Best ISA Brokers UK 2026
The best Stocks & Shares ISA providers for UK investors — compared on dealing costs, platform quality, asset range, and whether a SIPP is also available.
Top Picks
Best ISA for Lowest Cost
Trading 212
Zero commission on stocks and ETFs, no annual ISA platform fee, £10 minimum investment, and 0.15% FX conversion — the cheapest ISA for buy-and-hold UK investors.
Read Full ReviewBest ISA for Trading + Investing Combined
IG
Stocks & Shares ISA alongside CFDs, spread betting and SIPP under one FCA-regulated platform — the broadest combined offering of any reviewed broker.
Read Full ReviewBest ISA for Low Dealing Commissions
Interactive Brokers
ISA with dealing commissions from 0.05% (min £3) and no annual custody fee — the best combination of access and cost for regular stock and ETF investors.
Read Full ReviewBest ISA for Multi-Asset Investors
Saxo Bank
Stocks & Shares ISA with access to bonds, options, futures, 40,000+ instruments and SaxoTraderPRO — for sophisticated investors who want an ISA alongside professional-grade tools.
Read Full ReviewWho This Page Is For
Buy-and-Hold Investors
- Making regular monthly contributions to an ISA
- Want zero or near-zero commission on stock and ETF purchases
- Hold for years — annual custody fees matter as much as dealing costs
Active ISA Investors
- Trade stocks and ETFs more frequently within the ISA wrapper
- Need competitive dealing commissions on each transaction
- Want access to a broader asset range including international stocks
Combined Traders and Investors
- Want CFD or spread betting access alongside a tax-efficient ISA
- Need both a trading account and an ISA under one login
Pension-Focused Users
- Want both ISA and SIPP under the same provider
- Looking to consolidate long-term savings with one regulated broker
Evaluation Criteria
The cheapest ISA is not always the one with zero commission — annual custody fees and FX conversion on international holdings can exceed dealing commission savings over time.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Broker | Why Picked | Best For | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading 212 | Zero commission, no platform fee, 0.15% FX conversion, £10 minimum, free ISA | Cost-sensitive UK investors making regular stock and ETF ISA contributions | No SIPP; limited advanced analytical tools; no bonds, options or futures |
| IG | ISA with commission-free share trading, SIPP, and CFD/spread betting under one login | Investors who also want to trade CFDs or spread bet alongside their ISA | Custody fees apply quarterly unless activity thresholds are met; customer service is mixed |
| Interactive Brokers | ISA with 0.05% min £3 dealing commissions, no custody fee, 90+ global markets | Frequent stock and ETF investors wanting the lowest ISA dealing commissions | Steep platform learning curve; not suitable for complete beginners |
| Saxo Bank | ISA and SIPP with access to stocks, ETFs, bonds, options, futures and forex | Sophisticated investors who want ISA access to the broadest possible asset range | 0.15% annual custody fee at Classic tier; pricing improves significantly at Platinum and VIP |
Detailed Analysis
Trading 212
ISA Costs
- •Zero commission on stocks and ETFs
- •No annual ISA platform fee
- •0.15% FX conversion on non-GBP instruments
- •Minimum ISA investment: £10
Asset Range
- •Thousands of UK, US, and European stocks and ETFs
- •Fractional shares available in ISA
- •No bonds, options, futures or forex in ISA
Regulation & Safety
- •FCA regulated (Trading 212 UK Ltd) — full UK authorisation
- •FSCS protection on eligible deposits up to £85,000
Suitability
- •Buy-and-hold investors making regular ISA contributions at minimum cost
⚠️ When to avoid: If you need a SIPP, bonds, options, or advanced charting tools within the ISA
Full ReviewIG
ISA Costs
- •Commission-free online share trades on UK stocks
- •Custody fee applies quarterly — waivable with sufficient trading activity
- •FX conversion fee ~0.7% on non-GBP instruments
- •No minimum investment stated
Asset Range
- •UK and international stocks and ETFs
- •SIPP also available alongside ISA
Regulation & Safety
- •FCA regulated, publicly listed
- •FSCS protection on eligible deposits
Suitability
- •Investors who also want to trade CFDs or spread bet alongside an ISA
- •Users who want ISA and SIPP under one login
⚠️ When to avoid: If the custody fee is not waived and you make infrequent trades — costs can erode returns
Full ReviewInteractive Brokers
ISA Costs
- •Dealing commission: 0.05% min £3 — among the lowest of any ISA provider
- •No annual custody fee on stock and ETF holdings
- •FX conversion among the cheapest of any retail broker
- •One free withdrawal per month
Asset Range
- •90+ markets — UK, US, European and global stocks and ETFs
- •SIPP also available
Regulation & Safety
- •FCA regulated UK entity
- •NASDAQ-listed US parent with strong financial transparency
- •FSCS protection on eligible deposits
Suitability
- •Frequent ISA investors who want the lowest dealing commissions and broadest international access
⚠️ When to avoid: Beginners — Trader Workstation has a steep learning curve not suited to first-time ISA investors
Full ReviewSaxo Bank
ISA Costs
- •UK stock dealing: 0.10% min £3 at Classic; 0.08% at Platinum; 0.05% min £1.50 at VIP
- •Annual custody fee: 0.15% (Classic), 0.12% (Platinum), 0.09% (VIP) on stocks, ETFs and bonds
- •No minimum deposit at Classic tier; Platinum ~$50,000; VIP ~$1,000,000
Asset Range
- •40,000+ instruments — stocks, ETFs, bonds, forex, options and futures all available within ISA
- •SIPP also available
- •Broadest asset range of any ISA provider reviewed here
Regulation & Safety
- •FCA authorised investment bank
- •FSCS protection on eligible deposits up to £85,000
Suitability
- •Sophisticated investors who want ISA access to bonds, options, and global equities under professional-grade tools
⚠️ When to avoid: Small accounts at Classic tier — the 0.15% custody fee compounds on smaller portfolios and pricing is less competitive than zero-commission alternatives
Full ReviewCost Comparison
ISA costs have two components that are easy to confuse:
Dealing Commission
The cost per trade — Trading 212 charges zero; Interactive Brokers charges 0.05% min £3; Saxo Classic charges 0.10% min £3. For infrequent traders, the difference is small. For active investors, it compounds.
Annual Custody Fee
An ongoing annual charge on the value of your holdings — Saxo Classic charges 0.15%; IG charges quarterly (waivable); Trading 212 and Interactive Brokers charge nothing. On a £50,000 portfolio, Saxo's 0.15% costs £75/year. This is the most overlooked ISA cost.
FX Conversion
All four providers charge for converting GBP to foreign currency when buying US or European stocks. Trading 212 charges 0.15% (very low); IG charges ~0.70%; IBKR is among the lowest of any retail broker.
Model all three costs — dealing, custody, and FX conversion — against your expected portfolio size, trading frequency, and international allocation before choosing.
Risks & Considerations
- Stock and ETF values can fall as well as rise — capital is at risk within an ISA
- An ISA wrapper does not reduce investment risk — it only removes UK tax on gains and income
- Annual custody fees and FX conversion charges erode returns on smaller or internationally diversified portfolios
- FSCS protection covers broker insolvency on eligible deposits — not investment losses
- Saxo's custody fee at Classic tier is an ongoing cost that compounds on larger portfolios — model this carefully
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology & Disclosure
- Rankings consider FCA regulation, ISA dealing commissions, annual custody fees, FX conversion rates, asset range available within the ISA, SIPP availability, and platform suitability for long-term investors.
- This is not financial advice.
- Affiliate relationships do not influence rankings.
Next Steps
- Model your expected annual trades, portfolio size, and international allocation to calculate true ISA cost across providers.
- Check whether a custody fee applies and at what balance it becomes material.
- If you also want a SIPP, confirm availability with your chosen provider before opening the ISA.
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive compensation when you click on links to brokers and products featured on this site. This compensation does not influence our rankings, reviews, or recommendations. We maintain editorial independence and provide objective comparisons. Read our full disclosure policy.
Risk Warning: This website does not provide financial, investment, or trading advice. All information is for educational purposes only. Trading and investing involve substantial risk of loss. You should carefully consider your financial situation and consult with qualified professionals before making any financial decisions.
Last updated: 2026-05-26