Top 5 Affordable ETF Stocks & Shares ISAs in the UK (2026 Edition)
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Top 5 Affordable ETF Stocks & Shares ISAs in the UK (2026 Edition)
Last Updated: December 2025 | By Referral Links UK
Embarking on a rewarding investment journey shouldn't mean digging deep into your pockets. As we enter 2026, the UK investment landscape has shifted dramatically.
Some old favourites (like Vanguard) have become surprisingly expensive for smaller portfolios, while challengers have smashed barriers to offer truly commission-free investing. Below are the top 5 affordable platforms making waves in 2026, including the best referral bonuses you can claim today.
Stocks & Shares ISA Platform Fees
Platform fees are charged by the provider for holding your investments. In 2026, you shouldn't be paying high fees just to have an account.
1. Trading 212 – The All-Rounder
Best Value- 💰 ISA Fee: FREE
- 📉 Investing Commission: £0
- 💱 FX Fee: 0.15% (Low)
- 🏆 Best For: US Stocks, UK Shares & ETFs
Trading 212 remains the gold standard for most investors in 2026. With zero platform fees and zero ISA fees, it is perfect for portfolios of any size. While no platform is "completely" free (you still pay spreads and FX fees), Trading 212's 0.15% FX fee is among the lowest in the industry.
*Requires sign up and deposit. Capital at risk.
2. InvestEngine – The ETF Specialist
Best for Passive Investing- 💰 ISA Fee: FREE (for DIY portfolios)
- 📉 Investing Commission: £0
- 🏦 Minimum Deposit: £100
- 🏆 Best For: Index Funds (ETFs) Only
If you only want to invest in index funds (ETFs) and don't care about individual company stocks, this is unbeatable. They charge no platform fees for DIY ISAs and even their SIPP (Pension) is fee-free. It is a streamlined, low-cost machine.
*When you invest at least £100. T&Cs apply.
3. Freetrade – The Comeback Kid
Best User Experience- 💰 ISA Fee: FREE (On Basic Plan)
- 📉 Investing Commission: £0
- 💱 FX Fee: 0.99% (Basic Plan)
- 🏆 Best For: UK Stocks & Beginners
Freetrade used to charge monthly for their ISA, but they have now included the ISA wrapper in their free Basic plan. The app is beautiful and easy to use. Note: The Basic plan charges a 0.99% FX fee on foreign (US) stocks, which is higher than competitors, but for UK shares and ETFs, it is excellent value.
*Requires a £50 deposit. Capital at risk.
4. AJ Bell Dodl
If you prefer a big, trusted brand name, "Dodl" is AJ Bell's app-only offering. It charges a 0.15% fee (minimum £1 per month). It’s not the cheapest for tiny accounts, but it’s very reliable.
5. Important: Vanguard UK Fee Warning
Vanguard was once the default choice for beginners. However, their 2025 fee update introduced a £4 monthly minimum fee for portfolios under roughly £32,000.
The Math: If you have £1,000 invested, paying £4/month (£48/year) equals a massive 4.8% fee. Compare this to InvestEngine or Trading 212 which would cost £0. Vanguard remains a great choice for larger portfolios (over £32k), but small investors should be careful.
Cheapest Passive Tracker ETFs (2026)
It's not just the platform fee that matters—it's the fund fee (OCF). Price wars have driven these down significantly. Here are the current cost leaders:
| Category | Winner | Cost (OCF) |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 S&P 500 (USA) | SPDR S&P 500 UCITS ETF (Acc) | 0.03% |
| 🌍 Developed World | Amundi Prime Global | 0.05% |
| 🌎 All-World (inc Emerging) | Amundi Prime All Country World | 0.07% |
*Note: Tickers vary by platform. For the S&P 500, look for SPXL (USD) or SPX5 (GBP). The Amundi All Country (0.07%) is significantly cheaper than the popular Vanguard equivalent (0.22%).
Summary: Which should you choose?
In 2026, you generally shouldn't pay a trading fee. "Old school" brokers like Hargreaves Lansdown still charge £11.95 per trade, which eats into your returns.
- For the lowest fees overall: Trading 212 or InvestEngine.
- For a beautiful app experience: Freetrade (stick to UK stocks/ETFs to avoid FX fees).
- For small portfolios (<£32k): Avoid Vanguard Direct due to the £4/mo fee.