Best ETF Platforms in the UK 2026

For a standard investing account, eToro is cost-competitive. UK investors can buy and sell UK-listed ETFs with £0 commission and no ongoing custody or platform fee. That puts it alongside low-cost app-based competitors and cheaper than traditional brokers that charge £5 to £12 per trade.

The friction comes from currency and non-trading fees. Most global assets are priced in US dollars. If you deposit or withdraw in a different currency, eToro applies a foreign exchange markup. A typical 50 pip conversion on funding works out at roughly 0.4% to 0.5%, depending on the currency pair.

On a £2,000 deposit, that can mean £5 to £10 in FX cost before you invest. There is also a $5 withdrawal fee and a $10 monthly inactivity fee after one year.

The DIY Stocks and Shares ISA charges £3.95 per ETF trade plus a 0.35% platform fee capped at £45 a year. Overseas ETF purchases incur a 0.70% FX fee. The managed ISA, operated with Moneyfarm, costs between 0.40% and 0.75% depending on portfolio size, plus 0.16% in underlying fund costs. For long-term ETF investors, that fee stack is noticeably higher than some low-cost passive platforms.

Bottom line: competitive for commission-free ETF dealing in a general account, less compelling for ISA investors focused purely on low ongoing costs.

Yes, UK clients are onboarded through eToro (UK) Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Client money must be held in segregated accounts under FCA rules.

Eligible investors are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme up to £85,000 if the firm fails and client assets cannot be returned. That protection applies to eligible investment assets, not to market losses.

eToro has operated since 2007 and is publicly listed on Nasdaq, which adds a layer of financial disclosure. It does not hold a UK banking licence, but it does provide standard retail protections such as two-factor authentication and negative balance protection on CFDs for eligible retail clients.

As always, regulatory protection does not remove investment risk. ETF values can fall as well as rise.

eToro boasts access to more than 750 ETFs and over 7,000 stocks across 25 global exchanges. UK investors can trade ETFs listed in London, New York, Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, Amsterdam, and several other European and international venues.

Both UCITS ETFs and US-listed ETFs are available, although access may depend on residency and product structure. Non-leveraged ETF purchases are executed as real underlying assets rather than CFDs.

In terms of account types:

• General investment account: With commission-free ETF trading
• Stocks and Shares ISA: Via Moneyfarm partnership
• Cash ISA: Via Moneyfarm
• Managed ISA: With risk-rated portfolios
• Demo account: With $100,000 virtual funds

There is no SIPP. Investors building a retirement portfolio through a pension will need to look elsewhere.

One practical limitation is asset portability. You cannot transfer ETF holdings in or out via stock transfer. Positions opened on eToro must be closed on the platform.

Ease of use is a genuine strength. The mobile investing app is one of the most intuitive in the UK market, with strong search, thematic filtering, and over 100 chart indicators through a TradingView integration. Buying an ETF takes seconds, and setting up recurring investments is straightforward.

The platform also includes Smart Portfolios, which bundle ETFs and other assets into themed baskets such as renewable energy or AI. These can function as a quasi-fund for investors who prefer a packaged approach, where minimum investments start at $500.

CopyTrader, eToro’s copy trading platform, allows you to replicate other investors’ portfolios. That can be engaging, but it is not a substitute for a diversified long-term ETF strategy. Past performance is not a reliable guide to future returns, and copied strategies can be volatile.

For pure long-term ETF investors, the experience is smooth but slightly trading-oriented.

News feeds, leaderboards, and market movers dominate the interface. Investors who want a quiet, low-cost, set-and-forget environment may find the platform’s energy geared more toward active users.

eToro suits:

• Beginners who want a simple way to buy ETFs with £0 commission in a general account
• Investors who value a strong mobile app and social features
• Those combining ETFs with stocks or crypto in one place

It is less suited to:

• Long-term ISA investors focused on minimising annual platform costs
• Pension investors who require a SIPP
• Investors who want full asset transfer flexibility between brokers

Trading 212 is exceptionally competitive on headline costs. There is no commission when buying or selling ETFs in either the Invest account or the Stocks and Shares ISA. There are also no custody, platform, or inactivity fees. For most long-term ETF investors, that removes the two biggest drags on performance.

The only routine cost to watch is foreign exchange. If you buy an ETF listed in a currency you do not hold, Trading 212 charges a 0.15% currency conversion fee when you buy and again when you sell. On a £1,000 overseas ETF purchase, that is £1.50 each way. Compared with traditional brokers that charge 1% or more on FX, this is modest.

Importantly, Trading 212 allows you to hold balances in up to 13 currencies, including GBP, USD, and EUR. That means you can convert once and avoid repeated FX charges if you regularly invest in overseas ETFs.

There are no withdrawal fees. Deposits are free in most cases, although a 0.7% fee applies if you exceed a set threshold when funding via card or e-wallet. Stamp duty of 0.5% applies to UK-listed shares, not ETFs.

In cost terms, this is about as lean as it gets in the UK retail ETF market.

Yes, UK clients open accounts with Trading 212 UK Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Eligible clients are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme up to £85,000 if the firm fails and client assets cannot be returned. Client money must be held in segregated accounts under FCA rules.

Trading 212 was founded in 2004 and established its London operations in 2013. It is not listed on a stock exchange and does not hold a banking licence. However, FCA oversight and its operating track record provide a reasonable level of comfort for retail investors.

Negative balance protection applies to CFD trading accounts. Long-term ETF investors using the Invest or ISA account are buying real underlying assets, not leveraged products.

As always, regulatory protection does not shield you from market losses. ETF values can fall as well as rise.

Trading 212 offers access to more than 4,500 ETFs and 9,000 stocks across 16 global exchanges. This includes major markets in the UK, the US, and Europe. For ETF investors, that covers broad market, sector, thematic, bond, and mixed allocation funds.

Account options include:

• Invest account: For general investing
• Stocks and Shares ISA
• Cash ISA
• CFD account
• Demo account: With virtual funds

The Stocks and Shares ISA is flexible, meaning you can withdraw and replace money within the same tax year without reducing your annual £20,000 ISA allowance.

There is no SIPP, so pension investors must look elsewhere.

Trading 212 does not offer mutual funds or direct bond investing. Diversification is achieved primarily through ETFs and investment trusts. Crypto exposure is available indirectly via crypto exchange-traded notes, rather than direct coin ownership.

Trading 212’s app is one of its strongest features. It is clean, responsive, and intuitive. Buying an ETF takes seconds, and performance tracking is clear and visual.

For long-term investors, the standout features are Pies and AutoInvest. A Pie allows you to build a portfolio of up to 50 ETFs or shares with target weightings. With one tap, you can rebalance to your original allocation.

AutoInvest lets you schedule regular contributions daily, weekly, or monthly. This is not portfolio management. It is an execution tool. But for disciplined ETF investors, it works well.

Interest on uninvested cash is another differentiator. Trading 212 pays competitive variable interest on cash held in investment accounts, with GBP balances recently paying over 3.5% to 4% annually. Interest is paid daily and must be enabled in the trading app.

Research tools are adequate but not deep. Charting, powered by TradingView, includes more than 50 indicators. However, in-depth ETF analysis and fund comparison tools are limited. Investors who want granular fund data may need to use external research sources.

Overall, the experience is geared toward simplicity and automation rather than advanced analytics.

Trading 212 suits:

• Cost-conscious ETF investors who want £0 dealing and no platform fee
• Beginners starting with small amounts, including fractional ETF investing
• ISA investors looking for a flexible, low-cost wrapper
• Investors who value automated portfolio tools like Pies

It is less suited to:

• Pension investors needing a SIPP
• Investors who prefer mutual funds over ETFs
• Advanced traders requiring institutional-level research and asset coverage

For UK ETF investors, XTB is very cheap.

There is no commission on real stock, and ETF trades up to £100,000 in monthly turnover.
That is a high threshold. Unless you are moving serious capital every month, you are unlikely to pay dealing fees. Once you exceed it, the charge is 0.2% per trade with a minimum equivalent of £10. At higher volumes, that can become meaningful.

There are no platform or custody charges. You can buy, hold, and sell ETFs in a general account or an ISA without paying an annual percentage fee. Compared with traditional UK brokers that still charge 0.25% to 0.45% per year, this is a material cost advantage over the long term.

The friction point is foreign exchange. XTB applies a 0.5% FX fee when buying ETFs in another currency. That is competitive against older brokers but higher than the cheapest app-based platforms. Investors who regularly buy US-listed ETFs may prefer to open a USD sub-account to reduce repeated conversions.

Uninvested cash earns interest. XTB currently pays 4.25% on GBP balances, calculated daily and paid monthly. There is no minimum balance requirement. For investors who phase money into markets gradually, this is a genuine benefit.

Two caveats. First, the £10 monthly inactivity fee applies after 12 months without a trade and no deposit in the prior 90 days. Second, that inactivity fee does not apply to the ISA, which is an important distinction for long-term savers.

Yes, XTB Limited (UK) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Eligible UK clients are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme up to £85,000 if the firm fails and assets cannot be returned. Client funds are held in segregated accounts in line with FCA rules.

XTB’s parent company, XTB S.A., is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. Public listing means regular financial reporting and external scrutiny. The firm was established in 2002 and operates across more than 10 countries.

XTB also provides negative balance protection for retail clients. That matters primarily for leveraged CFD trading rather than long-term ETF investing.

Regulation reduces counterparty risk. It does not protect against market losses.

XTB gives UK investors access to more than 1,800 ETFs and over 6,600 stocks across 14 global exchanges, including the London Stock Exchange, NYSE, and Deutsche Börse.

Real stocks and ETFs are available to UK clients through XTB Limited (UK). They are not available under the Cyprus entity, which is relevant for non-UK users.

Account options in the UK include:

• Standard investing account
• Flexible Stocks & Shares ISA
• Demo account: With £100,000 virtual funds

There is no SIPP. Investors building a retirement portfolio beyond an ISA will need a separate pension provider.

The ISA, launched in 2024, is flexible. You can withdraw and replace funds within the same tax year without affecting your £20,000 annual allowance. There are no trading or platform fees within the £100,000 monthly threshold.

XTB does not offer mutual funds, bonds, or investment trusts. Diversification is achieved via ETFs. For investors who want a ready-made approach, Investment Plans allow you to build a portfolio of up to 10 ETF-based allocations with automated percentage weightings. It is not discretionary management, but it is a useful execution tool.

XTB’s xStation 5 platform is powerful, but it still carries its CFD heritage.

On the positive side, the mobile app is modern, fast, and reliable. Buying a real ETF is straightforward once you understand how to select the stock (STC) version rather than the CFD version. Orders execute quickly, and funding by debit card is instant.

Investment Plans are a strong feature for long-term investors. You can allocate across multiple ETFs by region, theme, or asset class, and contributions are automatically split according to your chosen percentages. It is simple portfolio automation without paying a robo-adviser fee.

The downside is clarity. The interface displays CFDs alongside real assets, and beginners may struggle to distinguish between them. The web platform, in particular, feels geared toward active traders watching multiple charts and macro data.

Charting is solid but not market-leading. You can run up to 16 charts simultaneously, add indicators, and annotate performance, but overlays and advanced comparisons are more limited than at IG or Interactive Brokers.

XTB also offers a full demo trading account for shares and ETFs. That is a practical advantage for newer investors wanting to practise before committing real capital.

XTB suits:

• Cost-focused ETF investors trading below £100,000 per month
• ISA investors wanting a genuinely free wrapper
• Investors who value interest on uninvested cash
• Those comfortable navigating a platform that also supports CFDs

It is less suited to:

• Investors who want a SIPP
• Beginners who prefer a minimalist, app-only experience
• Investors seeking mutual funds or direct bond investing

IG’s ETF pricing is now firmly in the low-cost category, provided you trade at least occasionally.

There is £0 commission when buying and selling UK, US, EU, and Australian ETFs. There are also no custody or ongoing platform charges for the general dealing account or Stocks and Shares ISA. That removes the traditional percentage-based drag that older brokers apply.

The main cost to watch is foreign exchange. If you buy an ETF listed in another currency, IG applies a 0.7% FX charge. That is meaningfully higher than app-based competitors charging closer to 0.15%. For investors regularly buying US-listed ETFs in small amounts, this difference compounds.

IG pays 4% interest on uninvested GBP cash balances up to £100,000, held in an ISA or general dealing account. To qualify, you must either hold an open share position during the month or place at least one share trade. For investors who keep meaningful cash on the platform, this is a useful offset.

For pensions, IG offers a flat-fee SIPP at £210 per year. There are no trading commissions, but the 0.7% FX fee still applies on overseas ETFs. Compared with percentage-based SIPP providers, the flat structure can work well for larger portfolios.

Overall, IG is competitively priced for active ETF investors and larger accounts. It is less attractive for small, frequent overseas trades due to FX costs.

Yes, IG Markets Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Eligible UK clients are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme up to £85,000 if the firm fails and assets cannot be returned. Client funds are held in segregated accounts under FCA rules.

IG Group was founded in 1974 and is listed on the London Stock Exchange. Public listing requires regular financial disclosure and adds an extra layer of transparency compared with privately owned brokers.

Negative balance protection applies to retail CFD clients, although long-term ETF investors in share dealing accounts are not using leverage by default.

Regulatory protection does not eliminate market risk. ETF values rise and fall with underlying markets.

IG offers access to more than 12,000 shares and ETFs across 14 major exchanges. UK investors can trade ETFs listed in London, New York, Europe, Australia, and selected Asian markets.

Bonds and mutual funds are not available directly, but bond exposure can be accessed through ETFs. Investment trusts are also supported.

Available account types include:

• General share dealing account
• Stocks and Shares ISA
• SIPP: Operated by Options UK
• IG Smart Portfolios
• CFD and spread betting accounts

The ISA is flexible, meaning you can withdraw and replace funds within the same tax year without affecting your £20,000 allowance.

IG Smart Portfolios are ready-made allocations built with BlackRock iShares ETFs. Fees are £100 per year for smaller portfolios, moving to 0.5% on the first £50,000 once larger thresholds are met, capped at £250 annually, plus 0.13% in underlying ETF costs. For investors who prefer a managed ETF solution, this is reasonably competitive.

IG also now offers direct crypto investing via a partnership with the UK crypto exchange, Uphold. Crypto is not regulated by the FCA and is not covered by the FSCS.

IG gives you two distinct experiences.

The main IG Trading platform is powerful and comprehensive. It includes detailed screeners, analyst consensus data via TipRanks, economic calendars, and advanced charting.

For experienced investors who want control and research depth, it is one of the strongest retail platforms in the UK. It can, however, feel heavy for someone simply investing £200 a month into a global ETF.

The newer IG Invest app is much cleaner. It focuses on shares, ETFs, and crypto without the clutter of leveraged products. The built-in lessons are concise and well-pitched for newer investors.

One drawback is that IG does not offer a demo account for share dealing. Chart tools on the standard platform are solid but become meaningfully stronger with the optional ProRealTime package, which costs £30 per month unless trading activity meets certain thresholds.

For long-term ETF investors, usability is strong, but the platform is clearly built with active market participants in mind.

IG suits:

• Experienced investors trading ETFs regularly
• Investors who value deep research tools and screeners
• Those wanting a flat-fee SIPP option
• Investors holding larger cash balances who benefit from 4% interest

It is less suited to:

• Investors making frequent small overseas ETF purchases due to 0.7% FX
• Complete beginners who prefer a stripped-back interface
• Investors seeking mutual funds or direct bond investing

Hargreaves Lansdown is not built for frequent ETF traders. The standard dealing charge is £11.95 per trade. Even if you invest £5,000 at a time, that fee is noticeable. If you invest £100, it is punitive.

That said, the picture changes if you invest regularly. Set up monthly direct debit investing and ETF trades are free. For disciplined long-term investors drip-feeding money into a global ETF, that removes the headline drawback.

Platform charges are where Hargreaves Lansdown becomes more nuanced. In a general Fund & Share account, there is no annual custody fee for holding shares or ETFs. In a Stocks & Shares ISA, the 0.45% platform fee on shares and ETFs is capped at £45 per year.

That cap makes larger portfolios more cost-efficient. A £100,000 ETF portfolio in an ISA would still pay £45 annually, which is competitive with many flat-fee brokers.

Foreign exchange charges apply when buying overseas ETFs. The fee starts at 1% on the first £5,000 of a trade, tapering to 0.25% for larger amounts. For investors regularly buying US-listed ETFs, that is materially higher than low-cost app platforms.

There are no inactivity or withdrawal fees. Dividend reinvestment is free, unlike some competitors charging £1.50 per reinvestment. That matters over decades.

Bottom line: expensive for small, one-off ETF trades. Reasonable for long-term, buy-and-hold investors using regular investing or holding larger portfolios within the ISA cap.

Yes, Hargreaves Lansdown Asset Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Eligible clients are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme up to £85,000 if the firm fails and client assets cannot be returned. Client money must be held in segregated accounts under FCA rules.

Founded in 1981, Hargreaves Lansdown has operated through multiple market cycles. It was listed on the London Stock Exchange for many years and, as of 2025, is privately owned by a consortium of investors. The long operating history and scale of the business add comfort for conservative investors.

This is not a trading app start-up. It is an established platform with traditional customer support, including phone-based service.

Regulatory protection does not shield you from investment losses. ETF values fluctuate with markets.

Hargreaves Lansdown offers access to more than 1,000 ETFs across UK, European, and North American exchanges. You can trade on over 20 global stock markets.

Account coverage is one of its strongest selling points:

• Fund & Share Account (general investing)
• Stocks & Shares ISA
• Lifetime ISA
• Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP)
• Junior ISA (no dealing or platform charges)
• Junior SIPP
• Active Savings Account and Cash ISA

For families and long-term planners, this breadth is rare. The Junior ISA is particularly compelling: no dealing charges and no platform fees.

Hargreaves Lansdown also offers ready-made portfolios and adviser services. For ETF investors who prefer simplicity, it provides managed portfolios and curated shortlists. Costs for managed portfolios start at 0.79% plus the 0.45% platform fee, which is expensive relative to DIY ETF investing but competitive against traditional wealth managers.

Unlike trading-focused platforms, Hargreaves Lansdown also supports bonds and mutual funds alongside ETFs. It does not offer crypto or CFDs within its core investment accounts.

The web platform is comprehensive and information-rich. There are strong research tools, including fund filters, model portfolios, pension calculators, and detailed investment guides.

Charting on the desktop version has improved significantly, with more than 100 indicators and the ability to overlay stocks for comparison.

For ETF investors, the execution process is straightforward. The trade ticket is clear, and cost disclosures are transparent.

The mobile app is clean and reliable, but basic. Charting tools are limited, and you cannot overlay assets in the app. It is functional rather than sophisticated. Active traders will find it underpowered; long-term investors will likely find it sufficient.

One limitation is stock discovery. You need to know what you want to buy. Filtering and screening for ETFs is possible, but stock screening tools are less flexible than at trading-first platforms.

Customer service is a differentiator. Phone support is responsive, and educational content is extensive. For investors who value guidance and reassurance, this matters more than marginal fee differences.

Hargreaves Lansdown suits:

• Long-term investors building larger ETF portfolios
• Families using Junior ISAs or Junior SIPPs
• Investors who value broad account choice and traditional service
• Those holding ETFs rather than trading them frequently

It is less suited to:

• Cost-focused investors making frequent small trades
• Investors regularly buying overseas ETFs in small amounts
• Traders seeking advanced mobile tools and analytics