General Investment Account

Invest without limits with a GIA
Capital at risk.
gia illustration
The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you invest.

General Investment Accounts explained

A General Investment Account (GIA) is for investing outside tax-efficient wrappers like ISAs or SIPPs. You may want to use one if you’ve used your annual tax allowances.

A GIA sometimes goes by other names. You might see it called a share dealing account, shares account, or simply an investment account. They all mean the same thing.

The main advantage of a GIA investment account is that there’s no limit to how much you can invest.

It’s a flexible account, with thousands of investments to choose from. That makes it ideal for investing outside of your ISA and SIPP.
Open a GIA
Portfolio screen

General Investment Account tax

With your GIA, you will have to  pay capital gains tax (CGT) and dividend tax above your allowances. The amount you’ll be taxed depends on the size of your gains and your current income tax band.

If you’re investing in a GIA, you may need to file an annual tax return.

Tax-efficient investment accounts

No one likes paying more tax than they need to. You can get two different tax-efficient investment accounts with Freetrade: a stocks and shares Individual Savings Account (ISA) and a Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP). Using tax-efficient accounts can let you keep more of your returns.
Stocks and shares ISA
The main difference between a GIA and an ISA is tax. With an ISA, you can invest up to £20,000 each year without having to pay capital gains or UK dividend tax. With Freetrade, your ISA is flexible. This means you can withdraw and replace money during the tax year without impacting your annual allowance.
SIPP
Unlike a GIA, a SIPP gives tax relief on your contributions. Contributions are capped at 100% of your annual income and you can claim tax relief on the first £60,000 you contribute each year. Tax relief will be between 20% and 45% depending on your taxpayer band.
ISA and SIPP eligibility rules apply.  US dividends received into your SIPP may be subject to US withholding tax.

A SIPP is a pension designed for you to save until your retirement and is for people who want to make their own investment decisions. You can normally only draw your pension from age 55 (57 from 2028), except in special circumstances.

At present, Freetrade only supports Uncrystallised Fund Pension Lump Sums (UFPLS) for customers who wish to withdraw funds from their SIPP after their 55th birthday. We strongly encourage you to seek financial advice before making any withdrawals from your SIPP.

Reasons to invest with Freetrade

01
Commission-free investing
Unlimited free trades and low FX fees, so your money goes further.
02
Automated tools
Regular investing made simple with Direct Debits and recurring orders.
03
Award-winning app
Great for experienced investors or those starting out.
04
7,600+ investment options
Choose from global stocks, ETFs, trusts, UK Treasury bills and more.
05
Easy to use
Manage your portfolio with ease on iOS, Android, or your web browser.
06
Fast, friendly support
Our customer service team is here to help. Reach out if you need extra support.

Compare our pricing

See how investing with Freetrade measures up against other brokers.
Scenario: You have £10,000 invested in a General Investment Account (GIA) and make two trades per month. One trade is a UK stock worth £250, and the other is a US stock worth £250.
Portfolio value
Subscription fee
Cost of UK trade
Commission‎
Cost of US trade
Commission‎
Cost of US trade
FX
Total annual cost
£10,000
£0
£0
dealing commission
£0
dealing commission
£29.70
£29.70
£10,000
£45.93
£83.40
dealing commission
£83.40
dealing commission
£29.70
£242.43
£10,000
£71.88
£47.88
dealing commission
£47.88
dealing commission
£22.50
£190.14
£10,000
£32.90
£60.00
dealing commission
£60.00
dealing commission
£22.50
£175.40

Comparison disclosure

Costs are based on those published costs on the other providers’ websites as of 24 March 2026. They are shown for illustrative purposes only. For confirmation of their up-to-date charges and product information, you should visit their websites.

Calculations exclude interest on customer cash and do not include investment growth or tax relief. Annual percentage based charges and monthly fixed account fees are applied after UK and US trading fees and FX fees.

Freetrade: There are no commission charges per trade and no subscription fee on the Basic plan, which gives you access to a Stocks and Shares ISA, Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP), and General Investment Account (GIA). FX fees are 0.99% on Basic, reduced to 0.59% on Standard and 0.39% on Plus.

Hargreaves Lansdown: Subscription fee is based on the annual 0.35% charge on the value of shares held in the share dealing account, which is the equivalent of a general investment account (GIA). This is capped at £12.50/mo. Fee per trade reduces, depending on the number of trades executed in the previous month, from £6.95 for up to 19 trades to £3.95 for 20 or more trades. The FX rate is tiered by transaction value: 0.99% for the first £10,000, 0.50% for £10,001–£24,999.99, and 0.20% for £25,000 or more.

Interactive Investor: Subscription fee is based on the Core plan at £5.99/mo, which allows for a maximum portfolio size of £100,000. For portfolios above this, customers are switched to the Plus plan, which costs £14.99/mo. The FX rate varies by plan: 0.75% on Core, 0.75% on the first £50,000 and 0.25% for over £50,000 on the Plus plan, 0.25% on the Premium plan.

AJ Bell: Subscription fee is based on the annual 0.25% charge on the value of shares held in the dealing account, which is the equivalent of a general investment account (GIA). This is capped at £3.50/mo. Fee per trade reduces, depending on the number of trades executed in the previous month, from £5.00 for up to 9 trades to £3.50 for 10 or more trades. The FX rate is tiered by transaction value: 0.75% for up to £10,000, 0.50% for £10,001–£20,000, and 0.25% for above £20,000.

Scenario: You have £50,000 invested in a General Investment Account (GIA) and make four trades per month. Two UK stock trades worth £250 each, and two US stock trades worth £250 each.
Portfolio value
Subscription fee
Cost of UK trade
Commission‎
Cost of US trade
Commission‎
Cost of US trade
FX
Total annual cost
£50,000
£0
£0
dealing commission
£0
dealing commission
£59.40
£59.40
£50,000
£150.00
£166.80
dealing commission
£166.80
dealing commission
£59.40
£543.00
£50,000
£71.88
£95.76
dealing commission
£95.76
dealing commission
£45.00
£308.40
£50,000
£42.00
£120.00
dealing commission
£120.00
dealing commission
£45.00
£327.00

Comparison disclosure

Costs are based on those published costs on the other providers’ websites as of 24 March 2026. They are shown for illustrative purposes only. For confirmation of their up-to-date charges and product information, you should visit their websites. Calculations exclude interest on customer cash and do not include investment growth or tax relief. Annual percentage based charges and monthly fixed account fees are applied after UK and US trading fees and FX fees.

Calculations exclude interest on customer cash and do not include investment growth or tax relief. Annual percentage based charges and monthly fixed account fees are applied after UK and US trading fees and FX fees.

Freetrade: There are no commission charges per trade and no subscription fee on the Basic plan, which gives you access to a Stocks and Shares ISA, Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP), and General Investment Account (GIA). FX fees are 0.99% on Basic, reduced to 0.59% on Standard and 0.39% on Plus.

Hargreaves Lansdown: Subscription fee is based on the annual 0.35% charge on the value of shares held in an ISA account. This is capped at £12.50/mo. Fee per trade reduces, depending on the number of trades executed in the previous month, from £6.95 for up to 19 trades to £3.95 for 20 or more trades. The FX rate is tiered by transaction value: 0.99% for the first £10,000, 0.50% for £10,001–£24,999.99, and 0.20% for £25,000 or more.

Interactive Investor: Subscription fee is based on the Core plan at £5.99/mo, which allows for a maximum portfolio size of £100,000. For portfolios above this, customers are switched to the Plus plan, which costs £14.99/mo. The FX rate varies by plan: 0.75% on Core, 0.75% on the first £50,000 and 0.25% for over £50,000 on the Plus plan, 0.25% on the Premium plan.

AJ Bell: Subscription fee is based on the annual 0.25% charge on the value of shares held in an ISA account. This is capped at £3.50/mo. Fee per trade reduces, depending on the number of trades executed in the previous month, from £5.00 for up to 9 trades to £3.50 for 10 or more trades. The FX rate is tiered by transaction value: 0.75% for up to £10,000, 0.50% for £10,001–£20,000, and 0.25% for above £20,000.

Scenario: You have £100,000 invested in a General Investment Account (GIA) and make six trades per month. Three UK stock trades worth £250 each, and three US stock trades worth £250 each.
Portfolio value
Subscription fee
Cost of UK trade
Commission‎
Cost of US trade
Commission‎
Cost of US trade
FX
Total annual cost
£100,000
£0
£0
dealing commission
£0
dealing commission
£89.10
£89.10
£100,000
£150.00
£250.20
dealing commission
£250.20
dealing commission
£89.10
£739.50
£100,000
£179.88
£95.76
dealing commission
£143.64
dealing commission
£67.50
£486.78
£100,000
£42.00
£180.00
dealing commission
£180.00
dealing commission
£67.50
£469.50

Comparison disclosure

Costs are based on those published costs on the other providers’ websites as of 24 March 2026. They are shown for illustrative purposes only. For confirmation of their up-to-date charges and product information, you should visit their websites.

Calculations exclude interest on customer cash and do not include investment growth or tax relief. Annual percentage based charges and monthly fixed account fees are applied after UK and US trading fees and FX fees.

Freetrade: There are no commission charges per trade and no subscription fee on the Basic plan, which gives you access to a Stocks and Shares ISA, Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP), and General Investment Account (GIA). FX fees are 0.99% on Basic, reduced to 0.59% on Standard and 0.39% on Plus.

Hargreaves Lansdown: Subscription fee is based on the annual 0.35% charge on the value of shares held in the share dealing account, which is the equivalent of a general investment account (GIA). This is capped at £12.50/mo. Fee per trade reduces, depending on the number of trades executed in the previous month, from £6.95 for up to 19 trades to £3.95 for 20 or more trades. The FX rate is tiered by transaction value: 0.99% for the first £10,000, 0.50% for £10,001–£24,999.99, and 0.20% for £25,000 or more.

Interactive Investor: Subscription fee is based on the Plus plan at £14.99 per month, as the portfolio exceeds £100,000 after the first monthly contribution. The Plus plan includes one free trade credit per month, worth £3.99, which has been applied to UK trading in this calculation. Standard trading fees are £3.99 per trade on Core and Plus plans for UK and US shares and ETFs, reduced to £2.99 on the Premium plan. FX fees vary by plan, with 0.75% on Core, 0.75% on the first £50,000 and 0.25% above £50,000 on Plus, and 0.25% on Premium.

AJ Bell: Subscription fee is based on the annual 0.25% charge on the value of shares held in the dealing account, which is the equivalent of a general investment account (GIA). This is capped at £3.50/mo. Fee per trade reduces, depending on the number of trades executed in the previous month, from £5.00 for up to 9 trades to £3.50 for 10 or more trades. The FX rate is tiered by transaction value: 0.75% for up to £10,000, 0.50% for £10,001–£20,000, and 0.25% for above £20,000.

Scenario: You have £250,000 invested in a General Investment Account (GIA) and make eight trades per month. Four UK stock trades worth £250 each, and four US stock trades worth £250 each.
Portfolio value
Subscription fee
Cost of UK trade
Commission‎
Cost of US trade
Commission‎
Cost of US trade
FX
Total annual cost
£250,000
£0
£0
dealing commission
£0
dealing commission
£118.80
£118.80
£250,000
£150.00
£333.60
dealing commission
£333.60
dealing commission
£118.80
£936.00
£250,000
£179.88
£143.64
dealing commission
£191.52
dealing commission
£90.00
£605.04
£250,000
£42.00
£240.00
dealing commission
£240.00
dealing commission
£90.00
£612.00

Comparison disclosure

Costs are based on those published costs on the other providers’ websites as of 24 March 2026. They are shown for illustrative purposes only. For confirmation of their up-to-date charges and product information, you should visit their websites.

Calculations exclude interest on customer cash and do not include investment growth or tax relief. Annual percentage based charges and monthly fixed account fees are applied after UK and US trading fees and FX fees.

Freetrade: There are no commission charges per trade and no subscription fee on the Basic plan, which gives you access to a Stocks and Shares ISA, Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP), and General Investment Account (GIA). FX fees are 0.99% on Basic, reduced to 0.59% on Standard and 0.39% on Plus.

Hargreaves Lansdown: Subscription fee is based on the annual 0.35% charge on the value of shares held in the share dealing account, which is the equivalent of a general investment account (GIA). This is capped at £12.50/mo. Fee per trade reduces, depending on the number of trades executed in the previous month, from £6.95 for up to 19 trades to £3.95 for 20 or more trades. The FX rate is tiered by transaction value: 0.99% for the first £10,000, 0.50% for £10,001–£24,999.99, and 0.20% for £25,000 or more.

Interactive Investor: Subscription fee is based on the Plus plan at £14.99 per month, as the portfolio exceeds £100,000. The Plus plan includes one free trade credit per month, worth £3.99, which has been applied to UK trading in this calculation. Standard trading fees are £3.99 per trade on Core and Plus plans for UK and US shares and ETFs, reduced to £2.99 on the Premium plan. FX fees vary by plan, with 0.75% on Core, 0.75% on the first £50,000 and 0.25% above £50,000 on Plus, and 0.25% on Premium.

AJ Bell: Subscription fee is based on the annual 0.25% charge on the value of shares held in the dealing account, which is the equivalent of a general investment account (GIA). This is capped at £3.50/mo. Fee per trade reduces, depending on the number of trades executed in the previous month, from £5.00 for up to 9 trades to £3.50 for 10 or more trades. The FX rate is tiered by transaction value: 0.75% for up to £10,000, 0.50% for £10,001–£20,000, and 0.25% for above £20,000.

Transfer your investment account to Freetrade.

It’s quick and free to transfer investments or cash from another provider to your Freetrade General Investment Accounts. Keep things simple with all your investments in one place.

Whatever your reason for transferring, make sure it’s the right decision for you.

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General Investment Account FAQs

Here you’ll find answers to the most frequently asked questions. If you have a question that’s not listed, please contact support.
How much does a General Investment Account cost?
How much can you invest in a General Investment Account?
What can you invest in with a GIA?
Is investing in stocks worth the risk?
Can I open more than one General Investment Account?
What is the difference between a GIA and an ISA?
What is the difference between a savings account and a GIA?
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Freetrade basic plan icon with one star on a black circle
Basic
£0.00
/Mo.
 
Get basic
Accounts include
  • icon of a banknote

    Stocks and shares ISA

    New
  • A square, triangle and circle shapes grouped together.

    Junior stocks and shares ISA

    New
  • Outline of a piggybank

    Pension (SIPP)

    New
  • Outline icon of a bank

    General investment account

Benefits include
  • Freetrade logo icon

    Commission-free investing in Freetrade’s full universe of stocks, ETFs, and investment trusts

  • icon of a coin that has a dollar symbol inside a circle

    FX fee of 0.99% on non-GBP trades

  • icon of a stack of coins

    1% AER on up to £1k uninvested cash

  • Icon of a pie-chart
and more...
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Standard
£4.99
/Mo.
£59.88 billed annually
Accounts include
  • icon of a banknote

    Stocks and shares ISA

  • A square, triangle and circle shapes grouped together.

    Junior stocks and shares ISA

    New
  • Outline of a piggybank

    Pension (SIPP)

    New
  • Outline icon of a bank

    General investment account

Benefits include
  • Freetrade logo icon

    Commission-free investing in Freetrade’s full universe of stocks, ETFs, and investment trusts

  • icon of a coin that has a dollar symbol inside a circle

    FX fee of 0.59% on non-GBP trades

  • icon of a stack of coins

    2.5% AER on up to £2k uninvested cash

  • Icon of a pie-chart
and more...
Three white sparkling stars icons on a purple to pink gradient circular background.
Plus
£9.99
/Mo.
£119.88 billed annually
Accounts include
  • icon of a banknote

    Stocks and shares ISA

  • A square, triangle and circle shapes grouped together.

    Junior stocks and shares ISA

    New
  • Outline of a piggybank

    Pension (SIPP)

  • Outline icon of a bank

    General investment account

Benefits include
  • Freetrade logo icon

    Commission-free investing in Freetrade’s full universe of stocks, ETFs, and investment trusts

  • icon of a coin that has a dollar symbol inside a circle

    FX fee of 0.39% on non-GBP trades

  • icon of a stack of coins

    3.5% AER on up to £3k uninvested cash

  • Icon of a pie-chart
and more...
Freetrade basic plan icon with one star on a black circle
Basic
£0.00
/Mo.
 
Get basic
Accounts include
  • icon of a banknote

    Stocks and shares ISA

    New
  • A square, triangle and circle shapes grouped together.

    Junior stocks and shares ISA

    New
  • Outline of a piggybank

    Pension (SIPP)

    New
  • Outline icon of a bank

    General investment account

Benefits include
  • Freetrade logo icon

    Commission-free investing in Freetrade’s full universe of stocks, ETFs, and investment trusts

  • icon of a coin that has a dollar symbol inside a circle

    FX fee of 0.99% on non-GBP trades

  • icon of a stack of coins

    1% AER on up to £1k uninvested cash

  • Icon of a pie-chart
and more...
Two white sparkling stars icon on a dark blue to purple gradient circular background.
Standard
£5.99
/Mo.
billed monthly
Accounts include
  • icon of a banknote

    Stocks and shares ISA

  • A square, triangle and circle shapes grouped together.

    Junior stocks and shares ISA

    New
  • Outline of a piggybank

    Pension (SIPP)

    New
  • Outline icon of a bank

    General investment account

Benefits include
  • Freetrade logo icon

    Commission-free investing in Freetrade’s full universe of stocks, ETFs, and investment trusts

  • icon of a coin that has a dollar symbol inside a circle

    FX fee of 0.59% on non-GBP trades

  • icon of a stack of coins

    2.5% AER on up to £2k uninvested cash

  • Icon of a pie-chart
and more...
Three white sparkling stars icons on a purple to pink gradient circular background.
Plus
£11.99
/Mo.
billed monthly
Accounts include
  • icon of a banknote

    Stocks and shares ISA

  • A square, triangle and circle shapes grouped together.

    Junior stocks and shares ISA

    New
  • Outline of a piggybank

    Pension (SIPP)

  • Outline icon of a bank

    General investment account

Benefits include
  • Freetrade logo icon

    Commission-free investing in Freetrade’s full universe of stocks, ETFs, and investment trusts

  • icon of a coin that has a dollar symbol inside a circle

    FX fee of 0.39% on non-GBP trades

  • icon of a stack of coins

    3.5% AER on up to £3k uninvested cash

  • Icon of a pie-chart
and more...

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