Claire is an experienced financial analyst with strong analytical skills. With her expertise and focus on thorough market research, Claire ensures individuals in the financial landscape are well-informed. Often in an engaging writing style, her content helps traders quickly grasp the market dynamics. As an Associate Editor of financial news at InvestingGuide, she provides an original analysis of the financial markets and economy. You’ll be at joy reading her flawlessly written content. She has written hundreds of pieces that simplify complex financial topics in plain language.
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Mobile investment is skyrocketing globally, and the UK is no exception. Investors are now seeking reliable apps hosted by legitimate brokers. The best app should have features aligning with your investment needs. Most importantly, it should be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to guarantee maximum safety. At InvestingGuide, we only recommend investment apps that have met our specifications. All you have to do is make informed choices and understand the risks of investing in the UK landscape. Most importantly, familiarise yourself with the UK’s investment tax rules to plan accordingly.
Investing in stocks and other assets requires a solid approach. Besides conducting thorough market analysis, you need a reliable app. Investing with apps enables you to manage your activities using your phone or tablet. This streamlines your activity management, especially whenever you are on the move.
While investment apps are excellent tools for UK investors, there is an increasing amount of choice and competition. In this regard, investors are finding it challenging to make suitable choices for their needs. To simplify your research process, we took the initiative to conduct thorough market research. We share below what we believe are the best based on our findings and hands-on experience.
List of the Best Investment Apps
- eToro – Overall Best Investment App in the UK
- XTB – Commission-Free App for Investment in the UK
- AvaTrade – Best Investment App for Beginners
- Pepperstone – Best Trading App For MetaTrader Users in the UK
- FP Markets – Best App For Professional UK Investors
In This Guide
Investment Apps UK: Comparison Table
Coming up with this list of the best investment apps in the UK was not easy. We conducted a thorough market analysis, which took hours to complete. Our procedures involved testing as many apps as we could and comparing their features. We then shortlisted those that met our criteria.
To ensure we get the best, unbiased recommendations, we combined our test results with findings from user testimonials. Note that perusing user comments and ratings can be lengthy and overwhelming. Therefore, we sampled a few to understand the apps’ strengths and weaknesses for solid decisions.
Overall, various elements made these apps impressive. Our comparison table below highlights these features to help you make a suitable choice.
| Best Investment App | Licence | Support Service | Software | Payment | Demo Account | Money Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| eToro | ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSAS | 24/5 | eToro investing platform, Multi-asset platform, Copy Trader | Credit/debit cards, PayPal, Bank transfer, Neteller, Skrill, eToro Money, Online Banking | Yes | Yes (up to £250,000) |
| XTB | CIRO, FCA, CNMV, KNF | 24/5 | xStation 5, xStation Mobile | Credit/debit cards, e-wallets, Bank transfers | Yes | Yes (up to £85,000) |
| AvaTrade | CBI, CySEC, ASIC, BVIFSC, FSA, SAFCSA, ADGM, ISA | 24/5 | MT4, MT5, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, AvaSocial, DupliTrade, Capitalise.ai | Credit/debit cards, Wire transfer, Paypal, Skrill, NETELLER, WebMoney | Yes | Yes (up to £1,000,000) |
| Pepperstone | FCA, ASIC, DFSA, CySEC, CMA, SCB, BaFin, SEC | 24/7 | TradingView, MT4, MT5, cTrader, Pepperstone Trading Platform, Social trading | Visa, Mastercard, Bank transfer, Flutterwave, Skrill, PayPal | Yes | Yes (up to £85,000) |
| FP Markets | SEC, ASIC, CMA, CySEC, FSCA, FSA | 24/7 | MT4, MT5, TradingView, cTrader, WebTrader, Mobile App, Copy Trading | Credit/debit cards, Neteller, Skrill, Bank transfer, Google Pay, Apple Pay | Yes | Yes (up to £85,000) |
Apps Short Overview
There are hundreds of investment apps in the UK, and choosing a suitable one for you is crucial. Various features must be considered, including confirming an app’s fee structure and asset offerings. Since many UK investors prefer apps they can afford and host their preferred securities, we help you identify the best options. Our tables below show the applicable charges and investment securities you will find at our recommended investment apps in the UK.
Fees
| Best Investment App | Minimum Deposit Requirement | Commissions/ Spreads | Deposits/ Withdrawal Fees | Inactivity Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| eToro | £100 | From 0% | £5 withdrawal fee | £10 monthly |
| XTB | £0 | From 0% | Free | £10 monthly |
| AvaTrade | £100 | From 0.13 | Free | £50 quarterly |
| Pepperstone | £0 | From 0.0 pips | Free | £0 |
| FP Markets | £100 | From 0.0 pips | Free | £0 |
Assets
| Best Investment App | Stocks | Forex | Crypto | Commodities | Indices | ETFs | Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| eToro | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| XTB | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| AvaTrade | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pepperstone | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| FP Markets | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Our Expert’s Opinion about the Best Investment Apps UK
If you have limited time for conducting research and selecting the best investment app in the UK, we invite you to choose from our recommendations list below. We share the apps’ reviews based on our hands-on experience. Feel free to compare their features and make a suitable choice.
1. eToro – Overall Best Investment App in the UK
Among the investment apps we tested in the UK, eToro stands out as our best overall. The app is compatible with iOS and Android mobile devices. Plus, its interface is user-friendly, with an easy account set-up procedure that takes minutes to complete. You can download the app from Google Play or the App Store free of charge.
When it comes to investment assets, eToro lists stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, and more. Stock investment is commission-free, and you have access to top-performing stocks around the globe. These include Tesla, Microsoft, Netflix, Google, and more. And the best part is that you can invest in fractional shares, which are portions of equity stocks that are less than one full share.
That being said, feel free to explore eToro’s investment app with as little as £100. Besides a variety of assets, you will enjoy copy and social trading.
eToro
✔5000+ financial instruments
✔Cost-free deposits
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets
Pros
- User-friendly investment platform
- Hosts millions of investors and is highly regulated globally, including in the UK, by the FCA
- Leading copy and social trading platform
- Lists over 4500 investment securities to choose from
Cons
- A £5 withdrawal fee applies
- No third-party platforms like the MT4/5
If there’s anything that can eat away at your profit margins, it’s unnecessary costs. Thankfully, eToro fees UK are reasonable and pocket-friendly. We acquired a new account without paying a single cent, which was quite a relief. We also noticed that you can enjoy free deposits by using USD. That said, eToro supports many other currencies, including GBP, EUR, and RMB.
You will incur conversion fees if you use any currency other than USD. And if you use any currency that eToro doesn’t support, you must pay conversion fees to your payment provider. The exact conversion fees you may incur at any moment will depend on various factors, including your preferred currency and payment method.
Please note that eToro subjects each withdrawal request to a £5 fee. The platform uses this money to pay expenses arising from international money transfers. Most importantly, you can’t withdraw less than £30 from the eToro trading platform.
While depositing money into our account, we noticed that eToro has strict minimum deposit requirements. Britons using this platform have to deposit at least £100 the first time. Afterwards, you can fund your account with as little as £10, depending on your preferred payment method.
Commission-wise, eToro is very friendly to people who trade ETFs or invest in real stocks since the broker charges 0% for these assets. On the other hand, if you buy or sell crypto on this platform, expect to pay a 1% fee. CFD trading also attracts variable spreads depending on the involved instruments. For instance, the spreads for currencies and commodities start from 1 pip and 2 pips, respectively.
Not to forget, eToro charges a £10 monthly inactivity fee that kicks in after 12 months of dormancy.
2. XTB – Commission-Free App for Investment in the UK
We tested XTB and found it suitable for short-term investors looking to explore various assets without taking ownership. We discovered over 5,400 CFD investment securities from the USA and EU. These include shares, forex, commodities, ETFs, and indices. We also like that the app offers users investment plans for their retirement. You only need a minimum amount of £15 to join the plan.
Note that getting started with XTB is free with no minimum deposit requirement. Moreover, the app charges no commission on stocks and ETFs equivalent to 100,000 EUR monthly turnover. Above this amount, the commission is only 0.2% (min £10). Investors also have an opportunity to Earn 5.2% interest on their GBP uninvested funds. When it comes to trading tools, XTB hosts numerous options on its xStation 5 and xStation Mobile platforms.
XTB
✔5,700+ financial instruments
✔No minimum deposit requirement
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets
Pros
- No minimum deposit requirement
- A user-friendly and modern design platform
- Commission-free stocks and ETF investments
- Free deposits and withdrawals
Cons
- Lists only forex and CFD instruments
- No third-party platforms like the MT4/5
XTB is a cost-effective trading platform. We used a live account to assess its fees and commissions. The first applaudable aspect we noticed is setting up an account with this broker is quick and easy. Furthermore, there’s no set XTB minimum deposit requirement, and the platform supports free transactions. When it comes to withdrawals, transactions above £50 are free.
That aside, we noticed various mandates on the XTB UK trading platform during our exploration. For starters, this entity has a £10 minimum order requirement for shares from companies like the Associated British Food PLC. Additionally, it requires users to cover a 0.5% conversion fee while trading with anything besides the base currency.
Not to forget, XTB charges different spreads for different instruments and requires traders who hold open positions to cover swap costs.
3. AvaTrade – Best Investment App for Beginners
Beginner traders trying to venture into the UK investment market should try AvaTrade’s AvaTradeGO app. From our analysis, this app has gained numerous positive testimonials from users on Google Play, the App Store, and Trustpilot. Moreover, it has an Ava Academy platform with numerous learning materials to boost your skill level. And when you are ready to gauge your capabilities, AvaTradeGO encourages users to use its demo account, which is risk free and virtually funded.
We must admit that the AvaTradeGO app has a quick account set-up procedure, which took us minutes to complete. With a low minimum deposit requirement of £100, you can explore over 1200 CFD assets, including shares, indices, commodities, cryptos, forex, and more. You can also choose a platform that best suits your skill level, whether it’s proprietary WebTrader, MT4, Ava Social, or MT5.
AvaTrade
✔Free deposits and withdrawals
✔Beginner-friendly user interface
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets
Pros
- Quality learning and market analysis tools
- A highly rated investment app on Google Play, the App Store, and Trustpilot
- Quick and easy account registration
- Free deposits and withdrawals
Cons
- High inactivity and administration fees for accounts that remain dormant for over 3 months
- A limited number of instruments compared to its peers
Before going any further, note that there’s an AvaTrade minimum deposit requirement for UK traders. Fundamentally, this service provider requires Britons to fund their account with at least £100 while using supported payment methods like wire transfer, credit card, and e-payment. You should keep that in mind while funding your trading account.
That aside, while evaluating AvaTrade, we discovered that this broker has numerous fees and costs. For starters, it requires dormant account holders to pay a £50 inactivity fee. It kicks in after 3 successive months of dormancy, and the broker charges it after every 3 months.
Additionally, dormant AvaTrade accounts incur a £100 annual administration fee that takes effect after 12 months of inactivity. Not to forget, while trading with AvaTrade, you’ll have to cover an overnight premium whenever you keep a position open after the stipulated overnight funding time, which is 22:00 GMT.
Regarding spreads and commissions, AvaTrade is one of the most affordable brokers in the UK. With this platform, you will enjoy reasonable spreads starting from 0.13% while trading popular instruments like Tesla and Amazon shares are involved. AvaTrade doesn’t require traders to cover any commissions. The broker uses the Bid-Ask spread to compensate itself.
4. Pepperstone – Best Trading App For MetaTrader Users in the UK
After testing and evaluating numerous investment apps in the UK, Pepperstone stands out as an excellent option for MetaTrader users. Our experience on this platform was amazing, and we like its professional support team, which operates five days a week. Overall, the app has excellent user reviews for being trustworthy and reliable when it comes to asset and trading tool offerings. There are over 1200 CFD instruments to invest in, including shares, indices, forex, commodities, and more.
We recommend Pepperstone primarily to MetaTrader users because it hosts both the MT4 and MT5 platforms. We also discovered the cTrader and TradingView. These platforms host advanced and quality resources to boost investor experience. For instance, the MT4 and MT5 platforms feature automated trading, social trading, advanced technical indicators, risk management controls, and more. On top of that, the app is affordable, with spreads starting from 0.0 pips.
Pepperstone
✔24/7 customer support
✔No inactivity fees
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets
Pros
- No minimum deposit requirement
- Zero deposit, withdrawal, and inactivity fees
- Spreads as low as 0.0 pips
- Diverse advanced platforms, including MT4 and MT5
- Top-notch tools like cTrader algorithmic trading
Cons
- This platform is focused on forex and CFD instruments
- Limited asset offerings compared to its peers
After evaluating Pepperstone, we opened a trading account for conducting extensive tests. The process was quick and easy.
But what impressed us most was the Pepperstone minimum deposit requirement. This platform has no minimum deposit, which makes it ideal for low-budget and high-budget traders. If you are a beginner, joining this broker is advisable since you can start with a low amount and increase your stakes with time. To top it off, Pepperstone supports free deposits and withdrawals. This broker allows you to use diverse payment methods for free, from Visa debit and credit cards to PayPal and domestic bank transfers.
When it comes to spreads and commissions, Pepperstone is very cost-friendly. You can open a Razor account with this broker and enjoy 20 commission-free trades. Pepperstone’s Standard accounts also have zero commissions. On the other hand, spreads start from as low as 0.0 pips for forex pairs like EUR/USD and 0.5 for commodities like XAUUSD.
Finally, unlike most of its peers, Pepperstone charges zero inactivity fees. However, any positions you hold overnight with this platform are subject to swap rates. Visit Pepperstone’s pricing page for a detailed account of how this broker calculated swap rates for different financial instruments.
5. FP Markets – Best App For Professional UK Investors
FP Markets impressed us in many ways, enabling us to recommend it primarily to professional investors in the UK. For instance, we like that the app hosts quality trading tools on its advanced platforms, including cTrader, TradingView, MT4, and MT5. Its proprietary platform is also user-friendly and customisable, allowing any user to navigate.
We discovered over 10,000 CFD investment securities. These include stocks from global markets such as Hong Kong, London, New York, and more. You will also enjoy additional securities, including indices, commodities, forex, and ETFs. The best part is that FP Markets is affordable since it has a low minimum deposit requirement of £100 and charges low spreads from 0.0 pips. Furthermore, users can optimise their experience and profitability with flexible leverages of up to 500:1 for professional traders.
FP Markets
✔10,000+ tradeable financial instruments
✔Free deposits and withdrawals
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets
Pros
- A wide selection of CFD instruments
- Low spreads as low as 0.0 pips
- High leverage limit of up to 500:1 for professional traders
- A broad range of top-tier trading platforms
- Excellent 24/7 customer support service
- No inactivity, deposit, or withdrawals fees
Cons
- High minimum deposit requirement of £1000 to access its Iress platform tailored for share investing
- Product offerings are limited to CFDs only
Before going any further, note that the FP Markets minimum deposit is £100. You can’t fund your account with anything less than the mandated amount. Also, as a trader, expect to cover stipulated FP Markets fees and commissions. Let’s expound on that.
FP Markets has different trading and non-trading fees. However, the costs you will likely incur depend on where you are from. Take London as an example. If you’re from this city, you’ll incur a 0.10% commission per side while trading equity CFDs. You’ll also have to pay a £60 monthly fee if you use Iress Trader or ViewPoint.
But here’s the good news. You won’t incur additional costs while depositing or withdrawing money from your FP Markets trading account. Moreover, unlike many other brokers, this service provider doesn’t have inactivity fees for dormant accounts.
Please visit FP Market’s official site for a comprehensive overview of all fees and commissions.
Investing in the UK
Investing in the UK’s financial space has enabled many individuals to reap good profits. The activity allows users to buy and sell various instruments, including shares/stocks and investment funds like ETFs, trusts, and index trackers. The best element about investing in an asset is that you become part of it. For instance, if you buy a company’s shares, you not only look to earn profits should the value appreciate. You also get to enjoy dividend payments on the company’s annual profits.
The Financial Conduct Authority oversees the activity of all brokerage investment firms in the UK. The authority has stringent regulations that the brokers must comply with to secure the online investment landscape. Therefore, when selecting an investment app, this element should be a priority. Moreover, you must be above 18 years old to sign up for an investment account and explore this dynamic market. Also, understand the tax rules on profits earned from the activity to plan accordingly.
Overall, investing in the UK with the best app or broker does not guarantee profits. It only maximises your potential since the market carries inherent risks. As an investor, start by understanding these risks and come up with the best plan and strategy to handle them. You can utilise brokers’ market analysis resources for this purpose and seek professional advice before making an investment decision.
What is an Investment App?
An investment app is a mobile software or application that allows investors to explore various assets in the financial landscape. These investment securities include stocks/shares, ETFs, forex, cryptos, commodities, futures, and more. Investment apps are offered by brokerage firms to empower users to be in full control of their investments, especially while on the go.
Since these apps are supported by brokerage firms with official websites, you can alternate between desktop and mobile devices when managing your activities. However, understand that the apps have varying features and choosing the best for your needs is crucial.
Consider an app that allows you to trade and invest so you can take advantage of any arising opportunity at any time. Note that investing in an asset focuses on long-term potential gains, while trading allows individuals to explore daily or short-term potential earnings.
How to Choose the Best Investment App UK
Choosing the best investment app in the UK can be like looking for a needle in a haystack. The process of comparing hundreds of options in the market and conducting multiple tests can be exhausting for investors. Fortunately, we have recommended above the best apps in the region to choose from. However, should you decide to conduct your own research from scratch, here are some tips to guide you in making a suitable choice.
Security
Investment Products
Charges
Platform
User Reviews
Support Service
Safety in any investment venture is paramount. Therefore, consider an app hosted by a broker regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Such apps guarantee your fund’s safety by securing them in segregated accounts free from unauthorised access. You will also be confident that the app you are using is free from imposters looking to scam innocent investors.
Additionally, ensure the app you are considering is highly encrypted and supports additional security measures. These include passcodes, face IDs, and more for an added layer of safety to your app.
Our recommended long-term investment apps above have plenty of assets to invest with, and choosing either means you are guaranteed an opportunity to maximise your potential. Investing using such apps also means you get additional assets to choose from whenever you feel like trying something new.
Long-term investment apps, including the ones referenced above, have varying charges, and you have to choose the one you can afford. This means that you need to budget for every investment and be willing to lose the amount should an activity work against your strategy. Also, consider checking the minimum deposit requirement and additional charges like transaction costs, inactivity, and funding fees.
Even though long-term investments do not require close monitoring like their short-term counterparts, it is best to use an app with fast order execution. An app’s platform should also be user-friendly and provide the necessary research materials for technical and fundamental analysis. Learning is essential for skill development, and choosing an investment app that supports that is also a plus.
Getting the opinion of other long-term investors is essential before choosing an app. You want to know how reliable the app is, any hidden costs, the quality of trading tools, and more. Therefore, visit Google Play, Trustpilot, and the App Store to analyse their reviews and decide whether they are worth considering. You can also test it using a demo account to confirm any doubts.
Customer service in investment apps can be 24/7 or 24/5. Therefore, choose the one that aligns with your investment schedule. You can also consider the communication channels allowed and try contacting them to see how responsive they are. Having reliable customer service in your corner should be crucial for any long-term investor in the UK.
How to Sign up for an Account with an Investment App
After using the factors outlined above to identify the best investment platform, the next thing to do is register a live account. You can’t skip this step. But don’t worry. If you’re a beginner and don’t know how to do it, just follow these simple procedures:
Step 1: Visit your app’s official site
Step 2: Complete the account registration procedure
Step 3: Participate in account verification
Step 4: Fund your account
Step 5: Open your first investment position
To sign up for an investment account, visit your app’s provider’s official website. If you have chosen an option from our recommendations list above, we share various links for quick access. On the website, read and understand the terms of service to avoid future inconveniences once you are fully invested.
Look for a “Register,” “Start Trading,” or “Create Account” button and click it. Follow the prompts to complete the registration process. Most app providers will require you to share your personal details, including email, phone number, source of income, date of birth, physical location, and more. It is also crucial to create a unique username and password for an added layer of safety to your investment account.
Most regulatory bodies, including the FCA, require trading platforms to verify the identity of new signees. That is mandated to curb fraud and cybercrime. So, if your chosen trading app asks for a copy of your original national ID card and a utility bill that can be used as proof of residence, don’t fret. Just submit clear copies of the required documentation. Then, wait for verification. It may take anywhere from a couple of hours to a few days. The company will send an email notification when everything is ready.
Once your account is ready, you can fund it. But first, check the trading app’s minimum deposit requirement and adhere to it. Additionally, go through its list of approved payment methods and pick the most convenient one. For instance, our apps above allow users to deposit funds using credit/debit cards, e-wallets like PayPal and Neteller, and bank transfers.
After your broker confirms your deposit, you will automatically be redirected to its listed instruments. Pick an instrument you are familiar with and select your preferred investment size before opening a position. If you are a beginner, start with the lowest capital possible. Have a budget and consider diversifying your portfolio across multiple asset classes to reduce the risk of investing in a single security.
Conclusion
Now that we have shared the best investment apps in the UK, feel free to make a choice. You do not need to conduct extensive market research for one since our options above have been vetted and approved by experts. With them, you are guaranteed maximum safety and quality trading tools.
If you are a beginner, approach online investment with caution. Know that there is no profit guarantee since the financial market is volatile and asset prices tend to frequently change. Start with a small capital and apply risk management controls like stop-loss orders to mitigate massive losses. And to invest safely, we encourage you to take advantage of the providers’ demo account and learn investing tips before you start putting up your hard earned money in various assets.
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