Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG vs Trading 212, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
IG was founded in 1974 and stands out as a highly trusted online broker, especially in terms of regulatory oversight and business structure. It is publicly traded and operates as a bank, underscoring its credibility in the financial landscape. IG holds an impressive number of regulatory licenses, with eight Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses, confirming its strong regulatory standing. With a perfect Trust Score of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, IG offers its clients a sense of security and reliability.
In contrast, Trading 212, established in 2004, is not publicly traded and does not operate as a bank. It holds three Tier-1 licenses, indicating a commendable level of trust, although it lacks Tier-2 licenses. Trading 212 has a Trust Score of 80, placing it in the trusted category according to ForexBrokers.com. While Trading 212 is a trustworthy choice for many investors, it may not provide the same level of regulatory assurance as IG.
| Feature |
IG
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2004 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
When comparing IG and Trading 212, both brokers offer distinct approaches to commissions and fees tailored to different trading needs. IG, rated 5 stars and ranked 8th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, caters to active traders with competitive spreads and volume-based rebates. Its Forex Direct accounts provide industry-average spreads of 0.62 pips, with potential rebates lowering costs further for high-volume traders. IG's active trader rebate program offers discounts of up to 20% for those trading over £300 million in forex volume monthly, effectively reducing spreads to as low as 0.60 pips.
In contrast, Trading 212, which achieves a 4-star rating and a 49th place ranking in the same category, promotes zero-commission trading but still charges spreads on its CFD and forex trades. While this can be attractive for some traders, Trading 212's average spread for the EUR/USD pair is significantly higher than the industry average at 2.7 pips, as of April 2025. This wider spread puts Trading 212 at a disadvantage compared to IG and other brokers offering more competitive pricing structures.
Ultimately, IG excels with its advanced pricing models and rebates, ideal for active traders looking to minimize costs through high trading volumes and tiered commissions. In contrast, Trading 212's straightforward zero-commission model may appeal to beginner traders despite the relatively high spreads. Careful consideration of each broker's fee structure against individual trading needs is essential for selecting the most cost-effective option.
| Feature |
IG
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | €1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | 2.7 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 2.7 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When it comes to the range of investments, both IG and Trading 212 excel in various areas, ensuring diverse offerings for traders. IG stands out with an impressive 19,537 tradeable symbols, allowing investors to explore a wide array of options. In comparison, Trading 212 offers 7,868 tradeable symbols, which still provides ample choice. Traders interested in forex will find Trading 212 leading the way with 146 forex pairs, while IG offers 97 forex pairs. Both brokers support trading of U.S. and international exchange-traded securities, so investors can buy shares like Apple on NASDAQ or Vodafone on the London Stock Exchange.
Cryptocurrency enthusiasts will notice a divergence between the brokers. IG supports both actual cryptocurrency purchase and cryptocurrency derivatives. On the other hand, Trading 212 only offers cryptocurrency derivatives, not direct purchase. Neither platform provides copy trading, which may influence some investors' decisions. Despite these differences, both platforms have been awarded a five-star rating for their investment range. However, IG is ranked higher in this category by ForexBrokers.com, securing the 4th spot, compared to Trading 212’s 15th place ranking, indicating IG's broader investment offerings.
| Feature |
IG
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 7868 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 146 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
Both IG and Trading 212 offer a range of trading platforms and tools, making them popular choices for traders. Both brokers provide a free virtual demo account, allowing users to practice without financial risk. IG and Trading 212 each have developed their own proprietary platforms, which cater specifically to their clients. While IG provides a Windows-based desktop trading platform, Trading 212 does not, which may be a key factor depending on a trader’s requirements. However, both brokers offer web-based trading, allowing access via a browser, and neither supports copy trading or platforms like DupliTrade and ZuluTrade.
For traders interested in MetaTrader platforms, IG offers MT4 while Trading 212 does not support it. Both brokers offer 20 drawing tools for charting, although neither provides a separate number of technical indicators. Trading directly from stock charts is a feature available on both platforms. In terms of watchlist customization, both provide five columns for fields. Rated 5 stars for its trading platforms and tools, IG ranks #2 among 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, showcasing its strong position. Trading 212, rated 4 stars, holds the #20 spot in the same category, underlining its solid yet less prominent offering compared to IG.
| Feature |
IG
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 54 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 20 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 5 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both IG and Trading 212 provide versatile mobile trading apps available for iPhone and Android users, offering essential features like stock and forex price alerts, watchlist syncing with online accounts, and the capacity to draw trendlines on charts. Users can also enjoy viewing stock or forex charts with multiple timeframes. While both platforms allow creating watchlists with real-time quotes, IG distinguishes itself by offering a stellar five-star rating, ranking first out of 63 brokers in the Mobile Trading Apps category according to ForexBrokers.com. In comparison, Trading 212 holds a four-star rating and ranks 17th.
When it comes to technical studies for charting, Trading 212 takes the lead with 104 options compared to IG's 33. However, both apps provide the convenient feature of auto-saving drawings on charts. These mobile apps cater to diverse trading preferences and needs, ensuring traders have the necessary tools at their fingertips for an efficient trading experience. Despite the competitive features of Trading 212, IG’s app garners superior acclaim for a slightly more comprehensive user experience.
| Feature |
IG
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 104 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Comparing IG and Trading 212 for market research reveals some distinct differences in their offerings and capabilities. IG stands out by providing a variety of comprehensive research tools, including daily market commentary and forex news from reputable sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters. Additionally, IG supports investor analysis with tools from Autochartist and Acuity Trading, alongside sentiment-based trading options and an economic calendar that covers global events. Furthermore, IG integrates market research insights from TipRanks, enhancing its research platform's robustness, which contributes to its high research rating of 5 stars. Ranked #2 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for research, IG presents a solid choice for those who prioritize in-depth market analysis.
In contrast, Trading 212, while featuring some competitive elements like access to top-tier forex news and a sentiment-based trading tool, lacks the diversity of research tools found in IG, such as insights from Autochartist or TipRanks. Trading 212 does offer an economic calendar similar to IG's and provides a basic framework for market research. However, the absence of certain advanced tools impacts its overall research capabilities, which is reflected in its 3.5-star research rating and #44 ranking by ForexBrokers.com. For traders focused heavily on research and analysis, IG may present a more well-rounded option, though Trading 212 can certainly cater to those seeking straightforward tools and accessible market news.
| Feature |
IG
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources available for beginners, IG and Trading 212 both offer an extensive collection, making them worthy considerations for aspiring traders. IG stands out by providing a diverse range of content, including over ten educational pieces focused on forex and CFDs and a rich library of beginner and advanced trading videos. Further enhancing its appeal, IG holds regular online educational webinars, giving users a monthly opportunity to engage and learn in real-time. Additionally, IG maintains a searchable archive of past webinars, offering learners flexibility to explore content at their own pace. Its comprehensive investor dictionary, featuring over 50 investing terms, adds yet another helpful resource for beginners seeking to deepen their understanding.
On the other hand, Trading 212 matches IG in certain aspects by offering an equivalent number of beginner and advanced educational videos and providing a searchable archive of recorded webinars. Although Trading 212 does not host regular monthly webinars, it still delivers a solid foundation in forex and CFDs education with its selection of engaging materials. Both platforms provide essential investing vocabulary through their investor dictionaries. However, IG’s efforts have earned it a higher accolade in the field of education, securing a 5-star rating and the top spot among 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while Trading 212 receives a respectable 3.5-star rating, ranking it at position 20. This distinction in ratings and rankings highlights IG’s stronger commitment to fostering a comprehensive learning environment for its users.
| Feature |
IG
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that IG is better than Trading 212. IG finished with an overall rank of #1, while Trading 212 finished with an overall rank of #31.
IG offers the ultimate comprehensive trading package, featuring excellent trading and research tools, industry-leading education, and an extensive range of tradeable markets.
| Feature |
IG
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 80 |
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IG allows users to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency as well as cryptocurrency derivatives, whereas Trading 212 offers only cryptocurrency derivatives, not the actual cryptocurrency.
Both IG and Trading 212 provide multiple deposit and withdrawal options for their users, including ACH and SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, though neither supports Skrill.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | IG | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | Trading 212 | |
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| Regulation | IG | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 80 | |
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2004 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IG | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | IG | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | IG | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 7868 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 146 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | IG | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | 2.7 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 2.7 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IG | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | €1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | IG | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | IG | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 5 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 54 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 20 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IG | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 104 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | IG | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IG | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | IG | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | IG Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Overall | IG | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | Trading 212 Review |
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