Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Trading 212 vs IG, 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, Trading 212 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 - Trading 212 would cost £0 per year, while IG would cost £136 per year.
12 trades per year - Trading 212 would cost £0 per year, while IG would cost £96 per year.
36 trades per year - Trading 212 would cost £0 per year, while IG would cost £108 per year.
120 trades per year - Trading 212 would cost £0 per year, while IG would cost £360 per year.
3 fund trades per year - Trading 212 would cost £1 per year, while IG 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.
Comparing Trading 212 and IG reveals that both online brokers offer several shared investment options in the UK market, including share trading, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), contracts for difference (CFDs), and investment trusts. Neither platform provides opportunities for crypto trading, spread betting, fund trading, corporate bonds, or government bonds (gilts). Additionally, neither Trading 212 nor IG offers advisory services to their clients, making them ideal for self-directed investors.
Both platforms have received a 4.5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com for their investment choices. However, they differ in their rankings out of 18 brokers, with IG positioned at a respectable 11th place, while Trading 212 ranks 16th. These rankings suggest that while both brokers offer similar investments, IG might have a slightly more comprehensive or accessible offering according to industry experts.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
IG
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | No | No |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | No |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes |
| Spread Betting | No | Yes |
| Crypto Trading | No | No |
| Advisor Services | No | No |
| Investment Choices |
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Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
Low-cost US and UK shares.
When comparing the trading tools of Trading 212 and IG, users will find some distinct differences alongside several similarities. Trading 212 offers a more extensive selection of drawing tools and technical indicators, boasting 27 tools and 106 indicators, compared to IG’s 19 tools and 33 indicators. This wider array of charting capabilities can be beneficial for those who rely heavily on technical analysis. However, Trading 212 lacks the ability to display corporate events such as earnings, splits, and dividends on charts, a feature provided by IG. Both platforms allow traders to add notes to charts for personalized annotations and support browser-based trading, offering flexibility and convenience to users on the go.
In terms of overlays, neither Trading 212 nor IG supports adding index or stock overlays to charts. Both platforms do excel in providing real-time market data and allow users to set alerts for stock price updates, ensuring that traders can stay informed and react promptly to market changes. While Trading 212 presents a broader range of technical tools, IG’s ability to incorporate corporate events into their charting system may appeal to users looking for comprehensive event-driven insights in their trading strategy.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
IG
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 106 | 33 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 27 | 19 |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | Yes |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | No |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
For UK investors exploring retirement account options, Trading 212 and IG provide varied offerings. Both platforms support Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs), allowing tax-efficient savings. However, there’s a key difference in their offerings of Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs). Trading 212 does not provide SIPPs, making it a less suitable choice for those specifically seeking to contribute to a retirement account. In contrast, IG offers SIPP accounts, catering to investors looking for a comprehensive retirement savings solution. Consider your specific needs and preferences when choosing the right platform for your financial goals.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
When comparing mobile trading apps in the UK, both Trading 212 and IG offer reliable options for iPhone and Android users. Each broker's app receives top marks from UK.StockBrokers.com, with both scoring a perfect 5-star rating. However, in terms of overall ranking among 18 brokers, Trading 212 comes in third place, while IG secures the second position. This distinction might sway users looking for the slightly more highly ranked app experience in the UK. Whether you choose Trading 212 or IG, both offer high-quality mobile trading experiences for investors on the go.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
In the realm of beginner investor education, IG stands out with a wider variety of resources compared to Trading 212. While Trading 212 provides solid education on share trading and funds, it lacks offerings in the field of retirement planning and does not host educational webinars. In contrast, IG not only covers share trading and retirement topics effectively but also provides educational webinars that are accessible both live and on-demand, which broadens learning opportunities for novices. According to UK.StockBrokers.com, IG is rated a perfect 5 stars and ranks first out of 18 brokers for beginner education, highlighting its comprehensive approach. Trading 212, although commendable with a 4-star rating, is ranked 13th, indicating room for improvement in its educational support. For individuals new to investing in the UK, IG's top-rated educational resources might be more beneficial to kick-start their journey with confidence.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
IG
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | No | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | No |
| Education (Retirement) | No | Yes |
| Education |
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Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When assessing market research offerings, Trading 212 and IG both present distinct advantages. For investors keen on shares and ETFs research, both platforms provide comprehensive insights, alongside CFDs research. However, only IG extends its research to include reports for funds, a feature absent in Trading 212. On the other hand, if understanding portfolio allocation by asset class is a priority, Trading 212 provides this capability, whereas IG does not. Neither platform offers in-depth research for bonds or funds beyond basic tools. Understanding these key differences helps investors in the UK choose a platform tailored to their research needs.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
IG
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | No | No |
| Research - Funds | No | No |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | No | Yes |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | No |
Which broker is better overall, Trading 212 or IG? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found Trading 212 to be a better trading platform overall.
Trading 212 offers commission-free share dealing and is a great option for those looking to simply execute share or ETF trades. Novice investors or those looking for more diversification through mutual funds may find better options elsewhere.
| Feature |
Trading 212
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IG
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| Overall Rating |
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| Charges & Fees |
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| Mobile App |
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| Website |
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Both Trading 212 and IG do not offer cryptocurrency trading options for their users.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Trading 212 | IG | |
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| Review | Trading 212 Review | IG Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | Trading 212 | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | No | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Funds | No | No | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | No | No | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | No | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | No | Yes | |
| Crypto Trading | No | No | |
| Advisor Services | No | No |
| Trading Fees | Trading 212 | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £1 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £0 | £0-£10 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £0 | £3 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £0 | £3 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £136 | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £96 | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £108 | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £360 | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | N/A | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | £0 | £0 / £96 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £0 | £0 / £96 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | £0 | £0 / £96 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | £0 | £0 / £96 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | N/A | N/A | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | N/A | N/A | |
| ETFs - Fee | 0 | £0 - £8 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | 0 | £0 - £8 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | N/A | £50 |
| Broker Screenshots | Trading 212 | IG | |
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| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Platforms & Tools | Trading 212 | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 106 | 33 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 27 | 19 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | Yes | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | No | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
| Research | Trading 212 | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Funds | No | No | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | No | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | No | No | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | No |
| Education | Trading 212 | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | No | |
| Education (Retirement) | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes |
| Overall Summary | Trading 212 | IG | |
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| Investment Choices |
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| Review | Trading 212 Review | IG Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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