Our Bottom Line
The Freetrade Stocks and Shares ISA account ranks among the simplest and cost-effective ways for DIY investors or traders to build wealth in the markets. While the service does require a monthly or annual subscription to benefit from the ISA advantage, transactions can be executed at zero commission – ideal for investors who buy and sell more frequently.
Investors can access an enormous 6,200+ pool of investments, including stocks, exchange-traded funds, real estate investment trusts, general investment trusts, UK treasury bills, and mutual funds.
That said, the platform has limited investment research tools. And while it does have some handy trading systems to automate some of the investing process (stop loss, limit orders, etc.), Freetrade isn’t ideal for seasoned investors aiming to implement complex trading strategies.
However, for anyone just starting out – or simply looking for a no-fuss way to grow a Stocks and Shares ISA portfolio, Freetrade is a strong and cost-effective pick in 2025.
Pros & Cons
After reviewing the Freetrade Stocks and Shares ISA, here’s what we like:
- Fixed monthly/annual subscription fees.
- Commission-free trading on all its subscription plans.
- An enormous range of investments to pick from.
- Regular investing tools to automate wealth-building.
- Clean, user-friendly, and intuitive platform and mobile app.
- Earn interest on uninvested cash.
- Invest in fractional US shares.
- Transparent pricing.
But here are also some things to consider:
- Research tools and market data access are relatively basic.
- Cannot invest in fractional UK shares.
- Customer support is limited to an in-app chat or by email. There is no phone support.
- No AI-driven tools or robo-advisory features.
- Mutual funds are available exclusively to top-tier subscription members.
- No ISA transfer bonuses.
Key Features and Services
The Freetrade Stocks and Shares ISA offers a solid suite of features to cost-conscious investors.
- Commission-free trades – Execute buy and sell orders with no commission fees.
- Subscription-based pricing – Pay a fixed monthly or annual fee instead of a yearly percentage-based fee.
- ISA flexibility – Enjoy the tax advantages of a Stocks and Shares ISA across all paid subscription plans. The Freetrade Stocks and Shares ISA is also a Flexible ISA. That means investors can withdraw and replace funds without impacting their £20,000 annual allowance.
- App and web access – Manage and review investments from a desktop web platform or from your mobile phone at any time, anywhere in the world.
- Earn cash interest – Earn interest on uninvested cash with higher rates offered to higher-tier subscription plans.
- Fractional share dealing – Buy and sell fractional parts of US shares, granting easier access to the highest priced stocks.
- Vast investment universe – Picking from over 6,200 stocks, ETFs, trusts, UK treasuries, and mutual funds.
Fees and Trading Costs in 2025
While the Freetrade Stocks and Shares ISA has some of the lowest fees, there are still some costs that investors must consider in 2025.
Freetrade Subscription Plans
There are three subscription tiers available on the Freetrade platform. However, for investors seeking to leverage the tax advantage of a Stocks and Shares ISA, only two of these subscription tiers are suitable.
- Standard (£5.99 per month) – The Standard subscription plan grants access to the entire Freetrade universe of investments, excluding mutual funds. Investors can earn 3% interest on up to £2,000 of uninvested cash, automate their order types, access basic analyst ratings, and participate in pre-market trading. If investors choose to pay annually, the subscription works out to £4.99 per month.
- Plus (£11.99 per month) – The Plus subscription has all the same benefits as the Standard subscription. However, investors can now allocate capital towards mutual funds, earn 5% interest on up to £3,000 of uninvested cash, enjoy same-day withdrawals, and also create a Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) account. If investors choose to pay annually, the subscription works out to £9.99 per month.
There are no fees to deposit or withdraw funds.
Foreign Exchange Charges
While the Freetrade platform allows investors to buy and sell shares without paying a commission, there is still a foreign currency exchange fee that needs to be paid when investing internationally.
For investors on a Standard subscription plan, this fee is equal to 0.59% of the order value. For investors on a Plus subscription plan, the foreign exchange subscription fee is lower at 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 platform is clearly designed with absolute simplicity in mind. And this intuitive design is how the platform has received numerous awards for its ease of use, as well as being the best low-cost ISA for portfolios worth less than £50,000 in 2024.
The functional layout can feel a bit dated compared to other modernised trading platforms. But it also allows investors to see exactly what holdings they have, the performance of their portfolio, and remaining uninvested cash within moments of logging in.
However, the research tools provided are notably weaker compared to rival platforms. The in-app “Discover” tab offers some handy filters, such as “Green Energy” or “Female CEO”. There are also basic charts, as well as analyst ratings and earnings per share estimates to flip through.
But sadly, it’s hardly enough information to make informed investment decisions. And for investors wanting advanced charting tools or detailed financials, they’ll likely have to pay for a separate third-party service.
The Freetrade platform is designed exclusively for executing investments, not researching them. But it does offer a monthly newsletter called ‘Honey’ which is both fun and informative. And overall, it appears to be a solid pick for both long-term and short-term investors relying on their own research or that of a third-party service, like The Motley Fool Share Advisor.
Is Freetrade Stocks and Shares ISA Right For You?
After reviewing its features, the Freetrade Stocks and Shares ISA is an ideal pick for investors wanting a low-cost, commission-free, and easy-to-use trading platform. It’s especially powerful for those who don’t want to fuss with complex trading strategies.
The lack of direct phone support can be frustrating for some. And the limited research tools can make the platform feel somewhat restrictive. But despite these minor flaws, the Freetrade Stocks and Shares ISA is a great place for investors to start their wealth-building journey, in our opinion.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Freetrade Stocks and Shares ISA cost?
While Freetrade offers a General Investment Account for free, investors seeking to leverage the power of a Stocks and Shares ISA will have to join a paid subscription plan starting from £5.99 per month (or £4.99 when paying annually).
Is Freetrade safe?
Yes. Freetrade is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and customer assets are protected up to £85,000 by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
Can I buy fractional shares with Freetrade?
Fractional shares are available for US stocks only. It’s not possible to buy fractional UK or European shares with a Freetrade Stocks and Shares ISA.
Does Freetrade offer phone support?
No. Support is available on the web platform or mobile app through a live chat service. Otherwise, customers can reach out by email.
Alternatives to Consider
Some alternative cheap ISA brokerage platforms to consider that are good for beginners include: