{"id":7256,"date":"2022-05-31T19:42:09","date_gmt":"2022-05-31T19:42:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ifg.local\/articles\/uk-stock-broker-comparison-sharia-analysis\/"},"modified":"2023-09-21T10:07:17","modified_gmt":"2023-09-21T10:07:17","slug":"uk-stock-broker-comparison-sharia-analysis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.islamicfinanceguru.com\/articles\/uk-stock-broker-comparison-sharia-analysis","title":{"rendered":"UK Stock Broker Comparison | Sharia Analysis – IslamicFinanceGuru"},"content":{"rendered":"

Choosing an online stockbroker is essential to your investing journey but it is often a rather painful process to work out who to go for. In this article we\u2019ve tried to take some of that pain away by doing a detailed comparison and sharing our personal experiences too.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

To start investing, you need to decide on the broker that you will invest through. Once you have a brokerage account, you can transfer money in and out of it \u2013 like a bank account.<\/p>\n

Below we have compiled a comparison between a number of different types of stockbrokers in the UK. This is not an exhaustive list but it does cover off the various different flavours of brokers you can get \u2013 from the large institutional types, to the no-commission challengers, to the high street banks.<\/p>\n

Make sure you read the helpful pointers and tips in the sections below the comparison too!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/colgroup>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Name
(and link)<\/th>\n		Asset options<\/th>\nCosts\/ Fees<\/th>\nAccount Min.<\/th>\nSecurity Features<\/th>\nTrustpilot rating & Customer Service<\/th>\nNotes<\/th>\nShariah Compliance<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\n

AJ Bell<\/span><\/p>\n

(Get Started<\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Shares, funds, investment trusts
<\/span><\/td>\n		\n
\u00a33.50 per month for ISA.<\/span><\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n
0.25 percent custody charge, \u00a31.50 for funds and \u00a39.95 for shares<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\u00a3500<\/span><\/td>\nEncryption<\/span><\/td>\n\n
4.1<\/span><\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n
Helpdesk receiving calls.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
One of the largest brokers in the UK.<\/span><\/p>\n

Education resources include videos, research tools, Shares magazine.<\/span><\/p>\n

‘Investment ideas\u2019- specialist resources.<\/span><\/td>\n

No obvious issues.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Degiro<\/span><\/p>\n

(Get Started<\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Shares, Funds, Bonds<\/span><\/td>\n\u00a31.75 plus 0.014% per share.<\/p>\n

Currency conversion 0.1%.<\/p>\n

Real time figures – \u00a34.50 per month<\/span><\/td>\n

\u00a30<\/span><\/td>\nSecure structure protects investors from liquidation.<\/span><\/td>\n\n
4.1<\/span><\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n
Calls from Monday to Friday 7am to 9pm. Email access.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
Real time prices, immediate trades, order by amount, Investor\u2019s academy for education resources.<\/span><\/p>\n

Education resources include a blog (insights and ideas) and ‘Investor\u2019s academy’.<\/span><\/td>\n

Just make sure you purify any interest earned and make sure you don’t tick the box where they allow your shares to be be loaned for short-selling.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Etoro<\/span><\/p>\n

(Get Started<\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Stocks, Funds, Crypto, commodities<\/span><\/td>\n0% commission.<\/p>\n

Fees calculated on daily basis. <\/p>\n

$5 withdrawal fee.<\/span><\/td>\n

\u00a3200<\/span><\/td>\n2 factor authentication. Segregated account for funds.<\/span><\/td>\n\n
2.1<\/span><\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n
Livechat.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
Etoro absorbs Stamp Duty tax. Copy Trading feature, offline trading, charts, insights from analysts, social network community of investors.<\/span><\/p>\n

Education resources include market analysis, podcast, News and insights, learning lab, trading school.<\/span><\/p>\n

Demo account available.<\/span><\/td>\n

No obvious issues but stay away from their CFD and forex offering as that is haram. Also don’t leverage or short-sell shares as that too is typically seen as impermissible.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Freetrade<\/span><\/p>\n

(Get Started<\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Stocks, Funds, investment trusts<\/span><\/td>\n\n

\u00a30 commission. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a33 per month (stocks and shares ISA).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a39.99 per month (SIPP account).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\u00a32<\/span><\/td>\nWaive liability for any breaches of security and instruct users to keep app updated and protect account details.<\/span><\/td>\n\n
4.0<\/span><\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n
FAQs, email, and live chat 8 am-9 pm Weekdays 10 am-5 pm Weekend.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
Customisable auto-investment option.<\/span><\/p>\n

Education resources include a forum, blog posts and articles.<\/span><\/td>\n

No obvious issues.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Halifax<\/span><\/p>\n

(Get Started<\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Shares, Funds, Bonds<\/span><\/td>\n\u00a336 annual customer admin fee.<\/p>\n

\u00a312.50 per online trade.<\/p>\n

1.25% exchange rate for international trading. <\/p>\n

Transaction and ongoing charge for funds.<\/span><\/td>\n

\u00a30<\/span><\/td>\nTechnology and safeguards that meet or exceed industry standards.<\/span><\/td>\n\n
1.6<\/span><\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n
Calls from Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm. Web chat.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
Investor meets Company service, Investment Ideas.<\/span><\/p>\n

Education resources include Market News and Insight articles.<\/span><\/td>\n

No obvious issues.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Hargreaves Landsdown<\/span><\/p>\n

(Get Started<\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Shares, bonds, Funds, Investment trusts<\/span><\/td>\nMax charge of \u00a311.95 per UK deal.<\/p>\n

Max annual charge of 0.45% on funds.<\/p>\n

Max fee of 1% charged on currency conversion.
<\/span><\/td>\n

\u00a31<\/span><\/td>\nEncryption<\/span><\/td>\n\n
3.2<\/span><\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n
Helpdesk receiving calls.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
One of the largest brokers in the UK. Analyst resources, automated investing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Education resources include Factsheets, market reports, newspaper round-ups, live share prices.<\/span><\/td>\n

No obvious issues.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Interactive investor<\/span><\/p>\n

(Get Started<\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Shares, Funds, investment trusts
<\/span><\/td>\n		\u00a39.99 a month<\/p>\n

\u00a37.99 for all UK and US trades.<\/p>\n

Streaming prices and real-time portfolio management (\u00a320 per month).<\/p>\n

Currency conversion 1.5%<\/span><\/td>\n

\u00a30<\/span><\/td>\nFace & Touch ID, Encrypted data<\/span><\/td>\n\n
4.7<\/span><\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n
Calls from Monday to Friday 0745 to 1730. Email access.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
Flat fee structure, free daily newsletters and market update emails, discussion forums, multiple portfolio watchlists, track shares, notes on investments Ranges across 17 stock exchanges.<\/span><\/p>\n

Education resources include ‘Insight resources’ – impartial editorial, rated lists and portfolios.<\/span><\/td>\n

No obvious issues.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Trading 212<\/p>\n

<\/span>(Get Started<\/a>)<\/span><\/td>\n

Indices, commodities, stocks, forex<\/span><\/td>\n\u00a30 commission.<\/p>\n

Currency conversion 0.5%<\/span><\/td>\n

\u00a31<\/span><\/td>\n24×7 Security Operations Center, security audits and regular external security tests<\/span><\/td>\n\n
4.3<\/span><\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n
24-7 assistance.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
Customisable auto-investment option.<\/span><\/p>\n

Education resources include Youtube channel with weekly content.<\/span><\/p>\n

Demo account available.<\/span><\/td>\n

Don’t open a general account with them – only the ISA. As in their general account they lend the shares out for short-selling. Also stay away from their CFD offering as that is haram. Also don’t leverage or short-sell shares as that too is typically seen as impermissible.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n

<\/table>\n

Right \u2013 Broker Sorted \u2013 What Should I Buy?<\/h2>\n

Check out our Halal Investment page<\/a> here which helpfully compares between dozens of funds and other investment options available today.<\/p>\n

ISA\/SIPP and Tax-Saving Considerations<\/h2>\n

Brokerage accounts are subject to Capital Gains Tax (on profits over \u00a312,300 a year) and and Dividend tax (on dividend profits over \u00a32,000 a year).<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re thinking of investing regularly and think you\u2019ll exceed those thresholds in terms of profits, you may want to use an Individual Savings Account (ISA) or a Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) rather than opening a brokerage account due to their tax advantages.<\/p>\n

But bear in mind, each ISA is limited to investing \u00a320,000 per year. On the other hand, there are no limits to how much you can invest in a SIPP but tax relief will only apply to a maximum investment limit of \u00a340,000 per year and there are restrictions on how and when you can withdraw the money.<\/p>\n

When a brokerage account is right\/not right<\/h2>\n

If you want to purchase and manage your own investments, a brokerage account at an online broker is for you (and the comparison table above is for you). Other options you may want to consider is a managed brokerage account (where your money is managed for you- which you pay for) or a robo-investor\/advisor such as Wahed Invest<\/a> for those that want to be hands-off.<\/p>\n

Sharia considerations: CFD Trading, Margin Trading<\/h2>\n

When opening an account, you may be given the option of a cash account, a margin account or an account that involves CFDs. Margin accounts allow you to borrow money (with interest) from the broker to make trades \u2013 this is of course haram so stick to the cash account. Any account involving CFDs (Contract For Differences) are also haram as CFDs enable profiting from price movement without ever owning the underlying assets.<\/p>\n

Important Factors to Consider in a Broker<\/h2>\n

What will you invest in? What features are important to you? What will cost less in light of the aforementioned? I<\/span><\/span><\/span>f you are a beginner, you should also consider the ease of use, education support, and access to market research.<\/p>\n

A few notes of caution<\/h2>\n

Remember: don\u2019t invest money you need within the next few years because just as you can profit through investing, you can also lose money. How you\u2019re taxed will depend on your circumstances, and the rules can change.<\/p>\n

How to Learn Halal Investing Quickly<\/h2>\n

If you want more information on investing, be sure to  check out our course on halal investing for busy professionals<\/a>. You can also use our own platform Cur8 Capital<\/a> to find and invest in Sharia-compliant investments in Venture and Real Estate Capital.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Choosing an online stockbroker is essential to your investing journey but it is often a rather painful process to work out who to go for. In this article we\u2019ve tried to take some of that pain away by doing a detailed comparison and sharing our personal experiences too.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":7257,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","wds_primary_category":0},"categories":[9,13],"tags":[33],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.islamicfinanceguru.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7256"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.islamicfinanceguru.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.islamicfinanceguru.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.islamicfinanceguru.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.islamicfinanceguru.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7256"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.islamicfinanceguru.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7256\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.islamicfinanceguru.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7257"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.islamicfinanceguru.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7256"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.islamicfinanceguru.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7256"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.islamicfinanceguru.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7256"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}