Best business investing accounts 2026

Running a business gives you complete control over your finances, and as it’s become much easier and more accessible, a strategy that’s grown in popularity is to invest cash held by your business.

However only a few UK platforms offer investing accounts for businesses. We’ve rounded up our top picks of the best business investing accounts.

Best for ETFs

Finder Award

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Capital at risk. T&Cs apply

Up to £200 welcome bonus

• Choose from 800+ ETFs
• Commission-free investing
• No platform fees
• Fractional ETF investing

Best for MMFs

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Capital at risk. T&Cs apply

Get up to £100 in a free fractional share

• Low 0.1% FX fee
• 0% commission
• Over 6,000 investments

Best for large portfolios

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Capital at risk. T&Cs apply

Up to £5,000 cashback

• Low, flat fees
• 40,000+ stocks
• SIPP included

Best UK business investing platforms for 2026

• Best for simplicity: Tide
• Best for ETFs: InvestEngine
• Best for MMFs: Lightyear
• Best for large portfolios: interactive investor
• Best for funds: AJ Bell Dealing Account
• Best for global markets: Interactive Brokers

Best for simplicity

8.1Great Tide

8.1Great

£0

£0

From 0.3% per year

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Why we like it If your business cash reserves are currently sitting idle and losing a slow fight against inflation, Tide has made it shockingly easy to put that surplus capital to work. Instead of forcing you to wade through mountains of research and investing paperwork, Tide lets you jump straight from idle to acceleration - all from inside your existing Tide banking dashboard. It’s tailored perfectly for busy business owners who want a completely hands-off, fuss-free investing experience. You get to skip the usual analysis paralysis because they limit your strategy choices to just two ready-made funds managed by Vanguard: a Balanced Fund or a Growth Fund. It’s as easy as that. Pros & cons Pros Straightforward and efficient investing approach No setup or exit fees Competitive 0.3% platform fee Excellent app interface Easy integration with Tide Current Account Cons Some businesses may want more investment choice Lack of control over individual investments Not the cheapest business investing account You need to have a Tide business account

Best for ETFs

9.6Excellent InvestEngine Finder AwardFree TradesFunds Only

9.6Excellent

£0

£100

0%

Welcome bonus: Get a welcome bonus of up to £200 when you invest at least £100. Use code 'FINDER'. Capital at risk. T&Cs apply.

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Why we like it Offers a low-cost, easy-to-use platform with zero platform fees for their self-managed portfolio of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or cash equivalents (like MMFs), making it an attractive option for companies looking to be aggressive or conservative with invested cash. InvestEngine will even give you a Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) number free of charge for a year if you don't already have one. Pros & cons Pros Build your own portfolio Over 700 ETFs The platform interface and features are excellent No fee for a stocks and shares ISA or SIPP Low fees all around Cons Percentage fees can add up for managed portfolios You can only invest in ETFs Limited learning resources and tools Relatively small range of ready-made portfolios £100 initial minimum investment

Best for MMFs

9.2Excellent Lightyear

9.2Excellent

£0

£0

£0

Free share: Get up to £100 in fractional shares when you open a new account, use code FINDER and deposit at least £100 in your first 15 days. Capital at risk. T&Cs apply.

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Why we like it A stellar option for businesses that want their cash balances to work harder, offering high-interest Money Market Funds (managed by BlackRock) alongside access to over 6,000 global stocks and ETFs with transparent, low fees. Pros & cons Pros 0% commission for ETFs (fund manager fees apply) Free flexible stocks and shares ISA Cash ISA with high interest Low commission for stocks Interest paid through MMFs Excellent app with loads of features Competitive 0.35% FX fee Cons Asset choice is fairly limited There's a small commission for some shares 0.6% fee for card deposits Only certain stocks are fractional

Best for large portfolios

8.5Great interactive investor

8.5Great

£3.99 (free regular investing available)

£1

From £5.99 a month

Cashback: New customers can get £100-£5,000 cashback when opening an account with at least £20,000 by 30 November. Capital at risk. T&Cs apply.

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Why we like it Ideal for businesses with larger investment balances (typically over £50,000) thanks to its fixed-fee structure, which means fees don't increase as your portfolio value grows. The ii Company Account allows you to invest in UK shares and international equities, funds, ETFs and investment trusts. You can also add up to 4 nominated people to place trades and manage the account on behalf of the company. Pros & cons Pros Flat monthly fee is good value for large portfolios Massive choice of investments A platform designed for every type of investor Lots of account choices Invest online or with the ii app Cons Platform fee is expensive for small portfolios Share dealing charges are quite high Free monthly trade(s) with premium plans Cheapest plan has a maximum portfolio size Adding a SIPP costs more

Best for funds

9.3Excellent AJ Bell Dealing Account

9.3Excellent

£5

£250 (or £25/month)

0.25% per month (max. £3.50)

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Why we like it Getting a Limited Company Dealing account from AJ Bell means access to a well-established, reputable platform offering a vast range of investment options including shares, funds, trusts, bonds, and gilts, backed by award-winning research and helpful customer service. There's no limit to how much you can invest, you just need to maintain a minimum balance of £100 and you can get started investing with your business from £25 a month or a £250 initial investment. Pros & cons Pros Range of account types available Plenty of investment choice Interest paid on cash balances Commission discount for frequent investors Top-rated customer service Cons Complex fee structure £5 share dealing commission Clunky platform interface Difficult for beginners to navigate

Best for global markets

8.8Great Interactive Brokers

8.8Great

UK: 0.05% (min. £3) US: £$0.005 per share (min. $1) EU: 0.05% (min. €3)

£0

£0

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Why we like it One for the more aggressive companies, IBKR has the asset choice and resources for those seeking global market access and sophisticated trading tools. Its low per-trade costs make it attractive for high-volume investors, but the platform isn't as intuitive as some other options. Pros & cons Pros Low fees Demo account available Lots of trading tools and learning resources Huge range of access to investments and global markets Cons Complex fee structure Platform is most suitable for experienced traders Strong emphasis on trading Not the easiest app and website to navigate

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How to invest with a business account

Here’s a simple, 4-step process for getting your company’s cash invested:

1. Select a platform. Choose a regulated UK platform like the ones in this guide and complete a business account application. This is typically done online and involves providing company and director details.
2. Get an LEI number. If you don’t have one, you must register for a Legal Entity Identifier (LEI). Some platforms can help you do this during the onboarding process.
3. Fund the account. Once approved, you can transfer your surplus business cash from your company’s business bank account to the new investment account.
4. Choose your investments. Select the funds, shares, or other investments that align with your company’s strategy, risk tolerance, and investment horizon.

What is a business investing account?

A business investing account, often called a Corporate Dealing Account or Company Investment Account, is basically a brokerage account held in the legal name of your limited company (or other legal entity).

It allows your business to invest its surplus cash into financial markets, separate from the owners’ personal finances. All capital gains, dividends, and interest are owned by the company and subject to Corporation Tax.

What can you invest in?

Most UK business investing accounts offer a diverse range of assets to help you diversify your company’s portfolio:

• Shares. Individual shares in UK and international companies.
• Funds and ETFs. Professionally managed passive or active baskets of investments that offer instant diversification.
• Investment trusts. Publicly listed companies that invest in other assets.
• Bonds and gilts. Debt securities issued by companies (bonds) or the UK Government (gilts), generally viewed as lower-risk investments.
• Money Market Funds (MMFs). Highly liquid, low-risk funds that aim to provide returns slightly higher than a standard savings account.

Essential requirements for a business account

To open a company investment account in the UK, your business will typically need to meet the following criteria and provide documentation:

• Legal structure. Must be a UK-registered Limited Company. Some providers may also accept Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs). Sole traders must use a personal account (like a GIA).
• Directors and owners. Details for all directors and beneficial owners.
• Business details. Company registration number, registered address, and nature of business (SIC code).
• Bank account. A UK business bank account, which is used to fund the investment account.
• Legal Entity Identifier (LEI). This unique code is a mandatory requirement for any limited company that trades shares or other financial instruments on a regulated exchange.

Pros and cons

Our expert says: What is a LEI Number?

"A Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) is a unique, 20-character alphanumeric code required by regulatory bodies for any legal entity (like a UK limited company) that wants to trade financial instruments on a regulated exchange.

It was introduced following the 2008 financial crisis to create a global, transparent system for identifying parties in financial transactions. Without a valid LEI, your limited company will be unable to execute trades on most major platforms. Getting one is a straightforward process through an authorised Local Operating Unit (LOU) and involves a small annual fee."

George Sweeney, DipFA

Deputy editor

Bottom line

Investing surplus business cash can be a powerful strategy for driving long-term company growth. By choosing a platform with low fees and investment options that suit your company’s risk profile, you can transform idle capital into a performing asset.

Remember, your company’s investments are still subject to Corporation Tax, and professional financial advice is highly recommended before starting out.

Frequently asked questions

• Can a sole trader open a business investing account?

  No, typically not. Most UK investment platforms require the account holder to be a separate legal entity, such as a UK Limited Company or LLP.

  Sole traders must invest through a personal account, such as a general investment account (GIA) or ISA, and profits will be taxed under personal income and capital gains rules.

• How is business investing taxed in the UK?

  Any profits your company makes (e.g., capital gains, dividends, or interest) are treated as company income and are subject to corporation tax.

  This is different from personal investing, where you might pay income tax or capital gains tax (CGT). It might be worth speaking with a qualified business accountant to understand the specific tax implications for your company.

• How long should my business plan to invest for?

  Investment returns are generally earned over the long term. Most financial experts advise only investing cash that your business is certain it won’t need for at least 5 years. This time horizon allows the company to ride out inevitable short-term market volatility and increases the probability of achieving a positive return.

• What type of business do you need to invest?

  The vast majority of UK investment platforms require the business to be a separate legal entity, which means a UK-registered Limited Company (Ltd) or a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP).

  If you operate as a sole trader, you are legally inseparable from your business, and you must use a personal investment account (such as a GIA or ISA).

• Can you invest as a small business?

  Absolutely. Investment platforms do not usually impose a minimum turnover or size restriction on the company. If your business is a UK Limited Company, you can open an account.

  However, you should only invest money that your small business is certain it will not need for at least 5 years to weather market fluctuations. The initial funding minimums can vary widely between platforms (some have a £0 minimum, others require a few hundred quid).

• What is the best way to invest as a business?

  The ‘best way’ to invest depends on your company’s risk tolerance and timeline. However, for most businesses, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach and you may need some advice if you’re struggling with where to begin.

Written by

George Sweeney, DipFA

Deputy editor

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George is a deputy editor at Finder. He has previously written for The Motley Fool UK, Nasdaq, Freetrade, Investing in the Web, MoneyMagpie, Online Mortgage Advisor, Wealth, and Compare Forex Brokers. He's focused on making personal finance and investing engaging for everyone. To do this he draws from previous work and his Level 4 Diploma for Financial Advisers (DipFA), sharing what he’s learnt. When he’s not geeking out about money, you’ll find him playing sports and staying active. See full bio

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