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Lightyear Investing Review: An app with excellent resources to help investors choose their investments

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This is the score our team have awarded the platform based on our own personal experiences and other important factors, such as fees and ease of use.

4.5out of 5

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This is one of the most cost-effective options for buying ETFs and comes with excellent research tools including analyst recommendations. A low-cost saving and investing app with access to stocks and funds via personal and business accounts.

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By Antonia Medlicott

  • Published: July 12, 2024
  • Edited by: Clare West
  • Last Update: 2 weeks ago
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4.5out of 5

Antonia says

The Verdict

We used to say the lack of an ISA was the major drawback of Lightyear as it left savers and investors unable to take advantage of the ISA's tax advantages. But, as of January 2025, that's no longer the case. Lightyear now offers a Stocks and Shares ISA, as well as a Cash ISA and General Investment Account. Both ISAs are flexible (meaning you can take money in and out without it affecting your annual allowance), come with no withdrawal penalties, and there's no minimum deposit, which makes these attractive options. The Lightyear Cash ISA isn't the highest paying (it's currently offering 4.00% AER which isn't as good as our top recommended Cash ISA products here), but it's not bad either, and certainly higher than most high street banks are paying, with possibly more flexibility.

If you're struggling to decide what to invest in, Lightyear's research tools will satisfy even seasoned investors. In-app earnings calls are a unique proposition here, and analyst estimates and price targets are all free to access. Want to know how many analysts recommend you buy, hold or sell? It’s all available within the app. That's an unusually broad range of tools for a simple investing solution, and makes Lightyear stand out.

Assets are limited to stocks, Money Market Funds and ETFs, but the selection will be ample for most new or intermediate-level investors. You'll also have access to fractional shares, meaning you can own a piece of big-value stocks without needing to pay the hefty price tag of a full single stock. What's more, Lightyear has just removed commission on all its assets. With no account fees and no commission on trades, all you're paying for is the fund fee and currency conversion costs if you're investing in a foreign stock.

Lightyear has recently added another product too - a Money Market Fund that they're calling a 'Vault'. Money Market Funds (MMFs) are growing in popularity thanks to their low risk nature. They allow you to gain some of the security of a cash savings fund, but often with a higher rate of interest than you'll find on an ordinary savings account. Lightyear's Vault is currently paying a handsome 4.17% AER. Bear in mind though, that there is some risk associated with this as it's an investment, not a savings product. But it's very low risk, and a good potential return.
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quote

Pros

  • Excellent research tools for investors
  • No commission and no account fees to pay
  • 'Vaults' offers access to low-risk Money Market Funds
  • FX fees are low
  • Flexible ISAs with no minimum deposit
  • No withdrawal penalties when withdrawing money from ISAs
  • Multi-currency account for free
  • 4.00% AER interest paid on cash ISA
quote

Cons

  • No mutual funds, bonds or gilts available
  • Can't invest into a pension
  • No customer service live chat
  • Verdict4.5
  • Fees4.5
  • Trading Platform5
  • Research5
  • Safety5
  • Education1

Antonia says

Who do I recommend it for?

arrow-down-orangeRead More
quote

Pros

  • Excellent research tools for investors
  • No commission and no account fees to pay
  • 'Vaults' offers access to low-risk Money Market Funds
  • FX fees are low
  • Flexible ISAs with no minimum deposit
  • No withdrawal penalties when withdrawing money from ISAs
  • Multi-currency account for free
  • 4.00% AER interest paid on cash ISA
quote

Cons

  • No mutual funds, bonds or gilts available
  • Can't invest into a pension
  • No customer service live chat
  • arrowVerdict
    4.5
    We used to say the lack of an ISA was the major drawback of Lightyear as it left savers and investors unable to take advantage of the ISA's tax advantages. But, as of January 2025, that's no longer the case. Lightyear now offers a Stocks and Shares ISA, as well as a Cash ISA and General Investment Account. Both ISAs are flexible (meaning you can take money in and out without it affecting your annual allowance), come with no withdrawal penalties, and there's no minimum deposit, which makes these attractive options. The Lightyear Cash ISA isn't the highest paying (it's currently offering 4.00% AER which isn't as good as our top recommended Cash ISA products here), but it's not bad either, and certainly higher than most high street banks are paying, with possibly more flexibility.

    If you're struggling to decide what to invest in, Lightyear's research tools will satisfy even seasoned investors. In-app earnings calls are a unique proposition here, and analyst estimates and price targets are all free to access. Want to know how many analysts recommend you buy, hold or sell? It’s all available within the app. That's an unusually broad range of tools for a simple investing solution, and makes Lightyear stand out.

    Assets are limited to stocks, Money Market Funds and ETFs, but the selection will be ample for most new or intermediate-level investors. You'll also have access to fractional shares, meaning you can own a piece of big-value stocks without needing to pay the hefty price tag of a full single stock. What's more, Lightyear has just removed commission on all its assets. With no account fees and no commission on trades, all you're paying for is the fund fee and currency conversion costs if you're investing in a foreign stock.

    Lightyear has recently added another product too - a Money Market Fund that they're calling a 'Vault'. Money Market Funds (MMFs) are growing in popularity thanks to their low risk nature. They allow you to gain some of the security of a cash savings fund, but often with a higher rate of interest than you'll find on an ordinary savings account. Lightyear's Vault is currently paying a handsome 4.17% AER. Bear in mind though, that there is some risk associated with this as it's an investment, not a savings product. But it's very low risk, and a good potential return.
    arrow-down-orangeRead More
    quote

    Pros

    • Excellent research tools for investors
    • No commission and no account fees to pay
    • 'Vaults' offers access to low-risk Money Market Funds
    • FX fees are low
    • Flexible ISAs with no minimum deposit
    • No withdrawal penalties when withdrawing money from ISAs
    • Multi-currency account for free
    • 4.00% AER interest paid on cash ISA
    quote

    Cons

    • No mutual funds, bonds or gilts available
    • Can't invest into a pension
    • No customer service live chat
  • arrow Fees:
    4.5
    Lightyear just overhauled its fees and it's made them a steal! Investors now pay for only one thing - currency conversion (FX) fees on US or European stocks. Aside from that, there's nothing to pay. No commission on any stocks, no commission on ETFs, and no account fees. It's free to transfer in and out, and even the Money Market Funds are commission free (although fund management fees still apply as they do with all providers).

    The currency conversion fee is just 0.35% - although it's possible to get lower elsewhere, that's still low.

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    quote

    Pros

    • No commission on any stocks or funds
    • No account fees
    • No fees to transfer in or out of Lightyear
    • Currency conversion fee is a relatively low 0.35%
    quote

    Cons

    • Currency conversion fees are lower at Trading 212 and Interactive Brokers
  • arrowTrading Platform:
    5
    This is a really simple and easy-to-use trading platform. Navigation is well laid out, and there is ample information without being overwhelming. It can be accessed via both app and web platform.
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  • arrowResearch:
    5
    This is Lightyear's strong suit. Research is one of the best I’ve come across, especially for inexperienced investors. Not only is it comprehensive in its range and offering, but it is well laid out and easy to access in a palatable way.
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    quote

    Pros

    • In-app recordings of earnings calls
    • Analyst ratings
    • Metrics including P/E ratios and market cap
    • Price targets
    • Past performance
    • Earnings
    • Events
    • News
  • arrowSafety:
    5
    Nothing to worry about here in terms of safety. All the necessary precautions are in place including regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and protection from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
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    quote

    Pros

    • Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
    • Protection up to £85,000 from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme
    • Biometric ID
  • arrowEducation:
    1
    Education is very thin on the ground. In fact, I’m struggling to find anything of any significance within the app itself. On the website, there is a help section with some limited articles explaining some of the terminology, but nothing of much significance.
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update-icon

Updates

January 2025 Lightyear launches a stocks and shares ISA & cash ISA

January 2025 Lightyear adds FSCS protection for UK customers

Who do I recommend Lightyear for?


For investors with little to no experience, this is a good option. The ETFs are very cheap to access and they represent a good way to diversify your portfolio in the stock market.

However, this is also a good option for those who would like to dabble in individual stocks but don’t really know where to start. The analyst ratings will provide a guide and there is a great amount of research.

Accounts


Lightyear offers investing through the following products:

  • General investment account
  • Stocks and shares ISA

Lightyear also now offers a cash ISA which pays interest at 4.00% AER variable.

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Have a question about Lightyear that we haven’t covered? Ask it here and we will get back to you as soon as possible!

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