Updated October 18, 2026 · SumCue Editorial Team
Bestinvest vs ii
Bestinvest
ii
Higher score in this comparison
What sets them apart
| Compare | BestinvestReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | iiReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | £4.95 | £3.99Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Funds | Stocks, ETFs, Funds, BondsCovers more |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.95% | 0.75%Lower |
| Account types | ISA, SIPP, Jisa | ISA, SIPP, Jisa, JointCovers more |
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | £0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | £71.88 |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | Financial Conduct Authority |
| Investor protection | Not confirmed | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | Free transfers in/out; free next-day withdrawals, GBP15 same-day |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 0.8% |
Same on both: Platforms (Mobile app).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings. Partners with a live offer in your country come first, then every other brand by score.
Key differences
- Stock trade fee is lower at ii: £3.99 vs £4.95.
- Currency conversion fee is lower at ii: 0.75% vs 0.95%.
- Markets: only ii offers Bonds.
- Account types: only ii offers Joint.
Our verdict on each
Bestinvest
Bestinvest blends self directed investing with managed portfolios, while many platforms push one route alone. It gives households a guided path with coaching, planning tools and market insight across ISAs, pensions and junior accounts on an online platform with mobile access.
ii
ii suits investors who want tax efficient and family accounts with ISA, SIPP and jisa alongside stocks, ETFs and funds through Mobile app. Stock trades cost £3.99 and the account fee is £71.88, so active traders should balance dealing charges against portfolio growth.
Score breakdown
| Area | Bestinvest | ii |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.3 | 8.6HigherLow entry hurdle with minimum deposit of £0 balanced by dealing charges |
| Offer | 8.9 | 8.9Choice across stocks, ETFs and funds held within ISA, SIPP and jisa via Mobile app |
| Trust | 9.7Higher | 8.5Oversight from Financial Conduct Authority with cover of FSCS up to GBP 85,000 |
What each covers
| Markets | Bestinvest | ii |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | No | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Account types | Bestinvest | ii |
|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes |
| SIPP | Yes | Yes |
| Joint | No | Yes |
| Jisa | Yes | Yes |
A third option
ActivTrades has currency conversion fee at 0.5%, against 0.95% for Bestinvest and 0.75% for ii.
ActivTrades reviewSources behind this comparison
Bestinvest
- bestinvest.co.uk: 12 facts, checked September 26, 2026
ii
- ii.co.uk: 16 facts, checked September 28, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | Bestinvest | ii |
|---|---|---|
| Investing | 377 of 654 | 322 of 654 |
| Stock and ETF brokers | 260 of 358 | 234 of 358 |
| Stocks and shares ISAs | 19 of 25 | 17 of 25 |
| Pensions and SIPPs | 15 of 23 | 13 of 23 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Bestinvest | ii |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Mobile app | Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Low fees | Low fees |
| Audience | Beginners | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Evelyn Partners Investment Management Services Limited | Interactive Investor Services Limited |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | United Kingdom |
| Founded | 1986 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Phone, Help centre | Phone, Help centre |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Bestinvest | ii |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | 0% to 0.4% | Not confirmed |
| Minimum investment | £50 | Not confirmed |
| Portfolio types | ETF, ESG, Cash | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Bestinvest | ii | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | £0lowest quarter | £15 |
| Stock trade fee | £4.95highest quarter | £3.99highest quarter | £0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | £71.88highest quarter | £0 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.95%above the median | 0.75%above the median | 0.4% |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 0.8%lowest quarter | 2.875% |
Median across 77 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Bestinvest
Pros
- Online platform plus mobile app with thousands of shares and funds
- Ready made Portfolios built and managed by parent company teams
- Expert coaching plus planning tools and sector insights
Cons
- Online opening and management offers no branch based service
- Self directed selection requires confidence across thousands of assets
- Ready made routes follow parent company investment decisions
ii
Pros
- Begin with £0 and invest across stocks, ETFs and funds without funding pressure
- Hold ISA, SIPP and family accounts through ISA, SIPP and jisa in a single provider
- Cover of FSCS up to GBP 85,000 under Financial Conduct Authority for added assurance
Cons
- Account fee of £71.88 applies whether you trade or leave holdings untouched
- Stock trades cost £3.99 versus $0 at ActivTrades
- Foreign trades carry conversion costs of 0.75% on top of dealing charges
Who each suits
Bestinvest
Who it suits
- New investors wanting coaching alongside self directed choice
- Parents planning junior investments and pensions for children
- Households seeking ISAs, pensions and general accounts together
Who should look elsewhere
- Traders wanting branch meetings and in person dealing
- Investors seeking fully independent portfolio control
ii
Who it suits
- Investors building ISA and SIPP holdings with junior and joint accounts included
- Buy and hold investors focused on shares, funds and bonds with mobile access
Who should look elsewhere
- Traders sensitive to per order costs may prefer ActivTrades where stock trade fee is $0 rather than £3.99
- Investors comparing entry levels may consider XTB with minimum deposit of €0 or eToro with minimum deposit of $50
Country by country
| Country | Bestinvest | ii |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
Bestinvest
What can investors choose on the platform?+
The platform covers shares, funds, exchange traded funds and investment trusts. Clients can build portfolios themselves or follow expert ideas and monthly lists showing popular assets among investors.
What are Ready-made Portfolios?+
Ready made Portfolios are managed investment selections designed for simpler decision making. They are built and managed by teams at Evelyn Partners, which is identified as the parent company.
ii
What does ii charge for share dealing and account holding?+
Stock trades cost £3.99 and the account fee is £71.88. The account fee covers holding of investments across wrappers and applies on top of dealing charges. Check how often you expect to trade before judging value against infrequent use.
Is ii regulated and is money protected?+
ii is provided by Interactive Investor Services Limited and regulated by Financial Conduct Authority. Client cover is FSCS up to GBP 85,000. Protection applies within scheme limits and does not remove market risk, so holdings can still fall in value.
Other options to compare
Bestinvest