Both are FCA-regulated and FSCS-protected. The real difference is fees, account types and how each platform feels to use. Verified against each provider’s published charges.
Fees verified July 2026. Capital at risk. Information, not financial advice.
Hands-off investors happy to hold only Vanguard index funds and LifeStrategy.
Active investors who want professional tools alongside long-term holdings.
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Tick what you need above and we'll tell you which of the two covers it.
Account availability verified July 2026. Capital at risk. Information, not financial advice.
Long-term investors praise the low fund costs and the simplicity of LifeStrategy portfolios.
The £4 minimum monthly fee frustrated smaller investors when it landed, and some reviews mention slow customer service.
Read Vanguard reviews on TrustpilotExperienced 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 Trustpilot| Fee | Vanguard | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Platform fee | £4/month minimum below £32k; 0.15% above £32k, capped at £375/year | £0 (custody fee removed January 2026) |
| Share dealing | Not available (funds and Vanguard ETFs only) | £0 commission with instant currency conversion |
| Fund dealing | Free | Not available (shares and ETFs only) |
| FX fee | None (GBP funds) | 0.7% |
| Stocks & Shares ISA | Platform fee applies | Free |
| SIPP | Platform fee applies | Available, third-party administration fees apply |
| Withdrawals | Free | Free |
| Minimum to start | £100/month or £500 lump sum | No minimum |
Vanguard UK is the default answer for one-fund index investing. If your plan is a LifeStrategy or FTSE Global All Cap fund and nothing else, the combination of cheap funds and a capped 0.15% platform fee is excellent, especially above £32,000.
Below £32,000 the £4 monthly minimum changes the maths, and a free platform like Trading 212 or Prosper holding a similar Vanguard ETF can work out cheaper. You also cannot hold individual shares or other fund managers' products.
IG 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.
It depends on what you hold and how often you trade. Vanguard's platform fee is £4/month minimum below £32k; 0.15% above £32k, capped at £375/year, against £0 (custody fee removed January 2026) at IG. On dealing, Vanguard charges not available (funds and Vanguard ETFs only) for shares and free for funds, while IG charges £0 commission with instant currency conversion for shares and not available (shares and ETFs only) for funds. Fees verified July 2026.
Vanguard is best for hands-off investors happy to hold only Vanguard index funds and LifeStrategy. IG is best for active investors who want professional tools alongside long-term holdings. Both are FCA regulated and covered by the FSCS.
On Vanguard's ISA: Platform fee applies. On IG's ISA: Free. IG offers a flexible ISA and Vanguard does not. Minimums are £100/month or £500 lump sum at Vanguard and No minimum at IG.
Vanguard offers a SIPP (platform fee applies). IG offers a SIPP (available, third-party administration fees apply).
Vanguard scores 4 out of 5 on Trustpilot (Great) from around 5,000 reviews. IG scores 3.8 out of 5 (Great) from around 8,500 reviews. The £4 minimum monthly fee frustrated smaller investors when it landed, and some reviews mention slow customer service. Lower scores than rivals, with complaints about account queries and the complexity of the product range.
Yes. UK platforms accept ISA and SIPP transfers in, and you start the transfer with the receiving provider rather than the one you are leaving. Vanguard charges free on withdrawals and IG charges free. Transfer as cash and you are out of the market while it settles; transfer in specie and you keep your holdings but it takes longer.
Vanguard or IG, the account is the easy part. What decides when you can retire is how much goes in and for how long. Delphina works that out from what you already hold and what you pay in each month.
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