IGvs
ThinkMarketsStock Broker Comparison
IG and ThinkMarkets square off in a stock trading comparison grounded in regulation, platform depth, and international access. The axis of tension centers on real ownership versus CFD-centric stock access.
Our Verdict
IG winsClear Winner
IG leads ThinkMarkets on editorial score and exchange coverage, making it the overall winner in this comparison.
IG
4.5/5
ThinkMarkets
3.8/5
Key Differences
- 1IG provides real share dealing and ISA wrapper; ThinkMarkets offers CFDs only.
- 2IG covers 30 exchanges; ThinkMarkets covers 12.
- 3IG offers extended hours trading; ThinkMarkets does not.
Who should choose IG vs ThinkMarkets?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose IG if…
Choose IG if you want an ISA wrapper and broad exchange access across 30 markets.
Choose ThinkMarkets if…
Choose ThinkMarkets if you want mobile-first CFD trading with ThinkTrader and social copying.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Best for safety & regulation
It’s a tie
Both equally suited
IG is favored for safety and regulation due to a broader regulator set and top-tier status.
Best for active traders
Recommended
IG vs ThinkMarkets: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.5/ 5 | 3.8/ 5 |
| Min deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Spreads from | 0.6 pips | 0.4 pips▼ lower |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $7/lot |
IG vs ThinkMarkets Stock Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
- Exchange-listed options trading alongside real share dealing in one account
- Bonds trading available in the same account as equities and options
- Stocks & Shares ISA with no annual platform fee
- 13,000+ shares across 30+ global exchanges
- FCA-regulated and LSE-listed, among the highest regulatory standards in UK retail
- Integrated ProRealTime charts, Reuters news, and Morningstar research
Cons
IG vs ThinkMarkets: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
2
IG
criteria wins
1
ThinkMarkets
criteria win
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | IG | ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Pass | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Fail |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Pass | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Pass | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
IG vs ThinkMarkets: Frequently Asked Questions
IG rates 4.5/5 versus 3.8/5 for ThinkMarkets. IG edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
ThinkMarkets lists tighter spreads from 0.4, compared with IG's 0.6. For stock trading, also factor in any per-trade or per-share commissions — spreads and commissions together determine the true cost per trade.
Neither IG nor ThinkMarkets requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both IG and ThinkMarkets 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, both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
IG lists maximum leverage of 1:1, while ThinkMarkets lists up to 20:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
ThinkMarkets charges $7 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for IG are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
IG supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while ThinkMarkets supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile and TradingView and MetaTrader 4. IG has exclusive access to ProRealTime. ThinkMarkets has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5.
Neither IG nor ThinkMarkets is listed as offering commission-free trading in our data. Compare each broker's commission schedule directly, as fees vary by account type and the markets you trade.
Both IG and ThinkMarkets are covered by a compensation scheme according to our data, providing an additional safety net for your stock investments. Confirm the specific scheme and coverage limit that applies to your account before depositing.
