IG Share Dealing Account Review

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

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The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice. Investments in a currency other than sterling are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in sterling terms. You could lose money in sterling even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

Our bottom line

IG are establishing themselves as a top choice for traders worldwide. Their share-dealing account offers active investors cheap commissions and an incredible choice of investments. Designed for more experienced investors, there’s a wide range of tools available on the platform. They also provide access to an excellent selection of investment information and resources. It really is a one-stop shop for investing, in my opinion.

Top feature of IG’s Share Dealing account

The IG Share Dealing Account gives access to a huge range of investments and resources. The platform has the ability to cover the different needs of many types of investors in a practical and functional way. The commission and fee structure really benefits those who are fairly active on a consistent basis. There’s no deposit or withdrawal fees, so moving money in or out won’t cost you.

IG’s platform

The platform itself is very detailed and functional, both on the website and the app. It may take some time to fully get to grips with everything, but there are lots of resources available to help.

On the website’s share dealing interface, there is a simple alphabetical menu for searching through available investments. It separates all the shares available by country and the exchange they’re listed on. It’s helpful if you know the ticker symbol for what you’re looking for in order to find things quickly. Otherwise you have to select the exchange, then the letter, and then scroll until you find what you want.

There are some pre-defined watchlist categories for certain investments, which can make it easier to find popular options. You do have the ability to customise the interface to a certain extent and create your own watchlists quite easily. This can make it easier to track companies or markets that interest you.

The app is more easy on the eye compared to the website, whilst still being robust and practical.

IG’s research offerings

This is where the platform really shines. IG does a great job of providing lots of educational resources to investors. The IG Academy means that users can learn more about investing and trading.

There’s also access to demo accounts, so you can get comfortable before using real money in the live market. The ability to easily access lots of market news and updates directly through the IG platform is also a bonus. When you search for an investment, you’re then able to check out market data, news, and price charts all at the click of a button.

Do be mindful that any investment information and expert opinion provided on IG’s website is not personal advice and is designed for investors who are happy making their own investment decisions. If you’re unsure about the suitability of an investment for your circumstances, you’ll want to seek out your own independent financial advice.

Things to watch out for

It’s important to understand IG’s fee structure and it’s worth becoming comfortable with their platform and using their learning resources before diving into trading. Although IG offers a wide range of products and trading tools, at The Motley Fool we believe in building wealth through long-term investing, and we do not promote or encourage any high-risk investment activities.

Customer service and support

The account opening process is very painless and just requires some basic information. IG gives customers access to community forums, along with educational resources, and FAQs. For issues, they have a live chat option available 24 hours a day from Monday to Friday, a non-urgent email address, and a telephone number for more urgent enquiries. Some users have highlighted that customer service response times could be better.

Is an IG account a good choice for you?

If you’re an active trader who wants complete access to as many markets and trading instruments as possible, IG could be what you’re looking for. Although IG does a great job of providing plenty of resources and learning materials, it can be a lot to take in if you’re a new investor looking to get started. If you’re unsure about the suitability of an investment for your circumstances, please seek out your own independent financial advice.

Efforts are made to accommodate new investors but really the IG platform is geared towards experienced traders who already have a good amount of knowledge and practice within financial markets.

Alternatives to consider

If you want to check out some other investing platforms that are suitable for more experienced investors, and have a massive range of investment choices, you should take a look at: