⚠️ Risk warning: Investing involves risk. 74% of retail CFD accounts lose money. Capital at risk. Always verify FCA registration at register.fca.org.uk before depositing.
HL
⭐ Editor's Choice
Hargreaves Lansdown
Stock broker · FCA regulated · FTSE 100 company
4.7
/5
Min. deposit
£0
Shares commission
£5.95–£11.95
ISA available
Yes (Stocks & Shares)
The UK's most trusted investment platform. Hargreaves Lansdown is a FTSE 100 company, FCA regulated, and offers full ISA and SIPP wrappers. Perfect for long-term investors who want a complete UK investment solution.
AJB
🥈 Best Value
AJ Bell
Investment platform · FCA regulated · LSE listed
4.5
/5
Min. deposit
£0
Shares commission
£5.00
ISA available
Yes (Stocks & Shares)
Lower-cost alternative to Hargreaves Lansdown. AJ Bell is listed on the London Stock Exchange, FCA regulated, and offers Stocks & Shares ISAs and SIPPs at competitive prices.
FT
🆓 Best Free Broker
Freetrade
Commission-free broker · FCA regulated
4.2
/5
Min. deposit
£2
Shares commission
£0 (free plan)
ISA available
From £4.99/mo
UK's leading zero-commission broker. Commission-free trading on 6,000+ stocks and ETFs. Stocks & Shares ISA available on paid plans. Best for cost-conscious UK investors.
IB
🎯 Best Professional
Interactive Brokers
Multi-asset broker · FCA regulated · Nasdaq listed
4.6
/5
Min. deposit
£0
Shares commission
From £1.70
ISA available
No
The choice of professional UK investors. Access 150+ markets in 33 countries. Lowest margin rates in the industry. No ISA/SIPP wrapper but unmatched global market access.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best UK stock broker in 2025?
Hargreaves Lansdown is the UK's most trusted investment platform with FTSE 100 status and full ISA/SIPP support. AJ Bell offers lower fees. Freetrade is best for commission-free trading. Interactive Brokers is best for professional investors needing global market access.
Do UK brokers offer Stocks & Shares ISAs?
Yes — most regulated UK brokers offer a Stocks & Shares ISA, which lets you invest up to £20,000 per year completely tax-free (no capital gains tax, no income tax on dividends). This is one of the most powerful tax wrappers available to UK investors.
What does FSCS protection mean for investors?
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protects UK investors up to £85,000 per institution if a regulated broker fails. This is significantly higher than the EU's €20,000 limit. Your investments are held separately from the broker's own money and returned first in any insolvency.
Is online investing safe in the UK?
Yes, if you use an FCA-regulated broker. All FCA-authorised investment firms must hold client funds in segregated accounts, follow strict conduct rules, and participate in the FSCS scheme. Always verify FCA registration on the FCA Register at register.fca.org.uk.