Signposting
Money apps and tools we cover
Capital at risk. The value of investments can fall as well as rise, and you may get back less than you put in. Past performance is not a guide to future returns.
Some links on this page are referral links. If you use them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This never affects how we rate products. How we make money
Important: This guide provides general information, not personalised financial advice. Financial products, rates and eligibility rules can change, so check the provider’s current terms before applying. You can check a firm’s details on the FCA Register.
FSCS protects eligible deposits up to £120,000 per person, per authorised institution.
Quick answer
Looking for money apps people actually use? Start here. This page lists investing, saving and rewards apps that come up often in UK money conversations, plus our own free calculators — with what each one is for and where the catches are.
None of these is a personal pick for you. Where investments are involved, capital is at risk.
Want to compare platform costs first? See what a £20,000 ISA costs on different platforms →
Who it’s for — and who should avoid it
Who it’s for
- People comparing money apps before signing up
- Beginners who want to know what common app names do
- Anyone looking for free calculators
- Shoppers looking for rewards and cashback tools
Who should avoid it
- Anyone looking for personal investment advice — speak to a regulated adviser
- People who need money soon (investment apps carry risk of loss)
- Anyone who won’t check fees on the provider’s own site
- People who’d sign up just for a referral bonus
Full explanation
A list of money apps and tools people often look at in the UK — and free calculators on The Finance Lowdown. This is general information, not personalised recommendations, and not advice to open any account.
Where investments are involved, capital is at risk — the value of investments can fall as well as rise. Always check the provider’s own site for live features, fees and eligibility. See also our Investments hub, Disclosure and Editorial Policy.
Free tools on The Finance Lowdown
Our own calculators and tool pages — no sign-up required for the basics.
Investing and savings apps people often look at
Short descriptions of brands that come up often in UK money conversations. Links go to official sites (or our hubs), except AJ Bell, which is a referral link. Features and fees change; check on the provider site.
Trading 212
An investing app many beginners discuss for stocks, ETFs and related products. Like any investment platform, capital is at risk.
Official site: trading212.com · Context: Investments hub
Why we mention it: It is a well-known name in beginner investing chats — useful as a comparison point when reading our investment explainers, not a personal pick for you.
AJ Bell
A longer-established UK investment platform and ISA / SIPP provider that people often compare on fees and account types. Investments can fall as well as rise.
AJ Bell · Context: Investments hub · ISAs
Why we mention it: Frequently appears in fee and platform comparisons readers ask about — educational context only.
InvestEngine
A UK platform known for ETF-focused portfolios and DIY ETF investing. Capital is at risk.
Official site: investengine.com · Context: Investments hub
Why we mention it: Often discussed when people compare lower-cost ETF investing approaches — not a recommendation to switch.
Moneybox
An app that blends saving and investing features (including ISA-style products depending on the account). Investment pots can fall in value.
Official site: moneyboxapp.com · Context: Investments · Savings
Why we mention it: A familiar “round-up / habit” style app in UK fintech chats — useful vocabulary for our readers.
Plum
An automation-style money app people often look at for saving and investing rules. Investment features carry risk of loss.
Official site: withplum.com · Context: Investments hub
Why we mention it: Frequently compared with other “set and forget” money apps — educational, not personalised.
Chip
A UK savings and investing app people often discuss for automated saving. Where investments are offered, capital is at risk.
Official site: getchip.uk · Context: Savings · Investments
Why we mention it: Another common name in automated-savings conversations — listed for orientation only.
Some links in this table are referral links. We may earn a commission if you use them, at no extra cost to you. Rankings are based on our review methodology, not commission.
Rewards and cashback tools
Airtime Rewards (now Airtime)
A rewards app that links spending to mobile-airtime style rewards (check live terms, retailers and eligibility on the official site).
Airtime Rewards (now Airtime) · Context: Cashback hub
Why we mention it: Readers often ask how airtime-style rewards differ from classic cashback sites — useful for that comparison.
TopCashback
A major UK cashback site where retailers pay cashback on tracked purchases (subject to terms). Rates and tracked status change — always confirm in the site before you buy.
TopCashback · Guide: Cashback sites
Why we mention it: One of the cashback platforms we discuss most often in our cashback guides.
Quidco
Another well-known UK cashback platform. Offers and tracking rules vary by retailer — check live deal pages.
Quidco · Guide: Cashback sites · Cashback hub
Why we mention it: Commonly compared with TopCashback when people explore cashback options.
Rakuten
A UK cashback shopping portal: you shop with retailers through it and earn cashback on tracked purchases (subject to terms). Rates and tracking rules change — check the site before you buy.
Rakuten · Guide: Cashback sites
Why we mention it: One of the shopping portals covered in our cashback sites comparison, alongside TopCashback and Quidco.
InboxPounds
A UK rewards site where you earn by reading paid emails, doing surveys and completing offers. Offers and terms vary — check the site for live details.
InboxPounds · Guide: Cashback sites
Why we mention it: Covered in our cashback sites comparison as a task-based rewards site rather than a retailer portal.
Some links in this table are referral links. We may earn a commission if you use them, at no extra cost to you. Rankings are based on our review methodology, not commission.
The catch
App features and fees change often. Investment apps put your capital at risk, and “commission-free” can still mean FX or platform costs. Rewards apps pay small amounts and have minimum cash-outs.
Check providers’ current offers
TopCashback
Shopping cashback site; no fixed minimum for bank or PayPal withdrawals.
Check TopCashback’s current offer →Some links in this table are referral links. We may earn a commission if you use them, at no extra cost to you. Rankings are based on our review methodology, not commission.
Looking at an investment platform first? Capital is at risk.
Some links in this table are referral links. We may earn a commission if you use them, at no extra cost to you. Rankings are based on our review methodology, not commission.
FAQ
Are the apps on this page personal recommendations?
No. This page is a general list of money apps and tools people often look at in the UK. It isn’t personalised advice or advice to open any account.
Do I need to sign up to use the free calculators?
No sign-up is needed for the basics. Results from tools such as the compound interest calculator are illustrative teaching maths, not a forecast. The Money Tools hub lists what’s available.
Could I lose money with an investing app?
Yes. Where investments are involved, capital is at risk: the value of investments can fall as well as rise, and you may get back less than you put in. Check the provider’s own site for live features, fees and eligibility.
Do the app links include referral codes?
Most investing and savings app links go to official sites with no referral codes. The AJ Bell, Airtime Rewards (now Airtime), TopCashback, Quidco, Rakuten and InboxPounds links are referral links, and using one shouldn’t change the price you pay.
How do airtime-style rewards differ from cashback sites?
Cashback sites such as TopCashback and Quidco pay cashback on tracked purchases, subject to their terms. Airtime-style rewards link your spending to mobile-bill rewards instead. Check live terms, retailers and eligibility on each official site.
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Trust pages
Investments can fall as well as rise.
How we make money: some links on this page are referral links, and we may earn a commission if you use them, at no extra cost to you. Commission never affects which products we include or how we rate them. Read our full disclosure