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Broker Comparison

IG vs Lightyear

Compare IG and Lightyear side by side: fees, regulation, platforms.

IG

IG

Active CFD and forex traders

IG is a CFD-focused broker with forex, shares, ETFs, crypto, options and futures, plus web, Android and third…

VS
Lightyear

Lightyear

Cost-conscious long-term investors

Low-cost investing platform with free ETFs, multi-currency accounts, fractional investing, savings products, …

Head-to-head comparison

IG vs Lightyear
Feature IG Lightyear
Minimum deposit — —
Stock trading fee US share CFDs: 2 cents per share, $15 minimum online; UK share CFDs: 0.10%, £10 minimum online; Hong Kong share CFDs: 0.18%, HKD50 minimum online; Euro share CFDs: 0.10%, €10 minimum online US shares: 0.10% (0.10 USD min - 1 USD max); UK shares: 1 GBP; EUR-denominated stocks, bonds, ETNs and ETCs: 1 EUR; other European stocks: 0.10%
Regulators BMA FCA, EFSA, FINRA, SIPC
Best for Active CFD and forex traders Cost-conscious long-term investors
Markets & account
Stocks
ETFs
Forex
—
CFDs
—
Crypto
Bonds
Options
—
Futures
—
Margin
—
Business Account
Demo Account
—
Funds
—
Fractional Shares
—
Investment Plans
—
Ready Made Portfolios
—
Savings Vaults
—
Money Market Funds
—
Multi Currency
—

Pros & cons

IG

IG

Pros

  • No minimum balance for a CFD trading account
  • Free demo account with $20,000 virtual funds
  • Lower minimum deal sizes for the first 6 weeks
  • No commission to close listed options positions
  • Futures positions have no overnight funding fees
  • Extended hours on over 90 key US stocks
  • Weekend trading on selected indices, FX pairs and crypto

Cons

  • 0.8% FX conversion fee on non-base-currency CFD trades
  • 2.3% third-party card processor charge
  • US share CFDs have a $15 minimum online commission
  • UK share CFDs have a £10 minimum online commission
  • Daily overnight funding applies to overnight CFD positions
  • $40/month ProRealTime fee unless conditions are met
  • Monthly fees can apply for exchange stock feeds
  • Demo trades exclude slippage, interest and dividend adjustments
Lightyear

Lightyear

Pros

  • No account fee
  • Free ETF execution and custody
  • 0.35% FX conversion fee
  • Multi-currency account
  • Fractional investing
  • Web, iOS and Android access
  • Savings Vaults with money market funds
  • SIPC protection for US securities

Cons

  • Stock fees vary by instrument
  • Card deposits cost 0.6%
  • Crypto assets lack investor compensation cover
  • Product availability may vary
  • Money market fund fees apply
  • Some withdrawals may require currency conversion
IG

IG

IG is a CFD-focused broker with forex, shares, ETFs, crypto, options and futures, plus web, Android and third-party platforms.

Visit IG Read review

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

Lightyear

Lightyear

Low-cost investing platform with free ETFs, multi-currency accounts, fractional investing, savings products, and a 0.35% FX fee.

Visit Lightyear Read review

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

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