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.
