Compare Junior ISAs
Pick the best junior ISA to make the most of this year’s tax free allowance.
Investment ISAs put your capital at risk & you may get back less than you originally invested.
- Invest From: £100
- Investment Options: Invest in one of a range of expertly designed investment portfolios depending on your investment style
Why we like it: Invest from £100. Simple, transparent – Invest in one of a range of expertly designed investment portfolios depending on your investment style. All five Nutmeg investment styles are built by experts and use exchange traded funds to diversify across stocks, bonds, industries, even countries. Choose the one that works for you. Nutmeg are regulated by the FCA & are covered by the FSCS. To open a Nutmeg JISA, the child must be under the age of 16 and funds cannot be withdrawn until the child turns 18. Capital at risk. Approved by Nutmeg 09/08/2024
- Invest From: £25 pm
- Investment Options: Choose from more than 40,000 UK and global investment options for your child's ISA
Why we like it: ii offer a flat fee service which over time could save you money compared to platform providers who charge on the value of investments held. ii offer ready made funds including their ethical funds which allows you to invest in line with your principles covering environmental, social and governance factors. Capital at Risk
- Invest From: £25 pm
- Investment Options: AJ Bell offer a wide range of investments including shares, funds, investment trusts and ETFs (exchange traded funds)
Why we like it: Which? Recommended Investment Provider. Invest from £25 pm or invest a lump sum up to £9,000 in the current tax year. AJ Bell offer a wide range of investment options. For a “no hassle” option, you can choose from one of 8 funds and AJ Bell Investments will do the rest. AJ Bell offer a “Responsible Growth Fund” focused on companies taking their commitment to the environment and society seriously. . Capital at risk.
- Invest From: £10 pm
- Investment Options: Is an insurance based Junior ISA which invests in stocks and shares via a With-Profits pooled fund
Why we like it: Your child’s money will be invested through a fund manager & will be invested primarily in stocks and shares, with the aim of achieving higher growth over the long-term than might be available through a cash-based Junior ISA. Open a Junior ISA for your child and get rewarded too. . Capital at risk. Please note: As with all investing, your capital is at risk you may get back less than you have put in. The value of the ISA will depend on the performance of the investments and any bonuses cannot be guaranteed. Additionally, if investment conditions are poor, we may apply a Market Value Reduction (MVR)
- Invest From: £1
- Investment Options: Choose from one of five investment styles based on risk, and a team of experts build your child’s Junior ISA, choosing which investments to buy and managing them on your behalf
Why we like it: You can choose to invest for you child in an Ethical Plan or an Original Plan. Wealthify Junior ISAs contain a range of investments from across the globe matched to the level of risk you choose. Each Junior Stocks & Shares ISA will contain up to 20 investment funds from providers like Blackrock and Vanguard Wealthify is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Your money is looked after by our team of experienced and qualified investment managers, and we’re backed by global financial services provider, Aviva. Invest up to £9,000 per year and/or transfer from existing Junior ISA or Child Trust Fund. Capital at risk.
- Invest From: £100
- Investment Options: Nutmeg offer a socially responsible junior investment ISA which places emphasis on environmental and social and governance factors
Why we like it: Open with a lump sum from £100. Simple, transparent – Socially responsible portfolios are tilted towards companies and bond issuers that have high environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards. Nutmeg invest in exchange traded funds that avoid companies engaged in controversial activities while focusing on those that lead their peers on ESG. Capital at risk. Approved by Nutmeg 09/08/2024
- Invest From: No Minimum
- Investment Options: Choose your own investments, invest with help from an adviser or let the experts take care of it all for you
Good to know: Junior ISAs work in the same way as adult ISAs. They give children an allowance every year to save money or invest without paying any Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax. This year the annual Junior ISA allowance is £9,000. Capital at risk.
- Invest From: £25 pm
- Investment Options: Invest in over 3,000 funds, UK and overseas shares, investment trusts and ETFs
Good to know: With an HL Junior Stocks and Shares ISA, you can choose investments for your child including UK and overseas shares, Investment trusts, bonds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). HL have over 1 million clients who trust them for their investments. Capital at risk
- Invest From: £10 pm
- Investment Options: A selection of 9 funds so you can tailor your child's investment
Why we like it: Offers a selection of 9 funds to choose from, including an “International Ethical Fund” so you can tailor your child’s investment. Winner of Best Junior ISA provider for the 2nd year running at the Investment Life and Pensions Moneyfacts Awards 2020. Capital at Risk
- Invest From: £10
- Investment Options: Allocate your savings between a cash money market fund / shares fund from L&G and Fidelity
Why we like it: Rated the Best Junior ISA two years in a row at the Good Money Guide awards. Beanstalk app is free to download and use. The only charge is an annual fee of 0.5% on the value of any investments, one of the lowest around. Rated excellent on Trustpilot. Capital at Risk
What is a junior ISA?
The current 2024/25 Junior ISA allowance is £9,000.
Junior ISAs are an initiative by the Government to help parents save for their children’s future. Launched in November 2011, junior ISAs offer tax-free savings and investments.
Each eligible child is allowed to have one cash ISA and one stocks and share ISA at any time.
Transfers are permitted between cash and stocks and shares junior ISAs, or to another junior ISA provider.
Children who were born between 1st September 2002 and 3rd January 2011 will already have a Child Trust Fund, and are therefore not eligible for a junior ISA.
Who is permitted to open a junior ISA?
ISAs can be opened by anyone who has parental responsibility for an eligible child.
One ISA can be opened per child. Management of the ISA passes to the child when they turn 16. However, funds remain inaccessible until the child turns 18, after which they can either withdraw the funds, or have their account roll over into an adult ISA.
What are the rules surrounding junior ISAs?
In terms of rules and regulations, junior ISAs operate on a similar principle to regular adult ISAs.
It’s permissible to switch providers, but only one junior ISA can be held by each child at a time. Unlike Child Trust Funds, junior ISAs don’t involve any Government contribution.
Each year there is a junior ISA allowance. This allowance can either be put into a junior cash ISA or divided between a junior stocks and shares ISA and a junior cash ISA in whatever proportion you wish.
What are the advantages of junior ISAs?
- Junior ISAs provide parents, friends and family members with a convenient, tax-efficient way to save for a child’s future.
- The money saved in a junior ISA stays tax-free once the child reaches the age of 18.
- The money is locked away until the child turns 18, which stops your teenager from being tempted into spending it on unimportant items.
- If you want to save an annual amount for your child that generates over £100 in yearly interest, a junior ISA ensures that this interest isn’t taxed.
What are the disadvantages of junior ISAs?
- Once your child reaches 18, the money is theirs to spend or save as they wish. If you’ve got a specific savings goal in mind for your child – for example, a mortgage deposit – you might be better off setting up a savings account in your own name so that you can ensure the money is used for the purpose you originally intended.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a Junior Cash ISA and a Junior Stocks and Shares ISA at the same time?
Yes, each child can have one Junior Cash ISA and one Junior Stocks and Shares ISA. Their annual allowance of £9,000 is split between each of these accounts and so your total contributions cannot exceed this figure.
Can I withdraw from a Junior Stocks and Shares ISA?
No withdrawals are allowed until your child is 18. They can then make withdrawals at their own discretion.
Can you lose money in a Junior Stocks and Shares ISA?
Yes, your investment can increase and decrease in value.
How do I add money to a Junior Stocks and Shares ISA?
You can top up a Junior Shares ISA online, via your mobile app, over the phone, or by post with a cheque.
You can add money with a lump sum or regular direct debit.
What happens to a Junior Stocks and Shares ISA when my child turns 18?
Your child’s Stocks and Shares JISA will automatically transfer to a standard Stocks and Shares ISA account in their name.
What is the Junior ISA allowance for 2024/25?
£9,000. This will refresh each tax year and HMRC reviews the amount each time.