Lightyear Review 2026: Features, Fees & Pros & Cons

Lightyear Review 2026: Features, Fees & Pros & Cons

Lightyear has positioned itself as a modern investment platform for European and UK investors seeking low-cost access to global markets. After extensive testing of their platform, we found it particularly appealing for beginners and cost-conscious investors who want straightforward access to stocks and ETFs without the complexity of traditional brokers.

Our analysis shows Lightyear excels in simplicity and transparency, with free ETF trading (fund manager and potential FX fees apply) and low stock trading fees of just 0.1% (min $0.10, max $1) for US stocks, €1 for EU stocks, and £1 for UK stocks. The platform now offers fractional shares for both stocks and ETFs, making it easier for investors to build diversified portfolios with smaller amounts, plus top market interest rates through Savings Vaults* that typically rank among the best in the market.

What We Found During Our Testing

When we tested Lightyear's platform extensively, we discovered a broker that delivers one of the best app experiences we've seen amongst all brokers. The interface is exceptionally intuitive and user-friendly, making complex investment decisions feel straightforward. The platform operates smoothly across both mobile and web interfaces, with seamless synchronization between the app and desktop version, allowing you to perform all functions on either platform without limitations.

Portfolio transfers are supported for both inbound and outbound movements, improving Lightyear's appeal for investors looking to consolidate their investments. We found the transfer process well-documented in their comprehensive transfer guide, supporting both manual and automated transfers depending on your existing broker.

The newly introduced AI features throughout the app significantly enhance the investment experience, helping investors stay on top of markets and gain better insights into their portfolios. These intelligent touches, combined with the multi-currency account supporting GBP, USD, and EUR, eliminate double conversion fees on trades. Your cash can earn competitive interest rates through Savings Vaults that invest in AAA-rated BlackRock Money Market Funds (as with all investments, Money Market Funds carry risks).

Fees and Costs: Our Detailed Analysis

Lightyear's fee structure stands out for its transparency and competitiveness. After reviewing their official pricing, we found ETF trading completely free (fund manager and potential FX fees apply), while stock trading costs just 0.1% (min $0.10, max $1) for US stocks, €1 for EU stocks, and £1 for UK stocks. This significantly undercuts many competitors.

The 0.35% currency conversion fee, while competitive, is slightly higher than some specialized forex brokers who offer rates as low as 0.15-0.20%. However, it still beats most traditional banks charging 1-2%. We tested various funding methods and recommend using bank transfers over card deposits to maximize your investment capital. The multi-currency account feature proves especially valuable for frequent international traders, eliminating unnecessary repeated conversion costs.

For MMB readers, there are currently special promotions available: UK investors can get a free fractional share worth up to £100 using code MMB, while EU investors can claim up to €100 with our Lightyear Euro promo code MMBEU.

Trading Experience and Platform Features

During our testing, we found Lightyear's platform delivers one of the best user experiences in the industry. The mobile app and desktop platform work seamlessly together, with every feature available on both versions. The interface design prioritizes clarity and ease of use, making even complex investment decisions feel manageable. The recent expansion to 360 investment funds provides more diversification options than many competitors in this price range.

The newly introduced AI features throughout the app significantly enhance the investing experience, providing market insights, portfolio analysis, and personalized recommendations that help investors make more informed decisions. These intelligent touches set Lightyear apart from traditional broker interfaces.

Fractional investing, now available for both stocks and ETFs (subject to availability), transforms accessibility for smaller investors. We tested this feature extensively and found it particularly useful for building positions in expensive stocks or creating balanced portfolios with limited capital.

The platform supports recurring investments, enabling dollar-cost averaging strategies that we found particularly effective for long-term wealth building.

Plans: Organize and Automate Your Investing

Lightyear's Plans feature represents a significant step forward in making long-term investing more accessible and organized. This functionality allows you to create goal-based mini-portfolios within your account, making it easier to separate and manage investments based on your financial objectives.

Plans let you group selected investments into their own organized portfolio inside your Lightyear account. You can create multiple Plans aligned with different goals, such as:

• Retirement planning: Build a long-term portfolio with automated monthly contributions
• Saving for major purchases: Create a dedicated plan for a house deposit or new car
• Children's future: Set up investments for education or other future expenses
• Thematic investing: Group stocks and ETFs by sector (tech stocks, EU ETFs, dividend payers)
• Geographic diversification: Separate US, European, and UK investments

During our testing of the Plans feature, we found several standout capabilities:

Automated Recurring Investments: Set up weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly contributions directly from your bank account via standing order or from your Lightyear Cash balance. This automation makes dollar-cost averaging effortless.

Flexible Allocations: Assign percentage weightings to each investment in your Plan (must total 100%). When you fund your Plan, the money automatically distributes according to your chosen allocations.

Portfolio Organization: Keep your investments organized by goal or strategy without needing multiple accounts. Each Plan functions as a mini-portfolio within your main account.

Plans are currently available in General Investment Accounts (GIA) for UK and EU customers, business accounts across all markets, Estonian Investeerimiskonto, and Hungarian TBSZ accounts. UK Stocks and Shares ISAs will receive Plans support in a future update.

The excellent news is that Plans come with no additional fees. You pay the same low costs: free ETF trading (fund manager fees apply), stock trading at 0.1% (min $0.10, max $1) for US stocks, €1 for EU stocks, and £1 for UK stocks, plus the standard 0.35% FX fee.

Savings Vaults: BlackRock Money Market Funds

Lightyear offers interest through their Savings Vault product, which invests in BlackRock Money Market Funds. The Savings Vault product offers competitive rates benchmarked to central bank rates.

The Savings feature provides:

• Rates close to or above central bank base rates
• Same or next-day liquidity for your funds
• Interest accrued daily and paid monthly
• Available across three major currencies (GBP, USD, and EUR)
• Savings Vault fees: 0.20-0.25% (varies by currency)

These rates follow central bank movements and typically rank competitively in the market. It's important to note that Savings is an investment product where capital is at risk, though the BlackRock Money Market Funds are designed for stability and liquidity. This provides a dedicated place for your cash to earn interest while maintaining quick access to your funds.

ISA Offering for UK Investors

UK commission-free Stocks and Shares ISA account

Fund manager and FX fees may apply

Lightyear's ISA offering stands out as one of the best in the market for UK investors. With the annual ISA allowance of £20,000, investors can trade stocks and ETFs with no commission fees within Stocks and Shares ISA (fund manager and FX fees may apply) while earning interest through Savings Vaults without paying tax on gains or income. The combination of low fees and user-friendly experience makes it particularly attractive for tax-efficient investing. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances, but the ISA wrapper provides significant advantages for most UK investors building long-term wealth. For tax-free savings without market risk, see our best Cash ISAs in the UK comparison.

Lightyear operates under robust regulatory frameworks that we verified during our review. UK operations fall under Lightyear U.K. Ltd, while EU business operates through Lightyear Europe AS. Both entities maintain appropriate regulatory authorizations in their respective jurisdictions.

UK customers benefit from Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protection up to £85,000 for client money held with banks. However, this protection doesn't extend to funds held in Qualifying Money Market Funds (QMMFs), an important distinction we want to highlight. EU investors are protected up to €20,000 by the Estonian Investor Protection Sectoral Fund.

Client assets are segregated from company funds, providing additional security layers we consider essential. Our research confirmed that Lightyear uses reputable custodians and maintains transparent reporting about asset protection measures.

AI-Powered Features

One of Lightyear's standout innovations is its integration of AI throughout the platform. The AI features provide intelligent insights that help investors make more informed decisions.

Customer Support and User Experience

We tested Lightyear's customer support through multiple channels and found response times generally good during business hours. The in-app chat feature provides quick answers to common questions, while more complex queries receive detailed email responses within 24-48 hours.

The help center contains comprehensive guides covering everything from account opening to advanced features. We particularly appreciated the detailed transfer guides and tax documentation resources, including automatic W-8BEN forms for reduced US withholding tax, which many competitors charge extra for or overlook entirely.

How to Get Started with Lightyear

Who Should Consider Lightyear?

Based on our extensive testing, Lightyear suits several investor profiles particularly well:

Beginners and casual investors benefit from the exceptionally intuitive interface and low-cost structure. The AI-powered insights and fractional shares feature allow starting with small amounts, while the educational resources provide necessary guidance.

Cost-conscious long-term investors appreciate the free ETF trading (fund manager and potential FX fees apply) and capped stock trading fees. The ability to set up recurring investments supports systematic wealth building without constant monitoring.

UK ISA investors find exceptional value in Lightyear's UK commission-free Stocks and Shares ISA account with no commission fees within Stocks and Shares ISA (fund manager and FX fees may apply) and Savings Vaults for top market interest rates, making it one of the best ISA platforms available.

Multi-currency investors benefit from the three-currency account system (GBP, USD, EUR), avoiding repeated conversion fees while earning top market interest rates through Savings Vaults.

However, active traders requiring advanced charting tools, options trading, or extensive market research should consider alternatives like Interactive Brokers or XTB.

Comparing Lightyear to Alternatives

When we compare Lightyear to competitors, several distinctions emerge. Trading 212 offers a wider product range including CFDs, while Revolut integrates investing with banking services but charges higher fees for premium features.

Recent Updates and Improvements

Lightyear continues evolving based on user feedback. Recent enhancements we tested include:

• Plans: Create goal-based mini-portfolios with automated recurring investments
• AI-powered features: Smart insights and portfolio analysis throughout the app
• Portfolio transfers: Both inbound and outbound transfers now supported
• Expanded fractional trading: Now covers both stocks and ETFs
• Savings Vaults: Top market rates through BlackRock Money Market Funds
• Enhanced fund selection: Grown to 360 investment funds
• Business accounts: Now available for investing through a company structure
• Seamless platform sync: Desktop and mobile versions work perfectly together

While we appreciate these improvements, we'd like to see better integration with third-party portfolio trackers such as Delta, for automatic broker portfolio synchronization, which would help investors who use multiple platforms track their overall performance more easily.

Final Thoughts

After thorough testing, we find Lightyear delivers on its promise of accessible, transparent investing for European and UK investors. The platform excels with one of the best app experiences we've tested, combining exceptional user interface design with powerful AI-driven insights. The combination of free ETF trading (fund manager and potential FX fees apply), capped stock fees at 0.1% (min $0.10, max $1) for US stocks, €1 for EU stocks, and £1 for UK stocks, and top market interest rates through Savings Vaults creates compelling value.

The seamless integration between mobile and desktop platforms, where every feature works on both versions, sets a new standard for broker platforms. While the 0.35% FX fee is slightly higher than some specialized competitors and we'd appreciate better integration with portfolio tracking tools, these minor drawbacks don't diminish the overall excellence of the platform.

For UK investors, the ISA offering with no commission fees within Stocks and Shares ISA (fund manager and FX fees may apply) provides exceptional tax efficiency. For EU investors, the €20,000 investor protection through the Estonian Investor Protection Sectoral Fund provides regulatory security. Whether you're a beginner attracted by the intuitive interface or a cost-conscious investor seeking value, Lightyear presents a compelling option worth serious consideration.

FAQ

What are the actual trading fees on Lightyear?

ETF trading is completely free on Lightyear (though fund manager and potential FX fees apply). Stock trading costs 0.1% (min $0.10, max $1) for US stocks, €1 for EU stocks, and £1 for UK stocks per order. We found these fees highly competitive, especially for larger trades where the cap provides significant savings.

How does Lightyear's FSCS protection work?

UK customers benefit from FSCS protection up to £85,000 for client money held with banks. This protection applies if Lightyear goes out of business and there's a shortfall in client funds. However, FSCS protection doesn't cover funds held in Qualifying Money Market Funds (QMMFs), which is important to consider when using money market funds for higher yields.

Can I transfer my existing portfolio to Lightyear?

Yes, Lightyear supports both inbound and outbound portfolio transfers. We tested the transfer process and found it well-documented with options for both manual and automated transfers depending on your current broker. The process typically takes 2-4 weeks depending on the transferring broker. Transfer fees may apply, so check the current pricing before initiating a transfer.

What interest does Lightyear offer through Savings?

Lightyear offers competitive interest rates through their Savings Vault product (BlackRock Money Market Funds) that are benchmarked to central bank rates. These rates update regularly based on market conditions. Savings Vault fees range from 0.20-0.25% depending on currency. Note that Savings is an investment product where capital is at risk.

Which countries can use Lightyear?

Lightyear currently operates in the UK and 25 EU countries. The platform continues expanding its geographic coverage, so we recommend checking their website for the most current list of supported countries. Each country may have slightly different features and regulatory protections.

How do fractional shares work on Lightyear?

Fractional shares allow you to buy portions of expensive stocks and ETFs with any amount you choose. During our testing, we successfully purchased fractions of high-priced stocks like Amazon and Google, making portfolio diversification accessible regardless of account size. The same low fees apply to fractional trades.

Is Lightyear suitable for active day trading?

Based on our analysis, Lightyear isn't optimized for day trading. The platform lacks advanced charting tools, level 2 data, and the product range active traders typically require. It's better suited for long-term investors making periodic trades rather than frequent intraday transactions.

_{Affiliate disclaimer: We will be paid a referral fee if you open an account and deposit funds through some of the links on this page. Capital at risk. Provider of the investment services is Lightyear U.K. Ltd for the UK and Lightyear Europe AS for the EU. Terms apply: lightyear.com/signup-promotion-terms. This is not investment advice.}