Managing your portfolio on the move is easy with investment apps, but selecting the right one is harder as there are so many to choose from. This page ranks and compares the cream of the investing apps crop. Find out below why eToro earned the top spot , as well as what your options are if you're looking for a cheaper or more advanced alternative. Investing Apps: Our Top Picks CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage . 76% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. CFD Service. FCA (FRN 509909). Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. 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 CFDs with this provider . You should consider whether you understand how CFDs, FX or any of our other products work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Losses can exceed deposits on some products. Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you invest. CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 83% 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. Best Investing Apps in the UK Reviewed Below are listed the mini-reviews of leading investment apps available in the UK. Best Investment Apps at a Glance Overall best investing app - eToro Overall best investing app - eToro Best investing app for SIPP accounts - Freetrade Best investing app for SIPP accounts - Freetrade Best investing app for regular investments - Fineco Bank Best investing app for regular investments - Fineco Bank Best investing app for smart portfolio management - IG Best investing app for smart portfolio management - IG Best investing app for bonds - Saxo Markets Best investing app for bonds - Saxo Markets Best investing app for stocks and shares ISA - Trading 212 Best investing app for stocks and shares ISA - Trading 212 Best investing app for active investors - Degiro Best investing app for active investors - Degiro Best investing app for retirement planning - Hargreaves Lansdown Best investing app for retirement planning - Hargreaves Lansdown Best investing app for low-cost investing - Interactive Investor Best investing app for low-cost investing - Interactive Investor Best investing app for funds - AJ Bell Best investing app for funds - AJ Bell 1. eToro - Best Investing App Overall eToro packs together traditional assets like stocks and commodities with newer digital assets like cryptocurrencies in a familiar and intuitive mobile app that appeals to investors of all levels of experience. The mobile app supports all the features included in eToro’s web workstation. The platform’s most outstanding features include the highly regarded CopyTrader and Smart Portfolio functionalities. Using the social trading platform, users can exchange ideas and tips with each other, identify successful investors that match their goals and risk tolerance and automatically copy their portfolios. Alternatively, it’s possible to automate portfolio management by opting for eToro’s analyst-curated smart portfolios specifically designed for long-term investment strategies. Key information Account minimum deposit £8 per month after a year Investment types CFDs, Commodities, Stocks & Shares, Cryptocurrency, Forex App Store Rating 3.8 / ‎8,450 ratings Google Play Rating 4.1 / 134,000 ratings 2. Freetrade - Best Investing App for SIPP Accounts Launched in 2018, Freetrade fulfils its mission to democratise and commercialise investing through its accessible and easy-to-navigate mobile app. Its ease of use is partly due to its simplicity. The platform lacks automated portfolio management and versatile research tools, yet it compensates for that with a wealth of educational material covering all the bases of investing along with a regularly updated market analysis section. The higher tiers grant access to tax-wrapper investing accounts like stocks and shares ISAs and self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs). The platform is predominantly focused on stocks and shares and offers commission-free trading applicable for all types of accounts. Key information Account minimum deposit Transfer Fees for ISA and SIPP Basic – £0, Standard – £5.99 per month, Plus £11.99 per month Investment types Stocks & Shares, ETFs, Penny Stocks App Store Rating 4.3 / 12,500 ratings Google Play Rating 3.9 / 19,500 ratings 3. Fineco Bank - Best Investing App for Regular Investing Strategies Originally a banking institution, this Italy-based firm has been growing its operations aimed at UK-based investors over the last few years. The sheer variety of trading instruments, stretching from stocks and ETFs to forex and CFDs, along with the exposure to international markets, are among Fineco’s greatest assets, but now UK investors can also invest in stocks and shares ISAs and opt for the Regular Investment Plan to automate their investments - starting with £50 monthly payments. Despite the number of moving parts, Fineco’s mobile app is surprisingly neat and easy to navigate. Key information Account minimum deposit £2.95 per trade Funds Custody Fee 0.25% (reduces on a tiered scale) Investment types CFDs, Forex, Options, Stocks & Shares App Store Rating 4.5 / ‎3,350 ratings Google Play Rating 4.1 / ‎143,500 ratings 4. IG - Best Investing App for Smart Portfolio Allocation A globally-recognised brand, IG has a market value of over £2 billion and an excellent track record. Known for its harmony of quality and affordability, IG offers industry-level services for retail investors and manages to keep its services accessible to users. Among its outstanding features is Smart Portfolio capability: It draws from BlackRock’s asset allocation models and is managed by experts at IG, which has over 40 years of experience under its belt. The portfolio library is categorised mainly to cater to five risk profiles, ranging from conservative to aggressive, and covers a range of asset classes and regions other than index funds, including commodities, bonds, emerging market securities, and tax-wrapper investment instruments like ISA and SIPP. IG’s mobile platform includes all the services in its offerings, including every research and analysis tool, along with additional access to the MT4 platform for automated trading. Key information Account minimum deposit £250 with credit/debit card and no minimum with bank transfer £3 on UK shares, 0% on US shares Smart Portfolio Management Fee 0.72% per annum for below £50,000, 0.22% per annum for above £50,000. £24 per quarter, reduced by commissions paid per trade Investment types Stocks & Shares, CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities App Store Rating 4.6 / ‎27,600 ratings Google Play Rating 4.1 / ‎19,000 ratings 5. Saxo Markets - Best Investing App for Bonds Denmark’s Saxo Markets is revered for the variety of assets it offers. These range from securities like stocks and bonds to leveraged products like options, futures, and CFDs. The platform offers exposure to over 5,900 government and corporate bonds with competitive commissions for high-volume investments. Besides a wealth of trading instruments, Saxo ticks all the boxes in portfolio tracking technologies, fundamental and technical analysis tools, and quality market news coverage curated by Saxo's in-house team of financial professionals. The features offered on its main investing app, SaxoTraderGo, largely overlap with the desktop offerings. The major downside is that the more advanced SaxoTraderPro cannot be accessed through mobile devices. Nevertheless, SaxoTraderGo fares well against competitors. As it is geared towards casual and beginner traders, it's fairly intuitive and straightforward to use. Key information Account minimum deposit 0.05% on bonds, £5 on UK stocks £50 per quarter if you only hold cash Investment types CFDs, Forex, Stocks & Shares, Derivatives, Options, Commodities, Cryptocurrency, Funds, Bonds App Store Rating 4.5 / ‎2,600 ratings Google Play Rating 4.3 / ‎6,300 rating 6. Trading 212 - Best Investing App for Stocks and Shares ISA Trading 212 is a pioneer in zero-commission trading and has maintained its low-cost services since its entry to the UK market. The company has an outstanding track record and has been highly regarded as one of the best investment platforms in the UK as it has lowered the entry barrier to the markets. Its mobile application has a modern design and has been ranked number one in the UK with over 15 million downloads. Like many investing apps, Trading 212 also offers tax-wrapper ISA products. Unlike many investing apps, it charges no platform or annual management fees. The account minimum deposit is £1 for ISA accounts and there's no deposit fee for the first £2,000. Key information Account minimum deposit Free for bank transfers, and otherwise 0.70% after the first £2,000 Investment types Stocks, Fractional Shares, ETFs, CFDs App Store Rating 4.6 /‎ 204k ratings Google Play Rating 3.9 / ‎144k ratings 7. Degiro - Best Investing App for Beginners Degiro’s award-winning mobile application is fairly intuitive and straightforward. It packs outstanding research tools, including interactive charts, company financial profiles, other stock-specific information, an economic calendar, ESG ratings, real-time quotes, and more. While the features show versatility, they lack depth. Yet, on the flip side, the simplicity of the capabilities makes the platform very appealing for novice investors who wish to learn more about the mechanisms of charting and other analysis features. Degiro users can only invest in equities including stocks, ETFs, and bonds, as the platform doesn’t include ISAs or SIPPs. Its exposure to over 50 international exchanges is almost unparalleled. Key information Account minimum deposit £1.75 on UK stocks, €1 on US stocks, 0 on core ETFs, €2 on bonds & worldwide ETFs Currency Conversion Investment types Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Funds, Commodities, Derivatives, Options App Store Rating 4.3 / ‎300 ratings Google Play Rating 4 / ‎14k ratings 8. Hargreaves Lansdown - Best Investing App for Retirement Planning Hargreaves Lansdown Hargreaves Lansdown offers a well-rounded retirement planning service with a range of products from Junior SIPP (pension investment account for a child) to Annuity planning, topped up with helpful calculators for working out a pension or calculating expenses. Besides a wealth of educational materials, HL also features an advisory helpdesk where users can get one-off or ongoing financial advice about their investments. The mobile app is user-friendly and intuitive. Users can get an overview of their portfolio and its performance at a glance and use research tools to generate investing ideas along with real-time news feeds. Key information Account minimum deposit £5.95 to £11.95 for shares, no charge for funds Annual management charge None for Junior ISA or Fund & Share Account; 0.45% for ISA or SIPP; 0.25% for LISA Investment types Shares, Funds, Investment Trusts, Gilts and Bonds App Store Rating 4.7 / ‎51k ratings Google Play Rating 4.1 / ‎13k ratings 9. Interactive Investor - Best Investing App for Low Cost Investing Interactive Investor Interactive Investor features a predominantly flat-fee pricing structure that applies to its tax-wrapper investing products (ISA and SIPP) along with other trading instruments. The products are subject to a tiered subscription system, and the trading fees remain flat regardless of the trading volume, making it more appealing for high-volume investors. The broker’s mobile app is fully functional, allowing investors to access 40,000 products, award-winning research, expert insights, smart watchlists, and quick share quotes. Key information Account minimum deposit £3.99 for UK shares, funds, gilts & bonds, US shares; Up to £9.99 for international shares Dividend Reinvestment £0.99 for automatically reinvesting your dividends and the minimum dividend value is £10 Investor Essentials – £4.99, Pension Essentials – £5.99, Investor – £11.99, Pension Builder – £12.99, Super Investor – £19.99 Investment types Shares, Funds, ETFs, Investment Trusts, Bonds & Gilts App Store Rating 4.4 / ‎9k ratings Google Play Rating 2.5 / ‎2k ratings 10. AJ Bell - Best Investing App for Funds Established in 1995, this UK-based organisation has been engaged in providing investment services for almost three decades. Along with a variety of investment instruments, it maintains an impressive range of over 2,000 funds to invest in, including in-house managed AJ Bell funds which are free of charge to trade and are accompanied by AJ’s robust fund screener. The mobile app, much like its web platform, is more geared toward experienced investors. Despite not being visually appealing, and if anything slightly outdated, the app is fairly robust and fully functional, including every service the platform has to offer. Key information Account minimum deposit £1.50 for funds; £9.95 or £4.95 for shares, ETFs, investment trusts, and bonds Annual Custody Charge Investment types Funds, Stocks & Shares, Investment Trusts, Bonds & Gilts App Store Rating 4.7 / ‎9k ratings Google Play Rating 3.2 / ‎1.2k ratings How we rate & review investing apps in the UK We provide unbiased reviews and scores to help you make informed decisions when it comes to choosing the right app to meet your needs. When reviewing and ranking UK investment apps, we evaluate them based on the criteria that matter most to users, as detailed below. Safety and Regulation This consideration is especially important for financial services, as you want to know that you and your money are protected. All the apps we shortlisted are regulated by the FCA (or BaFIN in the case of Degiro), so you can be sure they have high standards of security and consumer protection. This is a top priority for many investors, as they don’t want high fees eating into their profit margins. We’ve evaluated the apps on a range of costs, from annual management fees to trading commissions, as well as how transparent they are about what they charge. Functionality and Features It’s important to ensure that your chosen app allows you to do everything you need from your mobile. Investment apps don’t necessarily provide the same functionality as their desktop counterparts. We therefore analyzed which features each app offers, as well as comparing user ratings and update frequency. All the apps reviewed are available for both iOS and Android. The types of instruments available for investment can vary from one app to the next. If you want to build a diversified portfolio, it’s wise to pick an app that provides access to a variety of different markets. Portfolio Management A solid investment app should provide you with all the tools you need to manage your portfolio effectively. Depending on your personal preferences, these might include risk analysis and tracking tools, automated purchases and rebalancing, or expert-managed portfolios. What is investing? Investing is putting your money into an asset with the hope that it will grow in value over time. The process is crucial to growing wealth and realising financial goals. When investing, you should consider the following four factors: Risk – Investing always carries some risk, and taking more risks could get you higher returns, but it also increases the chance of losing money. Risk – Investing always carries some risk, and taking more risks could get you higher returns, but it also increases the chance of losing money. Time horizon – The strategy you adopt may depend on whether you want to invest for the short or long term. Time horizon – The strategy you adopt may depend on whether you want to invest for the short or long term. Diversification – Spreading your money across different assets, investment types, and sectors can help reduce your risk. Diversification – Spreading your money across different assets, investment types, and sectors can help reduce your risk. Compound interest – This is when you earn interest on your interest. It can make your investment grow faster over time. Compound interest – This is when you earn interest on your interest. It can make your investment grow faster over time. Should You Save or Invest? A Breakdown of Risks and Benefits INVESTING CAN BE A GOOD CHOICE BECAUSE: SAVING CAN BE A GOOD CHOICE BECAUSE: Profits can outpace inflation Predictable and low risk Wealth can compound through reinvestment Doesn’t require time and research What is an investment app? These mobile platforms enable users to invest and manage their holdings easily. Ideal for beginners and seasoned investors, they offer various features like account management, portfolio tracking, and notifications. They provide the convenience of managing your investments from anywhere. How do investing apps work? Investment apps connect users to financial institutions, allowing market access and easy funding thanks to open banking. These apps offer diverse options, such as ready-made portfolios, DIY investing, robo-investing , and copy trading , tailored to individual needs and risk preferences. Expert-managed investment apps Expert-managed investment apps have a team of experts or a computer algorithm to handle your investments. They customise your portfolio based on your financial profile, making them perfect for hands-off beginners. Benefits include convenience, expert decision-making, and risk reduction through diversification. However, they have drawbacks like higher fees and less user control. Self-managed investment apps These tools allow users to choose and trade diverse instruments independently. Their benefits include the following: Users have complete control over investments Users have complete control over investments They afford flexibility in choosing investments and timing trades They afford flexibility in choosing investments and timing trades Users can access educational resources. Users can access educational resources. However, their drawbacks include The risk of making uninformed decisions without proper research The risk of making uninformed decisions without proper research They require time commitment They require time commitment Some charge fees. Some charge fees. How much money do I need to start investing with an app? The minimum amount of money you need to start investing with an app varies depending on the app. Some apps have no minimum investment requirement, while others require a minimum of £1, £50, or even £100. When assessing your initial investment amount, it is essential to consider your short-term and long-term goals and your risk appetite. Here are other considerations when investing: Make sure to clear all your debts before investing: By eliminating the elements that drain your financial resources, it’ll be easier to assess how much you can allocate for investments. Make sure to clear all your debts before investing: By eliminating the elements that drain your financial resources, it’ll be easier to assess how much you can allocate for investments. Never invest more than you can afford to lose: Although there’s a common tendency to push in a huge pot in the hopes of grand returns, there’s always an inherent risk of capital loss with investing. So, it requires a wise allocation of income that doesn’t dip into fundamental costs like rent, bills, or groceries. Never invest more than you can afford to lose: Although there’s a common tendency to push in a huge pot in the hopes of grand returns, there’s always an inherent risk of capital loss with investing. So, it requires a wise allocation of income that doesn’t dip into fundamental costs like rent, bills, or groceries. Invest regularly: While this depends on your specific strategy, investing small amounts regularly (a concept known as Dollar-Cost Averaging) can help to lower the entry barrier and make you a more disciplined investor. Invest regularly: While this depends on your specific strategy, investing small amounts regularly (a concept known as Dollar-Cost Averaging) can help to lower the entry barrier and make you a more disciplined investor. How much money should a beginner invest using investment apps? Figuring out how much to invest depends on your financial situation and goals. For beginners, a smart strategy is dollar-cost averaging – investing a fixed amount regularly, regardless of the asset's price. This helps spread the risk and avoids investing all your funds at once, potentially reducing losses. If you’re just starting out, you might want to begin with the minimum deposit and get comfortable with the app and your strategy before gradually increasing your investment amount. If you're new to investments, consider the following: Mutual funds pool money from multiple investors, giving you diversification and professional management. Mutual funds pool money from multiple investors, giving you diversification and professional management. ETFs are similar but trade on exchanges, making them more liquid. ETFs are similar but trade on exchanges, making them more liquid. Bonds pay interest over time, which can reduce risk. Bonds pay interest over time, which can reduce risk. Stocks offer long-term growth potential but can be volatile. Stocks offer long-term growth potential but can be volatile. Here is how beginners can invest different amounts using investment apps: Investment Amount Investment Type Stocks and shares How to invest £5,000 How to invest £10,000 Hargreaves Lansdown How to invest £50,000 Diverse portfolio of assets How to invest £100,000 What is the best way to invest small amounts of money in the UK? Here are some of the best ways to invest small amounts of money in the UK: Automatic Investing Automatic Investing Low-cost index funds Low-cost index funds High-yield savings accounts High-yield savings accounts Ways to invest using investment apps? Investing using investment apps is now easier than ever. Here are some of the ways you can use them to grow your wealth: Automated investing Automated investing employs computer algorithms for investment decisions. You can do so through robo-advisors, algorithmic, and AI investing apps. It can be passive or active and suits individuals lacking time or expertise for DIY investing. AI investing apps & Robo advisors A robo-advisor is a digital investment advisor utilizing algorithms to manage client portfolios. It typically follows a passive approach to investing in diversified assets. They suit new investors, those seeking cost-effective options, and busy individuals. Here is a table of the best AI investing apps & Robo advisors: 0.75% annual management fee Visit Moneyfarm 0.45% annual management fee Visit Wealthify 0.45% annual management fee The three apps are considered the best AI investing apps & robo-advisors as they offer low fees, a wide range of assets, user-friendly interfaces, and educational resources. Algorithmic investing apps Algorithmic investing uses computer algorithms to make trading decisions based on historical market data and price patterns. It can be passive or active and is ideal for hands-off investors. £0 for bank transfer, £250 otherwise No commission on US shares, £3 on UK shares Commissions from 0.05% Visit Saxo Markets Visit Trading 212 IG’s native APIs and integrations with MT4 and ProRealTime enable customers to build algorithms and refine them through backtesting, or use off-the-shelf solutions. Saxo Markets offers algorithmic orders for cash stocks and single stock CFDs through SaxoTraderPRO (though users need to place orders on their computers), while Trading 212 supports customisable automated investing plans. Trading apps are mobile or web-based platforms enabling users to buy and sell financial assets actively. They provide greater investment control and offer real-time market data and quick order execution capabilities. That makes them ideal for those seeking easy and fast trading options. Best trading apps in the UK Here are some of the best trading apps in the UK for 2026: Price per trade Fractional shares No commission on stocks & ETFs Free basic trades Visit Freetrade Interactive Investor Visit Interactive Investor eToro is a user-friendly social trading app, appealing to both beginners and experienced traders. Freetrade's standout feature is commission-free trades, making it cost-effective. Interactive Investor offers advanced trading tools, making it an excellent choice for experienced traders. What is the difference between trading and investing? Both traders and investors participate in the financial markets to make a profit by purchasing securities. The main difference between the two comes with the timescale: while traders hold assets for a day or the time until it reaches a short-term profit, investors hold on to their assets for years or potentially decades and seek out larger returns over time by selecting value investments that are likely to yield sustainable returns in the long haul. An investor is likely interested in the company's financial growth rather than the share trends whereas a trader focuses mainly on the market value of the stock. Most traders sell off their stocks when they hit the target price or recover from losses since the risk is higher in trading. However, investors hold their assets for the long term and aim to sell them only when they reap significant profits. Neo-brokers are digital investment service providers that often offer commission-free trading and low-cost investment products. They can facilitate both active and passive investment strategies, and are a popular option with new investors seeking a wide range of accessible and low-cost investment opportunities. Best Neo-brokers in the UK Here's a comparison of some of the best neo-brokers in the UK: No commission on stocks & ETFs Free basic trades Visit Freetrade £2.95 per trade Visit Fineco Bank eToro offers social trading and a wide array of tradable assets. Freetrade stands out with its user-friendly interface, commission-free trades, and fractional shares support. Fineco Bank has competitive pricing and comprehensive investment options. Smart portfolios A smart portfolio is a curated automated investment portfolio. An algorithm and/or team of analysts periodically rebalance the portfolio to align with the investor's goals. Smart portfolios can be passive or active investments suitable for hands-off investors. Best investment apps for smart portfolio management Here are the top investment apps for your smart portfolio: None for stock portfolios £0 for bank transfer, £250 otherwise Visit Saxo Markets Curated by analysts, eToro’s Smart Portfolios provide a convenient, long-term investment strategy with easy access to market trends and no management fees. IG Smart Portfolios are customised to suit your risk profile, providing expertly-managed, diversified exposure to a range of markets at low cost. Meanwhile, Saxo Markets’ managed portfolios are built by experts and automatically adjusted according to market opportunities. Micro-investment & fractional investing apps Micro-investing or spare change investing involves investing small amounts of money regularly, often just a few pounds. It is a passive investment strategy suitable for those with limited funds or looking to save on fees since micro-investing apps usually have low fees. Best micro-investment apps Here are UK's best micro-investment apps. Free basic trades Visit Freetrade Visit Trading 212 £40 first deposit, £8 for subsequent deposits 0% commission on stocks & ETFs Freetrade is the top app for micro-investing as it offers fractional shares and penny stocks with a minimum trade size of just £2 and no commission. Trading 212 and eToro also offer 0% commission on fractional shares, with the ability to invest as little as £1 on Trading 212 or £8 on eToro. Social trading apps Social trading is an investment approach where investors share information and ideas and can even copy the trades of others through specialized investment apps. It can be either passive or active, making it suitable for new traders, those with limited time, and individuals looking to learn from other investors' strategies and experiences. Best investment apps for social investing In the UK, several investment apps offer social trading options. Some of the most popular include: 0% commission on stocks & ETFs Free basic trades Visit Freetrade £0 for bank transfer, £250 otherwise No commission on US shares, £3 on UK shares eToro, Freetrade, and IG are considered the best investment apps for social investing in the UK because they are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and have low fees. eToro provides personalised profiles and a social news feed akin to Facebook, while Freetrade and IG both have active community forums where users can discuss ideas. Copy trading apps Copy trading is a typically active social trading method where investors can automatically replicate the trades of experienced traders via investment apps. It suits new investors, those lacking time or expertise for independent trading, and those seeking portfolio diversification by copying various traders' strategies. Best investment apps for copy trading Here are the top copy trading apps in the UK that allow you to follow the trades of successful investors and copy their strategies. 0% commission on stocks & ETFs Visit Trading 212 eToro is the go-to destination for copy trading—you can view the risk profiles and returns of other users and copy your favourites with the tap of a button. With Trading 212, you can view the pies (portfolios) of fellow investors and copy any that take your fancy. Dividend investing apps Dividend investing is when investors buy stocks that pay regular dividends. It can be passive or active and is a conservative strategy due to the stability of dividend stocks compared to growth stocks. It’s suitable for those seeking a steady income. Best dividend investing apps Find the top apps that allow you to invest in dividend-paying stocks and ETFs in the UK to generate passive income. 0% commission on stocks and ETFs. Visit Freetrade Hargreaves Lansdown 0.45% annual management fee. 0.25% FX fees for overseas shares Visit Hargreaves Lansdown £0 for bank transfer, £250 otherwise No commission on US shares, £3 on UK shares Freetrade offers commission-free trading for stocks and ETFs, saving users money on spreads. Hargreaves Lansdown provides various investment products with research tools and automatic investing features. IG provides news and educational articles on the top dividend stocks. What can I invest in using investment apps? There are a variety of assets that you can invest in using investment apps. Some of the most common include: Stocks and Shares Stocks and Shares Cryptocurrencies Cryptocurrencies Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) Stocks and Shares (S&S) Stocks and shares (S&S) investments involve buying a portion of a company, betting on its future success for increased share value. Investment apps support the trading of shares and offer tracking features. S&S are ideal for long-term investing, offering potentially high returns, portfolio diversification, risk reduction, and tax advantages. Best investment apps for buying stocks You’ll be able to find the best stocks on the following apps. £0 for bank transfer, £250 otherwise No commission on US shares, £3 on UK shares 0% commission on stocks Visit Freetrade 0% commission on stocks IG offers over 13,000 shares and longer market hours. Freetrade offers over 6,000 shares, including fractional shares. eToro has fewer shares but provides commission-free stocks trading through a user-friendly interface. Bonds are loans investors make to companies or governments, offering fixed interest rates for steady income. They are less volatile than stocks, making them suitable for investors seeking stable returns. Benefits include steady income, lower risk compared to stocks, and portfolio diversification. Best investment apps for bonds Find the top apps that allow you to buy and sell bonds in the UK, with low fees and various features. Visit Saxo Markets Hargreaves Lansdown £5.95 to £11.95 per deal Visit Hargreaves Lansdown Saxo Markets offers 5,900 bonds and very competitive fees, while Degiro aims to make bonds accessible through a user-friendly app and diverse trading possibilities. While Hargreaves Lansdown charges a bit more, it offers 150 bonds and educational resources. Funds pool money into diverse assets like stocks and bonds, managed by professionals. Ideal for investors seeking diversification or lacking time/expertise, advantages include diversification, professional management, low fees, and accessibility. Common types are mutual funds, ETFs, and index funds . Best investment apps for index funds Index funds are portfolios of stocks or bonds constructed to track the performance of a financial market index, like the FTSE 100. Here are the top apps for investing in index funds . From $3 on ETFs, spreads from 0.85 on CFDs Visit Saxo Markets £0 for bank transfer, £250 otherwise No commission on US shares, £3 on UK shares Interactive Investor

Visit Interactive Investor On Saxo Markets, you’ll find index fund ETFs, as well as 29 index CFDs. IG has a selection of over 80 index funds and a screener to help you choose between them. Meanwhile, Interactive Investor provides a range of index tracker funds and information on how to get started with them. Best investment apps for mutual funds Investing in mutual funds can be a great way to grow your money over time. Mutual funds pool money from investors to purchase stocks, bonds, or other assets managed by a professional fund manager. That makes them a relatively low-risk investment option for beginners. Several investment apps offer mutual funds in the UK. Some of the best include: No commission on mutual funds Visit Saxo Markets Hargreaves Lansdown Up to 0.45% annual fee. No fund dealing charge Visit Hargreaves Lansdown Up to €3.90 + service fee of up to 0.2% With over 17,000 mutual funds and no commission, Saxo Markets is a clear leader. Hargreaves Lansdown offers a range of funds to suit different goals and risk appetites, while Degiro provides easy access to funds from some of the top fund houses. Cryptocurrencies Cryptocurrencies are decentralised virtual currencies that use cryptography for security. A growing number of apps enable you to buy, hold, and sell cryptocurrencies, or even earn interest on them. Due to high volatility, they suit risk-tolerant investors. Best investment apps for cryptocurrencies Here are UK’s top cryptocurrency trading apps : 1% per crypto trade While there are many other apps (with varying levels of regulation) that offer just crypto, eToro is the place to go if you want to invest in crypto alongside traditional instruments. It supports 80 cryptocurrencies, plus you can benefit from crypto-focused smart portfolios and copy trading. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) ETFs are exchange-traded baskets of securities, tradable like stocks. They track various assets, offering versatility for diverse investment goals. ETFs are beneficial for portfolio diversification, reduced risk, and frequent trading due to low fees and liquidity. Best investment apps for ETFs Find the top apps to buy and sell ETFs in the UK, From £5 commission on UK ETFs Visit Saxo Markets 0% commission on ETFs Visit Freetrade Visit Trading 212 Saxo Markets provides access to over 7,000 ETFs along with ETF research and live market updates. Freetrade has a diverse selection of over 400 ETFs and the lowest trading fees, while Trading 212 also has no commission, plus the ability to earn interest through share lending. REITs are companies owning income-generating real estate, but they are more liquid than real estate investments as you can trade them like stocks. They offer income, diversification, and liquidity, which is ideal for investors seeking real estate exposure without managing properties. Best REITs & real estate investment apps Find the top apps to invest in REITs in the UK. Visit Freetrade Hargreaves Lansdown £5.95 to £11.95 per deal Visit Hargreaves Lansdown £9.95 or £4.95 per deal. 0.25% annual management fee These apps excel for REITs due to various reasons: Freetrade: Commission-free trading with a diverse REIT selection, saving on fees. Freetrade: Commission-free trading with a diverse REIT selection, saving on fees. Hargreaves Lansdown: Established platform with comprehensive REIT options and other investments. Hargreaves Lansdown: Established platform with comprehensive REIT options and other investments. AJ Bell: Low-cost platform offering a wide range of REITs, suitable for long-term investors seeking cost efficiency. AJ Bell: Low-cost platform offering a wide range of REITs, suitable for long-term investors seeking cost efficiency. Different accounts for investing apps The type of account you choose will depend on your individual needs and goals. If you are looking for a flexible account that allows you to buy and sell various securities, a general investment account may be a good option. A stocks and shares ISA is better for long-term saving, while a SIPP would suit you if you want to save for retirement. General Investment Accounts (GIA) A GIA is an investment account offering flexibility and a wide range of investment options. It allows testing different apps without committing to an ISA or pension. It is easy to set up with most apps and requires a minimum of £100 to start investing. It differs from ISAs and SIPPs in that GIAs have no restrictions on contributions or withdrawals, but they also have no tax-free benefits. Best GIA apps in the UK Here is a table of the top three General Investment Account apps in the UK Visit Freetrade Hargreaves Lansdown £5.95 to £11.95 per deal Visit Hargreaves Lansdown £9.95 or £4.95 per deal. 0.25% annual management fee Freetrade offers commission-free trading, diverse stocks and ETFs. Hargreaves Lansdown provides comprehensive offerings, including stocks, ETFs, and investments. Meanwhile, AJ Bell emphasizes low-cost, long-term investing with a wide range of stocks and ETFs. What's the difference between a GIA and ISA? GIAs and ISAs are both investment accounts but differ in tax treatment and contribution limits. No contribution limit No contribution limit Profits are taxed Profits are taxed Can hold a wide range of investments, including shares, funds, bonds, and cash Can hold a wide range of investments, including shares, funds, bonds, and cash Can be accessed at any time Can be accessed at any time Annual contribution limit of £20,000 Annual contribution limit of £20,000 Profits are tax-free Profits are tax-free Can hold a wide range of investments, including shares, funds, bonds, and cash Can hold a wide range of investments, including shares, funds, bonds, and cash Can be accessed at any time Can be accessed at any time It is recommended to utilize your ISA limits before investing in a GIA, as this will save you money on capital gains tax. Stocks and Shares ISAs (S&S ISAs) An S&S ISA is a tax-efficient investment account in the UK. It enables investing in various assets up to a yearly contribution limit of £20,000, without paying capital gains tax and income tax on returns. Best investment apps for S&S ISAs Find the top apps to invest in Stocks and Shares ISAs in the UK. Commissions from 0.05% Visit Saxo Markets 0% commission. Plans from £5.99/month Visit Freetrade Interactive Investor Commission from £3.99. Plans from £4.99/month Visit Interactive Investor Saxo Markets ISAs provide global market access with no fees for transfer, entry, or exit. Freetrade's user-friendly mobile app provides investment options and competitive fees for S&S ISAs. With Interactive Investor’s ISA, you’ll get flat fees and full control over your investments. A SIPP (self-invested personal pension) is a tax-efficient retirement account offering more investment control. It allows diverse investment options like stocks, bonds, ETFs, and property. With tax relief on contributions up to £60,000 yearly, SIPPs provide flexibility and choice for investors managing their investments or using an advisor. Best investment apps for SIPPs Find the top apps for SIPPs in the UK. Hargreaves Lansdown 0.45% annual fee. £5.95 to £11.95 per share deal. Visit Hargreaves Lansdown 0.25% annual fee. Commissions from £1.50 £0 for bank transfer, £250 otherwise £210 annual fee. Commission from 0% Hargreaves Lansdown offers flexible payments and expert guidance, while AJ Bell offers competitive fees and ready-made portfolios. With an IG SIPP, you’ll get a huge range of investment options and it’s especially cost-effective for large investments. How to invest using investment apps? Investing using apps need not be a daunting task. You can do so using the following steps. Find an app that offers the services and fees that suit your investment goals. We’ve already reviewed the top UK investment apps on this page to help you with your decision. Create an account by providing personal information like your name, address, and National Insurance number. Link a bank account or credit card to fund your account. Look at the available investment options, considering how they fit in with your risk tolerance, financial knowledge, and future plans. Use research tools to learn and compare performance. You can opt for a ready-made portfolio or pick your investments manually. Remember to diversify to reduce risk. You should check your portfolio’s performance regularly and consider rebalancing if things change. Most apps make it simple to trade a range of assets—you can buy or sell with just a couple of taps. Stay informed about the market and your investments. Apps provide news but do additional research. It's important to start small, research, and be patient with long-term goals. What to consider when choosing the best investment app? When choosing an investment app, there are many factors to consider, such as your investment goals, your experience level, the fees charged by the app, and the features offered. Here are some of the most important factors to consider: Your experience level Choose the best investment app based on experience level. Beginners seek ease of use, low fees, education, and investment variety. Experienced traders want advanced features, liquidity, and support. Best investment apps for beginners in the UK Find the top apps to help you get started with investing. 0% commission on stocks & ETFs Visit Trading 212 Visit Freetrade eToro, Trading 212, and FreeTrade are top apps for UK beginner investors due to the following: Low fees, low minimums, and fractional shares. Low fees, low minimums, and fractional shares. Wide investment variety for goal alignment. Wide investment variety for goal alignment. User-friendly interfaces, educational content, and social features. User-friendly interfaces, educational content, and social features. Automated investing for time-saving convenience. Automated investing for time-saving convenience. Best investment apps for experienced traders Here’s a look at the top investment apps for experienced traders: Commissions from 0.05% Visit Saxo Markets £0 for bank transfer, £250 otherwise Commission from 0% Hargreaves Lansdown Up to 0.45% annual fee. £5.95 to £11.95 per share deal. Visit Hargreaves Lansdown With Saxo Markets and IG, you’ll get a huge range of investments to choose from, as well as advanced charting tools. Meanwhile, Hargreaves Lansdown offers a wide range of market news, insight, and research. Best investment apps for regular investments If you're a regular investor, here are the best apps to get you started on your journey: 0% commission on stocks & ETFs Visit Trading 212 £0 for bank transfer, £250 otherwise Commission from 0% Fees can add up fast for regular investors, which is why they prefer commission-free apps like the ones above. eToro and Trading 212 will let you automate regular investments, while IG supports algorithmic trading. Your investing goals & strategy When selecting an investment app, match your goals and strategies with its features. Consider your time horizon, risk tolerance, and investment objectives. Various apps cater to different goals, such as long-term investing or active trading, so choose one that aligns with your needs. Best investment apps for long-term investing These tools could come in handy for the long-term investor: Hargreaves Lansdown Up to 0.45% annual fee Visit Hargreaves Lansdown Up to 0.25% annual fee Commissions from 0.05% Visit Saxo Markets Hargreaves Lansdown, AJ Bell, and Saxo Markets all offer managed portfolios designed for long-term investment, along with competitive yearly fees. Best investment apps for short-term investing Looking for the best apps for short-term investing? Here are the top picks: Visit Trading 212 0% commission on stocks & ETFs Interactive Investor Commission from £3.99. Plans from £4.99/month Visit Interactive Investor Trading 212 offers commission-free trading and a user-friendly interface, ideal for short-term traders. Similarly, eToro's social trading feature with diverse assets and Interactive Investor's flexibility make them appealing for frequent short-term trading. Best investment apps for active investing For your active investments, you needn't look any further than the following three apps: 0% commission on stocks & ETFs Visit Trading 212 £0 for bank transfer, £250 otherwise Commission from 0% Commission-free trades and easy portfolio tracking make these apps perfect for active investors. What’s more, you can automate active strategies, such as through eToro’s CopyTrader feature. Best investment apps for hands-off & passive investing Passive investing is a good option for investors who want to keep their investments simple and don't want to spend much time managing their portfolios. Find the top apps to help you invest with minimal effort in the UK. Commissions from £0 Visit Trading 212 0% commission on stocks & ETFs Degiro and Trading 212 are ideal for buy-and-holders as they don’t charge any annual or inactivity fees. eToro, meanwhile, is popular with hands-off investors thanks to its CopyTrader and Smart Portfolios features. Platform stability and reliability The best way to assess a platform’s stability is to test out all of its features through a demo account and monitor the app to see whether it receives regular updates for bug fixes. Minimum downtime and seamless operation are crucial while using an investing app to minimise the risk of failure during payment and withdrawal requests. Best investment apps for iOS (iPhone and iPad) Here are your top picks for iOS investment apps in the UK: App Store Rating Hargreaves Lansdown £5.95-11.95 per share deal. Up to 0.45% annual fee Visit Hargreaves Lansdown Up to £9.95 per deal. Up to 0.25% annual fee £0 for bank transfer, £250 otherwise Commission from 0% These three apps provide iPhone users with advanced trading and charting tools. They offer biometric authentication and are updated at least once a month to iron out bugs and improve performance. Best investment apps for Android Here are the top investment apps for Android devices: Google Play Rating Commissions from 0.05% Visit Saxo Markets Commissions from £0 £2.95 per trade Visit Fineco Bank SaxoTraderGO provides access to tens of thousands of instruments, along with technical indicators, automated trade signals, and market analysis. Degiro and Fineco have each received over 1 million downloads from Android users thanks to their comprehensive functionalities. Ethical investing support Ethical investing involves investing in companies with favorable environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies. Ethical investment apps offer ESG frameworks and information on companies' practices to aid conscious decisions. Additional features include screening options, customizable portfolios, and access to socially responsible funds. Fees vary based on app features. Best apps for ethical investing in the UK Here are the top ESG apps in the UK Interactive Investor Commission from £3.99. Plans from £4.99/month Visit Interactive Investor 0% commission on stocks & ETFs Commission from £1.50. Up to 0.25% annual fee Interactive Investor has over 200 sustainable investment options and has put together the ACE 40 list to highlight the best of them. eToro simplifies ethical investing with its user-friendly ESG scores. Finally, AJ Bell’s Responsible Growth fund provides a ready-made portfolio of ESG companies. Regulations and safety Investment apps are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, which requires organisations to segregate the accounts holding company assets and client investments. This means that if the provider goes insolvent, client investments are not seized in the process and the provider can’t use client monies for their own expenses or investments. Besides regulatory compliance, it’s important for investment apps to employ industry-standard security measures like 2FA or SSL encryption. Beware of scams The FCA lists at least 600 unauthorised investing platforms. Make sure to confirm your preferred platform's authorisation before signing up. Head to their home webpage, and scroll down to the footer. Most investment platforms display an FCA reference number there. Head to their home webpage, and scroll down to the footer. Most investment platforms display an FCA reference number there. After copying the number, head to the FCA register and enter the details. After copying the number, head to the FCA register and enter the details. There, you can confirm that the investment platform is registered and that they have updated their details within the last year. There, you can confirm that the investment platform is registered and that they have updated their details within the last year. Full functionality and usability While many investing platforms now embrace a mobile-first approach, service overlap between applications and web versions still varies. For a solid mobile experience, it’s crucial to investigate what features are accessible through the app and test its usability before opting in. Some investing apps are geared more toward experienced investors while others are suitable for a larger audience. Before starting to move money around, investors are advised to play around with the application to see whether it’s intuitive enough for their level of experience. Assets vary from stocks, bonds, and commodities to index funds, and every platform has its own set of offerings. A balanced and diversified portfolio constitutes the best scenario for investors, which can ultimately lead to diversified risk exposure, stabilised results, and potentially improved returns. To bundle up all investments in a single platform, it may be wise to seek out an investment app offering a variety of assets. Portfolio management Investment apps in the UK offer various portfolio management features. Basic functionalities include portfolio tracking, risk analysis, rebalancing, and tax planning. Some apps provide automated investing and advanced features like portfolio simulation, research access, and social features to connect with other investors. These tools can assist you in making informed investment decisions and managing your holdings effectively. Customer support Customer support is crucial for investors, especially beginners. Accessible and knowledgeable support can resolve issues quickly. Common channels include live chat, phone lines, and email. Customer reviews offer insights into the app's overall experience and potential problems. Look for the frequency of negative reviews, specific issues raised, and the response times of customer support. The cost of investment apps The cost of investment apps can vary depending on the app, the type of investment you are making, and the frequency of your trades. You may encounter fees per trade and/or monthly/annual fees. These may be flat or percentage-based. An app may be better suited to long-term or short-term investors, depending on its fee structure. How much do investment apps cost? There are a variety of different types of fees that apps may charge. Below are the most common ones that you should be aware of before investing. These are the fees you pay when buying or selling an investment. These fees can include commissions, spreads, and stamp duty. These are fees that the investment app or broker charges. They may be a fixed amount per trade or a percentage of the value of the trade. For example, IG charges a flat £3 commission on UK shares, while eToro charges no commission on stocks and 1% on crypto trades. Spreads are the difference between the buying and selling price of an investment. They are typically minimal, but they can add up over time. This is a tax that is charged on the purchase of shares. It is currently set at 0.5% of the value of UK shares. Subscription and platform fees Some investment apps charge a monthly or annual subscription fee. This fee covers the cost of providing the app and its features. There is no subscription fee for apps like eToro, while Interactive Investor offers a range of plans with monthly subscription fees from £4.99 to £12.99. Fund management fees If you invest in actively-managed funds, you will also pay fees to the fund manager. These fees are typically a percentage of the value of your investment. For example, Saxo Markets charges annual fees from 0.95% for its managed portfolios. Inactivity fees Some investment apps charge a fee if you do not trade for a certain period. This is to encourage people to use their accounts regularly. eToro, for example, charges £8 per month after one year of inactivity, while other apps like AJ Bell don’t charge inactivity fees. Best investment apps with the lowest fees in the UK Find the top apps to help you invest without breaking the bank. Visit Freetrade Visit Trading 212 0% commission on stocks & ETFs Freetrade, Trading 212, and eToro offer commission-free trading on stocks and ETFs, as well as free deposits. With eToro, the main fee you need to be aware of is the flat £4 withdrawal fee, as well as the 1% fee on crypto trades. Best free investment apps in the UK Find the top apps to help you start investing without paying any fees. Visit Freetrade Visit Trading 212 These apps offer free deposits, 0% commission, and free withdrawals, so you can use them without spending a penny. What are the benefits of using investing apps? Investing apps have advantages and disadvantages when compared to other methods of investing. Weigh up the pros and cons below. Access to a wide variety of investments Accessible anywhere Limited research tools Lack of human interaction How can investment apps improve your trading experience? Investment apps have transformed trading by providing real-time market data, user-friendly interfaces, low commissions, access to global markets, and educational resources—all from your mobile. They make investing far more accessible than traditional brokerages. What are the differences between investing apps and investing platforms? Investing apps are mobile applications designed for smartphones and tablets, offering ease of use and flexibility to manage investments on the go. In contrast, investing platforms are web-based with comprehensive (and often more advanced) tools, a wide range of investment options, and extensive educational resources. Investing Platforms Multi-Device Support Limited Functionality Advanced Functionality Ideal for Beginners and Casual Investors Ideal for Active and Experienced Investors Have low minimum investments Require higher minimum investments Costs are typically low, with some free options available Costs are higher than investing apps Can I make passive income with investment apps? Yes, investment apps have various features for generating passive income. For instance, users can invest in dividend-paying stocks, use automated portfolios, and earn interest on their balances. Likewise, they can access REITs and invest in bonds. Meanwhile, automated investing and managed or smart portfolios allow for a hands-on approach. Why invest using investment apps Investment apps could be a good choice for a range of financial goals, some of which are outlined below. Retirement planning Retirement planning is essential to ensure a comfortable lifestyle when you stop working. Many apps offer services and tools to help you prepare for retirement, such as SIPPs, LISAs, pension calculators, and retirement information. Best investment apps for retirement planning Retirement planning can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be. Find the top apps to help you plan for your golden years. Hargreaves Lansdown £100 for a SIPP or LISA Visit Hargreaves Lansdown £1,000 for SIPPs Interactive Investor Visit Interactive Investor As well as SIPPs, Hargreaves Lansdown offers LISAs, a pension calculator, and information on drawdowns and annuities; AJ Bell offers LISAs, a retirement checklist, and video guides to pensions; and Interactive Investor provides a pensions and retirement hub full of guides and ideas. Planning for your kids' future Starting early with saving and investing for kids can significantly improve their financial future. Investment apps make it easy to start with small amounts and automate investing. Custodial accounts, managed by parents or guardians, offer tax benefits and investment control. They also provide a platform to educate kids about investing and financial planning. Best investment apps with custodial accounts (for kids) Here are some of the best investment apps with custodial accounts for kids in the UK: Hargreaves Lansdown £5.95-11.95 per share deal. Up to 0.45% annual fee Visit Hargreaves Lansdown Up to 0.25% annual fee. Dealing charges from £1.50 Interactive Investor JISA plans from £9.99/month Visit Interactive Investor These apps enable you to easily save for your children’s future through junior ISAs. Hargreaves Lansdown also offers junior SIPPs and junior investment accounts. Starting your investment journey Before investing, ensure financial readiness by setting clear goals and understanding your risk tolerance. Choose an appropriate investment platform from the variety available to suit your needs and objectives. Best investment apps for teens & under 18s Here are some of the top investment apps for young people 0% commission on stocks & ETFs Visit Trading 212 £0 for bank transfer, £250 otherwise Commission from 0% The apps above could be ideal for under 18s as they offer educational resources and virtual accounts, where teens could practice investing until they come of age. Are investing apps safe? UK investment apps are regulated by the FCA and so must uphold standards of security and consumer protection. To stay safe, you should ensure you use a regulated and reputable app, use a strong password, and enable 2FA. Can you lose money with an investing app? Investing apps come with potential financial risks depending on individual choices and investment types. Riskier options include individual stocks and cryptocurrencies, while safer ones involve bonds. You should only use investment types you understand, adopt risk management strategies, and never invest more than you could afford to lose. Safest investment apps Here’s a selection of the UK’s safest investment apps: Commissions from £0 Interactive Investor Accounts from £4.99/month. Dealing charges from £3.99 Visit Interactive Investor 0% commission on stocks & ETFs These apps are considered safe as they are regulated with a strong reputation. Degiro and Interactive Investor offer safer investments like bonds, while eToro provides information on risk management. Are there investment apps that don't require registration or ID? All FCA-regulated investment apps require users to register and verify their identity. Any app that doesn’t is unregulated and may be unsafe. Other apps for successful investing If you want to make well-informed investments, the apps below will help you build your knowledge. Best investment apps for stock analysis Evaluating instruments and markets through fundamental, technical, or sentiment analysis can be key to understanding their future potential. Here are some apps that will help you do just that. Commissions from £5 on UK stocks Equity research tools, analyst sentiment indicators, technical indicators and drawing tools 0% commission on stocks & ETFs Earnings reports, sentiment indicator, analyst forecast Up to 0.25% annual fee, dealing charges from £4.95 Share screener, company profile, Shares magazine subscription, financial diary Saxo Markets’ advanced charting tools make it great for technical analysis, while eToro’s social trading features make it the go-to app for sentiment analysis. The wealth of company and sector information on AJ Bell make it perfect for fundamental analysis. Best apps for investment news Following stock news is vital for informed decisions, and identifying opportunities and risks. Timely information on earnings, trends, and geopolitics will help guide your strategies. 0% commission on stocks & ETFs Latest news, social investing, economic calendar Hargreaves Lansdown Up to 0.45% annual fee. Dealing charges from £5.95 Newsroom, HL podcast, HL insight, financial diary Up to 0.25% annual fee. Dealing charges from £4.95 Latest market news, podcasts, financial diary These apps all provide diaries or calendars to help you keep abreast of important financial events. You’ll also find news articles on markets, sectors, and specific companies. Best investment apps for learning to invest: It’s important to educate yourself if want to avoid losing money through mistakes. The apps below offer some of the best educational resources. 0% commission on stocks and ETFs Articles, videos, podcasts, and courses in eToro academy Commissions from 0% Investor’s academy, blog, strategy explainers, documentary Hargreaves Lansdown Up to 0.45% annual fee. Dealing charges from £5.95 Guides, investment glossary, expert advice, tools and calculators These apps all provide extensive learning resources, from the basics of investing to mastering advanced strategies. Are there any alternatives to investing apps? For those not keen on apps, there are alternatives to get into investing. Traditional stockbrokers These offer a personalized and hands-on approach to investing with face-to-face interactions and tailored advice from financial advisors, making them suitable for those seeking direct guidance and personalized recommendations in the UK. Financial advisors These are experts who provide personalized investment advice and comprehensive financial planning tailored to clients' situations and goals. They cover retirement planning, tax optimization, and risk management, ensuring investment decisions align with long-term objectives. Managed investment accounts These offer investors a personalized, hands-off approach to their holdings while excluding them from making individual decisions. Managed by professionals, they adjust holdings based on market conditions, suiting those seeking tailored portfolios and expert management. Are investment apps worth it in the UK? The commercialisation of investing apps came as both a blessing and a curse. While they democratised investing and significantly lowered the entry barrier for many, the sheer ease of using apps also led people to get into investing without properly understanding the risks involved. Whether investment apps are right for you depends on individual preferences, financial goals, and risk tolerance. While they may lack the human interaction and personalised guidance of traditional brokerages, they can benefit those seeking easy, cost-effective access to financial markets, beginners, and small investors. They offer convenience, low fees, and user-friendly interfaces that appeal to tech-savvy and busy individuals. Combining low costs and an impeccable mobile product with outstanding features like CopyTrade or Smart Portfolio Management, eToro is among the best investing apps available for UK-based investors. It is practically possible to have investment accounts on different platforms. For tax-wrapper accounts like ISA or SIPP, it doesn’t make too much sense due to the yearly limit on how much can be invested. As for other forms of investment, many find it easier to have all their portfolio in a single location as it makes it easier to monitor performance. Investing apps that are regulated by FCA and covered by FSCS protection safeguard their client assets from incidents that may arise by the provider going insolvent. Besides regulatory protection, many apps also employ security measures like 2FA or biometric login along with layers of encryption in order to offer protection against cyber attacks. Freetrade and eToro are among the best investment apps for UK-based investors. Both platforms feature far-reaching educational material helping investors along their wealth-building journey, while eToro allows novice traders to follow the footsteps of more experienced investors, quite literally through its outstanding CopyTrade functionality. An informed decision on how much you can invest is the most important point to consider whilst investing. The rule of thumb is never to invest more than you can lose to afford and never dip into the emergency funds or income saved for fundamental financial responsibilities like rent or household bills. Investment apps make money through various methods, including commissions, charging interest on margin trading, offering premium accounts for a fee, displaying ads, and additional revenue streams like data sales and affiliate marketing. P2P investing apps connect borrowers to investors. Borrowers pay interest, so investors can earn returns on their holdings. Some investing apps cater to halal investors by screening stocks and ETFs to ensure compliance with Islamic law. For example, eToro offers an Islamic account. Yes, most brokers (including the apps in this guide) enable UK investors to invest in US stocks, but UK retail clients can’t buy shares in US-listed ETFs. Keep in mind foreign exchange fees and potential US taxes on gains, but completing a W-8BEN form can help reduce taxes on dividends. A qualified financial advisor is best placed to give advice. You can also educate yourself through investment guides , online courses, and books. Some investment apps, such as eToro and Freetrade, may sometimes offer free stocks for signing up or referrals as part of a promotion. You will need to check the apps to find out whether a promotion is currently available. Ready-made portfolios are pre-selected collections of investments designed by financial advisors or investment managers to meet specific investor needs. This depends on your personal goals, experience, and risk tolerance. There are many options, from ISAs and SIPPs to managed portfolios and DIY investing. Find out more about the best way to invest £5,000 . What Is Sustainable Finance? Sustainable finance refers to an approach to investing that focuses on sustainable and socially responsible activities, projects, and companies. It encompasses several different sets of principles, most notably ESG, socially responsible investing, and impact investing – all designed to create a more sustainable future. February 12th, 2024 How Do ISAs Work? Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) are a tax-efficient savings option. Although there are complexities, still it provides a great way to save money without worrying about taxation. This article explains about ISAs, their types, and how they work. April 7th, 2025 Automate Your Trades With the Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers Available MT4, or MetaTrader 4, is one of the most popular and widely used trading platforms. It is known for its user-friendly interface and extensive features that allow for a high degree of automation and control. In the UK, several brokers offer MT4 and cater to the needs of traders. December 19th, 2025 Fake It Till You Make It: UK's Best Demo Trading Accounts in 2026 Becoming an investor on the stock market is an exciting, but challenging endeavor. There is always a risk you might lose your initial investment faster than you actually lose the ropes. Demo trading accounts, however, can help you with that. May 18th, 2026 Guide to the Best Brokers for Index Fund Investing: Top Options for 2026 Investing in index funds is a great way to generate passive income, or simply save your money in a more efficient and organised manner. This fund can be understood as a mutual fund that is designed to duplicate the performance of a market index like the FTSE 100 Index. December 19th, 2025 Hristina Nikolovska