★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Tool details checked July 17, 2026
Tool Comparison
Freetrade vs Rakuten Securities
Pick Freetrade if
Freetrade
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile
- You care about advanced order types, something Rakuten Securities doesn't offer
Pick Rakuten Securities if
Rakuten Securities
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile
- You care about options, something Freetrade doesn't offer
- You've outgrown the basics and want pro-level depth
Skip both if: Neither one clicks with how you research; there are strong third options.
See alternativesOutbound links may include affiliate or sponsor codes.
Our take
The bottom line
Freetrade and Rakuten Securities cover a lot of the same ground (4 shared categories, including brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. The real difference is focus: only Freetrade gives you advanced order types, and only Rakuten Securities gives you options.
What readers say
Freetrade
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
Rakuten Securities
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
Key differences at a glance
- Asset coverage
- Rakuten SecuritiesAdds options and futures
See for yourself
How they stack up
The side-by-side table: pricing, platforms, data, and coverage at a glance.ShowHide
How they stack up
The side-by-side table: pricing, platforms, data, and coverage at a glance.| 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 | — | — |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
API access | No | No |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | — | — |
Categories covered | 5 | 5 |
Regions | Europe, North America | APAC |
| Try it | Visit Freetrade | Visit Rakuten Securities |
Where each one shines
What Freetrade and Rakuten Securities each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What Freetrade and Rakuten Securities each do best.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.
- U.S.-listed fractional shares bought by GBP value, with proportional dividends and voting support.
- Recurring orders, limit orders, stop losses, portfolio monitoring, and watchlists.
What Rakuten Securities does best
- Japanese cash equities with a conditional ¥0 Zero Course.
- U.S. stocks and ETFs at 0.495%, capped at $22 per trade.
- Kabumini eligible Japanese odd lots from one whole share.
- Mutual funds, bonds, NISA and derivatives in the wider account suite.
- Free eligible real-time deposits and standard domestic withdrawals.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for Freetrade and Rakuten Securities, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for Freetrade and Rakuten Securities, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsBondsMutual Funds | StocksETFsMutual FundsBondsOptionsFutures |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediate | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Regions | EuropeNorth America | APAC |
Coverage details | Identifiers: Ticker and ISIN | Countries: JPExchanges: XTKS, XNAS, and XNYSIdentifiers: Ticker and ISIN |
| Access & integrations | ||
Export formats | CSVPDF | CSVPDF |
| Plans & trust | ||
Vendor & support | Freetrade LimitedCountry: United KingdomSupport: Chat and Email | Rakuten Securities, Inc.Country: JapanSupport: Phone and Chat |
Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.
What you'll actually pay
Plans, billing, trials, and per-month pricing for both tools.ShowHide
What you'll actually pay
Plans, billing, trials, and per-month pricing for both tools.| Tier | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Free“Basic” | — |
| Entry paid plan | £5.99/mo“Standard” | — |
| Top plan | £11.99/mo“Plus” | — |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between Freetrade and Rakuten Securities?
Freetrade leans toward brokerage, advanced order types, and portfolio, while Rakuten Securities puts more weight on brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist. They overlap in 4 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do Freetrade and Rakuten Securities 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.
Which is better for beginners: Freetrade or Rakuten Securities?
Honestly, neither is aimed at beginners. Expect a learning curve either way; that's the trade-off for the depth they offer.
Should I choose Freetrade or Rakuten Securities?
It depends on what you're after. Pick Freetrade if advanced order types matter to you; go with Rakuten Securities if you'd rather have options. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do Freetrade and Rakuten Securities cover?
Both cover stocks, ETFs, bonds, and mutual funds. Rakuten Securities adds options and futures on top.
Can I export data from Freetrade and Rakuten Securities?
Yes, both export to spreadsheets (CSV), which is handy if you like running your own numbers.
Can I track my portfolio with Freetrade or Rakuten Securities?
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.