IG vs Trading 212: Which Broker Suits You?
IG scores 4.2 and Trading 212 3.2 out of 5 on our published methodology. IG leads on Platform & Tools, Regulation & Trust, Asset Range and Account Access & Support; Trading 212 leads on Costs & Fees. Both accept clients in the UK and the EU.
Overall score
Trading 212
3.2/5
Best for: Beginner-friendly UK investing
Read the full Trading 212 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 | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|
| What you own | Mixed | Real assets |
| Available assets | CFDs and spread betting, plus genuine UK share dealing and ISAs | Shares, ETFs and investment trusts |
| Regulated by | FCA, ASIC and other regional regulators | FCA in the UK; CySEC or BaFin for EU clients |
| Stands out for | Trading since 1974, LSE-listed, with very wide market access | Pies and AutoInvest, with a £1 minimum to start |
| Watch out for | Most of the range is leveraged rather than owned | No mutual funds, bonds, desktop platform or phone support |
| Accepts clients in | The UK, the EU and other countries | The UK and the EU |
Is IG cheaper than Trading 212?
On our Costs & Fees score, Trading 212 rates 4/5 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 Trading 212?
IG is regulated by FCA, ASIC and other regional regulators; Trading 212 by FCA in the UK; CySEC or BaFin for EU clients. 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 Trading 212 5/5. Trading 212 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
Trading 212
- Tends to suit
- Beginner-friendly UK investing
- Stands out for
- Pies and AutoInvest, with a £1 minimum to start
- Watch out for
- No mutual funds, bonds, desktop platform or phone support
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.