Best General Investment Accounts (GIAs) in the UK: Costs, Investment Options & Minimum Deposits

4 min read

A General Investment Account (GIA) is a flexible way to invest in stocks, ETFs, bonds, and funds without the tax-free benefits of an ISA or pension. GIAs are ideal for investors who have maxed out their ISA allowance or want unrestricted access to their investments.

This guide covers leading GIA providers, their costs, investment options, and minimum deposit requirements to help you make an informed decision.

1. AJ Bell Youinvest GIA

✔ Best for Low Fees & DIY Investors – Competitive pricing for funds and equities.
✔ Investment Options – Stocks, ETFs, funds, bonds, investment trusts.
✔ Fees – 0.25% platform fee, plus trading costs.
✔ Minimum Investment – £500 lump sum or £25 per month.

2. Interactive Investor GIA

✔ Best for Large Portfolios – Flat fees make it cost-effective for high-value GIAs.
✔ Investment Options – Stocks, ETFs, funds, investment trusts.
✔ Fees – £5.99 to £12.99 per month, depending on plan.
✔ Minimum Investment – £25 per month.

3. Vanguard GIA

✔ Best for Low-Cost Investing – Simple, low-cost GIA limited to Vanguard funds.
✔ Investment Options – Vanguard index funds and ETFs.
✔ Fees – 0.15% platform fee, capped at £375 per year.
✔ Minimum Investment – £500 lump sum or £100 per month.

4. Fidelity GIA

✔ Best for Beginners – Offers a wide range of investment options with strong customer support.
✔ Investment Options – Stocks, ETFs, funds, bonds, investment trusts.
✔ Fees – 0.35% platform fee, reducing for larger portfolios.
✔ Minimum Investment – £50 lump sum or £25 per month.

5. Moneyfarm GIA

✔ Best for Robo-Advised Investing – Automated portfolios tailored to risk levels.
✔ Investment Options – Managed portfolios, including ethical investments.
✔ Fees – 0.75% for fully managed portfolios, reducing for larger investments.
✔ Minimum Investment – £500 lump sum or £100 per month.

6. InvestEngine GIA

✔ Best for ETF Investing – Low-cost platform focused on ETFs.
✔ Investment Options – Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs).
✔ Fees – No platform fee, only fund charges.
✔ Minimum Investment – £100 lump sum or £25 per month.

7. Nutmeg GIA

✔ Best for Hands-Off Investing – Automated portfolios tailored to risk levels.
✔ Investment Options – Robo-advised portfolios, ethical investments.
✔ Fees – 0.75% for fully managed portfolios, reducing for larger investments.
✔ Minimum Investment – £500 lump sum or £100 per month.

8. Freetrade GIA

✔ Best for Active Traders – Low fees for larger portfolios over £80k.
✔ Investment Options – Stocks and ETFs (no funds).
✔ Fees – £11.99 per month, fixed.
✔ Minimum Investment – £0 (no minimum deposit required).

9. Halifax Share Dealing (HSDL) GIA

✔ Best for Stock & Bond Investors – Wide range of assets for active traders.
✔ Investment Options – Stocks, ETFs, bonds, gilts, investment trusts.
✔ Fees – 0.25% annual admin charge, capped at £16.50 per month.
✔ Minimum Investment – £1, with flexible contributions.

Updated GIA Provider Comparison Table

Provider	Fees	Investment Options	Minimum Investment	Best For
AJ Bell Youinvest	0.25% platform fee + trading costs	Stocks, ETFs, funds, bonds, investment trusts	£500 lump sum / £25 per month	Low fees & DIY investors
Interactive Investor	£5.99 to £12.99 per month	Stocks, ETFs, funds, investment trusts	£25 per month	Best for large portfolios
Vanguard	0.15% platform fee (capped at £375/year)	Vanguard index funds & ETFs	£500 lump sum / £100 per month	Low-cost investing
Fidelity	0.35% platform fee (reduces for larger portfolios)	Stocks, ETFs, funds, bonds, investment trusts	£50 lump sum / £25 per month	Beginner-friendly
Moneyfarm	0.75% for fully managed portfolios	Robo-advised portfolios, ethical investments	£500 lump sum / £100 per month	Robo-advised investing
InvestEngine	No platform fee, fund charges only	ETFs	£100 lump sum / £25 per month	Low-cost ETF investing
Nutmeg	0.75% for fully managed portfolios	Robo-advised portfolios, ethical investments	£500 lump sum / £100 per month	Hands-off investing
Freetrade	£11.99 per month (fixed)	Stocks & ETFs (no funds)	£0 (no minimum deposit)	Active traders
Halifax Share Dealing (HSDL)	0.25% annual admin charge (capped at £16.50 per month)	Stocks, ETFs, bonds, gilts, investment trusts	£1	Stock & bond investors

Disclaimer: We strive to keep our pricing and provider information as accurate as possible, but costs and fees may change. Please verify the latest details directly with the provider before signing up.