Freedom24 review 2026: is it safe? Pros & cons uncovered!

Backed by a Nasdaq-listed parent company (Freedom Holding Corp., ticker: FRHC) and regulated within the European Union, Freedom24 has emerged as a fast-growing online broker with over 500,000 clients across Europe.

The platform stands out for its exceptional product breadth, giving investors access to over 1,000,000 instruments: more than 40,000 stocks, 3,600+ ETFs, 145,000+ bonds and 800,000+ U.S. stock options. It’s built for investors who take a systematic, long-term approach to building a diversified portfolio, supported by in-depth market and portfolio analytics and a dedicated personal manager.

Freedom24’s credibility is further reinforced by its parent company’s inclusion in the Russell 3000 Index, a benchmark of prominent U.S.-listed companies, and a credit rating upgrade to “BB-” with a stable outlook by S&P Global Ratings for Freedom Finance Europe (the entity that operates Freedom24).

Of course, it’s not built for everyone: very active day traders placing hundreds of orders a day, or investors who rely on fractional shares to drip tiny amounts into individual stocks, will likely prefer a different setup. Freedom24 is designed for building and managing a portfolio over time, not for high-frequency speculation.

Curious if Freedom24 is the right platform for you? Read on for a balanced and detailed Freedom24 review.

Freedom24 overview

Freedom24 is the trading platform of Freedom Finance Europe Ltd., a subsidiary of Freedom Holding Corp., a publicly traded company listed on the Nasdaq. This corporate structure provides a level of transparency that is uncommon among European brokers. Freedom Finance Europe Ltd. is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and passports its services across European countries under the MiFID II framework, giving clients direct access to global markets from a single account.

The platform offers direct access to markets in the U.S., Europe and Asia, allowing investors to trade stocks, ETFs, bonds, futures and U.S. stock options.

Beyond one-off trades, Freedom24 is built for systematic investing: it offers ETF Investment plans for disciplined, dollar-cost-averaged portfolio building, plus portfolio analytics that show how your holdings are performing and where you can diversify further. Commission-free investing applies exclusively to specific recurrent investment plans made through the Freedom24 Recurring Investment function, and other fees apply as per the Freedom24 Fee Schedule.

Freedom24 also runs promotions for new users. New clients who register between 1 June and 31 October 2026 can get up to 20 gift shares, depending on the size of their first deposit.

General info about Freedom24:

• Regulation: Freedom Finance Europe Ltd., regulated by CySEC (licence 275/15) under MiFID II and passported across European countries
• U.S. stock commissions: €2 per order + €0.02 per share (Smart plan)
• ETF commissions: same structure as stocks, no monthly subscription fee
• Inactivity fee: no
• Withdrawal fee: €7 per withdrawal
• Minimum deposit: €0
• Products offered: stocks, ETFs, bonds, futures and U.S. options
• Instruments: over 1,000,000 (40,000+ stocks, 3,600+ ETFs, 145,000+ bonds, 800,000+ U.S. options)
• Demo account: yes (demo terminal upon signup)
• Investor protection: up to €20,000 through the Investor Compensation Fund
• Parent company: Freedom Holding Corp., listed on the Nasdaq (FRHC)

Pros and cons

Pros

• Exceptional product breadth: over 1,000,000 instruments, including 40,000+ stocks, 3,600+ ETFs, 145,000+ bonds and U.S. options, all under one roof.
• Built for long-term investing: ETF Investment plans, recurring investing and portfolio analytics support disciplined, diversified portfolio building.
• Guidance when you need it: a dedicated personal manager (All Inclusive plan), plus InvestIdeas research and the Freedom24 Academy.
• Transparent ownership and regulation: backed by a Nasdaq-listed parent, EU-regulated and compliant with MiFID II.
• No monthly or inactivity fees: you won’t pay just for holding an account.

Cons

• No fractional shares: you buy whole shares, so drip-feeding very small amounts into high-priced stocks is less practical than with some app-first brokers.
• Not built for high-frequency trading: traders placing hundreds of orders a day will find more specialised, professional-grade platforms elsewhere.
• No CFDs or crypto: Freedom24 focuses on real, underlying securities, so if you specifically want CFDs or direct crypto, you’ll need another provider.
• Withdrawal fee: each withdrawal costs €7.
• Tax reporting: in some countries you handle tax reporting yourself, as automatic reporting isn’t available everywhere.

Products and markets

Freedom24 provides access to a wide range of investment products across major global markets, with a particular strength in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), one of the most popular and cost-effective tools for portfolio diversification.

ETF offering: a core strength

Freedom24 stands out for its extensive ETF selection, offering over 3,600 ETFs from top global issuers, including iShares, Vanguard, Invesco and SPDR. This wide range allows investors to build diversified portfolios tailored to different strategies, regions, sectors and risk profiles. Key categories include:

• Index ETFs: track major global and regional indices for broad market exposure at low cost.
• Dividend ETFs: focus on dividend-paying companies, for income-seeking investors.
• Bond ETFs: short- and mid-term sovereign and corporate bond ETFs, in EUR and USD.
• Thematic and sector ETFs: exposure to themes such as clean energy, AI, robotics or biotech.
• Covered call ETFs: combine equity exposure with option premium income.
• Inverse and leveraged ETFs: tools for advanced investors aiming to hedge or amplify specific market views, with a higher risk of losses.

Additionally, Freedom24 can add ETFs upon client request, offering flexibility rarely found with other brokers.

Access to global markets

Beyond ETFs, Freedom24 offers trading in a wide range of securities across major international exchanges, including:

• Stocks: thousands of individual companies listed on exchanges in the U.S., Europe and Asia.
• Bonds: both government and corporate bonds in multiple currencies.
• Options: U.S. listed stock options for more advanced trading strategies.

This global reach allows investors to build diversified, cross-border portfolios through a single platform.

Fees

Freedom24’s pricing structure is relatively transparent. There are currently two main service plans:

1. All Inclusive in EUR: 0.50% of the trade value + €0.012 per share (minimum €1.20 per order) on U.S. and European stocks and ETFs, and $3 per contract on U.S. options. This plan includes a personal manager, who helps with everything from technical support to your investment planning. In the Netherlands, Germany, Lithuania, Spain, Greece and Italy, clients can also ask their personal manager for investment advice; the only prerequisite is completing the suitability test.
2. Smart in EUR: designed for regular retail investors. Stocks and ETFs from the U.S. and EU cost €2 per order + €0.02 per share, and U.S. options cost $0.65 per contract. No monthly fee.

Keep an eye on other costs:

• Withdrawal: €7 flat fee.
• Currency conversion: check the current FX spread in the Freedom24 Fee Schedule before converting.
• No inactivity fee: a plus for long-term investors.

In terms of transparency and fairness, Freedom24’s pricing is competitive and easy to understand, with no monthly or inactivity fees, a structure that suits buy-and-hold investors building a portfolio over time. Fees checked in September 2026.

Is Freedom24 safe? Is Freedom24 a scam?

It’s a fair and important question for any investor: is Freedom24 safe to use?

The answer is that Freedom24 is a regulated, transparent and well-established broker, not a scam. Here’s why:

1. Regulated under European law

Freedom Finance Europe Ltd. is regulated by CySEC (licence 275/15) and complies with the MiFID II directive, the cornerstone of investor protection across the European Union. This regulatory framework imposes strict requirements on how client assets are managed and how the broker conducts its business.

Freedom24 has been licensed and active since 2015, under ongoing supervision by CySEC.

2. Segregated client funds and compensation coverage

In line with MiFID II and ESMA rules, Freedom24 holds client funds in segregated bank accounts, meaning your money is kept separate from the broker’s own capital, even in the event of corporate insolvency.

Freedom24 is also a member of the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF). If the company became insolvent, eligible retail clients are covered for up to €20,000, providing an additional layer of protection.

3. Publicly listed parent company

Freedom24 is the European arm of Freedom Holding Corp. (FRHC), a U.S.-registered company listed on the Nasdaq and subject to U.S. public-company reporting requirements. As of mid-2026, the group had a market capitalisation of around $8.6 billion.

Being part of a publicly traded company means regular financial audits and public disclosure of its operations, which reduce the risk of fraud or mismanagement.

4. Independent auditing

Freedom24 is audited by Deloitte, one of the Big Four accounting firms, which further strengthens its credibility.

Do you really own your investments with Freedom24?

Yes, and that’s an important distinction. With Freedom24, when you invest in ETFs, stocks, bonds or options, you are buying real, underlying securities. This means you become the beneficial owner of the assets, not just a holder of derivative contracts, as is the case with CFDs, as explained here.

Why real ownership matters

Being the actual owner of your investments gives you several advantages:

• Transparency and security: your holdings are held in a custody account on your behalf, giving you legal ownership and protection.
• Portability: you can transfer your securities to another broker, which matters for long-term investors who value flexibility.
• Dividends and voting rights: as the owner of real assets, you’re entitled to dividends (where applicable) and may have voting rights on corporate matters.
• No counterparty risk from synthetic products: some platforms offer only CFD-style instruments, which expose users to counterparty risk. Freedom24 gives direct access to real market assets.

Platforms and user experience

The Freedom24 web and mobile platforms are straightforward. You can track your portfolio, place orders and consult research tools. While not as polished as some app-first brokers, the platform is fully functional and intuitive. Advanced charting is more limited, but for most buy-and-hold or moderately active investors, it’s more than enough. This is the “Trade” window (screenshot from my personal account):

A dedicated “InvestIdeas” section also provides fundamental analysis and market commentary, a useful extra for those who appreciate some guidance.

Education and market insights

One of Freedom24’s standout features is its focus on investor education and market insights, which suits investors who want to make informed, long-term decisions.

Freedom24 Academy: learn at your own pace

The Freedom24 Academy is an educational hub offering free online courses on investing for different experience levels, from newcomers to more advanced investors. The content covers:

• basics of stock market investing,
• understanding ETFs and bonds,
• risk management and portfolio construction.

Each course is presented in a clear format and designed to help users develop real-world investing skills.

“What to Buy?”: analyst investment ideas

Freedom24’s “What to Buy?” section publishes investment ideas from the broker’s in-house analysts several times a week, covering ETFs, stocks, bonds and options, with thematic picks and the research behind each idea. Past performance of these ideas is not a reliable indicator of future results, and you remain responsible for your own investment decisions.

Promotions and Freedom24 promo code

Freedom24 regularly runs promotions for new users. Under the current WELCOME campaign, new clients who register between 1 June and 31 October 2026 can get up to 20 gift shares, depending on the size of their first deposit (from €1,000), by entering the matching promo codes in the platform. Gift shares are allocated randomly and their value varies. Terms apply, and the promotion is not available in every country. Check the current offer on Freedom24’s website.

Customer support

Freedom24’s customer service can be reached via chat, email and phone. Native-language support is not available for every EU country, but English support is generally responsive. There is also an FAQ section, educational content and a blog with market analysis.

Final thoughts: who is Freedom24 for?

Freedom24 shines as a comprehensive platform for building and managing a diversified, global portfolio over time. Its product breadth, portfolio analytics, dedicated personal manager and regulatory credibility make it a strong fit for investors who treat investing as a structured, long-term process rather than a series of one-off trades.

On the other hand, if you’re a very active day trader or you rely on fractional shares to invest small amounts, it may not be your top pick. Take a look at our list of the best online brokers for European investors to compare alternatives. And if you’re specifically after CFDs or direct crypto trading, Freedom24 isn’t the right fit, since it focuses on real, underlying securities.

More information about Freedom24.

Disclaimer: Investing involves the risk of loss. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This Freedom24 review is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always do your own research and consider seeking advice from a certified professional if necessary.