IG beats StoneX Trading for number of instruments and spread costs.But for beginner education and resources, they are just about equal.
Which is the Better Trading Platform: IG or StoneX Trading?
Choosing between IG and StoneX Trading can feel like a tug-of-war between two excellent (British might I add…) brokers. Both are trusted giants in the trading world, offering a robust set of tools, extensive market coverage, and a reputation built over decades (and when I say decades I really mean it!). So, which one deserves a spot on your trading journey?
Let’s dig into the key features, platforms, costs, and extras to help you decide.
1. Key Features Comparison
| IG VS StoneX Trading | 
First | 
Second | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regulation | FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), NFA (US), and more | FCA (UK) | |
| Trading Platforms | Proprietary Platforms, MT4, TradingView | Proprietary Web Trader, MT4, TradingView | |
| Minimum Deposit | £250 | £100 | |
| Spreads | Starting from 0.6 pips on forex | Starting from 0.7 pips on forex | |
| Commissions | Spread-only pricing or £10 per side on share CFDs | Spread-only pricing for most products | |
| Range of Assets | 16,000+ | 13,500+ | |
| Education Resources | Extensive—IG Academy, webinars, tutorials | Comprehensive but slightly less than IG | |
| Customer Support | 24/5 via live chat, phone, and email | 24/5 via phone, chat, and email | |
| Funding Options | Credit/Debit Card, PayPal, Bank Transfer | Credit/Debit Card, PayPal, Bank Transfer | |
| Inactivity Fee | £12/month after 2 years of no activity | £12/month after 1 year of no activity | |
| Join IG | Join StoneX Trading |
In Summary: IG wins on better spread costs, a wider range of markets, a broader range of platforms, and industry-leading tools, while StoneX Trading offers a beginner-friendly Academy and a diverse array of trading instruments. But the devil’s in the details…so let’s get into it.
2. Fees and Spreads: Who Wins on Costs?
IG Fees
IG’s forex spreads start from 0.6 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD with an average of 0.85 pips (see screenshot above), making it a competitive choice for active traders. For share CFDs, IG charges a £10 per side commission, so it’s worth factoring in if equities are your thing. There’s no deposit or withdrawal fee either and IG has aso abolished their inactivity fee in 2026 – unlike StoneX Trading.
StoneX Trading Fees
StoneX Trading takes a no-nonsense approach with spreads starting from 0.7 pips on forex and no commission on most products. The inactivity fee for StoneX Trading kicks in after only 1 year at a relatively steep £12, so it’s definitely something UK traders need to watch out for. Share CFD traders will appreciate their competitive spread-only pricing.
Verdict
If you’re primarily a forex trader, IG edges out StoneX Trading with tighter spreads and no inactivity fee.
3. Trading Platforms: Which Broker’s Tech Reigns Supreme?
IG Trading Platforms
IG offers more versatility with its proprietary platforms, with deep customisation for advanced traders. IG also supports MT4, MT5, and TradingView but its proprietary platforms like ProRealTime & L2 Dealer make it one of the top brokers in the UK.
StoneX Trading Trading Platforms
StoneX Trading’s Web Trader platform is intuitive and beginner-friendly. It’s great for traders who want simplicity without sacrificing essential features. For those looking for more advanced tools, MT4 and TradingView compatibility give you flexibility.
Verdict
IG’s platform variety takes the crown here. While StoneX Trading’s Web Trader is polished, IG’s addition of ProRealTime and broader integration make it a clear winner.
4. Range of Tradable Assets: IG Towers Over the Competition
IG Asset Range
IG offers an astonishing (frankly incredible) 16,000+ tradable markets, including forex, shares, commodities, cryptocurrencies, ETFs, and more. Whether you’re into niche stocks or global indices, IG has something for everyone.
StonneX Trading Asset Range
With access to 13,500+ instruments, StoneX Trading isn’t far behind. It covers forex, indices, commodities, and shares, but it can’t quite match IG’s massive selection.
Verdict
If variety is what you’re after, IG is the clear winner with its unmatched market coverage.
5. Regulation and Security
IG Regulation
IG is one of the most trusted names in the industry, regulated by top-tier authorities, including the FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), and the NFA (US). Client funds are securely held in segregated accounts, and UK clients are protected under the FSCS up to £85,000.
StoneX Trading Regulation
StoneX Trading is regulated by the FCA (UK) and also offers client fund segregation. While their coverage is slightly less global than IG’s, it’s still highly secure for UK traders.
Verdict
Both brokers are great for security, but IG wins for its broader global regulation.
6. Customer Support
IG Support
IG offers 24/5 support via live chat, phone, and email. During testing, their team responded quickly and effectively, even for more complex queries.
StoneX Trading Support
StoneX Trading offers relatively inconsistent support (see our review) and doesn’t have a chatbot feature, which would resolve this inconsistency.
Verdict:
IG offers better customer support hands-down. With Gio, their chatbot, and a friendly team. StoneX Trading offers no chatbot and their team support is inconsistent.
7. Educational Resources
IG Education
IG goes above and beyond with its IG Academy, offering comprehensive courses, webinars, tutorials, and live market analysis. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned trader, you’ll find valuable content here.
StoneX Trading Education
StoneX Trading provides solid resources, including their Trading Academy, webinars, and guides. However, the library isn’t as extensive as IG’s.
Verdict:
IG leads with deeper, more diverse educational offerings.
FAQ’s
1. Is IG better than StoneX Trading for Forex trading?
IG is slightly better than StoneX Trading for forex trading because of its tighter spreads and advanced tools. IG’s spreads start at 0.6 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD, which is tighter than City Index’s 0.7-pip starting point. If you’re an active trader placing lots of trades, those savings add up fast.
StoneX Trading, on the other hand, offers spread-only pricing—no commissions—which makes it great for casual traders who don’t want to overthink their costs. For me, IG gets the edge here because it combines low spreads with tools like ProRealTime and MT4, giving you everything you need to optimise your forex strategy.
2. Is IG better than StoneX Trading for beginner traders?
StoneX Trading is better than IG for beginners because of its simple platform and no-fuss experience. StoneX Trading’s WebTrader just feels super intuitive and doesn’t overwhelm you with buttons and charts. If you’re just starting out, it’s like jumping into a car and knowing exactly where everything is.
IG is fantastic, but its platforms can feel a bit overwhelming at first, especially if you’re using advanced platforms like ProRealTime. That said, IG’s Academy is a massive plus for beginners who want to learn quickly—it’s easily the best education hub out there.
So, if you want simplicity and ease of use, StoneX Trading is your go-to. If you’re keen on learning and don’t mind a short learning curve, IG still delivers.
3. Is IG better than StoneX Trading for day trading?
IG is better than StoneX Trading for day trading because of its lower spreads and powerful tools. When I tested IG’s forex spreads during peak trading hours, they stayed consistently at 0.6–0.7 pips for EUR/USD, which is perfect for day traders. Plus, IG’s integration with ProRealTime gives you some of the best charting tools around, which is just incredibly useful when you’re watching for quick moves.
StoneX Trading is still a decent platform, though you’ll pay more, and its MT4 integration works well. But IG really pulls ahead with its platform variety and access to over 16,000 markets. For me, the tighter spreads, more tradable assets and better charting tools make IG a better pick for day traders.
4. Is IG better than StoneX Trading for UK traders?
IG is the better choice for UK traders if you want access to a huge range of markets and advanced tools. IG has been the heavyweight of UK trading since the 70s, and it shows. They’re FCA-regulated, offer FSCS protection up to £85,000, and give you access to an huge 16,000+ markets: forex, shares, indices, ETFs, commodities, the lot.
StoneX Trading is equally solid for UK traders, with FCA regulation and client fund segregation. They also have a strong focus on spread betting, which is tax-free for UK residents—a big advantage if that’s part of your trading plan.
If you want pure variety and tools, IG takes the crown. But if simplicity and spread betting are a priority, StoneX Trading is worth a look.
5. Is IG better than StoneX Trading for stock trading?
IG is the better broker for stock trading purely because of its sheer variety. You get access to 6,000+ shares across the UK, US, Europe, and Asia, so IG’s range is hard to beat. You also get charting tools like ProRealTime and direct market access (DMA) through their L2 Dealer platform (bear in mind it’s paid, though…), and it’s perfect for stock traders.
StoneX Trading isn’t far behind either, with 13,500+ tradable assets, including stocks, indices, and commodities. What I liked is their spread-only pricing, which works well for smaller positions since you’re not hit with hefty commissions.
If you want advanced tools and a massive stock range, IG wins. For casual stock traders looking for simplicity, StoneX Trading is still a strong contender.
6. Is IG better than StoneX Trading for trading platforms?
IG wins for platform variety, especially if you’re an advanced trader. With IG, you get access to their web trader, the advanced ProRealTime, L2 Dealer and MT4.
StoneX Trading’s Web Trader is one of the best platforms I’ve tested for beginners, it’s clean, intuitive, and functional. For traders who want more flexibility, they also support MT4 and TradingView, which is a nice bonus.
If you’re an advanced trader or love customisation, IG is the way to go. But for beginners who want something easy and efficient, StoneX Trading delivers.
7. Is IG better than StoneX Trading for educational resources?
Both are roughly equal. The IG Academy is a beast; it’s packed with beginner-friendly courses, live webinars, and in-depth tutorials that make learning to trade feel manageable. Whether you’re just starting out or want to fine-tune your strategy, IG has you covered.
Since September 2026, StoneX Trading has made its resources easier to find and more comprehensive, and its YouTube (no longer City Index but StoneX official) does a great job of providing the latest market analysis and information.
8. Is IG safer than StoneX Trading?
Both IG and StoneX Trading are equally safe for UK traders. They’re both FCA-regulated, offer FSCS protection up to £85,000, and hold client funds in segregated Tier-1 bank accounts. Basically, your money is as secure as it can get with either broker.
IG does have the edge in reputation—it’s been around since 1974, so you know they’re rock-solid. StoneX Trading, while slightly newer, has also been trusted by traders for decades and is just as reliable. Either way, you’re in safe hands.
9. Is IG better than StoneX trading for high-volume trading?
IG edges ahead for high-volume traders because of its tighter spreads and platform tools. With forex spreads starting at 0.6 pips, IG is cost-effective for traders who are active throughout the day. Plus, tools like ProRealTime and direct market access (DMA) make it easy to execute larger trades with precision.
StoneX Trading is still competitive, with spread-only pricing that works well for frequent trading. However, their spreads are slightly wider, starting at 0.8 pips, which can add up if you’re trading in high volumes.
For me, IG’s lower costs and advanced tools give it the edge for high-volume trading.
10. Is StoneX Trading better than IG for spread betting?
No, IG offers lower holding fees, lower headline spreads, more instruments and more platform variety than StoneX Trading for spread betting.
Final Verdict
| Criteria | Winner |
|---|---|
| Fees and Spreads | IG |
| Platforms | IG |
| Asset Range | IG |
| Regulation and Security | IG |
| Customer Support | IG |
| Educational Resources | IG |
While it may seem like a clean sweep for IG, it’s worth keeping in mind that StoneX Trading is one of the best brokers in the UK. It stands above most ordinary brokers in platforms, spread betting offerings, a wide range of instruments (over 13,000!), and overall usability. IG is no challenger; they are the best broker in the UK for a reason, and even against stiff competition like StoneX Trading, they remain the go-to UK trading broker for advanced and intermediate-level traders with unmatched levels of security, assets and educational resources.
No Minimum Deposit
Best for Stocks
IG offers 17,000+ trading instruments and combines robust regulation with cutting-edge platforms like ProRealTime, TradingView, and L2 Dealer.
70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Who Should You Choose?
IG is the go-to choice for traders who want it all: a massive range of markets, tight spreads, and unparalleled educational resources. It’s ideal for intermediate and experienced traders who want versatility and advanced tools.
StoneX Trading, on the other hand, shines for beginners and casual traders who appreciate a user-friendly platform, no inactivity fees, and straightforward pricing.
Still unsure? Here’s a quick summary:
- Choose IG for advanced tools, market variety, and in-depth education.
- Choose StoneX Trading for simplicity, no inactivity fees, and competitive spreads.
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