Freetrade

Freetrade was launched in London in 2018 and became one of the first UK-based platforms to offer commission-free stock trading. It is regulated by the FCA and has built a loyal retail investor community through its crowdfunding rounds and community-focused product development.

The platform offers access to UK (AIM and main market), US (NYSE and NASDAQ), and EU stocks and ETFs. As of January 2026, Freetrade made a significant structural change: ISA, SIPP, mutual funds, gilts, and ready-made portfolios are all included on the free Basic plan — no subscription required. This removed a major barrier that had previously limited free-account holders to a GIA only.

The current plan structure (verify on Freetrade's website as this changes): Basic (free) — ISA, SIPP, GIA, commission-free trading, 0.99% FX fee; Standard (~£5.99/month) — lower 0.59% FX fee, higher interest on uninvested cash; Plus (higher tier) — 0.39% FX fee, additional perks. The FX fee is the primary cost variable between plans. For investors making significant US stock purchases, the difference between 0.99% and 0.39% on FX is material over time — on £10,000 invested, the difference is £60 per conversion.

Compared to alternatives: Freetrade's FX costs (0.59-0.99%) sit above Trading 212 (0.15%) and IBKR (0.08%) but below Hargreaves Lansdown and AJ Bell (both 1%). For investors prioritising tax-wrapper accessibility (ISA + SIPP free on all plans) and a clean interface over the absolute lowest FX cost, Freetrade is a viable choice. For cost-optimised investors making regular US purchases, Trading 212 or IBKR remain better value.

The interface is clean, mobile-first, and well-suited for beginning investors. The educational content is basic but sufficient for someone starting out. Customer support has been historically slow during peak market events, though the paid tiers offer priority access.

Always verify current pricing and features at freetrade.io before deciding, as Freetrade has restructured its plans multiple times since launch.