Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Interactive Brokers VS Freetrade

Compare Interactive Brokers VS Freetrade and see what are their differences

Interactive Brokers logo Interactive Brokers

Deep discount electronic access broker offering online trading of Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex.

Freetrade logo Freetrade

Invest in stocks & ETFs for free, get started in seconds.
  • Interactive Brokers Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-06-30
  • Freetrade Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-10

Interactive Brokers features and specs

  • Low Trading Costs
    Interactive Brokers offers some of the lowest trading fees in the industry, with competitive commission structures that can benefit frequent traders.
  • Wide Range of Tradable Securities
    The platform provides access to a diversified array of financial instruments, including stocks, options, futures, forex, bonds, and mutual funds, across more than 135 markets worldwide.
  • Advanced Trading Tools
    Interactive Brokers offers sophisticated trading platforms such as Trader Workstation (TWS) that come equipped with advanced trading tools, research, and analytics.
  • Margin Rates
    The broker offers competitive margin rates that are often lower than those of many competitors, which is beneficial for traders using leverage.
  • Strong Regulatory Framework
    Interactive Brokers operates under strict regulatory oversight from top global regulatory bodies, ensuring a secure trading environment.

Possible disadvantages of Interactive Brokers

  • Complex Platform
    The advanced features and tools can make the platform seem overwhelming for beginners, requiring a steep learning curve to fully utilize the service.
  • Inactivity Fees
    Inactive accounts are subject to monthly inactivity fees, which can be a drawback for traders who do not trade frequently.
  • Customer Service
    There have been reports of subpar customer service, including long wait times and varied quality of support experiences.
  • Minimum Deposit Requirement
    There is a $10,000 minimum deposit requirement for new accounts, which can be prohibitive for small investors.
  • Limited Banking Services
    Unlike some other brokers, Interactive Brokers does not offer extensive banking services like checking or savings accounts, which may limit its use for comprehensive financial management.

Freetrade features and specs

  • Commission-Free Trading
    Freetrade offers commission-free trading on a variety of stocks and ETFs, making it an attractive option for investors looking to minimize trading costs.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The platform is designed with simplicity in mind, making it accessible for both novice and experienced investors.
  • Fractional Shares
    Freetrade allows users to buy fractional shares, enabling them to invest in high-priced stocks without needing to purchase a full share.
  • Transparency
    Freetrade is transparent about its pricing and business model, offering a clear understanding of how they make money.
  • Regulation and Security
    The platform is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), ensuring a layer of security and trust for users.

Possible disadvantages of Freetrade

  • Limited Asset Classes
    Freetrade currently focuses on stocks and ETFs. Investors looking to trade a wider variety of asset classes like options, futures, or cryptocurrencies may find the platform limiting.
  • No Desktop Version
    Freetrade is primarily app-based and doesn't offer a desktop version, which could be inconvenient for users who prefer trading on a computer.
  • Basic Research Tools
    The platform offers basic research and analysis tools, which may not be sufficient for advanced traders who require comprehensive market data and analytics.
  • Lack of Advanced Order Types
    Freetrade does not support advanced order types like limit orders, which might be a dealbreaker for more sophisticated investors.
  • Limited Customer Support
    Customer support options are relatively limited, which can lead to slower response times during peak periods.

Interactive Brokers videos

Interactive brokers review 2020 - Reviews and ratings Pros & Cons

More videos:

  • Review - The REAL reason I’ll NEVER use Interactive Brokers again!! 😡
  • Review - Interactive Brokers Canada PROS & CONS Review - 2020

Freetrade videos

Freetrade Review | Best UK Investment App? | Zero Fees

More videos:

  • Review - Freetrade App Review
  • Review - FreeTrade App Review | Best UK Trading App

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Interactive Brokers and Freetrade)
Finance
54 54%
46% 46
Investing
54 54%
46% 46
Trading
69 69%
31% 31
Fintech
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Interactive Brokers and Freetrade

Interactive Brokers Reviews

Where is Revolut Available? International Alternatives for 2022
It is an excellent option if you are looking for a more professional platform. Interactive Brokers has recently reduced its fees massively to remain competitive with all the new competition price-wise. Interactive Brokers review is available here. 💡 Interactive Brokers also launched IBKR GlobalTrader, a modern mobile trading app to trade Stocks and ETFs, ideal for novice...
8 Best Business Brokerage Accounts – Corporate Trading and Investing
Interactive Brokers’ fee structure is also quite complex, the registration process is lengthy but fully online, and the broker doesn’t offer commission-free trading outside the US. However, when considering FX fees, narrower spreads, and the stock loan program, Interactive Brokers’ clients still get significant savings compared to most brokers.
Does M1 Finance work internationally? Worldwide Alternatives for 2022
Founded in 1978, IBKR is one of the world’s most trustworthy brokers. It offers an enormous range of financial products (stocks, ETFs, Options,…), and low currency conversion fees (FX fees). Check our Interactive Brokers review. 💡 Interactive Brokers also launched IBKR GlobalTrader, a modern mobile trading app to trade Stocks and ETFs, ideal for novice investors.
Does Cash App Work Internationally? Worldwide Alternatives for 2022
Founded in 1978, IBKR is one of the world’s most trustworthy brokers. It offers an enormous range of financial products (stocks, ETFs, Options, Cryptos,…), and low currency conversion fees (FX fees). Interactive Brokers review available here. 💡 Interactive Brokers also launched IBKR GlobalTrader, a modern mobile trading app to trade Stocks and ETFs, ideal for novice investors.
When is Robinhood Coming to Australia? Alternatives for 2022
On the downside, Interactive Brokers’ fee structure is quite complex, the registration process is lengthy but fully online, and the broker doesn’t offer commission-free trading. However, when considering FX fees, narrower spreads, and the stock loan program, Interactive Brokers’ clients still get significant savings compared to most brokers.

Freetrade Reviews

We have no reviews of Freetrade yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Freetrade seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 15 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Interactive Brokers mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Interactive Brokers yet. Tracking of Interactive Brokers recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Freetrade mentions (15)

  • Freetrade - free £10-£100 share when you deposit £50 (no need to invest)
    Non-referral link (no free share): https://freetrade.io/. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Freetrade - Free share worth £10 to £100 for depositing £10
    Freetrade is another stocks and shares trading app, where new customers can get a free share worth £10-100 for signing up through a referral link and deposting £10 (there is no need to invest the £10). The referrer must also have £10 in their freetrade account, and I do, so you will receive your free share if you use my referral link You can withdraw your original deposit after you get your free share but you... Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Freetrade: Free Share Worth (£10 to £100) for £50 Deposit
    Freetrade is a commission-free investment app that lets you buy and sell stocks, ETFs, and other investments. It's a great way to get started with investing, and it's also a good option for experienced investors who want to save money on fees. They’re currently offering a free share worth £10-£100 for new users who sign up using a referral link. ________________________________________ Steps to get your free... Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Freetrade: Give £10-£100, Get £10-£100 in free shares
    Non referral link (no free share): https://freetrade.io/. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Freetrade - Quick and fast £10 to £15 when you deposit £50
    Freetrade was the first beermoneyuk community offer I did. They are giving a freeshare worth £10 to £15 when you deposit £50. Steps to get your freeshare worth £10 to £15: - Sign up to Freetrade using my referral link. Please message me for my link. - Complete KYC and particularly the W8BEN form. - Deposit £50 within the first 30 days of joining - Receive your free share. Non-ref. Source: over 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Interactive Brokers and Freetrade, you can also consider the following products

TradeStation - Whether you trade stocks, ETFs, options or futures, TradeStation’s award-winning tools and...

Robinhood - Free stock trading service.

MetaTrader5 - World-leading multi-asset platform that allows trading Forex, Stocks, Futures and CFDs.

eToro - The social investment network that connects traders from around the globe and enables them to share...

Questrade - Questrade IQ Mobile is everything you need to trade stocks - right in the palm of your hand.

Stonksfolio - Gain insight into the performance of stock & ETF investments