Fidelity and IG face off on price, access, and regulation, testing which platform suits different investing styles. The axis centers on commission models, long-term features, and global reach.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose Fidelity for commission-free US stock and ETF trading. You also get fractional shares and 24/5 live chat support.
Choose if…
Choose IG for an ISA wrapper and real share dealing in one account. You also access 30 global exchanges and bonds in the same platform.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 4.6/ 5 | 4.5/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | N/A | No minimum |
| Spreads from | N/A | 0.6 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | £12/month (after 24 months) |
| Deposit fee | Free |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Fidelity | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Fail | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Pass | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | — |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Pass | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Pass | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Pass | Pass |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Pass | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: Fidelity rates 4.6/5 and IG rates 4.5/5. Fidelity has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
IG starts from 0.6. Current spread data is not available for Fidelity. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
IG requires no minimum deposit required. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for Fidelity.
Both Fidelity and IG hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, IG provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
Fidelity lists maximum leverage of 1:4, while IG lists up to 1:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Fidelity supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, Active Trader Pro, while IG supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. Fidelity has exclusive access to Active Trader Pro. IG has exclusive access to ProRealTime and TradingView and MetaTrader 4.
Fidelity offers commission-free stock trading while IG does not according to our data. Commission-free trading can reduce costs for frequent traders. Always confirm the current fee structure directly on each broker's website.
IG scores higher on investor protection criteria, with compensation scheme coverage and segregated client funds. For stock investors, confirming compensation scheme coverage ensures your assets are protected up to a defined limit if the broker becomes insolvent.
Fidelity wins for low cost trading due to commission-free US stocks and ETFs.
IG leads safety and regulation with broader regulator set and compensation scheme presence.
Fidelity is best for long-term investors due to zero-expense index funds and DRIP.
Fidelity wins for active traders with Active Trader Pro and advanced tools.
Fidelity is best for beginners due to zero-expense funds and no minimum.
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank transferACHWire transferCheque | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferACHWire transferCheque | Bank transferDebit cardPayPal |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free EFT; $10 wire transfer | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | Yes | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | Yes | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | Yes | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | SEC FINRA | ASIC CMVM FCA DFSA KNF Finansinspektionen BaFin CBI Finanstilsynet NFA FMA Finanstilsynet |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile Active Trader Pro | ProRealTime Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses | 2 offers | None |
|---|
Fidelity and IG are closely matched. Fidelity's commission-free trading is the clearest differentiator among the differing subcriteria.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.5 / 5
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