Live Tool
Checking when a stock exchange is open? Use our free Global Stock Market Hours tool — live open/closed status, countdown timers, and public holiday alerts for 47 exchanges worldwide. No signup required.
Freetrade — Key Facts 2026
Freetrade Plans and Fees 2026
Commission Free Investing — What Freetrade Offers
Freetrade offers commission free trading on all 6,000+ investments — UK and US shares, ETFs, funds, investment trusts and bonds. No dealing fees when you buy or sell. The only trading-related cost is the 0.45% foreign exchange fee on non-GBP trades — relevant for US and European shares. On a £1,000 US purchase this equals £4.50 — lower than AJ Bell's 0.75% and HL's 1.00% FX fees.
Freetrade also offers fractional shares from £2 — allowing investors to buy into expensive stocks like Apple or Amazon without needing a whole share. This is a key differentiator from AJ Bell and Hargreaves Lansdown which do not offer fractional shares.
Shares ISA — Flexible and Commission Free
Freetrade's shares ISA is available on the Standard plan at £4.99/month. It gives you the full £20,000 annual ISA allowance with commission free trading and no platform percentage fee — one of the cheapest shares ISAs in the UK for active investors. It is a flexible ISA, meaning you can withdraw and redeposit within the same tax year without losing your allowance.
Interest on Uninvested Cash
Freetrade pays interest on uninvested cash held in accounts. The rate varies by plan — Standard plan customers receive a competitive rate while Plus plan customers receive a higher rate. Interest is calculated daily and paid monthly — a meaningful boost on cash sitting between trades.
Freetrade vs Competitors
Pros and Cons
✅ Pros
- Commission free on all 6,000+ investments
- Fractional shares from £2
- Flexible shares ISA — withdraw and redeposit same tax year
- Flat fee SIPP — excellent value for larger pension pots
- Interest on uninvested cash paid monthly
- Lower FX fees than HL and AJ Bell (0.45%)
- FCA regulated, FSCS protected
❌ Cons
- Shares ISA requires paid plan (£4.99/mo)
- No employer or director SIPP contributions
- No full pension drawdown — UFPLS only
- App only — no desktop platform
- Higher FX fee than Trading 212 (0.45% vs 0.15%)
Freetrade is a strong choice for cost-conscious investors who want commission free investing with fractional shares and a flexible ISA. The flat-fee SIPP at £9.99/month is excellent value for larger pension pots. For pure commission free ISA investing, Trading 212 is slightly cheaper — but Freetrade's SIPP and broader fund range make it a compelling all-rounder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Freetrade truly commission free?
Yes — all trades are commission free. The only cost is 0.45% foreign exchange fee on non-GBP trades.
Does Freetrade pay interest on uninvested cash?
Yes — on Standard and Plus plan accounts. The rate is higher on the Plus plan.
Is Freetrade's ISA flexible?
Yes — you can withdraw and redeposit within the same tax year without counting twice against your £20,000 allowance.
This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The value of investments can go down as well as up. Capital at risk. Always seek regulated financial advice before making financial decisions.
Part of our complete guide:
