Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG 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 IG 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 - IG would cost £136 per year, while Freetrade would cost £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) per year.
12 trades per year - IG would cost £96 per year, while Freetrade would cost £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) per year.
36 trades per year - IG would cost £108 per year, while Freetrade would cost £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) per year.
120 trades per year - IG would cost £360 per year, while Freetrade would cost £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) per year.
3 fund trades per year - IG would cost £0 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.
For UK investors comparing IG and Freetrade, both online brokers provide solid options for share trading, including the buying and selling of shares and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). While neither platform supports cryptocurrency trading, spread betting, or provides advisor services, they do offer access to investment trusts. However, only IG extends its offerings to include CFD trading, giving investors more advanced trading options, which is absent from Freetrade’s simpler platform. Both platforms lack the ability to trade funds, corporate bonds, and government bonds (gilts), catering to investors focused on direct investments in stocks and ETFs.
According to ratings from UK.StockBrokers.com, IG edges ahead with a 4.5-star rating for its investment choices, compared to Freetrade's 4-star rating. This reflects IG's slightly superior range, bolstered by its inclusion of CFD trading. In terms of their overall rankings among 18 brokers, IG ranks 11th while Freetrade is positioned at 17th, highlighting IG’s broader appeal to investors seeking diverse trading opportunities beyond basic stock and ETF trading.
| Feature |
IG
|
Freetrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | No | No |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | No |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes |
| Spread Betting | Yes | No |
| 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, IG offers a more comprehensive set of features compared to Freetrade. For those who value detailed analysis, IG provides the option to display corporate events such as earnings, splits, and dividends directly on charts, a feature not available with Freetrade. Traders with IG can also take advantage of 19 different drawing tools and 33 technical indicators, allowing for a more customized charting experience. In contrast, Freetrade does not currently offer any drawing tools or technical indicators.
Both IG and Freetrade offer browser-based trading platforms and the ability to set alerts for stock price updates, catering well to those who conduct their trading online. Additionally, real-time market data is accessible through both platforms. However, when it comes to adding notes directly onto charts, IG provides this capability, offering a convenience that Freetrade users don't get. While neither platform allows for index or stock overlays on charts, IG's more varied toolset may provide a deeper analytical edge for those who need it.
| Feature |
IG
|
Freetrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 0 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 19 | 0 |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | No |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | No |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
For UK investors exploring online brokers for retirement accounts, both IG and Freetrade present appealing choices. IG provides Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) and Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs), allowing users to manage their investments with tax efficiency. Similarly, Freetrade also offers ISAs and SIPPs, ensuring competitive versatility for those aiming to secure their financial future. With both platforms supporting these popular account types, investors can select either IG or Freetrade to wisely nurture their retirement funds.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
For UK investors seeking mobile trading solutions, both IG and Freetrade offer accessible apps available on iPhone and Android devices. However, there's a notable difference in their performance. IG's mobile app is highly rated, earning a flawless 5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com and securing the impressive position of #2 out of 18 brokers for mobile apps. In comparison, Freetrade's app holds a solid 4-star rating, which places it at #12 in the same ranking. This difference suggests that while both platforms provide convenient mobile access, IG might be the preferred choice for those prioritizing top-tier mobile app functionality.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
For beginner investors in the UK seeking educational resources, IG and Freetrade each offer unique benefits. IG provides a comprehensive learning experience with live and on-demand educational webinars, covering a range of topics including share trading and retirement planning. While they don't focus on funds, IG’s educational offerings have earned it a top ranking, #1 out of 18 brokers, and a perfect 5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com. Freetrade, on the other hand, does not offer webinars, but provides educational materials on share trading, funds, and retirement. However, it is rated 3.5 stars and ranks #16 for beginner education. Overall, IG stands out for those looking for thorough guidance from webinars and top-notch educational resources.
| Feature |
IG
|
Freetrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Funds) | No | Yes |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes |
| Education |
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Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When comparing IG and Freetrade for market research features, UK investors will find distinct differences catered to varied preferences. IG offers comprehensive research options, including shares, ETFs, and CFDs, along with the provision of research reports for funds, positioning it well for those seeking in-depth insights across these products. However, it lacks the ability to display portfolio allocation by asset class. Meanwhile, Freetrade excels in visualizing portfolio distribution, allowing users to assess their investment balance across different asset classes, although it doesn't support CFDs research or provide reports for funds. Both platforms deliver solid shares and ETFs research, but neither accommodates funds or bonds research, leaving room for improvement in these areas.
| Feature |
IG
|
Freetrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | No |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | No | No |
| Research - Funds | No | No |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | No |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | No | Yes |
Which broker is better overall, IG or Freetrade? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found IG to be a better trading platform overall.
IG is an investment platform aimed at experienced investors looking to make frequent trades on the stock market, with thousands of shares, trusts and ETFs to trade. It offers a comprehensive and easy-to-use trading platform that is used by both private and professional investors.
| Feature |
IG
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Freetrade
|
|---|---|---|
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Both IG and Freetrade do not offer crypto trading, providing users with a focused platform for traditional securities and investment options.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | IG | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Review | IG Review | Freetrade Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | IG | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | Yes | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No | |
| Funds | No | No | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | No | No | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | No | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | Yes | No | |
| Crypto Trading | No | No | |
| Advisor Services | No | No |
| Trading Fees | IG | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £0 | £1 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £0-£10 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £3 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £3 | £0 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £136 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £96 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £108 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £360 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | N/A | N/A | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | £0 / £96 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £0 / £96 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | £0 / £96 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | £0 / £96 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | N/A | N/A | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | N/A | N/A | |
| ETFs - Fee | £0 - £8 | £0 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | £0 - £8 | £0 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | £50 | N/A |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Platforms & Tools | IG | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 0 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 19 | 0 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | No | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
| Research | IG | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | No | |
| Research - Funds | No | No | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | No | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | No | No | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | No | Yes |
| Education | IG | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | No | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Overall Summary | IG | Freetrade | |
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| Review | IG Review | Freetrade Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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