
Freetrade is a UK commission-free investment platform founded in 2018, offering stocks, ETFs, and investment trusts with no trading fees on the basic plan. Their free General Investment Account (GIA) makes it one of the simplest and cheapest ways to start investing.
Regulated by the FCA (No. 958443) with FSCS protection up to £85,000, Freetrade has over 700,000 users in the UK and is known for its clean, beginner-friendly app.
Freetrade gives you a random free share worth between £10 and £100 when you deposit £50. Around 80% of people get a share worth £10 to £25, so £15 is a realistic expectation. Still, it is free money for a simple deposit.
I recommend opening a General account (GIA) because it has no subscription fee. You do not need to pick stocks or make trades. Just open the account, deposit £50, and wait.
Key reassurance: your £50 deposit can be withdrawn at any time. Only the free share is locked for 180 days. After that, sell the share and withdraw the cash.
| Probability | Share value |
|---|---|
80% | £10 to £25 |
15% | £25.01 to £50 |
3% | £50.01 to £75 |
2% | £75 to £100 |
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Completed the offer? Awesome! Here's our full review on why Freetrade could work well for you going forward.
Freetrade is a UK commission-free investment platform that lets you buy and sell stocks, ETFs, and investment trusts without paying trading fees. Founded in 2018 and regulated by the FCA (No. 958443), it was one of the first UK apps to offer genuinely free share dealing. Freetrade offers a free General Investment Account (GIA) with no platform fee, a Stocks & Shares ISA for £5.99/month, and a SIPP pension for £11.99/month. The platform is designed to make investing accessible to beginners while still offering enough depth for regular investors.
Freetrade is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA No. 958443). Your investments are held in a nominee account, meaning they are kept separate from Freetrade's own assets. Cash balances are protected by the FSCS up to £85,000 if Freetrade were to fail. The company has been operating since 2018 and has over 700,000 users in the UK.
Freetrade is best suited for beginners and cost-conscious investors who want a simple way to buy shares and ETFs without paying commission. The free GIA makes it particularly attractive for people starting out with smaller amounts. It is also a solid choice for anyone who wants a clean, easy-to-use app without the complexity of traditional brokers.
Buy and sell UK and US stocks, ETFs, and investment trusts with no trading fees on the basic plan.
Tax-efficient investing with a Stocks & Shares ISA available for £5.99/month.
Invest in expensive stocks like Apple or Tesla with as little as £2 using fractional shares.
Simple interface designed for people who are new to investing, with curated stock lists and easy navigation.
Freetrade is a great entry point for anyone new to investing. The free General Investment Account with commission-free trading is hard to beat if you want to start buying shares without worrying about fees eating into small investments.
The app is genuinely one of the easiest to use in the UK investing space. It does not overwhelm you with charts and data — you can browse stocks, tap to buy, and you are done. The ISA is good value at £5.99/month if you are investing enough to benefit from the tax wrapper, but start with the free GIA if you are just getting started.