What are the Boring Money Best Buy Awards?
The Boring Money Best Buy Awards have been running for 9 consecutive years.
They are designed to recognise the best investment platforms and providers in the UK across a range of categories - from Stocks & Shares ISAs, pensions, digital investment apps, and customer experience.
We select our winners based on an exclusive combination of our independent opinion, deep dives into technical information and over 22,000 real customer reviews.
At the heart of it all, our Best Buy Awards are designed to champion the voice of the consumer and help you make better, more informed choices about investing.
How we choose our Best For Share Traders winners
Looking for the best platform for share trading? We've done the legwork to find the top investment providers that pack a punch - combining clever tools, broad market access and fees that won't make your eyes water. Our team digs into what actually matters if you want to get stuck into trading individual stocks.
When comparing the best share trading platforms, we get properly nerdy with the numbers. We model seven different trading scenarios, looking at everything from occasional dabbling to frequent trading across different pot sizes. The best investment platforms need to tick a lot of boxes - we look at dealing fees for both UK and international shares (because the world's your oyster), and check what shares you can actually buy. After all, the best trading platforms need to work for both Friday night traders and daily dealers.
And because trading isn't just about buying low and selling high, we examine all the tools that help you make smarter decisions. Each investment provider is put through their paces - we test their research offerings, technical analysis bits and bobs, and how much market data you get. This helps us identify the top share trading platforms that really deliver for people who take their investing seriously - making it easier for you to pick the best platform for share trading that won't cost the earth but still gives you all the gear you need to trade like a pro.
Best for Share Traders winners 2025
Our Best For Share Traders winners represent the best trading platforms for frequent share traders in 2025. This year's winners are:
We list providers in alphabetical order.
IG
In a nutshell
Share dealing is available
'Ready made' options too
Low cost
Who is IG good for?
IG is a good choice for frequent share traders, those who want to learn about more sophisticated trading methods using a free demo account and lots of educational resources, and those who are interested in ready-made investments through IG’s Smart Portfolio service.
interactive investor
In a nutshell
Low cost for large portfolios
Wide range of investments
Good for share dealing
Who is interactive investor good for?
The fixed fees make this a very low-cost option for most people with more than £30,000 to invest. The support and research will be most helpful to experienced investors and share traders - it still feels a bit overwhelming for the less confident. Good for international trading.
Lightyear
In a nutshell
Low-cost trading
Relatively new platform
Good stock analysis tools
Who is Lightyear good for?
Lightyear is a savvy choice for investors looking for cost-effective trading across global markets. It's suited to more experienced investors who are keen to select their own shares and ETFs, with less guidance than other options out there - but this is less of a concern for those who know what they're doing.
Saxo
In a nutshell
Detailed market analysis
Low share and ETF dealing fees
Not much support for beginners
Our Rating
Your Rating
Not yet available
Who is Saxo good for?
Saxo is an investment platform designed for people wanting to “mature in their investment journey”. Customers can build a diversified portfolio with access to a broad range of investment products - such as shares, funds, bonds and ETFs - and engage with Saxo’s extensive research tools, including real-time data and analyst reports from an in-house strategy team.
Trading 212
In a nutshell
Broad range of choice
Free ISA
0.15% foreign exchange fees
Who is Trading 212 good for?
Trading 212 is a good choice for people who want low fees and keen investors who take a real interest in it, thanks to the broad range of investments to choose from and the handy ‘pies’ which enable you to fully customise your portfolio. However, there could be more support for beginner investors and the lack of pension means it’s not suited to those looking to open a SIPP for their retirement savings. It may also not suit those who prefer investing via computers, as although desktop functionality exists, Trading 212 is very much a mobile-first provider.
Which Stocks & Shares ISA is best for you?
Are you looking to open an investment account but not sure who to turn to? Do you want to make sure you're not paying any more tax than you need to? Check our ISA comparison table to see the best providers for tax-free investing! Read our full reviews for information on fees and charges, investment range, real customer reviews and more.
FAQs about investing
From beginners asking, “How do I start investing?” to those wondering, “What’s the best investment for long-term growth?” – our community has the answers you need. Dive into our questions archive to find out:
What’s the difference between stocks, funds, and ETFs?
How much money do I need to start investing?
What are the risks of investing, and how can I manage them?
