interactive investor Review

Flat-fee long-term investors

FCA

Founded 1995 · Aberdeen

Why investors choose this broker

Flat monthly plans start at £5.99 instead of a percentage fee
Free regular investing across all plans
Next-day GBP and EUR withdrawals have no charge
Plus includes 1 free monthly trade; Premium includes 2

Review summary

interactive investor is a UK flat-fee investment platform for shares, funds, ETFs, bonds, ISAs and SIPPs, with managed portfolios and multi-currency investing.

Pros

Flat monthly plans start at £5.99 instead of a percentage fee
Free regular investing across all plans
Next-day GBP and EUR withdrawals have no charge
Plus includes 1 free monthly trade; Premium includes 2
Premium makes fund trades and dividend reinvestments free
Trading Account can hold up to 9 currencies
Plus includes 5 free family accounts; Premium includes unlimited
Transfers in and out have no ii charge

Cons

Core portfolios are limited to £100,000 before Plus applies
Core FX conversion fee is 0.75%
Other international shares cost £9.99 on Core
Same-day GBP and EUR withdrawals cost £15
Telephone trades cost £49
Junior ISAs are unavailable on the Core plan
Premium costs £39.99 per month
Company Account applications must be posted

Company background

interactive investor is a flat-fee investment platform for self-directed investors and pension savers. The brand says it has supported investors since 1995 and serves more than 500,000 investors. Its account range includes a Stocks & Shares ISA, Managed Stocks & Shares ISA, Junior ISA, Personal Pension (SIPP), Trading Account, Joint Trading Account and Company Account.

The investment menu covers shares, funds, ETFs, investment trusts, corporate bonds and government bonds. Investors can also use managed portfolios for an ISA or pension, while Trading Account users can hold up to 9 currencies. interactive investor is an Aberdeen company.

Fees and pricing

Pricing is built around flat monthly plans rather than a percentage platform fee. Core costs £5.99 per month and has a portfolio limit of £100,000. Plus costs £14.99 per month and Premium costs £39.99 per month.

On Core, funds cost £3.99 per trade, UK and US shares including ETFs and investment trusts cost £3.99 per trade, and other international shares cost £9.99 per trade. Plus reduces fund trades to £1.49 and other international shares to £7.99. Premium offers free fund trades, UK and US shares at £2.99, other international shares at £5.99 and free dividend reinvestment. Regular investments are Free on all plans. FX costs 0.75% on Core, 0.75% on the first £50,000 and 0.25% above that on Plus, and 0.25% on Premium.

Regulation and safety

Interactive Investor Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The Company Account section lists FRN 141282. The platform says cash and investments are protected up to certain limits by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

Platform experience

Investors can use the website and secure mobile app to manage accounts, track investments and access live pricing. The site links to iOS and Android app stores. The Premium plan also lists ii360, described as an advanced trading platform coming soon.

Pros and cons

The main appeal is predictable flat pricing, free regular investing, multi-currency investing and family-account benefits on higher plans. The trade-off is that every plan has a monthly fee, Core has the highest FX rate, some withdrawals carry a £15 charge, and telephone trades cost £49.

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Open an account directly with the broker. Confirm current fees and account eligibility on the broker's website before depositing.

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Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

Trading fees & commissions

interactive investor uses flat monthly plans: Core at £5.99, Plus at £14.99 and Premium at £39.99. UK and US share trades cost £3.99 on Core and Plus, and £2.99 on Premium; funds cost £3.99, £1.49 or Free by plan. FX is 0.75% on Core, 0.25% on Premium, and tiered on Plus.

Fees

Item	Fee
Funds	£3.99 on Core; £1.49 on Plus; Free on Premium
Account	Core £5.99 per month; Plus £14.99 per month; Premium £39.99 per month
Withdrawal	Next day GBP and EUR withdrawals: No charge; Same day GBP and EUR withdrawals: £15; Other currency withdrawals: £15
Fx Conversion	Core 0.75%; Plus 0.75% first £50,000 and 0.25% over £50,000; Premium 0.25%
Pension Admin	Core £2.50 inc. VAT; Plus and Premium £6 inc. VAT
Non Uk Residents	£5 per month
Telephone Trades	£49
Regular Investments	Free
International Shares	£9.99 on Core; £7.99 on Plus; £5.99 on Premium
Dividend Reinvestment	£0.99 per holding on Core and Plus; Free on Premium
Joint Trading Account	£14.99 a month
Non Personal Accounts	£30 per month

Trading platform & features

Platforms

Web app
iOS app
Android app
ii360

Regulation and investor protection

Interactive Investor Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Cash and investments are protected up to certain limits by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, and FRN 141282 is stated for the Company Account.

Broker FAQs

Is interactive investor safe?

interactive investor is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority through Interactive Investor Services Limited. Cash and investments are also protected up to certain limits by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

Is interactive investor a scam?

No. Interactive Investor Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, and the Company Account section lists FRN 141282.

Is interactive investor regulated and by whom?

interactive investor is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The Company Account section lists FRN 141282.

What products does interactive investor offer?

interactive investor offers shares, funds, ETFs, investment trusts, corporate bonds and government bonds. It also offers Stocks & Shares ISAs, a Junior ISA, a Personal Pension (SIPP), Trading Accounts, Joint Trading Accounts, Company Accounts and managed options.

Does interactive investor offer ETFs?

Yes. interactive investor offers ETFs and says there are over 1,000 Exchange-Traded Funds to explore.

What does interactive investor charge for stock trades?

UK and US shares, including ETFs and investment trusts, cost £3.99 per trade on Core and Plus, and £2.99 per trade on Premium. Other international shares cost £9.99 on Core, £7.99 on Plus and £5.99 on Premium.

What is interactive investor's currency conversion fee?

The FX charge is 0.75% on Core and 0.25% on Premium. On Plus, the fee is 0.75% on the first £50,000 and 0.25% over £50,000.

Is there a withdrawal fee at interactive investor?

Next day GBP and EUR withdrawals have no charge. Same day GBP and EUR withdrawals cost £15, and other currency withdrawals cost £15.

Does interactive investor have a mobile app?

Yes. interactive investor refers to its secure mobile app and links to iOS and Android app stores.

How do I open an account at interactive investor?

A Trading Account can be opened with bank account details and a National Insurance number. The shares page says investors can get set up in less than 10 minutes on the website or through the mobile app.

Does interactive investor offer a SIPP?

Yes. interactive investor offers the ii Personal Pension, also described as a Self-Invested Personal Pension or SIPP.

Does interactive investor offer an ISA?

Yes. interactive investor offers a Stocks & Shares ISA, Managed Stocks & Shares ISA and Junior ISA.

Is interactive investor good for long-term investing?

interactive investor supports long-term investing through ISAs, a Personal Pension (SIPP), funds, ETFs, bonds, investment trusts and regular investing. Pricing is based on flat monthly plans rather than a percentage of portfolio value.

Can a company open an account with interactive investor?

Yes. interactive investor offers a Company Account for a registered UK limited company business owner who owns 25% or more of the company's capital, or has significant control over the company.

Bottom line

interactive investor suits investors who want a flat-fee platform for ISAs, SIPPs, shares, funds, ETFs and bonds. It may suit less well if a monthly platform fee, Core FX pricing, or paid same-day withdrawals are a poor fit.

interactive investor

Flat-fee long-term investors

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Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.