# Interactive Investor vs Lightyear

Their fees may be flat, but they could also be flattening your returns.

When you invest, your capital is at risk.

Deciding between Interactive Investor and Lightyear? Compare fees, FX rates and more - so you can decide if Interactive Investor or Lightyear is right for your needs.

## Key takeaways

Lightyear offers a low-cost alternative to Interactive Investor, charging no monthly fees or order fees for stocks & ETFs, while offering a lower FX fee (0.1% vs. up to 0.75%). Unlike Interactive Investor, Lightyear provides both a Stocks & Shares ISA and a Cash ISA, both of which are Flexible ISAs.

- Currency conversion (FX)

- Monthly fee

- Cash ISA: AER

- Stocks & Shares ISA

- ETFs: per order

- US stocks: per order

- EU stocks: per order

- UK stocks: per order

Pricing data for Interactive Investor sourced on ii.co.uk, and correct as of 3rd June 2026. 

FX fee is tiered for Plus and works as follows: First £50,000 = 0.75% and over £50,000 = 0.25%
Interactive Investor also charges £0.99 for dividend reinvestments per holding for both Core and Plus plans. There is a portfolio limit of £100k for Core.

## Interactive Investor vs Lightyear: FAQs

### Is Interactive Investor expensive?

Interactive Investor (II) uses a transparent, flat-fee pricing model and offers access to a wide range of tradeable stocks and ETFs. The platform charges a monthly subscription fee between £5.99 and £39.99, depending on the service tier, with stocks and ETFs costing between £3.99 and £9.99 per trade depending on the service tier.

While the flat fee structure may suit some investors, those looking for a simpler and more cost-efficient platform - without subscription fees, zero execution fees on stocks & ETFs, and lower currency conversion fees - might consider exploring alternatives like Lightyear.

### Is Interactive Investor's ISA flexible?

No, Interactive Investor’s Stocks & Shares ISA is not flexible. This means that if you withdraw funds during the tax year, you cannot replace them without affecting your annual ISA allowance. For investors who value the ability to withdraw and replace funds without losing their allowance, a flexible ISA may be a better choice.

Additionally, Interactive Investor does not offer a Cash ISA.

Lightyear offers a [Stocks & Shares ISA](/stocks-and-shares-isa) and a [Cash ISA](/cash-isa), and both are [flexible](/blog/just-how-flexible-are-flexible-isas).

### Can I transfer stocks from Interactive Investor?

Yes, you can transfer stocks from Interactive Investor to Lightyear. Lightyear accepts transfers of whole shares, provided each position is worth at least **£/$/€1,000**. Only regular, exercised stocks can be transferred—non-qualified stock options (NSOs) are not accepted.

To start a transfer, read [our guide to stock transfers](/help/trading-and-investments/stock-transfer).

## Other providers to compare with

- Hargreaves Lansdown: No-one grieves high fees once they've moved to Lightyear.

- Freetrade: Free trades can cost you. Invest wisely.

- Moneybox: Break out of the box. Lightyear offers smarter investing and low fees.

- Revolut: The real revolution is smarter investing.

- AJ Bell: AJ Bell rings up the costs. Lightyear keeps them down.

- Trading 212: Your future isn’t a bet. Invest with purpose.

## Disclaimer

This comparison is for educational purposes only and should in no way be taken as investment advice. When investing, your capital is at risk. Seek guidance if necessary.

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Canonical: https://lightyear.com/en-gb/comparison/interactive-investor-vs-lightyear
