Freetrade

Who they are

Freetrade is a UK mobile and web investment platform that lets retail investors trade stocks, ETFs, funds, gilts and Treasury bills without per-trade commission, alongside tax-wrapped Stocks and Shares ISA, Junior ISA and SIPP pension accounts. The company was founded in 2016, obtained its FCA licence in October 2017, and opened its app to the public in October 2018. It positions itself as a low-cost alternative to older UK stockbrokers, letting customers start investing from as little as around £1.

In January 2025, IG Group agreed to acquire Freetrade for £160 million, with the deal completing on 1 April 2025 following regulatory approval. IG Group said Freetrade would continue to operate as a standalone business under its own brand.

The Investment ISA

Freetrade is not a traditional savings account provider - there is no fixed rate or easy-access cash account here. What they offer is a Stocks and Shares ISA, where your returns depend entirely on how your chosen investments perform. You pick your own funds, shares, or ETFs, and the platform charges no commission per trade.

There is currently a cashback offer for new and existing customers: you can earn up to £5,000 cashback when topping up or transferring a balance of at least £10,000 into the Freetrade Investment ISA. Terms apply, so it is worth reading the small print carefully before transferring an existing ISA.

Protection to know about

Freetrade is FCA-regulated and your investments are held in your name, separate from Freetrade's own assets. The FSCS covers your investments up to £85,000, and any uninvested cash held on the platform is protected up to £120,000. That higher cash limit is worth noting if you tend to hold a meaningful amount of cash while deciding where to invest.

As with any investment account, the value of what you hold can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you put in.

Is it right for you?

Freetrade suits people who want to invest - not simply save - within a tax-efficient ISA wrapper, and who are comfortable making their own investment decisions. ISAs and SIPPs are now available on the free tier, after Freetrade removed the monthly fees in 2025-26. There is no minimum deposit requirement, making it accessible to investors of all sizes. If you are looking for a straightforward cash savings account with a guaranteed rate, Freetrade is not the right fit - but if you want a low-cost home for your annual ISA allowance with a meaningful cashback incentive on transfers, it is worth a closer look.

Check the live details shown on this page for the most up-to-date cashback terms and any changes to the offer, as these can change at any time.