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 it comes to selecting an online broker, both Trading 212 and Freetrade offer a range of investment options to accommodate different trading needs, although there are some distinctions between the two. Both platforms enable users to trade shares and ETFs, as well as investment trusts. Neither broker offers options for crypto trading, spread betting, or funds trading. However, Trading 212 stands out by providing CFD trading, a feature that Freetrade does not offer.
In terms of ratings and rankings for their investment choices, Trading 212 garners a commendable rating of 4.5 stars from UK.StockBrokers.com, positioning it at the 11th spot out of 18 brokers. Freetrade, with a 4-star rating, is ranked slightly lower at 13th place. This comparison highlights Trading 212's broader offerings, particularly with its inclusion of CFD trading, appealing to traders seeking diverse investment opportunities.
| 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 it comes to trading tools, Trading 212 and Freetrade bring different offerings to the table. Trading 212 shines with an extensive suite of 27 drawing tools and 106 technical indicators for charting, allowing for in-depth analysis and customization. Users can also add notes to their charts, making it easier to track their trading strategies. On the other hand, Freetrade currently lacks these advanced charting features, providing no drawing tools, technical indicators, or the ability to annotate charts.
Both Trading 212 and Freetrade offer browser-based trading platforms and allow users to create alerts for stock price updates, providing flexibility and real-time access to the market. In addition, they both support real-time market data, ensuring that traders have up-to-the-minute information at their fingertips. While neither platform currently supports displaying corporate events or adding index and stock overlays, Trading 212 clearly provides more comprehensive tools for a more engaged and detailed trading experience.
| 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 |
When comparing online brokers Trading 212 and Freetrade in terms of available retirement accounts, both platforms offer Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs), providing users with tax-efficient ways to invest. However, there is a key difference when it comes to Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs): Freetrade offers SIPP accounts, catering to those planning for retirement savings in a flexible manner, while Trading 212 does not provide SIPP options. For investors focused on retirement planning, Freetrade might offer the more comprehensive solution by including both ISA and SIPP accounts.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
When comparing the mobile app offerings of Trading 212 and Freetrade, both platforms provide apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices. Trading 212's app shines with a perfect 5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com, yet it ranks 9th out of 18 brokers for mobile apps. On the other hand, Freetrade, despite receiving a slightly lower 4-star rating, secures a better overall mobile app ranking at 8th place. Both brokers make investing accessible on the go, but the choice may come down to user preference for app features and performance.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When it comes to educational resources for beginner investors, Trading 212 and Freetrade both provide learning materials on share trading and funds, though neither offers webinars—live or archived—for clients to view at their convenience. Trading 212 does not cover retirement topics, whereas Freetrade offers education in this area, potentially giving it an edge for those interested in long-term planning. Trading 212 boasts a slightly higher rating of 4 stars compared to Freetrade’s 3.5 stars according to UK.StockBrokers.com. Despite this, Freetrade holds a higher overall ranking at #9 out of 18 brokers for beginner education, while Trading 212 ranks #11, indicating both have valuable but varied resources for novice investors.
| 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 |
|
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Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When it comes to market research features, both Trading 212 and Freetrade offer tools for shares and ETF research, allowing investors to analyze individual stocks and exchange-traded funds. They also both provide the capability to view portfolio allocation by asset class, helping users understand their investment diversification. However, neither platform offers research reports for funds nor does research on bonds. Trading 212 stands out slightly by offering research on Contracts for Difference (CFDs), a feature not available with Freetrade. Overall, for straightforward investment insights, both platforms offer comparable resources, except for Trading 212’s additional CFD research.
| 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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| Website |
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| Ease of Use |
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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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
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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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