Open a Trading Account
Flexible investing without the limits
Invest as much as you want in the markets you want. Choose from one of the widest ranges of UK investments – and broaden your horizons with direct access to US and international markets.
Important information: As investment values can go down as well as up, you may not get back all of the money you invest. Currency changes affect international investments, and this can decrease their value in sterling. If you’re unsure if an investment account is right for you, please speak to an authorised financial adviser. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future.
What is a Trading Account?
A Trading Account lets you start investing in some of the biggest brands in a matter of minutes, with no limit to how much you can invest. This makes it ideal for anyone who has already used their annual ISA allowance.
You have the flexibility and freedom to invest how you want, all for a simple flat monthly fee.
The benefits of an ii Trading Account
The benefits of an ii Trading Account
Invest without the limits
Choose to invest as much as you want with a Trading Account.
Unlike an ISA or Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP), which have limits on how much you can invest, a Trading Account is much more flexible. You have the room to build and manage your portfolio how you want.
Invest with more choice
Make the most of one of the widest ranges of investments in the market.
You can hold any mix of investments, including shares, funds, ETFs, investment trusts and corporate and government bonds. There’s a wide array of options with expert insight if you need inspiration.
Invest globally
Expand your investment options with direct access to the world’s markets.
Access US and international shares directly on 17 global exchanges. Plus, you can save on FX fees by holding up to 9 of the most popular foreign currencies in your account.
Transfer your investments with ease
Transferring to ii is easy and free. Just let us know what investments you want to move and we’ll take care of the rest.
Our award-winning customer service team is always here to keep you up to date.
Why choose the ii Trading Account?
Why choose the ii Trading Account?
Keep more of what you make
With a low, flat fee from £4.99 a month, the more your investments grow, the more you can save. UK and US trade fees are only £3.99 a trade. And with free regular investing, you could save even more.
Save on FX fees with a multi-currency wallet
Hold up to 9 currencies in your ii Trading Account. Track exchange rates and convert when you want. Buy investments in their original currency without paying separate FX fees on every trade.
Know your money is safe and secure
We’re regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and you have added protection with the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). Your money’s security is our priority.
Best platform for international investing
Investors' Chronicle have named ii as a 4-star platform for international shares, adding to our wide range of investing awards.
Join over 450,000 others who trust us to deliver a truly global investing experience.
Get direct access to international markets
Some of the most well-known companies are outside the UK. With an ii Trading Account, you can invest in 17 international markets across 3 continents.
Expand your options beyond the UK market. International investing can be a key pillar of a successful investment strategy. It allows you to diversify and spread your risk across multiple markets, meaning the performance of your portfolio isn't tied to the UK.
Jump into the markets you want
Invest directly on markets from around the globe. You’ll benefit from genuine market prices and full trading hours, and can access IPOs and share splits when they happen.
Invest in real time
Access live pricing via our website and mobile app. Keep your finger on the pulse of the market wherever you are and invest globally at your convenience.
1 account. 9 currencies.
- Convert at a time that suits you
- Buy and sell investments in their currency and avoid unnecessary FX fees
- Invest in US shares for just £3.99 a trade
- Earn interest on EUR and USD held in your account
See our FX charges in full and learn more about the benefits of holding multiple currencies in your ii account.
Over 25,000 reasons to invest with ii...
With over 25,000 reviews on Trustpilot and a score of 4.7/5, there are plenty of reasons to open an ii account. Join more than 450,000 investors and see why we’re Boring Money’s Best For Share Traders and Best For Investment Enthusiasts.
How our Trading Account works
How our Trading Account works
It takes just 10 minutes to open your Trading Account. You can also transfer your investments or leave it until a later date.
Don’t worry: you won’t be charged until you deposit money and start using your Trading Account.
Add any money you want to your account. There's no limit to how much you can invest. Trading Accounts are an ideal choice if you've used your £20,000 ISA allowance.
Once you're set up, you're good to go. Choose from a range of UK and international stocks, funds, trusts, ETFs, and more.
A wide choice of investments for your Trading Account
Whether you’re investing here in the UK or exploring our international offering, there’s a range of investment types to choose from...
Shares
With direct access to the UK, US and several other global markets, you’ll have the world of investing at your fingertips. Search our shares and find tips and ideas to help you build your portfolio.
Funds
Passive, active, income and accumulation - the full spectrum of fund types are here for your choosing. Explore the range, see our expert picks and learn more about this type of investment.
ETFs
With over 1,000 Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) to explore, you’ll get access to one of the widest range of low-cost ETFs around. Discover more about investing this way and find the ETFs for you.
Investment trusts
Our selection of investment trusts includes many of the most popular and top-traded choices by investors. Get insights from our experts to help you choose the right trusts for your portfolio.
Bonds and gilts
Balance your risk and get regular income, with a wide range of corporate and government bonds from the UK and beyond. Browse our bonds and learn why many choose to include them in their portfolio.
What are the charges for an ii Trading Account?
Many other providers charge a percentage of your investments. That means the more you invest, the more they'll charge.
At ii, we believe in flat monthly fees that can help you to reach your financial goals sooner. See the table for our price plans.
It's worth noting that you can add an ii ISA to your plan at no extra cost. Other charges, such as trading fees, apply. These are charged separately to your monthly fee. More about our plans and charges.
Monthly fee for an ii Trading Account
| Account value | Monthly fee | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Up to £50,000 | £4.99 | Investor Essentials |
| Any value | £11.99 | Investor |
Trading Account FAQs
Trading is the buying and selling of financial assets in an effort to make a profit.
While you might have heard of stocks and shares, you can trade a variety of assets – such as funds, investment trusts, Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) and more. You can also trade internationally in markets around the world.
To start trading stocks and shares, you need to open an account with an investment platform – like ii.
From there, you would have to find a stock you want to invest in. For a more detailed breakdown, check out our guide on trading stocks and shares.
Opening a Trading Account is quick and easy. You just need your bank account details and National Insurance number. Then click here to open an account.
Once your account is open, you'll need to add cash to buy your first investments. You can either buy investments as and when you choose, or you can set up regular investing to top up your investments monthly.
Yes, you can transfer investments from another provider to ii.
You can transfer when you first open your account or any time after that. If you want to trade while your transfer is in progress, most providers will be able to facilitate this as long as your investments aren’t in the process of being re-registered.
Don’t forget to keep both us and your current provider updated on any changes to the investments in your account. We can’t be held liable for any missed opportunity if you choose not to trade while your transfer is in flight.
Please note: if a Trading Account transfer includes any investments we don't offer, we won’t be able to bring them across. You can search our shares, funds, trusts, and ETFs pages to search for a particular investment.
Yes, you can have several Trading Accounts open at the same time.
Some people choose to have different accounts for different purposes – for example, some keep their share trading separate from their long-term investing.
You can open a Trading Account as long as you're 18 or over and a UK tax resident.
Learn more about Trading Accounts
Want to invest while saving on tax?
A Stocks & Shares ISA lets you shield your money from tax. You don’t pay any Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax on gains in an ISA, but you can only invest £20,000 a year. See how this compares to a Trading Account and if it suits your needs.
