Interactive Investor Review

If you’ve ever wished investing was a little easier to understand, without the jargon, hidden charges, or confusing fine print, you’re not alone. That’s where Interactive Investor comes in. Interactive Investor takes a refreshingly simple approach with flat-fee pricing, a wide range of investment options, and a platform designed to put you in control.

If you're considering a Stocks and Shares ISA, planning for retirement with a SIPP, or simply looking for a more efficient way to manage your investments, this guide covers everything you need to know. From account types to fees to standout features, this is your guide to making smart investment choices.

Pros and Cons

Main Features

To give you a clear overview, here’s a quick breakdown of what you can expect with Interactive Investor:

• Regulation: FCA-regulated and UK-based for peace of mind
• Investor protection: Your assets are protected by the FSCS up to £85,000
• Financial assets: Access to shares, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, and trusts
• Markets: Trade on UK, US, and selected European exchanges
• Account types: Includes ISAs, SIPPs, GIAs, and Junior ISAs
• Fees: Starts at £4.99/month, with no percentage-based charges
• Minimum deposit: £0 for ISAs and GIAs, £100 for SIPPs
• Platform: Web and mobile platforms are intuitive and fast
• Contact: UK-based phone and email support available
• Featured product: Stocks and Shares ISA

Safety

When you’re trusting a platform with your hard-earned cash, safety isn’t negotiable. Interactive Investor is authorised and regulated by the FCA, which means it operates under strict financial rules and is held to high standards.

On top of that, your money is covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), offering up to £85,000 of protection per person, per firm, in the unlikely event ii were to fail. Importantly, your assets are also held in segregated accounts, which keeps your investments separate from the company’s own funds.

In short, your money is well-protected. And this peace of mind is something you can’t put a price on.

Available Financial Products

Whether you’re just starting out or you're an experienced investor with a clear strategy, ii’s broad product range covers the bases. You can invest in:

• UK and international shares
• A wide range of ETFs (exchange-traded funds)
• Mutual funds from top providers
• Government and corporate bonds
• Investment trusts, ideal for income and diversification

No matter your style, there’s something here to suit, and switching between products is seamless, so your portfolio can evolve with your goals.

Account Types and Fees

Interactive Investor’s account types are well-suited to most investor goals:

• General Investment Account (GIA) – for flexible, taxable investing
• Trading account (both solo and joint) – Trade stocks, funds, trusts, ETFs, and more
• Stocks and Shares ISA – for tax-free investing up to £20,000/year
• Junior ISA (JISA) – the best junior ISAs help to invest for children’s futures
• Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) – for long-term retirement savings

The biggest draw here is the flat-fee model. You can start with the Investor Essentials at £4.99/month, applicable for both a trading account and an ISA. If your portfolio goes above £50,000, the fee becomes £11.99/month.

If you are looking for a pension, the monthly fee for the Pension Essentials plan for the SIPP starts at £5.99, as long as you have a portfolio of less than £50,000. The fee becomes £12.99 per month if your portfolio exceeds £50,000.

There is also a combo that offers both services for a fee of £9.99 per month if you want to invest up to £75,000, and £21.99 for more. 

Apart from your monthly fee, you need to consider trading fees, which are also refreshingly simple:

• £3.99 per trade for US and UK shares, ETFs, funds, bonds, gilts
• £9.99 for other international shares (or £5.99 for Super Investor plan)
• £0.99 dividend reinvestment fee

Deposits and Withdrawals

Interactive Investor in the UK offers deposits via bank transfer with no minimum, and withdrawals are processed free of charge unless you opt for urgency. Standard withdrawals (GBP/EUR) requested before 2 pm are paid into your bank account by the end of the next working day.

If you need the funds on the same day, you can choose an urgent withdrawal—also requested before 2 pm—for a flat fee of £15, with funds arriving by the end of that same day.

Only bank transfers are available for withdrawals (no card or e-wallet options), and you can only withdraw uninvested cash, so you’ll need to sell assets and await settlement before funds become available.

Currency conversion fees may apply if you're withdrawing in a different currency than your account holds. Overall, Interactive Investor provides a simple, timely withdrawal system with competitive processing times and transparent fees.

ISA

Let’s focus for a moment on the platform’s flagship product: the Stocks and Shares ISA. It’s one of the most cost-effective ISAs on the UK market, especially if you’re investing larger sums.

In this interactive investor ISA review, the flat-fee structure stands out once again. Unlike competitors that charge 0.25% to 0.45% annually, ii charges a fixed monthly cost, so the more you invest, the lower your costs proportionally.

You get full control over where your money goes, access to thousands of investment options, and the ability to transfer in existing ISAs. It’s ideal for people who want flexibility, long-term growth potential, and to maximise the tax efficiency of their savings.

For seasoned ISA investors, or those ready to take their portfolio to the next level, Interactive Investor makes a compelling case.

Trading Platforms

Interactive Investor’s platforms, both web and mobile, are built with everyday investors in mind. The interface is clean and intuitive, with easy navigation, performance tracking, and the ability to view market data at a glance.

Order execution is smooth, watchlists are simple to manage, and there are helpful tools like portfolio breakdowns and sector exposure views.

While it may not satisfy hardcore day traders, for long-term and semi-active investors, it offers everything you need without the fluff.

Customer Service

Support matters, especially when you’re transferring money or juggling investments. Interactive Investor offers UK-based customer service by phone and email, Monday to Friday.

Most users report quick response times, clear answers, and friendly service, whether you’re setting up an account, arranging a transfer, or dealing with a technical issue.

Research and Education

While ii isn’t packed with beginner guides, its research tools are solid. You’ll find daily market updates, in-depth stock analysis, and curated lists of funds and shares, ideal if you want a starting point for your own research.

It’s not an education-first platform, but the resources it does offer are valuable for DIY investors who already have some investing knowledge under their belt.

Who is it for?

If you’re serious about investing and ready to manage your own portfolio, Interactive Investor has a lot to offer. Its clear pricing, robust ISA and SIPP options, and expansive investment choice make it one of the best value platforms in the UK, especially for mid to large portfolios.

In this Interactive Investor SIPP review, it’s clear that the platform is a strong contender for retirement investors seeking full control without paying over the odds. However, if you’re brand new to investing or starting with a small balance, you may prefer a percentage-fee platform with more beginner resources.

Ultimately, ii is ideal for confident investors who want a cost-effective, trustworthy way to grow their wealth long-term.

FAQs

What is Interactive Investor?

Interactive Investor, often shortened to “ii,” is one of the UK’s most established online investment platforms. Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Manchester, ii is fully regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and now serves over 400,000 clients across the UK.

At its core, ii is designed for people who want to take charge of their finances. Unlike percentage-fee platforms, ii uses a flat-fee subscription model, making it particularly attractive for investors with larger portfolios. That means whether your investments are worth £20,000 or £200,000, you’ll pay the same base monthly fee. It’s a structure that rewards growth, not penalises it.

This modern, do-it-yourself approach makes ii a great choice for savvy investors looking to reduce costs while staying in control of their financial future.

Can I transfer an existing ISA or SIPP to Interactive Investor?

Yes, and the process is fairly simple. ii even covers some transfer costs from your current provider.

Does Interactive Investor offer ethical investment options?

Absolutely. You can filter for ESG and sustainable funds or choose from responsible investment portfolios.

Are there any hidden fees or penalties?

No, ii has a transparent fee structure. Make sure to check their updated pricing page before making an account. 

How to open an Interactive Investor account in 5 steps

Getting started is refreshingly straightforward. Here’s how it works:

1. Visit the Interactive Investor website and select your desired account/plan
2. Complete the online application (it takes about 10 minutes)
3. Verify your identity with ID and address details
4. Fund your account via debit card or bank transfer
5. Start investing, either by choosing your own funds or browsing curated selections

There’s no paperwork, no postal delays, just a clean, digital experience built for busy people who want to get on with investing.