IG vs Interactive Brokers: Which Broker Suits You?
IG scores 4.2 and Interactive Brokers 4.8 out of 5 on our published methodology. Interactive Brokers leads on Costs & Fees and Asset Range, and they tie on Platform & Tools, Regulation & Trust and Account Access & Support. Both accept clients in the UK, the EU and other countries.
Higher overall score
Interactive Brokers
4.8/5
Best for: Active & globally-minded traders
Read the full Interactive Brokers review →Score by score
Each category is scored 1–5 using our published methodology. The overall score is the plain average of the first five; ease of use is shown separately.
Key facts side by side
| IG | Interactive Brokers | |
|---|---|---|
| What you own | Mixed | Real assets |
| Available assets | CFDs and spread betting, plus genuine UK share dealing and ISAs | Stocks, ETFs, options, futures, bonds, forex, crypto across 170+ markets |
| Regulated by | FCA, ASIC and other regional regulators | SEC, FINRA, FCA, ASIC, CIRO and others |
| Stands out for | Trading since 1974, LSE-listed, with very wide market access | Unmatched global market access from a single account |
| Watch out for | Most of the range is leveraged rather than owned | Trader Workstation has a genuinely steep learning curve |
| Accepts clients in | The UK, the EU and other countries | The US, the UK, the EU and other countries |
Is IG cheaper than Interactive Brokers?
On our Costs & Fees score, Interactive Brokers rates 5/5 against IG’s 3/5, so it is generally the cheaper of the two for the costs we assess: commissions, spreads, currency conversion and account fees. Fees differ by country and account type and change often, so check both brokers’ current price lists before you choose.
Which is safer, IG or Interactive Brokers?
IG is regulated by FCA, ASIC and other regional regulators; Interactive Brokers by SEC, FINRA, FCA, ASIC, CIRO and others. Both score 5/5 on our Regulation & Trust measure. Which company holds your account, and which investor compensation scheme covers it, depends on where you live. Compensation schemes cover a broker failing, never investment losses.
Which is better for beginners?
On ease of use for a beginner, which sits outside the overall score, IG scores 3/5 and Interactive Brokers 2/5. IG is the gentler place to start.
Who each one tends to suit
IG
- Tends to suit
- Established multi-market trading
- Stands out for
- Trading since 1974, LSE-listed, with very wide market access
- Watch out for
- Most of the range is leveraged rather than owned
Interactive Brokers
- Tends to suit
- Active & globally-minded traders
- Stands out for
- Unmatched global market access from a single account
- Watch out for
- Trader Workstation has a genuinely steep learning curve
More head-to-heads
Scores and facts come from our own reviews as of September 2026 and follow one published methodology. Plain Investor has no commercial relationship with either broker. This is general education, not personal financial advice. Fees, features and regulation change, so confirm current terms with each broker before opening an account.