Are you confused about whether to choose IG vs Freetrade as a broker for your investing needs?
In this side-by-side comparison, we analyse IG vs Freetrade to help you understand how these apps compare on some of the most common features and make a better-informed decision about the best broker for you.
Below, you’ll find the pros and cons of each broker, as well as a comparison table that features the different fees charged, the financial instruments supported, the regulation, and more. Keep reading!
IG vs Freetrade: In a Nutshell
Forex and CFDs trading
IG is a leading Forex and CFD broker. It offers multi-asset class exposure (and Spread Betting for UK clients). IG Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange.
Beginner investors will probably enjoy IG’s intuitive mobile and desktop platforms, while advanced traders will be satisfied with the selection of indicators and charting tools.
The customer service and fees could be improved. Also, the product offering could expand to stocks and ETFs, not only CFDs.
UK investors looking for a cheap ISA/SIPP
Freetrade is a commission-free UK stockbroker. It is an excellent choice for investors looking to build a long-term portfolio of stocks and ETFs with low fees.
They operate under a freemium (free+premium) business model. As you go up the pricing plans, users get extra features, such as ISA and SIPP, 3% interest on cash, and more.
Although Freetrade is only available for UK residents, the company plans to expand to Europe (you can follow the all-new developments here).
Pros and Cons
IG
Pros
- Advanced trading tools
- No minimum deposit
- List on the FTSE 250 index
- No withdrawal fee
Cons
- Limited product portfolio (mostly CFDs)
- High stock CFD fees
- Inactivity fee after 2 years of no activity
- Complex fee structure
Freetrade
Pros
- Free stock and ETF trading
- GIA, ISA, and SIPP
- No inactivity, account, or withdrawal fees
- No minimum deposit
- Great community (forum) – where users share ideas and learn about investing
- Nice and user-friendly app
Cons
- Limited asset classes (only stocks, ETFs, REITs, and investment trusts)
- Limited research and education
- Graphs and portfolio tracking still need some development
- No web or desktop platform yet (Beta version in Plus)
- No phone support – however, live chat support is very fast and efficient
- No 24/7 support
IG vs Freetrade: Side-by-side Comparison
- General Information
- Founded in
- Demo Account
- Account Minimum
- Interest on unninvested cash (annually)
- Products
- Stocks
- ETFs
- Bonds
- Funds
- Options
- Futures
- CFDs
- Leverage Products
- Forex
- Cryptocurrencies
- Commodities
- Fees
- US stocks
- EU stocks
- ETFs
- Cryptocurrencies
- Custody Fee
- Inactivity Fee
- Withdrawal Fee
- Connectivity Fee
- Currency Conversion Fee
- Security
- Regulators
- Investor Compensation Scheme(per person, per institution)
Franklin is a CFA Level III Candidate with 3 years of experience in Wealth Management as a Fund Research Analyst and the Host of the "Edge Over Hedge" YouTube Channel.
