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Written by StockBrokers.com
August 06, 2024
Is Interactive Brokers better than IG? After scoring the best share dealing accounts across 46 different variables, our analysis finds that Interactive Brokers is better than IG. Interactive Brokers is a sophisticated trading platform aimed at confident and institutional-grade investors. For newer investors, Interactive Brokers is more intimidating, though it's worth exploring the platform to see if you could save money or access more investments compared to other brokers.
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- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxAJ Bell
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxBarclays
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxBestinvest
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCapital.com
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCharles Stanley Direct
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCMC Invest
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxeToro
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFidelity International
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFreetrade
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxHalifax
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxHargreaves Lansdown
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxIG
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxInteractive Brokers
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxInteractive Investor
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxLloyds Bank
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxRevolut
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxRobinhood UK
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxSaxo
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTrading 212
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxVanguard UK Investor
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxWebull
- check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxXTB
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| Overall Rating | Interactive Brokers | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |  |  | |
| Charges & Fees | | | |
| Investment Choices |  | | |
| Mobile App | | | |
| Website | | | |
| Ease of Use |  | | |
| Education | | | |
| Review | Interactive Brokers Review | IG Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | Interactive Brokers | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISAinfo | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPPinfo | Yes | Yes | |
| Share Tradinginfo | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Tradinginfo | Yes | Yes | |
| Fundsinfo | Yes | No | |
| ETFsinfo | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporateinfo | Yes | No | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts)info | Yes | No | |
| Investment Trustsinfo | Yes | Yes | |
| Spread Bettinginfo | No | Yes | |
| Crypto Tradinginfo | Yes | No | |
| Advisor Servicesinfo | No | No |
| Trading Fees | Interactive Brokers | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Depositinfo | £0 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Monthinfo | £3 | £3-£8 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Monthinfo | £3 | £3 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Monthinfo | £3 | £3 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio)info | £15 | £136 | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio)info | £36 | £192 | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio)info | £108 | £108 | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio)info | £360 | £360 | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio)info | £0 | N/A | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000info | 0 | £0 / £96 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500Kinfo | 0 | £0 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1minfo | 0 | £0 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and overinfo | 0 | £0 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Feeinfo | 0.1% (for <10,000 EUR) 0.025% (for >10,000 EUR) | N/A | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Feeinfo | 0.1% (for <10,000 EUR) 0.025% (for >10,000 EUR) | N/A | |
| ETFs - Feeinfo | £3 | £3 - £8 | |
| Investment Trusts - Feeinfo | £4.95 | £3 - £8 | |
| Telephone Dealing Feeinfo | USD 50 | £40-£50 |
| Broker Screenshots | Interactive Brokers | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| Platforms & Tools | Interactive Brokers | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platforminfo | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone Appinfo | Yes | Yes | |
| Android Appinfo | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alertsinfo | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studiesinfo | 96 | 33 | |
| Charting - Drawing Toolsinfo | 80 | 19 | |
| Charting - Notesinfo | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Eventsinfo | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Stock Overlaysinfo | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Index Overlaysinfo | Yes | No |
| Research | Interactive Brokers | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Sharesinfo | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDsinfo | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Fundsinfo | Yes | No | |
| Fund Research - Research Reportsinfo | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - ETFsinfo | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bondsinfo | Yes | No | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdowninfo | Yes | No |
| Education | Interactive Brokers | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading)info | No | Yes | |
| Education (Funds)info | No | No | |
| Education (Retirement)info | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinarsinfo | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived)info | No | Yes |
| Overall Summary | Interactive Brokers | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | | | |
| Charges & Fees | | | |
| Investment Choices | | | |
| Mobile App | | | |
| Website | | | |
| Ease of Use | | | |
| Education | | | |
| Review | Interactive Brokers Review | IG Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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Comparing online share dealing platforms side by side is no small task. For our 2024 review of U.K. brokers, more than 900 data points were collected over a 10-week period and used to score each broker. Let’s compare Interactive Brokers and IG.
Interactive Brokers vs IG Comparison
For our 2024 Review, we assessed the best trading platforms in the UK for online share dealing. Let's compare Interactive Brokers vs IG.
Is Interactive Brokers a good broker?
Interactive Brokers is a sophisticated trading platform aimed at confident and institutional-grade investors. For newer investors, Interactive Brokers is more intimidating, though it's worth exploring the platform to see if you could save money or access more investments compared to other brokers.
Is IG a good broker?
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.
Which broker is less expensive?
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, Interactive Brokers 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 - Interactive Brokers would cost £15 per year, while IG would cost £136 per year.
12 trades per year - Interactive Brokers would cost £36 per year, while IG would cost £192 per year.
36 trades per year - Interactive Brokers would cost £108 per year, while IG would cost £108 per year.
120 trades per year - Interactive Brokers would cost £360 per year, while IG would cost £360 per year.
3 fund trades per year - Interactive Brokers would cost £0 per year, while IG would cost £0 per year.
query_stats What type of trader are you?
New to the world of investing? See my picks for the best UK trading platforms for beginners. More experienced traders should check out my guide to the best UK Trading Platforms for Active Traders. If you're looking to trade shares on the go, read my guide to the best UK stock trading apps.
How do Interactive Brokers and IG compare in terms of minimum deposits required?
Interactive Brokers requires a minimum deposit of £0, while IG requires a minimum deposit of £0. From our testing we found for accounts between £0 - £250,000 Interactive Brokers charges annual custody fees of 0, while IG charges annual custody fees of £0 / £96.
Which broker offers a wider range of investment options?
Interactive Brokers offers investors access to ISA, SIPP, Share Trading, CFD Trading, Funds, ETFs, Bonds - Corporate, Bonds - Government (Gilts) and Investment Trusts, while IG offers investors access to ISA, SIPP, Share Trading, CFD Trading, ETFs, Investment Trusts and Spread Betting. Neither have Crypto Trading and Advisor Services. Investing encompasses a wide variety of asset classes, so finding a broker that offers every investment type you are interested in is important.
Do Interactive Brokers and IG offer ISA or SIPP accounts?
Self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs) and individual savings accounts (ISAs) are tax-advantaged savings accounts that are an important tool for many individual investors. You can read more about how these accounts operate at Gov.UK: Click here for SIPP information and here for ISA information. Our analysis finds that Both Interactive Brokers and IG offer SIPP and ISA accounts.
Do Interactive Brokers and IG offer cryptocurrency?
In our analysis of top brokers for share dealing in the U.K., we research whether each broker offers the ability to trade cash cryptocurrency, such as bitcoin and ethereum, which is still a somewhat rare offering amongst major U.K. brokers. Our review finds that neither Interactive Brokers nor IG offer crypto investing.
Which broker offers a better website experience?
Our testing concluded that the website of Interactive Brokers is better than the website of IG. Interactive Brokers offers more functionality, is cleanly designed, and is, overall, easier to use for beginners and casual investors.
Which stock trading app is better?
To compare the trading platforms of both Interactive Brokers and IG, we tested each broker's stock trading app. All features compared, our analysis finds that Interactive Brokers offers a better mobile app. Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
Do Interactive Brokers and IG offer educational resources?
Educational offerings are of particular importance to those who are newer to investing, and we examine the availability of several different types of educational materials in our analysis. Our research finds that Interactive Brokers offers traders access to Education (Retirement), while IG offers access to Client Webinars, Client Webinars (Archived), Education (Share Trading) and Education (Retirement). Neither have Education (Funds).
Overall winner: Interactive Brokers
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