Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Freetrade vs Capital.com, 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 Capital.com 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 Capital.com would cost N/A per year.
12 trades per year - Freetrade would cost £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) per year, while Capital.com would cost N/A per year.
36 trades per year - Freetrade would cost £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) per year, while Capital.com would cost N/A per year.
120 trades per year - Freetrade would cost £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) per year, while Capital.com would cost N/A per year.
3 fund trades per year - Freetrade would cost £1 per year, while Capital.com would cost £20 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.
Freetrade and Capital.com offer distinct options for investors seeking online brokerage services. Freetrade provides opportunities for share trading, ETFs, and investment trusts, making it a versatile choice for those interested in traditional stock market investments. However, it does not cater to traders looking for cryptocurrency, spread betting, or CFD trading. On the other hand, Capital.com also supports share trading and differentiates itself by offering CFD trading, which may attract those interested in leveraged products. Despite this, Capital.com lacks offerings in ETFs and investment trusts, limiting its appeal to traditional investors.
Based on user reviews, Freetrade earns a solid 4-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com for its investment choices, ranking 13th out of 18 brokers, showcasing its attractive selection for more conventional investors. In contrast, Capital.com receives a 2.5-star rating and ranks 17th, reflecting its more limited investment options. For individuals focused on extending their portfolios beyond shares, Freetrade's lineup stands out as more varied, whereas Capital.com might appeal to those interested in exploring CFD trading with fewer traditional investment opportunities.
| Feature |
Freetrade
|
Capital.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | No | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | No |
| Funds | No | No |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | No |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | No |
| Spread Betting | No | Yes |
| Crypto Trading | No | No |
| Advisor Services | No | 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, Freetrade and Capital.com present different features. Freetrade users will find a basic setup, without the ability to view corporate events like earnings, splits, or dividends on charts, zero drawing tools, and no technical indicators. Similarly, adding notes or overlays to charts is not a possibility. However, Freetrade does ensure a smooth trading experience with a browser-based platform, providing real-time market data and the capacity to create stock price alerts.
In contrast, Capital.com offers a robust suite of trading tools, featuring 18 drawing tools and 77 technical indicators for advanced charting capabilities. While it does not support corporate event display or index and stock overlays on charts, it allows users to enhance their chart insights by adding personal notes. Similar to Freetrade, Capital.com also includes a browser-based platform with real-time data and price alert features, making it a more suitable choice for those seeking comprehensive charting tools.
| Feature |
Freetrade
|
Capital.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 0 | 77 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 0 | 18 |
| Charting - Notes | No | Yes |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | No |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
When comparing online brokers Freetrade and Capital.com for retirement accounts, Freetrade stands out by offering both ISA and SIPP accounts, making it a versatile choice for those planning their financial futures. In contrast, Capital.com does not provide these retirement account options, which might limit its appeal to UK investors seeking tax-efficient savings through ISAs or long-term retirement planning with SIPPs. Freetrade’s offerings cater well to individuals looking for comprehensive investment choices within a single platform, simplifying the management of their investments and retirement funds.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
Both Freetrade and Capital.com provide mobile apps for iPhone and Android, catering to users who prefer trading on the go. According to UK.StockBrokers.com, Freetrade’s mobile app garners a respectable 4-star rating, while Capital.com slightly edges ahead with a 4.5-star rating. In the context of mobile app rankings among 18 brokers, Freetrade comes in at #8, demonstrating strong competition with Capital.com, which is ranked at #11. Users can expect reliable performance from both platforms, though each has its distinct offerings and user experiences.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When it comes to beginner investor education, Freetrade and Capital.com both have room for improvement, particularly in their lack of educational webinars and archived sessions. However, Freetrade distinguishes itself by offering educational resources on topics like share trading, funds, and retirement, making it a more comprehensive choice for novice investors. Capital.com does not currently provide education on these specific subjects. Both platforms are rated 3.5 stars by UK.StockBrokers.com for beginner education, but Freetrade ranks higher at 9th place out of 18 brokers, while Capital.com trails behind at 17th. This makes Freetrade a slightly better option for beginners seeking educational tools to enhance their financial knowledge.
| Feature |
Freetrade
|
Capital.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | No | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | No |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | No |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | No |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | No |
| Education |
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Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When comparing the market research features of online brokers Freetrade and Capital.com, several key differences emerge. Both platforms provide insights on portfolio allocation by asset class, which can help investors balance their investments effectively. However, Freetrade shines in offering research on shares and ETFs, giving users detailed information to make informed decisions in these areas, whereas Capital.com does not provide research on shares or ETFs. On the other hand, Capital.com caters to traders interested in CFDs by offering dedicated research, a feature that Freetrade lacks. Neither broker offers research on funds or bonds, showcasing a shared limitation in their research capabilities.
| Feature |
Freetrade
|
Capital.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | No |
| Research - CFDs | No | Yes |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | No |
| Research - Bonds | No | No |
| Research - Funds | No | No |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | No | No |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
Which broker is better overall, Freetrade or Capital.com? 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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Capital.com
|
|---|---|---|
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When comparing online brokers Freetrade and Capital.com, neither platform offers the option for crypto trading, making them similar in this aspect for investors seeking digital currency investment opportunities.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Freetrade | Capital.com | |
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| Review | Freetrade Review | Capital.com Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | Freetrade | Capital.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | No | |
| SIPP | Yes | No | |
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | No | Yes | |
| Funds | No | No | |
| ETFs | Yes | No | |
| Bonds - Corporate | No | No | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | No | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | No | |
| Spread Betting | No | Yes | |
| Crypto Trading | No | No | |
| Advisor Services | No | No |
| Trading Fees | Freetrade | Capital.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £1 | £20 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £0 | N/A | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £0 | N/A | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £0 | N/A | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | N/A | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | N/A | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | N/A | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | N/A | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | N/A | N/A | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | £0 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | £0 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | £0 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | £0 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | N/A | N/A | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | N/A | N/A | |
| ETFs - Fee | £0 | N/A | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | £0 | N/A | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | N/A | N/A |
| Broker Screenshots | Freetrade | Capital.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Platforms & Tools | Freetrade | Capital.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 0 | 77 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 0 | 18 | |
| Charting - Notes | No | Yes | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | No | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
| Research | Freetrade | Capital.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | No | |
| Research - CFDs | No | Yes | |
| Research - Funds | No | No | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | No | No | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | No | |
| Research - Bonds | No | No | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Freetrade | Capital.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | No | |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | No | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | No | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | No |
| Overall Summary | Freetrade | Capital.com | |
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| Review | Freetrade Review | Capital.com Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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