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Let's compare: head to head
IG and Plum are two of the biggest investment platforms on the market. Let's break down what they offer.
Products
Introduction
In this head-to-head, we’re comparing IG and Plum two of the most popular investment providers on the market today. We’ve reviewed them and will cover things such as fees, features, and offerings. We’ll also cover where the platforms perform well and any potential shortcomings to be aware of.
Who is IG?
Established in 1974, IG offers a multitude of different investment products from ISAs to SIPPs and even CFDs. With IG, investors can also buy and sell thousands of shares and ETFs, or choose a wealth portfolio managed by one of their pros.
Who is Plum?
Plum is the smart money app that can help you budget, save and invest, using automation. Plum's AI adapts to your income and spending so you can be prepared for whatever life throws your way. Plum was built to accompany people on their financial journey and give them the tools to manage, save, and invest their money. They have over 1.5 million customers across Europe and have helped them set aside, save, and invest over £1.6bn.
Who are IG?
Who are Plum?
Products
Products
Share dealing
ISA
Saving
SIPPs
CFDs
Budgeting
✅ ✅
✅ ✅
❌ ✅
✅ ✅
✅ ❌
❌ ✅
Capital at risk. The value of your investments can go down.
Capital at risk. The value of your investments can go down.
IG and Plum are two investment providers with quite a lot of overlap in terms of product offering, despite IG being the market veteran and Plum, being the relative newcomer. Shares, ISAs, and SIPPs are all available with both IG and Plum. The variances are mainly down to IG’s focus on offering trading propositions, such as CFDs, whereas Plum instead chooses to focus more on money management including saving and AI-powered budgeting.
Fees
Fees
Minimum deposit
Platform fees
Trading fees
Inactivity fee
Deposits
Withdrawal
£1 £1
£0 - £9.99 p/m £0
£1 £0 - £3
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£0 £0
£0 £0
While IG doesn’t charge monthly fees for their plans, the (from) £3 per UK share fee is certainly on the high side and can certainly add up over time. With this in mind, even Plum’s most expensive ‘Premium Plan’ at £9.99 would likely suit investors trading UK stocks over 3 times a month. The minimum deposits of £1 on both providers are great to see, and extremely competitive when compared to some other providers. Another huge positive for both providers is the lack of inactivity fees.
Capital at risk. The value of your investments can go down.
Capital at risk. The value of your investments can go down.
Features
Features
App based
Web based
Education content
Managed funds
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✅ ❌
✅ ❌
✅ ✅
Capital at risk. The value of your investments can go down.
Capital at risk. The value of your investments can go down.
Both apps are suitable for beginner investors, with Plum edging it simply due to their strong focus on active budgeting and the brilliant AI-powered features that come along with it. The lack of CFDs and other trading products is also another factor to support this consideration. Both offer managed funds, which means an expert manages all or part of your portfolio for you. An extremely helpful offering for investors who are looking for extra approval to grow their investments and manage risk. Finally, IG leads the way in the context of education, with an extensive catalogue of learning literature, insights, webinars, and seminars available free of charge.
Summary
Summary
To sum it up, IG and Plum are two excellent options for investors looking to build a long-term portfolio with trusted, well-established providers. Plum has the edge overall, with more competitive pricing, a compelling product offering, and a strong focus on budgeting and saving which is essential for any investor to consider, to better manage their own personal wealth for the long term.
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