Which? has ranked the cheapest of the major investment platforms. (Image: Getty)
Which? has named the three major investment providers as the best on the market, based on user experience and its own analysis of their offerings. The leading independent consumer body conducted a survey of over 3,000 UK investors between December last year and January 2026, asking them about their experiences with the 23 biggest platforms.
Which? also did a separate analysis of platform fees and the range of investments on offer, which it combined with the user responses to create a ranking of the best providers. They found that there’s a huge variety in terms of the range of investments you can access, the fee structures and the customer service across the various products out there. Three platforms got Which?’s coveted Recommended Provider status for 2026 by having excellent customer service, competitive fees, and a strong range of investments.
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However, it only included platforms that also avoid offering investments seen as especially risky to investors, such as contracts for difference (CFDs), which are highly vulnerable to small price movements.
The outlet said it didn’t put Trading 212, a hugely popular fee-free platform which achieved a table-topping score of 83%, in contention as a WRP for this reason.
However, it did note that unlike other providers, the platform does keep CFDs separate from your main account. Trading 212 has been approached for comment.
Second place in the table, and the top ranking WRP, was AJ Bell with an overall score of 77%. The platform has been a WRP for years, and for 2026, customer satisfaction was found to be a particular standout, with the highest score of any platform on test (81%).
Investors Which? surveyed praised AJ Bell for being easy to use, as well as for the amount of information it gives users about how assets perform over time. The range of investment options available also impressed.
It noted that while it’s not among the most expensive options out there, it does have a £1.50 charge to trade funds, which played into its 62% score for fees. AJ Bell retained its long-running WRP status for this year.
InvestEngine was named as a WRP for the third time, with an overall score of 76%. The platform achieved a perfect score for fees, thanks to having zero platform and trading charges, and was also given a strong 76% customer score.
It only trades in ETFs, which may be limiting for some investors, but there is a wide range to choose from.
Scottish Widows (formerly known as iWeb) also got WRP status, with an overall score of 74%. It has no account fees, and, like InvestEngine, was named as a Great Value platform.
This accolade is given to platforms in Which?’s top three customer score bands and among the 25% least expensive in the asset categories they offer (funds, shares, or ETFs).
Scottish Widows was praised for its easy-to-use website and offers an impressive range of almost 9,000 assets to invest in across various types of investment vehicles.
There is a £5 fee for buying or selling an asset, though you can sidestep that by setting up a regular monthly investment plan, Which? said.
Sam Richardson, Deputy Editor of Which? Money, said: “As the government continues its push to get more Britons investing, we’d urge people to think about not just what they’re investing in, but the platform they’re investing with.
“From customer service to investment choice to fees, investors can have wildly different experiences depending on the platform they use. With our Which? Recommended Providers and Great Value picks, investors can rest easy knowing that they’re getting an excellent product, at the right price.”
You can find Which?’s full breakdown of the best investment platforms on the market here.
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