IG
the share centre
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Overview
IG was founded in 1974 and is headquartered in UK, while the share centre was established in 2019 and is based in Bulgaria. Both brokers are regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), among other authorities. IG serves 178,500+ clients worldwide; the share centre has 60,000+. The minimum deposit is $200 at IG and $250 at the share centre.
| Feature | IG | the share centre |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $200 | $250 |
| Regulation | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), Pepperstone Markets Limited is incorporated in The Bahamas (number 177174 B), Licensed by the Securities Commission of The Bahamas (SCB) number SIA-F322 |
| Founded | 1974 | 2019 |
| Country | UK | Bulgaria |
| Clients | 178,500+ | 60,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between IG and the share centre, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. IG has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $200 (vs $250 at the share centre). the share centre charges withdrawal fees while IG does not, giving IG an edge for frequent withdrawers. the share centre applies inactivity fees on dormant accounts; IG does not. the share centre charges deposit fees; IG does not. Overall, IG scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | IG | the share centre |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $200 | $250 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | Yes |
| Inactivity Fees | No | Yes |
| Deposit Fees | No | Yes |
| CFD Fees | No | Yes |
Platforms
IG offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while the share centre supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. Both brokers support copy or social trading, catering to less hands-on investors. The two brokers are closely matched on platform offering.
| Feature | IG | the share centre |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | Yes |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | MT4, Mac, Web Trader, L2 Dealer, Tablet & Mobile apps | MT4, MT5, Mac, ZuluTrade, Web Trader, cTrader, Tablet & Mobile apps |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how IG and the share centre compare. IG runs regular live webinars; the share centre does not. Both provide video tutorials. IG publishes daily market commentary; the share centre does not. Both integrate third-party research tools. IG maintains an archive of past webinars for on-demand viewing. IG scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | IG | the share centre |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | No | Yes |
| CFD Education | Yes | No |
| Weekly Webinars | Yes | No |
| Daily Commentary | Yes | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. IG accepts 3 of the tracked payment methods (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal), while the share centre supports 5 (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller). the share centre uniquely supports Skrill and Neteller among the two brokers. the share centre scores higher on deposit and withdrawal flexibility.
| Feature | IG | the share centre |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill | No | Yes |
| Neteller | No | Yes |
Support
Responsive customer support matters most when you're locked out of your account or need urgent help with a trade. Both IG and the share centre offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. IG supports 5 languages and the share centre supports 8, giving the share centre broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | IG | the share centre |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese | English, Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Arabic |