Updated October 13, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Bestinvest vs Freetrade
Facts checked September 26, 2026.
Where Bestinvest and Freetrade differ
| Compare |  Bestinvest |  Freetrade |
|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | £4.95 | £0Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Funds | Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, FundsCovers more |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.95%Lower | 0.99% |
| Platforms | Mobile app | App, Web |
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | £1 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | £0 |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) |
| Investor protection | Not confirmed | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 1% |
Same on both: Account types (ISA, SIPP, Jisa).
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Key differences
- Founded is lower at Bestinvest: 1986 vs 2016.
- Stock trade fee is lower at Freetrade: £0 vs £4.95.
- Currency conversion fee is lower at Bestinvest: 0.95% vs 0.99%.
- Markets: only Freetrade offers Bonds.
- Platforms: only Bestinvest offers Mobile app.
- Platforms: only Freetrade offers App, Web.
- Support channels: only Bestinvest offers Phone.
- Support channels: only Freetrade offers Email, Chat.
- Features: only Freetrade offers Fractional shares, Demo account.
- Pricing model: only Bestinvest offers Low fees.
Our verdict on each
Bestinvest
Bestinvest is an online investment platform known for pairing wide investment choice with expert coaching and planning tools. It suits newcomers and steady investors who want ISAs, pensions and junior accounts with clear guidance while they shape long term goals.
Freetrade
Freetrade suits UK beginners who want to buy shares, ETFs, bonds and funds without paying a dealing charge or an annual account fee. Regulation sits with the Financial Conduct Authority and holdings are covered by the FSCS, though a currency conversion fee of 0.99% applies and support runs on email, chat and help centre only.
Score breakdown
| Area | Bestinvest | Freetrade |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.2 | 9.0HigherStock trade fees of £0 and an account fee of £0 sit alongside a 0.99% currency conversion charge. |
| Offer | 8.9 | 9.1HigherA UK platform with isa, sipp and jisa accounts, plus a demo account, fractional shares and stocks, etfs and bonds. |
| Trust | 9.7Higher | 8.5 |
How they place
| Ranking | Bestinvest | Freetrade |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 254 of 491 | 179 of 491 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 53 of 86 | 37 of 86 |
| Brokers for beginners | 64 of 88 | 49 of 88 |
| Stocks and shares ISA providers | 15 of 21 | 9 of 21 |
| SIPP providers | 14 of 22 | 8 of 22 |
| Junior ISA providers | 11 of 14 | 5 of 14 |
Sources behind this comparison
Bestinvest
- bestinvest.co.uk: 12 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Freetrade
- freetrade.io: 14 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Bestinvest | Freetrade |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Mobile app | Fractional shares, Mobile app, Demo accountCovers more |
| Pricing model | Low fees | Commission free |
| Audience | Beginners | Beginners |
| Legal entity | Evelyn Partners Investment Management Services Limited | Freetrade Limited |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | United Kingdom |
| Founded | 1986Lower | 2016 |
| Support channels | Phone, Help centre | Email, Chat, Help centre |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Bestinvest | Freetrade |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | 0% to 0.4% | Not confirmed |
| Minimum investment | £50 | Not confirmed |
| Portfolio types | ETF, ESG, Cash | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Bestinvest | Freetrade | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | £1below the median | £20 |
| Stock trade fee | £4.95highest quarter | £0at the median | £0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | £0at the median | £0 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.95%highest quarter | 0.99%highest quarter | 0.45% |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 1%lowest quarter | 3% |
Median across 43 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Bestinvest
Pros
- Operates with over 40 years of experience dating back to 1986.
- Offers expert coaching and smart planning tools alongside investment choice.
- Covers more than 3,000 shares and funds plus ETFs and investment trusts.
Cons
- Management of investments happens online and through the mobile app.
- Ready-made Portfolios are built and managed by the parent company teams.
Freetrade
Pros
- Dealing commission of £0 and an account fee of £0 keep the running cost of an ISA, SIPP or Junior ISA low.
- Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK, with protection stated as FSCS up to GBP 85,000.
- Fractional shares and a demo account let you size positions in small amounts and practise before committing money.
Cons
- A currency conversion fee of 0.99% applies whenever you hold investments in more than one currency.
- Support runs on email, chat and help centre only, with no phone line listed for account or transfer questions.
- The account range is limited to isa, sipp and jisa, so there is no general investment account for shares outside a wrapper.
Who each suits
Bestinvest
Who it suits
- New investors wanting coaching with investment choice
- Parents arranging junior ISAs and pensions for children
- Planners using ISAs and SIPPs for long term goals
Who should look elsewhere
- Traders seeking face to face branch service
- Investors wanting fully independent portfolio management
Freetrade
Who it suits
- UK beginners opening a stocks and shares ISA or Junior ISA with small monthly amounts
- Long-term investors who want to hold a simple share and ETF portfolio without a dealing charge
- SIPP holders who prefer an app and web platform to a phone-only service
Who should look elsewhere
- People who need a general investment account outside a tax wrapper
- Investors who trade frequently in several currencies, because the 0.99% conversion fee applies each time
- Anyone who wants to speak to support by phone, as support runs on email, chat and help centre only
Country by country
| Country | Bestinvest | Freetrade |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
Bestinvest
Which accounts does Bestinvest provide?+
Bestinvest provides ISAs, Self-invested Personal Pensions, a general investment account without annual limits, and junior versions for children. You can hold Ready-made Portfolios inside these accounts or select your own investments. The range supports goals from daily investing to retirement and childhood saving.
Who runs Bestinvest and its Ready-made Portfolios?+
Bestinvest has helped investors make the most of their money since 1986, building over 40 years of experience. Its Ready-made Portfolios are built and managed by expert teams at its parent company Evelyn Partners. That relationship gives hands off investors professional portfolio management within the platform.
Freetrade
How much does it cost to buy shares on Freetrade?+
The dealing charge is £0 and the account fee is £0. Those two cover the trading and holding side of a stocks and shares ISA, SIPP or Junior ISA. The charge that appears is currency conversion at 0.99%, which only shows up if part of your portfolio sits in another currency.
Who regulates Freetrade and is my money protected?+
Freetrade Limited is regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority, with register reference 783189. Protection for eligible holdings is stated as FSCS up to GBP 85,000, which is the ceiling the scheme pays if the firm cannot return your money. It covers firm failure rather than market losses.