Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Bestinvest vs Freetrade, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, investment options, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
Alongside the cost per trade, most UK online brokers also charge a monthly, quarterly, or annual management fee, which varies based on the account type and balance. Based on our thorough review, Freetrade offers better pricing than Bestinvest for share dealing.
Assuming a £30,000 portfolio size, here are the total annual costs for share dealing with both brokers, given different monthly activity scenarios.
5 trades per year - Bestinvest would cost £144.75 per year, while Freetrade would cost £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) per year.
12 trades per year - Bestinvest would cost £119.40 - £179.40 per year, while Freetrade would cost £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) per year.
36 trades per year - Bestinvest would cost £238.20 - £357.60 per year, while Freetrade would cost £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) per year.
120 trades per year - Bestinvest would cost £654 - £714 per year, while Freetrade would cost £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) per year.
3 fund trades per year - Bestinvest would cost £50 per year, while Freetrade would cost £1 per year.
What type of trader are you?
New to the world of investing? See our picks for the Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners. More experienced traders should read our guide to the Best UK Trading Platforms for Active Traders.
When it comes to choosing between Bestinvest and Freetrade for your investment needs, both platforms provide a range of options, but they also have their unique strengths. Bestinvest offers share trading, ETF trading, funds trading, and investment trusts, with the added benefit of advisory services. While it does not cover crypto, spread betting, CFD trading, or bonds, its diverse offerings and advisor support make it a solid choice for investors seeking guidance. Rated 4.5 stars by UK.StockBrokers.com, Bestinvest stands at the 10th rank among 18 brokers for investment choices.
Freetrade, on the other hand, also supports share trading, ETF trading, and investment trusts but lacks funds trading and advisor services. Like Bestinvest, it does not venture into crypto, spread betting, CFD trading, or bonds. With a focus on simplicity and cost-effectiveness, it appeals to DIY investors who prefer managing their own portfolios. Freetrade is rated 4 stars for its investment choices and holds the 17th position out of the 18 brokers listed by UK.StockBrokers.com.
| Feature |
Bestinvest
|
Freetrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | No | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | No |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | No |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes |
| Spread Betting | No | No |
| Crypto Trading | No | No |
| Advisor Services | Yes | No |
| Investment Choices |
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Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
Low-cost US and UK shares.
When it comes to trading tools, Bestinvest offers more robust features compared to Freetrade. Bestinvest provides a suite of 9 drawing tools and 36 technical indicators for charting, which allows for more detailed analysis. It also enables users to add notes and stock overlays to charts, enhancing the user's ability to annotate and personalize their analysis. Both Bestinvest and Freetrade do not display corporate events like earnings, splits, and dividends on charts, and neither allows for index overlays.
Both platforms provide a browser-based trading platform and the ability to create alerts for stock price updates. However, Freetrade has the edge in terms of providing real-time market data, a feature Bestinvest lacks. Despite this, Bestinvest's array of charting tools and customization options make it a strong contender for traders who rely heavily on technical analysis.
| Feature |
Bestinvest
|
Freetrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 36 | 0 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 9 | 0 |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | No |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
When comparing online brokers Bestinvest and Freetrade for your retirement account needs, both platforms offer robust options for Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) and Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs). You can confidently choose between them knowing that both offer these tax-efficient savings and investment vehicles, catering to your retirement planning with similar offerings. Regardless of whether you're saving for the future with an ISA or managing your pension through a SIPP, both Bestinvest and Freetrade provide these accessible and convenient account options.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
When comparing the mobile apps of Bestinvest and Freetrade, both platforms offer applications available on iPhone and Android, catering to users across major mobile devices. According to UK.StockBrokers.com, Bestinvest's app receives a modest rating of 3.5 stars and is ranked 16th out of 18 brokers for mobile app performance, reflecting a need for improvement in user experience. In contrast, Freetrade's app shines with a 4-star rating and secures a better position, ranking 12th, suggesting a more favorable response from users. This comparison highlights Freetrade's edge in delivering a more user-friendly mobile trading experience.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When it comes to educational resources for beginner investors, Bestinvest and Freetrade offer different levels of support. Bestinvest shines by providing educational client webinars, both live and archived for on-demand viewing, whereas Freetrade does not offer webinars at all. Both platforms offer educational content on share trading, funds, and retirement planning. However, Bestinvest stands out with a UK.StockBrokers.com rating of 5 stars and is ranked 6th among 18 brokers for beginner education, compared to Freetrade's 3.5 stars and 16th position. This makes Bestinvest a strong choice for beginners seeking comprehensive learning tools.
| Feature |
Bestinvest
|
Freetrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes |
| Education |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When comparing Bestinvest and Freetrade in terms of market research features, Bestinvest stands out with its comprehensive offerings. Bestinvest provides research reports for funds, a significant benefit for investors seeking detailed information, whereas Freetrade does not. Both platforms allow users to view portfolio allocation by asset class and offer research on shares and ETFs, catering to those interested in equities and exchange-traded products. However, if you're looking for funds research, Bestinvest is the better choice since Freetrade lacks this feature. Neither platform supports research for CFDs or bonds, which might be a consideration for those interested in these investment types. Overall, Bestinvest offers a broader range of research options, making it more suitable for investors seeking an in-depth understanding of funds.
| Feature |
Bestinvest
|
Freetrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | No | No |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | No | No |
| Research - Funds | Yes | No |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | No |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
Which broker is better overall, Bestinvest or Freetrade? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found Bestinvest to be a better trading platform overall.
Bestinvest is a very good broker that should appeal to a wide range of investors. Fees are competitive, particularly if you invest in funds or US shares, and the investment options are extensive. The Bestinvest platform is relatively easy to use and the offer of a free 45 minute session with a financial coach can be a useful starting point for newer investors. Bestinvest is also a great option for a Junior SIPP, as it is one of very few UK brokers offering children’s pensions and with a low entry point.
| Feature |
Bestinvest
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Freetrade
|
|---|---|---|
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Bestinvest and Freetrade, both online brokers, do not offer cryptocurrency trading options.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Bestinvest | Freetrade | |
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| Review | Bestinvest Review | Freetrade Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | Bestinvest | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | Yes | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | No | No | |
| Funds | Yes | No | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | No | No | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | No | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | No | No | |
| Crypto Trading | No | No | |
| Advisor Services | Yes | No |
| Trading Fees | Bestinvest | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £50 | £1 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £0 - £4.95 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £0 - £4.95 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £0 - £4.95 | £0 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £144.75 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £119.40 - £179.40 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £238.20 - £357.60 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £654 - £714 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £60 or £120 | N/A | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | Up to £500 or £1,000 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £500 - £1,000 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | £100 - £1,000 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | £0 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | £4.95 | N/A | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | £4.95 | N/A | |
| ETFs - Fee | £4.95 | £0 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | £4.95 | £0 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | £30 | N/A |
| Broker Screenshots | Bestinvest | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
| Platforms & Tools | Bestinvest | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 36 | 0 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 9 | 0 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
| Research | Bestinvest | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | No | No | |
| Research - Funds | Yes | No | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | No | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | No | No | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Bestinvest | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Overall Summary | Bestinvest | Freetrade | |
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| Review | Bestinvest Review | Freetrade Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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