Interactive Investor Referral Code — 12 Months Free + £3,000 Transfer Bonus
Use a verified referral link to get 12 months with no platform fee, and stack it with up to £3,000 cashback when you transfer your ISA or pension. Is ii expensive? For portfolios over £30k, it is the cheapest major UK platform. No promo code needed.
Capital at risk. You must fund your account with £5,000+ within 12 months. Full terms apply.
Summary: Interactive Investor Referral Offer 2026
Interactive Investor offers 12 months free platform fees to new customers who sign up through a referral link and deposit at least £5,000. The referral link is: ii.co.uk/recommend-ii. No promo code is needed — the link itself activates the offer.
This can be stacked with a transfer cashback bonus of up to £3,000 (ending 5 April 2026). A £100k transfer gets £250 cashback plus the free year, for up to £430 total savings.
Interactive Investor is the cheapest major UK platform for portfolios over £30,000 thanks to its flat monthly fee (£5.99–£14.99/mo). For smaller portfolios under £10,000, percentage-based platforms like Vanguard are cheaper. Eligible accounts: ISA, SIPP, Trading Account.
What the Referral Offer Gives You
Interactive Investor's refer-a-friend scheme is one of the most generous in the UK investment platform space. Here is exactly what you get and how it works.
12 Months Free
No monthly subscription fee for a full year on the Core (normally £5.99/mo) or Plus plan (normally £14.99/mo). You save between £72 and £180.
Eligible Accounts
Stocks & Shares ISA, Personal Pension (SIPP), Trading Account, or Managed ISA. Transfer an existing ISA or pension from another provider — it counts.
Simple Steps
1. Click the referral link. 2. Open an eligible account. 3. Fund with £5,000+ within 12 months. Normal trading fees still apply during the free period.
Interactive Investor Transfer Cashback Bonus 2026: Up to £3,000
On top of the 12 months free from the referral, Interactive Investor is currently running a transfer cashback offer that can be stacked with the referral deal. This is one of the most generous combined offers in the UK investment platform market.
Key fact: The referral offer (12 months free) and the transfer cashback bonus (£100–£3,000) are separate promotions. They stack. Sign up through the referral link first, then transfer your ISA or pension to claim both.
| Transfer / Deposit Amount | Cashback | Plus Referral Saving | Total Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| £20,000 – £49,999 | £100 | Up to £180 | Up to £280 |
| £50,000 – £99,999 | £150 | Up to £180 | Up to £330 |
| £100,000 – £249,999 | £250 | Up to £180 | Up to £430 |
| £250,000 – £749,999 | £500 | Up to £180 | Up to £680 |
| £750,000 – £999,999 | £750 | Up to £180 | Up to £930 |
| £1,000,000 – £1,999,999 | £1,000 | Up to £180 | Up to £1,180 |
| £2,000,000+ | £3,000 | Up to £180 | Up to £3,180 |
Offer ends 5 April 2026. Cashback based on total money and investments transferred or deposited across all new accounts opened. ISA transfers, pension transfers, and cash deposits all count. Cashback paid within 30 days once transfers complete. Full transfer bonus terms on ii.co.uk.
How to Stack Both Offers
1. Sign up through the referral link to get 12 months free. 2. Open your ISA, SIPP, or Trading Account. 3. Transfer at least £20,000 from your existing provider. 4. Both the free period and cashback activate automatically. There is no limit on combining the two.
What Counts Towards the £20k Minimum?
ISA transfers (in-specie or cash), pension transfers to SIPP, and cash deposits all count. Amounts are aggregated across all new accounts. Internal transfers from existing ii accounts do not qualify. Bed & ISA transfers are also excluded.
Is Interactive Investor Expensive? An Honest Breakdown
This is one of the most common questions about ii. The short answer: it depends entirely on how much you have invested. Here is the maths.
Under £10,000: ii Is Relatively Expensive
On the Core plan (£5.99/mo = £72/yr), ii charges more than Vanguard (£48/yr at 0.15%), AJ Bell (£25/yr), or even Hargreaves Lansdown (£45/yr). If you are just starting out with a small pot, a percentage-based platform is genuinely cheaper.
£30,000–£100,000: ii Starts to Win
At £50,000, HL charges £225/yr vs ii's £72/yr. At £100,000, HL charges £450/yr vs ii's £180/yr (Plus). The flat fee becomes a significant advantage once you cross the ~£16k threshold vs HL. Vanguard remains cheaper until about £96k for ISAs.
Over £100,000: ii Is the Clear Winner
A £250k portfolio costs £1,125/yr on HL, £625/yr on AJ Bell, £375/yr on Vanguard, but just £180/yr on ii. At £500k the gap is enormous: £1,375 on HL vs £180 on ii. The savings compound year after year and can run into tens of thousands over a lifetime.
The Bottom Line
Interactive Investor is not expensive for anyone with more than about £30,000 invested. It is the cheapest major UK platform for medium and large portfolios. For small investors under £10k, there are cheaper options. This is the honest picture — ii is not for everyone, but it is the best value for the majority of serious investors.
Should I Switch to Interactive Investor? Who It Is Best For
Switching investment platforms feels daunting, but it is straightforward. Here is who should consider moving to ii, and who should probably stay where they are.
You Should Switch If
- Your portfolio is over £30,000. You will save money vs HL, AJ Bell, and most other percentage-based platforms.
- You are on Hargreaves Lansdown. HL is the most expensive major platform. Switching to ii could save you hundreds or thousands per year.
- You want a SIPP with drawdown. ii's pension is one of the best value in the UK with no hidden charges for drawdown pots.
- You invest for your family. Family accounts are included free on Plus/Premium. On HL, each family member needs their own fee-paying account.
- You use regular investing. Monthly direct debit investments are free on ii. This is ideal for drip-feeding into index funds or ETFs.
You Should Probably Stay If
- Your portfolio is under £10,000. A percentage-based platform like Vanguard or InvestEngine will be cheaper for small pots.
- You only invest in Vanguard funds. Vanguard's own platform is cheaper for Vanguard-only portfolios under ~£96k.
- You want the slickest app. Trading 212 and Freetrade have more polished mobile apps. ii's app works fine but is not best-in-class.
- You trade international shares very frequently. ii's FX fee (0.75% on Core/Plus) adds up for heavy international traders. IBKR may be better.
- You value phone support highly. HL's customer service is generally considered the gold standard. ii is good but not quite at that level.
Interactive Investor vs Hargreaves Lansdown vs Vanguard vs AJ Bell: 2026 Fee Comparison
This table compares the annual cost of the four most popular UK investment platforms for different portfolio sizes. Costs include platform fees only — trading fees are separate.
| Portfolio Size | Interactive Investor | Hargreaves Lansdown | Vanguard | AJ Bell |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £10,000 | £72/yr (Core) | £45/yr | £48/yr | £42/yr |
| £30,000 | £72/yr (Core) | £135/yr | £48/yr | £99/yr |
| £50,000 | £72/yr (Core) | £225/yr | £48/yr | £150/yr |
| £100,000 | £180/yr (Plus) | £450/yr | £150/yr | £250/yr |
| £250,000 | £180/yr (Plus) | £1,125/yr | £375/yr (cap) | £625/yr |
| £500,000 | £180/yr (Plus) | £1,375/yr | £375/yr (cap) | £875/yr |
Hargreaves Lansdown charges 0.45% (reducing at higher tiers). Vanguard charges 0.15%, capped at £375/yr. AJ Bell charges 0.25% (reducing). Interactive Investor's flat fee means the larger your portfolio, the more you save. Figures assume ISA accounts; SIPP fees may differ. Updated March 2026.
The crossover point: Interactive Investor becomes cheaper than Hargreaves Lansdown at around £16,000 in portfolio value. It becomes cheaper than AJ Bell at around £24,000. For portfolios under £10,000, a percentage-based platform like Vanguard may be cheaper. This is the honest picture.
Interactive Investor: Honest Pros and Cons
No platform is perfect. Here is an honest assessment of Interactive Investor's strengths and weaknesses to help you decide if it is right for you.
Pros
- Best value for larger portfolios. Flat fee means you pay the same whether your portfolio is £50k or £500k.
- Free regular investing. No trading fees on monthly direct debit investments — ideal for long-term wealth building.
- Wide investment range. 40,000+ investments including international shares in multiple currencies.
- Transparent pricing. No hidden percentage charges that creep up as your wealth grows.
- Which? Recommended. Independent endorsement from the UK's leading consumer body.
- Family accounts included. Share your plan with family members at no extra cost (Plus/Premium).
- Excellent SIPP. Drawdown flexibility without extra charges. One of the best pension platforms in the UK.
- No exit fees. Transfer out at any time without penalty.
Cons
- Monthly fee even with small portfolios. If you are investing less than £10,000, a percentage-based platform like Vanguard may be cheaper.
- Trading fees still apply. £3.99 per trade on top of the monthly fee. Frequent traders should compare total costs.
- App could be better. The mobile app is functional but not as polished as Freetrade or Trading 212. Desktop experience is stronger.
- FX fees on international shares. 0.75% on Core/Plus plans — not the cheapest for heavy international trading.
- Customer service wait times. Phone support can be slow during busy periods, though generally rated well overall.
- Core plan capped at £100k. You must upgrade to Plus (£14.99/mo) once your portfolio exceeds £100,000.
Interactive Investor Pricing Plans 2026
Interactive Investor offers three pricing tiers. The referral offer gives you 12 months free on either the Core or Plus plan.
Core
Best for investors with less than £100,000
- Portfolio limit: up to £100,000
- UK/US shares: £3.99/trade
- Funds: £3.99/trade
- Int'l shares: £9.99/trade
- FX fee: 0.75%
- Regular investing: Free
- ISA, SIPP, Trading Account
Plus
Best for growing portfolios over £100,000
- Portfolio limit: Unlimited
- UK/US shares: £3.99/trade
- Funds: £1.49/trade
- Int'l shares: £7.99/trade
- FX: 0.75% (first £50k), 0.25% after
- Regular investing: Free
- 1 free family account
Premium
Best for active traders and large portfolios
- Portfolio limit: Unlimited
- UK/US shares: £2.99/trade
- Funds: Free
- Int'l shares: £5.99/trade
- FX fee: 0.25%
- 2 free monthly trades
- Up to 5 free family accounts
Frequently Asked Questions About the Interactive Investor Referral Offer
Where can I find an Interactive Investor referral code for 12 months free?
Interactive Investor does not use traditional referral codes — instead, new customers sign up via a unique referral link. Here is a verified link: ii.co.uk/recommend-ii. Deposit £5,000 within 12 months and you get a full year with no monthly platform fee (saving up to £180). You can also stack this with the transfer cashback bonus of up to £3,000.
How do I get 12 months free on Interactive Investor in 2026?
Use a refer-a-friend link to sign up for Interactive Investor. Open an eligible account (ISA, SIPP, or Trading Account) and fund it with at least £5,000 within 12 months. You will then receive 12 months with no monthly platform fee, saving up to £180 on the Plus plan or £72 on the Core plan. Normal trading fees still apply during the free period.
What is the Interactive Investor referral code for 2026?
Interactive Investor uses unique referral links rather than traditional promo codes. You can use this verified referral link: ii.co.uk/recommend-ii?ii_referrer=9c6e8c44-28bc-43a1-996b-caf364cea86f. This gives new customers 12 months with no monthly subscription fee.
Is Interactive Investor better than Hargreaves Lansdown?
It depends on your portfolio size. Interactive Investor charges a flat monthly fee (£5.99–£39.99), while Hargreaves Lansdown charges a percentage (0.45% up to £250,000). For portfolios above around £30,000, Interactive Investor is typically cheaper — often significantly so. A £250,000 portfolio costs £180/year on ii (Plus plan) vs £1,125/year on HL. However, HL has a slightly wider fund range and some users prefer its customer service. ii was awarded Which? Recommended Provider status.
What is the minimum deposit for the Interactive Investor referral offer?
You must fund your new Interactive Investor account with at least £5,000 within 12 months of opening it. This can be via cash deposits or transfers from another provider (ISA transfers, pension transfers, etc.). Both new money and transfers count towards the £5,000 minimum.
Can I transfer my ISA or pension from another provider to get the offer?
Yes. ISA transfers and pension transfers count towards the £5,000 minimum funding requirement. You can transfer from Hargreaves Lansdown, Vanguard, AJ Bell, Fidelity, or any other UK platform. ii does not charge exit fees, and most transfers complete within 2-6 weeks. There is no charge from ii for in-specie or cash transfers.
Which accounts are eligible for the Interactive Investor referral offer?
The following account types are eligible: Trading Account, Stocks and Shares ISA, Managed ISA, and Personal Pension (SIPP). You must be a new Interactive Investor customer (not an existing account holder), aged 18 or over, and a UK resident. The free period applies to the Core or Plus plans — upgrading to Premium ends the free period.
Do I still pay trading fees during the free 12 months?
Yes. The referral offer waives the monthly platform fee only. Normal trading fees still apply (£3.99 per UK/US share trade on the Core plan). However, regular investments (monthly direct debit purchases) remain free on all plans, so you can invest regularly without any trading costs.
Is Interactive Investor safe? Is my money protected?
Yes. Interactive Investor is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Your investments are held in nominee accounts, meaning they are ring-fenced from ii's own assets. Cash balances up to £85,000 are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). ii is one of the UK's largest investment platforms, managing over £70 billion in assets.
Is Interactive Investor expensive?
It depends on your portfolio size. Interactive Investor charges a flat monthly fee of £5.99 (Core), £14.99 (Plus), or £39.99 (Premium). For small portfolios under £10,000, ii can be more expensive than percentage-based platforms like Vanguard (0.15%) or Hargreaves Lansdown (0.45%). However, for portfolios above approximately £30,000, ii becomes significantly cheaper. A £100,000 ISA costs £180/year on ii vs £450/year on Hargreaves Lansdown. The flat fee is the key advantage — your costs stay fixed as your investments grow.
Should I move to Interactive Investor from Hargreaves Lansdown?
If your portfolio is above £30,000, switching from Hargreaves Lansdown to Interactive Investor will almost certainly save you money. A £100,000 portfolio costs £450/year on HL vs £180/year on ii. A £250,000 portfolio costs £1,125/year on HL vs £180/year on ii. You can also stack the referral offer (12 months free) with the transfer cashback bonus (up to £3,000) when you switch. ISA and SIPP transfers are straightforward and typically complete within 2-6 weeks.
What is the Interactive Investor transfer cashback bonus in 2026?
Interactive Investor offers up to £3,000 cashback for transferring investments. The tiers are: £100 for £20,000–£49,999, £150 for £50,000–£99,999, £250 for £100,000–£249,999, £500 for £250,000–£749,999, £750 for £750,000–£999,999, £1,000 for £1–2 million, and £3,000 for £2 million+. This offer ends 5 April 2026 and can be combined with the referral offer for 12 months free, making the total savings substantial.
Can I combine the referral offer with the transfer cashback bonus?
Yes. The referral offer (12 months free platform fees) and the transfer cashback bonus (up to £3,000) are separate promotions that can be stacked. For example, if you sign up via a referral link and transfer £100,000, you would get 12 months free (saving up to £180) plus £250 cashback — a total benefit of up to £430. Use the referral link first, then initiate your transfer.