Both are FCA regulated and FSCS protected. The real differences are fees, investment range and how each platform feels to use. Here is the honest comparison.
Fees verified July 2026. Capital at risk. Information, not financial advice.
Beginners who want a simple app and are happy with shares and ETFs.
Fund investors who value guidance, tools and phone support.
| Fee | Freetrade | Fidelity |
|---|---|---|
| Platform fee | £0 on Basic; Standard £4.99/month; Plus £9.99/month (annual billing) | 0.35% up to £250k (0.20% above); £90/year flat if under £25k without a regular savings plan |
| Share dealing | £0 commission | £7.50 per online trade |
| Fund dealing | ETFs only, £0 commission | Free |
| FX fee | 0.99% Basic, 0.59% Standard, 0.39% Plus | 0.75% tiered |
| Stocks & Shares ISA | Included on all plans | Platform fee applies |
| SIPP | Included on all plans | Platform fee applies |
| Withdrawals | Free | Free |
| Minimum to start | £2 | £25/month or £1,000 lump sum |
Around seven in ten reviewers rate it excellent, citing the clean app and helpful customer service.
Critical reviews focus on the 0.99% FX fee on the free plan and features being moved behind subscriptions.
Read Freetrade reviews on TrustpilotReviewers highlight helpful phone support and a straightforward transfer process.
The £7.50 share dealing charge and dated parts of the website draw criticism.
Read Fidelity reviews on TrustpilotFreetrade helped bring commission-free investing to the UK and keeps a genuinely free tier that now includes an ISA and a SIPP. The app is one of the simplest ways to buy your first share.
The catch is the FX fee. On the free plan you pay 0.99% every time you buy or sell a US stock, which adds up quickly. If most of your money goes into US shares, either upgrade to a paid plan for lower FX fees or compare against Trading 212's flat 0.15%.
Fidelity is a solid full-service choice for fund investors. Fund dealing is free, the ETF and share service fee is capped at £90 a year, and the guidance content is some of the best of the big platforms.
Costs are less friendly if you trade shares often or hold a small account without a regular savings plan. Compare it against AJ Bell if you want similar breadth with lower dealing charges.
A 0.2% fee difference is worth optimising. Knowing whether you are saving enough in the first place is worth far more. Delphina models your pensions, ISAs and investments and tells you where you actually stand.