All ISA comparisons

Freetrade vs Lightyear

Free trades can cost you. Invest wisely.
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When you invest, your capital is at risk.

Key takeaways

Lightyear's Stocks & Shares ISA offers a cost-effective alternative to Freetrade with no monthly fees and a lower FX fee (0.1% vs. up to 0.99%). Neither platform charges order fees on stocks or ETFs, which on Lightyear are commission-free for all individual investors. Unlike Freetrade, Lightyear also offers a Cash ISA.
Freetrade BasicFreetrade StandardFreetrade Plus
Monthly fee
Free
Free
£5.99
£11.99
Cash ISA
- AER
3.75%
Stocks & Shares ISA
Currency conversion (FX)
0.1%
0.99%
0.59%
0.39%
ETFs
- per order
Free
Free
Free
Free
US stocks
- per order
Free
Free
Free
Free
EU stocks
- per order
Free
Free
Free
Free
UK stocks
- per order
Free
Free
Free
Free
Price alerts
Pricing data for all Freetrade plans sourced on Freetrade.io, and correct as of 3rd June 2026. In the above table, the Standard plan is presented with a monthly fee of £5.99 which can be reduced to £4.99 if paid annually. The 'Plus' plan is £11.99, or £9.99 if paid annually.
Lightyear vs Freetrade
Price comparison
Free trades can cost you. Invest wisely.
Yearly investments£12,000.00

By default, this projection assumes a 5.00% annual growth rate - this is purely illustrative and is not a reliable indicator of future performance. We assume a 50:50 split of the yearly investment amount between stock and ETF investments, over a 10 year period. All ETFs are assumed to be in GBP (Pounds), and all stock purchases in USD (Dollars), incurring FX fees. We assume all purchases use newly invested funds (i.e. holdings are not sold, or sold and reinvested) and that the amount invested increases by 2% each year (in-line with inflation). It is your responsibility to check your investments are within the ISA annual contribution limit.

To customise, or to see broker pricing data, hit 'Detailed comparison'.

Frequently asked
Freetrade vs Lightyear: FAQs

No, Freetrade does not offer a Cash ISA. They only provide a Stocks & Shares ISA. While it’s possible to hold cash in a Stocks & Shares ISA, interest rates are typically more competitive in a dedicated Cash ISA. If Freetrade’s interest rate meets your needs and you’re comfortable with paying a monthly fee, it could still be a suitable option.

Lightyear and Freetrade have different pricing models. Freetrade uses a freemium approach, where users pay monthly fees to access certain features, such as higher interest rates on uninvested cash and SIPPs. While Freetrade does not charge execution fees for stock trades, it applies a foreign exchange (FX) fee when buying non-GBP stocks (e.g. U.S. stocks). This FX fee ranges from 0.99% to 0.39%, depending on your subscription level.

By contrast, Lightyear's Stocks & Shares ISA and General Investment Account have no monthly fees. Both offer a fixed FX fee of 0.1% and no fees for stock or fund trading (fund managers may charge their own fees). Additionally, Lightyear allows you to hold cash in multiple currencies and earn interest through Vaults, with no minimum or maximum limits.

Yes, Freetrade pays interest on GBP (£) balances, with limits based on your membership type: £1,000 for free accounts, £2,000 for the mid-tier plan, and £3,000 for the premium plan.

However, Freetrade does not support holding balances in other currencies. If you’re looking to hold Euros or Dollars, Lightyear's General Investment Account may be a good fit.

Yes, you can transfer stocks from Freetrade to Lightyear. Lightyear accepts whole share transfers, provided the value of each position is at least £/$/€1,000. Only regular, exercised stocks can be transferred—Lightyear does not accept non-qualified stock options (NSOs).

To get started, read our guide to Freetrade stock transfers.

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Disclaimer

This comparison is for educational purposes only and should in no way be taken as investment advice. When investing, your capital is at risk. Seek guidance if necessary.