Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG vs Bestinvest, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, investment options, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
Alongside the cost per trade, most UK online brokers also charge a monthly, quarterly, or annual management fee, which varies based on the account type and balance. Based on our thorough review, Bestinvest offers better pricing than IG for share dealing.
Assuming a £30,000 portfolio size, here are the total annual costs for share dealing with both brokers, given different monthly activity scenarios.
5 trades per year - IG would cost £136 per year, while Bestinvest would cost £144.75 per year.
12 trades per year - IG would cost £96 per year, while Bestinvest would cost £119.40 - £179.40 per year.
36 trades per year - IG would cost £108 per year, while Bestinvest would cost £238.20 - £357.60 per year.
120 trades per year - IG would cost £360 per year, while Bestinvest would cost £654 - £714 per year.
3 fund trades per year - IG would cost £0 per year, while Bestinvest would cost £50 per year.
What type of trader are you?
New to the world of investing? See our picks for the Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners. More experienced traders should read our guide to the Best UK Trading Platforms for Active Traders.
When comparing IG and Bestinvest for investment choices, both online brokers are strong contenders. IG supports share trading, ETFs, CFD trading, and investment trusts. However, it does not offer funds trading, crypto trading, or spread betting. On the other hand, Bestinvest provides share trading, ETFs, funds trading, and investment trusts, alongside advisory services, while steering clear of CFD trading, crypto trading, and spread betting.
Both IG and Bestinvest are highly rated with 4.5 stars for investment choices by UK.StockBrokers.com. However, there is a slight edge in ranking with Bestinvest occupying the 10th position and IG the 11th out of 18 brokers surveyed. This signifies a closely matched offering, with each platform catering to slightly different investor preferences in the UK market.
| Feature |
IG
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | No | Yes |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | No |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes |
| Spread Betting | Yes | No |
| Crypto Trading | No | No |
| Advisor Services | No | Yes |
| Investment Choices |
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Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
Low-cost US and UK shares.
When it comes to comparing the trading tools of IG and Bestinvest, UK investors will find distinct features catering to different needs. IG provides a comprehensive charting experience, enabling users to display corporate events directly on charts, a feature Bestinvest does not offer. IG impresses with a more extensive selection of 19 drawing tools compared to Bestinvest's 9, accommodating a broader range of chart customizations. However, Bestinvest leads slightly with 36 technical indicators, up from IG's 33. Both platforms allow traders to add notes and offer browser-based trading, but only Bestinvest offers stock overlays on charts, something IG lacks.
For traders who prioritize staying updated with market movements, IG stands out by offering real-time market data, a feature absent in Bestinvest. Both platforms, however, ensure traders can set alerts for stock price updates, which adds a layer of convenience for active investors. While neither platform currently supports index overlays, the choice between IG and Bestinvest may come down to how much you value additional chart features like corporate events, drawing tools, and real-time data access.
| Feature |
IG
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 36 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 19 | 9 |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | No |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | Yes |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
When comparing IG and Bestinvest for retirement accounts in the UK, both brokers provide similar options that cater to individual savings needs. IG and Bestinvest each offer ISA accounts, allowing investors to grow their savings tax-free in a flexible manner. For those planning for retirement, both IG and Bestinvest also offer SIPP accounts, which allow individuals to take control over their pension investments. Choosing between IG and Bestinvest will depend on individual preferences, such as additional account features and the associated fees, but either choice provides a solid foundation for managing your retirement and tax-efficient savings.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
For UK investors seeking user-friendly mobile trading, both IG and Bestinvest offer apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices. However, there's a notable difference in user satisfaction. IG's mobile app is highly praised with a 5-star rating by UK.StockBrokers.com, placing it as the second-best choice among 18 brokers. In contrast, Bestinvest's app receives a 3.5-star rating, ranking it at 16th in the same list. This suggests that IG's app provides a more favourable experience for those on-the-go, making it a superior option for mobile trading enthusiasts.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When comparing IG and Bestinvest for beginner investor educational resources, both platforms shine with accessible educational client webinars, which are conveniently archived for on-demand viewing. Budding investors can delve into share trading and retirement topics on both IG and Bestinvest. However, only Bestinvest provides educational content specifically on funds, offering a slight edge in the breadth of topics covered. According to UK.StockBrokers.com, both platforms boast a perfect 5-star rating for beginner education, underscoring their commitment to high-quality learning experiences. Despite their shared top rating, IG takes the lead in overall ranking, securing the number one spot among 18 brokers, while Bestinvest holds a respectable sixth place. This positions IG as the frontrunner for those prioritizing comprehensive education in their investment journey.
| Feature |
IG
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Funds) | No | Yes |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes |
| Education |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When comparing the market research features of online brokers IG and Bestinvest, UK investors will find notable distinctions between the two. Both IG and Bestinvest provide research reports for funds, shares, and ETFs. However, Bestinvest stands out with its capability to show portfolio allocation by asset class, a feature not available with IG. While both offer research on shares and ETFs, IG covers CFDs, in contrast to Bestinvest’s absence in that area. On the other hand, Bestinvest’s comprehensive research on funds further distinguishes it, whereas IG lacks this feature. Neither broker offers research on bonds, leaving room for improvement in their market research features.
| Feature |
IG
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | No |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | No | No |
| Research - Funds | No | Yes |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | No | Yes |
Which broker is better overall, IG or Bestinvest? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found IG to be a better trading platform overall.
IG is an investment platform aimed at experienced investors looking to make frequent trades on the stock market, with thousands of shares, trusts and ETFs to trade. It offers a comprehensive and easy-to-use trading platform that is used by both private and professional investors.
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Bestinvest
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Both IG and Bestinvest do not offer crypto trading options for their users.
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2 of 5| Overall Rating | IG | Bestinvest | |
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| Review | IG Review | Bestinvest Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | IG | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | Yes | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No | |
| Funds | No | Yes | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | No | No | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | No | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | Yes | No | |
| Crypto Trading | No | No | |
| Advisor Services | No | Yes |
| Trading Fees | IG | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £0 | £50 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £0-£10 | £0 - £4.95 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £3 | £0 - £4.95 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £3 | £0 - £4.95 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £136 | £144.75 | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £96 | £119.40 - £179.40 | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £108 | £238.20 - £357.60 | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £360 | £654 - £714 | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | N/A | £60 or £120 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | £0 / £96 | Up to £500 or £1,000 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £0 / £96 | £500 - £1,000 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | £0 / £96 | £100 - £1,000 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | £0 / £96 | £0 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | N/A | £4.95 | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | N/A | £4.95 | |
| ETFs - Fee | £0 - £8 | £4.95 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | £0 - £8 | £4.95 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | £50 | £30 |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Platforms & Tools | IG | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 36 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 19 | 9 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | Yes | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
| Research | IG | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | No | |
| Research - Funds | No | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | No | No | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | No | Yes |
| Education | IG | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | No | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Overall Summary | IG | Bestinvest | |
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| Review | IG Review | Bestinvest Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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