Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG vs Robinhood UK, 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, Robinhood UK 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 Robinhood UK would cost £0 per year.
12 trades per year - IG would cost £96 per year, while Robinhood UK would cost £0 per year.
36 trades per year - IG would cost £108 per year, while Robinhood UK would cost £0 per year.
120 trades per year - IG would cost £360 per year, while Robinhood UK would cost £0 per year.
3 fund trades per year - IG would cost £0 per year, while Robinhood UK would cost £0 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.
For UK investors comparing online brokers IG and Robinhood UK, IG stands out with a wider range of investment options. Both brokers offer share trading, but only IG supports trading in ETFs and investment trusts. Additionally, IG provides CFD trading, while Robinhood UK does not engage in this offering. Neither platform currently provides opportunities for trading cryptocurrencies, spread betting, funds, corporate bonds, or government bonds, and both lack advisor services.
In terms of investment options, IG receives a higher rating of 4.5 stars from UK.StockBrokers.com compared to Robinhood UK's 3 stars. Out of 18 brokers evaluated for investment choices, IG ranks 11th, demonstrating a richer selection overall, while Robinhood UK is positioned 20th, indicating a more limited range for investors in the UK.
| Feature |
IG
|
Robinhood UK
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No |
| ETFs | Yes | No |
| Funds | No | No |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | No |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | No |
| Spread Betting | Yes | No |
| Crypto Trading | No | No |
| Advisor Services | No | No |
| Investment Choices |
|
|
Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
Low-cost US and UK shares.
For UK investors comparing trading platforms, both IG and Robinhood UK provide browser-based trading platforms with real-time market data and stock price alert capabilities. However, IG sets itself apart by offering a more comprehensive suite of charting tools. IG users can display corporate events like earnings, splits, and dividends directly on charts, and they have access to 19 drawing tools and 33 technical indicators. In contrast, Robinhood UK does not display corporate events on charts and offers no drawing tools with only 3 technical indicators available.
Furthermore, IG allows traders to add personal notes to their charts, providing an additional layer of customization, a feature not available on Robinhood UK. While neither platform currently supports adding index or stock overlays to charts, IG’s enhanced charting features cater more to those who rely heavily on detailed technical analysis. Consequently, IG might be the better choice for traders seeking advanced charting capabilities, while Robinhood UK offers a more streamlined experience for users looking for simplicity and accessibility.
| Feature |
IG
|
Robinhood UK
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 3 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 19 | 0 |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | No |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | No |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
When comparing IG and Robinhood UK for retirement accounts, UK investors will find IG as the more versatile option. IG offers both ISA (Individual Savings Account) and SIPP (Self-Invested Personal Pension) accounts, essential for tax-efficient saving and investing towards retirement. In contrast, Robinhood UK does not provide these account options, which may limit its appeal to individuals aiming to manage their retirement funds effectively. For those prioritizing retirement accounts in their investment strategy, IG emerges as the preferable choice due to its inclusive offerings.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
IG and Robinhood UK both offer mobile apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices, ensuring accessibility for users on popular smartphone platforms. According to UK.StockBrokers.com, IG's mobile app receives an impressive 5-star rating, placing it as the second-ranked app among 18 brokers evaluated. In contrast, Robinhood UK's mobile app holds a 4-star rating, ranking thirteenth out of the same group. This indicates that while both platforms provide reliable apps for trading on-the-go, IG's app is more highly regarded for its user experience and features in the UK market.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
For UK beginner investors evaluating educational resources, IG stands out compared to Robinhood UK. IG offers live and on-demand educational webinars, which Robinhood UK does not provide. Both brokers supply educational content on share trading; however, IG uniquely covers retirement topics, while Robinhood UK does not touch on retirement or funds education. With a top-notch five-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com for its beginner education, IG secures the number one spot among 18 brokers. In contrast, Robinhood UK garners a 3.5-star rating and ranks at number 20, highlighting IG as the superior choice for novice investors seeking educational support.
| Feature |
IG
|
Robinhood UK
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Funds) | No | No |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | No |
| Education |
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|
Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When comparing the market research features of online brokers IG and Robinhood UK, there are notable differences in their offerings. IG provides research reports for funds, a feature absent in Robinhood UK. Both brokers allow research on shares and ETFs, giving investors insights into these popular investment types. Additionally, while IG offers research on CFDs, Robinhood UK does not provide this. Neither platform supports portfolio allocation views by asset class or offers research on funds and bonds, adding limitations for those looking for a broader understanding of these areas. For UK investors prioritizing research capabilities, IG presents a stronger case, though Robinhood UK may suffice for basic needs.
| Feature |
IG
|
Robinhood UK
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | No |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | No | No |
| Research - Funds | No | No |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | No |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | No | No |
Which broker is better overall, IG or Robinhood UK? 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.
| Feature |
IG
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Robinhood UK
|
|---|---|---|
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| Mobile App |
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Both IG and Robinhood UK do not provide crypto trading options for their users, making them similar in their lack of cryptocurrency offerings.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | IG | Robinhood UK | |
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| Review | IG Review | Robinhood UK Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | IG | Robinhood UK | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | No | |
| SIPP | Yes | No | |
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No | |
| Funds | No | No | |
| ETFs | Yes | No | |
| Bonds - Corporate | No | No | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | No | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | No | |
| Spread Betting | Yes | No | |
| Crypto Trading | No | No | |
| Advisor Services | No | No |
| Trading Fees | IG | Robinhood UK | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £0 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £0-£10 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £3 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £3 | £0 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £136 | £0 | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £96 | £0 | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £108 | £0 | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £360 | £0 | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | N/A | N/A | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | £0 / £96 | £0 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £0 / £96 | £0 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | £0 / £96 | £0 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | £0 / £96 | £0 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | N/A | N/A | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | N/A | N/A | |
| ETFs - Fee | £0 - £8 | £0 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | £0 - £8 | N/A | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | £50 | N/A |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | Robinhood UK | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Robinhood UK | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 3 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 19 | 0 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | No | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
| Research | IG | Robinhood UK | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | No | |
| Research - Funds | No | No | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | No | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | No | No | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | No | No |
| Education | IG | Robinhood UK | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | No | No | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Overall Summary | IG | Robinhood UK | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Review | IG Review | Robinhood UK Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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