ISA Investor

Real life ISA research

Invest your ISA with more clarity.

Independent ISA reviews focused on investing in shares and ETFs. Compare real fees, actual order execution and ISA transfer speed. All based on real-life experience.

What makes ISA Investor different? I hold or have held an account with every broker reviewed here, and I have traded through each platform. These reviews go deeper than headline costs: they draw on detailed knowledge of the investments available, the real costs of good and bad order execution for small and large orders, the true costs and benefits of using each platform, and first-hand experience of customer service—including how quickly ISA transfers actually complete.

How referral links work. Some links on this site are referral links. If you use one to open and fund an account, I may receive a cash reward or other benefit at no extra cost to you. Where a referral also gives you a benefit, it will be shown alongside the link. Referral arrangements do not influence my reviews or ratings, and you should always check the broker’s latest terms before applying.

Compare published reviews

3

UK brokers reviewed

3

Referral offers available

Ranked comparison

Our ISA broker picks

Compare headline fees, useful features, strengths and drawbacks in one place.

Featured broker
01

Interactive Investor

Top rated

Stocks & Shares ISA (execution-only / DIY)

4.0
Use referral link Full review

Platform fees

3/5

Expensive monthly subscriptions and high FX charges but reasonable commissions.

Order execution

5/5

Good executions in small and large size; RSP quotes give execution certainty.

Investment universe

5/5

Market-leading investment universe - extensive range of UK shares, ETFs, bonds and gilts available along with a good selection of international markets.

Overall rating

4/5

Best in class provider with excellent order execution, but can be expensive given the monthly subscription model.

Pros

  • Comprehensive investment universe offering UK shares, ETFs, bonds and gilts as well as 14 international exchanges
  • Flat-fee account pricing rather than percentage custody fee mean that the platform can be relatively cheap if you are willing to consolidate a large asset base on the platform

Cons

  • Monthly subscription applies regardless of account size, so a modest account size means that the platform can become expensive
  • Expensive FX charges and higher commission rates for international share dealing — only competitive on the Premium Plan
  • Basic user interface compared to competitors
02

AJ Bell

Top rated

Stocks & Shares ISA (execution-only / DIY)

5.0
Use referral link Full review

Platform fees

4/5

Platform fee is capped for shares and ETFs and commission is low for frequent traders. High FX charges for international dealing.

Order execution

5/5

Good executions in small and large size; RSP quotes give execution certainty.

Investment universe

5/5

Market-leading investment universe - extensive range of UK shares, ETFs, bonds and gilts available along with a good selection of international markets.

Overall rating

5/5

Best in class provider with excellent order execution. Capped platform fee for an ISA invested in shares or ETFs along with a low frequent trade commission make AJ Bell excellent value.

Pros

  • RSP quotes ensure best in class order execution in large size with only a very modest commission charge
  • Comprehensive investment universe offering UK shares, ETFs, bonds and gilts as well as 14 international exchanges
  • Flat-fee account pricing rather than percentage custody fee mean that the platform can be relatively cheap if you are willing to invest in shares and ETFs only and not funds.

Cons

  • Percentage custody fee applies to ISA assets that are invested in funds. (Only the fees applied to assets invested in ETFs and shares are capped)
  • Standard commission rates are quite expensive and FX charges are high for international dealing
  • Very basic user interface compared to competitors
03

InvestEngine

Top rated

Stocks & Shares ISA (execution-only / DIY ETF portfolio)

4.0
Use referral link Full review

Pros

  • DIY ISA tier lets customers self-select ETFs rather than using the managed portfolio service
  • No InvestEngine platform fee or ETF dealing fee for DIY portfolios
  • ISA is described as flexible by InvestEngine

Cons

  • DIY investment universe is ETF-only
  • Individual company shares, investment trusts and OEIC/unit-trust funds are not offered in the DIY ISA
  • InvestEngine states that it retains interest on uninvested cash