A Junior Stocks And Shares ISA (Individual Savings Account) is an account that allows tax-free investment for children that can yield up to £9,000 every year (2024/25 tax year) till the child turns 18. Compared to cash ISAs, these accounts can have higher returns because stock market investments are included, but this comes with increased risk. Based on suggestions by Be Clever With Your Cash, here is a comparison of the best Junior Stocks And Shares ISAs to help you make the right choice for 2025.
Why Go for a Junior Stocks And Shares ISA?
A Junior Stocks And Shares ISA taps into market growth, ideal for long-term savings like education or a first home. The estimated value from Be Clever With Your Cash stated that if £9000 is contributed each year until the age of 18, along with 5% returns, the child would have £265,000 tax-free as he reaches 18. The money is not free from tax; it comes with some limitations. The downside is that the capital is at risk and funds are locked until the age of 18.
The Best Junior Stocks And Shares ISAs in 2025
- Hargreaves Lansdown – 0% Platform Fee
- Hargreaves has a platform fee of 0%. Other fees such as fund fees apply which include an average fee of 0.45%. Also, there are no account or dealing fees.
- They have more than 3000 funds available which include shares, bonds, and ETFs.
- Why It’s Great: Completely free platform fees make it cost-effective for do-it-yourself investors who enjoy choice and good customer service.
- AJ Bell – 0.25% Fee
- Costs: 0.25% annual fee (capped at £2.50/month for shares), £1.50 for fund trades, £5 for share trades.
- Options Available: Shares, funds, ETFs, gilt.
- Why It’s Great: Low fees and flexible investing cater to active savers, yet the high trading costs can be a drawback.
- Wealthify – 0.6% Fee
- Costs: 0.6% management fee, in addition to 0.16% to 0.7% fund fees.
- Options Available: Ethical and standard pre-made portfolios.
- Why It’s Great: Ideal for beginner investors, it offers hands-off investing with expert-managed funds starting from £1.
Key Comparison Factors
Fees: With no platform fees at Hargreaves Lansdown and a suitable 0.25% at AJ Bell for larger sums, the former wins. For those looking to set it and forget, the latter wealthy at 0.6% is ideal, however, it doesn’t suit smaller investments.
Investment Choice: Hargreaves gives DIY investors the broadest choice, AJ Bell provides a balance between cost and variety, and Wealthify offers only pre-built portfolios.
Ease of Use: Wealthify’s robo-advice simplifies processes. Hargreaves and AJ Bells require more manual input, per Be Clever With Your Cash.
Who Should Invest?
The parents that are comfortable with market volatility for a period of over five years would find a Junior Stocks and Shares ISA appealing. Be Clever With Your Cash mentions how transfers from Child Trust Funds or other JISAs are frequently done to chase growth, something Hargreaves and AJ Bell both enable without hassle. For overly cautious savers, a Junior Cash ISA may appear to be more appealing, but in the long run, stocks will almost always outpace cash.
Start Today
Depending on what you are trying to achieve, the best Junior Stocks And Shares ISA can differ: Greater flexibility and no fees would direct you to Hargreaves Lansdown, while AJ Bell is more cost-effective and offers a wider variety. Wealthify is best for those looking for a straightforward account. Best of all your child’s funds as they grow is protected with FSCS protection up to £85,000. Make sure to check Be Clever With Your Cash for updates, pick a provider, and start investing in their future today!
