Reviewed and updated on 1 November 2026.
Commission-free trading usually means that a provider does not charge a separate dealing commission for specified transactions. It does not mean that investing is free, that every product qualifies or that you cannot lose money.
Read the full price list
Check which markets, order types and account plans qualify. Compare platform subscriptions, currency conversion charges, spreads, fund charges and transfer or withdrawal fees. Frequent transactions can increase the overall cost even when the dealing commission is zero.
For example, a share bought in another currency may involve conversion when you buy and again when you sell. A fund held on the platform may have its own ongoing charge. Compare the cost for the amount you intend to hold and the activity you expect, rather than choosing on the headline alone.
Separate share ownership from speculative trading
A platform may offer several products through the same app. Buying a share is different from taking a leveraged CFD position based on its price. Check exactly what you would own and whether borrowing or overnight financing is involved.
The FCA describes CFDs as high-risk products. Easy access and a low minimum deposit do not remove that risk.
Check the firm and the service
Confirm the provider’s identity, permissions, contact details and complaints process through the FCA’s official website. Establish which legal entity would hold your account and how cash and investments are held. Regulation does not protect you against ordinary investment losses, and protection depends on the firm, activity and circumstances.
Decide whether investing fits your finances
Money needed soon for bills, a house deposit or an emergency should not be treated as spare trading capital. Consider your time horizon and ability to absorb a loss before opening an account. Read MoneyHelper’s guide to investment risks and compare providers using their current documents.
This guide explains the costs to check and does not recommend a particular platform.
