After years of financial struggle and learning, I've built a path toward wealth through consistent saving, index fund investing, and intentional lifestyle choices. This is my story of moving from childhood penny-pinching to building true financial independence in modern Britain. Why I'm Sharing My Story I'm writing this post for three key reasons: Accountability – I want any future financial advice I give to be rooted in honest experience, not just personal bias. Too many finance blogs skip the messy reality of their author's journey. Reflection – Looking back helps me understand how I've reached this point financially, and what shaped my mindset around money. Perhaps it'll help you reflect on your own journey too. Purpose – I'm in a decent place in life, but like many, I'm searching for fulfilment beyond endless scrolling or ranking up in the latest video game. Building something meaningful seems the right direction. To explain how I've end...
If you’re serious about growing your money tax-free in the UK, a Stocks & Shares ISA is one of the smartest investment tools available.
But with so many apps and platforms out there, I get it — choosing the right one can feel overwhelming.
I’ve tested and researched the most popular options, compared fees, features, and ease of use — and in this post, I’ll walk you through the best Stocks & Shares ISA platforms for 2025.
Quick Recap: What is a Stocks & Shares ISA?
A Stocks & Shares ISA lets UK investors put up to £20,000 per year into investments — and any gains or income are completely tax-free.
You can invest in:
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ETFs (exchange-traded funds)
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Stocks
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Bonds
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Investment trusts
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Ready-made portfolios
Whether you’re a beginner or looking to optimise fees, here are the best ISA platforms for 2025 — and why I picked them.
Best Overall ISA Platform: InvestEngine
After using a few platforms myself, I’ve landed on InvestEngine as my top choice for 2025 — especially for passive investors who want simplicity, ultra-low fees, and a tax-free wrapper.
Unlike most platforms, InvestEngine offers a completely free Stocks & Shares ISA for DIY investors. You can pick your own ETFs, build custom portfolios, and even set up automatic rebalancing.
They use something called PIEs (Portfolio Investment Entities) which makes it easy to visualise your allocations — something I’ve found super helpful.
Why I recommend it:
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Free ISA with no platform fees for DIY
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Huge range of ETFs (global, dividend, ESG, thematic)
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Slick app and easy portfolio tools
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Fractional investing and automatic rebalancing
👉 Open your free InvestEngine ISA here
Best for Commission-Free, No-Fuss Investing: Freetrade
Freetrade is a top UK investing app offering commission-free trading on UK and US stocks and ETFs — all inside a free Stocks & Shares ISA. With a slick mobile app, fractional shares from just £1, and a focus on long-term investing, it’s ideal for those who want low-cost, transparent investing without the noise.
Why I recommend it:
Free ISA
£0 commission
Fractional shares from £1
FCA-regulated & UK-based
👉 Open your free Freetrade ISA here
Best for Low Fees: Trading 212
If you're fee-conscious and want maximum control, Trading 212 is a strong choice. Their ISA is completely free — no platform charges, no trading commissions.
You get access to UK and US stocks, ETFs, and more — all from an easy-to-use app.
Why it stands out:
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Zero platform and trading fees
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Good ETF and stock selection
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Fractional shares supported
👉 Open your free Trading 212 ISA here
Best for Ethical Investing: Nutmeg
If you're interested in sustainable investing, Nutmeg has an excellent range of Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) portfolios.
It’s a fully managed service — you just pick your risk level and they handle the investing, including automatic rebalancing.
I know several friends using Nutmeg for the ethical angle and the simple hands-off setup.
Good to know:
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SRI and ESG portfolios available
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Hands-off and easy to understand
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Backed by JP Morgan
👉 Explore Nutmeg’s ethical ISA options
Honourable Mention: Vanguard
Before I made the switch to InvestEngine, Vanguard was my go-to ISA platform. They’re still a rock-solid choice — especially for investors who value long-term stability and trust.
Vanguard were the first to bring index funds to the mass market, and that legacy still means something. Their platform is straightforward, their funds are world-class, and they’ve helped millions of people invest more wisely.
However, in 2025, I’ve noticed that Vanguard is starting to get outcompeted — especially when it comes to fees. Their platform fee of 0.15% now hits smaller portfolios harder, and with newer platforms like InvestEngine offering 0% fees for DIY investors, it’s hard to justify the extra cost unless you’re already embedded in their ecosystem.
That said, if you want a reliable, trusted name with excellent fund choices, Vanguard still deserves a spot on the list.
👉 Check out Vanguard’s ISA here
Other Great Options
Hargreaves Lansdown
One of the UK’s biggest and most trusted investment platforms. Higher fees, but excellent support and a wide range of funds and shares.
eToro
Famous for copy trading and social investing. Doesn’t offer ISAs yet, but worth keeping an eye on.
📊 Quick Comparison
| Platform | ISA Fees | Fund/Trading Fees | Best For | Affiliate Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| InvestEngine | £0 ISA Fee | £0 on DIY portfolios | Low-cost ETF investing with PIE portfolios | Start with InvestEngine |
| Freetrade | £0 ISA Fee | £0 commission on stocks & ETFs | Commission-free, mobile-first investing | Open your Freetrade ISA |
| Trading 212 | £0 ISA Fee | £0 trading fees | Hands-on beginners & DIY investors | Join Trading 212 today |
| Nutmeg | ~0.75% avg. total | Included in portfolio pricing | Fully managed portfolios | Try Nutmeg now |
Final Thoughts
Personally, I use InvestEngine for long-term passive ETF investing — it’s free, flexible, and easy to manage. But I also started with Moneybox, and I’d recommend it to anyone dipping their toes into investing.
Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you use them — at no extra cost to you. I only recommend platforms I personally use and trust.
Disclaimer: I’m not a financial advisor, and this blog is for informational purposes only. Always do your own research or speak to a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The value of investments can go down as well as up.
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