+£50
Stocks & Shares ISA or general account17 mins
IG IndexStocks & Shares ISA or general account
£50 Free Cash•17 mins
£50 Free Cash
+£50What is IG Index?
IG is one of the UK's longest-established investment platforms, founded in 1974. Through its share dealing service, you can buy and sell shares, ETFs, and funds across global markets with zero commission on all equity trades. IG offers ISA, GIA, and SIPP accounts.
IG Trading and Investments Limited is authorised and regulated by the FCA (register number 944492). Your eligible investments are protected up to £85,000 per person by the FSCS.
Key Terms
Free shares£50
Upfront deposit£1,000
Free shares arriveBy 30 September 2026
Investment and Cashback Options
Your free share is randomly allocated. We've assumed the minimum (£50) for this guide, but you could receive more. Here are the odds:
| Bonus Amount | Probability |
|---|---|
Shares are US-listed blue-chip stocks (Apple, Amazon, Nike, etc.) credited to your GIA by 30 September 2026.
Step by Step Guide
Chris's overview
Optional·1 min read
IG is giving away free shares worth £50 to £1,000 when you invest £1,000 or more using promo code MAYSHARES. Most people (70%) will receive shares worth £50 to £70. Higher amounts are possible but unlikely, so we've based this guide on the minimum.
You'll need to enter promo code MAYSHARES when creating your account. You must also submit a W-8BEN form (a one-page US tax form) within the IG platform by 31 August 2026, or your free shares are forfeited. This takes about 2 minutes. Keep your £1,000 invested until 31 August 2026.
The campaign runs until 31 May 2026. Free shares are credited to your GIA by 30 September 2026. The shares are US-listed blue-chip stocks like Apple, Amazon, and Nike. Once credited, they're yours to sell or hold. You can't combine this with other IG promotions.
1
Sign up to IG
10 mins
- Click the button below to open IG via the referral link
- Create your account and complete identity verification
- Enter promo code MAYSHARES when prompted during sign-up
- Open any eligible account: ISA, GIA, or SIPP
You must enter promo code MAYSHARES during sign-up. If you don't enter it at account creation, you won't qualify for the free shares.
2
Deposit and invest £1,000
5 mins
- Deposit at least £1,000 into your IG account
- Invest the full amount in shares, ETFs, or funds of your choice
- Your net investment during May 2026 must be at least £1,000
- Keep your net investment at £1,000 or above until 31 August 2026
Net investment means deposits minus any sales. If you deposit £1,000 and sell £100 of investments, your net drops below £1,000 and you won't qualify.
3
Receive your £50 free share30/09/26
2 mins
- Your free shares will be credited to your GIA by 30 September 2026
- The shares are randomly allocated US-listed stocks (Apple, Amazon, Nike, etc.)
- 70% chance of receiving £50 to £70 worth, with a small chance of up to £1,000
- If you enjoy using IG, continue investing with them
- If not, you can transfer your investments to another platform. IG has no exit fees for ISA or GIA transfers
Even if you invest via an ISA or SIPP, the free shares are always credited to your GIA. Make sure you have a GIA open.
Offer Complete
Done? Tick off each step above to see your total.
IG Index Full Review
Completed the offer? Awesome! Here's our full review on why IG Index could work well for you going forward.
IG is one of the UK’s longest-established financial services companies, founded in 1974. While best known for spread betting and CFD trading, IG also offers a share dealing service where you can buy and sell shares, ETFs, and funds across global markets with zero commission on equity trades. They provide ISA, GIA, and SIPP accounts. The ISA and GIA have no ongoing platform fees, making them competitively priced for buy-and-hold investors.
Is IG safe?
IG Trading and Investments Limited is authorised and regulated by the FCA (register number 944492). Your eligible investments are protected up to £85,000 per person by the FSCS. IG Group has been operating for over 50 years and is listed on the FTSE 250, providing an additional layer of transparency through public reporting requirements.
Who is IG for?
IG’s share dealing service suits cost-conscious investors who want zero commission on equity trades and no platform fees on ISA or GIA accounts. It works well if you want access to a wide range of global markets from a well-established provider. The platform is more feature-rich than beginner apps like Freetrade or Trading 212, which may appeal to confident investors but could feel complex for absolute beginners.
Top 5 IG Features
1
Zero Commission Trading
Buy and sell shares, ETFs, and funds with no commission on equity trades
2
No Platform Fees on ISA/GIA
ISA and GIA accounts have no ongoing platform or custody fees
3
Wide Market Access
Trade across global markets including UK, US, European, and Asian exchanges
4
Established Provider
Over 50 years in financial services, FTSE 250 listed, FCA regulated
5
Transfer Cashback Offers
Periodic cashback promotions for transferring existing ISA or GIA holdings to IG
Pros and Cons
Pros
- ✓Zero commission on all equity trades
- ✓No platform fees on ISA and GIA
- ✓Wide range of global markets and investment products
- ✓FCA regulated with FSCS protection up to £85,000
Cons
- ✗SIPP has a £205/year admin fee plus £250 transfer fee
- ✗Platform can feel complex for beginners compared to simpler apps
- ✗Share dealing is a newer part of the business alongside the established spread betting platform [VERIFY]
Chris’s Verdict
IG is a strong choice if you want zero-commission trading with no ongoing platform fees on your ISA or GIA. For buy-and-hold investors, the fee structure is hard to beat: you pay nothing to hold your investments and nothing to trade. The SIPP is less compelling due to the £205/year admin fee and £250 transfer fee, so consider other providers for pensions. The platform is feature-rich and may feel more complex than beginner-focused apps, but the cost savings make it worth considering for anyone comfortable managing their own investments. Check our investment comparison tool to see how IG stacks up against other platforms on fees.
