Managing your own investments gives you full control over how your money is invested - but with that control comes responsibility. At InvestEngine, our DIY service is non-discretionary, which means you make all the investment decisions. We provide the tools and information - but not advice.
This guide explains what that means for you, the key risks to be aware of, and how to get the most out of InvestEngine as a self-directed investor.
What is non-discretionary investing?
A non-discretionary investment service means:
- You decide what to invest in and how to build your portfolio
- You’re responsible for monitoring, adjusting, or rebalancing your holdings
- We don’t give personal investment advice or recommend what you should do
At InvestEngine, our DIY service gives you the tools to create your own diversified portfolio using ETFs - but it’s up to you to choose your investments and manage them over time.
If you’re looking for professional portfolio management, you might want to explore our Managed Portfolios or LifePlans.
What am I responsible for?
When you manage your own investments, you take on responsibility for:
- Choosing your investments – selecting ETFs that align with your goals and risk appetite
- Deciding your asset allocation – how much to invest in equities, bonds, or alternatives
- Monitoring performance – reviewing how your portfolio is doing over time
- Making changes if needed – adding, removing, or rebalancing ETFs when your goals or the market change
- Understanding the risks – including the potential for loss, and the fact that past performance is not a reliable guide to future returns
You’re also responsible for ensuring that your investment decisions are suitable for your personal financial circumstances , including your capacity to take risk and how long you plan to invest for.
What are the risks?
All investing involves risk - especially when markets are volatile. When you manage your own portfolio, here are some key risks to keep in mind:
- Market risk – The value of your investments can go down as well as up
- Diversification risk – If you invest too heavily in one area (e.g. technology or the US market), your portfolio may be overly exposed to a single trend
- Behavioural risk – Trying to time the market, chasing performance, or reacting emotionally can lead to poor outcomes
- Knowledge risk – If you’re not familiar with how ETFs or markets work, you may make decisions without fully understanding the implications
It’s important to make informed, long-term decisions — not act on short-term noise.
Why choose InvestEngine for DIY investing?
While we don’t offer advice for DIY investors, InvestEngine gives you a powerful platform to manage your own portfolio, with features designed to support confident, cost-effective investing.
You’ll benefit from:
- Commission-free ETF trading
- AutoInvest to keep your portfolio aligned to your target weights
- Fractional investing, so every penny is put to work
- Look-through analysis for full transparency into your asset mix
- Powerful tools, educational resources, and jargon-free guidance
- Low-cost structure, with no platform fee for DIY portfolios
Want to explore how to build your own portfolio? Check out DIY Portfolios: How to Build and Customise Your Portfolio
Want someone else to manage your portfolio?
InvestEngine’s Managed portfolios offer simplified advice, meaning we will help you determine the InvestEngine portfolio that’s right for you, based on your personal circumstances and risk tolerance.
The InvestEngine investment team will build your portfolio for you, adjusting it if necessary, and ensuring it remains suitable for your own goals and risk tolerance. Our Managed portfolios are ideal for investors who want their portfolio to be managed by experts on an ongoing basis.
Quick reminder
Managing your own investments can be a rewarding way to build wealth and stay in control - but it’s not for everyone. It’s essential to understand the risks, be realistic about your knowledge, and take a long-term view.
If you’re ever unsure about what’s right for your situation, we recommend speaking to an independent financial adviser.