IG Index vs Hargreaves Lansdown

IG Index or Hargreaves Lansdown – which is better for UK traders 2024? Compare IG Index and Hargreaves Lansdown in this detailed breakdown of their platforms, features and fees.

IG Index vs Hargreaves Lansdown Comparison Table 2024
IG Index Hargreaves Lansdown
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4.4
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IG Index is ranked #19 among CFD brokers. Hargreaves Lansdown is ranked #118 among UK brokers.
Review
Review
Founded in 1974, IG is part of IG Group Holdings Plc, a publicly traded (LSE: IGG) brokerage. The brand offers spread betting, CFD and forex trading across an almost unrivalled selection of 17,000+ markets, with a range of user-friendly platforms and investing apps. For 50 years, IG has maintained its position as an industry leader, excelling in all key areas for traders.
Hargreaves Lansdown has closed or no longer accepts UK clients.
71% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.
Pros
  • IG is amongst the best in terms of its range of instruments, which includes stocks, forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, providing ample diversification opportunities
  • The proprietary web-based platform continues to caters to traders of all levels, with advanced charting tools and real-time market data useful for trading
  • The IG app offers a superb mobile trading experience with a clean design that helped it secure Runner Up at our Best Trading App award
  • As a well-established broker, IG operates under strict regulatory guidelines in multiple jurisdictions, maintaining a high level of trust
  • IG offers an extensive collection of professional and engaging educational resources, including webinars, articles, and analysis
  • The ProRealTime advanced charting platform is free as long as certain modest monthly trading activity requirements are met
Cons
  • Beginners might find IG’s fee structure complex, with various fees for different types of trades or services, potentially leading to confusion or unexpected charges
  • While there is negative balance protection in the UK and EU, there is no account protection or guaranteed stop losses for US clients
  • IG has discontinued its swap-free account, reducing its appeal to Islamic traders
  • Stock and CFD spreads still trail the cheapest brokers like CMC Markets based on tests
  • IG applies an inactivity fee of $12 per month after 2 years, deterring casual investors
Awards
  • Best Customer Service 2022 - Online Money Awards
  • Best Spread Betting Provider 2022 - Online Money Awards
  • Best Platform for the Active Trader 2022 - ADVFN International Financial Awards
  • Best Multi Platform Provider 2022 - ADVFN International Financial Awards
  • Best Finance App 2022 - ADVFN International Financial Awards
FCA Regulated
Yes No
Instruments
CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting
Demo Account
Yes
Minimum Deposit
$0
Payment Methods
Minimum Trade
0.01 Lots
Regulator
FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA
Mobile Apps
iOS & Android
Trading App

IG offers a superb all-round trading app. One of the pioneers of mobile trading, the application has been developed and refined over many years, meaning it is now among the best trading apps. Quick response, user-friendly layout, access to full charting and a stable and reliable application. It also offers guaranteed stops – an important risk management tool not available on many apps we’ve tested.
iOS App Rating
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rating full
4.6
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Android App Rating
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4
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Margin Trading
Yes
Margin Rate
2.5%
MetaTrader 4
Yes
MetaTrader 5
No
cTrader
No
AlgoTrader
No
OmniTrader
No
TradingView
No
Autochartist
Yes
eSignal
No
Trading Central
Yes
STP Account
No
ECN Account
No
DMA Account
Yes
MAM Account
No
PAMM Account
No
LAMM Account
No
Demat Account
No
AI / Machine Learning
No
Robo Advisor
Yes
Negative Balance Protection
Yes
Market Maker
Yes
P2P Trading
No
Spot Trading
Yes
Auto Trading
Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, build your own on ProRealTime
Copy Trading
No
Social Trading
No
Trade Signals
Yes
VPS Hosting
Yes
Tournaments
No
Demo Competitions
No
Ethical Investing
Yes
Custodial Account
No
Guaranteed Stop Loss
Yes
Inactivity Fee
$12
Islamic Account
No
Account Currencies
  • USD
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • CAD
  • AUD
  • JPY
  • ZAR
  • SEK
  • DKK
  • CHF
  • HKD
  • SGD
Commodities
  • Gold
  • Copper
  • Oil
  • Palladium
  • Silver
  • Sugar
  • Coffee
  • Wheat
  • Natural Gas
  • Soybeans
  • Orange Juice
  • Nickel
  • Steel
  • Iron
  • Precious Metals
  • Aluminium
  • Lithium
  • Cannabis
CFD
IG offers a huge selection of 17,000+ CFDs, providing more trading opportunities than most CFD brokers. Traders can go long or short on popular markets like stocks, currencies, commodities and cryptos, while custom price alerts and the IG Academy continue to enhance the trading experience.
Leverage
1:30 (Retail), 1:222 (Pro)
FTSE Spread
1.0
GBPUSD Spread<
0.9
Oil Spread
2.8
Stocks Spread
0.02
Forex
IG offers an above-average suite of 80+ currency pairs on its proprietary web platform, mobile app or MetaTrader 4, with more advanced charts and forex analysis tools available on the ProRealTime software. Forex spreads are competitive based on tests, starting from 0.1 pips on majors like the EUR/USD.
Assets
80+
GBPUSD Spread
0.9
EURUSD Spread
0.8
EURGBP Spread
0.9
Currency Indices
  • USD
IG Index Hargreaves Lansdown
Review
Review
71% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.
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