Lightyear Investing Review
Adam Woodhead
Co-Founder
Adam is a passionate investor who created The Investors Centre (TIC) to combine his professional skills with his love for investment. His goal is to offer a platform filled with valuable resources, practical advice, and effective strategies for anyone looking to make their mark in the investment world.
“Investment is about more than just numbers; it’s about strategy, research, and the willingness to adapt. At TIC, we’re here to provide the tools and knowledge you need to succeed on your investment journey.”
Dom Farnell
Co-Founder
Dom is an experienced retail investor, learning his craft in what he likes to call the “hard way”. Through many of these lesson’s he has crafted himself a sound investment strategy that has enabled him to make investing into a business not just a hobby. He wanted to create The Investors Centre to be able to use these lessons and help other people establish them selves in the world of investing.
“Financial clarity and integrity are the cornerstones of everything we do. We’re here to ensure that your investment journey is built on a solid financial understanding and a sound strategic foundation.”
Table of Contents
Disclaimer
How We Test
Quick Answer:
Lightyear is a safe, low-fee investment app ideal for long-term UK and EU investors. With commission-free trading, multi-currency accounts, and interest on idle USD, it is great for global exposure. However, Lightyear currently lacks support for ISA, cryptocurrency, and advanced trading tools.
Lightyear Overview
Lightyear offers low-cost investing in global stocks and ETFs with no hidden fees. Currency conversion costs apply when buying in foreign markets, and small custody fees may be charged on large balances. To keep costs minimal, invest in your base currency and review Lightyear’s latest fee schedule.
- Minimum Deposit: £0 (no minimum to open an account)
- Commission-free ETF trading plus low-cost access to US, UK & EU stocks
- FCA regulated and client funds safeguarded under UK & EU investor protection rules
- Sleek, user-friendly mobile and web platforms with fractional US shares
- Perfect for long-term investors seeking a transparent, global portfolio with low fees
Trading and investing involve risk. The value of your investments can go up or down, and you may lose all or part of your capital. These products may not be suitable for all investors. Please ensure you fully understand the risks involved.
Introduction
I’ve used just about every zero-commission investing app out there, but Lightyear genuinely surprised me. In 2025, Lightyear is one of the few platforms that offers global market access, transparent pricing, and interest on idle cash.
With more UK and European investors ditching old-school brokers in favour of simpler, mobile-first platforms, the demand for clean, low-fee investing has exploded. Lightyear fits this shift perfectly. It’s lean, intuitive, and built for long-term investors who want exposure to US and EU stocks, without being stung by hidden charges or bloated interfaces.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through my real experience using Lightyear in 2025 — what it gets right, where it still lags, and whether it truly deserves a place in your portfolio.
Is Lightyear Safe to Use in 2025?
Lightyear is FCA-registered in the UK and regulated by the Estonian Financial Supervision Authority. My funds are held in segregated client accounts, and UK users are covered by the FSCS up to £85,000, or the Estonian equivalent if you’re based in the EU.
Lightyear is in a rare position, it’s regulated in both the UK and the EU, which gives it a bit of an edge for cross-border investors like me. The FCA stamp alone gave me confidence, and knowing my money isn’t co-mingled with company funds is a big win. It’s clear they’re committed to compliance, not just growth.
How Transparent and Trustworthy Is the Platform?
The fee structure is crystal clear, no nasty surprises or fine print. They also have backing from notable names, including the founders of Wise and venture capitalists such as Lightspeed and Mosaic. That level of institutional trust gave me a sense of peace of mind. Even basic things like logging in, 2FA security, and verifying account activity feel polished and secure. Lightyear may be a newer name, but it’s built on a solid, trustworthy foundation.
What Can You Trade on Lightyear?
One of the first things I checked after signing up was what assets I could actually trade — and Lightyear didn’t disappoint. As of 2025, I can access over 3,000 US and European stocks, a wide range of ETFs, and even BlackRock money market funds to earn yield on uninvested cash. It’s a solid mix for long-term investors.
Which Markets and Assets Are Available?
I mostly use Lightyear to trade US stocks like Apple and Nvidia, but I’ve also built a small EU exposure through companies like ASML and Unilever. The ETF selection is surprisingly strong, including big names like Vanguard and iShares, as well as thematic options for sectors like clean energy and AI.
One feature I love is the ability to buy fractional shares. It lets me invest in high-priced stocks like Tesla or Amazon without committing hundreds of pounds upfront, great if you’re starting small or just want more flexibility with portfolio weighting.
That said, Lightyear isn’t perfect. There’s no crypto, no options, and no leveraged ETFs. You also won’t find UK gilts or bonds, and UK-listed funds like investment trusts are missing entirely. If you need a full-service broker, this might not tick all the boxes — but for global stock and ETF investing, it’s more than enough for me.
| Asset Type | Available? | Examples | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Stocks | ✅ | Apple, Tesla, Nvidia | Full NYSE/Nasdaq access |
| EU Stocks | ✅ | ASML, Unilever, SAP | Strong EU coverage |
| ETFs | ✅ | iShares, Vanguard | Thematic & passive options |
| Money Market Funds | ✅ | BlackRock | USD-based yield-generating options |
| Crypto | ❌ | N/A | Not supported |
How Much Does Lightyear Cost?
With Lightyear, the pricing model is surprisingly honest. There are no trading fees, no account fees, and no deposit or withdrawal charges. It is genuinely one of the cleanest setups I’ve come across.
Is Lightyear Really Commission-Free?
Lightyear does not charge platform, setup, management, or administration fees for holding investments. However, they do charge fees for currency conversions and trading based on the type of asset and market. There are no inactivity or withdrawal fees.
Here’s a breakdown of Lightyear’s fees:
- Currency Conversion (FX): Lightyear charges a 0.35% fee on currency conversions, using the live interbank exchange rate.
- US Stocks: Trading US stocks incurs a fee of 0.1% of the transaction value, with a minimum fee of $0.10 and a maximum fee of $1.
- UK and EU Stocks: Trading UK shares costs £1, while EU shares cost €1 per order.
- ETFs: Investing in ETFs is free of execution fees.
- Deposits: Deposits via bank transfer are free. Debit card, Apple Pay, and Google Pay deposits are free up to a lifetime limit of €500, after which a 0.5% fee applies.
- Interest on Uninvested Cash: Lightyear offers interest on uninvested cash, currently at a rate of 2%. They also offer higher interest rates on cash held in their Vaults or Cash ISA, as detailed in their specific product offerings.
How Does the FX Fee Work?
Lightyear charges a 0.35% FX fee when you convert currencies — say, from GBP to USD to buy Apple stock. But they also let you hold balances in GBP, USD, and EUR, which I’ve found handy. Now, I keep some USD in my account so I don’t have to pay the fee every time I trade US stocks. It’s a simple way to dodge unnecessary charges.
Can You Earn Interest on Cash?
Yes — and it’s one of my favourite features. Lightyear offers tiered interest on uninvested USD, and it’s not peanuts. They’ve partnered with BlackRock money market funds, and I’ve seen rates pushing up to 5%, depending on market conditions. Even when I’m not trading, my idle cash is still working. Compared to banks or other apps, the yield is genuinely competitive.
| Feature/Fee | Cost/Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Fees | £0 | No commissions |
| FX Fee | 0.35% | Applies to currency conversions |
| Cash Interest (USD) | Tiered | Up to ~5% via BlackRock fund |
| Withdrawals & Deposits | Free | Instant via bank & card supported |
| Account Maintenance | Free | No inactivity fee |
What Tools and Features Make Lightyear Stand Out?
Tracking performance on Lightyear is refreshingly clear. I can instantly see how much I’ve gained or lost across individual holdings, asset types, and currencies. There’s a clean visual breakdown of returns, allocations, and dividend income, which I find incredibly useful when I’m rebalancing my portfolio. One detail I also appreciate is the multi-currency tracking, which adjusts my gains based on currency movements, not just share prices. It makes a huge difference when you’re trading US stocks from a GBP base.
What about App Design and Ease of Use?
The design is honestly one of the best I’ve used. The mobile app is sleek, fast, and uncluttered, with everything right where I need it — from search to trade execution. In 2024, they finally launched a browser version, which I now use for reviewing my portfolio in more detail. It’s not trying to be a Bloomberg terminal, but it nails the basics with zero friction. From signing up to placing my first trade, everything just worked.
Does Lightyear offer any helpful extras for Everyday Investors?
It’s the little things that elevate the experience. Watchlists let me track stocks I’m watching without cluttering my portfolio. The news feed is lightweight yet keeps me informed on key market developments, and the inclusion of fractional shares is perfect for building positions in big-name stocks like Amazon without exceeding my budget. I also appreciate the automatic dividend reinvestment — it’s not flashy, but it does add up over time.
Lightyear doesn’t try to do everything, and that’s exactly why it works so well.
How Does Lightyear Compare to Other Investment Platforms?
These days, Lightyear has carved out a distinct niche by aiming to be the best platform for low-fee global investing with minimal distractions. It won’t suit everyone, but if you want direct access to US and EU stocks with transparent pricing, it’s tough to beat. Here’s how Lightyear stacks up against the competition based on my own experience:
| Feature/Platform | Lightyear | Trading 212 | Freetrade | eToro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commission-Free Trading | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| ISA Support | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Crypto Support | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Interest on Cash | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| FX Fee | 0.35% | 0.15% | 0.45% | 0.50%+ |
Who Should Choose Lightyear?
If your priority is low-cost access to global stocks, Lightyear is easily one of the strongest options. It’s ideal for long-term investors who value simplicity, performance tracking, and yield on cash. But if you’re focused on tax-wrapped ISAs, crypto, or UK-listed funds, you might need to supplement Lightyear with another platform. For me, it’s become my go-to for international exposure and I haven’t looked back.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Lightyear in 2025?
After months of using Lightyear, I’ve got a good sense of where it shines and where it still needs work. For my long-term investing style, it ticks most boxes: low fees, clean design, and multi-currency flexibility. For most fee-conscious investors who don’t need crypto or tax wrappers, it’s a solid option. But if you’re chasing advanced tools or social features, you may need to look elsewhere.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| £0 commissions on stocks and ETFs | No ISA/SIPP support |
| Multi-currency accounts to reduce FX fees | No advanced research or trading tools |
| Interest on idle USD via BlackRock funds | No social/community investing features |
| Clean mobile + browser experience | Limited Asset Classes |
| Fully regulated in UK and EU |
What Do Industry Experts Say About Lightyear?
I’m not the only one who’s taken notice of Lightyear. According to City A.M., “Lightyear is quietly redefining global investing for the UK market.” Finextra recently praised its transparency, while TechCrunch highlighted its strong VC backing and user-centric design.
On Trustpilot, most reviews echo my experience — users love the low fees, ease of use, and fair FX model. Influencers in the fintech space have also pointed out how Lightyear could disrupt the legacy broker market, especially if they eventually roll out ISA support.
For a relatively young platform, Lightyear’s reputation is building fast, and for good reason.
Final Thoughts
We gave Lightyear a respectable 4.3 stars out of 5. If you’re looking for a slick, low-cost way to invest in global markets, Lightyear is absolutely worth considering. After months of using it, I’ve found it to be one of the most transparent and efficient investment platforms out there, especially for anyone who wants access to US and EU stocks without getting hit by hidden charges.
The strengths are obvious: £0 commissions, multi-currency accounts, yield on idle cash, and a clean, distraction-free experience. I like that it doesn’t try to do too much. It focuses on doing the basics really well, and for someone like me who values simplicity and clarity, that’s a big win.
That said, it’s not perfect. There’s no ISA, no crypto,or advanced trading features like options or margin. If those are deal-breakers, you’ll need another platform. But if you’re a long-term investor or cost-conscious trader, Lightyear delivers exactly what it promises.
I’d recommend it to anyone building a globally diversified portfolio, especially those who trade primarily in USD or EUR and want to avoid the clunky interfaces of legacy brokers.
Investing with an edge
- Transparent Pricing
- Global Market Access
- Interest on Uninvested Cash
Trading and investing involve risk. The value of your investments can go up or down, and you may lose all or part of your capital. These products may not be suitable for all investors. Please ensure you fully understand the risks involved.
FAQs
Is Lightyear regulated in the UK?
Yes, Lightyear is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority and is also regulated by the Estonian Financial Supervision Authority for EU users.
Does Lightyear support ISA or SIPP accounts?
Not yet. As of 2025, Lightyear does not offer ISA or SIPP accounts, which means it may not be suitable if you’re focused on tax-efficient investing.
Is trading on Lightyear really commission-free?
Yes. Lightyear offers £0 commission trading on US and European stocks and ETFs. There are no account fees, inactivity charges, or withdrawal fees.
hat fees should I be aware of when using Lightyear?
The only major fee is a 0.35% currency conversion fee (FX fee) when buying assets in a currency different from your base account.
Can I earn interest on cash with Lightyear?
Yes. Lightyear offers tiered interest on uninvested USD; you can earn competitive rates (up to ~5%) depending on your balance tier, which helps maximise idle cash.
References
- Lightyear – FCA and EU Regulatory Status
- Lightyear – Interest on Uninvested USD
- Forbes UK – An Expert Look at Lightyear
- Apple App Store – Lightyear User Reviews
