ETF-only portfolio

ETF-only ISA fees

A scenario for investors who are happy using ETFs rather than open-ended funds inside a UK Stocks & Shares ISA.

Scenario page No advice, fees only Last checked

Assumptions

What this page models

  • £20,000 current balance
  • Investment type set to shares / ETFs
  • £100 monthly contribution, so 12 share or ETF trades are modelled
  • No US-stock FX assumption

ETF-only platforms can look extremely cheap because they avoid fund-platform constraints. That does not make ETFs automatically better than funds; it just means the fee comparison should not hide ETF-only providers when the portfolio can actually use them.

The model includes platform, online dealing, and FX fees where relevant. It excludes ETF ongoing charges, bid-offer spreads, stamp duty where applicable, and any market movement.

Educational fee comparison only. This is not financial advice, tax advice, or a recommendation to use any provider. Fees, eligibility, investment access, and promotions change; verify the current provider fee schedule before opening or transferring an ISA.

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Calculator-backed ranking

Estimated annual costs

InvestEngine DIY ISA is currently the lowest-cost exact match in this model at £0.00 per year, before fund ongoing charges, market spreads, stamp duty, and any provider-specific extras.

1. InvestEngine

DIY ISA

Flexible ISA · ETFs only

Estimated annual cost£0.00
Platform£0.00Trading£0.00FX£0.00

2. Trading 212

Stocks and Shares ISA

Flexible ISA · Shares and ETFs, no funds

Estimated annual cost£0.00
Platform£0.00Trading£0.00FX£0.00

3. XTB

Flexible Stocks and Shares ISA

Flexible ISA · Shares and ETFs, no funds

Estimated annual cost£0.00
Platform£0.00Trading£0.00FX£0.00

4. IG

Stocks and Shares ISA

Flexible ISA · Shares and ETFs, no funds

Estimated annual cost£0.00
Platform£0.00Trading£0.00FX£0.00

5. Freetrade

Basic

Flexible ISA · Shares and ETFs, no funds

Estimated annual cost£0.00
Platform£0.00Trading£0.00FX£0.00