Do you like the idea of free stocks and shares? Well, with the Freetrade ‘free share’ referral bonus, you can snap up a totally free asset without much effort. We’re going to explain how the Freetrade ‘refer a friend’ process works and give you a link to kickstart your own investment portfolio.
Freetrade is using this free share promotion to boost its customer base by getting existing app users to recommend the platform. Both the person sending the referral link and the new user who signs up with it receive a free share worth £10 to £100.
Simply open a Freetrade account using this Freetrade referral link and you’ll get a free share once you meet the qualifying criteria explained below.
How can I get a free share on Freetrade?
Here’s a straightforward step-by-step guide explaining how this referral bonus works:
- Use the link: Click on the Freetrade referral link above to make sure you get the bonus, then download the Freetrade app from the App Store or Google Play.
- Sign up and open an account: Freetrade offers three plans. The Basic plan costs £0 a month and includes the GIA, Stocks and Shares ISA, Junior ISA and SIPP (Self-Invested Personal Pension). Complete the W-8BEN form during sign-up.
- Fund your account: Deposit at least £50 (net of withdrawals) within 30 days of signing up. You don’t need to invest it, but the £50 must stay in your account until the free share is awarded.
- Get your free share: The free share shows as pending and is usually revealed within 7 to 10 days.
- Refer a friend: Once set up, you’ll have your own referral link to send to friends and family. Freetrade’s terms allow sharing it by direct message, but not on public social media or forums.
How long does it take?
Once you’ve followed all the steps, Freetrade usually reveals your free share within 7 to 10 days. The terms allow up to 28 business days. If it takes longer, you can contact Freetrade at [email protected].
How long do I have to wait before I can cash out my Freetrade free share?
You can sell the free share at any time, but you need to wait 180 calendar days from the award date before you can withdraw the cash from the sale.
How often can I use my Freetrade ‘refer a friend’ referral link?
There is no lifetime limit, but you can get at most 10 free shares from referrals per calendar month. Referrals above that cap aren’t carried into the next month.
When will the Freetrade bonus referral scheme end?
It’s an ongoing promotion with no fixed end date, but Freetrade can change the rules at any time. It also runs short boosted campaigns from time to time. For example, between 25 September and 9 October 2026, referrals earned a free share worth £10 to £250 (campaign terms). Check the app for the offer that applies when you sign up.
What does Freetrade cost after the free share?
All plans have no commission on trades and no platform or inactivity fees, with access to 9,000+ stocks, ETFs, funds and bonds. The main differences are the FX (foreign exchange) fee on non-GBP investments and the interest paid on uninvested cash:
| Plan | Monthly price | FX fee | Interest on cash |
| Basic | £0 | 0.99% | 1% on up to £1,000 |
| Standard | £5.99 (£4.99 if paid annually, £59.88 a year) | 0.59% | 2.5% on up to £2,000 |
| Plus | £11.99 (£9.99 if paid annually, £119.88 a year) | 0.39% | 3.5% on up to £3,000 |
Source: Freetrade plans page, checked in October 2026. Interest rates are variable.
If you mainly buy UK shares and funds, the Basic plan is usually enough. If you often buy US shares, the lower FX fee of the Standard or Plus plan can outweigh the plan price once you convert about £15,000 a year on Standard or £20,000 on Plus (paid annually), or less if you also earn the higher interest on cash.
FAQ
Can I get the Freetrade free share without a referral link?
No. The standard free share comes from the refer a friend scheme, so you need to sign up through a referral link.
Can I get the free share in my ISA or SIPP?
No. Free shares are always awarded into the General Investment Account, even if you also open an ISA or SIPP.
What happens if I withdraw my £50 before the free share arrives?
If your net funding falls below £50 before the award date, neither you nor your friend gets the free share.
Do I pay tax on the free share?
The free share sits in a GIA, not a tax wrapper, so dividends and gains from it are taxed like any other GIA investment once they exceed your dividend allowance and capital gains annual exempt amount.
Bottom line
The Freetrade free share bonus is a simple way to try the app. Opening an account is free, and the Basic plan has no platform or inactivity fees.
You don’t have to make any trades to qualify, only keep £50 in the account until the share arrives. If you do buy or sell shares, there is no commission, but a 0.99% FX fee applies to non-GBP investments on the Basic plan.
Make sure you sign up through the referral link to qualify. Once you’re set up, you can send your own link to friends and family to earn more free shares.
