Investing has well and truly hit the mainstream, and we love it. Wealth creation is no longer just for dudes in suits — there are now more accessible ways to grow your money than ever before. Easy-to-use apps with lower minimum transactions and more affordable fee structures have paved the way for more everyday people to start investing, so if you’re in the United Kingdom and you want to put your money to work, here are our best investment apps available in the UK.
Note: Investing carries risk, and returns are not guaranteed. Seek professional advice tailored to your situation.
Plum combines saving and investing to become your ultimate companion in planning for your future. You can save for life’s big surprises, organize your money based on what you’re working towards, and grow your nest egg over the long term with the Plum Stocks & Shares ISA.
Plum’s clever automaton features allow you to get playful with your savings and investments, and send money to different places based on your transaction behavior. For example, the “Naughty Rule” allows users to mark certain retailers as “Naughty”, triggering a savings or investment action whenever they spend with them.
Plum operates on a subscription basis, with three tier levels offering different services. Investment options enter the mix in the second tier, where users can invest in diversified funds, while the premium plan opens up the ability to invest in a wider range of stocks.
Moneybox is one of the most accessible investment platforms in the UK, allowing you to get started with just £1. Famed for its round-up feature, Moneybox allows investors to round up their spare change from their everyday transactions to grow their investment balance faster and with less effort.
Investors can start with the Moneybox Stocks and Shares ISA, Lifetime ISA or pension, and invest a range of stocks and funds. There are no trading fees, but investors will pay a £1 per month subscription fee, an annual platform fee of 0.45% of their total portfolio value, and an annual fund provider fee.
Despite fee considerations, Moneybox is an excellent option for beginner investors building up the habit of investing for the first time.
Nutmeg is one of the UK’s most popular investment platforms, offering a suite of products from ISAs and Lifetime ISAs to pensions and junior investment vehicles. Owned by JP Morgan, Nutmeg operates on a percentage fee model and is considered a ‘robo-advice’ provider. You can choose one of Nutmeg’s portfolios to invest in, and access the benefit of experienced fund managers without the cost of a direct service. Due to Nutmeg’s personalized service, fees are slightly higher than a more hands-off option.
You can connect and track your investments with Nutmeg in your PocketSmith account.
Vanguard’s low-cost investment options include a broad range of index funds and ETFs, with some of the most affordable management fees on the market. With 85 funds to choose from, Vanguard prides itself on offering low-cost solutions for investors wanting to diversify their portfolios.
Vanguard offers stocks and shares ISAs, general investment accounts, personal pensions and junior ISAS, and allows you to choose to DIY your portfolio or be matched to investments based on your investment goals, attitude to investing, and risk profile. Plus, you can connect your Vanguard investment account to your PocketSmith dashboard, either as a bank feed or as an asset.
AJ Bell offers both a full-service investment platform and a beginner-friendly app, called Dodl. Designed specifically for those new to investing, Dodl offers a simple percentage fee investment area and an easy-to-use interface. Users can invest in pre-defined AJ Bell funds, themed investments or individual stocks, under a range of products like an investment ISA or Lifetime ISA.
For more experienced investors looking for a wider range of investment options and a more personalized approach, AJ Bell’s main platform and app has more to offer. Junior ISAs, investing through a business, and self-invested Personal Pensions are all available through AJ Bell. AJ Bell’s main platform can be connected to PocketSmith.
Hargreaves Lansdown is the largest investment platform in the UK, with a wide range of investment options including global markets. There are a range of ready-made portfolios to choose from, or more experienced investors can create their own — and yes, you can track your investments in your PocketSmith dashboard.
HL offers a raft of ways to invest, including ISAS, junior ISAs and pensions, and self-invested personal pensions (SIPP) with a minimum investment of £100. Users say the app is best-in-class for functionality and user experience, too.
Emma Edwards is a finance copywriter and blogger, on a mission to humanize the financial services industry by creating meaningful content that’s accessible and empowering. You’ll find her penning money tips at her blog, The Broke Generation, sharing financial insights on Instagram, or injecting life into content for her business clients.
