Freetrade Review

Low-cost long-term investors

FCA

Why investors choose this broker

£0 dealing commission per trade
Basic plan has no monthly subscription fee
ISA and SIPP available on the £0 Basic plan
FX fees fall from 0.99% to 0.39% on Plus

Review summary

Freetrade is an investing platform with £0 dealing commissions, free ISA and SIPP access, stocks, ETFs, funds, gilts, ready-made portfolios and Crypto ETNs.

Pros

£0 dealing commission per trade
Basic plan has no monthly subscription fee
ISA and SIPP available on the £0 Basic plan
FX fees fall from 0.99% to 0.39% on Plus
US fractional shares support smaller orders
Cash earns 1% to 3.5% AER on plan-based limits
Recurring, limit and stop-loss orders are available
Eligible cash protection is listed up to £120,000

Cons

Basic FX fee is 0.99% on non-GBP trades
Standard costs £5.99 per month when billed monthly
Plus costs £11.99 per month when billed monthly
Fractional share elements cannot be transferred
Direct Debit cash is not usually withdrawable for 3 working days
Crypto ETNs are not protected by FSCS
Treasuries cannot be sold before maturity
Cash additions must be in pounds sterling

Company background

Freetrade is an investing platform operated as a trading name of Freetrade Limited. The company offers accounts for general investing, stocks and shares ISAs, Junior ISAs and self-invested personal pensions. Since 2025, Freetrade has been part of IG Group. Its product range is built around long-term investing, with access to stocks, ETFs, funds, investment trusts, REITs, gilts, UK Treasury bills, ready-made portfolios, SPACs and Crypto ETNs.

Fees and pricing

Freetrade's pricing is centered on £0 dealing commission per trade. The Basic plan costs £0.00 per month and includes a stocks and shares ISA, Junior ISA, SIPP and general investment account. Standard costs £4.99 per month when billed annually or £5.99 monthly. Plus costs £9.99 per month when billed annually or £11.99 monthly. FX fees apply to non-GBP trades: 0.99% on Basic, 0.59% on Standard and 0.39% on Plus. Freetrade also says it makes money from FX fees, a portion of interest earned on uninvested cash and optional paid plans.

Regulation and safety

Freetrade Limited is authorised and regulated by the FCA and is a member firm of the London Stock Exchange. Eligible cash is listed as protected up to £120,000 and investments up to £85,000 if Freetrade went out of business. Customer cash sits in dedicated client money accounts, separate from Freetrade's own funds, with daily reconciliation and PwC audits. Crypto ETNs are treated differently, and Freetrade warns that FSCS does not protect this type of investment.

Platform experience

Freetrade provides access through iOS and Android apps and a web platform. The plan comparison also lists automated order types, including recurring orders, limit orders and stop losses, as well as extended hours trading. SIPP material describes account setup as a process that can be started from the portfolio area of the platform.

Pros and cons

The strongest points are clear pricing on dealing commissions, a no-monthly-fee Basic plan, plan-based FX discounts and access to ISA and SIPP accounts without a monthly subscription. The main limitations are also fee and product specific: non-GBP trades carry an FX fee, paid plans are needed for lower FX rates, fractional elements cannot be transferred and Crypto ETNs sit outside FSCS protection.

Ready to open an account at Freetrade?

Open an account directly with the broker. Confirm current fees and account eligibility on the broker's website before depositing.

Open Account

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

Trading fees & commissions

Freetrade charges £0 dealing commission per trade and the Basic plan has no monthly subscription fee. Standard costs £4.99 per month when billed annually or £5.99 monthly, while Plus costs £9.99 per month when billed annually or £11.99 monthly. FX fees on non-GBP trades are 0.99% on Basic, 0.59% on Standard and 0.39% on Plus.

Fees

Item	Fee
Funds	zero platform fees
Account	No account fees on the Basic plan
Basic Plan	£0.00/Mo.
Fx Conversion	0.99% on Basic, 0.59% on Standard, 0.39% on Plus
Plus Plan Annual	£9.99/Mo.; £119.88 billed annually
Plus Plan Monthly	£11.99/Mo. billed monthly
Standard Plan Annual	£4.99/Mo.; £59.88 billed annually
Standard Plan Monthly	£5.99/Mo. billed monthly

Trading platform & features

Platforms

Web app
iOS app
Android app

Regulation and investor protection

Freetrade is a trading name of Freetrade Limited, a member firm of the London Stock Exchange authorised and regulated by the FCA. Eligible cash is protected up to £120,000 and investments up to £85,000 under FSCS arrangements, while customer cash is held in dedicated client money accounts separate from Freetrade's own funds.

Broker FAQs

Is Freetrade safe?

Freetrade is authorised and regulated by the FCA. It also states that eligible cash is protected up to £120,000 and investments up to £85,000, and that customer assets are held in segregated client accounts.

Is Freetrade a scam?

No. Freetrade is a trading name of Freetrade Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the FCA and is a member firm of the London Stock Exchange.

Is Freetrade regulated and by whom?

Freetrade Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The firm reference number listed in the privacy policy is 783189.

What happens to my money if Freetrade goes bankrupt?

Freetrade lists eligible cash protection up to £120,000 and investment protection up to £85,000. It also says customer cash is held in dedicated client money accounts, separate from Freetrade's own funds.

Does Freetrade keep client funds in segregated accounts?

Yes. Freetrade says customer cash sits in dedicated client money accounts, separate from Freetrade's own funds, and that records are reconciled daily and audited by PwC.

What does Freetrade charge for stock trades?

Freetrade lists £0 dealing commission per trade. Non-GBP trades still carry an FX fee depending on the plan.

What is Freetrade's currency conversion fee?

Freetrade's FX fee on non-GBP trades is 0.99% on Basic, 0.59% on Standard and 0.39% on Plus.

Does Freetrade charge an account fee?

The Basic plan costs £0.00 per month. Standard costs £4.99 per month when billed annually or £5.99 monthly, and Plus costs £9.99 per month when billed annually or £11.99 monthly.

What products does Freetrade offer?

Freetrade lists stocks and shares, ETFs, funds, gilts, Treasury bills, investment trusts, REITs, ready-made portfolios, Crypto ETNs and SPACs. Account types include a GIA, stocks and shares ISA, Junior ISA and SIPP.

Does Freetrade offer ETFs?

Yes. ETFs are listed as one of Freetrade's core investment products.

Does Freetrade offer crypto?

Freetrade lists Crypto ETNs as an advanced investment. It warns that FSCS does not protect this type of investment.

Can I buy fractional shares on Freetrade?

Yes. Freetrade lists US fractional shares in its plan features. Its terms also say fractional elements cannot be transferred to another provider and must be sold or withdrawn as cash.

Does Freetrade have a mobile app?

Yes. Freetrade refers to iOS and Android apps as well as a web platform.

What is the minimum investment at Freetrade?

Freetrade says users can start a portfolio from £1 and also describes the platform as having no minimum investment amount.

Does Freetrade offer a SIPP?

Yes. Freetrade offers a self-invested personal pension, and the Basic plan lists the SIPP at £0.00 per month. Other charges may apply.

Does Freetrade offer ready-made portfolios?

Yes. Freetrade lists three carefully curated ready-made portfolios designed as diversified options built by professionals.

Is Freetrade good for beginners?

Freetrade may suit beginners who want a simple investing app, £0 dealing commission and a low starting amount. It also provides guides for people learning investing concepts.

Bottom line

Freetrade suits investors who want commission-free dealing, ISA or SIPP access and a simple web and mobile platform. It may be less suitable for users who trade often in non-GBP assets on the Basic plan, need transferable fractional holdings or want FSCS-covered crypto exposure.

Freetrade

Low-cost long-term investors

Open Account

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.