Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
ChoiceTrade vs Freetrade
Where ChoiceTrade and Freetrade differ
| Compare |  ChoiceTrade |  Freetrade |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $100 | £1 |
| Stock trade fee | $0 | £0 |
| Account fee | $10 | £0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options | Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Funds |
| Regulators | SIPC | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 |
| Platforms | ChoiceTrade Direct Pro, ChoiceTrade Elite, Mobile Apps | App, Web |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.99% |
| Options contract fee | $0.40 | Not confirmed |
| Account types | Not confirmed | ISA, SIPP, Jisa |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 1% |
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- ChoiceTrade scores higher overall: 8.9 vs 8.8.
- Regulators: only ChoiceTrade offers SIPC.
- Regulators: only Freetrade offers Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
- Founded is lower at ChoiceTrade: 2000 vs 2016.
- Markets: only ChoiceTrade offers Options.
- Markets: only Freetrade offers Bonds, Funds.
- Platforms: only ChoiceTrade offers ChoiceTrade Direct Pro, ChoiceTrade Elite, Mobile Apps.
- Platforms: only Freetrade offers App, Web.
- Support channels: only ChoiceTrade offers Phone.
- Support channels: only Freetrade offers Chat, Help centre.
Our verdict on each
ChoiceTrade
ChoiceTrade runs commission-free stock and ETF dealing, with an account fee of $10 and a minimum deposit of $100. It suits experienced US traders who want a long-standing, SIPC protected broker and do not mind paying to hold the account. Options cost $0.40 per contract.
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 | ChoiceTrade | Freetrade |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.9Trade fee of $0 is the cheapest measure, offset by an account fee of $10 and an options fee of $0.40 per contract | 9.0HigherStock trade fees of £0 and an account fee of £0 sit alongside a 0.99% currency conversion charge. |
| Offer | 9.0 | 9.1HigherA UK platform with isa, sipp and jisa accounts, plus a demo account, fractional shares and stocks, etfs and bonds. |
| Trust | 8.9Higher | 8.5 |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | ChoiceTrade | Freetrade |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | Yes | No |
| Bonds | No | Yes |
| Funds | No | Yes |
How they place
| Ranking | ChoiceTrade | Freetrade |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 156 of 471 | 179 of 471 |
Availability and regulation
| Country | ChoiceTrade | Freetrade |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed | |
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 52511 | Not confirmed |
Additional countries for ChoiceTrade: 1. Additional countries for Freetrade: 1.
Every fact side by side
| Fact | ChoiceTrade | Freetrade |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Mobile app | Fractional shares, Mobile app, Demo accountCovers more |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Experienced | Beginners |
| Legal entity | LETSGOTRADE INC | Freetrade Limited |
| Headquarters | United States | United Kingdom |
| Founded | 2000Lower | 2016 |
| Support channels | Email, Phone | Email, Chat, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | ChoiceTrade | Freetrade | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.99%highest quarter | 0.45% |
| Options contract fee | $0.40below the median | Not confirmed | $0.625 |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 1%lowest quarter | 3% |
Median across 43 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
ChoiceTrade
Pros
- Stock trades carry a fee of $0 and rank first among 161 brands on that measure
- Members of SIPC, with protection of SIPC up to USD 500,000
- Trading platforms include ChoiceTrade Direct Pro, ChoiceTrade Elite and Mobile Apps, so orders can go from desktop to phone
Cons
- An account fee of $10 applies, which ranks 114 of 138 on that measure
- The minimum deposit of $100 ranks 148 of 213
- The audience is listed as experienced traders, so a first account may feel technical
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
ChoiceTrade
Who it suits
- Experienced traders who want commission-free stock and ETF dealing on a US account
- Investors who value SIPC protection and a long operating history
- Anyone who wants demo practice before committing real money
Who should look elsewhere
- eToro, which charges an account fee of $0
- CFI, which takes a minimum deposit of $0
- Vantage, whose minimum deposit is $5
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 | ChoiceTrade | Freetrade |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | No | Yes |
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
ChoiceTrade
What does it cost to trade stocks at ChoiceTrade?+
Stock dealing is commission free, with a trade fee of $0. That is the measure on which the brand ranks 1 of 161, so trading itself adds nothing to the cost of a position.
Is there an account fee or minimum deposit?+
Yes. The account fee is $10 and the minimum deposit is $100. On account fee the brand ranks 114 of 138, so this is where it costs more than cheaper rivals.
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.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
- ChoiceTrade vs quantfury
- ChoiceTrade vs Public
- ChoiceTrade vs Lightspeed Financial
- ChoiceTrade vs Capital.com
- ChoiceTrade vs Finhabits
- ChoiceTrade vs Markets.com
- ChoiceTrade vs Totality
- ChoiceTrade vs Spreadex
- ChoiceTrade vs Zacks Trade
- ChoiceTrade vs Firstrade
- ChoiceTrade vs TradeStation
- ChoiceTrade vs Mitrade
- Freetrade vs XTB
- Freetrade vs NAGA
- ChoiceTrade vs eToro
- Freetrade vs Bitpanda
- ChoiceTrade vs Robinhood
- ChoiceTrade vs Kraken
- Freetrade vs EBC Financial Group
- ChoiceTrade vs Traders Place
- ChoiceTrade vs CapTrader