Both are FCA-regulated and FSCS-protected. The real difference is fees, account types and how each platform feels to use. Verified against each provider’s published charges.
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.
Tick what you need. No account, no email. The answer is on this page.
Tick what you need above and we'll tell you which of the two covers it.
Account availability verified July 2026. Capital at risk. Information, not financial advice.
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 Trustpilot| 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 |
Freetrade helped bring commission-free investing to the UK and keeps a 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.
It depends on what you hold and how often you trade. Freetrade's platform fee is £0 on Basic; Standard £4.99/month; Plus £9.99/month (annual billing), against 0.35% up to £250k (0.20% above); £90/year flat if under £25k without a regular savings plan at Fidelity. On dealing, Freetrade charges £0 commission for shares and eTFs only, £0 commission for funds, while Fidelity charges £7.50 per online trade for shares and free for funds. Fees verified July 2026.
Freetrade is best for beginners who want a simple app and are happy with shares and ETFs. Fidelity is best for fund investors who value guidance, tools and phone support. Both are FCA regulated and covered by the FSCS.
On Freetrade's ISA: Included on all plans. On Fidelity's ISA: Platform fee applies. Freetrade offers a flexible ISA and Fidelity does not. Minimums are £2 at Freetrade and £25/month or £1,000 lump sum at Fidelity.
Freetrade offers a SIPP (included on all plans). Fidelity offers a SIPP (platform fee applies).
Freetrade scores 4.2 out of 5 on Trustpilot (Great) from over 7,000 reviews. Fidelity scores 4.6 out of 5 (Excellent) from over 6,500 reviews. Critical reviews focus on the 0.99% FX fee on the free plan and features being moved behind subscriptions. The £7.50 share dealing charge and dated parts of the website draw criticism.
Yes. UK platforms accept ISA and SIPP transfers in, and you start the transfer with the receiving provider rather than the one you are leaving. Freetrade charges free on withdrawals and Fidelity charges free. Transfer as cash and you are out of the market while it settles; transfer in specie and you keep your holdings but it takes longer.
Freetrade or Fidelity, the account is the easy part. What decides when you can retire is how much goes in and for how long. Delphina works that out from what you already hold and what you pay in each month.
Free to check. No card required. Takes about two minutes.