Interactive Investor

Who they are

Interactive Investor - known to most users simply as ii - is a subscription-based online investment service founded in 1995.

It is the UK's biggest flat-fee investment platform , and since 2022 has been a subsidiary of UK-based investment company Aberdeen (formerly abrdn). It is worth knowing that connection if you are considering Aberdeen's own funds on the platform - though ii operates independently and under its own FCA authorisation.

The core idea is simple: nearly every other UK platform takes a percentage of your portfolio, so your bill grows as your investments grow. ii charges a flat monthly fee instead, which does not move whether you hold £5,000 or £500,000. That makes it a very different proposition from most savings-focused brands.

The Stocks and Shares ISA

Interactive Investor is not a savings platform in the traditional sense - it does not offer cash savings accounts, easy access accounts, or cash ISAs. The product listed on DepositScout is its Stocks and Shares ISA, which is a DIY investment wrapper rather than a deposit account. You choose your own investments from a wide range of shares, funds, ETFs, and investment trusts - returns depend entirely on what you pick and how markets perform.

There is currently a family-friendly feature worth noting: ii lets you gift a Stocks and Shares ISA to a family member with no monthly account fee on balances up to £50,000. Terms apply, so check the details directly with ii.

On protection, the picture is broader than a standard cash ISA. Your investments are registered in the name of a separate nominee company, which keeps client assets ring-fenced from ii's own money. Investment platform. Uninvested cash is held with partner banks and protected under each bank's own licence. The FSCS protects you against the platform failing, not against your investments falling in value. Uninvested cash held within the ISA carries a separate, higher FSCS limit of up to £120,000.

Is it right for you?

ii is aimed squarely at confident, self-directed investors rather than people looking for a straightforward savings rate. Anyone with over £50,000 in investments will likely find the flat-fee model significantly cheaper than percentage-based platforms. On the other hand, the flat fee is a disadvantage for those starting out - a small portfolio can make the monthly charge relatively expensive compared with a percentage-based alternative.

Customer support is UK-based, available via secure message and telephone.

ii consistently scores highly in customer reviews, often praised for helpful and knowledgeable staff.

If you are looking to grow capital through investing rather than earning interest on deposits, ii is a well-established choice with a strong track record. If a competitive savings rate is what you need right now, it may not be the right fit at all. As always, compare the live product details shown on this page before making any decision - terms and features can change.