IG vs Plus500: Which Broker Suits You?
IG scores 4.2 and Plus500 3.0 out of 5 on our published methodology. IG leads on Platform & Tools, Regulation & Trust, Asset Range and Account Access & Support, and they tie on Costs & Fees. Both accept clients in the UK, the EU and other countries.
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 | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|
| What you own | Mixed | CFDs only |
| Available assets | CFDs and spread betting, plus genuine UK share dealing and ISAs | CFDs on shares, indices, forex, commodities and crypto |
| Regulated by | FCA, ASIC and other regional regulators | FCA, ASIC, CySEC, MAS and others |
| Stands out for | Trading since 1974, LSE-listed, with very wide market access | A simple proprietary platform backed by an LSE-listed parent |
| Watch out for | Most of the range is leveraged rather than owned | No real asset ownership at all, and no MT4 or MT5 |
| Accepts clients in | The UK, the EU and other countries | The UK, the EU and other countries |
Is IG cheaper than Plus500?
Both score 3/5 on Costs & Fees, so neither has a clear overall cost advantage on our measures; which is cheaper for you depends on what you trade, how often, and in which currency. 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 Plus500?
IG is regulated by FCA, ASIC and other regional regulators; Plus500 by FCA, ASIC, CySEC, MAS and others. IG scores higher on our Regulation & Trust measure (5/5 against 4/5). 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 Plus500 3/5. Neither has a clear edge for a first account. Beginners should know that CFDs are leveraged derivatives rather than ownership, and that most retail accounts trading them lose money.
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
Plus500
- Tends to suit
- Simple CFD trading
- Stands out for
- A simple proprietary platform backed by an LSE-listed parent
- Watch out for
- No real asset ownership at all, and no MT4 or MT5
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.