Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
CapTrader vs Freetrade
What sets them apart
| Compare |  CapTrader |  Freetrade |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $2,000 | £1 |
| Stock trade fee | $2 | £0 |
| Account fee | $0 | £0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Options, Futures, Crypto, Bonds, FundsCovers more | Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Funds |
| Platforms | Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop, Trading App | App, Web |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) |
| Investor protection | Not confirmed | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.99% |
| Options contract fee | €2 | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free withdrawal, bank transfer deposits | Not confirmed |
| Account types | Not confirmed | ISA, SIPP, Jisa |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 1% |
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Key differences
- CapTrader scores higher overall: 8.9 vs 8.8.
- Markets: only CapTrader offers Forex, CFDs, Options.
- Platforms: only CapTrader offers Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop, Trading App.
- Platforms: only Freetrade offers App, Web.
- Support channels: only Freetrade offers Email, Chat.
- Pricing model: only CapTrader offers Low fees.
- Pricing model: only Freetrade offers Commission free.
Our verdict on each
CapTrader
CapTrader suits experienced traders who want stocks, forex, CFDs, options, futures, crypto, bonds and funds under one roof with no account or inactivity fee. The catch is the entry size: a minimum deposit of $2,000 puts it out of reach for a small first account.
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 | CapTrader | Freetrade |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.7Account fee and inactivity fee of $0 and $0 set against a $2,000 entry and $2 a trade. | 9.0HigherStock trade fees of £0 and an account fee of £0 sit alongside a 0.99% currency conversion charge. |
| Offer | 9.2Higher | 9.1A UK platform with isa, sipp and jisa accounts, plus a demo account, fractional shares and stocks, etfs and bonds. |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 8.5 |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | CapTrader | Freetrade |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 19 of 471 | 179 of 471 |
Feature by feature
| Markets | CapTrader | Freetrade |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| CFDs | Yes | No |
| Options | Yes | No |
| Futures | Yes | No |
| Crypto | Yes | No |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | CapTrader | Freetrade |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed |
Sources behind this comparison
CapTrader
- captrader.com: 7 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokerchooser.com: 4 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 | CapTrader | Freetrade |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Mobile app, Fractional shares | Fractional shares, Mobile app, Demo account |
| Pricing model | Low fees | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Freetrade Limited |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United Kingdom |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2016 |
| Support channels | Help centre | Email, Chat, Help centreCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | CapTrader | Freetrade | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.99%highest quarter | 0.45% |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 1%lowest quarter | 3% |
Median across 43 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
CapTrader
Pros
- A single account covers stocks, etfs and forex, so instruments do not need splitting across brokers.
- Platform choice of Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop and Trading App covers desktop terminals and mobile trading.
- Trading costs read plainly: $2 a stock trade and €2 an options contract.
Cons
- Minimum deposit of $2,000 ranks 197 of 213 on our data, against $0 at CFI and $5 at Vantage.
- Stock trade fee of $2 ranks 124 of 161, while eToro charges $0 a trade.
- Support runs on help centre only, with no phone or chat channel listed.
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
CapTrader
Who it suits
- Traders running a mixed book of stocks, etfs and forex rather than one narrow market.
- Anyone who dislikes dormant account charges, with an inactivity fee of $0.
- Desktop users who prefer the Trader Workstation TWS or CapTrader Desktop over a simple app.
Who should look elsewhere
- Small first-time accounts: CFI starts at $0 and Vantage at $5, well below CapTrader's $2,000.
- Cost-first stock buyers: eToro charges $0 a trade against CapTrader's $2.
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 | CapTrader | Freetrade |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | No | Yes |
Questions about each
CapTrader
What is the minimum deposit?+
The minimum deposit is $2,000, which is the main hurdle for a first account. On our data that places CapTrader at 197 of 213. CFI takes $0 and Vantage $5, so a smaller start is easy elsewhere.
Are there account or inactivity fees?+
Neither applies. The account fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0, so leaving money untouched does not trigger a charge. CapTrader ranks 1 of 138 on account fee and 1 of 56 on inactivity fee.
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.
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