Jasmine Birtles
Your money-making expert. Financial journalist, TV and radio personality.
Here’s Why I Opened an IG Share Dealing Account This Month (and You Should Too!)
Ruby Layram
5th Aug 2026
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There are a lot of options in the investing platform world right now, but every so often, a provider does something that makes you stop and actually look at what they’re offering. That’s what made me sign up to IG this month!
IG has been trading since 1974. That’s over 50 years in the market, which counts for something when you’re trusting a company with your money. But it wasn’t just the track record that got my attention.
Here’s exactly why I decided to create an account with the platform and why I’m recommending it to all of my friends!
Zero Commission’s on Stocks
Plenty of platforms advertise “low fees,” but IG’s Share Dealing account genuinely charges 0% commission on UK and US stocks and ETFs, with no account fee sitting in the background either.
That matters more than people think. Every pound you don’t hand over in trading fees is a pound that stays invested and has the chance to grow. If you’re investing regularly, in smaller amounts, or just starting out, fee-free trading is one of the simplest ways to keep more of your money working for you.
Also read: How to get into investing: A guide for beginners
Your Uninvested Cash Doesn’t Just Sit There
One thing that used to frustrate me with other platforms was watching cash sit in my account earning nothing while I decided what to invest in.
With IG, uninvested cash in your GIA, ISA or SIPP earns interest, currently 3.75% AER (variable) on balances up to £100,000 per client. So if you’re not ready to invest straight away, your money isn’t just idle. It’s still doing something.
That’s a small detail that makes a genuinely useful difference if, like most beginners, you’re easing into the market rather than diving straight in.
A Huge Range of Markets
IG gives you access to over 12,000 shares and ETFs, spanning the UK, US and international markets. Whether you want to build a simple portfolio of familiar UK names or branch out into US tech and global ETFs, it’s all available in one account, without needing to juggle multiple platforms.
Get FREE Shares This Summer!
This is the bit that pushed me from “interested” to “signed up.”
Until 30th September, if you open an IG Share Dealing account using code SHARES1000 and invest at least £500, you’ll be entered into IG’s Bonus Shares Promotion. You need to keep an average of £500 invested from 1st October until 31st December, and complete a W-8BEN tax form before 30th November to stay eligible.
The reward is a randomly allocated bundle of shares, worth between £50 and £1,000, drawn from a basket of well-known US-listed companies, including names like Apple, Nike, Amazon, Disney and SpaceX.
I want to be straight with you on how this actually works, because IG is upfront about it and so am I: the value you receive is random, and the vast majority of people land at the lower end. The published odds are roughly:
- 78.5% chance of £50–£60 worth of shares
- 15% chance of £60.01–£100
- 3% chance of £100.01–£200
- 1.5% chance of £200.01–£400
- 1% chance of £400.01–£600
- 1% chance of £600.01–£1,000
So realistically, most new investors will end up with a bundle worth around £50–£60. That’s still a decent bonus on top of an investment you were already considering making, but it shouldn’t be the only reason you choose a platform, and there’s no guarantee which company (or companies) you’ll actually receive.
SIGN UP TO IG AND GET FREE SHARES
Final Thoughts
I don’t think there’s a single “best” platform for everyone. But between the zero commission, the interest on uninvested cash, the range of markets and a genuinely well-timed new investor offer, IG made a strong enough case for me to open an account this month.
If you’ve been sitting on the fence about starting to invest, this is as good a moment as any to take a proper look and see if IG ticks your boxes!
When investing, your capital is at risk and your capital may grow as well as fall. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.
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