IG vs Trading 212 Comparison – 2024

Top Reasons to Choose IG or Trading 212

After thorough testing by our team of analysts, we found that IG is a great choice for professional traders and portfolio managers. It offers access to over 17,000 global markets, a variety of trading and investing accounts, direct market access (DMA), and multiple advanced platforms. Beginners can also benefit from IG’s wide range of educational resources and detailed market research.

Trading 212 is an excellent option for beginner traders and investors. Our analysis highlighted its commission-free trading accounts and user-friendly web platform. Features like fractional shares and dividend investing make it especially attractive to small account investors looking for accessible trading and investing solutions.

IG: Snapshot

Founded in 1974 and based in London, IG is a leader in retail trading and investing, combining decades of experience with strong regulatory oversight. The broker is licensed by 11 financial authorities, including 8 Tier-1 regulators, and its listing on the London Stock Exchange further underscores its high level of trust and transparency. IG offers access to over 17,000 financial instruments and a variety of account types for trading, investing, and wealth management.

IG: Who is it For?

IG caters to both experienced traders and those just starting out. Professionals will appreciate the extensive range of markets, asset classes, and financial products like CFDs, spread bets, options, futures, forwards, as well as wealth management accounts. Beginners can benefit from IG’s comprehensive research and educational resources to enhance their knowledge and trading skills.

What Makes IG Stand Out?

IG stands out as one of the few brokers publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange. With access to over 17,000 markets, the broker also offers unique features such as weekend and out-of-hours pricing, pre- and post-market stock trading, direct market access (DMA), and a variety of account types tailored to different trading and investing needs.

Trading 212: Snapshot

Founded in 2003, Trading 212 has revolutionized the European and UK financial trading landscape by introducing commission-free stock trading. Regulated by three Tier-1 authorities, the broker offers a platform with access to over 7,000 tradable instruments, competitive spreads, and the ability to earn interest on unused funds.

Trading 212: Who is it For?

Trading 212 is ideal for beginner CFD traders and real stock investors who prefer medium- to long-term strategies. Since scalping is not allowed, the platform promotes a more thoughtful and strategic approach to trading, making it particularly suitable for novices.

What Makes Trading 212 Stand Out?

As a pioneer in commission-free stock trading, Trading 212 has grown into a well-rounded investment platform. They now offer a wide range of products designed to meet the needs of both investors and traders, supported by multiple account options.

Trust

IG vs Trading 212 Trust and Regulation Comparison

IG has been a trusted name in trading since 1974, making it one of the oldest brokers in the industry. With 10 global entities regulated by 8 Tier-1 authorities, including the FCA (UK) and CFTC/NFA (USA), IG sets high standards for trust and transparency. As a member of the FTSE 250 and a publicly traded company with a BBB- rating from Fitch, IG demonstrates strong financial stability. The broker also adheres to the FX Global Code of Conduct, ensuring best practices in forex trading.

Founded in 2003, Trading 212 focuses on providing a secure and transparent experience for European traders. All three of its entities are regulated by Tier-1 European authorities: the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), and FSC (Bulgaria), which operate under the strict guidelines of ESMA (the European Securities and Markets Authority). The broker offers clear information on fees and trading terms, and its ‘best execution policy’ ensures client orders are filled at the most favorable market conditions.

Fees

IG vs Trading 212 Spreads, Fees and Commissions Comparison

Our hands-on tests showed that IG offers highly competitive trading fees. Spreads on major currency pairs are among the tightest in the industry, and swap fees are better than average. For example, during our live test of IG’s commission-free Spread Betting account, EUR/USD spreads averaged 0.6 pips during the London session and 0.9 pips during the US session, both well below the industry standard of 1.08 pips. Moreover, IG does not charge fees for deposits, withdrawals, or account inactivity.

Trading 212’s fee structure is also strong in specific areas. Our tests highlighted the broker’s favorable conditions for high-frequency trading of FX pairs and CFD shares. Trading 212 does not charge fixed commissions, relying solely on the spread. During our live test of the commission-free CFD account, EUR/USD spreads ranged from 0.7 pips during the London open to 1.1 pips during the US open, on average below the industry benchmark of 1.08 pips. Trading 212 also does not impose fees for deposits, withdrawals, or account inactivity.

Platforms and Tools

IG vs Trading 212 Trading Platforms Comparison

IG provides a diverse range of trading platforms tailored to all experience levels. Beginners will appreciate the intuitive IG Web Trader and mobile app. These platforms feature over 140 technical indicators, 17 timeframes, 5 chart types, drawing tools, built-in market news, and trading signals from Autochartist and PIA First. Advanced traders can take advantage of the powerful MT4, ProRealTime, and L2 Dealer (DMA) platforms, offering sophisticated tools for algorithmic trading, technical analysis, and direct market access.

Trading 212 keeps things user-friendly with its web platform and mobile app. Both platforms feature a clean, accessible interface, with instruments conveniently organized by asset class. The web platform is beginner-friendly, offering 55 technical indicators, 20 drawing tools, 10 timeframes, and 5 chart types, though customization options are limited. The mobile app, powered by TradingView, provides enhanced charting capabilities, making it suitable for traders of all levels.

In case you’re looking for brokers that offer third-party platforms, check out our guides on the best MT5, TradingView, and cTrader forex brokers.

Tradable Instruments

IG vs Trading 212 Instruments Selection Comparison

IG offers an impressive selection of over 17,000 trading instruments, including a comprehensive global stock portfolio with more than 17,000 shares. Traders also have access to 100 forex pairs, major indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and bonds. This extensive range caters exceptionally well to professional traders and portfolio managers looking to build diversified portfolios.

Trading 212 provides a solid offering of over 7,000 tradable instruments, appealing to traders of all experience levels. The lineup includes CFDs on shares and ETFs from key markets such as the U.S., Europe, UK, Australia, and Asia. Additionally, the broker offers 178 currency pairs, 46 commodities, 20 indices, and 15 cryptocurrency CFDs. This variety ensures that beginner, intermediate, and advanced traders can find instruments aligned with their investment strategies.

Customer Support

IG vs Trading 212 Customer Support Comparison

IG provides 24/7 customer support through live chat, telephone, and an online contact form, ensuring assistance is always available. In our tests, live chat response times averaged around 15 minutes, while phone support was much quicker, typically connecting within 5 minutes. The customer support agents were professional, knowledgeable, and helpful in addressing a range of queries.

Trading 212 offers 24/7 email support, ensuring accessibility for any questions or concerns. While the broker does not currently provide live chat or phone support, our experience with their email service was positive. Responses were prompt, well-structured, and delivered by helpful and courteous representatives.

Research

IG vs Trading 212 Research Tools Comparison

IG provides a wealth of in-house research resources designed to support traders of all experience levels. Their dedicated analyst team delivers detailed market news, engaging videos, special event webinars, and actionable trading ideas. Traders can stay updated with regular email notifications like Morning Call, Trade of the Week, and The Week Ahead. All these resources are conveniently accessible through the IG website, web platform, and mobile app.

Trading 212 caters to traders who focus on technical analysis by providing a built-in economic calendar and a dedicated news feed integrated into its web platform and mobile app. These tools keep users informed of market-moving events that may affect technical indicators. While Trading 212 does not offer an extensive library of fundamental research or third-party tools, its streamlined approach effectively serves the needs of traders who prioritize technical analysis.

Deposits & Withdrawals

IG vs Trading 212 Deposit and Withdrawal Methods Comparison

IG offers fee-free deposits and withdrawals, supporting various funding methods such as bank wire transfers, credit/debit cards, and PayPal. While most payments are processed instantly, bank transfers may take up to 3 business days to complete.

Trading 212 also provides a range of deposit and withdrawal options, including bank transfers, credit/debit cards, e-wallets like PayPal and Skrill, and regional solutions such as Dotpay and Giropay. There are no fees for deposits or withdrawals, with most transactions processed within three business days.

Account Types and Terms

IG vs Trading 212 Account Types Comparison

IG offers a wide variety of trading and investing accounts tailored to different regions. These include CFD, DMA, Share Dealing, and Corporate accounts, with UK residents gaining additional access to Spread Betting, ISA, and SIPP accounts. While most accounts are designed for professional traders and investors, some options are beginner-friendly. A £250 minimum deposit applies.

Trading 212 provides three accounts, primarily catering to novice traders and investors. These include a globally available CFD account, an Invest account, and a UK-exclusive ISA account designed for share investors. The CFD account requires a low minimum deposit of 10 units of the base currency and offers leverage up to 1:30. However, it does not support swap-free Islamic trading.

By the way, if you’re interested in high-leverage trading, check out our list of top brokers offering such options.

Education

IG vs Trading 212 Educational Content Comparison

The IG Academy delivers extensive educational resources suitable for both novice and advanced traders. These include articles, videos, webinars, and structured courses organized into beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. Topics span technical analysis, risk management, and trading psychology, offering comprehensive support for building trading expertise.

Trading 212’s YouTube channel features over 160 educational videos on topics such as trading psychology, strategies, and various asset classes. However, platform guides and regular webinars are notably absent. The broker also provides a collection of written articles focused on investing. A standout feature is its Community Forum, which serves as a collaborative space where traders can exchange knowledge, making it particularly helpful for beginners.

Our Methodology

Since 2011, FX Empire has developed a detailed methodology for evaluating CFD brokers, involving over 250 variables across nine crucial categories. Our team of experts, with deep industry knowledge, conducts live testing and research by interacting with the brokers directly. We check regulations, open accounts, test spreads, account costs, platform functionality, instrument variety, customer support reliability, and the quality of research and educational content. This granular analysis helps us identify each broker’s strengths and weaknesses, keeping our comparisons current with market trends and ensuring our guides meet traders’ needs.

We strive to evaluate each broker objectively, considering how their offerings align with the diverse trading goals and preferences of our readers. Our focus is on providing a balanced overview of each broker’s strengths and weaknesses. This method ensures that our readers receive clear, insightful comparisons to aid in making well-informed trading decisions.

We employ a comprehensive rating system across nine key categories:

• Trust
• Fees
• Platforms and Tools
• Tradable Instruments
• Customer Support
• Research
• Deposits and Withdrawals
• Account Types and Terms
• Education

In each category, we conduct an in-depth analysis for both brokers, outlining features, advantages, and disadvantages and determining their suitability for different trader profiles. By blending insights from our extensive reviews with first-hand experiences and observations, we ensure each comparison is balanced, informative, and tailored to the trader’s unique needs. You can read more about our review process here.

Related Comparison Articles

• IG vs OANDA
• IG vs XTB
• IG vs Interactive Brokers
• Plus500 vs IG
• IG vs Pepperstone
• Trading 212 vs Plus500
• Trading 212 vs XTB
• eToro vs Trading 212
• Interactive Brokers vs Trading 212