Compare accounts for buying and selling US stocks online from the UK
Our comparison table of US brokers covers the key account features. These include, tight pricing, financial security, regulation, range of markets, added value and reviews. Trading and investing carries a high level or risk and losses can exceed your deposits. Featured brokers appear first.
| Investment Account | Account Options | Investments Available | Standard Fees | More Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Account SIPP ISA Junior ISA | Shares Funds ETFs Bonds International Shares | Account Fee: £9.99 Regular: £7.99 Discount: £3.99 US Shares: £4.99 Exit Fees: £0 | See Offer Winner: Best Overall Investment Account in our 2021 Awards | |
| General Account SIPP Junior SIPP ISA Junior ISA Wealth Management Derivatives | Shares Funds ETFs Bonds International Shares | Account Fee: 0.25% yearly Regular: £11.95 Discount: £5.95 US Shares: £11.95 Exit Fees: £0 | See Offer | |
| General Account SIPP Junior SIPP ISA Junior ISA | Shares Funds ETFs Bonds International Shares | Account Fee: 0.25% yearly Dealing charge: From £1.50 per online deal US Shares: £9.95 plus FX charges Exit Fees: £0 for cash £9.95 per holding. | See Offer Capital at risk | |
| General Account | Shares Funds ETFs Bonds International Shares Futures Options | Account Fee: 0 Dealing charge: From £ 1.75 + 0.014% max £5 US Shares: € 0.50 + USD 0.004 per share Exit Fees: £0 | See Offer Investing involves risk of loss | |
| General Account SIPP ISA | Premade ETF Funds | Account Fee: 0.75% yearly Regular: £0 Discount: £0 US Shares: na Exit Fees: £0 | See Offer | |
| General Account ISA Derivatives | Shares Funds ETFs Bonds International Shares | Account Fee: £0 Regular: £8 Discount: £3 US Shares: £0 Exit Fees: £0 | See Offer Your capital is at risk. | |
| General Account SIPP ISA Derivatives | Shares Funds ETFs Bonds International Shares | Account Fee: £0 Regular: 0.10% Discount: 0.05% US Shares: 2c per share Exit Fees: £0 | See Offer |
How to Invest in US Stocks and Markets
United States has the biggest stock market in the world. This is natural because its economy is the largest and most dynamic, augmented with deep capital markets driven by Wall Street. Most US companies are either listed in the New York Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq. The latter typically includes technology, bio-tech and fast-growing companies such as Facebook (FB) or Tesla (TSLA).
British clients can invest in the US within the ISA framework. But there are a few things to bear in mind. The first is that most ISA accounts are sterling-based. This means brokers will need to change sterling assets into US Dollars to execute a buy trade; and sell US assets and convert the dollar proceeds into pound sterling. This may incur charges and exchange rate risk.
The other point is that UK account holders (apart from SIPP) will need to sign the W-8Ben Form to reduce the withholding tax on dividends. Most brokers provide this service.
The third point regards stock picking. Unless you have a strong view on certain sectors or stocks, a growing number of investors are looking to buy into diversified funds with a strong emphasis on US assets. For example, you may buy the FTSE-100 listed Scottish Mortgage Trust (SMT) – a fund that invests heavily in US stocks.
In the US, main-street investors are no longer picking stocks. Instead, they are favour buying broad or sector equity ETFs. According to the Financial Times, nearly half a trillion dollars flowed into stock ETFs over the past two quarters.
This trend is extending to the UK, albeit at a slower time scale. UK investors who wish to buy into the large Nasdaq-listed stocks can look to the LSE-listed Nasdaq 100 ETF (EQQQ) or Nasdaq 100 Sterling Hedged (EQGB). The latter hedges the currency impact.
Brokers to consider: IG (£0 transaction cost for frequent trader), Interactive Investors
Compare US Stockbrokers
Buy stocks and invest in the stock market with a US-based stock broker.
Compare US Futures Brokers
Speculate on commodities, indices, bonds and currencies through on-exchange futures contracts.
Compare US Options Brokers
Speculate or hedge your portfolio exposure with options from options brokers based in the US.
Compare US FOREX Brokers
Speculate on the price of global currencies with Forex brokers based in the US.
Compare US Bond Brokers
Bonds allow you to invest in companies and countries by lending them money.
Compare US ETF Accounts
Invest in commodities, currencies and asset classes with ETFs traded on the stock market.
Compare US MT4 Brokers
MT4 is one of the most popular online trading platforms. Compare brokers that offer the MT4 trading platform in the US.
Compare US Mutual Fund Accounts
Invest for the long term in mutual funds and compare brokers that offer mutual funds.
Compare US Robo Advisors
Robo-advisors make it easy for beginners to invest online in a preset list of tracker investments with different degrees of risk.
Compare US IRA Accounts
An individual retirement account, or IRA, is a great tax efficient way to save for retirement.
