Lightyear Stocks and Shares ISA review: Is it worth it?

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for reference purposes only. Wise does not offer to buy or sell stocks, and all information on this page should not be considered financial advice. All investment decisions should be made after thorough research and consultation with a qualified financial advisor. Remember that investments, even in low-risk funds, are never guaranteed and your capital is at risk.

Looking for a new stocks and shares ISA? Whether it’s your first time investing or you’re just looking to switch, you’ll have your pick of a wide range of providers here in the UK.

In this essential guide, we’ll take a look at a relative newcomer to the UK market - Lightyear, which launched in 2021.

Read on for all the info you need on Lightyear’s Stocks and Shares ISA, including features, eligibility and fees. Plus, info on how to buy stocks, withdraw cash and much more.

Armed with this knowledge, you can work out if Lightyear is the right choice for your financial goals.

Who the Lightyear Stocks and Shares ISA is best for?

The Lightyear Stocks and Shares ISA is good for both beginners and more experienced investors.

New investors may be interested in the user-friendly app and low cost pricing, while seasoned investors will appreciate the flexibility and range of self-directed investment options - as well as the competitive pricing structure.

Both investor types will get access to UK, US and EU stocks, as well as ETFs and low risk, high-interest money market funds. Plus, because it’s an ISA, any returns from your investments are tax-free.

Disclaimer: All decisions related to tax should be made after thorough research, consultation and verification from a qualified financial and legal advisor.

Who can open an account?

To open a Lightyear Stocks and Shares ISA, you must be a UK resident aged 18 years or older.

You must also have your National Insurance (NI) number, since this is required to open any ISA in the UK.

What currencies are supported?

Stocks and Shares ISAs with Lightyear are generally denominated in GBP, but it does support investing in US and EU stock markets. The platform also makes multi-currency accounts available to all users, so it is possible to hold different currencies.

However, there are still fees for currency conversion - we’ll look at this in more detail shortly.

📚How stocks and shares ISAs work

Lightyear Stocks and Shares ISA features

Lightyear Stocks and Shares ISA lets you buy shares in the UK, US and EUR with almost no fees.

Key features include:¹

• Commission-free trading within the ISA (stamp duty and fund manager fees may apply)
• No platform or account fees
• Access to stocks in the UK, US and EU, plus ETFs from some of the world’s largest fund managers
• Flexible ISA - withdraw money and replace it within the same tax year, without eating into your annual ISA allowance
• 3.76% interest via easy access Vaults with no withdrawal penalties - this is an investment product with daily variable rates
• Access to multi-currency accounts
• Free withdrawals and support for ISA transfers
• Highly rated mobile app with 4.4 rating on Google Play² and 4.7 on the App Store.³

Lightyear Stocks and Shares ISA fees

One of the main selling points of Lightyear is its simplified and low-cost pricing structure. For its Stocks and Shares ISA, there’s only one fee to pay - 0.35% for currency conversion.⁴

While they don’t apply to most customers, the only other fees to know about are:⁴

• Card deposit fee - 0.6%
• Money Market Funds fee - 0.2% annually.

Does the Lightyear Stocks and Shares ISA have an account fee?

No. Lightyear’s Stocks and Shares ISA doesn’t charge any platform, subscription, or other account fees simply for having an account open or keeping money in it.¹

Trading fees with Lightyear Stocks and Shares ISA

Lightyear doesn’t charge any trading fees when you buy or sell shares or EFTs. The only fee to watch out for is the 0.35% currency conversion fee if you’re trading in a different currency.⁴

How much does Lightyear Stocks and Shares ISA charge for UK stocks?

Nothing. Since Lightyear offers commission-free trading, you can trade UK stocks without paying a penny in commission.¹

Lightyear Stocks and Shares ISA withdrawal fees

Lightyear doesn’t charge any withdrawal fees for its Stocks and Shares ISA. However, if your money is tied up in investments, you’ll need to sell first before taking out your funds.

Lightyear Stocks and Shares ISA commission fees

Best known for its zero-commission investing, Lightyear doesn’t charge any commission fees for its Stock and Shares ISA.¹

However, stamp duty and fund manager fees may apply.

How to buy stock with a Lightyear Stocks and Shares ISA

Buying stocks with Lightyear’s Stocks and Shares ISA is a fairly straightforward process.

The first step is to open an account within the Lightyear app and verify your identity. You can then set up a linked bank account and deposit funds into your account, ready to invest.

When you’re ready to buy, follow these steps:

1. Browse and select the stock you’d like to buy
2. Select the amount you’d like to invest
3. Choose the order type - Lightyear offers market, limit, stop and repeat orders
4. Receive your shares.

📚 How to buy shares in the UK

Buying stock in another currency?

Buying or selling a stock or shares that aren’t traded in your local currency? Don’t let the currency conversion trip you up. Convert your stocks or shares into any currency with our handy tool, and you’ll always know what you’re getting.

Check out our international stock ticker tool.

Explore international stocks 🌍

Disclaimer: Wise's international stock ticker provides information for reference purposes only. This tool and platform does not offer to buy or sell stocks, and the data displayed here should not be considered financial advice. All investment decisions should be made after thorough research and consultation with a qualified financial advisor. We make no guarantees regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, and users should exercise caution and seek professional guidance when making investment choices.

How is the Lightyear Stocks and Shares ISA mobile app?

Lightyear’s mobile app is available for both Android and iOS devices and has high user ratings:

• 4.4 on the Google Play store²
• 4.7 on the Apple App Store³

You can use the app to open and fund your Stocks and Shares ISA, view live stock prices, buy and sell investments, withdraw funds, and manage your portfolio.

Lightyear Stocks and Shares ISA customer service

You can ask questions and get help with your Lightyear Stocks and Shares ISA using the in-app chat service, or by emailing support@lightyear.com. It doesn’t appear as if there’s a phone number available for customer support enquiries.

However, there is a Help Centre on the Lightyear website, where you can type in your question and read relevant support articles.

Alternatives to the Lightyear Stocks and Shares ISA

If you’re after alternatives to Lightyear Stocks and Shares ISA, there are lots of them out there, do your research to decide which is right for you.

Here are just a few of your choices here in the UK:

• Vanguard Stocks and Shares ISA
• Trading 212 Stocks and Shares ISA
• Halifax Stocks and Shares ISA
• Moneybox Stocks and Shares ISA
• NatWest Stocks and Shares ISA
• HSBC Stocks and Shares ISA.

FAQs about investing with Lightyear S&S ISA

How to withdraw cash from Lightyear?

To withdraw cash from your Lightyear account, go to the ‘Portfolio’ tab of the app and tap the “Withdraw” button. You’ll need to have a linked withdrawal bank account set up, or you can add one before submitting your withdrawal request.

Is Lightyear FCA approved?

Yes, Lightyear is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK.

How often does Lightyear pay interest?

Interest on uninvested cash is usually paid monthly by Lightyear, on the first business day of the month.⁵ This is the same for its Cash ISA and Vaults Money Market Funds (MMFs).

How do I close my Lightyear account?

To close your Lightyear account, you’ll firstly need to close positions, sell investments and withdraw money from your account until you have a zero balance. Then, you can select ‘Close account’ in the Lightyear app.

Grow your international money with Wise

Not sure about using a stocks and shares ISA to help you save?

With a Wise account, you can turn on Wise Interest to help you earn a return by investing your GBP, EUR and USD, and choose how your money is used. Simply select your chosen currency then under ‘Options’, select ‘Earn’ and choose ‘Interest’. Capital at risk. Growth not guaranteed.

Wise Interest can help grow your international money and start earning a return on the pounds, euros and dollars in your account. When you use Wise Interest, you can send and spend your money whenever you want, including your gains and you can transfer up to 10,000 GBP (or equivalent) each day from Interest currencies. Anything above will add a processing time of up to 2 working days.

Wise invests your money in government-backed asset funds. This means that when the central bank rates change, your return does too. You can check the 7 day past performance on the Wise Interest page. Past performance doesn't guarantee future growth. Capital at risk. Growth not guaranteed.

Why not turn on Wise Interest, to help boost your money?

Learn more about Wise Interest

Investments can fluctuate, and your capital is at risk. Interest is offered by Wise Assets UK Ltd, a subsidiary of Wise Payments Ltd. Wise Assets UK Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority with registration number 839689. When facilitating access to Wise investment products, Wise Payments Ltd acts as an Introducer Appointed Representative of Wise Assets UK Ltd. Please be aware that we do not offer investment advice, and you may be liable for taxes on any earnings. If you're uncertain, we urge you to seek professional advice. To find out more about the Funds, visit our website.

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Sources used for this article:

1. Lightyear - Lightyear stocks and shares ISA features
2. Google Play - Google Play app rating
3. App Store - App Store app rating
4. Lightyear - Lightyear fees and pricing
5. Lightyear - Lightyear interest information

Sources checked on 27-Feb-2026