Platform review · Updated November 2026
InvestEngine Review UK
An independent look at the ETF-only platform with no DIY fees: what you pay, what you can buy, the catches and who it suits.
- Our rating
- 4.5/5 ETF investors
- DIY fee
- £0 ISA, SIPP, GIA
- Managed
- 0.25% a year
- Minimum
- £100 to open
Verdict
InvestEngine review: our verdict
InvestEngine is a UK investing platform built entirely around ETFs. Its DIY service charges no platform fee and no dealing fees on the ISA, SIPP and general account. As a result, it is one of the cheapest ways to hold a portfolio of ETFs such as VWRP. Moreover, its portfolio tools make regular investing and rebalancing simple. However, it offers no individual shares, pays no interest on cash and has no Junior ISA or Lifetime ISA. Overall, we rate it 4.5 out of 5 for ETF-only investors.
Key facts
InvestEngine at a glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Company | InvestEngine (UK) Ltd, authorised and regulated by the FCA |
| DIY platform fee | £0 on ISA, SIPP, general and business accounts |
| Managed service | 0.25% a year plus ETF costs |
| Dealing fees | £0 |
| FX fees | None, because only pound-listed ETFs are offered |
| Investments | Several hundred ETFs; no shares, funds or trusts |
| Minimum | £100 to open; £50 a month for a Savings Plan |
| Fractional investing | From £1 in any ETF |
| Cash interest | None |
| Protection | FSCS up to £85,000 if the firm fails |
Sources: InvestEngine and independent reviews, 2026. Always confirm details on InvestEngine’s website and the FCA register.
Fees
InvestEngine fees explained
The DIY service is free at the platform level. In other words, you pay no account fee, no dealing commission and no fees to open, close or transfer out. Moreover, because it only offers ETFs priced in pounds, there are no currency conversion fees. You still pay each ETF’s ongoing charge, which starts from about 0.03% a year, plus the small bid–offer spread when you trade.
| Cost | DIY | Managed |
|---|---|---|
| Platform fee | £0 | 0.25% a year |
| Dealing | £0 | £0 |
| ETF ongoing charges | Yes | Yes, average about 0.12% in growth portfolios |
| Exit or transfer fees | £0 | £0 |
vwrp.co.uk calculation: platform fee plus VWRP’s 0.14% ongoing charge on £20,000. Fees as published in 2026.
As the chart shows, InvestEngine and Trading 212 cost the same for a VWRP-only ISA: just the fund’s own charge. By contrast, Vanguard Investor and Hargreaves Lansdown cost more on this pot size.
How it makes money
How InvestEngine makes money
If the DIY service is free, where does the money come from? First, the managed service charges 0.25% a year. Second, InvestEngine keeps the interest earned on uninvested client cash, which is why it pays none to you. Therefore, the main hidden cost for DIY investors is cash left uninvested, which you can avoid by keeping your money invested.
Accounts
Accounts on offer
Stocks and Shares ISA
The ISA is flexible, so you can withdraw money and replace it in the same tax year. It has no platform fee on the DIY service.
SIPP
InvestEngine’s SIPP became free in December 2024, when it removed its 0.15% charge. It accepts personal contributions and adds basic-rate tax relief. Recent reviews say drawdown is available, but check the current terms before you rely on it in retirement. Our guide to the best ETFs for a SIPP covers what to hold.
General and business accounts
The general account suits money beyond your allowances. Meanwhile, the business account lets companies invest surplus cash, which is less common among low-cost platforms.
What is missing
There is no Junior ISA, Lifetime ISA or Cash ISA. If you need those, you will need another provider alongside InvestEngine.
Tools
Portfolio tools: Savings Plan, smart orders and rebalancing
InvestEngine’s tools are its standout feature. You build a portfolio with target weights, for example 80% VWRP and 20% a bond ETF. Then the platform helps you stay on track.
- Build a portfolio Choose ETFs and set a target percentage for each.
- Set up a Savings Plan Invest from £50 a month by Direct Debit.
- Use smart orders New cash is split to move your portfolio towards its targets.
- Rebalance in one click Bring the portfolio back to its target weights.
- Review once a year Check your mix and adjust if your goals change.
As a result, it is easy to follow a disciplined plan. Our guide to rebalancing an ETF portfolio explains why this matters.
Range
What you can invest in
InvestEngine offers several hundred ETFs from major providers, including Vanguard, iShares, Invesco, Amundi and Xtrackers. These cover global shares, single regions, bonds, gold and money market ETFs. However, the platform does not offer individual shares, mutual funds, investment trusts or crypto.
For most passive investors, this range is more than enough. For example, a one-fund portfolio of VWRP, or a mix of global shares and bonds, fits easily. Our guide to the best global ETFs suggests options.
Cash
No interest on cash
InvestEngine pays no interest on uninvested cash. Therefore, it is best not to leave large balances sitting idle. Instead, you can hold a money market ETF, which tracks overnight interest rates. Our guide to money market funds explains how these work. By contrast, Trading 212 pays interest on uninvested cash, which can suit investors who hold larger cash balances.
Safety
Is InvestEngine safe?
InvestEngine (UK) Ltd is authorised and regulated by the FCA. Client investments are held separately from the company’s own assets, and client cash is pooled at NatWest. In addition, if the firm failed, eligible investors could claim up to £85,000 from the FSCS. However, no protection covers falls in the value of your investments. Our guide on whether your ETF is safe explains these layers.
InvestEngine is a younger, privately owned company than some rivals. Even so, the regulatory protections are the same as for larger platforms.
Compare
InvestEngine vs alternatives
| Platform | Platform fee | Investments | Cash interest | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| InvestEngine | £0 (DIY) | ETFs only | No | ETF portfolios and automation |
| Trading 212 | £0 | Shares and ETFs | Yes | Low-cost investing with shares |
| Vanguard Investor | £4 a month below £32,000; 0.15% above | Vanguard funds and ETFs | Yes, managed rate | Vanguard-only portfolios |
| Hargreaves Lansdown | Percentage fee | Very wide | Yes | Research and support |
Our guide on how to buy VWRP compares several platforms in more detail.
Getting started
How to open an InvestEngine account
- Sign up Create an account on the website or app.
- Choose an account Pick the ISA, SIPP or general account.
- Verify your identity Have photo ID and your National Insurance number ready.
- Fund with at least £100 Pay in by bank transfer.
- Build your portfolio For example, 100% VWRP is a simple start.
- Set up a Savings Plan Invest a fixed amount every month.
Rating
Our rating breakdown
| Area | Score out of 5 | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Costs | 5 | No platform or dealing fees on DIY |
| Tools | 5 | Savings Plan, smart orders, rebalancing |
| Investment choice | 3.5 | ETFs only |
| Accounts | 4 | ISA, SIPP, GIA, business; no JISA or LISA |
| Cash handling | 3 | No interest on cash |
| Overall | 4.5 | Excellent for ETF-only investors |
Who it suits
Is InvestEngine right for you?
- You want an ETF-only portfolio with no platform fee
- You like automatic monthly investing
- You want one-click rebalancing
- You want a low-cost SIPP
- You run a company with spare cash to invest
- You want individual shares or investment trusts
- You keep large cash balances and want interest
- You need a Junior ISA or Lifetime ISA
- You want phone-based support
- You prefer a long-established platform
Example
A worked example: £250 a month
Imagine you invest £250 a month into a two-fund portfolio of 80% VWRP and 20% a global bond ETF. On InvestEngine’s DIY service, you pay no platform or dealing fees. Instead, your only costs are the ETFs’ ongoing charges and spreads. After ten years, at an assumed 5% a year, the portfolio could be worth about £38,800, with total costs of just a few hundred pounds.
By contrast, a platform charging 0.35% a year would take roughly £600 more over the same period. In addition, InvestEngine’s smart orders would split each £250 to keep your 80/20 mix close to target. As a result, you rarely need to rebalance manually.
Illustration only; returns are not guaranteed.
Risks
Risks of investing with InvestEngine
Investments can fall as well as rise, and you may get back less than you put in. ETF spreads and ongoing charges still apply.
In addition, platform terms and features can change, so check the latest details before relying on them. Finally, your own behaviour is a risk, because selling in a panic locks in losses. For this reason, invest only money you can leave alone for at least five years. Meanwhile, keep an emergency fund in cash, so that you never need to sell at a bad time.
FAQ
InvestEngine review: FAQs
Choosing and using it
Is InvestEngine free?
The DIY service has no platform fee on the ISA, SIPP, general or business account, and no dealing fees. You still pay each ETF's ongoing charge and the market spread. The managed service charges 0.25% a year.
Is InvestEngine safe?
InvestEngine (UK) Ltd is authorised and regulated by the FCA. Client investments are held separately, client cash is held at NatWest, and eligible investors are covered by the FSCS up to £85,000 if the firm fails.
What can I buy on InvestEngine?
Only ETFs listed in pounds on the London Stock Exchange, from providers such as Vanguard, iShares, Invesco and Amundi. There are no individual shares, mutual funds or investment trusts.
Does InvestEngine have a SIPP?
Yes. The SIPP has no platform fee after InvestEngine removed its 0.15% charge in December 2024. It accepts personal contributions and adds basic-rate tax relief.
What is the minimum investment?
You need £100 to open an account, and a regular Savings Plan starts from £50 a month. After that, you can invest from £1 in any ETF thanks to fractional investing.
Practical questions
Does InvestEngine pay interest on cash?
No. Uninvested cash earns no interest, so it is best to keep cash invested or hold a money market ETF.
Can I buy VWRP on InvestEngine?
Yes. VWRP is available, with no platform or dealing fees on the DIY service.
Does InvestEngine offer a Junior ISA or Lifetime ISA?
No. It offers a Stocks and Shares ISA, SIPP, general account and business account, but no Junior ISA, Lifetime ISA or Cash ISA.
InvestEngine or Trading 212?
Both are free for ETF investors. InvestEngine focuses on ETFs with strong portfolio tools, while Trading 212 also offers shares and pays interest on cash.
Is the InvestEngine ISA flexible?
Yes. You can withdraw and replace money in the same tax year without using extra allowance.
Keep reading
Related guides
Sources
Sources
- Money to the Masses – InvestEngine review 2026
- Campaign for a Million – InvestEngine review (September 2026)
- FCA Financial Services Register
This guide is general information, not personal financial advice. Some links may be affiliate links, which never affect our content. vwrp.co.uk is independent and not affiliated with InvestEngine, Vanguard or any provider mentioned. Capital is at risk; past performance is not a reliable guide to future returns.