Freedom24 Review 2025

In the rapidly evolving world of online trading, Freedom24 has emerged as a notable player, offering a robust platform for investors seeking access to global financial markets. As part of Freedom Holding Corp., a NASDAQ-listed company, Freedom24 distinguishes itself with a user-friendly interface, competitive fees, and unique features like direct access to Initial Public Offerings (IPOs). In 2025, Freedom24 continues to attract both novice and experienced investors across Europe and beyond, thanks to its extensive range of over 1 million tradable instruments and innovative savings products. This review dives deep into Freedom24’s offerings, exploring its strengths, weaknesses, and suitability for various investor profiles, making it a compelling choice in the crowded brokerage landscape.

Company Background and Regulation

History and Ownership

Founded in 2008, Freedom24 operates under Freedom Finance Europe Ltd., a subsidiary of Freedom Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: FRHC), a financial conglomerate with a market capitalization exceeding $10 billion as of July 2025. Headquartered in Limassol, Cyprus, the company has a global presence, serving over 500,000 clients across the European Economic Area (EEA) and select countries outside the EU, though it does not accept U.S. or Canadian residents due to regulatory restrictions. With offices in 10 countries and approximately 2,000 employees, Freedom24 has established itself as a fast-growing broker with a focus on transparency and innovation.

Regulation and Trustworthiness

Freedom24 is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) under license number CIF 275/15, issued in 2015, ensuring compliance with the EU’s MiFID II directive. This regulatory framework mandates strict standards for client fund segregation, transparency, and operational integrity. Additionally, Freedom24 participates in the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF), offering protection up to €20,000 in the event of broker insolvency. As part of a NASDAQ-listed parent company, Freedom24 adheres to U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) standards, enhancing its credibility through rigorous financial reporting. While a 2023 speculative attack by Hindenburg Research raised concerns, no regulatory violations have been confirmed, and Freedom24 maintains a clean operational record.

Account Types and Opening Process

Account Types

Freedom24 offers a variety of account types tailored to different investor needs:

• Individual Investment Account: Designed for retail investors, this account provides access to stocks, ETFs, bonds, options, and futures. No minimum deposit is required, making it accessible for beginners.
• Joint Accounts: Ideal for families or couples, allowing shared ownership of investments.
• Demo Account: A risk-free option for testing the platform with virtual funds, suitable for novices exploring trading features.
• Savings Accounts (D-Accounts): Previously offered high-yield savings based on EURIBOR rates, though these are no longer available in 2025. Current offerings include interest on uninvested funds at 3.34% for EUR and 4.84% for USD.

Opening Process

Opening an account with Freedom24 is straightforward and fully online, typically taking less than 10 minutes. The process involves:

1. Visiting the Freedom24 website or app and clicking “Sign Up.”
2. Providing personal details, including email and phone number.
3. Completing Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements by uploading a passport and proof of address.
4. Verifying identity to activate the account.
5. Funding the account with a minimum deposit of $1.

Supported base currencies include EUR and USD, with manual conversion available within the platform. The process is faster than some competitors like Interactive Brokers, which may take 2–3 days for approval.

Trading Platforms

Proprietary Platform

Freedom24 operates a proprietary trading platform accessible via web and mobile apps (iOS, Android, Huawei). The platform is designed for simplicity, featuring an intuitive interface with sections for trading, portfolio management, and market analysis. While not as customizable as advanced platforms like Interactive Brokers’ Trader Workstation (TWS), it offers sufficient functionality for most retail investors, including real-time market data and basic charting tools.

Web and Mobile Apps

The web platform provides a clean dashboard with access to trading, portfolio summaries, and the “InvestIdeas” blog for market insights. The mobile app mirrors the web experience, offering seamless trading on the go with features like price alerts and portfolio tracking. Compared to industry standards like MetaTrader 5 or Interactive Brokers’ Client Portal, Freedom24’s platforms are less complex but highly user-friendly, making them ideal for beginners and intermediate traders. However, advanced traders may find the charting tools limited compared to MetaTrader’s robust technical analysis capabilities.

Trading Instruments

Freedom24 provides access to over 1 million financial instruments across 15 global exchanges, including NASDAQ, NYSE, LSE, Deutsche Börse, and HKEX. Available assets include:

• Stocks: Over 40,000 stocks from the U.S., Europe, and Asia, including niche markets like CIS countries (e.g., Russia, Kazakhstan).
• ETFs: More than 3,600 ETFs, including dividend, covered call, and index-tracking funds from providers like iShares and Vanguard.
• Bonds: Access to global bonds with yields up to 7.6% for B+-rated securities.
• Options and Futures: U.S. stock options and futures, popular among experienced traders.
• IPOs: A standout feature, Freedom24 allows retail investors to participate in IPOs at the offering price, a rarity among brokers.

While cryptocurrencies are not directly offered, users can deposit and withdraw using Bitcoin and Ethereum. The absence of CFDs ensures real ownership of assets, reducing counterparty risk.

Fees, Spreads, and Commissions

Trading Fees

Freedom24’s fee structure is competitive but varies by account type and asset:

• Smart Plan (EUR): €0.02 per share, minimum €2 per order.
• All-Inclusive Plan (EUR): €0.012 per share, minimum €1.20 per order.
• U.S. Options: $0.65–$3 per contract, depending on the plan.
• Stocks and ETFs: 0.5% of transaction value + $0.012 per share, minimum $1.20.
• Asian Stocks: 0.25% of transaction value, minimum 10 HK$.

Non-Trading Fees

• Deposits: Free via bank transfer; 0.12% for debit/credit card deposits.
• Withdrawals: €7 flat fee for bank transfers; 0.65% (minimum €2) for card withdrawals.
• Inactivity Fees: None, a significant advantage over competitors.
• Margin Rates: Approximately 18% annually for EUR accounts.
• Currency Conversion: Spreads around 0.005% for EUR/USD, highly competitive.

While the €7 withdrawal fee is a common criticism, the absence of inactivity fees and low trading commissions make Freedom24 cost-effective for active traders.

Deposit and Withdrawal Options

Freedom24 supports multiple funding methods:

• Bank Transfer: Free deposits, €7 withdrawal fee, processing takes 1–3 business days.
• Debit/Credit Cards: 0.12% deposit fee, 0.65% withdrawal fee (minimum €2).
• Cryptocurrencies: Deposits and withdrawals in Bitcoin and Ethereum, with no specified fees.

The minimum deposit is $1, and the minimum withdrawal is €7 for bank transfers. The platform’s transparent fee structure and lack of hidden charges enhance its appeal, though frequent withdrawals can become costly due to the flat fee.

Trading Experience and Execution Quality

Freedom24 delivers a seamless trading experience with fast order execution and high reliability, supported by a robust server infrastructure. The platform offers various order types, including market, limit, and stop orders, catering to diverse trading strategies. Liquidity is strong, thanks to direct access to major exchanges like NASDAQ and NYSE. User feedback highlights the platform’s intuitive design, though some note a learning curve for navigating advanced features. Compared to competitors like DEGIRO or eToro, Freedom24’s execution quality is competitive, but it lacks the depth of tools for high-frequency day traders.

Research and Education

Freedom24 excels in providing research tools and educational resources:

• InvestIdeas Blog: Offers expert analysis, investment recommendations, and forecasts from Freedom24 analysts and partners like Merrill Lynch and J.P. Morgan.
• Freedom Academy: Free courses on options trading, investment fundamentals, and market analysis.
• Stock Screeners and Charts: Tools for analyzing asset prices, volumes, and technical indicators like moving averages.
• IPO Analysis: Detailed reports on upcoming IPOs, a unique feature for retail investors.

While not as comprehensive as Interactive Brokers’ research suite, Freedom24’s resources are beginner-friendly and sufficient for most retail investors.

Customer Support

Freedom24 offers customer support from 09:00 to 21:00 (UTC+2), Monday through Friday, via:

• Live Chat: Quick responses for common queries.
• Email: Suitable for detailed inquiries.
• Phone: Available during business hours.

Support is offered in multiple languages, though not all are covered. User reviews on platforms like Trustpilot (4.1/5 rating) praise the responsiveness, with most queries resolved within 20 minutes during working hours. However, the lack of 24/7 support may inconvenience traders in different time zones.

Security and Safety of Funds

Freedom24 prioritizes security through:

• Fund Segregation: Client funds are held in separate accounts, compliant with MiFID II.
• Investor Compensation Fund: Up to €20,000 protection in case of insolvency.
• Digital Security: Advanced encryption and optional two-factor authentication (2FA) via the mobile app.
• Transparency: As part of a NASDAQ-listed company, Freedom24 provides publicly accessible financial reports.

While not covered by the €100,000 bank deposit guarantee scheme, the platform’s regulatory oversight and clean track record ensure a high level of trust.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Access to over 1 million instruments across 15 global exchanges.
• Competitive fees with no inactivity charges.
• Unique IPO access for retail investors.
• User-friendly platforms with robust educational resources.
• Strong regulatory framework (CySEC, SEC) and fund protection.

Cons

• €7 withdrawal fee can be costly for frequent withdrawals.
• No fractional shares, limiting micro-investing.
• Limited customer support hours (no 24/7 availability).
• Advanced charting tools lag behind competitors like Interactive Brokers.
• Not available for U.S. or Canadian residents.

Conclusion

Freedom24 stands out as a versatile and reliable online broker in 2025, particularly for European investors seeking global market access and unique features like IPO participation. Its low minimum deposit, competitive fees, and beginner-friendly resources make it ideal for novice and intermediate traders, while its extensive instrument range and bond offerings appeal to long-term investors. However, high-frequency traders or those needing advanced charting may find platforms like Interactive Brokers more suitable. Compared to competitors like DEGIRO or eToro, Freedom24 strikes a balance between affordability and functionality, though its withdrawal fees and lack of fractional shares are notable drawbacks. For investors prioritizing diversification, education, and IPO opportunities, Freedom24 is a compelling choice in the European brokerage market.