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Top 7 Investment Apps For Beginners In The UK
Updated: April 26, 2024
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Best investment apps in the UK - eToro
The best investment apps in the UK:
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1
eToro - best for for beginners (social trading, free trading)
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2
Degiro - lowest fee investment app
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3
Interactive Brokers - top investment app for professional traders
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4
AvaTrade - best free investment Forex app
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5
Pepperstone - best for spread betting
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6
Plus500 - low cost investment app
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7
IG Markets - best for professional investors
With new tools emerging daily to simplify investing, online income opportunities are becoming more and more captivating. The numerous investment apps in the UK make it easy for different individuals to invest conveniently. For instance, investors can use a mobile device to purchase and sell stocks or trade Forex.
In the past, many stock traders would have only dreamed of managing their stocks and shares from a mobile device. But this is becoming a reality as numerous private investors are managing their portfolios with investment apps in the UK on their smart devices.
While these apps offer different investing experiences, some are free, low-fee, and designed for beginners. So, in this article, TU experts will present you with the best investment apps in the UK that will suit a novice and a professional investor.
The best investment apps in the UK
Finding the top investment apps in the UK can be challenging, even with over 200 available, particularly if you are just beginning to invest in mobile devices. The investment apps for beginners in the UK integrate some top features that make investing friendly.
However, to find the best investment app, compare the top apps based on the instruments, ease of use, fees, customer service, trading platforms, research tools, and education. Below are the top 7 investment apps in the UK that every investor should consider.
eToro
EToro, which started its operation in 2007, tops the list of the best investment apps in the UK. This FCA-regulated broker supports the best investment apps for lovers of stocks and ETFs. With its low $10 (roughly £8) minimum deposit requirement, eToro is the best investment app for beginners in the UK. Its user-friendly interface makes it simple for new traders to get started with the services. You can invest in stocks, commodities, ETFs, Forex, indices, and cryptocurrencies.
Again, it offers one of the most sophisticated copy trading services and smart portfolios; you can invest and diversify passively. eToro accepts UK debit/credit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers (PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller) on iOS and Android.
In addition to being regarded as the top stock and Forex broker, eToro is also among the top crypto brokers in the United Kingdom. Furthermore, the commission for trading cryptocurrencies is only 1%, and the stamp duty tax for UK stock investments is only 0.5%.
👍 Pros
• EToro is among the most user-friendly platforms, offering the best free investment apps in the UK.
• Low minimum deposit of $10 (about £8)
• You can trade ETFs and stocks without commissions.
• They accept fractional investments and do not impose a surcharge on foreign stocks.
👎 Cons
• At the moment, the company only provides access to roughly 200 ETFs.
Degiro
DEGIRO, launched in 2013, is another top investment app in the UK that beginners and professional traders trust. DEGIRO provides traders with access to a broad array of investments, such as stocks, bonds, gilts, ETFs, funds, options, and futures. It also offers inexpensive stock trading. So, if investors are looking for a low-cost stock trading option, they can start trading with DEGIRO.
Because of its sophisticated features, free delayed market data, and low trading fees, experts heartily recommend this trading platform. With an extremely simple and user-friendly app, investors can access real-time streaming market data. The capability of setting up watchlists and trading directly from the mobile app makes it one of the best investment apps in the UK.
👍 Pros
• Has some of the lowest fees available and is governed by prestigious organizations such as the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin)
• Simple-to-use mobile and web interface with little or no commissions
• The affordable fees are ideal for novice investors who intend to trade full-time, and traders who are exclusively focused on stocks will value DEGIRO's industry-best fees.
• With the app's enhanced charting, traders can now make use of over 13 different indicators, nine drawing tools, and numerous chart types and views.
👎 Cons
• Individuals in the UK cannot open an Investment Savings Account (ISA) or sign up for a personal pension savings plan (SIPP).
Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers, founded in 1978, is a top contender for the best investment apps in the UK. Beginners and seasoned traders use this well-liked platform because it offers a wide selection of assets at some of the lowest prices in the market. You can trade Forex, mutual funds, stocks, EFTs, options, futures, CFDs, warrants, Crypto, bonds, and other top instruments.
The platform provides traders with an extensive range of asset classes and sophisticated trading tools, equipping them with the necessary tools to become profitable investors.
They are a reputable, affordable, international investing platform with $0.00 commissions for stocks and ETFs. The main focus of Interactive Brokers' marketing campaigns is low-cost investing. Interactive Brokers offers fractional shares for stocks listed on the NYSE, , AMEX, ARCA, or BAT stock exchanges.
👍 Pros
• Traders have access to over 150 markets.
• The easy-to-use interface of the Investments app lets you trade while on the go and deposit checks straight into your Interactive Brokers account.
• The IBKR mobile trading platform provides access to real-time data streaming.
• The mobile apps for iOS and Android both feature biometric authentication in addition to a two-step login
👎 Cons
• Investors with less experience and activity may find the investment app intimidating.
AvaTrade
AvaTrade, launched in 2006, is among the top options you'll find when searching for free investment apps in the UK. This app is a multi-asset broker that combines the best investment tools. As one of the best investment apps in the UK, it supports local and international stocks, indices, commodities, currencies, ETFs, bonds, and options on the investment apps.
Novice users can open a demo account with AvaTrade without having to deposit any money, and the app is user-friendly. AvaTrade offers ZuluTrade, DupliTrade, and AvaSocial for social copy trading. It also provides a wealth of user-friendly research and instructional resources.
AvaTrade provides several complimentary deposit and withdrawal options. Leverage is available on all spread betting markets; UK traders have a 1:30 cap. In addition to automated trading with trading advisors, indicators, and other analysis tools, the broker employs a segregated account to secure client funds.
👍 Pros
• A top-notch investing app for spread betting in the UK
• Access to educational resources and webinars for both novice and seasoned traders
• Supports a variety of assets like stocks, indexes, Forex, and commodities
• AvaTrade offers over 1,200 CFDs in addition to over 44 Forex options
👎 Cons
• For some inexperienced beginners, a £100 minimum deposit might be high
Pepperstone
Pepperstone is an excellent option for traders looking for the best investment apps in the UK, particularly if they want to spread bets on stocks. Pepperstone allows you to trade stocks with leverage with zero commissions to pay. When utilizing the Pepperstone investment apps, traders have access to three of the best trading platforms: cTrader, MT4, and MT5 Pepperstone is a top-regulated broker that supports iOS and Android smartphones.
The comprehensive investment app facilitates traders' seamless access to various asset classes. This covers indices, Forex, and stocks from the UK and other international markets. Because it does not require a minimum deposit, Pepperstone is the best investment app for beginners in the UK. While the no minimum deposit also makes Pepperstone the leading free investment app in the UK, this broker offers a demo account.
👍 Pros
• Spreads begin at zero if you are looking to trade stock CFDs and at 0.8 points when spread betting on stocks.
• Pepperstone provides up to 1:30 leverage to its UK clientele.
• Additionally, it is possible to trade commodities like gold, silver, and oil.
• Pepperstone offers a commission-free forex trading account with spreads as low as 0.7 pip, and it also facilitates short sales.
👎 Cons
• Because this investment app is designed primarily for short-term traders, long-term investors may struggle to use it.
Plus500
Traders seeking investment apps with low fees in the UK will be glad they came across Plus500. With over 2,800 CFDs available, this low-cost investment app is ideal for traders seeking a straightforward user experience, affordable fees, and a wide selection of products. This investment provides traders with 1:30 leverage, zero commission trading, and quick withdrawals.
Almost all of the features of the web version are available in the mobile application, including numerous technical indicators and quick order execution. The advanced technical features make it the best investment app for experts in the UK. Along with a plethora of other payment options, it supports Skrill, PayPal, Mastercard, Visa, Apple Pay, and many more.
👍 Pros
• There are no commissions, no account fees, and no fees for withdrawals. Plus500 offers extremely quick withdrawal times.
• Traders can use the Android, iOS, and Windows 10 apps to view the full product catalog, account information, conditional orders, and charting (including technical indicators).
• In addition to an economic calendar, alerts, and market news, Plus500 offers more than 110 trading indicators.
• Plus500 is a good option for traders looking for a quick broker with a user-friendly interface for low-cost trades.
👎 Cons
• One significant drawback of Plus500 is that customer support is poor, and it does not integrate with other trading platforms (like MT4/MT5).
IG Markets
IG is another top investment app in the UK, as it allows users to trade on more than 17,000 global markets after making a minimum deposit of £250. In addition to trading over 12,000 stocks, funds, and investment trusts, you can trade shares, indices, options, and commodities. They provide many sophisticated trading tools and features, such as indicators for technical analysis, charting tools, and customizable trading alerts.
You will initially pay £8 for each trade when buying and selling UK stocks. However, you can lower your commission to £3 if you trade at least three times per month. This investing app has interactive charts, news, automated trading alerts, and real-time signals. For payments, IG provides instantaneous processing of e-wallet and debit/credit card transactions through its iOS and Android apps.
👍 Pros
• Users can trade options on a range of assets with daily, weekly, and monthly time slots, as well as CFDs and spread betting on commodities.
• Furthermore, stocks from Australia and Europe can be invested in for a 0.1% commission.
• Out of all the online brokers offering Forex and CFDs, IG has the most regulatory licenses, making it a safe investment app in the UK.
• Accepts payment using credit/debit cards
👎 Cons
• For real stocks, IG charges higher fees than its competitors
Top trading apps compared
Below is a tabulated review of the top investment apps in the UK.
| Launch year | Regulations | Minimum deposit | Payment Methods | Instruments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2007 |
£8.25 - £242.56 |
eToro money; Bank transfer; Credit/Debit card; Paypal; Skrill; Klarna; Neteller; |
Stocks; Indices; ETFs; Currencies; Commodities; Cryptoassets; |
||
|
2013 |
No minimum |
Bank transfer; |
Stocks; Options; ETFs. Tracker funds; Futures; Bonds; |
||
|
1978 |
£0.0 |
Wire transfers; Check; ACH; |
Stocks; Warrants; SSFs; Currencies; indices; Metals; Mutual funds; CFDs; FOPs; Options; ETFs. Tracker funds; Futures; Bonds; |
||
|
2006 |
£100 |
Bank transfer; Credit/Debit card; Paypal; Skrill; Klarna; Neteller; POLi; Webmoney |
Stocks; Indices; ETFs; Currencies; Commodities; Cryptoassets; |
||
|
2010 |
£0.0 |
Bank transfer; Credit/Debit card; Paypal; Skrill; Union pay; Neteller; POLi; E-Wallets |
Shares; Indices; ETFs; Currencies; Commodities; Cryptoassets; Dividends for Index CFDs |
||
|
2008 |
£83 |
Bank transfer; Credit/Debit card; Paypal or Skrill |
Stocks; Indices; Options; ETFs; CFDs Forex; Commodities; Crypto; |
||
|
1974 |
MAS |
£250 |
Bank transfer; Credit/Debit card; Paypal |
Stocks; Indices; ETFs; Currencies; Commodities; CFDs; Cryptocurrencies; Bonds |
How to choose the best investment app in the UK
If you’re still not sure which investment app in the UK is best for you as a beginner, here are some considerations to make when selecting the best investment platform for you. You must consider these factors before opening an account to start trading with these investment apps in the UK.
1. Regulation
Before you choose an investment app in the UK, verify if the app is adequately regulated or licensed by top regulators like the FCA. Ensure the apps you select are protected by the FSCS as well. When a broker fails, the FSCS covers traders up to the initial £85,000.
2. Available instruments
The best investment apps in the UK provide traders with the ideal assets or instruments they want to invest in. Check if the investment app supports the assets that you have chosen to invest in. Furthermore, you can only be certain about the supported instruments by looking into the assets each broker offers.
3. Demo account and educational resources
Many of the best investment apps available in the UK offer demo accounts and educational resources, which are essential for both novice and seasoned investors. By using demo accounts, you can get a handle on how the financial markets function. You can assess changes in asset prices and market order placement. Most of the ideas on how to invest any of the assets are found in the educational content.
4. Payment Methods
The best investment apps in the UK integrate top payment methods like PayPal, Skrill, etc. Although some of the best investment apps also facilitate bank transfers to the UK, you should always confirm the payment features of any app before opening an account.
5. Customer service
To ensure high-quality customer service, confirm the channels that the investment app uses to communicate with users. Check the app to see if you can talk to a customer service agent live. During regular market hours, you can speak with experts in real-time by using the live chat feature found in the best investment apps in the UK.
Which investment app is the best for beginners in the UK?
Beginner investment apps in the UK have to be FCA-regulated and FSCS-protected. Once more, features like commission-free trading and automated investment plans should make investing simple and accessible for beginners using investment apps. Such brokers provide easy-to-open free demo accounts and convenient deposit methods for traders looking to fund their live trading accounts.
eToro is one of the best investment apps for novices in the UK because of its social trading features. A $100,000 virtual money account is yours to invest in before you risk any real money when you open an eToro account. It is a top investment app for beginners in the UK, considering its low deposits, multiple payment options, and no commission offering.
However, to start investing with eToro or any of the best investment apps in the UK, follow the steps below:
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Visit E-toro or any of the investment official website
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Click on sign up or register to create a new account.
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Confirm the email address, then include your experience investing and your details.
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Verify your phone number, identity, and address.
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Deposit to start investing
FAQs
Which assets are available for trading on investment apps in the UK?
You can buy stocks, bonds, indices, ETFs, futures, options, Forex, commodities, and other sophisticated trading instruments like contracts for difference (CFDs).
Are investment apps in the UK safe?
The best investment apps in the UK are regulated and offer good protection for traders' funds, so these apps are safe. Investment apps subject to Financial Conduct Authority regulation in the UK offer compensation through the Financial Services Compensation Scheme if a broker service crashes.
What is the best investment in the UK?
In the UK, government bonds, or gilts, are regarded as the safest investments because of their fixed interest rate, very low default risk, and government guarantee.
Can I invest a small amount of money in the UK?
Yes. There are several investment apps in the UK where you can get started investing £1 to £100. Buying premium stocks with a small initial investment is made simpler by investment apps that support the fractional share feature. Bonds, mutual funds, savings accounts, and other options are available.
Team that worked on the article
Peter Emmanuel Chijioke
Contributor
Peter Emmanuel Chijioke is a professional personal finance, Forex, crypto, blockchain, NFT, and Web3 writer and a contributor to the Traders Union website. As a computer science graduate with a robust background in programming, machine learning, and blockchain technology, he possesses a comprehensive understanding of software, technologies, cryptocurrency, and Forex trading.
Having skills in blockchain technology and over 7 years of experience in crafting technical articles on trading, software, and personal finance, he brings a unique blend of theoretical knowledge and practical expertise to the table. His skill set encompasses a diverse range of personal finance technologies and industries, making him a valuable asset to any team or project focused on innovative solutions, personal finance, and investing technologies.
Dr. BJ Johnson
Developmental English Editor
Dr. BJ Johnson is a PhD in English Language and an editor with over 15 years of experience. He earned his degree in English Language in the U.S and the UK. In 2020, Dr. Johnson joined the Traders Union team. Since then, he has created over 100 exclusive articles and edited over 300 articles of other authors.
The topics he covers include trading signals, cryptocurrencies, Forex brokers, stock brokers, expert advisors, binary options. He has also worked on the ratings of brokers and many other materials.
Dr. BJ Johnson’s motto: It always seems impossible until it’s done. You can do it.
Mirjan Hipolito
Cryptocurrency and stock expert
Mirjan Hipolito is a journalist and news editor at Traders Union. She is an expert crypto writer with five years of experience in the financial markets. Her specialties are daily market news, price predictions, and Initial Coin Offerings (ICO). Mirjan is a cryptocurrency and stock trader. This deep understanding of the finance sector allows her to create informative and engaging content that helps readers easily navigate the complexities of the crypto world.