Our Bottom Line
The IG Stocks and Shares ISA offers a huge choice of investments. Used by over two million people worldwide, the platform offers professional-grade tools and a competitively structured pricing model. This makes it especially popular among active investors who want more than a simple portfolio.
The IG Stocks and Shares ISA allows you to invest in over 13,000 UK and international stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and investment trusts.
The platform offers a plethora of powerful features and tools, along with a vast selection of learning resources. However, this added functionality also comes with complexity. As such, it’s not the most user-friendly option compared to other investment accounts.
Pros & Cons
Here are the main advantages of using an IG Stocks and Shares ISA:
- FCA-regulated and trusted globally.
- Low-cost trading for active users.
- Earn interest on uninvested cash.
- Huge choice of global investments (including UK, US, and emerging markets).
- Professional-grade investment platform.
- Excellent research and educational resources.
- Real-time pricing and advanced trading tools.
- Fast online account set up.
What to watch out for:
- Cannot invest in mutual funds.
- A custody fee must be paid for inactive buy-and-hold investors.
- Platform complexity makes it unsuitable for beginners.
- Inconsistent feedback regarding customer support.
- Cannot automatically reinvest dividends received.
- Research is focused more on technical analysis rather than fundamental.
- Cash interest is only available to investors who place at least one trade per month.
Key Features and Services
The IG Stocks and Shares ISA is designed for investors who want comprehensive access to a wide selection of global markets with professional-grade tools. Whether you’re an active trader or a long-term buy-and-hold investor, the platform is capable of executing both simple and advanced investment strategies.
- Huge range of investments – Choose from over 13,000 global shares, including UK, US, European, and Asian markets, as well as a plethora of ETFs and investment trusts.
- Low active trading costs – UK, US, EU, and AU shares can be traded commission-free (under certain conditions)
- Real-time trading – View live share prices, buy and sell instantly during market hours, and establish stop-loss and limit orders, among others.
- Advanced web platform – The IG web platform is feature-rich with watchlists, price alerts, live charts, stock screeners and technical indicators.
- Research & education hub – The IG Academy provides courses, videos, and quizzes to help customers build and expand upon their investing knowledge.
- Flexible platform access – Manage investments from a desktop web platform or from your mobile phone.
- Customer Support – IG offers a variety of customer support options, including a non-urgent email address, a 24/5 live chat (excluding weekends), and a telephone helpdesk for more urgent enquiries.
Fees and Trading Costs in 2025
Despite being a commission-free investment platform, the IG Stocks and Shares ISA still incurs a variety of fees. Many of these expenses aren’t immediately obvious, and the pricing structure, while transparent, is far more complicated than other platforms.
Overall, the pricing model is designed to reward investors who are trading regularly rather than those who only trade occasionally.
- Share dealing (online) – No commission unless using a multi-currency account and have opted to perform manual currency conversions instead of automatic. When manual conversions are enabled, there is a £3 commission fee for UK shares and a $0.03 per share commission fee (up to $15) for US stocks.
- Share dealing (phone) – IG charges a fixed commission rate depending on the market a stock is listed. The commissions in 2025 are £40 for UK shares, £50 for US and EU shares, and A$50 for Australian stocks.
- Foreign exchange – When trading internationally, IG charges a 0.7% foreign currency exchange fee that’s fixed regardless of the size of the transaction.
- Custody fees – IG charges a flat quarterly custody fee for using its account, requiring a payment of £24 every three months. However, this custody fee is reduced to £0 if you execute three or more buy or sell trades in a quarter.
- Deposit fee – None.
- Withdrawal Fee – None.
- Bank transfers – Free. However, if a bank transfer is less than £100 and you want it executed on the same day as the request (instead of up to 3 working days), there is a £15 fee.
Stocks and Shares ISA Requirements
Here are the minimum requirements for investors to be eligible for an IG Stocks and Shares ISA.
- Minimum opening amount – £0. Accounts can be opened without needing to fund any initial capital.
- Minimum trading amount – There is no minimum trading amount set by the IG platform. However, it does not offer the ability to buy fractional shares, so investors must have sufficient funds to purchase whole shares only.
- Minimum Direct Debit amount – Direct Debit payments can be set up monthly from as low as £25.
- Eligibility – The Stocks and Shares ISA is available to all UK residents aged 18+. You’ll need a National Insurance Number to get started and must have already opened an IG Share Dealing Account.
- Account opening time – Opening an account can be done online within a few minutes. However, you may be asked to perform ID verification, which can take between one and three working days.
Platform and App Experience in 2025
The IG Stocks and Shares ISA is a perfect match for detail-oriented investors. Both the desktop and mobile platforms are robust, granting unrivalled access to global equities, especially those in emerging markets.
The website and platform can certainly feel quite dense at first. There is undoubtedly a learning curve to navigating and using the various tools available. However, the layout is thoughtfully structured, in my opinion, allowing you to filter by exchange, region, and asset class, enabling you to discover or find potential investments quickly.
By comparison, the mobile app is sleeker compared to the desktop web platform, making it far easier to navigate. While it doesn’t have all of the same features, the mobile app still offers all the essentials, including market data, price alerts, and basic charting tools. In both cases, you can customise the layout and keep tabs on your investments at any time.
A big standout strength of the platform is IG Academy. Unlike the educational resources offered by many other investing platforms, the IG Academy is arguably the most comprehensive. You can access free courses, videos, and quizzes, all designed to help investor hone their knowledge and investing skills.
When it comes to fees, the IG Stocks and Shares ISA also stands out as one of the cheaper options. Although the fee structure provides multiple incentives for more frequent trading. Here at The Motley Fool, we’re long-term investors, which often results in prolonged periods of not doing any trading. Following this investing approach on IG’s platform would likely incur additional fees, making it more expensive than what’s suggested on its website.
All things considered, there’s no denying that IG offers a powerful investing platform that’s especially well-suited for traders. However, newer investors will face a significant learning curve compared to other brokers who are far more beginner-friendly.
Is the IG Stocks and Shares ISA Right For You?
If you’re a confident, active trader who wants access to global stock markets, slick tools, and low trading fees, IG could be a top contender. The platform is designed for investors who trade at least semi-regularly (at least once per month) and aren’t intimidated by a data-heavy interface.
Beginners can immensely benefit from IG Academy and the demo account, which offers a risk-free way of practising. However, compared to other platforms, IG is far less intuitive and much harder for novices to navigate.
To be fair, IG has made a notable effort to try and reduce the initial learning curve and accommodate less experienced investors. But really, the platform remains geared towards experienced individuals seeking access to premium trading tools without having to pay wealth manager-level fees.
Regardless, always remember, whenever you invest – be it directly in shares, ETFs or investment trusts, your capital is put at risk, and you may not get back all the money you originally invested. So, if you’re ever unsure about the suitability of an investment for your circumstances, please consider obtaining appropriate independent financial advice prior to investing.
Great for active investors and experienced traders who want lots of choice
IG Stocks and Shares ISA *
| Trading Commission | From £0.00 |
| Account Management Fee | £24.00 per Quarter (See Custody fees) |
- Pros & Cons
- Fees & Charges
Pros
- FCA-regulated and trusted globally.
- Low-cost trading for active users.
- Earn interest on uninvested cash.
- Huge choice of global investments (including UK, US, and emerging markets).
- Professional-grade investment platform.
- Excellent research and educational resources.
- Real-time pricing and advanced trading tools.
- Fast online account set up.
Cons
- Cannot invest in mutual funds.
- A custody fee must be paid for inactive buy-and-hold investors.
- Platform complexity makes it unsuitable for beginners.
- Inconsistent feedback regarding customer support.
- Cannot automatically reinvest dividends received.
- Research is focused more on technical analysis rather than fundamental.
- Cash interest is only available to investors who place at least one trade per month.
- Share dealing (online) – No commission unless using a multi-currency account and have opted to perform manual currency conversions instead of automatic. When manual conversions are enabled, there is a £3 commission fee for UK shares and a $0.03 per share commission fee (up to $15) for US stocks.
- Share dealing (phone) – IG charges a fixed commission rate depending on the market a stock is listed. The commissions in 2025 are £40 for UK shares, £50 for US and EU shares, and A$50 for Australian stocks.
- Foreign exchange – When trading internationally, IG charges a 0.7% foreign currency exchange fee that’s fixed regardless of the size of the transaction.
- Custody fees – IG charges a flat quarterly custody fee for using its account, requiring a payment of £24 every three months. However, this custody fee is reduced to £0 if you execute three or more buy or sell trades in a quarter.
- Deposit fee – None.
- Withdrawal Fee – None.
- Bank transfers – Free. However, if a bank transfer is less than £100 and you want it executed on the same day as the request (instead of up to 3 working days), there is a £15 fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the commission on IG share dealing?
The IG Stocks and Shares ISA allows investors to trade with zero commission under certain conditions. However, there is a 0.7% foreign exchange rate fee for international investors.
Is IG share trading safe?
Yes. IG is an FCA-regulated business where client funds are held in segregated accounts, offering a high level of protection for UK investors.
Is IG share trading good for beginners?
Not really. While the company offers a plethora of education materials through its IG Academy, the platform is primarily geared towards experienced investors seeking professional trading tools.
What is the minimum deposit for IG trading?
There is no minimum deposit required to open an IG Stocks and Shares ISA. You can start with any amount.
Does IG support fractional shares or DRIP?
No. IG does not currently offer the ability to buy fractional shares or automatic dividend reinvestment plans inside a Stocks and Shares ISA.
Alternatives To Consider
If you’re interested in platforms that are of great value for frequent and regular investors and have some excellent research materials for beginners, you should also take a look at: