IG General Investment Account Review: Great Mix Of High & Low-Risk Investing
Account: IG General Investment Account
Description: IG is primarily a trading platform (and one of the best, at that) but also has an investment account through which you can deal in physical stocks and shares, including ETFs, in the UK, Europe, US and Asian markets. If you don't want to choose your own stocks, IG also has a managed investment product called Smart Portfolios. These are pre-made diverse portfolios with exposure to the global markets through shares, bonds, property and commodities. IG is a good choice for traders also looking for a cost-effective way to hold long-term investments in a GIA, or a stocks and shares ISA or SIPP. Capital is at risk.
Is IG's GIA a Good Account?
Yes, we rank IG as one of the best combined investing and trading platforms in the UK. You can invest with IG through a GIA, ISA or SIPP in either individual stocks or through pre-made Smart Portfolios.
Pricing: Very good, IG has recently removed their account charge and there is no commission when buying and selling investments. If you are buying US stocks there is an FX fee of 0.7%, which is quite high compared to peers.
Customer Service: Despite it’s size, IG has very good customer service. You can still buy and sell shares over the phone with a real human being. The majority of issues can be solved through their webchat function or WhatsApp customer service number.
Research & Analysis: IG excel at added value. The platform has integrated technical signals, news feeds, fundamental data and the IG social channels have a neverending flow of market analysis. The IG podcast, “The Art of Investing” was also voted Best Financial Podcast in the 2026 Good Money Guide Awards.
Market Access: Excellent – you can invest in over 12,000 stocks, funds, investment trusts and ETFs (including small caps). One letdown, though, is the lack of access to funds and bonds – you’ll be better served by a traditional stockbroker like Hargreaves Lansdown. And unlike some rivals, like Bestinvest, IG can’t provide advice on investments.
App & Platform: What is IG’s Platform Like to Use?
IG’s investment platform is the same as its trading interface so this will be familiar to its short-term speculators. The platform offers good visuals of investments, with associated news and analysis.
Pros
- Low-cost investing account
- UK & international shares
- Pre-made portfolios
Cons
- Also provides access to high-risk investment products.
- Limited investment funds
- No bond investing
- Pricing (5)
- Market Access (5)
- App & Platform (5)
- Customer Service (5)
- Research & Analysis (5)
Overall
5Capital at risk.