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system
buying shares- stocks & shares isa, or fund & share account?
user
the main difference is that the isa account like a cash isa shelters you from tax - you don't have to worry about capital gains tax. the other account is normal taxable account. with only £500 to invest you will be paying a high % in charges so... to start out i would look at some of the investment trust savings schemes  where you can save  a small amount monthly very cost-effectively - save £50 a month for a year to see how you get on. some trusts to look at include wittan, city of london and lowland
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