Last updated: 27 March 2026

This is an opinion piece. Views expressed are the author's own and do not constitute professional advice.

Cool Factor: 4/5

In this independent Lightyear review, we take a proper look at one of the most talked-about investing apps in the UK. Lightyear recently slashed its fees, dropping FX charges to 0.10% and making all stock and ETF trading completely free. That puts it firmly among the cheapest platforms available to UK investors right now.

We cover what Lightyear is, what you can invest in, fees, ISAs, Vaults, pros, cons, and how it compares to Freetrade, AJ Bell Dodl, Sidekick, Moneybox and Finimize. If you want a no-nonsense view before opening an account, this is for you.

Looking for the referral link and sign-up bonus details? Head to the Lightyear referral page instead.

What is Lightyear?

Lightyear is an investing app that launched in September 2021 with a clear goal: make investing cheaper, more transparent, and more global for everyday investors. It was founded by ex-Wise employees, so the multi-currency DNA is baked in from the start.

By March 2026, Lightyear is available across multiple countries and offers UK investors access to UK, US and European markets from a single app. You can invest via a Stocks and Shares ISA, Cash ISA or General Investment Account, with no platform fee and no trading commissions. That alone sets it apart from most UK competitors.

What has changed in 2026?

In March 2026, Lightyear announced a significant pricing overhaul. Here is what changed:

• All stock trading (UK, US and EU) is now completely free for personal accounts
• FX fees dropped from 0.35% to 0.10%
• Uninvested GBP cash now earns 1% interest
• The platform now offers 6,200+ stocks across UK, US and EU markets
• Lightyear became a member of the UK's CREST securities settlement system, which helped reduce operational costs

These changes make Lightyear one of the cheapest investing platforms in the UK, particularly for anyone buying US or European stocks.

Key features at a glance

If you open a Lightyear account today, you get access to a flexible Stocks and Shares ISA, a Cash ISA paying 3.75% AER (variable, tracking the Bank of England base rate), Money Market Funds via Lightyear Vaults earning up to 3.75% AER, commission-free trading on all stocks and ETFs, multi-currency accounts in GBP, USD and EUR, a flat 0.10% FX fee, fractional shares, business investment accounts, and built-in tools including a CGT calculator, inflation calculator and Lightyear AI.

First impressions

The Lightyear app is clean, fast and genuinely easy to navigate. There is no clutter. You open the app, see your portfolio, and everything you need is within a couple of taps. Compared to legacy platforms that feel like they were designed in 2008, Lightyear feels modern without being gimmicky.

Sign-up takes minutes. Identity verification usually completes on the same day, and you can fund your account via bank transfer or card (though card deposits carry a 0.6% fee, so bank transfer is the smarter move). Overall, the onboarding experience is slick and well thought through.

The experience: investing with Lightyear

Stocks and ETFs

Lightyear gives you access to over 6,200 stocks across UK, US and European markets, including household names like Apple, NVIDIA, AstraZeneca, Shell and Airbus. Fractional shares let you invest small amounts without needing the full share price upfront, which is ideal for building a diversified portfolio on a budget.

ETF investing is where Lightyear particularly shines. There are no execution fees on ETFs (fund manager fees still apply), and the selection covers major indices, sectors and themes. For passive investors who want to drip-feed into index funds, this is excellent value.

Lightyear Vaults

Vaults are Lightyear's way of helping you earn interest on cash. These are Money Market Funds managed by BlackRock and rated AAA. Your capital is at risk, but these funds are considered low risk and invest in short-term debt from governments, banks and highly rated institutions.

As of March 2026, you can earn up to 3.75% AER (variable) on GBP Vaults. You can also now earn 1% on uninvested GBP cash sitting in your account, which is a welcome improvement over the previous zero-interest policy.

ISAs

Lightyear offers both a flexible Stocks and Shares ISA and a Cash ISA. The Stocks and Shares ISA has no platform fee and no trading commissions, making it one of the cheapest ISA options in the UK. The Cash ISA tracks the Bank of England base rate at 3.75% AER, with flexible access. Since April 2024, you can hold multiple Stocks and Shares ISAs in the same tax year, so Lightyear works alongside any existing ISA providers you already use.

Business accounts

Lightyear also offers a business account for UK limited companies, which is still relatively rare among app-based platforms. Businesses can invest surplus cash via Money Market Funds, buy shares and ETFs, and hold funds in multiple currencies. You will need a Legal Entity Identifier (LEI), and Lightyear can generate one in-app for £40 + VAT if you do not already have one.

Lightyear fees (March 2026)

Activity	Fee
Trading US stocks	Free
Trading UK stocks	Free
Trading EU stocks	Free
FX conversion	0.10%
ETFs	Free (fund manager fees apply)
Vaults MMF (GBP & EUR)	0.20%
Vaults MMF (USD)	0.25%
Multi-currency accounts	Free
Bank transfers	Free
Card deposits	0.6%
Cash ISA	Free

For full pricing details and comparisons, see the Lightyear pricing page.

Value for money

Before the March 2026 fee changes, Lightyear was already competitively priced. Now it is arguably the cheapest mainstream investing app in the UK for personal accounts. Zero commissions, 0.10% FX and no platform fee is a combination that very few competitors can match.

For context, Hargreaves Lansdown charges £6.95 per trade and up to 0.99% on FX. Interactive Investor charges a monthly subscription. Even Trading 212, which also offers commission-free trading, charges 0.15% on FX. Lightyear undercuts them all at 0.10%.

The only real cost consideration is if you deposit by card (0.6% fee), but bank transfers are free and most investors will use those. For the vast majority of UK investors, Lightyear offers genuinely outstanding value.

Customer reviews

Lightyear scores 4.8 out of 5 on Trustpilot from over 2,000 reviews. Positive feedback consistently highlights the clean app design, transparent fees and responsive customer support. Negative reviews tend to focus on occasional technical hiccups and the absence of more advanced charting tools. Overall, the sentiment is very strong for a relatively young platform.

Lightyear vs the competition

Lightyear vs Freetrade

Both platforms target self-directed UK investors. Since Lightyear's fee cut, the pricing gap has widened in Lightyear's favour. Lightyear now offers lower FX fees (0.10% vs Freetrade's higher markup), multi-currency accounts, Money Market Funds and business accounts. However, Freetrade still offers a personal pension (SIPP), Junior ISA and wider brand recognition. Freetrade suits long-term ISA investors who want pensions. Lightyear wins on cost and international flexibility.

Interested in Freetrade? See the Freetrade referral code page for a free share offer.

Lightyear vs AJ Bell Dodl

AJ Bell Dodl is a stripped-back version of a traditional broker. It charges a platform fee and per-trade commissions, which makes it considerably more expensive than Lightyear. On the other hand, Dodl offers a simpler managed experience and access to pensions. If you want minimal decision-making and traditional broker backing, Dodl might suit you. For cost and control, Lightyear wins comfortably.

Lightyear vs Sidekick

Sidekick focuses on managed portfolios and automation, while Lightyear is fully self-directed. Sidekick charges higher fees for the convenience of someone else managing your money. If you want a hands-off robo-style experience, Sidekick may appeal. If you want to build and manage your own portfolio at the lowest possible cost, Lightyear is far more flexible.

Lightyear vs Moneybox

Moneybox is designed for beginners and passive savers. Its strengths include very simple onboarding, automatic investing and access to LISAs and pensions. However, Moneybox charges higher fees for active investors. Lightyear offers lower costs, fractional shares, ETFs and international markets with no forced automation. Moneybox suits people who want to invest without thinking. Lightyear suits investors who want transparency and control.

Lightyear vs Finimize

Finimize is not an investing platform. It provides financial education, market insights and daily summaries. You cannot buy or sell investments through Finimize. Many investors use Finimize to understand markets and then use Lightyear to act on that knowledge. The two complement each other rather than competing.

Comparison verdict

If you want the lowest-friction global investing experience, Lightyear is the clear winner. For pensions and Junior ISAs, consider Freetrade or Moneybox. For managed simplicity, try Sidekick. For traditional broker backing, look at AJ Bell Dodl. For market education alongside your investing, add Finimize.

How to open a Lightyear account

Opening an account is straightforward. Visit the Lightyear website or download the app, create your login details, verify your email and phone number, complete the personal details section, and wait for identity verification. This usually takes minutes, though in rare cases it can take up to two days.

For the referral bonus and full sign-up steps, visit the Lightyear referral page on CoolCuration.

Get the Lightyear referral link

Is Lightyear safe?

Lightyear UK Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 987226). Client money is held in segregated accounts, separate from company funds. UK users benefit from FSCS protection up to £85,000 for eligible investments and up to £120,000 for eligible cash deposits. This provides a strong regulatory safety net for UK investors.

Pros and cons

Pros

• No platform fee and no trading commissions
• Industry-leading 0.10% FX fee
• Flexible Stocks and Shares ISA and Cash ISA
• Over 6,200 stocks and excellent ETF selection
• Multi-currency accounts in GBP, USD and EUR
• Fractional shares supported
• Interest on uninvested cash (1% on GBP)
• Business investing accounts available
• Lightyear AI and built-in calculators

Cons

• No pension (SIPP), Junior ISA or Lifetime ISA
• No crypto, options or CFDs
• Limited advanced charting tools for active traders
• Card deposits incur a 0.6% fee
• Smaller stock universe than some legacy brokers

The verdict

If you want a clean, low-cost way to invest in shares, ETFs and Money Market Funds, Lightyear is one of the strongest UK investing apps right now. The March 2026 fee cuts pushed it into a league of its own on price, and the app experience remains excellent.

It is especially good for investors who want transparency and low fees, invest across UK, US and EU markets, value multi-currency support, and do not need pensions or junior products. The main limitations are the lack of a SIPP and the relatively basic toolset for advanced traders. For most UK investors building a long-term portfolio, though, Lightyear hits a very sweet spot in 2026.

Overall, a solid 4/5 Stone cold. Lightyear blew us away with its fee structure, transparent pricing and smooth app experience. It did not quite reach Ice cold because the absence of pensions and advanced trading tools still leaves a gap for certain investors. For cost-conscious, self-directed UK investors, it is properly impressive and well worth your time.

Frequently asked questions

Is Lightyear free to use?

Lightyear has no platform fee, no trading commissions and no account charges. The only costs are a 0.10% FX fee when converting currencies and a 0.6% fee for card deposits. Bank transfers are free. For most investors, the overall cost is extremely low.

Does Lightyear pay interest on uninvested cash?

Yes. As of March 2026, Lightyear pays 1% interest on uninvested GBP cash. You can also earn higher rates by moving cash into Vaults (Money Market Funds) or the Cash ISA at up to 3.75% AER.

Is Lightyear regulated in the UK?

Yes. Lightyear UK Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 987226). Client money is held in segregated accounts and eligible cash is protected by the FSCS up to £120,000.

Can I transfer my ISA to Lightyear?

Yes. Lightyear supports ISA transfers in. You can move an existing Stocks and Shares ISA to Lightyear without affecting your annual allowance.

How does Lightyear compare to Trading 212?

Both offer commission-free trading. However, Lightyear charges 0.10% FX compared to Trading 212's 0.15%. Lightyear also offers multi-currency accounts, Money Market Funds via Vaults, and business accounts. Trading 212 has a larger overall stock universe and offers a practice account. The best choice depends on your priorities, but on fees alone, Lightyear has the edge.

Does Lightyear offer a pension or SIPP?

No. Lightyear does not currently offer a personal pension, Junior ISA or Lifetime ISA. If you need pension investing, consider Freetrade or a traditional broker like AJ Bell.

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• Chip app savings guide - Automate your savings alongside your investing for a well-rounded money setup.
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Disclaimer: This article is for information only and does not constitute financial advice. Investing involves risk and your capital is at risk. Rates and features may change. Always do your own research or consult a qualified financial adviser before making investment decisions.