Our Bottom Line
The Freetrade General Investment Account (GIA) gives investors arguably one of the easiest and lowest-cost ways to invest in the financial markets. Unlike the Freetrade Stocks and Shares ISA, investors don’t need to sign up to one of the platform’s paid subscription plans. And with the continued benefit of commission-free trading, it makes it an ideal pick for DIY investors who don’t need or have already used their annual ISA allowance.
With Freetrade, investors gain access to a vast pool of over 6,200 investment options, including stocks, ETFs, REITs, investment trusts, UK treasury bills, and even mutual funds. Everything can be managed through the mobile app or the online web platform, with tools available to automate the investing process.
Of course, the low-cost nature of this platform also introduces some downsides. The research offerings to investors are fairly basic. And the service lacks advanced charting and other complex tools often demanded from expert traders to execute complicated hedging strategies.
However, for cost-conscious investors looking for a no-nonsense way to build a long-term investment portfolio, Freetrade’s General Investment Account is a strong contender in 2025.
Pros & Cons
Here’s what we like about the Freetrade GIA:
- No paid subscription required to start investing.
- Commission-free trading across all its paid and unpaid subscription plans.
- Huge range of 6,200+ investments.
- Can invest in fractional US shares.
- Investors earn interest on uninvested cash.
- Clean and easy-to-navigate mobile app and web platform.
- Regular investing tools are available to automate contributions.
- Transparent and simple fee structure.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Cannot invest in fractional UK or European shares.
- Research tools are basic and limited.
- Robo-advice and ready-made investment options are not available.
- Only paid subscribers can invest in mutual funds.
- Customer support is limited to an online chat or email, with no phone option available.
- Currency exchange fee is higher for non-paid subscribers.
Key Features and Services
The Freetrade General Investment Account is designed for maximum flexibility and ease of use. Here are the main highlights:
- Commission-free traders – Buy and sell investments with zero dealing commission.
- Subscription-based pricing – Pay an optional flat monthly or annual premium subscription fee instead of a percentage-based charge.
- Investment universe – Choose from thousands of investment options, including shares, ETFs, trusts, UK treasuries, and mutual funds.
- Fractional share dealing – Gain exposure to expensive US stocks without needing to buy full shares.
- Earn cash interest – Get interest on uninvested cash, enjoying higher rates on premium plans.
- App & web access – Manage your investments and portfolio from anywhere in the world.
- Automated investing – Set up regular investing orders and automated buy and sell orders to enjoy a more hands-off investing experience.
Fees and Trading Costs in 2025
The Freetrade General Investment Account allows investors to build wealth with minimal costs. However, there are still some fees to take into consideration.
Free Trade Subscription Plans
There are three subscription plans available for investors seeking to take advantage of the Freetrade General Investment Account.
- Basic (Free) – The Basic subscription plan offers a terrific entry-level service for investors to test out the Freetrade platform before joining a paid subscription plan. Investors gain access to the entire investment universe (excluding mutual funds), and earn 1% interest on uninvested cash up to £1,000.
- Standard (£5.99 per month) – Subscribers get access to all the perks of a Basic subscription plan as well as access to automated investing tools, the ability to participate in early market trading, more detailed analysis, and a 3% interest rate on up to £2,000 of uninvested cash. They can also gain the ability to open a Freetrade Stocks and Shares ISA. If investors choose to subscribe to an annual plan rather than monthly, the cost is slightly lower at the equivalent of £4.99 per month.
- Plus (£11.99 per month) – Subscribers get access to all the perks of the Standard subscription plan as well as the ability to invest in mutual funds, receive priority customer support, withdraw funds on the same day, and earn 5% interest on up to £3,000 of uninvested cash. They can also gain the ability to open a Free Trade Self-Invested Personal Pension. If investors choose to subscribe to an annual plan rather than monthly, the cost is slightly lower at the equivalent of £9.99 per month.
Across all subscription plans, there are no fees to deposit or withdraw funds.
Foreign Exchange Charges
The Freetrade platform allows investors to execute commission-free transactions regardless of their subscription tier. However, whenever investing internationally (such as in US or EU stocks), there is still a currency exchange fee that is charge.
The size of the fee depends on the investor’s subscription plan:
- Basic – 0.99% of the order value.
- Standard – 0.59% of the order value.
- Plus – 0.39% of the order value.
Freetrade Account Requirements
Here are the minimum requirements for investors to be eligible to open and use a Freetrade Stocks and Shares ISA:
- Minimum opening amount – There is no minimum opening amount required. Investors can get started with £0.
- Minimum trading amount – There is no minimum trading amount set by the Freetrade platform. However, certain investments, such as mutual funds, may still have their own minimum trading requirements.
- Eligibility – To open and use a Freetrade Stocks and Shares ISA, you have to be at least 18 years old and a UK resident. You will need a National Insurance Number to get started.
Platform and App Experience in 2025
The Freetrade app and web platform continue to be intuitive and beginner-friendly in 2025. Portfolios are clearly displays, showing holdings, performance, and cash balances at a glance. And this simplicity is how Freetrade won multiple awards, including “Best Online Trading Platform” in 2024 by Smart Money People.
However, this simplicity comes at a trade-off. As previously mentioned, the available research tools, even on the paid subscription plans, are fairly basic. The app’s ‘Discover’ tab does provide some interesting filtering tools to find investments in specific categories such as ‘female-led’, ‘tech’, or ‘ESG’. But advanced charting or detailed company financials and analysis aren’t part of the package.
As such, most investors will need to do research externally, either directly or through a stock-picking service like The Motley Fool Share Advisor. On the positive side, Freetrade’s newsletter, Honey, continues to deliver fun and useful investing insights for retail investors.
Is A Freetrade General Investment Account Right For you?
After reviewing its capabilities, the Freetrade General Investment Account seems to be a great fit for investors who value a low-cost, no-thrills, easy-to-use solution for building wealth. It’s particularly appealing for investors who have already maxed out their annual ISA allowance and want more flexibility without being forced into a paid subscription plan.
But it’s also important to recognise that the platform was not designed for experienced traders or investors who want to implement sophisticated investing strategies. The lack of phone support can also be frustrating for some users who prefer to speak directly to the customer support team.
Nevertheless, for everyday investors wanting to grow wealth with no fuss, Freetrade’s General Investment Account is a competitive choice in 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Freetrade General Investment Account?
The Freetrade GIA is a flexible investment account that allows investors to buy and sell a vast range of investments, including shares, funds, trusts, UK treasuries, and others.
Does the Freetrade General Investment Account have fees?
Yes. While investors aren’t required to join a paid subscription plan to take advantage of a Freetrade GIA, doing so unlocks additional tools and perks. There are also foreign currency exchange fees charged when investing internationally.
Can I withdraw money from my Freetrade GIA?
Yes. Investors can withdraw their funds at any time without any penalties. Typically, withdrawals take between 2-3 working days. However, those on the Plus subscription plan can enjoy same-day withdrawals.
Is the Freetrade General Investment Account safe?
Yes. Freetrade is regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Investor assets are held separately from the funds of the company, and any uninvested cash is protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000
Who should use the Freetrade GIA?
The Freetrade GIA is well-suited towards beginner investors who want to take advantage of commission-free trading and have already used up the annual ISA allowance.
Alternatives To Consider
There are other low-cost General Investment Accounts to consider beyond Freetrade. If you’re looking to compare against other platforms, you should check out our reviews for: