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Always remember that investments can go down as well as up in value, so you could get back less than you put in. A rule of thumb is to hang on to your investments for at least five years to give them the best chance of providing the returns you are hoping for.
Below, we compare two of the best investment platforms in the UK - FinecoBank and Interactive Investor.
FinecoBank allows you to trade or invest in stocks, funds, bonds, ETFs, CFDs and more via a Stocks and Shares ISA or Trading Account, whilst Interactive Investor offers over 40,000 investments, including UK and overseas shares, funds and ETFs via a Stocks and Shares ISA, Trading Account or Personal Pension.
Use the tabs below to learn more about the similarities and differences between FinecoBank and Interactive Investor.
FinecoBank UK is one of Europe’s leading FinTech banks specialising in online brokerage. It provides a range of trading and investment products including, funds, bonds, ETFs, CFDs and more. And you can invest via a Stocks and Shares ISA or Trading Account.
Fineco Bank’s core mission is to make online trading simple by providing direct access to the markets in just one click.
If you choose to invest with Fineco, you’ll gain access to 26 global markets and over 20,000 financial instruments to trade worldwide on a single account. Fineco Bank allows you to invest and trade directly in GBP, EUR, USD, Swiss Franc and 20+ currencies.
Please note: as with all investments, your capital is at risk.
With Fineco, you can invest as follows:
FinecoBank Stocks and Shares ISA
Click here to learn more about the Fineco Bank Stocks and Shares ISA.
Fineco Bank Trading Account
Click here to sign up to a Fineco Bank Trading Account.
Fineco Banking Services
Click here to learn more about Fineco’s Banking Services.
MoneyMap
Fineco Bank’s MoneyMap feature allows you to set your own personalised budget to take control of your finances and objectives. It uses AI to automatically group your expenses into personalised categories so that you can analyse your spending and save more. MoneyMap is fully integrated into the Fineco account with no additional charges. Simply activate it for free to get started.
Trading Resources
Fineco offers a broad range of helpful trading resources to help keep you informed in your investment and trading endeavours. You can make use of Fineco’s on-demand Video Library containing a range of in-depth webinars, covering topics such as investing essentials, market trends, techniques for volatile markets and more. You can further broaden your trading knowledge by attending one of Fineco’s Live Events or Courses, where you can meet trading specialists.
Trade Three Ways
When you open a trading account with Fineco, you’ll have the option to navigate the market through PowerDesk, Fineco’s Web Platform, or the Fineco app. PowerDesk is an advanced trading platform accessible on browser that offers intuitive chart trading, personalised dashboards, personalised listings and technical analyses, all on one screen. Fineco’s Web Platform provides easy access to the markets through live quotes, an intuitive search option to help you track securities and more, whilst mobile trading through the Fineco app allows you to trade all products anywhere through streaming quotes and news, live P&L updates and personalised interactive charts.
Click here to learn more.
Opening a Fineco Trading account is straightforward and takes just a few minutes. Once you’ve completed a short online form with your contact information and personal details, you’ll gain access to a broad range of trading products and services, including 26 global markets and over 20,000 financial instruments to trade worldwide on a single account.
Fineco’s Trading account will give you direct access to the financial markets, with a complete overview on every security, along with live quotes and main figures where you can choose from thousands of funds, ETFs, bonds, CFDs and more.
Click here for more information on opening a Trading Account with Fineco.
With Fineco Bank, charges vary depending on how you choose to invest.
Funds:
Annual Platform Fee: 0.25% max
Dealing Fee: No charge
Shares (including ETFs and Bonds):
Annual Platform Fee: 0.25% (max £2.95 per month)
Dealing Fee: £2.95 per deal (UK Shares); $3.95 per deal (US Shares)
Transfer out fee: No charge
Fineco Bank’s annual platform fee for funds and shares (including ETFs and bonds) is capped at 0.25% for funds, and £2.95 per month for shares, meaning you can trade thousands of Stocks and Shares globally without exceeding this fee.
Visit the website for more information on the various charges when using Fineco Bank’s services.
You can also use our investment platform or stockbroker comparison table to see how Fineco Bank compares to other investment platforms in the UK.
Fineco Bank’s broad range of investment and trading products, banking services and trading resources makes the platform an excellent option for both beginners and the more advanced trader.
With the option to trade three ways, users can choose a style that best suits their needs and level of experience, and can also take advantage of Fineco’s trading resources, offering an on-demand video library of detailed webinars and live events.
Fineco Bank’s UK customers are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which means that your assets are protected up to £85,000 per person.
This means you can get your money back if Fineco Bank were to go bust. Keep in mind that the FSCS does not cover losses arising from the performance of any of your investments.
Fineco Bank is subject to limited regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Have a look at their permissions on the FCA Register.
Apply here by the 30th of June 2023, and trade commission-free up to a maximum commission amount of £500. Terms apply.
Interactive Investor is the UK’s leading flat-fee investment platform, providing award-winning investment services and financial information since 1995.
Its key mission is to give DIY investors the tools and support they need to make informed investment decisions.
With Interactive Investor, you can open a range of investment accounts, including a Stocks and Shares ISA, General Trading Account, and Self Invested Personal Pension (SIPP).
If you choose to invest with Interactive Investor, you’ll gain access to the largest number of UK investment options in the market. You can invest in over 40,000 equities across the world's leading exchanges in multiple currencies, and the widest range of funds, investment trusts, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
For more information, visit Interactive Investor.
With Interactive Investor, you can invest as follows:
Stocks and Shares ISA
Click here to learn more about the Interactive Investor Stocks and Shares ISA.
Junior ISA
Click here to learn more about the Interactive Investor Junior ISA.
Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP)
Special offer: Open a SIPP and pay no monthly fee for 6 months. Terms apply.
Click here for more information on the Interactive Investor SIPP.
Trading Account
Click here for more information on the Interactive Investor Trading Account.
Quick Start Funds
Quick Start Funds is designed to make investing easy through ready-made portfolios. You can choose from six competitively charged funds provided by investment firms Vanguard and BMO, depending on your risk appetite.
This includes three passively managed funds (Vanguard) that aim to return the market's performance over time, and three actively managed funds (BMO) that aim to deliver better returns than the market.
Click here to find out more about Quick Start Funds and what one might be right for you.
Model Portfolios
Interactive Investor has five model portfolios to help you reach your investment goals. This includes growth and income options, as well as an ethical portfolio.
As the names suggest, the growth portfolios focus on helping you grow your money over a more extended period of time, the income portfolios are designed for those looking to draw a regular income from their investments, and the ethical portfolio demonstrates how you can align your principles and values to your investments
Click here to learn more about Interactive Investor Model Portfolios.
Free Research Account
When you open a free research account with Interactive Investor, you gain access to additional insights, watchlists, a virtual portfolio and email updates.
Ethical Investing: ACE & ACE 40
For those who prefer to invest ethically, Interactive Investor have created three ethical investment styles called ‘ACE’. These represent ‘Avoid’, ‘Considers’ and ‘Embraces’ - each containing carefully selected funds that take into account strict environmental and social governance criteria.
Interactive Investor also offers a useful resource called ACE 40 - a list of over 140 ethical investment options to help you identify the environmentally and socially responsible funds, trusts and ETFs that best reflect your values.
Company Account
An Interactive Investor Company Account gives you the option to trade in the name of a UK limited company. You can invest in funds, ETFs, investment trusts, and both UK and international equities.
Pension Trading Account
Use your Interactive Investor Pension Trading Account to buy a range of shares, funds, ETFs and investment trusts. You can set the account up to link with an existing SIPP or SSAS run by your preferred pension provider.
It can then be used to manage your pension, but your provider will handle any queries relating to paying contributions or updating your details as normal.
ii Super 60
The ii Super 60 is Interactive Investor’s rated list of quality investment options, sorted into asset groups and investment categories.
With a range of active and passive funds, ETFs and investment trusts, it’s a great tool to track the market environment and find exactly what assets are best suited to your investment needs.
When you sign up to an Interactive Investor trading account, you gain access to over 40,000 investments, including UK and overseas shares, funds, investment trusts, and ETFs. You can invest through an ISA, SIPP and more, with access to a free research account for additional insights.
The trading account offers a history of documents and transactions relating to your investments, to give you a clearer view of your personal investment history. There is also an option to create watchlists as part of a Virtual Portfolio so that you can track a portfolio of shares, ETFs, investment trusts and more.
In essence, the platform allows you to manage all of your investment needs in one place via the web, tablet or app.
Click here to learn more.
Interactive Investor has three subscription plans to choose from:
Investor Plan (£9.99 per month): All the basics. This plan gives you access to a trading account, ISA, and as many Junior ISAs as you have children. It also comes with one free trade (funds or shares), free regular investing, and for an extra £10, you can add a SIPP. Additional trades are £5.99 per trade.
Pension Builder (£12.99 per month): A simple, low-cost SIPP. This plan gives you access to a Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) and the same full range of investment options as the Investor plan. The plan also comes with free regular investing, but there is no free trade. Trades are £5.99 per trade.
Super Investor (£19.99 per month): Lowest trading fees. This plan gives you access to a trading account, ISA, and as many Junior ISAs as you have children. It also comes with two free trades (funds or shares), free regular investing, and free Friends and Family (which allows you to invite others to invest through your plan without paying a monthly fee). Additional trades are £5.99 per trade, and for an extra £10, you can add a SIPP.
Regular Investing Service: No charge
Click here for a more detailed breakdown of rates and charges.
Interactive Investor offers a simple and transparent flat-fee that starts at £9.99 and increases depending on what additional features you wish to use. It doesn’t charge percentage-based fees like other investment platforms do, which means you can keep more of your investments as they grow. There are also no leaving or joining fees, making the process of moving your money quick and easy.
Click here for a more detailed breakdown of rates and charges.
You can also use our investment platform or stock broker comparison table to see how Interactive Investor compares to other investment platforms in the UK.
Interactive Investor’s platform is designed to give DIY investors, including beginners and experts, the tools and support to make informed investment decisions.
It aims to provide useful financial information to help simplify the investment process and offers a wide range of investment options so that you can choose what’s best for you.
Interactive Investor offers its customers Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protection, which means that your assets are protected up to £85,000 per person.
This means you can get your money back if Interactive Investor were to go bust. Keep in mind that the FSCS does not cover losses arising from the performance of any of your investments.
Yes, Interactive Investor is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Have a look at their permissions on the FCA Register.
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