Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Trading 212 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, Trading 212 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 - Trading 212 would cost £0 per year, while Freetrade would cost £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) per year.
12 trades per year - Trading 212 would cost £0 per year, while Freetrade would cost £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) per year.
36 trades per year - Trading 212 would cost £0 per year, while Freetrade would cost £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) per year.
120 trades per year - Trading 212 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 - Trading 212 would cost £1 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 online brokers Trading 212 and Freetrade in terms of investment choices, both platforms allow share trading and offer a selection of Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) and investment trusts for their users. However, only Trading 212 provides the option for Contract for Difference (CFD) trading. Neither platform currently supports crypto trading, spread betting, or the trading of funds, corporate bonds, government bonds (gilts), nor do they offer advisor services. The limited range they both share may appeal to those looking for straightforward investment opportunities without the additional complexities of other financial instruments.
In terms of ratings, Trading 212 is slightly ahead with an evaluation of 4.5 stars out of five from UK.StockBrokers.com, placing it at rank 16 out of 18 brokers for investment choices. Freetrade, on the other hand, receives a solid 4-star rating, positioning it at rank 17. While both platforms offer a comparable suite of investment options, those particularly keen on CFD trading may find Trading 212 to be the more complete choice among the two, thanks to its broader selection in this area.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
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 | No | 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 comparing the trading tools of Trading 212 and Freetrade, UK investors will find distinct differences. Trading 212 stands out with extensive charting features, offering 27 drawing tools and 106 technical indicators, enhancing analytical capabilities for traders. Additionally, users can add personalized notes directly to charts. While both platforms offer real-time market data and allow users to set price alerts, chart displays of corporate events and index or stock overlays are unavailable on both platforms.
Freetrade, in contrast, provides a more straightforward approach with no drawing tools or technical indicators, reflecting its focus on simplicity. Both platforms provide browser-based trading platforms, supporting easy access for users. For those prioritizing in-depth technical analysis, Trading 212's comprehensive tools may offer an edge. However, Freetrade's simplicity could appeal to beginners or those who prefer a minimalist experience with essential trade features.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Freetrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 106 | 0 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 27 | 0 |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | No |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
For UK investors considering their options for online brokers, Trading 212 and Freetrade both offer Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs), allowing tax-efficient investment. However, when it comes to Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs), the choice is clearer. Freetrade provides the option to open a SIPP, catering to those planning for retirement, while Trading 212 currently does not offer this account type. This distinction may influence investors prioritizing long-term retirement planning. Considering these differences can help you decide which platform better aligns with your financial goals.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
For UK investors choosing between Trading 212 and Freetrade, both platforms offer user-friendly mobile apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices. However, Trading 212 is highly acclaimed, earning a 5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com for its mobile app, and ranks 3rd out of 18 brokers in this category. In comparison, Freetrade also provides a well-rated app with a 4-star rating, but it holds the 12th spot in the same ranking. This makes Trading 212 a more favored choice for those prioritizing a superior mobile trading experience.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
For beginner investors in the UK seeking educational support, Trading 212 and Freetrade both offer valuable resources, albeit with some differences. While neither platform provides live or archived webinars, they both cover essential topics like share trading and funds. Trading 212 has a slight edge with a 4-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com for beginner education, compared to Freetrade's 3.5 stars. However, Freetrade distinguishes itself with educational content on retirement, a feature Trading 212 lacks. In overall rankings, Trading 212 is placed 13th out of 18 brokers, while Freetrade is ranked 16th, making Trading 212 the slightly better choice for those starting their investment journey.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Freetrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | No | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | No |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Retirement) | No | Yes |
| Education |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When comparing Trading 212 and Freetrade for market research features, both online brokers enable users to view portfolio allocation by asset class and offer research for shares and ETFs, helping investors to make informed decisions. Neither platform provides research reports specifically for funds or bonds, which may be a drawback for those interested in these financial products. Trading 212 shines with additional research offerings for CFDs, unlike Freetrade, which does not include CFDs research. Based in the UK, these brokers provide a tailored experience, but potential investors should consider their own priorities when choosing between these platforms.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
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 | No | No |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
Which broker is better overall, Trading 212 or Freetrade? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found Trading 212 to be a better trading platform overall.
Trading 212 offers commission-free share dealing and is a great option for those looking to simply execute share or ETF trades. Novice investors or those looking for more diversification through mutual funds may find better options elsewhere.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Freetrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Charges & Fees |
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| Investment Choices |
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| Mobile App |
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Both Trading 212 and Freetrade do not offer crypto trading, making them similar choices for investors interested in traditional asset classes, while their user-friendly platforms and commission-free trading features cater to beginner investors seeking cost-effective solutions.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Trading 212 | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Charges & Fees |
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| Mobile App |
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| Website |
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| Ease of Use |
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| Education |
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| Review | Trading 212 Review | Freetrade Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | Trading 212 | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | No | 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 | No | No | |
| Crypto Trading | No | No | |
| Advisor Services | No | No |
| Trading Fees | Trading 212 | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £1 | £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) | £0 | N/A | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | £0 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £0 | £0 (Basic plan), £59.88 (Standard), £119.88 (Plus) | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | £0 | £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 | N/A | N/A | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | N/A | N/A | |
| ETFs - Fee | 0 | £0 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | 0 | £0 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | N/A | N/A |
| Broker Screenshots | Trading 212 | Freetrade | |
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| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
| Platforms & Tools | Trading 212 | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 106 | 0 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 27 | 0 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | No | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
| Research | Trading 212 | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | No | |
| Research - Funds | No | No | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | No | No | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | No | No | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Trading 212 | Freetrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | No |
| Overall Summary | Trading 212 | Freetrade | |
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| Review | Trading 212 Review | Freetrade Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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