IG vs Trading 212 Comparison: Which Is Better for Traders?
We test brokers on real accounts using our own methodology, evaluating the quality of order execution, trading conditions, platforms and customer support.
Who is better - IG or Trading 212?
Our pick: Trading 212
Based on multiple factors - spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, execution quality, platform usability, support level, and educational resources - Trading 212 looks preferable to IG.
Trading 212 scored 4.3/5 and ranks 33 in our all Forex brokers list, whereas IG has 4.1/5 and ranks 41.
This is not financial advice. See the full comparison below.
Who is IG suitable for?
Broker IG.com is suitable for traders of all levels, offering reliability, convenience, a wide selection of instruments, and good customer support.
Who is Trading 212 suitable for?
Trading 212 is suitable for beginners thanks to educational materials and a low minimum deposit, and for experienced traders looking for affordability and simplicity
Comparison Table of IG and Trading 212
| Broker | IG | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.1/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Foundation Year | 1973 | 2003 |
| Regulated in Countries | United Kingdom, Bermuda, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, France, Sweden, Switzerland, United States, Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, United Arab Emirates | United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Australia, Germany |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
| Spread | from 0.165 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:200 | 1:30 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
|
|
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
| Review | IG Review | Trading 212 Review |
IG Review
IG is a highly regulated broker with licenses from reliable financial authorities, providing clients with high funds protection. Thanks to narrow spreads, traders can effectively manage their costs and increase the profitability of their operations. Quality trading platforms and advanced analytical tools support informed trading decisions, while extensive educational resources make IG attractive to traders of all experience levels.
Pros and Cons of IG
Pros
- Licenses from regulators with a high level of credibility.
- Tight spreads.
- A variety of markets and products.
- Extensive set of analytical tools and content.
- Quality educational resources for different levels of traders.
Cons
- Limited choice of trading accounts.
- High trading fee on DMA account.
- Inactivity fee.
- Limited choice of payment methods.
IG is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
Trading 212 Review
Trading 212 is a convenient and modern broker primarily aimed at retail investors and beginner traders. The platform combines ease of use, a low entry threshold, and zero commissions on stocks and ETFs, making it attractive for long-term investing and gradual portfolio building.
The broker is best suited for:
- beginner investors
- users with limited capital
- those who invest in stocks and ETFs
- traders who value a simple interface
Trading 212 is less suitable for active traders and professionals who need tight spreads, advanced platforms (MetaTrader, cTrader), and a wider selection of derivatives.
Pros and Cons of Trading 212
Pros
- Zero commissions on stocks and ETFs.
- Low minimum deposit.
- Convenient and easy-to-use platform.
- Fractional shares.
- No deposit and withdrawal fees.
- Regulation in leading financial jurisdictions.
Cons
- Wide spreads on CFDs.
- No MetaTrader or cTrader.
- Limited analytics.
- No live chat or phone support.
- Currency conversion fee.
Reliability
| Broker | IG | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 1973 | 2003 |
| Regulated in Countries | United Kingdom, Bermuda, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, France, Sweden, Switzerland, United States, Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, United Arab Emirates | United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Australia, Germany |
| Regulators |
IG
The company is subject to numerous international regulators, ensuring a high degree of transparency.
Trading 212
Trading 212 demonstrates a high level of reliability thanks to regulation in the EU, Australia, and the UK, as well as participation in an investor compensation scheme.
Pros
- Regulated by FCA, ASIC, BaFin, CySEC
- Participation in the FSCS compensation scheme
- Transparent terms and oversight by regulators
Account Opening
| Broker | IG | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 4/5 | 4.8/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
IG
The account opening process is simple, fast, and convenient for traders of any experience level.
Pros
- No minimum deposit required.
- Quick registration process (5-10 minutes).
Cons
- Necessity to provide extensive personal and financial information.
- Verification may take a couple of days.
- There is a possibility of being denied account opening.
Trading 212
Opening an account with Trading 212 is a quick and simple process: registration is fully online, verification takes up to 1 day, and the low minimum deposit makes getting started highly accessible.
Pros
- Fully online registration
- Fast verification
- Low minimum deposit
Cons
- Mandatory KYC verification
- Verification delays are possible
Account Types
| Broker | IG | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 2.5/5 | 4/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
|
|
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
| Spread | from 0.165 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:200 | 1:30 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
|
|
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
| Demo Account | ||
| Swap-free Account |
IG
IG offers a limited selection of accounts, meeting the basic needs of traders, but not accommodating specific requirements.
Pros
- Availability of DMA account for professional traders.
- Premium service offered for high-value clients.
- Free demo account for practice and training.
Cons
- Absence of Islamic and investment accounts.
- No fixed spread accounts and cent accounts.
Trading 212
Trading 212 account types cover the main use cases—trading and investing. The lineup is simple and convenient, but it lags behind competitors in flexibility and lacks specialized accounts.
Pros
- CFD and Invest accounts are available
- Suitable for beginners and investors
- Demo account available
Cons
- Limited account variety
- ISA is available only in the UK
Commissions
| Broker | IG | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Spread | from 0.165 points | from 0 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 1.1 | 1.2 |
| Commission per Lot | $6.48 |
IG
IG provides an average level of commissions, with low spreads but high transaction fees on DMA accounts.
Pros
- Low spreads.
- No fees for deposits/withdrawals.
Cons
- High transaction fee on DMA account.
- Inactivity fee.
- Currency conversion fee and guaranteed stop fee.
Trading 212
Trading 212's fees are below average thanks to zero commissions on Invest, but spreads and currency conversion reduce the overall attractiveness, especially for active CFD trading.
Pros
- Zero commissions on Invest/ISA
- No deposit/withdrawal fees
- Transparent fee structure
Cons
- CFD spreads are above average
- Currency conversion fee
Deposit and Withdrawal
| Broker | IG | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.7/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
|
|
IG
Broker IG offers an average level of services for deposits/withdrawals, not charging a fee, but has limitations on available methods.
Pros
- No commission for funding and withdrawal.
- PayPal available as a deposit/withdrawal option.
- Transparent information about limits.
Cons
- Absence of cryptocurrencies and most electronic wallets.
- Withdrawal processing time can take up to 5 business days.
- Restrictions on the minimum withdrawal amount.
Trading 212
Deposits and withdrawals at Trading 212 are convenient and cost-effective: a wide range of methods with no fees and fast processing. A minor drawback is the lack of cryptocurrencies.
Pros
- No deposit/withdrawal fees
- Convenient methods (cards, PayPal, Apple Pay)
- Fast transactions
Cons
- No cryptocurrencies
- Bank transfers are slower
Markets and Products
| Broker | IG | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Forex | 99 | 35 |
| Precious Metals | 11 | 3 |
| Energy Carriers | 9 | 2 |
| Soft Commodities | 20 | 3 |
| Indices | 46 | 8 |
| Stocks | 13000 | 51 |
| ETF | 5400 | 5 |
| Bonds | 19 | - |
| Cryptocurrency | 15 | 22 |
IG
IG offers an extensive range of products and markets for trading, with an impressive selection of CFDs, options, and thematic baskets.
Trading 212
Trading 212's markets and products cover key assets—stocks, ETFs, Forex, and CFDs. The offering is broad enough for most needs, but the lack of futures and options reduces versatility.
Pros
- Large selection of stocks and ETFs
- Access to international exchanges
- Suitable for investing and trading
Cons
- No futures or options
Trading Platforms
| Broker | IG | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
IG
IG offers a variety of trading platforms, including MetaTrader 4, IG Trading Platform, and L2 Dealer, catering to traders of all levels.
Trading 212
Trading 212's platforms are convenient and easy to understand, suitable for most users. The functionality is sufficient for trading, but the limited choice lowers the score.
Pros
- Simple and user-friendly interface
- Web and mobile versions available
- Suitable for beginners
Cons
- No MetaTrader/cTrader
- Limited features for professionals
Analytics
| Broker | IG | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 3.5/5 |
IG
IG provides an impressive array of research and analytical tools that will appeal to traders of any experience level.
Trading 212
Trading 212's analytics are suitable for self-directed analysis: there are charts and data. But the lack of news and signals makes this section limited.
Pros
- Convenient charts
- Fundamental data available
- Suitable for basic analysis
Cons
- No news feed
- No expert analysis
Education
| Broker | IG | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 3.7/5 |
IG
IG offers high-quality and comprehensive educational materials suitable for traders of various levels.
Trading 212
Trading 212's education is at a good level: plenty of videos and basic materials. It suits beginners, but it lacks depth and advanced content.
Pros
- Many educational videos
- FAQ and articles available
- Active forum
Cons
- No webinars
- Few advanced materials
Customer Support
| Broker | IG | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Email Support |
|
|
| Hotline Phones |
| — |
| Social Media |
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn
YouTube
InstagramIG
IG provides fast and professional support.
Trading 212
Trading 212 support works 24/7 and is generally effective, but the lack of live chat and a phone line reduces the speed of resolving urgent issues.
Pros
- 24/7 support
- High-quality answers
Cons
- No live chat
- No phone support
Comparisons of IG and Trading 212 with other brokers
Conclusion
Trading 212 stands out as the better overall pick, while IG trails on aggregate criteria.
Trading 212 scored 4.3/5 and ranks 33 in our rating; IG has 4.1/5 and ranks 41.
We explain the reasons above in detail — fees, platforms, reliability, support, and more.
FAQ
Which broker is better: IG or Trading 212?
Trading 212 comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.3/5, position 33) versus IG (score 4.1/5, position 41).
Which broker is better for beginners: IG or Trading 212?
Trading 212 is often a smoother start thanks to simpler onboarding and stronger baseline metrics. Still, your tools and budget should drive the final choice.
Who has lower typical trading costs (spreads/commissions) — IG or Trading 212?
It depends on the instrument and account type. Compare the live conditions in the “Commissions” section on this page — we break down the nuances category by category.
What trading platforms are available with IG and Trading 212?
IG: MetaTrader 4, IG Trading Platform, L2 Dealer. Trading 212: Trading 212. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with IG and Trading 212?
IG: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Bonds, Cryptocurrency. Trading 212: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Cryptocurrency. Full lists and differences are in the “Markets” section.
What account types are offered by IG and Trading 212?
IG: CFD, DMA. Trading 212: INVEST, ISA, CFD. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by IG and Trading 212?
IG: PayPal, Bank Transfer, Credit and Debit Cards. Trading 212: Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Bank Transfer, Credit and Debit Cards, Giropay, Dotpay, iDeal. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — IG or Trading 212 — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
