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This Is Money has updated its guide to UK investment platforms following fee changes at several providers in 2026. Its comparison highlights differences in account charges, dealing costs, available investments and customer support; the best fit depends on what and how you plan to invest. Fees and features can change, so check providers’ current terms before opening an account.
This Is Money has updated its UK investment-platform guide to reflect fee changes at several providers earlier in 2026, giving investors a fresh comparison of account charges, dealing costs and available services. The report says the changes affect providers including Freetrade, IG, Interactive Investor and Hargreaves Lansdown, but the right choice depends on an investor’s account type, preferred investments and need for support.
The guide compares platforms for investors choosing among a stocks and shares Isa, a self-invested personal pension, or a general investment account. These accounts differ in their tax treatment and purpose; investors should check the rules and provider terms that apply to their circumstances. The platforms listed offer different combinations of shares, funds, investment trusts, exchange-traded funds and bonds, so a low headline fee does not necessarily mean a provider can hold the investments someone wants.
Published charges vary widely. The comparison lists no account fee for providers including Trading 212, Freetrade, InvestEngine and Prosper, though their product ranges and services differ. Other examples include Interactive Investor’s monthly Core and Plus plans, listed at £5.99 for accounts under £100,000 and £14.99 above that threshold, and Hargreaves Lansdown’s fund charge of 0.35%, with a stated annual cap for shares, trusts and ETFs in specified accounts. These are figures reported in the source’s October 2026 table, not a guarantee of current pricing.
The report’s suggested options are conditional rather than a universal ranking: it names Trading 212 for low-cost share and ETF dealing, Interactive Investor for flat-fee investing and customer service, Prosper for fee-free access to a limited range of funds, and InvestEngine for ETF investing. It says all featured platforms must be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The article also discloses that This Is Money may earn affiliate commission when readers open accounts through marked links, while stating that this does not affect editorial independence.
Fees, choice and support shape costs
Platform costs can reduce investment returns over time, but comparing only the account fee can give an incomplete picture. Some providers charge a percentage of assets, while others use a flat monthly fee or charge for particular trades. Dealing, foreign-exchange and dividend-reinvestment charges may also apply. The source’s table, for example, lists a 0.7% foreign-exchange fee for IG and a £210 annual Sipp administration fee; investors should check whether a charge applies to the transactions and account they plan to use.
Services matter too. This Is Money says low-fee apps may offer less sophisticated customer service or investment analysis than platforms such as Hargreaves Lansdown and Interactive Investor. That is the report’s assessment, not a guarantee about every customer’s experience. A person who wants to choose investments independently may value a broad range and low dealing costs; another may place more weight on research, assistance or a ready-made portfolio. Matching features to actual needs can be more useful than selecting a platform solely because it advertises a zero account fee.
Investments can fall as well as rise, and a platform’s past performance, service or pricing does not predict future results. The comparison concerns platform features and charges; it does not establish that any named investment or provider is suitable for a particular reader.
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UK accounts and the 2026 fee changes
DIY investment platforms let customers buy and hold investments online, rather than arranging every transaction through a traditional stockbroker or adviser. The source says platforms commonly offer Isas and Sipps, alongside general investment accounts, although availability varies. Its table shows, for example, that eToro’s Isa is offered in partnership with Moneyfarm and that it does not offer a Sipp, while Trading 212 is listed as having added a Sipp.
This Is Money attributes the latest comparison to published provider information and dates its fee table October 2026. It reports that several platforms revised prices earlier in the year, ahead of a government push to encourage more people to invest. Its view that greater competition should lower costs is an interpretation, not a confirmed outcome for every customer. Since fee schedules and product availability can change, readers should compare the provider’s live charges with the dated table before acting.
““The cheapest investment platform won’t always be the best one for you.””
— This Is Money
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Current charges need verification
The source provides a dated comparison, not a live guarantee of prices or account features. It does not detail every possible charge, eligibility condition or restriction for each investor, and charges can depend on account balance, portfolio, trading frequency and chosen plan. The table also notes that InvestEngine’s managed service, listed at 0.25%, had been unavailable for a long time. Readers should confirm current terms directly with providers, including whether the account type and investments they want are available.
The guide’s provider recommendations are editorial selections, and its disclosure says marked links may generate affiliate commission. The source says this does not affect its editorial independence; readers cannot determine from the comparison alone how a platform will perform for their personal needs. Investment risk, customer-service experience and future fee changes remain uncertain.
self-invested personal pension platform
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Compare provider terms before opening
Before opening an account, investors can identify the account wrapper they need, list the investments they want to hold and estimate how often they expect to trade. They can then compare the full cost using each provider’s current fee schedule, including administration, dealing, foreign-exchange and dividend-reinvestment charges. Check the provider’s FCA status and account terms, and read the information on investment risks and transfers.
The source gives no forthcoming regulatory decision or platform announcement. The next practical step is for readers to verify the latest provider charges and features, since the comparison is based on published information dated October 2026 and could become outdated.
investment platform comparison guide
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Key Questions
What account types should I compare?
Compare the stocks and shares Isa, Sipp and general investment account where available. Their tax treatment and intended use differ, and platform availability varies. Check current rules and provider terms before choosing.
Is a platform with no account fee always cheapest?
No. A zero account fee does not rule out dealing, foreign-exchange or other charges, and a platform may have a narrower investment range or less support. Compare the total charges for your planned use.
Which platforms does the report highlight?
This Is Money names Trading 212, Interactive Investor, Prosper and InvestEngine for different features, including low-cost dealing, flat-fee investing, a limited range of fee-free funds and ETF investing. These are the publication’s selections, not a universal recommendation.
Are the fees in the guide guaranteed to be current?
No. The comparison is dated October 2026 and is based on published platform information. Confirm the current fee schedule and account features directly with the provider.
Does the comparison say which investment platform is right for me?
No. It says the choice depends on your account type, preferred investments, costs and desired level of customer support or research. The guide does not establish that any platform is suitable for every investor.
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