Tool Comparison
Freetrade vs Lightyear
- Paid from
- —
- Free plan
- No
- Platforms
- Web, Mobile
Best if
- You want advanced order types and downloadable tax reports.
- Paid from
- —
- Free plan
- No
- Platforms
- Web, Mobile
Best if
- You want AI research, stock ideas, and ETF analysis.
- You're a long-term investor who cares more about fundamentals than headlines
Pick Freetrade instead if
Freetrade
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile
- You want advanced order types and downloadable tax reports.
Start here
Lightyear
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile
- You want AI research, stock ideas, and ETF analysis.
- You're a long-term investor who cares more about fundamentals than headlines
Skip both if: Neither one clicks with how you research; there are strong third options.
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Our take
The bottom line
Freetrade and Lightyear cover a lot of the same ground (3 shared categories, brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. Lightyear simply does more: 8 categories to Freetrade's 5, including AI research, stock ideas, and ETF analysis. Freetrade counters by keeping things simpler.
What readers say
Freetrade
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Lightyear
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Key differences at a glance
- Broader coverage
- Lightyear8 vs 5 categories
What Freetrade does best
- Commission-free dealing in the available stocks, ETFs, investment trusts, funds, gilts, and UK Treasury bills.
- A free Basic plan with GIA, Stocks and Shares ISA, Junior Stocks and Shares ISA, and SIPP access.
- Optional Standard and Plus plans with lower FX fees and higher capped GBP cash interest.
- Supported US stock fractions are bought by GBP value; EU shares can be fractional in recurring orders.
- Recurring orders, limit orders, stop losses, portfolio monitoring, and watchlists.
What Lightyear does best
- Trade U.S., UK, and European stocks, with fractional shares where supported.
- European accounts pay no Lightyear ETF execution or custody fee, although fund manager fees still apply.
- General investment and eligible business accounts can hold GBP, USD, and EUR.
- Build custom plans, use ready-made plans, and optionally automate purchases of eligible fractional instruments.
- Lightyear AI summarizes material-move news, explains possible price-chart drivers, and presents sourced bull and bear cases.
Side by side
Pricing comparison
See for yourself
Side by side
Price, platforms, data, and market coverage.ShowHide
Side by side
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pricing & plans | ||
Starting price | Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction | Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction |
Free tier | No | No |
Free trial | — | — |
Plan limits | — | 9 limits: European account: US stock order: fee percent: 0.1, European account: US stock order: minimum usd: 0.1 +7 more |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
API access | No | No |
Broker sync | — | No |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate | Beginner, Intermediate |
Best for | — | Retail Traders, Long-term Investors +1 more |
Categories covered | 5 | 8 |
Regions | Europe, North America | North America, Europe |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data partners | — | 3 partners: Alpaca, BlackRock +1 more |
Capabilities | — | Multi-currency and AI summaries: News |
| Try it | Visit Freetrade | Visit Lightyear |
Standout features
The best features of Freetrade and Lightyear.ShowHide
Standout features
What Freetrade does best
- Commission-free dealing in the available stocks, ETFs, investment trusts, funds, gilts, and UK Treasury bills.
- A free Basic plan with GIA, Stocks and Shares ISA, Junior Stocks and Shares ISA, and SIPP access.
- Optional Standard and Plus plans with lower FX fees and higher capped GBP cash interest.
- Supported US stock fractions are bought by GBP value; EU shares can be fractional in recurring orders.
- Recurring orders, limit orders, stop losses, portfolio monitoring, and watchlists.
What Lightyear does best
- Trade U.S., UK, and European stocks, with fractional shares where supported.
- European accounts pay no Lightyear ETF execution or custody fee, although fund manager fees still apply.
- General investment and eligible business accounts can hold GBP, USD, and EUR.
- Build custom plans, use ready-made plans, and optionally automate purchases of eligible fractional instruments.
- Lightyear AI summarizes material-move news, explains possible price-chart drivers, and presents sourced bull and bear cases.
All details
Every attribute we track for Freetrade and Lightyear.ShowHide
All details
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsBondsMutual Funds | StocksETFsBondsFundsCryptos |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediate | BeginnerIntermediate |
Target audience | Not specified | Retail TradersLong-term InvestorsIndex/Passive Investors |
Regions | EuropeNorth America | North AmericaEurope |
Coverage details | Identifiers: Ticker and ISIN | Countries: US, GB, and EEExchanges: XNYS, XNAS, and XLONIdentifiers: Ticker |
| Data | ||
Data partners | Not specified | AlpacaBlackRockJ.P. Morgan Asset Management |
| Access & integrations | ||
Import methods | Not specified | Manual |
Export formats | CSVPDF | Not specified |
| Plans & trust | ||
Capability signals | Not specified | Multi-currencyAI summaries: News |
Vendor & support | Freetrade LimitedCountry: United KingdomSupport: Chat and Email | Lightyear Financial Ltd.Country: United KingdomSupport: Email and Chat |
Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.
Pricing
Plans, billing, free trials, and monthly prices.ShowHide
Pricing
| Tier | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Free“Basic” | Free“Account” |
| Entry paid plan | £5.99/mo“Standard” | — |
| Top plan | £11.99/mo“Plus” | — |
Alternatives
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between Freetrade and Lightyear?
Freetrade leans toward brokerage, advanced order types, and portfolio, while Lightyear puts more weight on brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist. They overlap in 3 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do Freetrade and Lightyear cost?
Neither has a free plan; you'll need a paid subscription for the full feature set of either. Check each tool's current plan details before buying.
Should I choose Freetrade or Lightyear?
It depends on what you're after. Pick Freetrade if advanced order types and downloadable tax reports matter to you; go with Lightyear if you'd rather have AI research and stock ideas. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do Freetrade and Lightyear cover?
Both cover stocks, ETFs, and bonds. Freetrade also handles mutual funds. Lightyear adds funds and cryptos on top.
Can I export data from Freetrade and Lightyear?
Freetrade exports to CSV. Lightyear is stingier about getting data out.
Can I track my portfolio with Freetrade or Lightyear?
Yes, both do portfolio tracking: holdings, performance, and allocation in one place.
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Curation & Accuracy
This directory blends AI‑assisted discovery with human curation. Entries are reviewed, edited, and organized with the goal of expanding coverage and sharpening quality over time. Your feedback helps steer improvements (because no single human can capture everything all at once).
Details change. Pricing, features, and availability may be incomplete or out of date. Treat listings as a starting point and verify on the provider’s site before making decisions. If you spot an error or a gap, send a quick note and I’ll adjust.