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IG is usually better for experienced investors and active traders. It offers more detailed order controls, on-exchange dealing for eligible shares, broader platform support and access to spread betting, CFDs and other leveraged products through the relevant accounts.
This comparison is for UK retail customers using investment accounts. CFDs and spread betting are separate, leveraged products and are not a like-for-like alternative to buying shares through an Invest, general investment or ISA account.
IG vs Trading 212: the short version
| Best for | Better choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Small, regular investments | Trading 212 | Fractional shares, free custody and AutoInvest |
| Foreign-currency investing from GBP | Trading 212 | Published investment-account FX fee of 0.15%, compared with IG’s current 0.49% |
| Automated portfolios | Trading 212 | Pies, Model Pies, Social Pies and percentage-based AutoInvest |
| Advanced share dealing | IG | On-exchange and at-quote dealing, partial fills and more order-expiry choices |
| Third-party trading platforms | IG | ProRealTime, MetaTrader 4 and L2 Dealer are available for relevant products |
| Guaranteed stops | IG | Available for eligible spread-betting and CFD trades for a premium |
| Simple app-based investing | Trading 212 | Less complex interface and a strong focus on investing rather than leveraged trading |
How the two brokers compare
| Feature | IG UK | Trading 212 UK |
|---|---|---|
| Investment accounts | Share Dealing, Stocks and Shares ISA, Junior ISA and SIPP | Invest, Stocks and Shares ISA and SIPP |
| Online investment commission | Currently £0 on published UK GBP GIA, ISA and SIPP share and ETF trades, subject to applicable charges | Free |
| Investment-account FX fee | Currently 0.49% when conversion is required | 0.15% |
| Custody or platform fee | No platform fee on the share-dealing account under the published terms | Free custody fee for Invest, ISA and SIPP |
| Fractional shares | Not the central feature of standard share dealing | Available, but cannot be transferred to another broker |
| Automatic investing | Available through selected features and products | Pies, Model Pies, Social Pies and AutoInvest |
| Multi-currency investing | Foreign shares can be traded with currency conversion | Invest supports multiple currencies; the ISA does not offer the same functionality |
| Advanced platforms | IG platform, ProRealTime, MT4 and L2 Dealer, depending on product | Primarily app and web platform |
Both brokers can be suitable for a Stocks and Shares ISA, SIPP or taxable investment account. The important difference is what happens around the trade: Trading 212 reduces friction for regular investing, while IG provides more control for investors who care about execution methods and order handling.
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Fees: Trading 212 is not completely fee-free
For Trading 212’s Invest, ISA and SIPP accounts, the published charges are:
- Trading commission: free
- Custody fee: free
- FX fee: 0.15% when currency conversion is required
Other charges can still apply. Examples include UK Stamp Duty Reserve Tax of 0.5% on purchases of LSE-listed stocks, the £1.50 PTM Levy on applicable transactions over £10,000, US transaction and FINRA fees on relevant sales, and France’s 0.4% financial transaction tax on qualifying French shares.
Trading 212 shows applicable charges on the Review order screen before you confirm a trade. That screen matters more than the “free trading” headline.
Trading 212 funding charges
Card, Google Pay, Apple Pay, Open Banking and Klarna deposits are free until you have deposited a total of £2,000 through those methods. After that, a 0.7% fee applies. Bank transfers and instant bank transfers remain free, and withdrawals are free.
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For regular investing, using a bank transfer avoids the possible card-funding charge.
IG fees: £0 commission does not mean zero cost
IG’s current UK share-dealing schedule lists:
- UK shares: £0 online commission when using instant FX conversion
- US shares: £0 online commission when using instant FX conversion
- EU shares: €0 commission
- Australian shares: A$0 commission
- FX conversion: 0.49%
- Phone dealing: currently £40 for UK shares and £50 for US shares
IG says the 0.49% FX rate is discretionary and applies for a minimum period until 4 September 2026. It could therefore change under the broker’s pricing terms.
There is an important setting behind the £0 online commission. If you change currency conversion from instant FX conversion to manual, the commission schedule changes. For US shares, IG lists 3 cents per share with a $15 minimum under the manual arrangement.
UK Stamp Duty and other applicable taxes still apply. Neither broker should be judged solely by its dealing-commission figure.
Which broker is cheaper for US shares?
For a GBP investor repeatedly buying US shares, Trading 212 generally has the lower published FX cost:
| Example conversion | Trading 212 at 0.15% | IG at 0.49% |
|---|---|---|
| £1,000 converted | £1.50 | £4.90 |
| £10,000 converted | £15 | £49 |
| £50,000 converted | £75 | £245 |
These are simple illustrations of the published FX rates, not a guarantee of the final cost. The result changes if you already hold dollars, only buy sterling-denominated investments, use a different pricing arrangement or incur other taxes and charges.
Trading 212’s multi-currency advantage
Trading 212’s Invest account can hold and trade several currencies, including GBP, USD, EUR, CAD, CHF, DKK, NOK, PLN, SEK, CZK, RON and HUF. You can select the asset’s currency when placing an order.
For example, if you already have USD in the account, buying a USD-denominated share can avoid another conversion at the time of the trade. Trading 212 charges its standard 0.15% fee when you convert currencies, including inside a Pie.
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There are limitations:
- Only one currency can be selected for each order.
- Pies use the account’s primary currency for money entering or leaving the Pie.
- The multi-currency feature is currently for Invest, not the ISA or CFD account.
IG supports foreign-share dealing but does not provide the same published multi-currency workflow for its investment accounts. Its default is instant FX conversion, with manual conversion available under a different commission schedule.
Fractional shares and small portfolios
Trading 212 lets you invest by monetary value rather than requiring a whole number of shares. That is useful when:
- You are starting with a small balance.
- You invest a fixed amount every month.
- A single US share costs several hundred pounds.
- You want precise portfolio percentages.
Suppose you want to put £50 into an expensive share. Trading 212 can generally buy a fraction rather than leaving the money uninvested until you can afford one whole share.
The drawback appears when you transfer or close the account. Trading 212’s terms state that fractional holdings cannot be transferred and will be liquidated. Fractional shares also cannot be converted into paper certificates, and voting rights are not guaranteed. Dividends are paid pro rata.
That makes fractional shares convenient, but they can create tax, timing and portfolio-disruption issues when moving to another broker.
Pies and AutoInvest: Trading 212 is the clear winner
Trading 212’s Pie system lets you create a portfolio divided into target percentages. Its three main types are:
- Custom Pies: built by you.
- Model Pies: prepared by professional asset managers.
- Social Pies: created by other users.
AutoInvest can add money on a schedule and distribute it according to the target weights. You can also set up recurring investment into one instrument without using a Pie.
A practical example would be a Pie containing 70% of one fund, 20% of another and 10% of a third. Each scheduled contribution is allocated to move the holdings towards those targets, subject to the platform’s rules and available instruments.
Trading 212 describes Pies and Model Pies as execution-only tools, not financial advice. A Model Pie’s allocation should not be treated as a personal recommendation.
One small operational issue is Pie Free Cash. Small residual amounts may remain uninvested until the minimum investment threshold is reached or the next AutoInvest order runs.
Order types and execution
IG’s dealing controls
IG offers a broader set of execution choices for eligible share-dealing and ISA instruments, including:
- Market orders
- Limit orders
- Stop orders
- At-quote orders
Order-expiry choices include Market day, Day (All Sessions), Execute and eliminate, Good ’til cancelled and Good ’til date.
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For eligible US All Session shares, the current UK-time windows are Monday to Thursday from 12:00pm to 10:30pm and Friday from 12:00pm to 10:00pm. You need the appropriate All Sessions expiry.
For some UK shares, an at-quote order requests a price from a Retail Service Provider. You have 15 seconds to accept or reject the quote. The quote can still be cancelled, so check Open positions to confirm that the trade completed.
IG’s platform also enables partial fills by default. A large order may execute in stages rather than being rejected entirely.
How to access IG’s extra order controls
- Log in to My IG and open the platform.
- Open Settings from the left-hand flyout menu.
- Open the Order type drop-down menu.
- Select Pts through current, if required.
To show additional fill controls, return to Settings and switch on Show price & fill options in deal ticket.
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Trading 212’s order types
Trading 212’s Invest and ISA materials cover market, limit, stop, stop-limit, value and number-of-shares orders.
A Trading 212 stop order becomes a market order once the stop price is reached. It may therefore fill at a worse price during volatility or after a price gap. A stop-limit order becomes a limit order after the trigger, which controls the worst acceptable price but may not fill at all.
Pending limit and stop orders reserve the funds needed for execution. They cannot be edited: you must cancel the existing order and create a replacement.
Trading 212 order paths
To place a limit buy:
- Select the instrument.
- Tap Buy.
- Choose the Limit window.
- Enter the number of shares and limit price.
- Select Review and Send Order.
To place a stop-limit buy:
- Tap Buy.
- Select Stop Limit.
- Enter the number of shares.
- Set the stop price.
- Set the maximum limit price.
- Review and confirm the order.
Stops, gaps and failed fills
A standard stop-loss is a trigger, not a guaranteed exit price. If the market opens below your stop or trades through it quickly, the resulting market order can be filled materially worse than the level you selected.
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IG offers guaranteed stops for eligible spread-betting and CFD positions. You select Guaranteed from the stop drop-down. A premium is charged if the stop is triggered. This feature is not the same as a normal stop on an investment account.
Interest on uninvested cash
Trading 212 offers variable interest on uninvested cash. To check the applicable rate and earnings in the app:
- Open Menu.
- Select Interest on cash.
- Review the currency totals under Your earnings.
Trading 212 says interest is calculated at 22:00 GMT and distributed between 01:00 and 02:00 GMT. Rates and eligibility can vary by currency and account conditions.
IG advertises variable interest on eligible GBP cash balances, but its conditions differ. The current terms state that you generally need to hold an open position or have traded during the calendar month, and interest is paid on balances up to £100,000 per client.
Before comparing rates, check whether the money is held in a bank or a qualifying money-market fund, which currencies qualify and whether your particular ISA, Invest or SIPP account is eligible.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.ISA transfers and bed and ISA
Trading 212 states that it does not charge for investment transfers to or from its Invest or ISA account, although the other provider may charge or restrict transfers. Ordinary investment transfers are generally made in investments rather than cash and remain subject to ISA rules.
IG offers a paid bed and ISA service, but its current terms restrict eligibility. The shares must be UK-listed, trade in London, be listed on the London Stock Exchange or Aquis Exchange and qualify for an ISA.
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11IG’s listed bed-and-ISA charges include a £40 dealing fee, a capped £30 spread per stock line, possible 0.5% stamp duty on repurchase and any applicable PTM Levy. The request must be sent from your registered email address with the subject line Bed and ISA Transfer Request.
If you may move brokers later, Trading 212’s fractional-share limitation is worth considering. Whole shares may be transferable where the receiving broker accepts them, but fractional holdings are liquidated.
How safe are IG and Trading 212?
Both providers state that client money and investments are segregated from the firms’ own assets under FCA client-asset rules.
IG says shares are held in segregated nominee accounts and client money is held in segregated bank accounts, although money may also be placed in qualifying money-market funds. Trading 212 says client money is held separately under FCA CASS rules and that client assets are held with custodians including The Bank of New York Mellon and Interactive Brokers.
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Money in a qualifying money-market fund is treated as an investment rather than an ordinary bank deposit. FSCS protection does not cover normal losses caused by share-price movements. Cryptoassets do not receive ordinary specified-investment protection.
Do not confuse investing with CFDs
Both companies offer leveraged products through separate entities or accounts. A CFD does not give you ownership of the underlying shares. It can involve leverage, dynamic spreads, overnight financing and additional FX costs.
Trading 212’s current CFD fee information lists no trading commission or custody fee, a 0.5% FX fee, dynamic spreads and overnight interest that may be positive or negative. IG’s CFD and spread-betting accounts have separate spreads, financing, margin and risk-management rules.
For a long-term investment, use the appropriate Invest, general investment or ISA account. Do not select a CFD simply because its dealing commission appears low.
Which broker should you choose?
Choose Trading 212 if you:
- Want to invest small amounts regularly.
- Need fractional shares.
- Want a Pie-based portfolio and automatic contributions.
- Buy foreign shares from a GBP account frequently.
- Prefer a straightforward app and web experience.
- Want to hold multiple currencies in an Invest account.
Choose IG if you:
- Want more control over order types, expiry dates and execution.
- Value on-exchange or at-quote dealing for eligible shares.
- Need access to partial fills or more detailed dealing tickets.
- Want ProRealTime, MT4 or L2 Dealer access where available.
- Trade or invest across a wider range of products.
- Need guaranteed stops for eligible CFD or spread-betting positions.
Bottom line
For a typical UK beginner building a long-term portfolio, Trading 212 is the stronger default. Its lower published FX fee, fractional shares and built-in automation are valuable when contributions are small or regular.
IG is the better specialist platform for active investors who want execution choices, richer order handling, external platforms or access to leveraged products.
For a large portfolio, calculate the expected annual cost rather than relying on “commission-free” branding. Include FX conversions, taxes, funding method, cash-interest conditions and the possible cost of liquidating fractional shares if you later transfer away.
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Is IG or Trading 212 cheaper?
Trading 212 is usually cheaper for foreign-currency investing because its published Invest, ISA and SIPP FX fee is 0.15%, compared with IG’s current 0.49% rate when conversion is required. Both currently advertise £0 online commission in several investment-account situations, but taxes, exchange charges and other fees can still apply.
Is Trading 212 safe in the UK?
Trading 212 states that UK client money and assets are segregated under FCA client-asset rules. Eligible missing investments or cash may be covered by FSCS protection up to £85,000 if the firm fails. This does not protect you from normal investment losses.
Can I transfer fractional shares from Trading 212?
No. Trading 212’s terms state that fractional holdings cannot be transferred to another broker. They are liquidated when an account is transferred or closed.
Does IG offer fractional shares?
Fractional shares are not the central feature of IG’s standard UK share-dealing service. Trading 212 is the more suitable option if investing by fixed monetary amounts is important.
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Which is better for a Stocks and Shares ISA?
Trading 212 is generally better for low-cost, automated ISA investing and fractional shares. IG may suit ISA investors who prioritise more advanced dealing controls and the wider IG platform ecosystem. Compare the current ISA terms before opening or transferring an account.
Are IG and Trading 212 CFDs the same as buying shares?
No. CFDs are leveraged contracts and do not give ownership of the underlying shares. They can involve spreads, overnight financing, margin and rapid losses. Compare the brokers’ investment accounts separately from their CFD services.
The Bottom Line
Our verdict: Trading 212 is the better all-round choice for most long-term UK investors, particularly those making small or recurring investments and buying overseas shares. IG is the better choice for active investors who need advanced execution, order controls, third-party platforms or access to leveraged trading products.
Neither broker is universally best. The right answer depends on your account type, trading frequency, currencies, portfolio size and whether you need features such as fractional shares or guaranteed stops.
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