Compare trading and investment accounts
Trading and investment accounts differ in several ways. Compare our account types to find the one that suits your goals and risk appetite.
Call 0800 195 3100 or email newaccounts.uk@ig.com to talk about opening an account.
Contact us 0800 195 3100
Get info fast via our instant help and support portal. Available for account queries, ProRealTime, product info and more.
Visit help and support for more information.
Get info fast via our instant help and support portal. Available for account queries, ProRealTime, product info and more.
Visit help and support for more information.
Call 0800 409 6789 or email helpdesk.uk@ig.com if you have any questions about trading or investing. We’re available from 9am to 5pm (UK time), Monday to Friday.
Contact us 0800 409 6789
Call 0800 195 3100 or email newaccounts.uk@ig.com to talk about opening an account.
Contact us 0800 195 3100
Get info fast via our instant help and support portal. Available for account queries, ProRealTime, product info and more.
Visit help and support for more information.
Get info fast via our instant help and support portal. Available for account queries, ProRealTime, product info and more.
Visit help and support for more information.
Call 0800 409 6789 or email helpdesk.uk@ig.com if you have any questions about trading or investing. We’re available from 9am to 5pm (UK time), Monday to Friday.
Contact us 0800 409 6789
What's on this page?
Compare our trading accounts
IG Spread betting account
Most popular
- Tax-free1 – keep 100% of your profits
- Commission-free – costs included in the spread
- No FX risks or charges – trade in GBP
IG CFD trading account
- No stamp duty on your profits1
- Offset losses against profits for CGT purposes1
- Commission-free trading (excl. shares)
IG US options and futures account
- Tax benefits1
- Trade bullish, bearish or non-directional markets using a wide range of strategies
- $1 per contract to open, $0 to close2
Note that leveraged trading amplifies any profits and losses, as calculations are based on full position size. Losses can exceed deposits, especially when short-selling. Always manage your risk carefully.
| IG Spread betting | IG CFD trading | IG US-listed options and futures | ||
| What’s the mechanism? | When spread betting, you’ll speculate on financial assets by betting a certain amount per point of price movement. | When trading CFDs, you’ll trade on the difference between a financial asset’s opening and closing price | When trading US-listed options and futures, you'll buy or sell contracts that give you the right or obligation to trade an underlying asset at a predetermined price and date | |
Is it leveraged? |
Yes, spread betting accounts are leveraged accounts. To take a position without leverage, you’d use a share dealing account | Yes, CFD trading accounts are leveraged accounts. To take a position without leverage, you’d use a share dealing account | Yes, you can trade using leverage in a margin account, which gives you access to more strategies, but options are non-marginable (even when traded in this account type). You can also trade options in a cash account that’s non-leveraged | |
What are the charges? |
Spread betting is commission-free. Your charge is a spread on all markets and overnight fees on spot trading (no overnight fees on futures and forwards). See our full trading costs |
A spread on all markets except shares. We charge a commission on share CFDs, but no spread. Overnight fees apply on spot trading (no overnight fees on futures). See our full trading costs |
You’ll pay low commissions to open options positions, and no commission to close.2 Other costs include currency conversion fees, banking fees and clearing fees3 |
|
What markets and assets can I trade? |
17,000+ markets including shares, ETFs, indices, forex, commodities |
17,000+ markets such as shares, ETFs, indices, forex and commodities |
A wide range of stocks, ETFs, indices and other asset classes like forex, interest rates and commodities | |
How can I trade? |
You can trade on the spot (cash) and with over-the-counter futures (called forwards in some markets) and options |
You can trade on the spot (cash) and with over-the-counter futures and options |
Permissible strategies depend on whether you're trading in a cash account or margin account. You can also buy and sell equities |
|
Can it be used for hedging? |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
How does dealing work? |
You choose the amount you want to bet per point of movement |
You control the number of contracts or shares you want to trade, but each contract has a fixed value based on the underlying |
You set your position size by selecting the number of contracts to trade – each contract has a certain value based on the underlying |
|
What currency will I trade in? |
You’ll trade in GBP |
You’ll deal in the currency of the underlying market |
You’ll trade in USD3 |
|
What platforms can I trade with? |
Our online trading platform, our trading app, MetaTrader 4 (MT4) or ProRealTime |
Our online trading platform, our trading app, MT4, ProRealTime or L2 Dealer |
Our specialist platform from our colleagues at tastytrade, on desktop or mobile |
|
Can I trade with direct market access (DMA)?2 |
No |
Yes |
N/A |
|
What are the risks? |
When trading on leverage, your profit and loss is based on the full position size, so your profits or losses will be amplified. This is why it’s essential to manage your risk diligently |
When trading on leverage, your profit and loss is based on the full position size, so your profits or losses will be amplified. This is why it’s essential to manage your risk diligently |
When trading on leverage, your profit and loss is based on the full position size, so your profits or losses will be amplified. This is why it’s essential to manage your risk diligently. Currency risk can affect account value when trading in different currencies. Expiration risk in US-listed options may obligate you to buy or sell underlying assets. Option assignment is unpredictable and depends on various market factors |
Compare our investment accounts
IG Share dealing account
- Tax-free investment in an ISA or SIPP
- Commission-free investing4
- Dividend and reinvestment opportunities
IG Smart Portfolios
- Fees starting from just 0.5%
- Tailored to your needs
- Expertly designed by BlackRock, managed by us
Explore the basics of Smart Portfolios
The value of investments can fall as well as rise, and you may get back less than you invested. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
| IG Share dealing | IG Smart Portfolios | |
What's the mechanism |
You’ll buy and own assets outright. It’s the self-directed approach and the same as traditional buy-and-hold investing |
You’ll invest in our wide range of investment portfolios that are managed on your behalf – by experts |
Is it leveraged? |
No, you’ll put up the full value of your position upfront |
No, you’ll put up the full value of your position upfront |
Can I get an individual savings account (ISA) account? |
Yes. You need to open a share dealing account first, then you can add an ISA to get exemption from paying taxes on any interest or returns on your ISA allowance |
Yes. You need to open a Smart Portfolio account first, then you can add an ISA to get exemption from paying taxes on any interest or returns on your ISA allowance |
What are the charges? |
Main charge is commission per share – from £0 for US shares and £3 for UK shares.4 See all share dealing charges |
0.5% management fee, plus fund and transaction costs. Average total cost of 0.72%. See all Smart Portfolio costs |
What markets and assets can I invest in? |
13,000+ shares, 2,000+ ETFs and a range of investment trusts |
Our in-house experts will invest in a diverse and balanced portfolio of ETFs on your behalf that include shares, bonds and commodities |
Will I receive shareholder privileges and dividends? |
Yes, if the company offers them and you’re eligible |
No |
What currency will I trade in? |
You’ll invest in the shares’ local currency. Our foreign exchange fee is just 0.5% |
GBP |
What platforms can I trade with? |
Our online trading platform, our trading app and L2 Dealer (DMA) |
Our online trading platform and our trading app |
What are the risks? |
The value of investments can rise or fall, so you could get back less than you put in. However, the risk is lower than when trading with leverage |
The value of investments can rise or fall, so you could get back less than you put in. However, the risk is lower than when trading using leverage |
Compare us to other brokers
Here’s how we compare to other trading and investing brokers in the UK:5
IG |
eToro |
CMC Markets |
Hargreaves Lansdown |
AJ Bell |
|
Accounts |
Spread betting, CFD trading, US-listed options and futures, Share dealing, Smart Portfolios | CFD trading, share dealing, Smart Portfolios |
Spread betting, CFD trading, options trading |
Share dealing, cash savings |
Share dealing, cash savings |
Trading or investing |
Both |
Both |
Trading |
Investing |
Investing |
Markets to trade and invest in |
More than 17,000 markets including shares, bonds, ETFs, IPOs, indices, forex and commodities | More than 5,000 markets |
More than 12,000 markets |
More than 3,000 markets |
More than 2,000 markets |
Round-the-clock and extended hours trading |
24/7 trading on certain major indices and forex pairs. Extended hours trading on a range of US stocks | 24/7 trading on cryptocurrencies. |
24/7 trading on certain major indices and forex pairs from Sunday evening to Friday evening. Extended hours trading on indices |
Normal market hours. Deal placement is subject to trading volumes and timings |
Deals are placed during the relevant country’s normal market hours, ie where the investment is listed |
Trading platforms |
Web, app, L2 Dealer, MT4, ProRealTime |
Web and app |
Web, app, MT4 |
Web and app |
Web and app |
Educational resources |
IG Academy, news and insights from in-house analysts, Reuters news within platform, community forum, demo account, webinars and events, newsletter and free trading signals | eToro Academy, news and insights from in-house analysts, social trading tools, tutorials, podcast, newsletter and webinars |
Learning hub, news and insights from in-house analysts, Morningstar equity research and Reuters news on the platform, webinars and events, newsletter and demo account |
News and insights from in-house analysts, knowledge centre, newsletters, webinars and downloadable guides |
Beginner guides, news and insights, dealing demo, videos and podcasts and webinars |
HQ |
UK |
Israel |
UK |
UK |
UK |
Customer service |
24/7 telephone support and 24/7 email and X (formerly Twitter) support from 8am Saturday to 10pm Friday (UK time) | Email, automated chatbot, live chat (24 hours a day from Monday to Friday) and WhatsApp |
Telephone support Sunday night to Friday night and email |
Telephone support from Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm (UK time) and Saturday, 9.30am to 12.30pm (UK time), instant messaging |
Telephone support from 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 2pm on Saturday (UK time), email and web chat |
FAQs
What's the best trading account for me?
When choosing a trading account, consider:
- A self-directed or passive approach: if self-directed, you’ll execute trades based on your strategy. If passive, you’ll take long-term positions in expertly managed portfolios
- Desired markets and assets: choose from stocks, indices, forex, commodities, bonds, ETFs, options and futures.
- Your risk tolerance: derivatives like spread bets and CFDs involve high risk due to leverage. Leverage magnifies potential profits and losses. Options and futures accounts offer cash (non-leveraged) or margin (leveraged) options. Smart Portfolios allow customisable risk levels and diversification. Share dealing in individual stocks carries greater risk but offers direct exposure.
Consider your trading goals, risk tolerance, and preferred assets when selecting an account type.
What trading account is best for beginners?
Beginners can start with a brief walkthrough of what each trading account has to offer by checking out our learning material on IG Academy. You can practise all you have learnt from the educational resources on our risk-free environment when you create a demo account. Your demo account will be credited with £10,000 in virtual funds to practise your trading strategies and learn how to manage your risk before you open a live account.
We offer our US-listed options and futures through our partnership with our colleagues at tastytrade. The affiliated content brand, tastylive, gives you free access to countless resources to learn about trading listed options and futures.
What should I bear in mind before opening a trading account?
Before opening a trading account, you should become familiar with the markets and assets you want to trade. You must also have a good grasp of the costs involved, the platform quality, available customer service channels and the risks involved in trading.
Try these next
Learn about the differences between spread betting and CFD trading.
Create a trading account to get exposure to over 17,000 markets.
Explore how you can go long, short or neutral with pure-form options.
1 Tax laws are subject to change and depend on individual circumstances. Tax law may differ in a jurisdiction other than the UK.
2 $1 commission to open per options contract, $0 commission to close per options contract. Applicable exchange, clearing and regulatory fees still apply to all opening and closing equity options trades. Some additional applicable commissions are capped at $10 per leg on equity option trades. The following index products are excluded from the capped commissions offer: SPX, RUT, VIX, OEX, XEO, DJX and XSP. Trade futures from $0.85 commission to open and $0.85 commission to close on micro futures. With direct market access (DMA), we take a parallel position in the underlying market when you place your order, so we can’t change or reverse your order once it’s been executed.
3 The base currency for trading on our US options and futures platform is USD. We auto-convert deposits in a different currency to USD and we automatically convert any realised profit, loss, funding, dividend adjustments or commission to your base currency. We charge a currency conversion fee of 0.5% for deposits and withdrawals, respectively.
4 Trade in your share dealing account three or more times in the previous month to qualify for our best commission rates. Please note published rates are valid up to £25,000 notional value.
5 Information is based on available data from each provider’s website (as at June 2024).
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