We compare trading platforms with low fees through total cost, not slogans. Low fees mean everything you pay across commission-free or flat-fee dealing, FX on non-GBP trades, platform or custody charges, account and admin fees, plus dealing, exit, withdrawal, and inactivity charges, as well as the minimum deposit. Coverage focuses on stock trading and share dealing across investment platforms, trading apps, and ISA accounts, with general investment accounts noted where helpful. Each entry highlights market access, research tools, and whether an FCA-regulated broker safeguards your account. Expect clear pricing snapshots and like-for-like cost examples for UK investors who care about pounds and pence.
Our Ranking Methodology- Trading Platforms with Low Fees
We measure cost with two baskets for UK investors across investment platforms and trading platforms. Basket A models eight UK and four US ETF/share orders per month with realistic sizes and currency conversion. Basket B models 40 CFD index/FX round-turns with selective overnight holds. For each FCA-regulated broker, we pull pricing from tariff pages and account T&Cs, then compute the effective platform fee, dealing fees, FX fees, and any minimum deposit impact.
We also re-cost any commission-free trading offer with conversions and non-trading charges. Spreads use time-stamped snapshots near the UK open and the early US session. Taxes such as stamp duty sit outside the scope.
Our Top Online Trading Platform
XTB ranks as our top pick for low fees in 2025. As an FCA-regulated broker, it pairs a modern trading platform (xStation 5) with low-cost share dealing, transparent FX and account fees, and clear pricing across real stocks and ETFs. The trading account offers broad market access, useful research tools, a polished trading app, and a £0 minimum deposit for UK investors. I think cost efficiency plus usability makes the difference here.
Best Trading Platforms With Low Trading Fees:
| Platform (UK) | Stocks/ETFs commission | FX conversion | Platform/custody fee |
| XTB | £0 up to €100k monthly turnover, then 0.2% (min £10) | 0.5% | £0 custody (for portfolios below €250k) |
| Trading 212 | £0 | 0.15% | £0 |
| Freetrade | £0 | 0.99% Basic · 0.59% Standard · 0.39% Plus | Plan fee: £0 Basic · £5.99/mo Standard · £11.99/mo Plus |
| Lightyear | £1 UK shares · US 0.1% (min $0.10, max $1) · ETFs £0 | 0.35% | £0 |
| InvestEngine | DIY ETFs £0 · Managed 0.25% | No FX on GBP-listed ETFs | DIY £0 · Managed 0.25% |
| Fineco Bank | UK £2.95 per order · US $3.95 | Multicurrency sub-accounts; “true exchange rate” | No annual platform fee for shares; fund platform fee up to 0.25% |
| DEGIRO | LSE £1.75 + £1 handling per order | 0.25% | No custody; connectivity fee £2.50/exchange annually |
| Interactive Brokers | From £3 per UK trade (fixed). Tiered options available | AutoFX ~0.03% example | £0 platform/custody |
| Webull UK | 0.025% of trade value | 0.35% | £0 |
| eToro | Stocks commission $1–$2 per order (market/country dependent) | FX on non-USD deposits/withdrawals, typical 0.75% | £0 platform and $5 withdrawal |
1. XTB– Trading Platforms with Low Fees
XTB is widely regarded as one of the best trading platforms with low fees for UK investors. The FCA-regulated broker offers real stock trading and share dealing on an investment platform built around xStation 5, a fast trading app with a clean UI, strong research tools, and broad market access across global stocks and ETFs. It also offers 4.25% interest on your uninvested GBP funds, 4.2% on your USD funds and 2.3% on EUR whilst you wait for the perfect investment opportunity.
Commission-free trading on real stocks and ETFs applies up to the published monthly turnover cap; pricing above that tier stays simple to model, and FX fees are stated upfront for non-GBP orders. ISA accounts support tax-efficient investing, fractional shares, lower entry points, and a minimum deposit of £0. Platform fee and custody fee do not muddy the waters, which helps cost-focused readers compare like-for-like across investment platforms.
For a monthly turnover equivalent to 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. Your capital is 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.
2. Trading 212- Trading Platforms with Low Fees
The company offers commission-free share dealing via an investment platform and trading app. The platform applies a 0.15% FX conversion on non-GBP orders and no platform fee or custody fee. An ISA account is available, the minimum deposit sits at £0, and fractional shares support small portfolio sizes. Research tools and straightforward order entry cover core use cases for UK investors comparing trading platforms. Cost drivers centre on FX for US stocks and ETF orders. Down to brass tacks: mind the FX.
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3. Freetrade
They provide commission-free share dealing through a free trading platform and mobile app. Pricing is based on plan choice: the free plan covers basic investing, while paid tiers offer ISA access and additional features. Foreign exchange fees apply to non-GBP orders, and plan fees influence the total cost for frequent US stock or ETF trades. Fractional shares support small ticket sizes, and the interface focuses on simple order entry with core research. Cost drivers concentrate on FX markup and plan subscriptions.
4. Lightyear
The platform offers a low-cost share dealing account with a multi-currency account (GBP, USD, EUR). Pricing sets a £1 dealing fee for UK shares, 0.1% for US orders (min $0.10, max $1), £0 for ETFs, and a 0.35% currency conversion fee. No platform or custody fee. The trading app supports market and limit orders with price alerts. Cost drivers centre on the flat UK dealing fee and foreign exchange fees on cross-currency trades.
5. InvestEngine
An ETF-first platform offering DIY dealing and managed portfolios. DIY ETF orders cost £0 and carry no platform or custody fee. Managed accounts charge 0.25% a year. FX applies to non-GBP ETFs, while GBP-listed funds avoid conversion. ISA available, and the minimum deposit is £0. The web platform and trading app support watchlists, pie allocations, and recurring orders for pound-cost averaging. Main cost drivers are fund expense ratios and foreign exchange fees rather than commissions.
6. Fineco Bank- Trading Platforms with Low Fees
Fineco Bank runs a multi-asset investment platform with a stock trading platform on the web, mobile, and PowerDesk. Share dealing uses flat commission rates, typically £2.95 for UK and $3.95 for US markets, which keeps costs predictable. A multi-currency account reduces forced FX conversion, though foreign fees may still apply when trading in a non-held currency. No custody fee for shares, while fund investing uses a capped platform fee. Research tools and fast order entry support everyday brokerage account use.
7. DEGIRO
The broker offers a low-fee brokerage account focused on share dealing and ETF investing across many markets. Pricing uses flat dealing fees plus a small handling fee per order, with a yearly connectivity fee per exchange. Currency conversion applies at a published FX rate with a markup. No platform or custody fee for shares. The trading app and web platform cover core order types and basic research tools. Cost drivers lean on FX and exchange charges rather than commissions.
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8. Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers focuses on low explicit pricing with tiered pricing or fixed plans for share dealing. The platform supports multi-currency balances with AutoFX at institutional rates and offers portfolio margin for qualified accounts. No platform or custody fee for shares, though market data fees may apply per exchange. The trading app and web platform provide advanced order types and SMART routing for order execution. The main cost drivers are FX conversion, exchange, and data charges, as well as routing venue fees, rather than headline commission.
9. Webull UK
The broker offers a stock trading platform and trading app focused on US stocks with fractional shares. Pricing uses a percentage-based commission of around 0.025% per trade and a 0.35% FX conversion on non-GBP orders. No platform or custody fee. Market data packages and advanced charts support order execution with market, limit, and stop orders. Minimum deposit is £0, and ISA support isn’t part of the offer.
10. eToro- Trading Platforms with Low Fees
This global company offers commission-free stock trading through its investment platform and web and mobile stock trading platforms. FX conversion applies to non-GBP funding and to USD withdrawals, and a $5 withdrawal fee appears on the pricing page. Fractional shares and basic research tools support small ticket sizes. ISA access comes via a partner arrangement rather than an in-house wrapper. Main cost drivers are foreign fees and other non-trading charges rather than headline commission or a platform fee.
Final Conclusion
Costs vary with order size, venue, FX conversion, and the small extras that creep in. Use the table to shortlist, then map Basket A and Basket B to your pattern. Factor in capital gains tax and ISA rules to estimate net returns. XTB remains our top choice for low fees thanks to clean pricing and capable tools. The best free trading platform is the one that keeps FX honest and noise low.
FAQ
Which trading platform has the lowest charges?
Costs vary with order size, markets, and FX steps. In our Basket A and Basket B tests, XTB delivered the lowest blended cost among UK-accessible multi-asset brokers due to clear pricing and tight non-trading charges. ETF-only investors often see InvestEngine come out cheapest for DIY ETFs, with fund OCFs and any FX still counting.
Which UK trading platform is best?
XTB is the pick for low fees plus capable tools. The platform combines clean pricing, xStation 5 for charting and execution, broad market access, £0 minimum deposit, and FCA regulation.
What is the 7% rule in stocks?
A risk control heuristic popularised by CAN SLIM. Exit a position after a 7–8% drop from entry to cap single-trade loss and preserve capital. Many traders adapt the threshold to volatility, liquidity, and slippage.
What is the best free trading platform?
For the best free trading platform experience on real stocks and ETFs, XTB takes the top spot for UK investors, subject to its published commission policy and FX terms. “Free” still carries FX and other non-trading costs.
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