Who Are Freetrade?Trading PlatformAssetsTrading FeesLeveragePaymentsDemo AccountFreetrade BonusesRegulationAdditional FeaturesTrading AccountsBenefitsDrawbacksTrading HoursCustomer SupportSecurityFreetrade VerdictAccepted CountriesAlternatives to FreetradeFAQ
Freetrade is a UK-based fintech offering low-cost trading on shares and ETFs. With an intuitive mobile app and stock investing from £2, the broker has a lot to offer. Our review explains how to use the mobile app, deposits and withdrawals, along with general investing and ISA accounts.
Who Are Freetrade?
Freetrade was established in 2016 after securing investment through Crowdcube. The brokerage is headquartered in London. The company founders aim to make owning stocks easy and affordable. Today, its number of users exceeds 300,000. And while their mobile investing services are predominantly available in the UK, the broker has a roadmap with plans to expand into Europe.
The firm is a member of the London Stock Exchange and is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This is a highly reputable regulator and gives the broker a strong trust rating.
Trading Platform
The broker’s bespoke trading platform was developed in-house with simple design features, perfect for investors starting out. The trading terminal is currently only available on a mobile app, downloadable free of charge to iOS and Android devices. The platform’s intuitive dashboard has been designed with the user in mind. However, experienced traders may be disappointed by the lack of comprehensive analysis tools typically found on desktop trading solutions.
Features include:
Basic charting package
Interactive stock universe
Easy to follow share valuations
Two-step authentication at login
Instant access to share prices & market data
Enhanced search functionality including by category, industry, asset class, or popularity
Freetrade IO mobile app
Assets
Freetrade offers clients trading opportunities in the following markets:
4,000+ US and UK stocks, including Amazon, Airbnb, S&P 500 and GME
200+ ETFs across global index funds and exchanges such as The Gold Producers
150 investment trusts across industries to diversify trading portfolios
Fractional shares are also available on US stocks so traders can specify how much cash they want to invest versus how many shares they want to buy. See the broker’s website for a full list of stocks.
The broker is focused on stocks and ETFs, so users looking to invest in cryptos, such as Bitcoin, forex, commodities or binary options will need to look elsewhere.
Freetrade investing assets
Trading Fees
Freetrade is an affordable online broker. It’s free to open a share dealing account with zero commissions. There are also no additional charges, such as fees levied on dormant accounts. The only cost to be aware of is the spot charge + 0.45% FX rate. This means Freetrade is a low-cost provider vs alternatives like Revolut, Hargreaves Lansdown, Vanguard, Robinhood, eToro and Trading212.
Note UK investors will need to comply with tax regulations, such as capital gains requirements, depending on investing activity. Visit the broker’s website for more information on tax rules and statements.
Leverage
Freetrade does not offer margin trading accounts. For clients wanting leveraged trading on stocks and shares, this broker is not the right option. The company is more focused on protecting clients from risk. Note, most European and UK regulated brokers offer leverage up to 1:30.
Payments
Deposits
Top-ups are only accepted in GBP and there is no minimum payment requirement. With that said, the minimum order size is £2. The broker offers a couple of online payment solutions with varying timelines:
Bank Transfer – 2 to 4 business hours, only processed Monday to Friday, includes all UK banks and joint accounts
Apple Pay – instant, available 24/7
The brokerage could expand its range of payment solutions in line with other providers.
Withdrawals
Freetrade does not typically charge a fee for withdrawals, however, same-day requests incur a £5 fee. Payments are usually processed in 3-5 days. Note, investments are subject to a settlement time before a withdrawal is available. How long it takes to settle an order varies, but typically takes 2-3 working days. Sell orders are available as unsettled cash in your Freetrade account before this.
Demo Account
The broker does not currently provide a free demo account to prospective investors. This is a drawback as a practice account is offered by many competitors. With that said, Freetrade argues that since fractional shares are available from £2, a demo account is not really needed. Still, this review would have liked to see a free simulator so users can test out the broker’s products and services before opening a real account.
Freetrade Bonuses
At the time of writing, Freetrade does not offer any deals for new clients, this includes no deposit bonuses. With that said, a £200 referral scheme is available for existing clients. Traders can pick up a share with a value up to £200 for referring new users to the website.
Regulation
As a UK corporation, Freetrade is licensed by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), meaning the broker follows established regulatory practices. As a result, investors benefit from a compensation fund should the firm go under and legal recourse should the company act inappropriately.
Additional Features
Freetrade offers an Invest Hub with educational tools alongside a supporting YouTube channel. A community forum exists with trading insights that also answers common questions. Additionally, clients benefit from an IPO calendar, a newsletter, and articles explaining a range of topics, from penny stocks and exchange rates to guidance on finding the best stocks to purchase.
Freetrade IPO calendar
Trading Accounts
The broker offers four different account types:
General Investment Account – basic investing account for standard and fractional shares, along with ETFs
Stocks and Shares ISA – tax-efficient investing account, £3 monthly fee, zero trading commissions
Freetrade Plus – premium account with 3% interest on cash, stop loss and limit orders, wider market access, £9.99 monthly fee
Freetrade SIPP – tax-efficient pension savings with control over contributions, pension consolidations and full account management, £9.99 monthly fee or £7.99 monthly fee for Freetrade Plus members
Currently, accounts can only be opened in the UK and selected countries in Europe. Investors will need to submit their NI number and bank account details for digital verification. The minimum age to open a Freetrade account is 18.
Benefits
Dividends on stocks
Fast revenue withdrawals
Built-in customer support via live chat
Transfer/move ISAs from other accounts
Excellent customer reviews from online investors
Simple and affordable stock trading through free mobile app
FCA regulated with FSCS protection and segregation of client funds
Regular news and blog posts with upcoming app updates and features
Drawbacks
No demo account
No leveraged trading
Limited analytics tools
US citizens not accepted
No web or desktop trading
Narrow range of trading products
Trading Hours
Freetrade follows standard trading hours. Stock markets are typically open 24/5, Monday to Friday. The mobile app is also available for deposits and withdrawals, alongside general account management over the weekend. Note that queued orders placed outside of opening hours will be executed the following day, in line with security protocols.
Customer Support
You can contact the broker’s customer support team via the following channels:
Live chat
Twitter & LinkedIn
Email – hello@freetrade.io
Address – Techspace Aldgate East, 32 – 38 Leman St, London, E1 8EW
Online community forum plus Q&A zone via the help logo on the broker’s website
Note, there is no telephone helpline number.
Security
Freetrade complies with FCA licensing guidelines including FSCS investment protection for customers up to £85,000 and the segregation of client funds. The app offers strong user security with additional authentication at the login stage, including PIN protection and face recognition. All company processes are also audited by an external third party.
Freetrade Verdict
Freetrade offers straightforward access to stocks and shares via a user-friendly mobile app. ISA accounts and pension saving solutions are also available. And what the broker lacks in desktop analytical tools it makes up for with low fees and built-in customer support. Still new, Freetrade is a good broker that has seen significant growth and we’re excited to see what the company will do next.
Accepted Countries
Freetrade only accepts traders from United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Ireland, Netherlands, France.
Alternatives to Freetrade
If you are looking for alternatives to Freetrade we have compiled a list of the top 5 brokers that are similar to Freetrade below. This list of brokers like Freetrade is in order of similarity and only includes companies that accept traders from your location.
ActivTrades – ActivTrades offers online trading on the MT4, MT5 and ActivTrader platforms.
ZacksTrade – ZacksTrade: Built for the active trader. Stock & ETF trades from $3, 75¢ options contracts and 3.56% margin rate (lower on occasion)
Uphold – Trading in the Uphold environment offers a one-stop-shop for all your crypto requirements.
UFX – UFX are forex trading specialists that also offer popular stocks, ETFs, indices, and commodities. Offering tight spreads and one of the best ranges of major and minor pairs, they are a great option for aspiring FX investors.
ThinkMarkets – ThinkMarkets is a multi-regulated forex and CFD broker
FAQ
Who are Freetrade and how do I invest?
Freetrade is a UK-based stockbroker offering hundreds of shares and ETFs. Just £2 is needed to start investing and the firm offers a free mobile app with integrated support.
How does Freetrade make money?
The firm makes money through its monthly subscription fees. Charges vary depending on the account type, but range from £3 a month with the stocks and shares ISA up to £9.99 a month with the Freetrade SIPP account.
Is Freetrade a safe and legit app?
Yes, Freetrade offers a good mobile app with zero commissions and multiple security features, as well as FCA regulation. User reviews indicate the broker is respected and trustworthy.
Do you get dividends on Freetrade?
Some Freetrade listed stocks and shares companies offer monthly or yearly dividends with funds paid directly into trading accounts. The size of dividends will depend on company performance and the level of investment.
Why was my Freetrade buy order rejected?
Your Freetrade order may be rejected due to several reasons; no valid market quotes or the valuation of the order wasn’t high enough to cover the cost of buying the shares. Note, pricing is subject to a 15-minute market delay.
Do you own the shares on Freetrade?
Depending on whether you buy fractional shares or standard shares, you will own a stake in the company. You can buy and sell your shares through the Freetrade mobile app.
Can I transfer my Freetrade shares between the General Investment Account and ISA?
You cannot currently transfer your shares via Freetrade accounts. However, for cash transfers, contact the stockbroker through the built-in chat support.