Compare stocks and shares ISAs
Investment ISAs, such as a stocks and shares ISAs, let you invest in different markets and could earn you a tax free profit.
Wesleyan With Profits Stocks and Shares ISA
More Information
| Permanent UK Resident | |
| Minimum Initial Deposit | £1,000 |
| Minimum Monthly Investment | £50 |
| Minimum Lump Sum Stocks & Shares ISA Investment | £1,000 |
Hargreaves Lansdown Stocks and Shares ISA
More Information
| Permanent UK Resident | |
| Minimum Initial Deposit | £100 |
| Minimum Monthly Investment | £25 |
| Minimum Lump Sum Stocks & Shares ISA Investment | £100 |
IG Stocks & Shares ISA
.png){kind=logo}
More Information
| Permanent UK Resident | |
| Minimum Initial Deposit | £0 |
| Minimum Monthly Investment | £0 |
| Minimum Lump Sum Stocks & Shares ISA Investment | £0 |
Moneybox Stocks & Shares ISA
More Information
| Permanent UK Resident | |
| Minimum Initial Deposit | £1 |
| Minimum Monthly Investment | £1 |
| Minimum Lump Sum Stocks & Shares ISA Investment | £1 |
Scottish Widows Share Dealing ISA
More Information
| Permanent UK Resident | |
| Minimum Initial Deposit | £0 |
| Minimum Monthly Investment | £0 |
| Minimum Lump Sum Stocks & Shares ISA Investment | £0 |
Scottish Friendly My Choice (ISA)
More Information
| Permanent UK Resident | |
| Minimum Initial Deposit | £100 |
| Minimum Monthly Investment | £30 |
| Minimum Lump Sum Stocks & Shares ISA Investment | £100 |
What is a stocks and shares ISA?
A stocks & shares ISA, also known as an investment ISA, is a tax-efficient savings account used to invest in assets like company shares, bonds, and investment funds.
The primary advantage is that your investment growth is shielded from the most common forms of tax in the UK. Within this ISA "wrapper," you do not pay:
Capital Gains Tax on your profits
Dividend Tax on payouts from shares
Income Tax on any interest earned
For the 2026-27 tax year, every adult has a £20,000 annual ISA allowance. You can allocate this entire amount to a stocks & shares ISA or split it across different ISA types.
New tax year, new rules
From 6 April 2027, new rules will limit how some people can use their ISA allowance in relation to a cash ISA. Here's what's changing.
The total £20,000 limit stays the same, but if you're under 65 you’ll only be able to put up to £12,000 into a cash ISA each year.
If you want to use your full £20,000 tax-free allowance, the remaining £8,000 must be invested in a stocks & shares ISA, or other non-cash ISAs.
Who can open a stocks and shares ISA?
To open a stocks and shares ISA you need to be at least 18 years old and a UK resident. You also can’t open a stocks and shares ISA for someone else - you have to do it yourself.
You can pay into more than one stocks and shares ISA during the tax year, meaning you can have a cash ISA, lifetime ISA and an innovative finance ISA open too, provided you don't pay in more than £20,000 across all of them in the same year.
You can open a new stocks and shares ISA each tax year if you wish, and you don't need to close old ones to open a new one.
What are the different types of investment ISAs?
This type of investment ISA is ideal for beginners as it does the work for you. You answer a few questions about how comfortable you are with risk and what you want to get out of the product, decide how much to put in, then a professional does all the work of picking shares for you.
This type of stocks and shares ISA is best for people who like control - it lets you choose exactly what shares, bonds or other assets to invest in, when to sell them and what to buy with your ISA allowance.
What are the different types of investment ISAs?
Managed stocks and shares ISAs
Self-selected stocks and shares ISAs
Our best stocks and shares ISA deals
Our editors pick these deals by weighing several factors such as the minimum initial, lump sump and monthly deposit, as well as the number of funds available to invest in.
Capital at risk.
“This stocks and shares ISA makes it easy to check your investments with its app or via its website. You can also pick your own investments or choose one of HL's ready-made portfolios.”
“Wesleyan’s stocks and shares ISA aims to take the stress out of investing. With a diverse mix of assets — from UK and international shares to property and bonds — it’s designed to spread risk and target steady growth.”
What can you invest in with a stocks and shares ISA?
A stocks and shares ISA lets you put money in more than just the stock market. Here's what you're allowed to invest in tax free.
Stocks or shares
Investment funds
Corporate and government bonds
Unit trusts
Exchange-traded funds (ETFs)
How to choose the best stocks and shares ISA
There are two main things to consider when choosing a stocks and shares ISA:
Control, and
Costs
Let's take each a closer look at each of these factors.
Control
How much control over the investments linked to your ISA do you want?
If you don't want to choose specific stocks and shares yourself, you can get someone to do it all for you, or choose an option that greatly simplifies the process.
If you do want to choose your own investments, you need to look at how much of the market your chosen provider covers.
This can be anything from a few in-house funds all the way through to complete coverage of almost every stock, share, bond and fund available worldwide.
Costs
Costs with stocks and shares ISAs come in the form of fees, including:
trading fees
platform fees
management fees.
Getting someone to take full control of your money and make investment decisions on your behalf almost always costs more in fees than doing at least some of the work yourself.
However, doing all the work yourself also comes at a cost.
That's because as well as a platform fee - charged for holding your money and investments - you can also be hit with trading fees every time you buy or sell a share, fund or bond.
In the middle there are cheaper options, but they normally mean giving up either choice or control. For example, a tracker fund is generally cheaper than a managed fund, but it can't react to changes in the market the way a managed fund can.
How to invest in a stocks and shares ISA in 5 easy steps
Once you've decided to open an investment ISA, you next need to decide what to do with the money you put in there.
Decide if you want to go for a managed ISA or if you plan to take more control
If you opt for a managed ISA, simply answer a few questions about your savings goals and how comfortable you are with risk
Transfer cash to the ISA provider
If you've decided to take more control of your money, you can now start buying and selling individual shares, funds and more to hold in your portfolio yourself
If it's a managed ISA, they'll take it from here
Lots of ISA providers offer tips and tools on the various funds they offer to help you choose between them - and some will even offer model portfolios for you to copy.
If you're unsure how best to proceed, you can speak with your ISA provider in the first instance. They can then discuss specifics relating to your ISA.
Pros and cons
Benefits of investing in a stocks and shares ISA
Tax efficiency
Returns generated within a investment ISA, including capital gains and dividends, are tax-free, providing significant tax advantages compared to investing outside of an ISA wrapper.
Investment flexibility
Investment ISAs offer a wide range of investment options, allowing investors to create a diversified portfolio tailored to their risk tolerance and investment goals.
Potential for higher returns
Investing in the financial markets through a investment ISA offers the potential for higher returns compared to cash savings accounts over the long term, although returns are not guaranteed.
Compound growth
Reinvesting dividends and capital gains within investment ISAs can accelerate the growth of investments over time through the power of compounding.
Retirement planning
Stocks and Shares ISAs can be used as a tax-efficient vehicle for retirement savings, providing investors with the opportunity to build a substantial nest egg for their later years.
Risks of investing in a stocks and shares ISA
Market risk
Investing in the financial markets carries inherent risks, including the risk of capital loss due to market fluctuations, economic downturns, or geopolitical events.
Volatility
Investment ISAs are subject to market volatility, with the value of investments fluctuating over time. Investors should be prepared for short-term fluctuations and focus on long-term investment objectives.
Inflation risk
Inflation erodes the purchasing power of money over time, potentially reducing the real value of investment returns. Investors should consider inflation risk when planning their investment strategy.
Liquidity risk
Some investments within a Investment ISA, such as certain types of bonds or real estate, may have limited liquidity, making it challenging to sell or exit positions quickly.
Currency risk
Investing in international assets within a investment ISA exposes investors to currency risk, as fluctuations in exchange rates can impact the value of investments denominated in foreign currencies.
“Stocks and shares ISAs offer a tax-efficient way for you to navigate the complexities of the financial markets. You could grow wealth over time and lay the groundwork for a secure financial future - but remember, your capital is always at risk.”
What are the alternatives to stocks and shares ISAs?
Stocks and shares ISAs let you put money in the markets while escaping tax on returns, but they're not the only way to do this.
Pensions and lifetime ISAs also let you escape tax on the money you make from the markets - and come with added tax breaks on top. But as they come with age restrictions on when you can withdraw your money, they're best used for long-term savings.
If you're saving for the short term or don't want to risk your money in the hope of higher rewards, a simple savings account or cash ISA could be your best bet.
Don't forget you also have a tax-free allowance for everything from savings interest to capital gains - meaning you need to earn a fair amount before the tax-free status of an ISA comes into effect.
And while you might not pay tax on your returns now, if things go well you could find the extra protection that an ISA offers rather useful in a few years' time.
Customer Reviews
Everything you need to gain credit for…
Very fast and efficient. From start to finish it was easy to follow the application.
Great website
We’ve been featured in
