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Lightyear

4.0
#2 of 47 Stocks & Shares ISAs #11 of 40 Cash ISAs
Website Fees Review OffersOffers

Overview

Lightyear is an investment platform offering access to commission-free ETFs (fund fees still apply) and low order fees on US and European stocks. The UK-based fintech provides shares and ETFs, and detailed market analysis tools. Known for its intuitive design and transparent fee structure, Lightyear aims to make investing more accessible to European retail investors.

Join Lightyear Affiliate link. Capital at risk when investing. Terms apply

Lightyear Offers

Free fractional shares worth up to £100 with Lightyear

Get up to £100 in free fractional shares when joining Lightyear via our link, or using promo code ‘FIN’. Minimum deposit £100. T&Cs apply. Affiliate link.

Get offer now Capital at risk when investing

Lightyear Fees & Review

Portfolio size (for fee calculations)

  • Stocks & Shares ISA
  • Cash ISA

Stocks & Shares ISA

Fi Score rankingWhere this ISA ranks compared to other ISAs based on Fi Score 2

Fi Fee (£10k balance)(£100k balance)(£500k balance)Our unique calculation for comparable fees across brokers for each account type, based on a 10k100k500k portfolio. Your fees may vary. £0

ISA fee notes There are no commissions for ETFs on Lightyear, or for investing in UK, EU or US stocks within the Stocks and Shares ISA. It also offers one of the lowest FX fees around at just 0.1%. Bank transfers are free, card deposits and Apple/Google Pay have a 0.6% fee.

Minimum account chargeThe minimum amount you need to pay for this Stocks & Shares ISA, excluding account fee reductions or discounts. £0

FX feeThe currency conversion fee when purchasing investments that aren't listed in GBP (£). 0.10%

In-specie transfersDoes the broker support the transfer of investments? Yes

ETFs

Account fee on ETFsThe account fee you'll pay when investing in ETFs. £0

ETF account fee capThe maximum amount you'll pay in account fees when investing in ETFs. N/A

ETF trading feeThe amount you'll pay to invest in an ETF in this ISA, excluding trading volume discounts. £0

ETF regular investing feeThe amount you'll pay to invest in ETFs when using an ongoing regular investment. N/A

Mutual funds

Account fee on fundsThe account fee you'll pay when investing in mutual funds. N/A

Fund fee capThe maximum amount you'll pay in account fees when investing in mutual funds. N/A

Fund trading feeThe amount you'll pay to invest in a mutual fund in this ISA, excluding trading volume discounts. N/A

Fund regular investing feeThe amount you'll pay to invest in mutual funds when using an ongoing regular investment. N/A

Shares

Share trading feeThe amount you'll pay to invest in company shares, excluding trading volume discounts. £0

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The Lightyear Stocks & Shares ISA allows investors to choose their own investments in individual shares, ETFs, commodities, and money market funds, offering fractional shares – meaning you don't have to buy whole units, making it more affordable to invest. This ISA doesn't offer mutual funds.

As this is a flexible ISA, you can withdraw and redeposit in the same tax year without affecting your annual ISA limit.

Uninvested cash held within the account can earn 1.00% (AER) interest, though this is an investment product – it should not be used like a bank, your funds may not be protected in the same way.

In-specie transfers are supported, meaning you can transfer your portfolio from another investment platform – or to another platform – as long as the same assets are available on both.

Lightyear ranks joint-1st by Fi Fee for small investors (£10,000 portfolios), and holds the same ranking for large portfolios (balances of £500,000) too. To invest, you only need a minimum lump sum deposit of £1. They charge 0.10% as an FX fee for investments in foreign currencies.

There are no commissions for ETFs on Lightyear, or for investing in UK, EU or US stocks within the Stocks and Shares ISA. It also offers one of the lowest FX fees around at just 0.1%. Bank transfers are free, card deposits and Apple/Google Pay have a 0.6% fee.

Cash ISA

Interest rate (AER)The interest rate offered in their easy access (withdraw anytime) Cash ISA, or closest equivalent, at the time of our last update. 3.75%

Flexible?Can you withdraw and redeposit without affecting your annual ISA limit? Yes

Maximum withdrawalsThe most withdrawals you can make before it affects your interest rate Unlimited

Lightyear's cash ISA (easy access) offers a 3.75% interest rate to both new and existing customers. It’s a flexible cash ISA, allowing you to withdraw and redeposit in the same tax year without affecting your annual ISA limit.

There are no yearly limits to withdrawals, and you must maintain a minimum balance of £1. Interest is paid monthly.

This is the joint-17th ranked cash ISA on Financial Interest. They rank joint-4th by long-term interest rates (with short-term promotional rates excluded).

Importantly, Lightyear uses Qualifying Money Market Funds (QMMFs) within their cash ISA, meaning your money may be treated differently when it comes to FSCS protection – your money could be at risk in some rare circumstances.

Their interest rates follows the Bank of England base rate. They don't do promotional periods or rate drops, and don't penalise you for withdrawals. However, they use Qualifying Money Market Funds, meaning your funds may not be protected by FSCS.

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Get a free US share of your choice worth $15 when you join Lightyear via our link. Terms apply.

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