InvestEngine review
Best for ETFs
Commission-free ETF investing platform. Managed and DIY portfolios available. ISA wrapper included free.
Overview
InvestEngine is a commission-free ETF investment platform that has quickly become a favourite among cost-conscious UK investors. Every ETF trade is free. The ISA is free. There are no platform fees for DIY investors.
Who Is InvestEngine Best For?
- ETF investors — the best platform in the UK for ETF-only portfolios
- Cost-conscious investors — literally zero fees on DIY investing
- ISA investors — free ISA wrapper with fractional ETF investing
- Those who want managed + DIY — offers both, managed from 0.25%
Fee Breakdown
| Service |
Platform Fee |
Trading Fee |
ISA Fee |
| DIY |
£0 |
£0 |
£0 |
| Managed |
0.25% |
£0 |
£0 |
InvestEngine is the only UK platform that charges absolutely nothing for DIY ETF investing — no platform fee, no dealing fee, no ISA fee. The managed portfolios at 0.25% are also among the cheapest in the market.
How Does InvestEngine Make Money?
A reasonable question when everything is free. InvestEngine earns revenue through:
- Managed portfolio fees (0.25%) — their primary revenue stream
- Interest on uninvested cash
- Business product — workplace pension and business investment accounts
Available ETFs
Over 700 ETFs from major providers:
- iShares (BlackRock)
- Vanguard
- SPDR (State Street)
- Invesco, Xtrackers, Amundi, and more
This covers global equities, bonds, commodities, property, and thematic investments. While you cannot buy individual stocks, the ETF range is comprehensive enough for virtually any portfolio strategy.
Fractional ETF Investing
InvestEngine supports fractional ETF investing, meaning you can invest any amount into any ETF regardless of the unit price. This is particularly useful for higher-priced ETFs where a single unit might cost £50-100+.
What InvestEngine Lacks
- No individual stocks — ETFs only, no Apple, no Tesla
- No SIPP — you cannot use it for pension investing
- No bonds or funds — strictly ETFs
- Smaller platform — less established than HL or Vanguard
- Limited research — basic ETF information only
If you want to buy individual company shares or non-ETF funds, InvestEngine is not for you. It does one thing — ETFs — and does it brilliantly. But if you need more, you will need a second platform.
InvestEngine vs Vanguard
| Feature |
InvestEngine |
Vanguard |
| Platform fee |
£0 (DIY) |
0.15% |
| ETF range |
700+ (multi-provider) |
~80 (Vanguard only) |
| SIPP |
No |
Yes |
| Managed option |
Yes (0.25%) |
Yes (LifeStrategy) |
| Cost on £50k |
£0 |
£75/year |
The Bottom Line
InvestEngine is the cheapest way to invest in ETFs in the UK, full stop. If your strategy is built around ETFs in an ISA — and for most passive investors it should be — there is no rational reason to pay more elsewhere. The lack of a SIPP and individual stocks means it may be your second platform rather than your only one, but for ETF investing, it is best in class.
Pros
- Commission-free ETF trading
- Free ISA wrapper
- Managed portfolios available
- Fractional ETF investing
- Clean, modern interface
Cons
- ETFs only — no individual stocks
- No SIPP yet
- Smaller platform
- Limited to ETFs