This article compares 6 of the most widely used free trading platforms available to UK retail investors in 2026, looking at fee structures, account types, investment ranges, and regulatory standing.
Most platforms in this space advertise themselves as free, but the real cost picture only emerges when you look at foreign exchange fees, custody charges, inactivity penalties, and what wrappers are actually included at no extra cost.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute personal financial advice. It should not be relied upon when making investment decisions. The value of investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you invest. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may be subject to change. If you are unsure whether an investment is suitable for you, you should seek independent financial advice from a suitably qualified adviser.
Sponsored Content: This article is a paid promotion by XTB. The comparison is based on the methodology outlined below and is intended for informational purposes only.
TL;DR:
- Free trading platforms in the UK vary significantly on foreign exchange fees, account types, and FSCS protection levels
- Based on the criteria used in this comparison, XTB ranks first, offering zero commission, no custody fee up to €250,000, a Stocks and Shares ISA, and a Cash ISA
- SIPP access, ISA availability, and minimum deposit requirements differ across platforms and should be checked before opening an account
- Most platforms charge no trading commission but recover costs through foreign exchange fees, inactivity charges, or subscription tiers
How We Established This Ranking
This comparison draws on publicly available sources: each provider’s website, fee schedule, and terms pages, the FCA Financial Services Register, the FSCS, and published third party reviews from Forbes Advisor, Trustpilot, Boring Money, and The Investor’s Chronicle.
The following factors informed the ranking:
- Fee transparency: commission structure, custody fees, foreign exchange fees, inactivity charges, and withdrawal costs
- Account types: availability of ISA, SIPP, GIA, and Cash ISA wrappers on the free tier
- Instrument range: breadth of stocks, ETFs, funds, and other asset classes available
- Regulatory standing: FCA authorisation status and FSCS protection level
- Investor protections: security features, cash interest rates, and demo account availability
- Third party recognition: independent awards, ratings, and recognised review sources
Platforms were ranked primarily on fee transparency and account wrapper availability, with instrument range, regulatory protections, and third party recognition used to differentiate between platforms that scored similarly on cost.
Compare 6 Free Trading Platforms UK – 2026
To better understand how these platforms compare on the criteria that matter most to cost-conscious UK investors, here is a side-by-side breakdown of the key facts.
| Rank | Platform | Commission on Stocks & ETFs | Foreign Exchange Fee | ISA Available | CFD Trading Available | Min. Deposit |
| 1 | XTB | 0% up to €100k/month | 0.50% | ? (Stocks & Shares + Cash ISA) | ? | £0 |
| 2 | Freetrade | 0% (Basic plan) | 0.99% | ? (Stocks & Shares ISA) | ? | £0 |
| 3 | Capital.com | 0% | 0.7% | ? | ? | £0 |
| 4 | IG | 0% (UK & US shares) | 0.7% | ? (Stocks & Shares ISA) | ? | £0 |
| 5 | eToro | 0% | 150 PIPs on GBP deposits; 0.75% on account transfers | ? (via Moneyfarm) | ? | $50 (~£37) |
| 6 | Trading 212 | 0% | 0.15% | ? (Stocks & Shares ISA + Cash ISA) | ? | £1 |
1. XTB
XTB combines a zero commission structure on stocks and ETFs with no custody fee on portfolios up to €250,000.
Founded in 2002 and FCA authorised (FRN 522157), XTB lists access to 11,500 instruments including 8,800+ securities and 2,500+ CFD instruments across its xStation 5 platform. According to its published terms, XTB pays 4.00% GBP p.a. (variable) interest on uninvested cash, has over 2 million investors, and received the Boring Money Best for Low Cost ISA 2025 award.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtb
Fees:
- 0% commission on stocks and ETFs up to €100,000/month (0.2%, min. £10 above that)
- No custody fee up to €250,000 (0.02% p.a. above that)
- 0.5% FX fee on non-GBP trades
- No account or maintenance fee
- Free deposits and withdrawals
- £10/month inactivity fee after 365 days without activity
Pros:
- Zero commission on stocks and ETFs up to €100,000/month
- No custody fee up to €250,000
- Both Stocks and Shares ISA and Cash ISA available
- 4.00% GBP p.a. interest on uninvested cash
- FSCS protection up to £120,000
- Free demo account for beginners
- 24/5 customer support
- Boring Money Best for Low Cost ISA 2025
Cons:
- 0.5% foreign exchange fee on non-GBP trades
- No OEICs or investment trusts available
- Inactivity fee of £10/month after 365 days without activity
Financial products available: Stocks and Shares ISA, Cash ISA, General Investment Account, CFD trading, Investment Plans (automated ETF investing)
Min. deposit: £0
Verdict: XTB combines zero commission, no custody fee up to £250,000, and both a Stocks and Shares ISA and a Cash ISA, with a published 4.00% interest rate on uninvested cash.
Capital at risk. Investment values can rise or fall. 0% commission up to €100k/month. Other fees may apply.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 72% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
2. Freetrade
Freetrade is a UK-based commission-free trading platform founded in 2016, offering access to 8,200+ stocks, ETFs, investment trusts, gilts, and funds across ISA, SIPP, and General Investment Account wrappers on its free Basic plan. It’s FCA authorised and FSCS protected: investments up to £85,000 and eligible cash deposits up to £120,000. The platform has been owned by IG Group since 2025.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/freetrade
Fees:
- No trading fee on Basic plan
- No platform fee on Basic plan
- 0.99% foreign exchange fee on non-GBP trades
- Standard plan: £4.99/month (annual)
- Plus plan: £9.99/month (annual)
Pros:
- No platform or trading fees on Basic plan
- ISA, SIPP, and GIA all available on the free tier
- 8,200+ investment options including gilts and investment trusts
Cons:
- 0.99% foreign exchange fee on non-GBP trades
- Standard and Plus plans carry monthly fees
Financial products available: Stocks and Shares ISA, SIPP, General Investment Account
Min. deposit: £0
Verdict: The free Basic plan combines a SIPP with an ISA and GIA at no trading or platform cost, with access to gilts and investment trusts.
3. Capital.com
Capital.com is a trading platform founded in 2016 and FCA regulated (FRN 793714). It reported $3.42 trillion in client trading volumes in 2025 and maintains offices across four continents. It offers zero commission share and ETF dealing alongside CFD trading, with no account, inactivity, or withdrawal fees.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/capital.com
Fees:
- Zero commission on real stock and ETF trades
- No account, inactivity, or withdrawal fees
- FX conversion fee: 0.7% on non-GBP instruments (0.5% for professional clients)
- CFD spreads from 0.6 pips on EUR/USD
Pros:
- Zero commission on stocks and ETFs
- No account, inactivity, or withdrawal fees
- Built-in AI-powered behavioural analysis tools
- Investmate educational app included
Cons:
- No ISA or SIPP wrapper accounts
- No spread betting — CFDs only for leveraged trading
Financial products available: General Investment Account, CFD trading
Min. deposit: £0
Verdict: The platform pairs zero commission share dealing with CFD trading and carries no account, inactivity, or withdrawal fees.
4. IG
IG is a London-based trading platform founded in 1974, FCA authorised (FRN 195355), listed on the FTSE 250, and serving 313,000+ clients across 17 countries. It offers commission-free share dealing on UK and US shares alongside spread betting, CFD trading, ISA, and SIPP wrappers, with access to 17,000+ markets in total.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/iggroup
Fees:
- No platform fee
- No trading fee on UK and US shares (online trades)
- £50 charge per phone-executed deal
- Additional dealing and exchange rate charges may apply on overseas exchanges
Pros:
- No platform fee and no trading fees on UK and US shares
- 17,000+ markets including spread betting and CFDs
- Educational resources via IG Academy
- Interest on uninvested cash
Cons:
- No fractional share ownership
- Platform complexity less suited to beginners
- Share CFDs carry commission (0.1% UK, 2¢/share US)
Financial products available: Stocks and Shares ISA, SIPP, General Investment Account, CFD trading, spread betting
Min. deposit: £0 (no minimum on share dealing, ISA, or SIPP accounts)
Verdict: The platform offers no trading fees on UK and US shares, covers over 17,000 markets, and includes ISA, SIPP, and spread betting access from a single account.
5. eToro
eToro is a trading platform founded in 2007 that states it serves approximately 40 million customers globally, offering commission free share and ETF dealing alongside social and copy trading functionality. UK clients are held in a USD account by default, and currency conversion fees apply when depositing, withdrawing, or moving funds between a local GBP account and the USD account.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/etoro
Fees:
- No trading or platform fee
- USD 5 withdrawal fee on USD withdrawals
- Approximately 150 PIPs (around 1.5%) on GBP deposits and withdrawals via card, e-wallet, online banking, or bank transfer
- 0.75% fee on conversions between a local GBP account and the USD trading account
- Minimum first deposit: USD 50 (subsequent deposits can be as low as USD 10 in the UK)
Pros:
- No trading or platform fees
- Social and copy trading functionality
- Fractional shares available
- Approximately 40 million customers globally, per the provider
Cons:
- Currency conversion fees apply on GBP deposits, withdrawals, and account transfers
- USD 5 withdrawal fee on USD withdrawals
- Narrower investment selection compared with some other platforms in this comparison
Financial products available: General Investment Account, Stocks and Shares ISA (via Moneyfarm partnership), CFD trading
Min. deposit: $50
Verdict: The platform’s copy trading functionality lets investors mirror other traders’ positions, alongside commission free share and ETF dealing.
6. Trading 212
Trading 212 is a London based commission free trading platform founded in 2004, offering access to over 13,000 shares, ETFs, and investment trusts across UK, US, and European markets. It integrates TradingView charting tools and carries a 0.15% foreign exchange fee on non GBP trades.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/trading212
Fees:
- No trading fee
- No platform fee
- 0.15% foreign exchange fee
- Minimum investment: £1
Pros:
- No trading or platform fees
- 0.15% foreign exchange fee on non-GBP trades
- 13,000+ investment options including investment trusts
- Fractional shares available
- TradingView charting integration
Cons:
- CFD trading not available
- Email-only support
- Limited company information within the app
Financial products available: Stocks and Shares ISA, Cash ISA, SIPP, General Investment Account
Min. deposit: £1
Verdict: The platform charges a 0.15% foreign exchange fee on non GBP trades and offers a Stocks and Shares ISA, a Cash ISA, and a SIPP, alongside access to over 13,000 instruments.
Conclusion
The platforms in this comparison vary mainly on three things: how foreign exchange fees are charged, which account wrappers are included on the free tier, and how custody and inactivity charges are structured once a portfolio grows. None is free in every sense, and each recovers cost somewhere, whether through FX fees, inactivity charges, or subscription tiers.
The value of investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you invest. Fees, interest rates, and product availability are subject to change. Always verify current terms directly with each provider before opening an account.
This article does not constitute personal financial advice. If you are unsure which platform or product is right for you, seek independent advice from a suitably qualified financial adviser.
FAQ
What fees should I look out for on free trading platforms?
The most common charges on free platforms are foreign exchange fees on non-GBP trades, inactivity fees after a period without activity, and withdrawal fees. Platform and custody fees may also apply above certain portfolio thresholds.
Are free trading platforms safe to use in the UK?
Platforms regulated by the FCA and covered by the FSCS offer a meaningful level of protection, though FSCS coverage levels vary by platform. Always check a platform’s FCA registration number before opening an account.
Which account wrappers are available on free trading platforms?
Availability varies across platforms. Of those compared here, most offer a Stocks and Shares ISA at no extra cost, while a Cash ISA, SIPP, and General Investment Account are less consistently available on the free tier. Readers should check each platform’s current terms, since wrapper availability and any associated conditions can change.
Do free trading platforms offer a SIPP?
Not all free platforms include a SIPP. Of the platforms compared here, several now offer one, though availability, charges, and the underlying trustee structure differ between them.
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