The best investing platforms and apps in 2025

Trading platforms and apps have access to a variety of investments. But with different fee structures and functionalities, it can be difficult to determine which one offers you the best value.  

If you’re working towards a long-term financial goal, then investing could be more appealing than saving. It may not come with a guaranteed return, but historically investing in indices like the S&P 500 have outperformed the best cash rates over the long-term.

Yet much of our savings remains in cash. 

According to research from Barclays last year, 13 million UK adults hold £430 billion of “possible investments” in cash savings. This figure is a conservative estimate too, and is based on savers with more than six months income in cash savings. 

Opening an investment account is one option to gain exposure to the markets, and we examine: 

Read more: How to invest £10,000 in 2025

What is an investment platform?

An investment platform allows you to buy, sell, and keep all your investments in a single space. So, the platform itself doesn’t own any of the investments.  

The type and variety of investments depends on your chosen platform. Some, like eToro, allow you to invest in stocks, funds, currencies, and other assets. Meanwhile InvestEngine keeps its suite more niche – only offering exchange traded funds (ETF). 

Editor’s choice: The highest-paying Isas right now

It’s a new tax year and that means every UK adult has a new £20,000 tax-free allowance to spend. So we’ve rounded up the best-paying cash Isa accounts, the cheapest stocks and shares options as well as a handy tool to see if you’re putting money into the right sort of Isa.

Have you used your tax-free allowances first?

Before opening a general investment account, consider your tax-free allowances first. 

For example, each tax year you have a £20,000 Isa allowance that you can use to save or invest without paying tax. We explain exactly how this works in our guide.

If you’re looking to invest this allowance, a stocks and shares Isa protects your investments from dividends and capital gains tax. We list the best options here. 

Otherwise, if you’re planning for retirement, boosting your pension comes with its own benefits too. Depending on your income tax bracket, you could earn tax relief on your contributions—and we break down the details for you here. 

For those ready to focus on pension contributions, we’ve also listed the top Sipps. 

Best investment platforms and apps in 2025

Below are the best investment platforms and apps shortlisted at the Times Money Mentor awards last year.

Honourable mentions

Best investment apps for beginners

Consider yourself a beginner investor? If so, then you might want to use a platform which makes investing easier. We list some of the best providers which offer simple platforms in this guide.  

What can you trade on an investment app?

The types of investments you can trade on an investment app or platform depends on who you choose. But generally you’ll be able to choose between: 

• Shares – Also known as a stock, a share is a piece of a company you can own. In the UK, these are listed on the London Stock Exchange and may include companies like Shell or Astra Zenica. A good investing platform will let you invest in foreign stocks too, like Apple in the US or Toyota in Japan
• Funds – If you’re looking to spread your risk across your portfolio, then a fund could be an option. This is where money from several investors is pooled together and is invested across a range of assets and, in theory, it’s supposed to be cheaper than buying up these investments individually. An ETF or an investment trust is a type of fund
• Commodities – A commodity is a natural resource which can be used in the production of goods. Gold, for example, is a commodity and investing platforms often allow you to invest in these assets through a fund
• Currencies – While less common than shares and funds, currency trading is often targeted at more experienced investors. Foreign exchange trading, or forex trading, relies on buying and selling currencies against each other in the hope you can make a profit. Most retail investors, or those who invest via a platform or broker, lose money through this type of investing
• Bonds – A bond is a fixed income, where an organisation will borrow money and repay their debt, plus interest, over a certain period. Governments and companies both issue bonds, and once again investors can gain exposure to this market on an investing app through a fund

Read more: What are blue chip stocks?

Can someone manage my investments for me?

You don’t need to make and manage all your investments on some of these platforms. 

Many platforms know that some customers prefer to let experts handle their money, and that’s why they offer ready-made funds. These are pooled investments where someone actively manages your money according to your risk tolerance.

For instance, Wealthify provides five different funds, each with its own risk profile. The “cautious” fund leans heavily towards fixed-income investments for a conservative approach, while the “adventurous” fund is more invested in shares.

Ultimately, the best portfolio for you depends on your personal goals and how long you plan to invest—riskier funds usually suggest a longer investment horizon.

Read more: Best investing platforms for beginners

Start investing with XTB

Amid the ongoing volatility in financial markets, XTB stands out as your one-stop shop for investing, saving, and trading. You can choose from over 6,900 instruments, including stocks, ETFs, commodities, indices, fractional shares, and a Flexible Stocks & Shares ISA. And if you prefer to keep your options open, XTB also offers a competitive 4.5% interest rate on uninvested cash held in your account allowing your money to work for you while you plan your next move.

More than just an investment platform, XTB offers comprehensive live market analysis both on its website and YouTube channel, making it a true educational hub packed with up-to-date resources to help you sharpen your investing strategy for 2025.

When it comes to fees, XTB keeps things simple and competitive. There are no account maintenance fees, and commission on trades only applies if your account balance exceeds €100,000 (around £83,000 at the time of writing).* However, it’s worth noting that a 0.5% currency conversion fee applies for international trades, and the spread (the difference between an asset’s buying and selling price) may be slightly higher than with some competitors.

Open your account

*For monthly turnover equivalent up to 100,000 EUR. Transactions above this limit will be charged a commission of 0.2% (minimum 10 GBP). 0.5% currency conversion cost may apply. Capital at risk. The value of your investments may go up or down. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and ISA regulations which may change. T&Cs apply

Which platforms offer self-invested and ready made portfolios

Investing doesn’t need to be black and white. You can use ready-made investments and manage your own portfolio too. Just ensure your platform can accommodate both: 

What makes a good investment app?

There are a few features that make a good investment platform, but the importance you place on each will vary by person. 

Someone looking to invest a small sum with limited investing knowledge may prioritise a provider with an easy-to-use app and a range of competitively priced ready-made portfolios. 

Meanwhile, someone who has a large deposit might look for the platform that offers the best fees on high balances. 

There are, however, some features which all types of investors think will make a good investment app – and good security features is one example. 

All platforms you consider should also be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) too. This will ensure all or some of your money will stay protected if your provider goes bust. 

We explain more about this protection here. 

Read more: How to invest in the FTSE 100

Lightyear – Stocks, funds and up to 4.25% interest on uninvested cash

Sign up with a promo code TIMES, deposit at least £50 and get $10 worth of US fractional share. Sign up using this link. Offer valid for new customers only. T&Cs apply.

This is paid financial promotion. Interest rate subject to fluctuation. Capital is at risk.

How to choose a platform or app

Clare Francis, director of savings and investments at Barclays Smart Investor, said while platforms are broadly the same there are some differentiating factors to consider when looking for the right platform. 

Finding a provider with decent fees is perhaps on the minds of most investors, and she said this will depend on the amount you’re looking to deposit and where it will be invested. 

“It’s not all about cost though, other features could also be of value to you,” Francis said. 

Educational tools is one example she listed, and something Manuel Pardavila-Gonzalez, investments managing director at Lloyds banking group noted too. 

“It’s vital new investors choose a platform that has educational support to guide them through their investment journey,” he said. 

Read more: What is an IPO and how do I invest in one?

Are investment apps worth it?

Investment apps are definitely a great way to keep track of how your portfolio is performing. If you’re a regular trader, an app can provide a quick and easy way to buy and sell on the move.

But investing is not something that should be done without the appropriate thought and research , as all investments carry a varying degree of risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

This is why it’s important that you don’t let the simplicity of an app lead you to making hasty decisions.

Pros and cons of investment apps

Pros 

• An easy way to keep track of your portfolio’s performance
• Adding money or trading is quick and easy to do
• The small screen format has driven platforms to communicate clearly and simply – and most platform apps are very intuitive to use

Cons

• It makes it really easy to trade, which in turn makes it easier to make quick decisions which could be costly
• If you’re on the go then it’s easier to get distracted so you might make mistakes or make investment decisions you later regret

Read more: Should I buy Tesla shares?

Striking the balance between saving and investing

Just because you’ve opened an investment account it doesn’t mean you need to empty your cash savings. 

Cash provides a guarantee – which can be useful in times of uncertainty. 

“Striking the right balance between cash savings and investments depends on your personal circumstances and financial priorities,” said Francis. 

She said get three to six months of emergency built up, then consider your other goals. So let savings be the bedrock of your pot 

“Once you’ve got your savings in place, it’s time to consider investing as it offers the potential to achieve better returns over the longer term,” she said. 

Regular contributions to both your savings and investments is one practical tip Francis shared to grow your wealth. 

“Make it part of your routine by setting up monthly direct debits, and review your financial set-up at least once a year,” she said. 

Read more: Why you’re not getting the best savings rates

What fees can I expect? 

Fees work differently depending on your choice of provider, and often that can make it difficult to compare platforms. Different platforms also label these fees differently, but generally this is what you might expect at a glance: 

• Platform fee – This comes most commonly as a percentage of your investments. So, if Barclays Smart Investor charges 0.25%, a £10,000 deposit will cost £25 a year
• Trading fee – Also known as a dealing fee, this is the money your provider charges to buy or sell your investments. AJ Bell, for example, charges £5 for every share traded 
• FX fee – The foreign exchange fee applies if you’re investing abroad. You can’t buy US shares, for instance, in pounds – so you need to convert your money into dollars. All platforms that offer international investments need to offer this service, and often charge for this. Trading 212 charges 0.15%, which on a £1,000 conversion costs £1.50

Beware of other potential fees, like making a trade by telephone. With most platforms these command high costs – AJ Bell for instance charges £25 per traded share. 

How do fees work?

The total cost of your investments will vary on your circumstances, but below we’ve used the fee structure of two providers to get an understanding of how it works:

Hargreaves Lansdown

Hargreaves Lansdown’s fees are split according to your investments. 

For funds, it charges 0.45% on the first £250,000 held in them. Shares don’t have an ongoing fee, but you will be charged for trading. 

If you made less than nine trades in the previous month, this stands at £11.95 per share. 

So, someone who had £40,000 in funds, £10,000 in shares, and four trades per year would expect yearly fees of: 

If these shares were foreign, then there would be an FX fee too. 

Interactive Investor

Interactive Investor works on a “subscription based” system – like Netflix. 

“Paying through monthly subscriptions is familiar to so many people and in so many areas of our lives, from streaming services to gym memberships and mobile phone bills,” said Myron Jobson, senior personal finance analyst at Interactive Investor. 

“So our subscription model aims to make investing even easier – particularly for those who want to have a predictable controllable spend for a service that they value

Its Investor plan charges a flat fee of £11.99 a month – and that’s just to hold your investments. You’ll be given a free monthly trade, but anything more and you’ll be charged £3.99 per UK or US share, fund, or bond. Other international shares are priced at £9.99 a trade. 

To see how this could play out, these would be the fees for someone with a £50,000 deposit and four ad-hoc fund trades each year above your free monthly trade: 

Again, this is simplified too and doesn’t consider any foreign exchange fees. 

You could save further if you chose to regularly invest – which means you deposit a set amount into your account each month by direct debit. Doing so will waiver your trading fees.

How do I open an investment account 

To open an investment account, have your personal documents ready—your name, date of birth, and national insurance number.

Once the sign up process is complete, your investing platform will need to verify your details before you start investing, which can take from a few hours to a couple of days.

What are my alternative options?

If you’re looking for a short-term goal, then keeping your money in cash could be an option. It offers a guaranteed rate, and if this is more than enough to earn your return then it could be better than risking market fluctuations. 

Savings accounts can offer a fixed rate, which pays a locked in return over a certain period but does mean you can’t access your cash. Or it can pay a variable rate, where access is more flexible but your rate can change at your provider’s discretion. 

We list the best savings rates in our guide.