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Stocks and shares ISA

Your money. Your future. Tax free.

With Investments by MoneySuperMarket, we’ve made investing simple, affordable and rewarding for everyone. <br><br> The value of investments can go up or down and you may get back less than you put in.
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Join the investment revolution

Open a stocks and shares ISA with Investments by MoneySuperMarket and choose an investment approach that has low fees, clear options and support at every stage. 

✓ Low, transparent fees: No trading fees plus a low yearly platform fee

✓ Clear options: Pick a ready-made fund or build your own mix

✓ Start from just £1: Build at your own pace

Remember, the value of investments can go up or down and you may get back less than you put in.

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What is a stocks and shares ISA?

A stocks and shares ISA is a tax-efficient investment account that holds your investments, such as funds, shares, bonds and ETFs.

Any money you make from investments held within your ISA is free from UK tax.

You can invest up to £20,000 each tax year across all your ISAs combined.

You can open and pay into more than one stocks and shares ISA in the same tax year, provided you stay within your annual ISA allowance.

Stocks and shares ISA vs cash ISA – what’s the difference?

A cash ISA is a savings account that pays interest, while a stocks and shares ISA is an investment account that holds investments such as funds, shares and bonds.

Both are tax-efficient accounts. You can currently add up to £20,000 each tax year across your ISAs. From April 2027, the amount you can hold in cash ISAs is due to be capped at £12,000 per tax year for savers under 65, while the overall ISA allowance is expected to remain £20,000.

Unlike a cash ISA, the value of investments in a stocks and shares ISA can go down as well as up, so you could get back less than you invest.

How does a stocks and shares ISA work?

A stocks and shares ISA is a tax-efficient account that holds your investments, such as funds, shares, bonds and ETFs. Here's how it works:

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    Select your provider

    Choose a provider that matches how you want to invest. Compare fees, features, investment options and minimum investment requirements before deciding.

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    Open an account

    Apply online with your basic details, such as your name, address and National Insurance number. Once approved, your account will be ready to hold your investments.

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    Pick investments

    Decide where to invest your money. Depending on your provider, you can choose from options such as funds, shares, bonds and ETFs, or select a ready-made portfolio.

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    Add money

    Pay money into your stocks and shares ISA and invest it, up to your available ISA allowance. You can usually make a one-off payment, set up regular contributions, or both.

Investing isn't right for everyone at every stage of life. Before you invest, make sure you have an emergency fund to cover at least 6 months of essential spending and have paid off any high-interest debt.

Am I eligible to open a stocks and shares ISA?

To open a stocks and shares ISA, you'll usually need to:

  • Be aged 18 or over

  • Be a UK resident for tax purposes (or eligible under specific HMRC rules)

  • Have not exceeded your annual ISA allowance

You'll also need to provide some basic information when you apply, such as your name, address, date of birth and National Insurance number.

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What are the pros and cons of stocks and shares ISAs?

  • Pros

    • Tax-efficient investing – Any investment growth, dividends and interest earned within your ISA are free from UK tax.

    • Potential for higher returns – Investing gives your money the opportunity to grow more than cash savings over the long term, although returns aren't guaranteed.

    • Wide range of investment options – You can choose from different types of investments to match your goals and comfort with risk.

    • Flexible ways to invest – Start with a lump sum, make regular payments, or both, up to your available ISA allowance.

  • Cons

    • You could lose money – The value of investments can fall, so you may get back less than you put in.

    • Returns aren't guaranteed – Unlike some savings accounts, there is no set rate of growth.

    • Fees can reduce your returns – Most investment accounts charge fees, which can affect how much your money grows.

    • It's not ideal for short-term goals – Markets can go up and down, so investing is usually better for money you won't need for several years.

How to choose the best stocks and shares ISA for you

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    Compare the fees and charges

    Different providers charge different platform and trading fees. Lower fees can help more of your money stay invested.

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    Think about how you want to invest

    Some providers offer ready-made options, while others let you choose and manage your own. Some offer a mix of both.

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    Check the investment choices

    Look for a provider that offers the types of investments you're interested in, whether that's funds, shares or ETFs.

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    Consider the features

    Tools, apps, customer support and minimum investment amounts can all affect your investing experience.

With Investments by MoneySuperMarket, our stocks and share ISA has low fees, clear options and support at every stage. And you can get started from £1 in our app.

Build your investing confidence

You don’t need to be an expert to get started. Our easy‑to‑follow guides help you understand investing, from why it matters to what to do first.

We don’t give investment advice. We hope the information helps you learn and make informed choices.

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What are the stocks and shares ISA rules?

Stocks and shares ISAs are governed by a number of tax rules. These include:

  • Annual ISA allowance

    You can save or invest up to £20,000 each tax year across all your ISAs, including cash ISAs and stocks and shares ISAs.

  • Use it or lose it

    Your ISA allowance resets each tax year on 6 April. Any unused allowance can't be carried forward.

  • Multiple ISAs allowed  

    You can open and pay into multiple stocks and shares ISAs and cash ISAs in the same tax year, as long as you stay within your overall ISA allowance.

  • Withdrawals and reinvesting

    If you withdraw money, you can only pay it back into an ISA if you have unused ISA allowance remaining, unless your provider offers a flexible ISA.

  • Invest when it suits you

    You can add money as a lump sum, through regular payments, or both.

Our expert says…

Stocks and shares ISAs offer a valuable way to grow your money tax-free. Over time, investments in the stock market often outperform cash savings. But they do come with risk — the value of your investments can rise or fall, and there’s a chance you could get back less than you invested. 

Tim Heming Personal Finance Expert

What other types of ISAs are there? 

Other types of ISAs available include: 

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    Junior ISAs

    A tax-efficient account that lets you save or invest up to £9,000 a year for a child's future until they turn 18.

    Compare accounts
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    Lifetime ISAs

    Save or invest up to £4,000 a year for your first home or retirement, with a 25% government bonus on what you put in, up to annual limits.

    Compare accounts
  • money icon

    Cash ISAs

    A tax-efficient savings account that lets you earn interest on your money without paying UK tax on those savings. 

    Compare accounts

Not ready to invest? Save instead

With Savings by MoneySuperMarket, you can compare, open and manage savings accounts from multiple banks, all in our app – and earn SuperSaveClub rewards too.

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Frequently asked questions

Got questions? Check out our FAQ section for quick answers.

How many stocks and shares ISAs can I open?

You can open and pay into multiple stocks and shares ISAs in the same tax year. Since April 2024, you're no longer limited to paying into just one stocks and shares ISA each year.

The main rule is that your total contributions across all your ISAs must stay within your annual ISA allowance, which is currently £20,000 per tax year. This allowance can be split across different ISAs, including cash ISAs and stocks and shares ISAs.

Does the ISA allowance roll over into the next tax year?

No. Your ISA allowance is a use it or lose it allowance.

Each tax year, you get a new ISA allowance (currently £20,000). If you don't use all of it by 5 April, any unused allowance expires and can't be carried forward to the next tax year.

A fresh ISA allowance becomes available on 6 April, regardless of how much you used in the previous year.

Can I lose money with a stocks and shares ISA?

Yes. A stocks and shares ISA is an investment account, so the value of your investments can go down as well as up.

This means you could get back less than you originally put in, especially over shorter time periods. However, investing for the long term can help smooth out market ups and downs. The level of risk depends on the investments you choose, such as funds, shares or bonds.

How long should I invest my money for?

Stocks and shares ISAs are generally best suited to long-term investing. As a rule of thumb, you should be prepared to invest for at least five years.

This gives your investments more time to grow and helps smooth out short-term market ups and downs. If you're likely to need the money sooner, a cash ISA or savings account may be more suitable.           

How do I invest in stocks and shares?

To invest in stocks and shares, you'll need to open an investment account, such as a stocks and shares ISA. Once your account is open, you can add money and choose investments such as funds, shares, bonds or ETFs.

Many providers offer a choice between ready-made portfolios and selecting your own investments, making it possible to invest whether you're a beginner or a more experienced investor.

Investments by MoneySuperMarket: Moneysupermarket.com Investments Limited is an appointed representative of P1 Investments Services Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA FRN 752005).

Reviewed on 31 Aug 2026

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