 integration, and has a fixed cost spread of $0.02 for opening and closing trades. This means if you want to purchase Amazon stock, you would pay $0.02 to open and another $0.02 to close – $0.04 in total.

In a world of complex and ever-changing fees, this allows people to understand exactly what they are paying for their positions. Trade Nation does not charge any commission fees. It provides over 600 instruments, which is not a huge array of products but not the lowest either. No inactivity or withdrawal fees apply.

Trade Nation offers mobile applications on both Google Play and iOS. Both of these applications are easy to use and integrate seamlessly with the wider ecosystem in terms of withdrawals, deposits, and investments. The app offers biometric authentication and a neat ‘Smart News’ feature. 

There are a few drawbacks to Trade Nation. It does not have the range of products or services compared to a huge provider like eToro. And it is a CFD-only broker. It integrates with MT4 and not MT5, though it has its own proprietary TN software that is more than an adequate substitute.

But for those seeking a simple application to trade stocks and ETFs, it shines through. The customer service and easy interface make it perfect for UK investors, especially new traders. Fees are low and fixed and it further offers negative balance protection. 

Trade Nation has a fixed spread of 0.6 pips for the EUR/USD FX pair. But note that it does widen its spreads briefly during its daily rollover period to as much as 1.4 pips.

There are no crypto products and Trade Nation is not available to US clients. Trade Nation does not have any copy trading features.

For UK investors with an interest in soccer, Trade Nation is the sponsor of Aston Villa. 

Supported Markets Pricing System Fee to Invest in Amazon Stock Min. Deposit Top Features
  • Stocks
  • ETFs
  • Forex
  • Indices
  • Spread Betting
  • Commodities
  • Stocks and ETFs can be traded commission-free.
  • Low fixed-cost spreads
Commission-free, low fixed spread  £0
  • FCA-regulated
  • Commission-free stocks and ETFs
  • User-friendly app with smart news feature

Pros pros

  • Intuitive mobile application with Smart News Feature
  • No minimum deposit
  • Low fixed spreads
  • Zero commissions
  • FCA-regulated

Cons cons

  • A limited number of offerings

74% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

5. Admirals – 20-Year Application With Extensive Features and Low Spreads

Admirals is a fully-fledged broker offering a huge range of products and services, including over 8,000 instruments. The difficulty with such a large platform is narrowing down the range of products and services to give a thorough analysis.

Admirals offers investor protection up to £85k within the UK and segregates client funds accordingly. It integrates with MT4 and MT5 through its trading dashboard. In the UK it trades as Admiral Markets UK Ltd and offers bonds, stocks, ETFs, digital currencies, indices, and FX. It is particularly suitable for FX traders due to its spreads, which are lower than most of its competitors.

Yet it also offers something for regular investors. Unlike most other providers, Admirals offers both CFDs and outright investment. For example, you can invest in an Amazon share or you can invest in an Amazon share CFD, which will also allow you to short the stock, but comes with an added spread.

When just buying the share, you will pay a flat commission of $0.02, and no spread. You need an MT5.Invest account to buy the stock, and a MT5.Trade account to buy the CFD. This is a useful feature as it allows users to compare both options side by side.

The Admirals application caters to a huge market. It provides personal finance, a comprehensive trading hub, fixed income products, Islamic accounts, negative balance protection for professional clients, guaranteed stop loss, volatility protection, and MetaTrader Supreme Edition. Leverage of up to 1:500 is available, depending on your MetaTrader account as well as the product in question.

The Admirals mobile application is available on both Android and iOS, with over 500,000 downloads. It provides much of the functionality as the main platform, with fast deposits and withdrawals.

The tools are a little basic, and you don’t have a full range of technical tools in comparison to the main platform – it’s better for investment than trading. We enjoyed the watchlist feature and it is available in 5 languages – English, French, Spanish, Arabic, and German.

The main drawback with Admirals is that it might take a while to get used to the platform, as it offers so many features. 

Supported Markets Pricing System Fee to Invest in Amazon Stock Min. Deposit Top Features
  • Stocks
  • ETFs
  • Forex
  • Indices
  • Commodities
  • Bonds
  • Stocks and ETFs can be traded commission-free.
  • CFD assets can be traded on a spread-only basis.
$0.02, $0.02 + 0.65 pips for CFD  £25
  • FCA-regulated
  • CFDs + Direct Assets
  • App is user friendly with watchlist feature

Pros pros

  • User friendly application
  • Large range of assets and offerings
  • Low spread provider, excellent for Forex
  • FCA-regulated

Cons cons

  • Platform not so beginner friendly

74% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

6. Pepperstone – FCA-Regulated Broker With 3 Investment Apps to Choose From   

Pepperstone is an established online broker that supports multiple asset classes. This includes stocks from the UK and international markets, indices, and forex. You can also trade commodities like oil, silver, and gold. Pepperstone allows you to choose from three investment apps when trading – MT4, MT5, and cTrader.

All three options support iOS and Android smartphones. Pepperstone is a great option for beginners, as it doesn’t have a minimum deposit requirement. What’s more, you can trade risk-free via the Pepperstone demo account. Pepperstone offers two account types, which will determine what trading fees you pay.

Pepperstone review

The razor account offers spreads from 0.0 pips, but you’ll pay a commission of £2.25 per traded lot. Pepperstone also offers a commission-free account. Spreads start from 0.7 pips when trading forex. If you’re looking to trade stock CFDs, spreads start from zero. If you’re spread betting stocks, spreads start from 0.8 points. Pepperstone offers UK clients leverage of up to 1:30, as per FCA policy statements.

Supported Markets Pricing System Fee to Trade Amazon Stock Min. Deposit Top Features
  • Stocks
  • ETFs
  • Forex
  • Indices
  • Commodities
  • Depends on the account and asset.
  • Razor accounts offer spreads from 0.0 pips and a £2.25 commission per lot
  • Commission-free accounts offer spreads from 0.7 pips
  • CFDs (market spread only)
  • Spread betting (0.8 points + market spread)

 

  • No minimum deposit
 
  • No minimum deposit requirement to open an account
  • Trade major stocks on a spread-only basis
  • Choose from three apps – MT4, MT5, and cTrader

Pros pros

  • Regulated online broker supporting three investment apps
  • Choose from CFDs or spread betting markets
  • Trade stocks from the UK, US, Australia, and other international exchanges
  • Leverage and short-selling is supported

Cons cons

  • More suited for short-term traders – as asset ownership is not supported

81.7% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.

7. Plus500 – Zero Commission CFD Specialist With 1:30 Leverage And Excellent Mobile App 

Plus500 is a large CFD-only provider (meaning no crypto products) offering zero commission trading and 1:30 leverage. It is well suited to traders as it has fast order execution and advanced technical features. It has 25 million registered users in over 50 countries.

The broker is regulated by the FCA and is a publicly-traded company that has been listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and is a member of the FTSE 250.

It also comes with a huge number of payment methods including Skrill, PayPal, Mastercard, Visa, Apple Pay, and more. Withdrawal times with Plus500 are very rapid.

Plus500 was actually the very first broker to offer a Bitcoin CFD, all the way back in 2013. There are no withdrawal fees, no account fees, and no commissions.

Mobile applications offered by Plus500 include all desktop functionality. Traders can access the entire product catalog, account details, conditional orders, and charting (including technical indicators) from the Android, iOS, and Windows 10 apps.

In terms of sophistication and technical indicators, Plus500 actually offers more than any other provider we reviewed. It provides over 110 trading indicators, an economic calendar, alerts, and market news.

Plus500 is the perfect application for the trader looking for a wide range of financial markets, low spreads, and fast order execution. As one of the most popular UK futures brokers it provides over 2,800 CFDs with a robust set of risk management tools, guaranteed stop-loss orders, and is very simple to use. It also offers negative balance protection.

The downsides with Plus500 are that it does not integrate with other trading platforms (such as MT4/MT5) and is very lacking in terms of its customer support. Advanced traders relying on third-party tools will be at a disadvantage.

In sum, Plus500 is suitable for beginner to intermediate traders who want a fast broker with an easy-to-use interface for low-fee transactions, as well as quick, no-nonsense withdrawals. It does not provide a huge range of technical features seen with some other large providers. Advanced traders might need more facilities made available to them in the future. 

Supported Markets Pricing System Fee to Invest in Amazon Stock Min. Deposit Top Features
  • Stocks
  • ETFs
  • Forex
  • Indices
  • Commodities
  • Crypto futures
  • CFD assets can be traded on a spread-only basis.
Commission-free  £100
  • FCA-regulated
  • Commission-free stocks and ETFs
  • 110 technical indicators on mobile app

Pros pros

  • Technically sophisticated mobile apps that match web functionality
  • 110 trading indicators and over 2,800 CFD instruments
  • High level of security
  • Low spreads & good risk management tools

Cons cons

  • Not suitable for advanced traders
  • Customer service could be improved

82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

8. Capital.com – Trade Over 2,800 Stocks From the UK and International Markets           

Capital.com is a regulated CFD broker that offers an iOS and Android app. You can also trade directly on the Capital.com website. Capital.com is a budget-friendly platform, considering its small minimum deposit requirement of £20. You can fund your account with a debit/credit card or e-wallet. However, the minimum deposit increases to £250 when making a bank account deposit.

Nevertheless, no deposit or withdrawal fees are charged. Capital.com supports a huge range of markets. This includes over 2,800 stocks from more than a dozen exchanges. For example, you can trade UK stocks like National Grid, British American Tobacco, and GlaxoSmithKline. You can also trade stocks listed in the US, Singapore, Germany, France, Sweden, and Hong Kong.

Capital.com app

Not to mention Japan, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, and Ireland. Irrespective of where the stocks are located, Capital.com doesn’t charge any trading commissions. In fact, this is the case for all of its supported markets. This includes ETFs, indices, commodities, and forex. The Capital.com app also supports leverage, short-selling, and chart tools. You’ll also find market insights from industry experts.

Supported Markets Pricing System Fee to Trade Amazon Stock Min. Deposit Top Features
  • Stocks
  • ETFs
  • Forex
  • Indices
  • Commodities
  • All supported markets can be traded commission-free
Commission-free
  • £20 (debit/credit cards and e-wallets(.
  • £250 (bank account transfers)
 
  • Trade 2,800+ stocks from over a dozen markets
  • Get started with a minimum deposit of just £20
  • Authorized and regulated by the FCA
  • Also supports commodities, indices, ETFs, and forex

Pros pros

  • 0% commission on all supported markets
  • Free demo account to practice trade in live market conditions
  • One of the best day trading platforms for tax-free spread betting
  • Lots of research data, market insights, and expert analysis

Cons cons

  • Minimum deposit increases to £250 when opting for a bank account transfer

Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 74% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.

 

9. IG – Invest in Over 12,000 Stocks, Funds, and Trusts From £3 per Trade            

IG is a popular UK-based brokerage that offers an iOS and Android app. After opening an account, you’ll have access to more than 12,000 stocks, funds, and investment trusts. When buying and selling UK stocks, you’ll initially pay £8 per trade. But if you trade at least three times a month, you’ll reduce your commission to £3.

When investing in US stocks, prices start at £10 per trade. After hitting three trades in a month, the commission is reduced to £0. You can also invest in European and Australian stocks at a commission of 0.1%. Minimum trade requirements apply when buying and selling stocks. This is £40 for UK stocks and £50 for those abroad.

IG app review

Moreover, non-UK investments attract a 0.5% foreign exchange fee. IG also charges a £24 ‘custody fee’ every three months. If you trade more than three times during the quarter, the custody fee is waived. The IG app supports debit/credit card and e-wallet payments, which are processed instantly. However, you’ll need to meet a minimum deposit of £250.

Supported Markets Pricing System Fee to Invest in Amazon Stock Min. Deposit Top Features
  • Stocks
  • ETFs/Funds
  • Investment Trusts
  • CFDs
  • Spread Betting
  • UK investments are charged £3/£8, depending on monthly trading volumes
  • US stocks cost £0/10
  • EU/Australian stocks cost 0.10% of the investment amount
  • £10 commission unless you trade at least three times in a month
  • You’ll also pay a 0.5% foreign exchange fee

 

  • £250
 
  • Supports more than 12,000 stocks, funds, and trusts
  • Heavily regulated and launched in 1974

Pros pros

  • Established UK broker with nearly five decades in the industry
  • Invest in thousands of UK and intentional assets
  • Deposit funds instantly with a debit/credit card or e-wallet
  • Covered by the FSCS

Cons cons

  • Minimum deposit of £250
  • Debit/credit card payments cost up to 1%

10. Hargreaves Lansdown – User-Friendly Investment App Supporting Stocks and Shares ISAs             

If you’re looking for the best stock trading app in the UK that supports Stocks and Shares ISAs, Hargreaves Lansdown could be right for you. However, do note that Hargreaves Lansdown charges much higher fees than other providers in this space. For example, you’ll pay £11.95 to invest in UK stocks and funds. You’ll pay this when buying and selling investments.

While the commission can be reduced to £8.95, you’ll need to trade at least 10 times in the previous month. By this point, you would have already paid nearly £120 in commissions. What’s more, you’ll also need to pay an annual ISA fee of 0.45%. This is charged on the value of your investments. You’ll also be charged a 1% foreign exchange fee when buying non-UK assets.

Hargreaves Lansdown review

On the flip side, Hargreaves Lansdown is very beginner-friendly. Its app has a clean and simple interface, and you’ll only need to meet a £1 minimum deposit. Hargreaves Lansdown is also a top-rated app for investment research. Not only does it cover financial news and expect market insights, but a regular podcast series. Hargreaves Lansdown also offers educational guides on investing basics.

Supported Markets Pricing System Fee to Invest in Amazon Stock Min. Deposit Top Features
  • Stocks
  • ETFs/Funds
  • Investment Trusts
  • Bonds/gilts
  • ISAs
  • £11.95 per trade. Reduced to £8.95 when trading 10 times in the previous month
  • 0.45% annual charge on ISAs 
  • £11.95 commission
  • You’ll also pay a 1% foreign exchange fee

 

  • £1
 
  • Supports Stocks and Shares ISAs
  • Top-rated research and market insights

Pros pros

  • One of the best investment apps in the UK for ISAs
  • Industry-leading research and market insights
  • Minimum deposit of just £1
  • One of the few UK brokers to support bonds

Cons cons

  • High trading fees – £11.95 when buying and selling assets
  • 1% foreign exchange fee on non-UK investments

 

11. Trading 212 – Invest in Thousands of Stocks From Just £1             

Trading 212 is one of the best investment apps in the UK for first-time traders. It supports fractional ownership on all supported markets, meaning you can buy a small slice of your favorite companies. In fact, the minimum investment requirement at Trading 212 is just £1. This investment app supports more than 12,000 stocks and ETFs.

This covers markets in the UK, Europe, and the US. Trading 212 does not charge any trading commissions. However, non-UK investments attract a small foreign exchange fee of 0.15%. Trading 212 also offers an auto-invest feature. This will appeal to beginners who do not feel comfortable picking their own investments.

Trading212 app review

You simply need to answer some questions about your financial goals and risk tolerance, and Trading 212 will build a portfolio on your behalf. In addition to standard investment accounts, Trading 212 also supports Stocks and Shares ISAs. There are no account fees applied to ISAs, which is a huge benefit. Trading 212 also offers excellent customer service via live chat. The average waiting time is just 29 seconds.

Supported Markets Pricing System Fee to Invest in Amazon Stock Min. Deposit Top Features
  • Stocks
  • ETFs
  • CFDs
  • ISAs
  • No commissions on any supported markets
  • Commission-free, but you’ll pay a foreign exchange fee of 0.15%

 

  • No minimum deposit
 
  • All supported markets are commission-free
  • Auto-invest feature allows you to invest passively

Pros pros

  • Invest in stocks and ETFs from just £1
  • No minimum deposit requirements
  • 0% commission on all supported markets
  • Invest passively via the auto-invest feature

Cons cons

  • Limited research and analysis tools
  • Debit/credit card payments over £2,000 are charged 0.7%

12. Freetrade – Fractional Stocks From £2 and Commission-Free Trading             

Freetrade is a user-friendly investment app for iOS and Android. It’s free to download and there is no minimum deposit requirement. Freetrade is popular with investors that want to inject small amounts into the stock market. Regardless of the company’s stock price, you’ll only need to meet a £2 minimum trade size. This enables you to build a diversified portfolio with a small amount of money.

Freetrade supports thousands of stocks from the UK, US, and European markets. However, the number of stocks you can access depends on your account type. If you opt for the free account, you can choose from 1,500 stocks. If you upgrade to the standard account, this increases to 6,000 stocks. Costing £5.99 per month or £59.88 annually, the standard account also supports stop-loss and take-profit orders.

Freetrade review

It also offers 1% interest on uninvested cash. However, if you’re only looking to invest a few pounds, paid plans won’t be worth the money. In terms of fees, no trading commissions are charged on any supported stocks. That said, a foreign exchange fee of between 0.39% and 0.99% applies to non-UK stocks, depending on which plan you’re on.

Supported Markets Pricing System Fee to Invest in Amazon Stock Min. Deposit Top Features
  • Stocks
  • ETFs
  • No commissions on any supported markets
  • FX fee on non-UK assets of up to 0.99%
  • Commission-free, but you’ll pay a foreign exchange fee of up to 0.99%

 

  • No minimum deposit
 
  • Invest in fractional shares and ETFs from £2
  • Fee-free account supports over 1,500 markets

Pros pros

  • Regulated by the FCA and FSCS-protected
  • Invest in UK, US, and European stocks from £2
  • No minimum deposit requirements to open an account
  • Earn interest on uninvested cash

Cons cons

  • You’ll need to pay £5.99 per month to access its full list of stocks
  • A paid plan is also required to deploy stop-loss and take-profit orders

13. Moneybox – Round-Up Feature Allows you to Invest Spare Change Into the Stock Market             

Moneybox is also one of the best investment apps in the UK for investing small amounts. In fact, this provider offers an innovative feature called ’round-ups’. Put simply, this enables you to automatically round debit card transactions up to the nearest pound. The balance will automatically be invested into the stock market on your behalf.

For example, suppose you spend £7.20 in your local supermarket. Moneybox will round the transaction up to £8. The balance of £0.80 will then be invested into your stock portfolio. In addition, Moneybox also allows you to invest in automated portfolios. You’ll need to select your risk tolerance, and Moneybox takes care of the rest.

Moneybox App review

It will automatically rebalance and reweight your portfolio to ensure it’s still aligned with your objectives. When it comes to fees, you’ll pay £1 per month on general investment accounts. This is free for the first three months. You’ll also pay 0.45% in platform fees. Fund fees of between 0.12% and 0.58% also apply.

Supported Markets Pricing System Fee to Invest in Amazon Stock Min. Deposit Top Features
  • Stocks
  • Automated portfolios
  • ISAs
  • £1 per month
  • Monthly platform fee of 0.45%
  • Fund fees of between 0.12% and 0.58%
  • Commission-free

 

  • £1
 
  • Automatically invest your spare change into the stock market via debit card round-ups
  • Deposit just £1 to get started

Pros pros

  • Round-up feature allows you to invest spare change into the stock market
  • Supports a wide range of US stocks – including Tesla and Amazon
  • Minimum deposit of just £1
  • Several ISAs are supported

Cons cons

  • Monthly fees are high – £1 flat fee plus 0.45% on invested amounts
  • Fund investments cost up to 0.58%

How to Pick the Right Investment App for You

If you’re still not sure which UK investment app is right for you – read on. We will now explain what considerations to make when selecting the best investment platform for you.

Regulation and FSCS Protections 

You should only consider a shares investing app if it’s adequately regulated. This means the provider should be authorized and licensed by the FCA. If it isn’t, and it’s offering financial products to UK investors, you’ll need to tread carefully. After all, you won’t be protected by the FCA, let alone the FSCS.

FSCS protection is absolutely crucial. In simple terms, if you’re holding investments and the broker goes bust, the FSCS has you covered up to the first £85,000. eToro is regulated by the FCA and covered by the FSCS, so it’s considered a very safe investment app.

Range of Assets  

Looking for the hottest cryptos or best shares to buy in the UK? If you already know which assets you want to invest in, make sure your chosen provider supports them. We found that the best investment apps in the UK support thousands of markets across the most popular asset classes.

eToro app review

For example, eToro supports more than 3,000 stocks and ETFs. Not only from the London Stock Exchange, but markets in the US, Europe, and Asia. As such, eToro is popular for investing in Apple, Tesla, Amazon, and other global brands. In contrast, some investment apps only support UK assets – which will hinder your ability to diversify.

XTB also offers an extensive range of assets. For example, you can trade everything from stocks and indices to commodities and forex.

Fees  

The best investing apps in the UK offer competitive fees. Not only when trading but when depositing and withdrawing funds too.

For example, eToro allows you to invest in stocks and ETFs without paying any commissions. Unlike other UK investment apps, you won’t be charged extra fees for buying international assets. This is in contrast to Hargreaves Lansdown and Freetrade, which charge a foreign exchange fee of 1% and 0. 99% respectively.

If you’re looking to invest in a Stocks and Shares ISA, you’ll need to check what fees apply. The industry average is 0.45% of your investment amount.

Some investment apps charge account fees too. For example, Moneybox charges a monthly account fee of £1, plus 0.45% on the value of your investments.

Research and Analysis Tools  

You’ll want to choose a UK investment app that comes with research and analysis tools. This will help you make smart investment decisions. For example, many investment apps offer stock market news and market insights.

You might also come across trading ideas.  If you’re a technical trader, make sure the app offers real-time pricing charts and technical indicators. These will need to be optimized for mobile phones.

Minimum Deposit

If you’re on a budget, you should choose an investment app that has a small minimum deposit requirement.

For example, eToro requires a minimum deposit of just $10 (about £8). XTB and Pepperstone have no minimum deposit at all, so you can get started with any amount.

However, some investment apps have a high minimum deposit. For example, you’ll need to deposit at least £250 when setting up an IG account.

What is the Minimum Amount you can Invest in the Stock Market?

  • Most investment apps require you to purchase at least one full stock. This can make the process expensive, especially when investing in US stocks.
  • Fortunately, some of the best investment apps in the UK support ‘fractional’ stocks. This means that you can buy a small fraction of one stock.
  • eToro, for example, allows you to invest any amount from just $10 (about £8).

Demo Account

The best apps for stock investments offer a free demo account. You’ll be trading with virtual funds, which allows you to buy and sell assets risk-free.

This can serve two important purposes. First, demo accounts allow you to test the investment app out before depositing money. If you don’t like the way the app works, you won’t have lost anything.

eToro app review

Second, demo accounts allow you to learn how the investment markets work. For example, you can assess how asset prices change and how to place market orders.

eToro, XTB, Capital.com, and many other investment apps offer a free demo account that takes seconds to open.

Payment Methods

The best stock investment apps allow you to fund your account with convenient payment methods. For example, you can use a debit or credit card directly in the eToro app. eToro also supports PayPal, Skrill, and several other e-wallets.

Most investment apps also support UK bank transfers. However, this can be a cumbersome way to deposit funds. This is because you’ll need to leave the app to make the payment. Moreover, bank transfers are rarely credited instantly.

Customer Service 

Leading UK investment apps offer quality customer service. You should be able to speak with a customer representative via the app.

Live chat works well here, as you can speak with someone in real-time. You’ll likely find that customer service is offered Monday to Friday during standard market hours.

Types of Investment Apps

There are many different types of investment apps that you can choose from. You’ll need to think about the type of investments you want to make, alongside your preferred strategy.

Here’s an overview of what you’ll come across when searching for the best investing apps for beginners:

General Investment Accounts

Most UK investors want to pick their own investments individually. If this sounds like you, you’ll need to choose an app that offers general investment accounts. In doing so, you’ll be able to buy and sell assets whenever you want.

It’s important to check what markets the investment app supports and what fees apply. eToro is the best option for general investment accounts. You’ll have access to thousands of stocks and ETFs. Not only from the UK, but the US, Europe, and Asia.

Moreover, eToro doesn’t charge any commissions and it supports fractional investments. This means you can buy any stock or ETF from just $10, or about £8.

Stocks and Shares ISAs

Some investors prefer to invest through a Stocks and Shares ISA. This enables you to invest in the stock market in a tax-efficient way. In fact, not only do ISAs support stocks but most other assets too. This includes ETFs, trusts, and bonds.

If you’re new to ISAs, here’s how it works:

  • In the 2023/24 tax year, you can invest up to £20,000 into a Stocks and Shares ISA.
  • Any investments made in your ISA will not attract tax. This includes capital gains and dividends.
  • This means that your investments can grow tax-free over time.
  • Stocks and Shares ISAs are aimed at long-term investors who want to save for their retirement years.

That being said, Stocks and Shares ISAs come with several drawbacks. First, not all investment apps support ISAs, so you’ll have fewer options to choose from. And those that do support ISAs often charge high fees.

For example, if you open a Stocks and Shares ISA with Hargreaves Lansdown, you’ll pay 0.45%. This is charged on the value of your investments. Not only that, but Hargreaves Lansdown also charges £11.95 every time you buy or sell investments. So, while you’re saving on tax, you might be worse off in the long run when you factor in the high fees.

Moreover, UK investors get a tax-free allowance every year. In 2023/24, you’ll get £6,000 in capital gains tax allowance. You’ll also get a dividend tax allowance of £1,000. As such, if you’re not making more than this, you won’t pay tax anyway. Plus, you’ll still need to pay a stamp duty tax of 0.5% on UK investments.

In contrast, while eToro doesn’t offer ISAs, you might find it’s the cheaper option. For example, no trading commissions are charged by eToro, and there are no ISA fees to worry about. What’s more, eToro waivers stamp duty tax on UK investments.

What is the Cheapest Stocks and Shares ISA?

  • One of the cheapest Stocks and Shares ISAs in the UK is Trading 212.
  • Unlike other providers, Trading 212 doesn’t charge any account fees on ISAs.
  • Moreover, Trading 212 offers commission-free stocks.

Automated Investing Accounts 

Many UK investors prefer a more passive approach to investing. For instance, because of a lack of prior investment experience. Or simply a lack of time. Either way, there are many ways that you can automate your investments.

This includes:

Copy Trading

Copy trading is an automated investment tool that allows you to ‘copy’ a successful trader. eToro is the best copy trading platform in the UK, as it’s home to thousands of traders.

eToro app review

Here’s an example of how the eToro copy trading tool works:

  • You decide to invest £400 into a successful stock trader who has been using eToro for over five years
  • The trader allocates 20% of their bankroll to Amazon stock. You automatically invest 20%, or £80, into Amazon.
  • The trader sells their Amazon stocks at a profit of 40%. You do the same automatically.
  • You invested £80 and you made 40%, so that’s a profit of £32.

Crucially, the entire copy trading process is automated.

Can You Make Money With Copy Trading?

  • There are many successful copy traders to follow on eToro.
  • Some have proven they can consistently outperform the market.
  • However, your returns will replicate the trader like-for-like. This means that if the trader loses money, so will you.
  • A good strategy is to copy multiple traders. This will enable you to diversify and avoid being overexposed to one trader.

Smart Portfolios

Smart portfolios are another option if you want to invest passively. This tool is also offered by eToro and there are many portfolios to choose from. Put simply, eToro builds a portfolio of stocks, which tracks a specific market or industry.

For example, the ‘Future of Work’ smart portfolio tracks companies from the Gig Economy. These are companies involved in the work-from-home industry. This smart portfolio contains 23 stocks, including Upwork, Wix.com, Lyft, Grab, and Shopify.

There are many other smart portfolios to choose from. All are professionally managed, meaning eToro will rebalance and maintain your portfolio on your behalf.

Round-Ups

Another way to automate your investments is via ’round-ups’. This feature is offered by Moneybox and it allows you to invest your spare change into the stock market.

Here’s how it works:

  • After joining Moneybox, you connect your UK bank account to its app.
  • Thereon, whenever you use your debit card, the transaction will be rounded up to the nearest pound.
  • For instance, if you spend £3.30 on a coffee, Moneybox will debit £4 from your account.
  • The £0.70 balance will be invested in the stock market on your behalf.

The round-up feature is aimed at investors who want to invest very small amounts.

CFDs and Spread Betting  

Some of the best investment apps discussed today specialize in CFDs, or contracts-for-differences. CFDs are financial derivatives. They track the value of an asset, allowing you to trade it without taking ownership.

  • CFDs are ideal if you want the option of going short on an asset.
  • For instance, if you believe that Royal Mail stocks are likely to decline, you can place a sell order with a CFD broker.
  • XTB is the best investment app for trading CFDs, as it supports thousands of commission-free markets.
  • Moreover, when you trade CFDs on XTB, you can apply leverage. This allows you to trade with more than you have in your account.

Another option is spread betting, which is offered by Capital.com, AvaTrade, and several other investment apps. Spread betting is very similar to trading CFDs. This is because you’ll be speculating on the future value of an asset without owning it. The key difference is that spread betting profits are tax-free in the UK, as explained by HMRC.

How to Get Started With a Regulated UK Investment App

We will now explain how to download, set up, and make investments on the eToro app. You’re in good hands with eToro – it’s FCA-regulated, covered by the FSCS, and supports thousands of 0% commission stocks.

Step 1: Open an eToro Account

You will first need to open an eToro account. On the eToro homepage, click ‘Sign Up’ and type in some personal information.

You need to provide eToro with your name, home address, and email. You’ll also need to verify your mobile number.

eToro registration

eToro will also need your national insurance number for verification purposes. From start to finish, the registration process takes less than two minutes to complete.

Step 2: Upload Some ID

eToro is an FCA-regulated broker, so it must comply with UK anti-money laundering laws. This means you’ll need to upload a couple of KYC verification documents. You won’t need to wait around for eToro to manually check them, as verification is automated.

Verify eToro Account

First, you’ll need to upload a document that verifies your identity. Choose from a passport or driver’s license. Second, you’ll need to verify your home address.

Several documents are accepted, including bank statements and credit card bills. However, just make sure the document was issued within the prior three months.

Step 3: Download the eToro Investment App and Log in

The next step is to download the eToro stock investment app. Both iOS and Android are supported.

eToro app download

Open the app on your smartphone and log in with your username and password.

Step 4: Deposit Funds

You will need to make a deposit before you can start investing. On the eToro app, you can deposit funds with a debit/credit card or e-wallet instantly.

eToro app deposit funds

The minimum deposit is $10 (about £8). The payment will be processed instantly and added to your account balance straight away.

Step 5: Search for an Investment

You can now make your first investment on the eToro app. Use the search bar to find your preferred asset.

eToro app buy Amazon stock

In our example, we’re searching for Amazon stock. Click on ‘Trade’ to proceed.

Step 6: Complete Investment

The final stage requires you to enter your investment amount. You can type in any amount from $10 in the ‘Amount’ box.

Amazon stock

Click on ‘Open Trade’ to complete your investment.

If you see ‘Set Order (like in our example above), this means the stock market is closed. You can still click it to confirm your investment – eToro will execute it when the market reopens.

Conclusion

There are many investment apps to choose from in the UK, so you’ll need to consider your financial goals when selecting a provider. Overall, we rank eToro as the best app for investing in stocks and ETFs.

eToro offers 0% commission – even on international markets. Moreover, eToro is user-friendly and your funds are protected by the FSCS. It takes just minutes to set up the eToro app on your phone, so you can begin investing straight away.

74% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

References

What is the cheapest investment app?

Which is the best investment app for beginners?

What investing apps are best for stocks?

 

Kane Pepi

Kane Pepi is an accomplished financial and cryptocurrency writer who has an extensive portfolio of over 2,000 articles, guides, and market insights. With his expertise in specialized subjects such as asset valuation and analysis, portfolio management, and financial crime prevention, Kane has built a reputation for providing clear explanations of complex financial topics. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Finance and a Master's Degree in Financial Crime, and is currently pursuing his Doctorate degree, which focuses on investigating the complexities of money laundering in the cryptocurrency and blockchain technology sectors. Kane's wealth of knowledge and experience in the field make…