Two brokers square off on cost structures, product scope, and long-term investing options. One centers on CFDs and global share access, the other emphasizes commission-free trading and ISA/SIPP eligibility.
Freetrade edges ATFX on editorial score, and offers commission-free stock trading plus ISA/SIPP support.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Freetrade wins for low cost trading due to commission-free stock trading.
| Editorial score | 3.7/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | No minimum | N/A |
| Spreads from | 1.8 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
| Deposit fee | Free |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ATFX | 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) | Pass | 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: ATFX rates 3.7/5 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.
ATFX starts from 1.8. Current spread data is not available for Freetrade. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
ATFX requires no minimum deposit required. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for Freetrade.
Both ATFX 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, ATFX 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.
ATFX lists maximum leverage of 400:1, 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.
ATFX supports MetaTrader 4, while Freetrade supports Freetrade App. ATFX has exclusive access to MetaTrader 4. Freetrade has exclusive access to Freetrade App.
Freetrade offers commission-free stock trading while ATFX 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.
Both ATFX and Freetrade are covered by a compensation scheme according to our data, providing an additional safety net for your stock investments. Confirm the specific scheme and coverage limit that applies to your account before depositing.
ATFX is favored for safety & regulation due to dual tier-1 coverage with FSCS and ICF.
Freetrade wins for long-term investors with ISA and SIPP options.
ATFX suits active traders with short selling and advanced charting.
Freetrade suits beginners with a clean mobile interface and no minimum deposit.
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | 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 | FCA FSCA CySEC | FCA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 | Freetrade App |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.7 / 5
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