For British savers seeking fresh ideas, the latest wave of investment applications offers a powerful money hack: the potential to grow your wealth passively. Published on December 31, 2025, in Metro's weekly 'Where to Invest' column, financial expert Sarah Davidson highlights how these platforms can practically manage your investments for you.
Democratising Investment: Access for All
The landscape of investing has transformed, moving far beyond the preserve of the wealthy. Today, most popular investment platforms provide user-friendly apps that allow savvy individuals to invest in stocks and shares ISAs with simple taps and swipes. The barrier to entry is remarkably low, with minimum starting investments from just £1. This opens a world of opportunity for anyone looking to put their savings to work.
A Closer Look at the Top Contenders
Several apps stand out in the UK market, each with unique features, fee structures, and investment philosophies. Here is a breakdown of some of the best options to consider.
Chip requires a £5.99 monthly subscription for its ChipX account to access its stocks and shares ISA. Investors can choose from nine thematic funds, including ethical, clean energy, and crypto-focused options. Its auto-invest function can either be set manually or use an AI model to calculate affordable monthly savings.
Trading 212 appeals to more experienced traders with its wide range of options, including shares, cryptocurrencies, and commodities. For a stocks and shares ISA, it offers zero platform fees, though foreign currency trades incur a 0.15% charge. Investment options within the ISA are limited to shares and ETF tracker funds.
Freetrade allows direct investment in thousands of UK and US company shares and ETFs. A key feature is the ability to buy fractions of shares, making high-priced stocks like Apple accessible. Plans start at £5.99 per month for a standard ISA.
Moneybox excels at passive saving through its popular 'round-up' feature. By linking your debit card, everyday purchases are rounded up to the nearest pound, with the difference invested. It also offers a 3.25% variable interest rate on uninvested cash. Fees include a £1 monthly subscription and a 0.45% platform fee.
Plum offers tiered subscriptions from free to £11.99 per month. It analyses your spending to automatically move what you can afford to save into your investment account. Users can select from 12 themed funds, such as 'Tech Giants' or 'Best of British'.
Wealthify is ideal for hands-off investors. An algorithm assesses your risk tolerance and builds a portfolio of ETFs and mutual funds accordingly. It charges a flat 0.6% management fee plus fund charges, with no penalties for withdrawal or transfer.
The Future of Personal Finance is Automated
The rise of these applications signifies a major shift towards automated and accessible personal investing. Features like round-ups, AI-driven saving calculations, and algorithm-built portfolios mean individuals can consistently contribute to their financial future without daily effort. While management and platform fees vary and should be carefully compared, the core message is clear: building an investment portfolio is now within reach for virtually anyone in the UK with a smartphone and a pound to start.
