- Freetrade is highly rated in both expert and user reviews, boasting an impressive average of 4.6/5 from 1,338 user reviews. Users appreciate its commission-free trading model and user-friendly app, making it an attractive option for both beginners and experienced investors. The platform’s ability to buy fractional shares and its low-cost structure are frequently highlighted as key benefits.
- Experts commend Freetrade for its innovative approach to investing, particularly noting its success in winning the “Best Investing App” award in the 2025 Good Money Guide Awards. They highlight the platform’s competitive pricing and the flexibility of its account options, although they caution that the basic plan lacks desktop access and has some limitations in features.
- Users frequently praise Freetrade for its ease of use, with many noting the app’s intuitive design and straightforward trading process. However, some users express concerns about customer service responsiveness and the limitations of the free account, particularly regarding the range of available products and features. Overall, the sentiment remains positive, with many users valuing the low-cost trading options.
5/5
Pros:
Great community
Cons:
Better graphs and charts
5/5
Pros:
Good UI
Cons:
More stocks and limit orders
5/5
Pros:
Investing
5/5
Pros:
Customer service and their layout
Cons:
More investing data on stocks
5/5
Pros:
Easy to use and very easy to communicate with
5/5
Pros:
Great customer service, amazing app to use and super simple way to start investing.
4/5
Cons:
More educational material
5/5
5/5
Cons:
Nothing
3/5
4/5
Cons:
More stocks
4/5
Cons:
Please include an option for a more usable share price interface. The current one is way too simple, which puts me off using the platform
4/5
Oliver W @ 03/23/2020 09:31
This platform has made it very easy and much cheaper to invest. I like the app and find the community aspect (and forum) really helpful and interesting too. Definitely recommend! Keep it up and keep adding stocks!
Vladislav Kozub @ 05/03/2019 12:47
Great progress considering the amount of resources used! A steady and careful approach, great customer interaction, dedicated team and devoted community.
Thomas Williams @ 05/02/2019 09:04
After using multiple competitors to invest in, I can truly say I was blown away from Freetrade from my initial download right through to topping up my account.
All instructions were straight forward and visually pleasing, refraining from using jargon to deter people from using the platform. When a slight mishap occurred with regards to send money to my account, there live chat was my first point of call and I got into contact with Vicky a customer service rep straight away. She put my mind at rest as I thought I lost money before I had even started investing it (thinking I’d send it to a wrong account).
The customer service reps responded quickly and got my account sorted immeditately.
I already know that this is going to be revolutionary. A business that looks after it’s customers (and treats them like family) is one that does well in this day and age.
Ill happily recommend this to all my friends and family, and people I meet. Keep it up FreeTrade. ƒæìƒÅå
Sam Landsman @ 05/02/2019 11:47
Freetrade is making investing accessible by lowering fees to as low as nothing the app is great and constantly getting better whilst taking advice from the community that uses it. Could not recommend enough!
simone @ 05/01/2019 11:39
dan @ 05/01/2019 10:56
Love it. Great user interface and so easy to buy / sell!
Freetrade Won Best Investing App In The 2025 Good Money Guide Awards
Is Freetrade a good investing app?
Yes, Freetrade is a great investing app for those with a small amount of money who want a very low-cost way to start investing in UK and US shares and ETFs. As your portfolio grows you can upgrade for better execution and data. It’s most suited to medium and long-term investing.
Freetrade is one of the original and biggest commission-free investing apps in the UK. It now offers, GIAs, ISAs and SIPPs to over 1.5 million UK & European investors. It is possible to have a free account with end-of-day orders and limited stock data. Or you can upgrade to either a “standard” or “Plus” account for tax-efficient accounts, web access, reduced FX charges and most stock data.
Freetrade also won “Best Investing App” in the 2025 Good Money Guide Awards.
Freetrade offers a ‘freemium’ share dealing service and it’s mission is to get everyone investing by making it simpler and more affordable.
Founded in 2016, Freetrade launched its iOS app in the UK in October 2018, and since then it has grown at an impressive pace.
Freetrade’s popularity stems from two key features: commission-free trading for shares and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and the ability to buy fractional US shares. These features have made investing more accessible and cost-effective, especially for beginners.
It’s worth noting that Freetrade won the 2021 Good Money Guide award for ‘Best Commission-Free Stockbroker’. It also won the 2019 Good Money Guide ‘People’s Choice’ award.
Pricing:
With Freetrade you can buy stocks with zero commissions.
However, if you’re buying US or European stocks, you’ll need to pay foreign exchange (FX) fees. These fees vary depending on the ongoing plan you choose.
There are three options when it comes to plans. These are:
Freetrade Basic – Free
Freetrade Standard – £4.99 per month billed annually or £5.99 per month billed monthly
Freetrade Plus – £9.99 per month billed annually or £11.99 per month billed monthly
As for how Freetrade’s fees compare to other platforms, they are pretty competitive. But there are lots of variables to consider here including the type of plan you have, the type of stocks you invest in (i.e. UK vs US stocks), and how many trades you make per month.
If you just wanted to buy a few blue-chip UK shares within a General Investment Account, you could potentially pay no fees at all (you would have to pay Stamp Duty on trades).
However, if you wanted to buy and hold UK shares in a stocks and shares ISA, you would be looking at annual charges of at least £59.88.
That’s not particularly high but it can be beaten. AJ Bell, for example, offers an annual charge of 0.25% for ISAs and this is capped at just £42 per year (this doesn’t include any trades).
Market Access: In terms of accounts, Freetrade offers three options, a General Investment Account, a Stocks and Shares ISA and a SIPP (Self-Invested Personal Pension). But, to open a stocks and shares ISA or SIPP you need to sign up for a premium plan.
Pros
- Zero commission
- No fees for a basic account
- Fractional shares
- UK Treasury Bills
Cons
- App only on the basic plan (no desktop)
- 0.99% FX fee for the basic account
- Relatively early stage company
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Pricing
(5)
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Market Access
(4)
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Online Platform
(4)
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Customer Service
(4)
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Research & Analysis
(3.5)
Overall
4.1Tell us what you think of this provider.
Freetrade FAQ
Overall, Freetrade is a good platform that offers a broad selection of investments and very competitive fees and charges. But it’s not perfect. And it’s not going to be the right platform for everybody. As always, the best platform for you will depend on factors such as the size of your portfolio, the investments you like to own, and the extra features you are looking for.
Freetrade is an independent, privately-owned company.
No. While Freetrade offers zero commissions on trades, you still need to pay Stamp Duty, FX fees, and annual charges (if you choose a premium plan).
When you buy UK stocks with Freetrade, the company deducts Stamp Duty at a rate of 0.5%. This does not apply to investment trusts or shares listed on AIM.
The minimum investment with Freetrade is currently £2.
Yes, it does. But you can only access this with a ‘Plus’ account.
There is always investment risk when you buy shares or ETFs. So, if you trade through Freetrade, it’s possible that you could lose money. However, the platform itself should be regarded as safe. It is regulated by the FCA, and accounts are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
Richard is the founder of the Good Money Guide (formerly Good Broker Guide), one of the original investment comparison sites established in 2015. With a career spanning two decades as a broker, he brings extensive expertise and knowledge to the financial landscape.
Having worked as a broker at Investors Intelligence and a multi-asset derivatives broker at MF Global (Man Financial), Richard has acquired substantial experience in the industry. His career began as a private client stockbroker at Walker Crips and Phillip Securities (now King and Shaxson), following internships on the NYMEX oil trading floor in New York and London IPE in 2001 and 2000.
Richard’s contributions and expertise have been recognized by respected publications such as The Sunday Times, BusinessInsider, Yahoo Finance, BusinessNews.org.uk, Master Investor, Wealth Briefing, iNews, and The FT, among many others.
Under Richard’s leadership, the Good Money Guide has evolved into a valuable destination for comprehensive information and expert guidance, specialising in trading, investment, and currency exchange. His commitment to delivering high-quality insights has solidified the Good Money Guide’s standing as a well-respected resource for both customers and industry colleagues.
