Comparison of IG and Trading 212
| Feature | IG | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
| Broker | ||
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2006 |
| Broker Type | MM, DMA | MM |
| Dealing | B-book, A-book | B-book |
| Execution | Market | Instant |
| Regulation | FCA, BMA, BaFin, FSAN, AFM, CONSOB, CNMV, ACPR, FI, FINMA, NFA, CFTC, ASIC, NZ FMA, JFSA, JFFA, MAS, FSCA, DFSA | FCA, FSC, CySEC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), IG Trading Platform, L2 Dealer | Trading 212 |
| Spread | ⮕ Average | ⮕ Average |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:200 | 1:30 |
| Minimum Deposit | $1 | $10 |
| Base Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, AUD, NZD, JPY, NOK, SEK, SGD, HKD | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, SEK, NOK, CZK, PLN |
| Funding Methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal |
| Inactivity Fee | $18 per month after 24 months | ✖ |
| Interest on Margin | ✖ | ✖ |
| Withdrawal Fee | ✖ | ✖ |
| Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF), Financialcommission.org | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) |
| Protection Size | £85 000 / €20 000 | £85 000 / €20 000 |
| Segregated Accounts | ✔ | ✔ |
| Negative Balance Protection | ✔ | ✔ |
| Guaranteed Stop Loss | ✔ | ✖ |
| Copy Trading | ✖ | ✔ |
| VPS | ✖ | ✖ |
| MAM/PAMM | ✖ | ✖ |
| Scalping Allowed | ✖ | ✖ |
| EAs/Robots | ✔ | ✖ |
| Depth of Market (DOM) | ✔ | ✖ |
| Tradable Assets (CFDs) | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities |
| Review | IG Review | Trading 212 Review |
About IG
IG is one of the most established and reputable brokers in the forex and CFD trading industry, having been founded in 1974. Regulated by top-tier financial authorities, including the FCA (UK) and ASIC (Australia), IG offers a wide range of trading instruments, including forex, indices, commodities, and shares. The broker is well-suited for both beginner and professional traders, providing access to an advanced trading platform, competitive spreads, and a comprehensive suite of educational resources. IG's long-standing presence in the market and robust regulatory compliance make it a trusted choice for traders worldwide. In addition to its proprietary platform, IG supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4), which is ideal for traders who prefer algorithmic strategies or a familiar interface. The broker also excels in market research and analysis, providing clients with detailed insights, trading signals, and technical tools. However, while IG offers extensive features, its services might not be ideal for smaller retail traders due to higher minimum deposit requirements in some regions. Furthermore, the absence of certain features like cent accounts or high leverage options may deter specific trading styles.
Pros
- Highly regulated by top-tier financial authorities (FCA, ASIC, etc.)
- Wide range of tradable assets, including over 99 forex pairs
- Advanced proprietary platform and support for MetaTrader 4 (MT4)
- Comprehensive market research and educational resources
- Long-standing reputation with nearly five decades of experience
- Competitive spreads and reliable trade execution
Cons
- Limited high-leverage options compared to some competitors
- No support for cent accounts, which may not suit small-scale traders
- Inactivity fees for dormant accounts
- Customer support may not be available 24/7 for all regions
About Trading 212
Trading 212 is a reputable online broker established in 2004, offering a versatile platform that caters to both CFD and direct share trading. Renowned for its user-friendly interface and intuitive mobile application, Trading 212 provides access to a broad spectrum of financial instruments, including forex, stocks, commodities, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies. Operating as a Market Maker (MM), the broker ensures competitive spreads and seamless trade executions, complemented by features such as a free demo account for practice, zero-commission trading on Invest accounts, and the ability to trade fractional shares. Regulated by esteemed authorities like the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, Trading 212 prioritizes security and transparency. Additionally, it offers a suite of educational resources and real-time news feeds to empower traders with informed decision-making tools. However, its Market Maker model and limited advanced trading functionalities may not fully meet the demands of professional traders seeking direct market access and more sophisticated analytical tools.
Pros
- Intuitive interface and mobile app suitable for all experience levels
- Offers both CFD and direct share (Invest) trading across various asset classes
- No fees on Invest accounts, making it cost-effective for long-term investors
- Ability to trade fractional shares, allowing for greater investment flexibility
- Free practice account available to hone trading skills without financial risk
- Attractive spreads and flexible leverage options enhance trading efficiency
- Licensed by reputable authorities such as the FCA, ensuring a secure trading environment
Cons
- Potential conflicts of interest as the broker acts as the counterparty to trades
- Lacks some of the sophisticated trading tools and analytics preferred by professional traders
- Customer service may not always meet the expectations of all users
- Withdrawal processing can sometimes be slower than desired
- Fewer interactive educational sessions compared to other brokers
IG & Trading 212 Regulation
| Feature | IG | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
Companies | IG Markets Ltd, IG International Limited, IG Europe GmbH, IG Bank SA, IG US LLC, IG Australia Pty Ltd., IG Securities Limited, IG Asia Pte Ltd, IG Markets South Africa Limited, IG Limited | Trading 212 UK Ltd, Trading 212 Ltd, Trading 212 Markets Ltd. |
Countries | United Kingdom, Bermuda, Germany, Switzerland, United States, Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, United Arab Emirates | United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Cyprus |
Regulators | FCA, BMA, BaFin, FSAN, AFM, CONSOB, CNMV, ACPR, FI, FINMA, NFA, CFTC, ASIC, NZ FMA, JFSA, JFFA, MAS, FSCA, DFSA | FCA, FSC, CySEC |
Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF), Financialcommission.org | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) |
Investor Protection Size | £85 000 / €20 000 | £85 000 / €20 000 |
Publicly Traded | ||
Segregated Accounts | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Negative Balance Protection |
Account Types
| Account | IG | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
Market Maker Account | ||
| Account Name | CFD | CFD |
| Min Deposit | $1 | $10 |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | Floating | Floating |
| Execution | Market | Instant |
| Min Spread | 0.6 | 1.2 |
| Fee | No | No |
| Max Leverage | 1:200 | 1:30 |
| Stop Out | 50% | 25% |
| Margin Call | 100% | 45% |
DMA Account | ||
| Account Name | DMA | — |
| Min Deposit | $1000 | — |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | — |
| Spread Type | Floating | — |
| Execution | Market | — |
| Min Spread | 0.16 | — |
| Fee | $12 per 1 lot | — |
| Max Leverage | 1:200 | — |
| Stop Out | 20% | — |
| Margin Call | 50% | — |
| Additional Features | ||
| Demo Account | ||
| VIP Account | ||
| Swap-Free Account | ||
| Copy Trading | ||
| VPS | ||
| PAMM/MAM Accounts | ||
Funding and Fees
| Feature | IG | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
Base currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, AUD, NZD, JPY, NOK, SEK, SGD, HKD | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, SEK, NOK, CZK, PLN |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal |
Inactivity fee | $18 per month after 24 months | |
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee |
Trading Platforms and Conditions
| Feature | IG | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), IG Trading Platform, L2 Dealer | Trading 212 |
Execution Speed | - | 0 ms |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | average | average |
Trading Assets
| Asset | IG | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
Currencies | 99 | 31 |
Indices | 46 | 30 |
Stocks | 13000 | 3000 |
Cryptocurrencies | 15 | 0 |
Bonds | 19 | 100 |
Metals | 11 | 8 |
Energies | 9 | 10 |
Soft Commodities | 20 | 23 |
ETFs | 5400 | 50 |
Education and Analytics
| Feature | IG | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Customer Support
| Contact | IG | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
Email | newaccounts.uk@ig.com | info@trading212.com |
Phone | +442076335430 | — |
Facebook | ||
LinkedIn | — | |
YouTube | YouTube | YouTube |
Instagram | — | |
Twitter |
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing IG and Trading 212, IG comes out ahead as our overall pick. It ranks higher in our internal scoring and delivers a stronger balance of pricing (spreads/fees), platform experience, and product range. That said, the runner-up may still be a better fit if you prioritize specific needs—like a particular account type, funding method, or niche instruments. This is not financial advice; always choose a broker that matches your goals and local regulatory requirements.
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Andriy Bondarenko
Broker Analyst
Andriy is a seasoned expert in broker reviews with over a decade of experience in finance and trading. Under his leadership, the team produces in-depth and unbiased analyses of leading trading platforms.