# Moneybox vs Lightyear Break out of the box. Lightyear offers smarter investing and low fees. When you invest, your capital is at risk. Deciding between Moneybox and Lightyear? Compare fees, FX rates and more - so you can decide if Moneybox or Lightyear is right for your investing and saving needs. ## Key takeaways Lightyear and Moneybox both offer a Stocks & Shares ISA, a Cash ISA, and charge zero execution fees on ETFs. However, Moneybox charges an annual fee of 0.45% of your portfolio value on top of a regular monthly charge. Lightyear has zero platform fees and lower FX fees (0.1% vs. 0.45%). - Monthly fee - Currency conversion (FX) - Cash ISA: AER - Stocks & Shares ISA - ETFs: per order - US stocks: per order - EU stocks: per order - UK stocks: per order Pricing data sourced from moneyboxapp.com, and correct as of 3rd June 2026. Moneybox have a Cash ISA and an Open Access Cash ISA with different rates for each. The table references the Open Access Cash ISA as this is more directly comparable to the Lightyear Cash ISA. Moneybox's Open Access Cash ISA offers an introductory rate of 4.00% AER (variable), which includes a bonus rate of 0.75% for the first 12 months. The interest rate drops to 3.25% AER (variable) after the introductory 12 month period. The Moneybox Cash ISA offers an introductory rate of 4.75% AER (variable) on balances over £500, which includes a bonus rate of 1.30% for the first 12 months. Only 3 withdrawals can be made annually without impacting the rate. The Moneybox platform fee of 0.45% per year is charged monthly. ## Price comparison Break out of the box. Lightyear offers smarter investing and low fees. By default, this projection assumes a 5.00% annual growth rate - this is purely illustrative and is not a reliable indicator of future performance. We assume a 50:50 split of the yearly investment amount between stock and ETF investments, over a 10 year period. All ETFs are assumed to be in GBP (Pounds), and all stock purchases in USD (Dollars), incurring FX fees. We assume all purchases use newly invested funds (i.e. holdings are not sold, or sold and reinvested) and that the amount invested increases by 2% each year. It is your responsibility to check your investments are within any ISA annual contribution limit, where applicable. Moneybox projection is based on their [Stocks & Shares ISA](https://www.moneyboxapp.com/faqs/fees-and-security/fee-breakdown/). There are no transaction fees, but a 0.45% FX fee applies on currency conversions. There is also an ongoing monthly account fee of £1 per month plus 0.45% of the portfolio value per year (captured under 'Account fees'). ## Moneybox vs Lightyear: FAQs ### Is Moneybox safe? Yes, Moneybox is safe and secure. It is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, and customer funds held in ISAs and investment accounts are protected up to £85,000 under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) in case of provider failure. ### Which is cheaper, Moneybox or Lightyear? Lightyear and Moneybox differ significantly in their pricing structures. - Moneybox charges a **0.45% annual platform fee** on your portfolio value, plus a £1 monthly subscription fee. The platform fee accrues daily and is charged monthly by selling a portion of your largest holding. Trades in US shares are commission-free but incur a 0.45% FX fee for currency conversion. - Lightyear charges **no platform fees** or subscription fees. ETF and stock trades are free with zero execution fees. For investors looking to minimise fees, Lightyear offers a simpler and more transparent cost structure. For larger portfolios, percentage-based platform fees like those charged by Moneybox can add up quickly. Additionally, Lightyear supports **multi-currency accounts** in its [General Investment Account](/general-investment-account), allowing you to hold and trade in different currencies without unnecessary conversions, further reducing costs. ### Is the Moneybox ISA flexible? No, the Moneybox Stocks & Shares ISA is [not flexible](https://www.moneyboxapp.com/faqs/how-will-withdrawals-affect-my-isa-allowance/). If you withdraw funds during the tax year, you cannot replace them without affecting your annual ISA allowance. For those who prioritize flexibility, a platform offering a [flexible ISA might be a better fit](https://lightyear.com/en-gb/blog/just-how-flexible-are-flexible-isas). Additionally, Moneybox does not offer a Cash ISA directly within its app, focusing instead on investment-based ISAs. Lightyear offers a [Stocks & Shares ISA](/stocks-and-shares-isa) and a [Cash ISA](/cash-isa), and both are flexible. ### Can I transfer stocks from Moneybox to Lightyear? Yes, you can transfer stocks from Moneybox to Lightyear. Lightyear accepts transfers of whole shares, provided each position is worth at least £/$/€1,000. Only regular, exercised stocks can be transferred; Lightyear does not accept non-qualified stock options (NSOs). To start a transfer, read our guide to [stock transfers](/help/trading-and-investments/stock-transfer). ## Other providers to compare with - Freetrade: Free trades can cost you. Invest wisely. - Hargreaves Lansdown: No-one grieves high fees once they've moved to Lightyear. - Revolut: The real revolution is smarter investing. - Interactive Investor: Their fees may be flat, but they could also be flattening your returns. - 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. --- Canonical: https://lightyear.com/en-gb/comparison/moneybox-vs-lightyear