IG vs Trading 212 is an increasingly popular comparison for UK investors looking for a low-cost Stocks & Shares ISA.

Both platforms offer commission-free investing in UK shares and ETFs, but they take different approaches. Trading 212 focuses on simplicity and beginner-friendly investing, while IG provides a broader investing ecosystem with advanced research tools, multiple account types and a wider range of features.

If you’re deciding between the two, it’s important to look beyond platform fees. Investment choice, account types, research tools and current offers can all influence which provider is the better fit.

In this comparison, we’ll look at fees, investment options, platform features, current promotions and which platform may be the better choice depending on your investing goals.

If you’re still comparing providers, see our Best Stocks & Shares ISA UK guide.

Jump to:

Overview · Fees Comparison · Investment Options · Platform & App · Which Is Better For Beginners? · Pros & Cons · Current Offers · Final Verdict · FAQs

IG vs Trading 212: Quick Comparison

Feature	IG	Trading 212
Stocks & Shares ISA	✅	✅
General Investment Account	✅	✅
SIPP	✅	❌
Junior ISA	✅	❌
UK Shares	✅	✅
International Shares	✅	✅
ETFs	✅	✅
Traditional Funds / OEICs	❌	❌
Fractional Shares	❌	✅
Platform Fee	£0*	£0
Custody Fee	£0*	£0
Commission	£0*	£0
FX Fee	0.70%	0.15%
Regular Investing	✅	✅
Mobile App	✅	✅
Desktop Platform	✅	Limited
Research Tools	Advanced	Basic
FCA Regulated	✅	✅
FSCS Protection	✅	✅

*Always check each provider’s latest pricing before investing.

Overall, the IG vs Trading 212 comparison comes down to whether you value professional investing tools or maximum simplicity.

Fees Comparison

One reason both platforms have become popular is their low-cost approach to investing.

Neither charges an annual platform fee for the account types covered in this comparison, making both attractive choices for long-term investors.

The biggest difference is foreign exchange charges.

Fee	IG	Trading 212
Platform Fee	£0	£0
Custody Fee	£0	£0
UK Share Dealing	£0*	£0
ETF Dealing	£0*	£0
FX Fee	0.70%	0.15%

When comparing IG vs Trading 212, platform fees are very similar, although Trading 212 has the advantage on foreign exchange charges. For investors regularly buying US shares, Trading 212’s lower FX fee is a clear advantage.

However, if you mainly invest in UK-listed ETFs or shares, the difference may have less impact on your overall costs.

Where IG starts to stand out is the wider package it offers alongside those competitive fees, including a SIPP, Junior ISA, professional-grade research and a more comprehensive desktop investing platform.

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If you want to understand how platform charges, dealing costs and foreign exchange fees can affect returns, read our ISA Fees Explained UK guide.

You can also compare annual costs across leading providers in our Cheapest Stocks & Shares ISA UK guide.

For the latest charges, see IG’s official share dealing costs and fees.

You can check the latest charges on the Trading 212 pricing page.

Investment Options

Both providers allow investors to build diversified portfolios using:

• UK shares
• International shares
• ETFs

However, IG offers a broader overall investing ecosystem.

Investment	IG	Trading 212
Shares	✅	✅
ETFs	✅	✅
Fractional Shares	❌	✅
Stocks & Shares ISA	✅	✅
General Investment Account	✅	✅
SIPP	✅	❌
Junior ISA	✅	❌

From an investment choice perspective, IG vs Trading 212 is closer than many investors expect, although IG offers more account types.

For investors who expect their investing needs to grow over time, IG’s additional account options may make it the more flexible long-term choice.

For example, someone could begin investing through an ISA before later opening an IG SIPP without moving to another provider.

Trading 212 currently offers a simpler account range, making it particularly attractive to investors who only want a straightforward Stocks & Shares ISA.

If you are deciding between ETFs and traditional investment funds, read our ETF vs OEIC UK comparison.

Platform & App

One of the biggest differences in IG vs Trading 212 is the overall investing experience rather than the fees themselves.

Both platforms provide modern mobile apps, but they target different audiences.

Trading 212 has one of the simplest investing apps available in the UK.

Its clean interface, Pie portfolios and fractional investing make it particularly attractive for beginner investors.

For a more detailed look at its app, features and charges, read our Trading 212 ISA Review.

IG takes a more professional approach.

Alongside its mobile app, investors also gain access to an advanced desktop platform offering:

• Detailed market research
• Professional charting
• Watchlists
• Market news
• Investment analysis
• Portfolio tools

While beginners may initially find Trading 212 easier to navigate, investors wanting more research and functionality may eventually appreciate everything IG offers.

You can find a fuller breakdown in our IG ISA Review.

Which Is Better For Beginners?

Choosing between IG and Trading 212 largely depends on how you plan to invest. For beginner investors, the IG vs Trading 212 decision often comes down to ease of use versus long-term flexibility.

Choose Trading 212 if you:

• Want the simplest possible investing experience.
• Plan to invest mainly in ETFs.
• Want fractional shares.
• Regularly invest in US shares and want lower FX fees.
• Prefer managing everything from a mobile app.

Trading 212 removes much of the complexity from investing and is one of the easiest platforms for beginners to use.

Choose IG if you:

• Want access to ISA, GIA, SIPP and Junior ISA accounts.
• Expect your investing needs to become more sophisticated over time.
• Value professional research and market insights.
• Prefer investing through both desktop and mobile.
• Want a platform that can grow with your experience.

Although Trading 212 is arguably easier to start with, IG offers considerably more functionality once investors become more confident.

For many long-term investors, that additional flexibility can outweigh the slightly steeper learning curve.

New investors may also find our Best Stocks & Shares ISA for Beginners UK guide useful.

Safety & Regulation

Fortunately, there is little to separate the two platforms when it comes to safety.

Both IG and Trading 212 are:

• FCA regulated
• Covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), subject to eligibility and limits
• Required to segregate client money from company funds

It’s important to remember that while your platform is regulated, investments themselves can fall in value. Neither platform protects you from market losses.

Overall, both providers can be considered reputable choices for UK investors.

Stocks & Shares ISAs are subject to annual contribution limits and eligibility rules. See the official HMRC ISA guidance for the latest rules and allowances.

Pros & Cons

Looking at the advantages and disadvantages of IG vs Trading 212 makes it easier to decide which platform suits your investing style.

IG

Pros

• No platform fee for the account type reviewed
• ISA, SIPP, GIA and Junior ISA available
• Advanced desktop investing platform
• Excellent research and market tools
• Suitable for beginners and experienced investors alike
• Strong long-term flexibility

Cons

• Higher FX fee than Trading 212
• No fractional shares
• Platform may feel more advanced for first-time investors

Trading 212

Pros

• No platform fee
• Fractional shares available
• Very low FX fee
• Excellent mobile app
• Pie investing and AutoInvest
• Very beginner friendly

Cons

• No SIPP
• No Junior ISA
• Limited research tools
• Fewer account options

IG vs Trading 212: Which Platform Is Better?

There isn’t a single winner for every investor.

If your priorities are:

• Fractional shares
• The lowest FX charges
• Simplicity
• Passive ETF investing

then Trading 212 remains an excellent choice.

However, if you want a platform that offers:

• More account types
• Better research
• Professional investing tools
• ISA, Junior ISA and SIPP options
• A platform that can grow with your investing journey

then IG becomes the stronger all-round platform.

Although Trading 212 wins on simplicity, IG offers a broader investment experience that many long-term investors will appreciate.

Our full IG ISA Review looks at IG’s fees, account types and platform features in more detail.

IG vs Trading 212: Final Verdict

Overall, our IG vs Trading 212 comparison finds that both platforms are excellent choices for UK investors.

Trading 212 is difficult to beat for investors who simply want a low-cost, easy-to-use platform for buying ETFs and shares.

For more comparisons involving Trading 212, see Hargreaves Lansdown vs Trading 212 or Vanguard vs Trading 212.

However, after comparing fees, investment options, account types and platform features, IG is our preferred choice for investors looking for a platform that can support their investing over the long term.

The combination of:

• ISA, GIA, SIPP and Junior ISA accounts
• Advanced research tools
• Professional investing platform
• Competitive pricing
• Current welcome offers for new customers

makes IG the more complete investing platform overall.

If you’re only planning to invest in a handful of ETFs and value simplicity above everything else, Trading 212 remains a fantastic option.

For investors looking for a platform that can grow with them over many years, IG vs Trading 212 is a comparison where IG just edges ahead.

You can read our full IG ISA Review for a detailed assessment of the platform.

Current IG Investing Offer

Related Stocks & Shares ISA Guides

Still comparing investment platforms? You may also find these UKMoneyLab guides helpful before choosing a Stocks & Shares ISA.

Frequently Asked Questions