Both are FCA regulated and FSCS protected. The real differences are fees, investment range and how each platform feels to use. Here is the honest comparison.
Fees verified July 2026. Capital at risk. Information, not financial advice.
Active investors who want professional tools alongside long-term holdings.
Beginners building a habit, and first-time buyers using the Lifetime ISA.
| Fee | IG | Moneybox |
|---|---|---|
| Platform fee | £0 (custody fee removed January 2026) | £1/month subscription plus 0.45% platform fee |
| Share dealing | £0 commission with instant currency conversion | US stocks available, 0.45% FX fee |
| Fund dealing | Not available (shares and ETFs only) | Free (fund fees apply) |
| FX fee | 0.7% | 0.45% on US stocks |
| Stocks & Shares ISA | Free | Subscription plus 0.45% applies |
| SIPP | Available, third-party administration fees apply | 0.45% platform fee (0.15% above £100k), no subscription |
| Withdrawals | Free | Free |
| Minimum to start | No minimum | £1 |
Experienced traders rate the platform quality, charting and market access.
Lower scores than rivals, with complaints about account queries and the complexity of the product range.
Read IG reviews on TrustpilotUsers love the round-ups, the goal-based design and how painless it makes starting. 93% of customers surveyed in 2026 would recommend it.
The combined £1/month plus 0.45% is repeatedly flagged as expensive for small balances.
Read Moneybox reviews on TrustpilotIG is best known for trading, but its share dealing account and ISA became far more competitive in 2026 when it removed custody fees and commissions. You get institutional-quality tools with no platform charge.
The 0.7% currency conversion fee is the main cost to watch on US shares, and there are no traditional funds. It suits confident investors; beginners will find simpler homes elsewhere.
Moneybox is designed for getting started. Round-ups, weekly deposits and simple starter portfolios remove the friction that stops most people investing, and its Lifetime ISA is one of the most popular routes to a first home deposit.
The convenience has a price: £1 a month plus 0.45% is one of the higher fee stacks here once your balance grows. It is a great first platform, and many users graduate to cheaper ones later.
A 0.2% fee difference is worth optimising. Knowing whether you are saving enough in the first place is worth far more. Delphina models your pensions, ISAs and investments and tells you where you actually stand.