Brokers
Interactive Brokers vs Freedom24: Comparison
8 SEPT, 2025
Interactive Brokers and Freedom24 are two popular online brokers. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. Are you considering these brokers but uncertain which one is best for you?
Dive into our detailed comparison of Interactive Brokers and Freedom24, where we unravel the specifics on fees, account types, markets, and more, equipping you with everything you need to make a well-informed decision.
👉 Read here: Best Stocks and Shares ISA in the UK
How Do They Work?
How Does Interactive Brokers Work?
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) operates as an online brokerage platform that gives users access to global financial markets. Through its advanced trading system, investors can buy and sell a wide range of assets—including stocks, ETFs, options, futures, forex, and bonds—across more than 150 markets worldwide.
To use Interactive Brokers, clients open an account via its website or app, deposit funds, and then place trades using its trading platforms: Trader Workstation (TWS) for professionals, Client Portal for everyday users, or the IBKR Mobile app. The platform offers real-time data, powerful analytical tools, risk management features, and low-cost order execution.
Founded in 1978 by Thomas Peterffy, Interactive Brokers has grown into a leading brokerage known for automation, low fees, and high-speed execution. It caters to both retail and institutional investors by offering scalable tools and flexible account types.
How Does Freedom24 Work?
Freedom24 is an online trading platform, designed to give retail investors easy access to global stock markets. To get started, users create an account online, go through a quick verification process, and then fund their account to begin trading.
Once registered, investors can buy and sell stocks, ETFs and bonds on major global exchanges, including the NYSE, NASDAQ, and LSE.
- Invest globally with over 43,000 stocks and ETFs.
- Covered Call ETFs with a target yield of 8–12%.
- Open an account, deposit funds, and get up to 20 free stocks.
- Weekly investment ideas with a historical return of 16%.
- Grow with confidence with a broker chosen by over 500,000 clients.
Investing involves risk. Access subject to a suitability test. Promotion subject to T&Cs.
The platform is accessible via desktop and mobile, and features a clean, beginner-friendly interface alongside tools for more experienced users. I
Founded in 2008 by Timur Turlov, Freedom24 was built with the goal of democratising investing, and it continues to grow by providing straightforward access to global financial markets with competitive fees and simplified tools.
Main Features
| Interactive Brokers | Freedom24 | ||||
| Regulation | FCA | CySEC | |||
| Guarantee Fund | Up to £85,000 (FSCS) | Not under the protection of FSCS | |||
| Account Types | Cash account, Reg T account, Portfolio margin account | Smart plan and All-inclusive plan | |||
| Minimum Deposit | £0 | £0 | |||
| Platforms | Trader Workstation | Proprietary platform | |||
| Products | - Stocks - ETFs - Mutual Funds - Bonds - Options - Futures - Currency Pairs - CFD | - Stocks - ETFs - Options - Bonds | |||
| Forgot ees and commissions for stocks | $0.005 per share for US stocks (minimum $1 per order) | €0.02 per share + €2 per order | |||
| More information | Interactive Brokers review | Freedom24 review |
| Interactive Brokers | Freedom24 | |
| Regulation | FCA | CySEC |
| Guarantee Fund | Up to £85,000 (FSCS) | Not under the protection of FSCS |
| Account Types | Cash account, Reg T account, Portfolio margin account | Smart plan and All-inclusive plan |
| Minimum Deposit | £0 | £0 |
| Platforms | Trader Workstation | Proprietary platform |
| Products | - Stocks - ETFs - Mutual Funds - Bonds - Options - Futures - Currency Pairs - CFD | - Stocks - ETFs - Options - Bonds |
| Forgot ees and commissions for stocks | $0.005 per share for US stocks (minimum $1 per order) | €0.02 per share + €2 per order |
| More information | Interactive Brokers review | Freedom24 review |
Pros and Cons
Pros and cons of Interactive Brokers
| Pros of Interactive Brokers | Cons of Interactive Brokers | ||
| ✅ Range of financial instruments | ❌ Complex platform for beginners | ||
| ✅ Advanced platform | |||
| ✅ Competitive rates |
| Pros of Interactive Brokers | Cons of Interactive Brokers |
| ✅ Range of financial instruments | ❌ Complex platform for beginners |
| ✅ Advanced platform | |
| ✅ Competitive rates |
Pros and cons of Freedom24
| Pros of Freedom24 | Cons of Freedom24 | ||
| ✅ Modern and intuitive platform | ❌ High withdrawal fees | ||
| ✅ Multiple cost structures to choose from | |||
| ✅ Responsive customer service |
| Pros of Freedom24 | Cons of Freedom24 |
| ✅ Modern and intuitive platform | ❌ High withdrawal fees |
| ✅ Multiple cost structures to choose from | |
| ✅ Responsive customer service |
Are they safe?
Before opening a trading account, make sure to choose a safe broker that guarantees the security of your funds. Here are some key points regarding the Interactive Brokers and Freedom24 regulations.
Regulation and Reliability of Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers is a reliable broker known for its financial strength. Being a broker based in the United States, it is subject to the strict regulation of the SEC and the CFTC. It also adheres to many local regulatory bodies to ensure optimal investor protection.
As Interactive Brokers is FCA licensed and under the FSCS protection, British users are covered up to £85,000 in the unlikely event of bankruptcy.
Regulation and Reliability of Freedom24
Freedom24 is a notable player in the trading market. It is regulated by CySEC, which regulates European brokers.
Despite this, Freedom24 complies with international standards to ensure the security of client funds. It uses segregated bank accounts, separating the company's funds from those of the clients.
Freedom24 also offers the compensation of up to €20,000 by the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF), if eligible.
To ensure you're choosing a platform that offers the right level of protection and service for your needs, use our UK Broker Comparison tool to find the best regulated broker for you.
Available Investment Products for UK
If Freedom24 emphasises access stocks, Interactive Brokers offers a much wider range of products. This table shows the available financial instruments at each of the two brokers.
| Interactive Brokers | Freedom24 | ||
| - 73 Stock Markets | - 35,000 Stocks | ||
| - Over 13,000 ETFs | - Over 3100 ETFs | ||
| - Over 21,000 Mutual Funds | - Over 500 Futures Contracts | ||
| - Over 26,000 Corporate Bonds | - Over 800,000 Options | ||
| - 32 Options Markets | - Over 53,000 corporate bonds | ||
| - 33 Futures Markets | - Over 90,000 municipal bonds | ||
| - 115 Currency Pairs | - Over 4,000 sovereign bonds | ||
| - Over 70 CFD Indices | |||
| - Over 7000 CFD Stocks | |||
| - Over 300 CFD ETFs | |||
| - Over 50 CFD Metals |
| Interactive Brokers | Freedom24 |
| - 73 Stock Markets | - 35,000 Stocks |
| - Over 13,000 ETFs | - Over 3100 ETFs |
| - Over 21,000 Mutual Funds | - Over 500 Futures Contracts |
| - Over 26,000 Corporate Bonds | - Over 800,000 Options |
| - 32 Options Markets | - Over 53,000 corporate bonds |
| - 33 Futures Markets | - Over 90,000 municipal bonds |
| - 115 Currency Pairs | - Over 4,000 sovereign bonds |
| - Over 70 CFD Indices | |
| - Over 7000 CFD Stocks | |
| - Over 300 CFD ETFs | |
| - Over 50 CFD Metals |
Comparison of Available Stock Markets
Both Interactive Brokers and Freedom24 offer access to global stock markets. However, they differ in their scope and specialisation.
Interactive Brokers provides access to over 135 markets across 33 countries, allowing users to trade a wide range of securities on stock exchanges in Asia, Europe, North America, and beyond. This extensive global reach makes it a strong choice for investors seeking broad international diversification.
Freedom24 also offers international market access, though its focus is primarily on European and American exchanges. It provides direct access to major markets such as the NYSE, NASDAQ, and key European stock exchanges, making it well-suited for investors concentrating on Western markets.
So if you are a trader looking for maximum coverage, you would be better off opening an account with Interactive Brokers. On the other hand, if you want to focus on Western markets, Freedom24 remains competitive.
Costs and Fees
Here are the commission and fees that apply to the UK with IBKR:
| ≤ 40,000,000 | 0.05% of Trade Value | 0.05% of Trade Value | 0.10% of Trade Value | ||||
| 40,000,000.01 - 80,000,000 | 0.03% of Trade Value | ||||||
| 80,000,000.01 - 400,000,000 | 0.02% of Trade Value | ||||||
| > 400,000,000 | 0.015% of Trade Value | ||||||
| Fractional Shares | Tiered Pricing | 0.05% of Trade Value | |||||
| Minimum per order (shares) | GBP 1.00 | GBP 3.00 | GBP 4.00 | ||||
| Minimum per order (fractional shares) | GBP 1.00 | GBP 1.00 | |||||
| Maximum per order (shares) | None | None | None | ||||
| Maximum per order (fractional shares) | |||||||
| IB SmartRoutingSM | |||||||
| Third Party Fees2 | - Regulatory Fees - Exchange Fees - Clearing Fees | None | None |
| Monthly Trade Value (GBP)1 | Tiered5 | Fixed - IB SmartRouting | Fixed - Direct Routing |
|---|---|---|---|
| ≤ 40,000,000 | 0.05% of Trade Value | 0.05% of Trade Value | 0.10% of Trade Value |
| 40,000,000.01 - 80,000,000 | 0.03% of Trade Value | ||
| 80,000,000.01 - 400,000,000 | 0.02% of Trade Value | ||
| > 400,000,000 | 0.015% of Trade Value | ||
| Fractional Shares | Tiered Pricing | 0.05% of Trade Value | |
| Minimum per order (shares) | GBP 1.00 | GBP 3.00 | GBP 4.00 |
| Minimum per order (fractional shares) | GBP 1.00 | GBP 1.00 | |
| Maximum per order (shares) | None | None | None |
| Maximum per order (fractional shares) | |||
| IB SmartRoutingSM | |||
| Third Party Fees2 | - Regulatory Fees - Exchange Fees - Clearing Fees | None | None |
Below are the commissions that apply to Freedom24:
- Smart in EUR Account Commissions:
- US / Europe Stocks and ETFs: This rate applies to any US or European stock.
- Commission per share: 0.02$/€
- + Per order: 2$/€
- Asian Stocks and ETFs:
- Commission per share: 0.25%
- + Per oder: 10HK$
- USA Stock Options:
- + Per contract: 0.65$
- + Per order: 0$
- Bonds:
- Fee per bond: 0.15%
- + Per order: 5$/€
- Margin lending per day - 0.049315%
- SMS notification - 0.05€
- All inclusive in EUR Account Commissions:
- US / Europe Stocks and ETFs: This rate applies to any US or European stock.
- Commission per share: 0.5% + 0.012€
- + Per order: 1.2$/€
- Asian Stocks and ETFs:
- Commission per share: 0.25%
- + Per oder: 10HK$
- USA Stock Options:
- + Per contract: 3$
- + Per order: 10$
- Bonds:
- Fee per bond: 0.5%
- + Per order: 5$/€
- Margin lending per day - 0.041095%
- SMS notification - 0€
- Personal Manager - Yes
Platform and Demo Accounts
Platform and Demo Account Offered by Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers mainly offers its proprietary platform, the Trader Workstation (TWS), along with the mobile version, IBKR Mobile. Known for its powerful analysis, research, and portfolio management tools, it’s often considered one of the best trading platforms for experienced traders seeking advanced functionality.
Interactive Brokers also provides a demo account for beginners or those who wish to familiarise themselves with the platform. This account simulates the real-time trading environment, allowing users to explore the features of TWS without risking real money.
Platform and Demo Account Offered by Freedom24
Just like Interactive Brokers, Freedom24 offers a modern and intuitive trading platform that caters to both novice and experienced investors. Accessible via a web interface or mobile app, it features advanced charting, analysis tools, and fast order execution—making it a strong contender among the best trading platforms for user-friendly access to global markets.
Freedom24 also offers a demo account for those looking to learn to trade. This simulator replicates real-time market conditions, allowing users to practice trading in a safe, risk-free environment.
Types of Accounts
The two brokers, Interactive Brokers and Freedom24, offer various types of accounts to meet the specific needs of their clients.
Types of Accounts Available on Interactive Brokers:
- Cash Account: This is a type of account where you can invest only the money you have deposited. No borrowing or leverage is allowed. You can open a cash account with a minimum deposit of $0.
- Reg T Account: This account requires a minimum deposit of $2,000. You can use leverage and short-sell assets.
- Portfolio Margin Account: This is an account for professional traders. The minimum deposit is $100,000.
Types of Accounts Available on Freedom24:
- Smart in EUR account: This is the standard fee plan without a subscription fee. It has the lowest commission for small trading volumes.
- All inclusive in EUR: This account also gives you access to support from a personal manager and investment offers.
- Invest globally with over 43,000 stocks and ETFs.
- Covered Call ETFs with a target yield of 8–12%.
- Open an account, deposit funds, and get up to 20 free stocks.
- Weekly investment ideas with a historical return of 16%.
- Grow with confidence with a broker chosen by over 500,000 clients.
Investing involves risk. Access subject to a suitability test. Promotion subject to T&Cs.
Customer Service
Customer service is a crucial element for online brokers. Being one of the largest brokers in the world, Interactive Brokers offers almost non-stop support and a comprehensive knowledge base.
On the other hand, Freedom24, although smaller, strives to provide quality and responsive customer support to meet its users' needs.
After evaluating user reviews, both brokers offer satisfactory assistance.
Training and Education
To support traders, each broker offers free training and educational resources.
Interactive Brokers offers a comprehensive IBKR Campus, which includes free courses, tutorial videos, and articles covering a wide range of trading and investing topics. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned trader, you'll find content tailored to your level.
In addition to self-paced learning, Interactive Brokers also hosts live webinars led by experts, covering market analysis, platform features, and trading strategies. This makes it a strong choice for investors who value continuous learning and staying updated on market trends.
Additionally, Freedom24 provides a range of educational resources, including articles, tutorials, and video guides designed to help new traders understand the basics of investing.
The platform also hosts live sessions covering specific trading strategies, platform features, and updates on key market news—making it easier for users to stay informed and grow their knowledge over time.
In Summary
To conclude this review, Interactive Brokers remains a highly competitive giant in the trading world. It provides traders with a feature-rich platform, global coverage, and solid educational tools.
It is ideal for experienced traders looking for a diverse offer. Beginners may want to hone their skills by checking our trading guide and learning about technical analysis, or even check the best brokers for beginners.
On the other hand, Freedom24 has strengthened as an interesting option for those targeting European and American markets. It stands out for its user-friendly interface and responsive customer support, but keep in mind it is not regulated in the UK.
Considering these aspects, the choice between the two depends on your preferences, target markets, and the level of expertise you seek.
FAQs
What sets Interactive Brokers apart from Freedom24?
Interactive Brokers stands out for its extensive range of financial instruments and tools catering to professional traders and individual investors. It's known for its low costs, sophisticated trading platform, and user-friendly interface.
Are there significant differences in fees between Interactive Brokers and Freedom24?
Yes, there are differences. Interactive Brokers is known for its low costs, making it appealing for cost-conscious traders. Freedom24 has varying fee structures depending on the chosen cost structure.
Can I access global markets with both Interactive Brokers and Freedom24?
Both platforms provide access to global markets. Interactive Brokers is known for its extensive access to various markets worldwide, while Freedom24 also allows traders to access major global exchanges while focusing on providing a simplified experience.
Who should use these brokers?
Interactive Brokers is best suited for experienced traders and professionals who need advanced tools, low fees, and access to global markets. Its powerful Trader Workstation (TWS) platform is ideal for active investors using complex strategies.
Freedom24 is a great option for beginners and intermediate investors looking for a simple, intuitive platform. It offers easy access to global stocks, making it suitable for long-term and passive investors alike.
