Investment platform IG* has expanded its product range with the launch of a new Junior Stocks and Shares ISA, complete with a generous £50 'cash match' promotional offer. Popular investing app Freetrade, owned by IG, also recently announced the launch of a Junior ISA, though an official release date has yet to be confirmed.
Growing competition means parents now have an even wider choice of low-cost options to help build wealth for their children. In this article, we explain how the IG Junior ISA and cash match promotion works as well as how it compares to alternative options from platforms including Fidelity, Hargreaves Lansdown and Interactive Investor.
IG Junior ISA offer - Get a £50 cash match boost
Until 5th April, new IG* investment clients who open and invest a minimum of £50 via a Junior ISA will receive a £50 credit*. To qualify, you must hold at least one open position until 30th June. Use code NEWJISA when creating an account. Reward will be credited by 31st July. Cannot be used in conjunction with other offers. Terms & fees apply. Capital at risk.
Key features of the IG Junior ISA
The IG Junior Stocks and Shares ISA stands out due to its simple pricing structure. It does not charge annual platform fees or commission for buying and selling investments. IG is more suited to parents who are comfortable making their own investment decisions (often referred to as 'DIY' investing).
- Eligibility - The account is available to children aged 14 and under.
- Account Management - A parent or guardian must already hold an IG investment account to open and manage a JISA for their child.
- Commission-free investing - Investors pay no commission when buying or selling the available assets.
- Fees - There are no platform fees, management charges or dealing fees. A standard 0.70% FX fee applies to international share purchases, and fund manager charges may apply if you invest in ETFs.
- Wide investment choice - The platform provides access to more than 12,000 global stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and investment trusts.
- Tax Efficiency - Investments in a Junior ISA can grow free from UK income and capital gains tax. The annual allowance for 2025/26 and 2026/27 is £9,000. The tax advantages of ISAs depend on personal circumstances.
It is worth noting that IG’s ready-made 'Smart Portfolios' are not currently available within the Junior ISA wrapper, meaning parents will need to be comfortable selecting and managing their own investments.
How does the IG Junior ISA compare?
When choosing a provider, it is important to look at both the ongoing account fees (the cost of holding your investments), the cost of buying and selling investments and the FX fees (the fee charged for converting your pounds sterling into the necessary foreign currency to complete the purchase), as these can eat into your child's overall returns over time. Below, we compare the cheapest Junior ISAs on the market.
| Provider | Minimum Investment | Annual Account Fee | Buying & Selling investments | Foreign Exchange (FX) Fee |
| IG* | £50 lump sum | £0 | £0 commission on shares and ETFs. | 0.70% |
| Fidelity | £100 lump sum or £25 a month | £0 | £0 for mutual funds.£7.50 for one-off online share/ETFs (£1.50 if using a regular monthly savings plan). | 0.75% (reduces to 0.50% for purchases over £10,000) |
| Hargreaves Lansdown | £100 lump sum or £25 a month | £0 | £0 for online purchases (including funds, shares, and ETFs). | 0.99% (reduces to 0.50% for purchases between £10,000 and £25,000 and 0.20% for purchases over £25,000) |
| Interactive Investor (ii) | £0 minimum lump sum, or £25 a month | £0 (See note below) | £3.99 for UK/US shares and funds. Regular monthly investing is free. | 0.75% (on the standard Core plan) |
Note on interactive investor (ii): The Junior ISA itself does not charge an annual account fee, but you must hold an adult interactive investor account to open one. Adult accounts carry a monthly subscription fee (starting from £5.99 a month).
Who is eligible for the IG Junior ISA?
To open an IG* Junior ISA, the child must be a UK resident aged 14 or under. The account must be opened and managed by a parent or legal guardian. The money within the account legally belongs to the child and cannot be accessed until they turn 18, at which point it automatically converts into an adult ISA. For the 2025/26 and 2026/27 tax year, the Junior ISA annual allowance is £9,000. Any growth or income generated within the account is completely free from UK income and capital gains tax. The tax advantages of ISAs depend on personal circumstances. For more information about IG, you can read our comprehensive, independent analysis in our full IG review.
When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested. Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.
If a link has an * beside it this means that it is an affiliated link. If you go via the link Money to the Masses may receive a small fee which helps keep Money to the Masses free to use. But as you can clearly see this has in no way influenced this independent and balanced review of the product. The following link can be used if you do not wish to help Money to the Masses or take advantage of any exclusive offers – IG
MTTM AI (beta) 
