IG Stock Broker Review

IG for stocks: the full-service case

IG's stock offering is materially different from the commission-free retail platforms that dominate headlines. Where Trading 212 and Freetrade have optimised for zero-cost passive investing, IG is built for active investors who want a broader toolkit - specifically, the ability to trade real shares, hold them inside a Stocks & Shares ISA, use listed options on the same underlying equities to hedge or generate income, and access bonds for portfolio diversification. That combination of assets in a single regulated account is genuinely rare at retail level.

Share dealing: 13,000+ stocks across global markets

IG's share dealing account provides access to over 13,000 shares across 30+ exchanges - including the LSE, NYSE, NASDAQ, Euronext, Deutsche Boerse, and ASX. This is materially broader than most UK retail stockbrokers. UK shares are priced at £8 per trade or 0.1% (whichever is higher); US shares are charged at 2 cents per share with a $15 minimum. The share dealing account supports a Stocks & Shares ISA at no additional platform fee, allowing UK investors to shelter up to £20,000 per tax year from capital gains and income tax.

Listed options: the differentiator

The capability that separates IG from most retail stock platforms is access to exchange-listed equity options. Through IG's DMA (Direct Market Access) options service, clients can trade listed calls and puts on major US and European stocks directly on the exchange - not as CFD approximations. This enables covered call writing for income on existing share positions, put buying for downside protection, and directional option strategies. Listed options with real exchange execution is a meaningful structural upgrade from synthetic options or options CFDs.

Bonds trading: income and diversification

IG offers bonds trading through its platform, giving equity investors access to government and corporate bond markets in the same account. For investors who want to balance equity risk with fixed-income exposure - or who use bonds as a tactical hedge during periods of equity volatility - the ability to manage both positions from a single platform removes the friction of maintaining accounts at multiple providers. This multi-asset capability puts IG in the company of Saxo Bank and Interactive Brokers in terms of breadth, at a lower minimum deposit threshold.

Platform quality

IG's proprietary web platform and the separately available ProRealTime charting integration are both well above average for a retail stockbroker. The share dealing interface provides real-time L1 quotes, a clean order ticket, and integrated news from Reuters and Morningstar. ProRealTime adds advanced scanning and back-testing for active equity traders. The mobile app provides full share dealing and ISA management, with order management and alert functions that sync correctly across devices.

Costs and trade-offs

IG's share dealing commission (£8 or 0.1% per trade) is higher than commission-free platforms. For investors who trade infrequently and prioritise cost, Trading 212 or Freetrade are cheaper. For investors who trade frequently and value the options capability, bonds access, and research depth, IG's pricing is competitive with full-service UK stockbrokers like Hargreaves Lansdown or AJ Bell. There is no SIPP at IG - UK investors wanting pension wrapper access need a separate provider.

Regulation and safety

IG Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LON: IGG) and regulated by the FCA in the UK and ASIC in Australia. UK share dealing clients are covered by the FSCS up to £85,000. Real shares are held in a nominee structure, separate from IG's own balance sheet.

Bottom line

IG is the strongest choice for UK active investors who want share dealing, an ISA, listed options trading, and bonds access in one regulated account. For passive investors building an index portfolio at minimum cost, commission-free alternatives are more suitable. For investors who have outgrown simple buy-and-hold and want derivatives and fixed-income capabilities alongside real share ownership, IG offers a level of multi-asset breadth that most retail platforms don't reach.