Top-performing stocks and shares Isas

Top Stocks and Shares ISA Providers for 2026

While most high street banks provide ISA options, online investment platforms typically offer lower fees and a broader selection of investments.

Grow Your Wealth Tax-Efficiently

Stocks and shares ISAs allow you to invest in the stock market and protect your returns from capital gains, dividend, and income taxes. This makes them a popular choice for those looking to build wealth over time.

With so many providers eager for your business, finding the right ISA can be overwhelming. Below, you'll find a selection of top stocks and shares ISAs for 2026, suitable for both seasoned investors and those just starting out.

• What is a stocks and shares ISA?
• Types of stocks and shares ISAs
• Best self-select ISA providers
• Best ready-made ISA providers
• Stocks and shares ISA FAQs

Understanding Stocks and Shares ISAs

Each tax year, you can invest up to £20,000 in a stocks and shares ISA, a tax-efficient investment account. Any income or gains you earn within the ISA are shielded from dividend and capital gains taxes. If you hold cash, the interest is also free from income tax.

When opening an ISA, you’ll select which investments to include. The most flexible self-select ISAs provide access to thousands of options, such as mutual funds, investment trusts, shares, and ETFs. Some platforms, however, may offer a more limited range.

You can withdraw funds from your ISA at any time, but since investments are linked to the stock market, it’s generally advised to invest for at least five years.

While many banks offer both cash and stocks and shares ISAs, online platforms often provide lower costs and greater variety for individual investors.

Types of Stocks and Shares ISAs

Stocks and shares ISAs generally fall into two main categories:

• Self-Select (DIY) ISAs: These accounts let you pick your own investments, whether individual shares and bonds or pooled vehicles like funds, investment trusts, and ETFs. This approach suits confident investors, but many platforms offer guidance and recommendations, making them accessible for beginners too.
• Ready-Made ISAs: These options, including robo-advisors and managed portfolios, invest your money based on your goals and risk profile. They’re ideal for those new to investing or anyone who prefers a hands-off approach.

Some self-select ISAs also offer pre-built portfolios, adding to the confusion. Additionally, those under 40 can open a stocks and shares Lifetime ISA to save for a first home or retirement, and parents can set up junior ISAs for their children.

How We Chose the Leading Stocks and Shares ISA Providers

The best ISA provider for you depends on your investment style—whether you want to pick your own investments or prefer a ready-made solution—and the amount you plan to invest.

Platforms with the lowest fees for larger portfolios may not be as cost-effective for smaller accounts. For our self-select ISA recommendations, we used cost analysis from The Lang Cat, comparing the annual cost of 12 trades across various platforms and investment amounts.

Our analysis highlights the least expensive providers in green and the priciest in red. Fees are accurate as of late February, except for Hargreaves Lansdown, which reflects new pricing from March 1.

The comparison table (not shown here) reveals that for a £5,000 portfolio, TrinityBridge (formerly Close Brothers) and Barclays are the most affordable, charging £13 or 0.25%. For portfolios between £50,000 and £100,000, Scottish Widows Share Dealing, Halifax Share Dealing, Interactive Investor’s core option, and Vanguard all offer fees under £150. For those investing £1 million, Scottish Widows Share Dealing is the cheapest at £60, with Halifax and Interactive Investor Plus also offering competitive rates.

Note: These costs apply to fund investments; charges may differ for other assets. For example, Hargreaves Lansdown’s shareholding fee is 0.35%, capped at £150 per year from March 1.

Top Self-Select ISA Providers

Best for Smaller Portfolios (Under £50,000): AJ Bell YouInvest

Annual cost: £31 for £5,000, £81 for £25,000, £143 for £50,000

Boring Money rating: 4.5/5

AJ Bell is recognized as a strong all-round choice. While not always the cheapest, its fees are competitive, especially for mid-sized accounts. For instance, 12 fund trades per year cost £81 for a £25,000 portfolio, compared to £88 with Fidelity and £200 with Bestinvest.

Platform charges are capped, and there are no platform fees on funds over £500,000, keeping costs down for larger investors. The maximum charge for the example investor is £893. AJ Bell offers a wide range of investment options, making it suitable for experienced investors, but its affordable ready-made portfolios and quality content also appeal to newcomers. All customers receive access to Shares Magazine.

Best for Larger Portfolios (Over £50,000): Interactive Investor ii Plus

Annual cost: £180 (flat fee)

Boring Money rating: 4/5

Interactive Investor recently updated its pricing, with the ii Core option charging £88 for portfolios up to £100,000. The ii Plus ISA has a flat fee of £180, which is more cost-effective for larger portfolios. For a £1 million ISA, annual charges are £881 with AJ Bell, £2,000 with Bestinvest and Fidelity, and £2,758 with Hargreaves Lansdown.

Interactive Investor offers access to over 40,000 investments. The Plus plan costs £14.99 per month, includes one free trade each month, and allows account holders to open a junior ISA for each child. While fees are low for large investors, the platform may be overwhelming for beginners, and its website and app may not be as user-friendly for those new to investing.

Honourable Mentions: Barclays Smart Investor and Hargreaves Lansdown

Barclays Smart Investor is praised for its transparent pricing and the convenience of managing ISAs alongside current accounts. Fees are low for small portfolios—just £13 for a £5,000 portfolio with four trades per year, rising to £900 for £1 million. It offers the widest range of investment options among high-street banks, though beginners may find it complex.

Hargreaves Lansdown is noted for its premium service and excellent educational resources. While some investors pay more for this experience, many value the support and tools provided. However, some have chosen to move their money to lower-cost providers.

Best Ready-Made ISA Providers

Top Ready-Made ISA: JP Morgan Personal Investing

Annual cost: £48.50 for £5,000, £242.50 for £25,000, £485 for £50,000 (fully managed portfolio)

Boring Money rating: 4.5/5

JP Morgan Personal Investing, formerly Nutmeg, offers a variety of ready-made portfolios, making it a good fit for less confident investors or those with a Chase current account. There are six investment styles, including income, fully managed, and fixed allocation, each with different fees and minimum investments. For example, a £50,000 fixed-allocation portfolio costs £320 per year, while income investing costs £595 and requires a £10,000 minimum investment.

Honourable Mention: Vanguard

Vanguard’s LifeStrategy funds are popular among beginners and scored 4/5 from Boring Money. These portfolios include up to 20,000 shares and bonds, with different allocations to suit various risk levels. The 80% equity fund is the most growth-oriented, while the 20% fund is the most conservative.

Vanguard only offers its own funds, which limits choice and may not suit active traders. Fees are not the lowest for small portfolios—a £5,000 investment incurs a £4 monthly account fee plus an average fund fee of 0.24%, totaling about £60 annually. For portfolios over £32,000, the account fee drops to 0.15% (capped at £375), so a £50,000 portfolio would cost around £195 per year. For those who prefer not to manage their own investments, the simplicity may be worth the cost.

Stocks and Shares ISA FAQs

What is the typical return on a stocks and shares ISA?

Your returns will depend on your investment choices and their performance. For reference, the FTSE 100 returned 21.5% in 2025, with an average annual return of about 8% over the past decade.

How much can you contribute to a stocks and shares ISA?

You can invest up to £20,000 each tax year across all your ISAs, including stocks and shares, cash, Lifetime, and Innovative Finance ISAs. The annual ISA allowance is frozen at £20,000 until 2030.

Can you have both a cash ISA and a stocks and shares ISA?

Yes, you can contribute to both types in the same tax year, as long as your total contributions do not exceed £20,000.