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.
Your capital is at risk.
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 £0 per year, while Robinhood UK would cost £0 per year.
12 trades per year - IG would cost £0 per year, while Robinhood UK would cost £0 per year.
36 trades per year - IG would cost £0 per year, while Robinhood UK would cost £0 per year.
120 trades per year - IG would cost £0 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.
When comparing IG and Robinhood UK, both platforms provide options for share trading, but there are significant differences in investment choices available to UK investors. IG allows its users to trade exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and contracts for difference (CFDs), in addition to investment trusts. It, however, does not support crypto trading, funds, or bonds, mirroring some of the limitations found in Robinhood UK's offerings. Robinhood UK, while also lacking in crypto, funds, and bonds trading, does not provide access to ETFs, CFDs, or investment trusts, which could narrow its appeal to more conventional stock investors.
According to UK.StockBrokers.com, IG stands out with a rating of 4.5 stars for investment choices, ranking 11th out of 21 brokers. In contrast, Robinhood UK is rated at 3 stars, placing it at 20th in the same lineup. This shows that IG offers a more diverse range of investment options compared to Robinhood UK, making it potentially more attractive for investors seeking a wider variety of trading instruments, despite both platforms not offering services like spread betting or adviser support.
| 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 |
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Low-cost US and UK shares.
Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
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.
For UK investors seeking mobile trading apps, both IG and Robinhood UK offer robust options for iPhone and Android users. While IG's app receives high praise with a perfect 5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com, Robinhood UK's app scores a respectable 4 stars. In terms of mobile app rankings among 21 brokers, IG stands out at the impressive #2 position, whereas Robinhood UK holds the #13 spot. This suggests that while both platforms offer convenient mobile access to trading, IG's app might provide a superior user experience according to reviews.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
For UK beginners seeking educational resources, IG outshines Robinhood UK with a range of learning tools. IG provides client webinars, both live and archived for on-demand viewing, ensuring flexible learning opportunities. While both platforms offer education on share trading, IG also covers retirement topics, bridging additional knowledge gaps. Robinhood UK does not offer webinars, nor does it delve into retirement education. The assessment by UK.StockBrokers.com reflects this disparity, awarding IG a five-star rating and the top rank out of 21 brokers for beginner education, compared to Robinhood UK's 3.5-star rating and 20th-place rank.
| 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 |
|
|
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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| Website |
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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 | |||
| Advisor Services | No | No |
| Trading Fees | IG | Robinhood UK | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £0 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £0 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £0 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £0 | £0 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £0 | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £0 | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £0 | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £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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