Two brokers square off on cost, access, and investment features. The comparison pits a UK focused, mobile app against an ASIC regulated ECN broker with deeper exchange access.
Freetrade edges ACY Securities on the editorial score. It benefits from a commission-free model and stronger trust metrics, while ACY offers broader exchange access and advanced charting.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose ACY Securities if…
Choose ACY Securities if you value advanced charting, negative balance protection, and access to more exchanges.
Choose Freetrade if…
Choose Freetrade if you want commission-free trades and ISA or SIPP wrappers.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Freetrade wins for low cost trading because of commission-free stock and ETF trades.
| Editorial score | 3.6/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $50 | N/A |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ACY Securities | Freetrade |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Fail | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Pass |
| No deposit fee | — | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Pass |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Fail |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
The scores are close: ACY Securities rates 3.6/5 and Freetrade rates 4/5. Freetrade has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
ACY Securities starts from 0. Current spread data is not available for Freetrade. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
ACY Securities requires $50. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for Freetrade.
Both ACY Securities and Freetrade hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, ACY Securities provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
ACY Securities lists maximum leverage of 500:1, while Freetrade lists up to 1:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
ACY Securities charges $7 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for Freetrade are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
ACY Securities supports MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while Freetrade supports Freetrade App. ACY Securities has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and TradingView and MetaTrader 4. Freetrade has exclusive access to Freetrade App.
Freetrade offers commission-free stock trading while ACY Securities does not according to our data. Commission-free trading can reduce costs for frequent traders. Always confirm the current fee structure directly on each broker's website.
Freetrade scores higher on investor protection criteria, with compensation scheme coverage and segregated client funds. For stock investors, confirming compensation scheme coverage ensures your assets are protected up to a defined limit if the broker becomes insolvent.
Freetrade is stronger on safety and regulation because it has higher trust metrics and compensation scheme.
Freetrade supports ISAs and SIPPs for long-term UK investing.
ACY Securities suits active traders with ECN execution and professional charting.
Freetrade suits beginners with a clean mobile app and no minimum deposit.
ACY Securities provides access to more exchanges, expanding global market reach.
| 0.7 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardCrypto | Bank transferDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardCrypto | Bank transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | Yes |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | Yes |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | No |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC FSA Seychelles | FCA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 | Freetrade App |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.6 / 5
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