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, IG offers better pricing than Freetrade 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 £0 per year, while Freetrade would cost £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) per year.
12 trades per year - IG would cost £0 per year, while Freetrade would cost £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) per year.
36 trades per year - IG would cost £0 per year, while Freetrade would cost £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) per year.
120 trades per year - IG would cost £0 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.
When comparing the investment options of IG and Freetrade, both platforms offer share and ETF trading, making them appealing choices for those interested in stock markets. IG stands out with the inclusion of CFD trading, adding a layer of versatility that Freetrade currently does not provide. However, neither platform offers trading in crypto, spread betting, funds, corporate bonds, government bonds, or advisor services. Both also allow trading in investment trusts, catering to a variety of investor strategies.
IG receives a commendable 4.5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com for its investment choices, ranking 11th out of 21 brokers. Meanwhile, Freetrade has a rating of 4 stars, positioning it at 17th place. This ranking reflects Freetrade's more straightforward investment options compared to the slightly broader offerings from IG, making the latter a more flexible choice for seasoned investors seeking the ability to explore market opportunities through CFDs.
| 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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Low-cost US and UK shares.
Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
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.
Both IG and Freetrade offer mobile apps available for iPhone and Android users in the UK, catering to those who prefer trading on the go. In terms of app ratings and rankings, IG leads the pack with a 5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com, securing the impressive position of #2 out of 21 brokers. Meanwhile, Freetrade holds a 4-star rating, placing it at #12. For those prioritizing app quality and ranking in their online trading experience, IG offers a highly rated option, whereas Freetrade presents a slightly more modest alternative.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When comparing the educational resources for beginner investors offered by IG and Freetrade in the UK, IG stands out with a top rating of 5 stars from UK.StockBrokers.com and secures the #1 spot among 21 brokers. IG offers client webinars both live and on-demand, covering a range of topics including share trading and retirement. In contrast, Freetrade, rated at 3.5 stars and ranked #16, does not provide webinars but offers educational material on share trading and funds, along with retirement learning resources. While IG excels in delivering comprehensive education for novices, Freetrade remains a solid choice for those interested in a more focused approach to specific topics.
| 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 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £0 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £0 | £0 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £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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