Updated September 29, 2026 · SumCue Editorial Team
eToro vs Freetrade
eToro
Higher score in this comparison
Freetrade
Where eToro and Freetrade differ
| Compare | eToroReviewVisitVisit | FreetradeReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $1 to $10,000 | £1 |
| Stock trade fee | $0 | £0 |
| Account fee | $0 | £0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Futures | Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Funds |
| Regulators | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), SIPC | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) |
| Investor protection | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 |
| Account types | ISA | ISA, SIPP, JisaCovers more |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.99% |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | App, Web |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 1% |
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings. Partners with a live offer in your country come first, then every other brand by score.
Key differences
- eToro scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 8.8.
- Regulators: only eToro offers Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), SIPC.
- Regulators: only Freetrade offers Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
- Founded is lower at eToro: 2007 vs 2016.
- eToro is licensed in 1 more country.
- Markets: only eToro offers Forex, CFDs, Crypto.
- Markets: only Freetrade offers Bonds, Funds.
- Account types: only Freetrade offers SIPP, Jisa.
- Support channels: only Freetrade offers Email, Chat.
- Features: only eToro offers Crypto, Copy trading.
Our verdict on each
eToro
eToro suits new investors who want shares, crypto and cash interest in a single app, with an account fee of $0 and a stock trade fee of $0. The catch is the withdrawal fee of $5 flat fee, which makes it a poor fit for anyone moving small sums in and out often.
Freetrade
Freetrade suits UK beginners and anyone opening an ISA or a pension, since dealing carries no charge and the platform is built for small, regular buys. Its overall score of 3.3 is held back by a narrow market list and support without a phone line.
Score breakdown
| Area | eToro | Freetrade |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3HigherAccount fee $0 and stock trade fee $0 rank 1 and 1, while withdrawals cost $5 flat fee. | 9.1Both charges sit at the floor: account fee £0, stock trade fee £0, ranked 1 of 166. |
| Offer | 8.8 | 9.0HigherAccounts listed are isa, sipp and jisa, features cover fractional shares, mobile app and demo account, and the minimum deposit is £1. |
| Trust | 9.2Higher | 8.5 |
Licences and countries
| Country | eToro | Freetrade |
|---|---|---|
| Cyprus | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) MiCA CASP 213800GIFQMSV7HROS23 | Not confirmed |
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed | |
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 70212 | Not confirmed |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | eToro | Freetrade |
|---|---|---|
| Investing | 5 of 654 | 273 of 654 |
| Stock and ETF brokers | 4 of 358 | 197 of 358 |
| Stocks and shares ISAs | 1 of 25 | 11 of 25 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | eToro | Freetrade |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Demo account, Fractional shares, Copy trading, Mobile appCovers more | Fractional shares, Mobile app, Demo account |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Beginners | Beginners |
| Legal entity | eToro (Europe) Ltd | Freetrade Limited |
| Headquarters | Cyprus | United Kingdom |
| Founded | 2007Lower | 2016 |
| Support channels | Help centre | Email, Chat, Help centreCovers more |
Crypto exchanges
| Fact | eToro | Freetrade |
|---|---|---|
| Taker fee | 1% | Not confirmed |
| Coins listed | from 150 | Not confirmed |
| Fiat deposit methods | Card, Bank | Not confirmed |
| Withdrawal fee | $5 flat fee | Not confirmed |
| Derivatives | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Exchange type | Cex | Not confirmed |
Savings
| Fact | eToro | Freetrade |
|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | 3.8% | Not confirmed |
| Rate type | Variable | Not confirmed |
| Deposit protection | EU DGS up to EUR 100,000 | Not confirmed |
| Access terms | Interest on USD cash balance, no lock-in, withdraw at any time, calculated daily and paid monthly | Not confirmed |
| Monthly fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Account kind | Cash management | Not confirmed |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | eToro | Freetrade |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | 0% | Not confirmed |
| Minimum investment | $500 | Not confirmed |
| Portfolio types | ETF, ESG, Cash, Crypto | Not confirmed |
Crypto wallets
| Fact | eToro | Freetrade |
|---|---|---|
| Wallet type | Mobile | Not confirmed |
| Custody | Custodial | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | eToro | Freetrade | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.99%highest quarter | 0.4% |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 1%lowest quarter | 2.875% |
Median across 77 listed providers.
Pros and cons
eToro
Pros
- Interest on the USD cash balance pays 3.8% on a variable basis, calculated daily and paid monthly, and withdrawals are allowed at any time.
- Regulated by Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and SIPC, with client asset protection of EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 and deposit protection of EU DGS up to EUR 100,000.
- Minimum deposit $1 to $10,000 and minimum portfolio investment $500 keep the starting point low, and fractional shares are among the listed features.
Cons
- Withdrawal costs $5 flat fee each time, which makes small, regular transfers expensive next to the $0 stock trade fee.
- Client asset protection of EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 sits well below deposit protection of EU DGS up to EUR 100,000, so a large share portfolio can outrun the cover.
- Taker fee 1% sits above the 0.25% median, which matters for anyone trading crypto often rather than holding.
Freetrade
Pros
- Dealing is commission free: the stock trade fee is £0 and the account fee is £0, so keeping the account open costs nothing in fees.
- A minimum deposit of £1 lets a position build up gradually, and cash waiting to be invested earns 1%.
- The account list is isa, sipp and jisa, so a pension, a tax-sheltered investment account and a junior account sit under the same login.
Cons
- Currency conversion costs 0.99%, where the typical fee across ISA and SIPP listings is 0.75%, putting it at the pricier end of that set for anyone buying in dollars or euros.
- Support runs on email, chat and help centre only, with no phone line among them, which is awkward when a position is moving fast.
- The market list stops at stocks, etfs and bonds, so anyone wanting forex or derivatives finds fewer instruments here than at a trading-focused broker.
Who each suits
eToro
Who it suits
- New investors, since the audience is listed as beginners and the minimum deposit is $1 to $10,000.
- Investors who want cash and markets together, with USD balance interest at 3.8% alongside stocks, etfs and forex.
- UK savers who want a tax wrapper, since an ISA sits among the isa on offer.
Who should look elsewhere
- bunq, which covers stocks, etfs and crypto and suits anyone who wants shares, ETFs and crypto and can set derivatives aside.
- CFI, for readers who want stocks, etfs and forex and can leave futures aside; eToro is the wider of the two.
- Fiesta Credito MX, which answers to CONDUSEF rather than Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and SIPC, for readers trading outside those markets.
Freetrade
Who it suits
- Beginners taking small first steps, since the stated audience is beginners and fractional shares plus a demo account sit in fractional shares, mobile app and demo account.
- ISA and pension savers who want isa, sipp and jisa under a single login with a minimum deposit of £1.
- Cost-focused investors, for whom an account fee of £0 and a stock trade fee of £0 keep holding inexpensive.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who wants everyday banking rather than isa, sipp and jisa: bunq is a bank account with a minimum deposit of €10, so it fits savers who need a current account, not a dealing platform.
- Traders who want a market range wider than stocks, etfs and bonds: CFI is the one to weigh instead, with a minimum deposit of $0.
- People after a lender rather than an investment account: Fiesta Credito MX is regulated by CONDUSEF, so it serves borrowing in Mexico rather than investing in the UK.
Country by country
| Country | eToro | Freetrade |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | No | Yes |
Questions about each
eToro
What does eToro charge to open and run an account?+
The account fee is $0 and the monthly fee is $0, so the account costs nothing to hold. Stock trades are charged at $0 and the platform describes itself as commission-free. Managed portfolios carry a management fee of 0%. Money moving out is the exception, at $5 flat fee per withdrawal.
Is my money protected at eToro?+
eToro is regulated by Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and SIPC. Client assets sit under investor protection of EU ICS up to EUR 20,000, while cash deposits are covered by a separate scheme at EU DGS up to EUR 100,000. These ceilings are very different, so anyone holding a large share portfolio should treat the lower figure as the real limit on recovery.
Freetrade
What does it cost to hold and trade shares?+
The account fee is £0 and the stock trade fee is £0, on a commission-free model, so opening and holding an account adds no charge. The cost that does appear is currency conversion at 0.99% whenever you buy or sell something priced in another currency. Budget for that if your holdings are not all in sterling.
How much do I need to start investing?+
The minimum deposit is £1, which keeps the entry point low. Cash waiting to be invested earns 1%, so the balance is not idle while you decide what to hold. A small starting amount suits regular contributions rather than a single lump sum, and the account fee adds nothing to the running cost.
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eToro
Freetrade