WhichBrokerHead to head · data verified October 2026
Plus500 vs Freetrade
A close call — 0.1 points apart. The winner depends on what you trade.
Pillar scores
Side by side
| Criterion | Plus500 | Freetrade |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 8.1 | 8.2 |
| Founded | 2008 | 2015 |
| Regulation | FCA (UK), CySEC (EU), ASIC (AU), MAS (SG), FMA (NZ), FSCA (ZA), EFSA (EE), DFSA (AE), SCB (BS), FSA (SC), CIRO (CA) | FCA (UK) |
| Min. deposit | $100 | No stated minimum; fractional shares from £2 |
| Fees | No commissions — costs built into spreads; overnight funding and inactivity fees apply | 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 |
| Platforms | Plus500 WebTrader, Plus500 mobile app | Freetrade mobile app (iOS, Android), Freetrade web platform |
| Markets | 2,800+ CFDs: forex, indices, shares, commodities, options, crypto (where permitted) | 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 |
| Demo account | Yes | No |
| Best for | Casual CFD traders, Traders who value listed-company transparency | UK ISA investors, Low-cost SIPP, Buyers of UK shares |
Our verdict
Choose Plus500 if you want casual cfd traders · traders who value listed-company transparency.
Choose Freetrade if you want uk isa investors · low-cost sipp · buyers of uk shares — its standout pillar in our scoring is trust & regulation.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Plus500 or Freetrade?
It's close: Plus500 scores 8.1/10 and Freetrade 8.2/10 in our methodology. The right choice depends on your profile — Plus500 is strongest for casual cfd traders, while Freetrade leads for uk isa investors.
Is Plus500 safe?
Plus500 is overseen by FCA (UK), CySEC (EU), ASIC (AU), MAS (SG), FMA (NZ), FSCA (ZA), EFSA (EE), DFSA (AE), SCB (BS), FSA (SC), CIRO (CA). Our trust score for it is 9.2/10 — see the full Plus500 review for the reasoning.
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.