How to get free stocks and shares in the UK

Trading and investing platforms are fighting to get you on board, and they’re willing to give away free stocks and shares to convince you.

We’ve tried to call out the nitty gritty details in our guide to help you get free stocks, shares or cash from UK investing platforms, and we’ve also included other types of promos like refer-a-friend deals. Take a look at all the best deals below.

Current free share promos

We’ve rounded up all the free share bonuses and referral offers available to UK investors, with promoted partners shown first. In all cases, T&Cs apply.

How to get your free shares in a few simple steps

Most of the time, getting free stocks is really simple and requires little effort. The process for each provider is slightly different, so check out our individual guides below for provider specific how-to lists.

1. Check the free offers available. We’ve listed some of the best ones above with the things you’ll need to consider.
2. Get a referral link (and click on it!) You might need to ask a friend to refer you. We have some referral links too.
3. Sign up. You’ll often need to be a new member for this process to work.
4. Deposit the minimum amount. A lot of providers have a minimum deposit. You’ll need to put this amount into your account before you get the shares.
5. Satisfy any additional conditions. There might be additional things you’ll need to do – such as keep your money invested for a certain period.
6. Get your free shares. See! We told you it was easy.

Compare share dealing accounts

Table: sorted by promoted deals first

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Finder Score	Min. initial deposit	Price per trade	Frequent trader rate	Platform fees
Promoted 9Excellent eToro Finder AwardFree Trades	9Excellent	$50	£0	N/A	£0	Go to Site Capital at risk More info Compare product selection Compare	loading
Promoted 9.1Excellent Freetrade Free Trades	9.1Excellent	£0	£0	N/A	£0	Free share: Get a free share worth up to £100 when you sign up and deposit at least £50. Capital at risk. T&Cs apply.	Go to Site Capital at risk More info Compare product selection Compare	loading
Promoted 9.2Excellent XTB Free Trades	9.2Excellent	£0	£0	N/A	£0	Free share: Free Rolls-Royce share for new XTB customers who join and make a deposit. Choose from 5 UK stocks when you sign-up with code FNSHARE. T&Cs apply. Capital at risk.	Go to Site Capital at risk More info Compare product selection Compare	loading
9.2Excellent Lightyear	9.2Excellent	£0	£0	N/A	£0	Free share: Get up to £100 in a US stock to your GIA when you sign up and deposit at least £100 and use the code "FFLIGHTYEAR26". T&Cs apply. Capital at risk.	Go to Site Capital at risk More info Compare product selection Compare	loading
9Excellent IG Free Trades	9Excellent	£0	£0	N/A	£0	Free share: Get up to £500 in free US shares when you invest at least £500 by 30 April then maintain your investments until 31 July. Use code FS500. Capital at risk. T&Cs apply.	Go to Site Capital at risk More info Compare product selection Compare	loading
8.8Great Robinhood Free Trades	8.8Great	£0	£0	N/A	£0	Free share: Get a free share worth up to $175 when you join. Capital at risk. T&Cs apply.	Go to Site Capital at risk More info Compare product selection Compare	loading

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How we picked these

All investing should be regarded as longer term. The value of your investments can go up and down, and you may get back less than you invest. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. If you’re not sure which investments are right for you, please seek out a financial adviser. Capital at risk.

Bottom line

It’s possible to get free stocks and shares simply by signing up to some platforms, as long as you haven’t signed up for an account before and you meet all the criteria. Another option if you have an account is referring friends.

You should never invest in a hurry but these deals can sometimes have expiry dates or get changed at a moments notice. So act quick if you want to benefit from the cash or free stocks offer. Free shares shouldn’t be the only reason you join a platform, but it’s definitely a bonus.

Frequently asked questions

• Is it safe to invest using a trading app?

  As with all investing, there’s the risk that you could lose the money that you invest. You can help to protect yourself from investment risk by diversifying your portfolio (which is investment talk for not putting all your eggs in one basket).

• Will my free share be subject to tax?

  It could be. Some trading platforms won’t put your free share into your ISA, so any profits you make will be subject to capital gains tax, which is payable if you earn more than £3,000 in a tax year.

  If the provider allows you to redeem the free share in your ISA, then you won’t have to pay tax on the profits as long as it doesn’t take you over the £20,000 allowance in a year.

• Can I cash in my free shares?

  You can. Some providers ask that you don’t withdraw the money for a set period, while others let you sell and cash in right away. Make sure you know what your chosen provider lets you do.

• Is it possible to get a free share more than once?

  In many cases it is possible to get more than one free share — typically if the provider has some sort of referral program. You often can’t get the free share for signing up more than once, but you can refer friends for more.

• How can I trade stocks for free?

  There are plenty of “free” trading apps. These are typically commission free, so there could be additional charges for things like foreign exchange or withdrawing your money.

  Trading 212 and eToro are two popular commission-free trading apps.

• Can I buy shares in UK stock?

  You can! These shares are often listed on the London Stock Exchange, so look out for a provider that lets you buy these shares. We’ve listed some of the best trading apps to help you find one that suits you.

• Which is the best free share offer?

  There are loads of great ones. The best one for you will depend on what suits you best. Remember, you’ll likely be using the platform for a while, so choosing the right provider probably matters more than the freebies. (We won’t like though, a nice freebie is never gonna hurt).

• Which app gives free stocks?

  Freetrade and Stake both give out free shares to new members. Some other providers have freebies on offer to their new members in the form of vouchers or a top-up to your account, such as Scottish Friendly and InvestEngine.

• How can I earn free shares?

  In some cases, you can get free shares just by signing up, although you may need a referral link from a friend. Some providers are giving out free shares if you refer friends, too.