Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Freetrade vs Bestinvest, 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 - Freetrade would cost £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) per year, while Bestinvest would cost £144.75 per year.
12 trades per year - Freetrade would cost £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) per year, while Bestinvest would cost £119.40 - £179.40 per year.
36 trades per year - Freetrade would cost £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) per year, while Bestinvest would cost £238.20 - £357.60 per year.
120 trades per year - Freetrade would cost £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) per year, while Bestinvest would cost £654 - £714 per year.
3 fund trades per year - Freetrade would cost £1 per year, while Bestinvest would cost £50 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 comparing investment options with online brokers, Freetrade and Bestinvest both offer straightforward solutions suitable for various investors. Freetrade allows users to engage in share and ETF trading, as well as investment trusts, providing a streamlined choice for those focusing on specific assets. However, it does not support crypto trading, spread betting, CFD trading, funds, or bond trading. With a 4-star rating for investment choices by UK.StockBrokers.com, Freetrade ranks #13 out of 18 brokers, reflecting its strengths in limited yet focused offerings.
Bestinvest, on the other hand, mirrors Freetrade in offering share and ETF trading, alongside the addition of funds trading and investment trusts, but lacks options for crypto, spread betting, CFDs, and bonds as well. A notable distinction is Bestinvest's provision of advisor services, catering to those seeking professional guidance. Bestinvest is highly regarded for its broader selection, boasting a 4.5-star rating for investment choices. However, its exact rank among brokers remains undisclosed. Despite these differences, both platforms serve their distinctive user bases well.
| Feature |
Freetrade
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | No | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | No | Yes |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | No |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes |
| Spread Betting | No | No |
| Crypto Trading | No | No |
| Advisor Services | No | Yes |
| 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, Freetrade and Bestinvest offer distinct experiences tailored to different user needs. Freetrade provides a straightforward approach, offering a browser-based trading platform and real-time market data, which is advantageous for users who need timely updates. However, it lacks in-depth charting features, as it doesn't provide drawing tools, technical indicators, or the ability to display corporate events on charts. Users looking for essential functionality and quick insights may appreciate Freetrade’s simplicity and ease of use.
On the other hand, Bestinvest appeals to users who prefer comprehensive charting capabilities. It offers nine drawing tools, 36 technical indicators, and the ability to add notes and stock overlays to charts, making it a robust option for those who rely on detailed market analysis. While it supports browser-based trading and allows for stock price alerts, it falls short with the absence of real-time data and the capability to display corporate events on charts. Bestinvest is ideal for investors seeking an extensive set of features for crafting in-depth trading strategies.
| Feature |
Freetrade
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 0 | 36 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 0 | 9 |
| Charting - Notes | No | Yes |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | Yes |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
When comparing online brokers Freetrade and Bestinvest in terms of retirement accounts, both platforms provide options to help you save for the future. Freetrade and Bestinvest each offer Stocks and Shares ISA accounts, allowing you to invest up to a set amount tax-free each year. Additionally, both companies offer Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) accounts, giving users the flexibility to manage their own pension investments while potentially benefiting from tax advantages. Whether you choose Freetrade or Bestinvest, both platforms provide solid options for both ISA and SIPP investors looking to secure their financial futures.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
When comparing the mobile apps of online brokers Freetrade and Bestinvest, both offer iPhone and Android applications, catering to a wide range of users. Freetrade's app is highly regarded, earning a 4-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com, and is ranked 8th out of 18 brokers for mobile apps. In contrast, Bestinvest also provides iPhone and Android apps but receives a slightly lower rating of 3.5 stars, with no specific rank mentioned among the reviewed brokers. Whether you're on an Apple or Android device, both platforms provide accessible trading experiences, though Freetrade is favored in rankings for its mobile app performance.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When it comes to educational resources tailored for beginner investors, Bestinvest outshines Freetrade. Bestinvest provides educational client webinars, both live and archived for on-demand viewing, enhancing their learning flexibility. Both platforms offer educational resources on share trading, funds, and retirement, ensuring a broad knowledge base for new investors. However, Bestinvest boasts a perfect 5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com for beginner education, outperforming Freetrade's 3.5-star rating. While Freetrade ranks 9th out of 18 brokers in beginner education, Bestinvest's exceptional resources make it a standout choice for novices eager to learn.
| Feature |
Freetrade
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | No | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes |
| Education |
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Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When comparing Freetrade and Bestinvest for market research features, Bestinvest stands out with its comprehensive research reports for funds, a service that Freetrade does not provide. Both platforms allow users to view their portfolio allocation by asset class, ensuring a clear understanding of investment distribution. Freetrade and Bestinvest equally offer detailed research for shares and ETFs, but only Bestinvest extends this to funds. Neither platform supports research for CFDs or bonds, keeping their focus on more traditional investments avenues.
| Feature |
Freetrade
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | No | No |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | No | No |
| Research - Funds | No | Yes |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | No | Yes |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
Which broker is better overall, Freetrade or Bestinvest? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found Freetrade to be a better trading platform overall.
Overall Freetrade is a great platform to help you get to grips with investing. Costs are low, and its user-friendly mobile app offers great investment inspiration. Sophisticated investors, however, may find that other platforms offer a wider range of investment options and tools.
| Feature |
Freetrade
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Bestinvest
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|---|---|---|
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Both Freetrade and Bestinvest do not offer crypto trading, providing investors with a focused platform for other types of investments.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Freetrade | Bestinvest | |
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| Review | Freetrade Review | Bestinvest Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | Freetrade | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | Yes | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | No | No | |
| Funds | No | Yes | |
| 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 | No | Yes |
| Trading Fees | Freetrade | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £1 | £50 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £0 | £0 - £4.95 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £0 | £0 - £4.95 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £0 | £0 - £4.95 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | £144.75 | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | £119.40 - £179.40 | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | £238.20 - £357.60 | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | £654 - £714 | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | N/A | £60 or £120 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | Up to £500 or £1,000 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | £500 - £1,000 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | £100 - £1,000 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | £0 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | N/A | £4.95 | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | N/A | £4.95 | |
| ETFs - Fee | £0 | £4.95 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | £0 | £4.95 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | N/A | £30 |
| Broker Screenshots | Freetrade | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Freetrade | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 0 | 36 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 0 | 9 | |
| Charting - Notes | No | Yes | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | Yes | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
| Research | Freetrade | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | No | No | |
| Research - Funds | No | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | No | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | No | No | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Freetrade | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes |
| Overall Summary | Freetrade | Bestinvest | |
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| Review | Freetrade Review | Bestinvest Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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