Robert J. Williams
Reviewed by:
Sikirty Chatterjee
USP: FCA-Regulated (UK) | Flat-Fee Pricing from £3.99/mth | 450,000+ Customers Worldwide
Interactive Investor (ii) is a British online investment platform founded in 1995. Headquartered in Leeds, England, ii has grown into the UK’s largest flat-fee broker. It serves over 450,000 retail clients with around £70 billion of assets under administration. The firm boasts numerous accolades (e.g. Which? Recommended ISA/SIPP) and a Trustpilot rating of 4.7/5. It pioneered consumer-friendly policies – such as banning exit fees and offering free regular investing – and expanded via several UK acquisitions (Merlin, Alliance Trust Savings, etc.) between 2017–2021. In 2022 ii became part of abrdn (formerly Aberdeen Standard Investments), reinforcing its position as a customer-centric UK broker.
🏦 Headquarters: Leeds, UK
📅 Founded: 1995
📜 Regulation: FCA (UK)
🏦 Supported Countries: Not explicitly stated (primarily UK/European clients)
💻 Platforms: Proprietary web platform and mobile apps (iOS/Android)
💵 Min Deposit: No minimum required (no published minimum)
Interactive Investor started as an online investing information service and steadily evolved into a full-service broker. It emphasizes transparency and long-term investing; for example, over 50% of its clients have stayed with ii for more than 10 years. The platform offers both self-directed accounts and a managed-ISA service (where its in-house experts invest on your behalf). As a subscription-based model, ii’s mission is to help everyday investors build portfolios of UK and international investments with simple flat fees and solid customer support. It now operates one of the largest customer bases among UK brokers, with 600+ employees and a wide range of global market access.
Interactive Investor vs Competitors:
Fee Structure: ii uses a flat monthly fee, whereas many competitors charge by trade or assets under management. This benefits active investors but can be costly for very infrequent traders.
Market Access: ii offers direct access to 17 global exchanges (US, UK, Europe, etc.) with a multi-currency wallet, which is broader than many UK-centric brokers.
Platform & Tools: The proprietary web/mobile platform is feature-rich (with integrated news and watchlists), whereas some rivals outsource to third-party apps. However, ii lacks support for third-party platforms like MT4/MT5 or crypto exchanges.
Customer Service: ii’s UK-based support has high ratings and awards, while some online brokers rely on chatbots or offshore call centers.
Interactive Investor is strongly regulated: it is authorised by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) (a Tier-1 regulator) and is part of the FTSE-100 firm abrdn, adding corporate backing. FCA regulation mandates strict client money segregation, and ii participates in the UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme. This means retail customer funds are eligible for compensation (up to £85,000) if the broker fails. ii emphasises security: accounts can be secured with multi-factor authentication, and their mobile app encrypts all data and supports biometric login (Face/Touch ID). In summary, ii’s regulatory setup (FCA oversight and FSCS cover) offers a high level of customer protection and trust.
Regulatory Licenses:
FCA (UK) – Authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority
(No other active licences or offshore entities are mentioned on ii’s site.)
Safety Measures:
Client Fund Protection: ii holds all client funds in segregated accounts, separate from its own capital. Customers benefit from the UK FSCS insurance (up to £85,000 per person) in case of firm default. This ensures investors’ cash and securities are ring-fenced.
Compensation Schemes: As an FCA-regulated broker, ii is covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. If ii were unable to meet its obligations, eligible clients could claim losses (up to the FSCS limits) under this government-backed scheme.
Negative Balance Protection: ii offers only conventional share and fund trading (no margin/leveraged products), so clients cannot incur losses beyond their account balance. In effect, traders cannot go into a negative balance.
Data Security & Encryption: The ii platform and app use bank-grade security. User data is encrypted in transit, and the app supports biometric logins for added safety. ii also touts early adoption of multi-factor authentication and robust internal security practices, helping protect accounts from unauthorized access.
✅ Spreads: N/A (as an investment broker, ii charges fixed commissions rather than variable spreads).
✅ Commission: From £3.99 per trade on most UK/US equities (larger fees apply for some other international markets).
✅ Leverage: N/A (ii does not offer margin trading; leverage is effectively 1:1 on funded positions).
Instruments: Interactive Investor focuses on traditional securities. Clients can buy/sell shares (equities), unit trusts, open-ended funds (OEICs), investment trusts, Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), corporate bonds and government gilts across multiple markets. The platform provides access to 17 international exchanges (US, Europe, Asia). Popular UK blue-chips and FTSE indices are covered, and clients can also invest in thousands of global companies. (No forex or crypto CFDs are offered.)
Spreads: Since ii is not a forex/CFD broker, it does not quote “spreads” in the usual sense. Trades execute at the market price on exchanges. There is no bid/ask spread charged by ii – instead, costs come from the fixed commission per trade. The price you buy or sell is the real-time market price (subject to exchange fees like Stamp Duty on UK shares).
Commission: Interactive Investor uses a flat-rate commission model. For UK and US market orders, the standard online trading fee is £3.99 per buy/sell (per trade). Other international markets have higher fees (e.g. £9.99 to £19.99). There is also an optional monthly plan (“Investor” or “Investor+”) that includes a trading credit. Overall, clients pay a combination of the account subscription fee plus per-trade commissions. These costs are transparent on ii’s charges page.
Leverage: ii’s accounts are non-leveraged – you must have enough cash to cover any purchase, and cannot borrow additional funds from the broker. There is no margin trading, no leverage ratio beyond 1:1, and no possibility of a negative balance from trading. This means trades are straightforward cash purchases of securities.
Available Platforms:
✔ Web Trading Platform: ii’s desktop platform (accessed via ) offers full account management and trading. It includes account dashboards, order entry screens, portfolio views, and research tools. Real-time quotes, charts and market data are displayed. The web platform supports placing trades, viewing positions, setting up regular investments, funding accounts, and secure messaging with support.
✔ Mobile Trading App (iOS & Android): The ii app mirrors the web platform on smartphones/tablets. It allows users to log in with the same credentials, view and add funds to accounts, search markets, and place trades on the go. Key mobile features include fingerprint/FaceID login, instant quotes, watchlists, and a performance dashboard. For example, the app lets you check account balances, view pending orders, and even get quick quotes without logging in. The app’s secure design (encryption, biometrics) ensures safe trading on mobile.
Platform Features:
Chart Analysis: ii provides interactive price charts for tracked securities. Users can view historical price trends and overlay basic technical indicators. The platform highlights market movers (top risers/fallers) and lets you build watchlists of stocks, funds or ETFs to monitor. These tools help investors analyze performance and track portfolio trends over time. (Full professional chart packages are limited compared to specialized trading terminals.)
Technical Indicators: The site does not emphasize advanced technical tools. ii’s charting functionality includes standard overlays (like moving averages) but lacks a comprehensive indicator library. As a result, traders focused on detailed technical analysis may find the built-in tools basic. The broker’s strength is long-term fundamental investing, not algorithmic trading.
Automated Trading (EAs): Not available. ii does not support automated or expert-advisor style trading. All trades are entered manually by the user. Clients cannot program trading robots or automated scripts in ii’s environment.
Mobile Trading Support: The mobile app is fully supported and feature-rich. It provides on-the-go trading and portfolio management that synchronizes with the web platform. Users receive push notifications (e.g. order fills), can execute trades from anywhere, and access research content from their phone. The app’s design prioritizes simplicity and security, making it easy for beginners to trade from a mobile device.
Research Tools:
News & Analysis Feed: ii’s proprietary research section delivers curated market news and expert commentary. Within the app and website, investors can read the latest financial articles, analyst insights and investment ideas tailored to their interests. This native news feed keeps clients informed on market-moving events without needing third-party services.
Market Data & Sentiment: The platforms show real-time market data and rankings (e.g. top risers/fallers in UK, US and other markets). These tools give a quick snapshot of market sentiment and momentum. Users can also access basic market indices and performance charts.
Watchlists & Alerts: Clients can create custom watchlists of their favorite stocks or funds directly in the platform. The system displays key statistics and price movements for watched assets, helping with decision-making. Alerts (e.g. price triggers) can be set up via the account dashboard.
Integrated Accounts & Tools: ii offers a unified account experience. Built-in calculators and investment planners are available through the “Learn” section. The platform also features surveys (e.g. the “ii Personal Finance Index”) and webinars that enrich research. All these tools are platform-native (proprietary to ii), combining data, news and account management in one place.
| Account Type | Min Deposit | Spread | Commission | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stocks & Shares ISA (Self-Managed) | £0 | N/A | From £3.99 per trade (UK/US) | Web, iOS, Android |
| Managed Stocks & Shares ISA | £0 | N/A | From £3.99 per trade (UK/US) | Web, iOS, Android |
| Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) | £0 | N/A | From £3.99 per trade (UK/US) | Web, iOS, Android |
| Trading Account (General Investing) | £0 | N/A | From £3.99 per trade (UK/US) | Web, iOS, Android |
Demo Account: ii does not offer a demo or practice trading account; all accounts are for live investing.
Islamic (Swap-Free) Accounts: Not available – ii’s official site makes no mention of any Shariah-compliant accounts or swap-free options.
VIP / Premium Accounts: ii does not label any accounts “VIP,” but it has premium subscription tiers. The top “Investor + SIPP” plan, for example, includes perks like one free trade per month and up to two free family memberships. These higher-tier plans also raise investment limits.
Managed Accounts: Yes – ii offers a Managed Stocks & Shares ISA. Under this service, professional fund managers invest and rebalance your portfolio for you, for a monthly fee. This is aimed at clients who prefer hands-off investing.
Debit/Credit Card: Customers can add cash to their ii accounts using UK Visa/MasterCard debit cards. This is done through the web platform or app (select “Add cash” and enter card details). Debit card deposits are instant. (Credit cards and third-party payments are not accepted.)
Bank Transfer: ii accepts sterling and foreign-currency transfers via UK bank transfer (Faster Payments, CHAPS or SWIFT). Clients can hold up to 9 currencies in their accounts to avoid constant FX conversions. For foreign deposits, ii applies a known FX charge (up to ~1.50%) on currency conversion.
Cheque: The website indicates cheque deposits are possible by mailing to ii (no fees listed for standard cheques). However, account funding is fastest via card or bank.
Other: No e-wallet or cryptocurrency deposit options are listed on the site. Only debit cards and bank transfers (in your name) are supported.
Bank Transfer: The primary withdrawal method is sending cash back to your nominated bank account. Withdrawals in GBP or EUR via UK bank transfer are processed by the next business day (free of charge). For expedited service (same-day transfer), ii charges £15. Foreign-currency withdrawals similarly incur a £15 fee for expedited requests.
Cheque: Clients can request a withdrawal by cheque mailed to their registered address. The site notes this option does not require a pre-nominated account, but standard processing (2–5 business days) should be expected. No specific fee is mentioned for standard cheque processing.
Crypto/E-wallet: Not applicable – ii does not support withdrawals to cryptocurrency addresses or e-wallets.
Processing Time: Debit card deposits post instantly. Standard bank transfers (GBP Faster Payments) arrive the next business day. Withdrawals via standard transfer also take about 1 business day. Cheques or international transfers can take 2–5 business days. Same-day withdrawals (where available) incur an extra fee.
Deposit Fees: There is no fee for standard GBP deposits. When converting currency during deposit or currency exchange, an FX charge (tiered up to 1.5%) is applied.
Withdrawal Fees: Standard GBP/EUR withdrawals are free; same-day withdrawals cost £15 each. No fees are stated for basic cheque withdrawals.
Minimum/Maximum: There is no stated minimum deposit. Debit card funding is capped (max £99,999 per transaction, UK cards only). No maximum account balance is enforced, though very large trades may incur higher commission (as per the charge schedule).
Visit the official website: Go to ii.co.uk.
Register an account: Click “Open an account” and complete your personal details (name, email, address, etc.).
Verify your identity: Confirm your email and phone number when prompted.
Complete KYC: Provide proof-of-identity and proof-of-address documents (e.g. passport/ID card and a utility bill). Upload these as directed on the site.
Fund your account: Log in to your new ii account, go to Cash → Add cash, and deposit money via your chosen method (bank transfer or debit card).
Open the trading platform: Use the website or download the mobile app. Log in with your ii credentials.
Choose your trading instrument: Browse markets for the stock, fund or ETF you want to trade. ii’s platform allows you to search by company name, ticker or browse top lists (UK, US, etc.).
Analyze before trading: View the asset’s chart and data on the platform. Create a watchlist or read news articles if needed. Apply any technical tools or analysis available to decide on entry/exit levels.
Place your trade: In the trade ticket, enter the number of shares (or value) to buy or sell. Select order type (market or limit). Set any conditions (e.g. price limits) and confirm the order. There is no traditional Stop-Loss/Take-Profit feature like CFDs, so monitor your order accordingly.
Monitor and close: Track your position via the account dashboard. You can close (sell) your position anytime by placing the opposite trade. The platform also allows cancelling pending orders. Keep an eye on your portfolio using the app or website for updates.
Summary: The overall trading process with ii is straightforward, but it is oriented toward actual investing (not simulated trading). New investors will find the flat-fee pricing and simple account setup appealing. The mobile and web interfaces are user-friendly and designed for beginners, with educational resources integrated. Even first-time traders can usually complete registration, fund their account, and place a trade within minutes. The main learning curve is understanding ii’s fee plans and making decisions about international trading or currency conversion. Overall, ii aims to be accessible to long-term DIY investors, rather than high-frequency traders.
Support Channels: Interactive Investor offers multiple support channels. These include secure in-account messaging/email, live web chat (via AWS Connect), and UK-based phone support. There is also a comprehensive online Help Centre (FAQ) covering common topics, and email support via contact forms. (Social media or WhatsApp support is not highlighted.)
Support Hours: The customer service team is available Monday–Friday (UK business hours). Phone lines are open during weekday office hours (excluding UK bank holidays). Live chat and messaging follow the same schedule. There is no 24/7 support; all support operates on a 5-day workweek schedule (GMT/BST).
Additional Details:
Multilingual support: The website and services are in English only; no foreign-language support is mentioned.
Dedicated Account Managers: ii does not indicate that VIP or high-net-worth clients receive dedicated account managers. All clients use the general support system.
Response time & satisfaction: ii highlights its award-winning UK support team and cites a Trustpilot score of 4.7/5. They note that over half of their customers have been with ii for more than 10 years, suggesting high user satisfaction. Specific SLAs or guaranteed response times are not published, but user reviews imply prompt service.
Account Features: Support staff can handle inquiries about funding, trades, account changes, etc. There is also a dedicated “Compliance & Security” section to address fraud/security issues.
“Ideal for UK and international investors who want a flat-fee, all-in-one platform with broad market access.”
Avoid If: This broker is not suitable if you need forex/crypto trading, ultra-high leverage, or very frequent day trading. Because ii’s flat monthly fee model is best for active or long-term investors, those trading infrequently (e.g. only a couple of trades per year) may prefer a zero-fee broker instead. Also avoid ii if you require a demo account or automated trading – none are offered.
Bottom Line: Interactive Investor offers strong value for buy-and-hold investors and active traders who value price certainty. Its flat-fee subscription plans, extensive research tools, and multi-currency capabilities stand out in the UK market. The broker’s top-tier FCA regulation and customer satisfaction ratings provide confidence in safety. We recommend ii for individuals seeking a comprehensive, no-surprises investing service; however, traders looking for CFDs, forex, or crypto should look elsewhere. Overall, ii delivers a robust, user-friendly platform for serious stock-and-fund investors.
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