Best Brokers With Fractional Shares In The UK 2025

Author

Christian Harris

Christian is a UK-based investment writer who's been actively trading an array of financial instruments for over 10 years. Having used most of the major brokers in the UK, Christian provides valuable insights on all things investing for British traders.

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Editor

James Barra

James is a UK-based writer and investor with consultancy experience at some of Britain's largest financial organisations. James authors, edits and fact-checks content for a row of investing websites.

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Fact Checker

Tobias Robinson

Tobias is a UK director and partner at Investing.co.uk. He provides commentary on the financial markets in the UK and supports the testing team with first-hand observations from over two decades of active trading.

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Want to own a slice of Amazon or Tesla without breaking the bank? Fractional shares make it possible—and they’re changing the game for everyday investors in the UK.

Unpack the top brokers with fractional shares so that you can invest smarter, with less.

How Investing.co.uk Chose the Best UK Brokers for Fractional Shares

To identify the top brokers for fractional share investing available to UK traders, we carried out hands-on testing across multiple platforms offering access to global equities in small denominations.

We looked at how accessible and cost-effective their fractional investing experience was for UK-based users. Our team examined factors like available markets (US, UK, EU), sector coverage, minimum investment amounts, trading fees, and platform usability.

How To Pick A Broker To Trade Fractional Shares

• Market access is crucial because not all brokers offer fractional shares across the same range of exchanges or assets. Some limit access to US equities only, meaning popular UK or EU-listed stocks may be unavailable in fractional form. This restricts diversification options and could force you to concentrate portfolios in one market, increasing geographic risk. For example, a broker offering only US stocks may prevent exposure to UK dividend payers or EU growth stocks unless bought as full shares. Ensuring broad market access allows for more strategic portfolio construction aligned with personal goals and regional outlooks.
• Commissions and fees impact your investment returns, especially when trading fractional shares with smaller amounts. Even if trades are commission-free, hidden costs like foreign exchange (FX) conversion fees or wider bid-ask spreads can quietly erode gains over time. For example, investing in US stocks from the UK often involves FX fees that vary by broker, which can add up if you trade frequently – I know I’ve paid them myself. Additionally, some brokers impose minimum investment amounts or account maintenance fees that may reduce the benefits of fractional investing for small portfolios, so it’s important to choose a platform with transparent, low-cost pricing tailored to your investing style.
• Platform usability directly affects how easily and confidently you can manage your investments. A straightforward, intuitive interface reduces the risk of costly mistakes—like buying the wrong fraction size or stock—and makes complex features like pie-based portfolios or recurring investments accessible even for beginners. For example, brokers with well-designed apps often allow you to automate small, regular contributions, which supports disciplined investing and dollar-cost averaging. Additionally, knowing minimum trade sizes and any maintenance fees upfront helps you plan your investments efficiently without unexpected barriers or costs disrupting your strategy.
• Order execution and pricing determine how quickly and accurately your fractional share orders are filled, impacting your overall returns. Some brokers execute fractional trades in real-time on the open market, while others batch orders at specific times, which can lead to price delays or slippage—meaning you might pay more or less than expected. Additionally, not all platforms support advanced order types like limit or stop orders for fractional shares, limiting your ability to control entry and exit prices. If you aim to respond to market volatility or execute precise strategies, understanding these execution nuances will help you to manage risk better and maximise investment efficiency.
• Educational support and research tools empower beginner investors to make informed decisions and build well-structured portfolios. Brokers that offer tailored content on fractional shares help you understand how to diversify effectively, manage risk, and take advantage of features like auto-invest or portfolio templates. For example, goal-tracking tools can guide you in aligning your fractional investments with long-term objectives, while research resources enable analysis of asset fundamentals even when buying small positions. Access to these tools enhances confidence and helps turn fractional investing into a disciplined, strategic practice rather than guesswork.
• Customer support and community feedback play a significant role because investing can involve complex issues, especially with fractional shares, where processes like trade execution and dividend payments may differ from traditional shares. Responsive, knowledgeable support helps resolve problems quickly, reducing potential financial risks or delays. Additionally, community feedback reveals real-world experiences with reliability, hidden fees, and platform stability, helping you avoid brokers with poor service or technical glitches. For beginners, having access to both expert assistance and peer insights builds trust and confidence in your chosen platform.
• Regulation, safety, and transparency help protect your investments and ensure the broker operates under strict legal standards. Choosing an FCA-regulated broker means your funds and fractional shares are safeguarded by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000 if the broker fails. It’s also important to understand how fractional shares are held—whether in a custodian account or a pooled omnibus account—as this affects your legal ownership and what happens to your shares if the broker faces financial trouble. Clear transparency around these factors reduces risk and builds confidence in your investment platform.

I’ve learned that the best fractional shares broker isn’t always the cheapest or flashiest—it’s the one that balances seamless execution with clear communication and strong investor protections.

A platform that empowers you to invest confidently, even in small amounts, can make all the difference in building a sustainable, long-term portfolio.

Christian Harris

Author

What Are Fractional Shares?

Fractional shares are portions of a full stock, allowing you to invest in expensive companies like Alphabet, Amazon, or Apple without needing to buy a whole share.

Instead of paying $512.53 (around £385.67) for a full share of Microsoft stock, you could invest just £10 and own a small slice. This makes investing more accessible and lets you diversify even with limited funds.

Brokers like Firstrade, ActivTrades, and eToro offer fractional shares, helping you build balanced portfolios gradually. And unlike traditional share dealing, fractional investing is typically commission-free, making it cost-effective for small, regular contributions.

eToro lets you invest in top global stocks with as little as a few pounds

Pros Of Trading Fractional Shares

Cons Of Trading Fractional Shares

When choosing a fractional shares broker, I appreciate the importance of intuitive tools like auto-invest and portfolio tracking.

These features transform investing from a chore into a simple, ongoing habit—helping me stay disciplined and focused on my goals without getting overwhelmed by complexity.

Christian Harris

Author

Bottom Line

Choosing the best broker with fractional shares in the UK involves more than just finding low fees—it requires careful consideration of market access, platform usability, and regulatory safeguards.

The right broker should offer a transparent fee structure, reliable order execution, and user-friendly tools that support your investment goals.

By understanding these key factors, you can confidently select a platform that makes fractional investing accessible, efficient, and secure.