There is no single best ETF broker UK that is perfect for every trader, as it largely depends on what you prioritize, such as fees & commission, simplicity, account type, and your ETF choice. The size of your portfolio also matters, especially if you are a long-term investor.
Our expert analysis suggests the following 5 UK brokers that offer the best long-term ETF investing in 2026.
XTB
Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers
Regulation: SEC, FINRA, FCA, and MiFiD
Min dep:$0
Leverage: 10:1 to 50:1
Spread: Fixed
Account type: Individual, Joint, Trust, IRA and UGMA/UTMA Accounts
Assets:Forex, futures, options, Bonds, Mutual funds
Platform: IBKR Proprietary platform
Trading 212
Trading 212
Regulation: FCA, CySEC, ASIC,and FSC
Min dep:£1, €1, $1
Leverage: 1:30
Spread: Variable
Account type: Invest, CFD, Stock ISA, and more
Assets: Forex, Indices, REITs, Fractional shares, ETFs
Platform: Trading 212 web and mobile trading platform
MEXEM
MEXEM
Regulation: CySEC, AFM and FSMA
Min dep:$0
Leverage: NA
Spread: NA
Account type: Individual and
Instituitional Accounts
Assets: Equities, Futures, Options, Forex, ETFs
Platform: Client Portal
Desktop TWS, Mobile TWS and
MEXEM Lite
Saxo
Saxo Bank
Regulation: FSA, FCA, MAS, JFSA, SFC, ASIC, DFSA, FINMA, MiFID
Min dep:$0
Leverage: 1:50 to 1:100
Spread: Variable
Account type: Saxo account, Joint account, Corporate account, Professional account
Assets: CFDs, ETFs, options, futures, mutual funds
Platform: Saxo investor, SaxoTrader GO, SaxoTrader PRO
Which UK broker is the best for long-term ETF investing in 2026?
The best brokers for ETFs UK for long-term investing are typically determined by the fee structure, account “wrappers”, and the asset features they offer. Can beginners invest in ETFs through UK brokers? Yes, ETF investing through UK brokers is a wise choice for beginners, as many UK platforms offer zero commission and fractional funds.
| UK Brokers | ETFs | Key features |
|---|---|---|
| XTB |
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| Interactive Brokers |
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| Trading 212 |
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| MEXEM |
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| Saxo |
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Which UK broker has the lowest long-term investing charges? / What is the cheapest broker to buy ETFs in the UK? / Which UK broker offers free ETF trading? Trading 212 offers zero fees, while XTB offers 0% commission for high volume. IBKR offers very low fees on larger portfolios.
Can I buy US ETFs on UK brokers? No, you cannot buy US-listed ETFs on UK brokers, though you can buy US-listed shares from the UK. You can, however, invest in UK-listed equivalents if they have UCITS, meaning the funds are fully regulated in the UK.
What fees do UK brokers charge for ETF investing?
The ETF trading fees differ a lot between UK brokers, and it largely depends on how often you invest, how much you invest, and what ETFs you choose. Long-term investors choose low or zero commissions with low FX costs.
What is the average commission cost for ETF investing in the UK? Most of the modern UK brokers offer £0 per ETF trade for buy-and-hold investing. The following are the fees and commission for the 5 brokers:
| UK Brokers | ETF fees & commission | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| XTB | up to £100,000 – 0%above £100,000 – 0.2% with min £10 per trade | The best all-round low-cost platform for beginners to intermediate investors who value tools and educational resources. |
| Interactive Brokers | ≤ 40,000,000 – 0.05% of trade value40,000,000.01 – 80,000,000 – 0.03% of trade value80,000,000.01 – 400,000,000 – 0.02% of trade value> 400,000,000 – 0.015% of trade value Fractional shares – 0.05% of trade value £3/€3 per trade for Western European ETFsUSD 0.0005 to USD 0.0035 per share for US ETFs | The best for experienced, advanced, and global traders, who want low FX conversion and many ETFs and markets. |
| Trading 212 | 0 | Suitable for beginners and small-amount investors who want a simple and commission-free app experience. |
| MEXEM | 0 | Suitable for cost-conscious active investors aiming to build large ETF portfolios without hefty trading fees. |
| Saxo | 0.08% | The best for advanced and high-volume traders who want professional-grade tools and data and who build diversified global ETF portfolios. |
What is the withdrawal fee charged by top UK brokers? Brokers like XTB, MEXEM, trading 212, and Saxo do not charge any fees for withdrawals. IBKR allows one free withdrawal per calendar month. What happens if my UK broker changes its pricing model? It is not a threat to your investments, and you have the right to move your ETFs elsewhere.
What happens to dividends in ETF long-term portfolios? Usually, in a long-term ETF portfolio, dividends are either paid out as cash or reinvested in your same funds. It depends on the type of ETF you choose.
What happens if an ETF issuer changes fees? When your ETF issuer changes fees, it does affect your long-term returns, yet it won’t affect ownership, and it don’t require action.
Are UK ETF brokers safe for long-term investing?
It is wise to avoid offshore/unregulated brokers for long-term investing as they might lack investor protection and pose a high risk. FSCS protection is helpful only when your broker fails financially, not if your ETFs lose value during market movements. Learn FCA vs offshore brokers for UK traders in 2026.
What is the FCA regulation requirement for UK stock brokers? The FCA regulation requirement for UK stock brokers largely means protection from fraudulent brokers, legal ownership of your assets, and strong oversight and accountability. Understand the importance of FCA regulation in UK.
| UK Brokers | Regulation | Security measures |
|---|---|---|
| XTB | Financial Conduct Authority UK – FCACySEC, IFSC | Segregated client bank accountsDeposited funds are protected by the FSCS up to £85,000 per eligible client |
| Interactive Brokers | Financial Conduct Authority UK – FCASEC, FINRA, SFA, SIPC | Segregated client accountsFSCS protection up to £85,000 |
| Trading 212 | Financial Conduct Authority UK – FCABaFin, CySEC, ASIC | Client funds and assets are maintained in segregated accounts according to CASS rules.FSCS investment protection up to £85,000 per eligible client |
| MEXEM | Financial Conduct Authority UK – FCACySEC, AFM, FSMA | Segregated client accountsFSCS protection up to £85,000 per eligible client |
| Saxo | Financial Conduct Authority UK – FCAFSA, MAS, SFC, FINMA, DFSA | Segregated client accountsFSCS protection up to £85,000 per eligible client |
What happens if I pick the wrong ETF broker for long-term investing? Picking the wrong ETF broker UK for long-term investing is not fatal; it only leads to higher costs, not a loss of your investments.
Can I trust FCA-regulated brokers with long-term funds? Yes, FCA-regulated brokers are highly trustworthy for long-term funds as they segregate client accounts. Additionally, the FSCS compensates you up to £85,000 per eligible person.
What happens if a UK broker goes bankrupt? Your investments are still protected, yet it depends on what assets you hold. You would not lose your ETFs or cash deposits when your broker is FCA-regulated.
Can you use an ISA for long-term ETF investing in the UK?
It is one of the best ways to use an ISA for long-term ETF investing in the UK, as you would use a stocks & shares ISA. The following are the reasons why a stocks and shares ISA is ideal for ETFs:
Tax advantage
Investors can enjoy tax-free growth as there is no Capital Gains Tax (CGT) when you sell ETFs. There is no tax on dividends received from ETFs, and this is huge for long-term investors.
Can long-term investors avoid capital gains tax in the UK? Yes, long-term ETF investors can legally avoid Capital Gains Tax (CGT) as the CGT allowance has been significantly cut down to £3,000.
Long-term growth
ETFs are designed for 5+ years of investing and are ideal for retirement planning, wealth building, and passive investing. What happens if I hold ETFs for more than 10 years in the UK?
Holding ETFs for more than a decade is a sensible long-term strategy and tax-efficient, which leads to strong growth of your investment.
Wide options
Within a stocks & shares ISA, you can invest in equity ETFs, bond ETFs, commodity ETFs, and ESG ETFs. How many ETFs can you trade on leading UK brokers? ETF count can vary by account type and entity, as regulatory eligibility filters what is offered by the brokers.
Low-cost
As ETFs have low expense ratios, they are perfect for strategies like buy & hold, monthly investing, and global diversification. What is the minimum deposit for UK ETF brokers?
Generally, UK ETF brokers do not require a minimum deposit for opening a standard account.
How much do UK brokers charge for ETF trading fees? Trading 212 offers zero trade cost, XTB and Interactive Brokers offer low percentage cost, and Saxo offers somewhat higher relative costs, yet with good global access.
Can I invest in ETFs through an ISA in the UK? Yes, you can. Most UK brokers offer a wide range of UCITS ETFs inside ISAs, and you can hold accumulating or distributing ETFs in an ISA. Remember that not all ETFs are ISA-eligible. Your ETF must be UK or UCITS compliant and be approved by HMRC.
Conclusion
Our practical comparison of the best UK accessible brokers for long-term ETF investing focuses mainly on XTB, Interactive Brokers, Trading 212, MEXEM, and Saxo for the following reasons:
- Highly regulated
- Low-commission structure
- Tax-efficient UK investing
- Intuitive app and features
While each broker is best in its own way and serves different user needs, we would strongly recommend XTB largely due to its compelling balance of low costs, ISA support, and usable platform features. Learn XTB’s ETF trading benefits and conditions for more insights.
Pro Tip
Choosing the best UK brokers for long-term ETF investing matters as it affects your returns, taxes, and investment experience. Choose your broker wisely with our broker finder tool and ensure they give access to quality tools to maintain your portfolio easily.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the minimum investment for long-term ETF portfolios?
The effective minimum amount for long-term ETF portfolios depends on your broker’s rules, ETF prices, and your investing strategy.
2. What happens if I stop contributions to my ETF portfolio?
Even if you stop contributions to your ETF portfolio, your ETFs remain invested in the market, and they continue to rise or fall with the market movements.
3. What happens if an ETF is delisted on my broker?
Delisting of an ETF is only an inconvenience, not a loss, as your investment remains protected. You would receive cash value at the fair market price.
4. What happens if I withdraw early from long-term investments?
When you withdraw early from long-term ETF investments, you lose future compounding, and your broker may charge some selling fees, yet there is no penalty for early withdrawals.
5. Can UK brokers offer fractional ETF shares?
Yes, UK brokers offer fractional ETF shares.
6. Can I switch brokers without selling my ETFs?
Yes, an in-kind transfer allows you to move your ETFs without being sold.
7. Can ETFs help achieve long-term financial goals?
Yes, ETF investments are ideal for long-term financial goals.
8. Can I invest in ETFs with zero fees in the UK?
Yes, UK brokers like Trading 212 have £0 platform fees for ISAs, so you can invest in ETFs with them.
9. Can long-term ETF investing outperform active trading?
Yes, thanks to “math of fees” and the difficulty of consistent market timing, long-term ETF investing can easily outperform active trading.
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