Updated October 13, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Freetrade vs Optimus Futures
Facts checked September 26, 2026.
Where Freetrade and Optimus Futures differ
| Compare |  Freetrade |  Optimus Futures |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | £1 | $500 |
| Account fee | £0 | $0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Funds | Futures |
| Platforms | App, Web | Optimus Flow Desktop, Optimus Flow Web, Optimus Mobile |
| Stock trade fee | £0 | Not confirmed |
| Regulators | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) | Not confirmed |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | Not confirmed |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.99% | Not confirmed |
| Account types | ISA, SIPP, Jisa | Not confirmed |
| Maximum retail leverage | Not confirmed | Day margins from $50 micros / $500 E-minis |
| Interest on cash | 1% | Not confirmed |
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
- Markets: only Freetrade offers Stocks, ETFs, Bonds.
- Markets: only Optimus Futures offers Futures.
- Platforms: only Freetrade offers App, Web.
- Platforms: only Optimus Futures offers Optimus Flow Desktop, Optimus Flow Web, Optimus Mobile.
- Support channels: only Optimus Futures offers Phone, Community.
- Features: only Freetrade offers Fractional shares.
- Pricing model: only Freetrade offers Commission free.
- Pricing model: only Optimus Futures offers Low fees.
Our verdict on each
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.
Optimus Futures
For active futures traders focused on micro contracts, Optimus Futures operates as a dedicated futures broker with its own desktop, web and mobile platform. It suits retail participants who want futures specific charts, DOM tools and structured learning for different experience levels.
Score breakdown
| Area | Freetrade | Optimus Futures |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.0HigherStock trade fees of £0 and an account fee of £0 sit alongside a 0.99% currency conversion charge. | 8.8 |
| Offer | 9.1A UK platform with isa, sipp and jisa accounts, plus a demo account, fractional shares and stocks, etfs and bonds. | 9.2Higher |
| Trust | 8.5 | Not confirmed |
Feature by feature
| Markets | Freetrade | Optimus Futures |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | No |
| ETFs | Yes | No |
| Futures | No | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
| Funds | Yes | No |
Licences and countries
| Country | Freetrade | Optimus Futures |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Freetrade | Optimus Futures |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Fractional shares, Mobile app, Demo accountCovers more | Demo account, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Low fees |
| Audience | Beginners | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Freetrade Limited | Not confirmed |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | United States |
| Founded | 2016 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Help centre | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centre, CommunityCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Freetrade | Optimus Futures | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | £0at the median | Not confirmed | £0 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.99%highest quarter | Not confirmed | 0.45% |
| Interest on cash | 1%lowest quarter | Not confirmed | 3% |
Median across 43 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
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.
Optimus Futures
Pros
- Customisable desktop, web and mobile platform built for futures trading styles
- Chart, DOM and TPO profile tools support order flow and price analysis
- Simulated trading helps newer futures traders practise before live orders
Cons
- Covers futures only, so choice outside futures contracts stays limited
- Platform focus on charts, DOM and backtesting suits active trading styles
Who each suits
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
Optimus Futures
Who it suits
- Active traders focused on futures contracts
- Learners who want guides, videos and simulated practice
- Traders who want desktop, web and mobile access
Who should look elsewhere
- Investors seeking asset types beyond futures
- Casual investors wanting a general purpose account
Current offers
Optimus Futures
Current offer
Free trial
Free Trial
Free Trial of Optimus Flow platform
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Freetrade | Optimus Futures |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Yes | No |
Questions about each
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.
Optimus Futures
Which platforms can traders use?+
Traders can work across desktop, web based and mobile access under the Optimus name. The setup is built to allow trading at home, at work or while travelling. Charting, order entry and market monitoring remain available across devices.
What analysis tools does the platform include?+
The platform includes chart panels with graphical and analytical tools for trading decisions. A DOM panel shows buy and sell orders around the current price, while the DOM Surface tracks order book changes. A TPO profile shows price distribution over a chosen period.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
- Freetrade vs Vanguard
- Freetrade vs eOption
- Freetrade vs Dodl
- Freetrade vs AJ Bell
- Freetrade vs M1
- Freetrade vs GO Markets
- Freetrade vs Smartbroker
- Freetrade vs TradeZero
- Freetrade vs Nutmeg
- Freetrade vs Markets.com
- Freetrade vs Tradier
- Freetrade vs Wealthfront
- Freetrade vs FXOpen
- Freetrade vs XTB
- Freetrade vs NAGA
- Freetrade vs eToro
- Optimus Futures vs Mintos
- Freetrade vs Bitpanda
- Optimus Futures vs Robinhood
- Freetrade vs Kraken
- Freetrade vs Pepperstone
- Optimus Futures vs BlackBull Markets
- Freetrade vs EBC Financial Group