WhichBrokerHead to head · data verified October 2026
Freetrade vs IC Markets
IC Markets wins our overall scoring by 0.5 points, but Freetrade still takes specific profiles.
Pillar scores
FreetradeIC Markets
FeesIC Markets
PlatformsIC Markets
Trust & regulationFreetrade
Market rangeTie
SupportIC Markets
Side by side
| Criterion | Freetrade | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 8.2 | 8.7 |
| Founded | 2015 | 2007 |
| Regulation | FCA (UK) | ASIC (AU), CySEC (EU), FSA (SC) |
| Min. deposit | No stated minimum; fractional shares from £2 | €200 (EU entity); $0 listed by the global entity |
| Fees | 0% commission on all plans; FX fee 0.99% (Basic, free), 0.59% (Standard, £4.99/mo billed annually) or 0.39% (Plus, £9.99/mo billed annually); ISA, SIPP and Junior ISA included on the free plan; 0.5% stamp duty on UK share purchases; SIPP UFPLS withdrawals cost £240 | Raw account: spreads from 0.0 pips + $3.50/lot; average EUR/USD spread ~0.1 pip |
| Platforms | Freetrade mobile app (iOS, Android), Freetrade web platform | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView |
| Markets | 9,000+ UK, US and European stocks, ETFs, investment trusts, mutual funds, gilts and UK Treasury bills; crypto ETNs; no CFDs, options or spot crypto | 2,250+ instruments: forex, indices, commodities, bonds, crypto & stock CFDs |
| Demo account | No | Yes |
| Best for | UK ISA investors, Low-cost SIPP, Buyers of UK shares | Scalpers, High-volume forex traders |
Our verdict
Choose Freetrade if you want uk isa investors · low-cost sipp · buyers of uk shares.
Choose IC Markets if you want scalpers · high-volume forex traders — its standout pillar in our scoring is fees.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Freetrade or IC Markets?
IC Markets scores higher overall in our methodology (8.7 vs 8.2). Freetrade can still be the better pick for uk isa investors.
Is Freetrade safe?
Freetrade is overseen by FCA (UK). Our trust score for it is 8.8/10 — see the full Freetrade review for the reasoning.
Is IC Markets safe?
IC Markets is overseen by ASIC (AU), CySEC (EU), FSA (SC). Our trust score for it is 8.4/10 — see the full IC Markets review for the reasoning.