Admiralsvs
IGCrypto Exchange Comparison
Admirals and IG both offer crypto CFDs, yet they diverge on regulation strength and coin coverage. The tension rests on safety, asset depth, and pricing approach.
Our Verdict
IG winsby 0.3 pts
IG wins on editorial score, driven by stronger trust/regulation and a larger coin selection.
No commercial relationship. The verdict and scores are entirely editorial. No payment influences this comparison.
Key Differences
- 1Admirals provides 24/5 live chat support.
- 2IG offers a larger coin catalog of 70 assets.
- 3IG provides transparent pricing; Admirals pricing is not.
Who should choose Admirals vs IG?
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose Admirals if…
Choose Admirals if you value 24/5 live chat support. You also benefit from no inactivity fees.
Choose IG if…
Choose IG if you want a large coin selection and weekend markets with 70 cryptocurrencies and broad asset access. In addition, IG offers a proprietary platform with advanced charting, MT4, and TradingView for a broader trading experience.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
Best for security
It’s a tie
Both equally suited
IG wins for security due to stronger regulation and higher trust score.
Best for low fees
Recommended
Admirals vs IG: Side-by-Side Crypto Exchange Comparison
| Criteria |  Admirals |  IG |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Spreads From | 0.5 pips▼ lower | 0.6 pips |
| Taker Fee | 6.00% | N/A |
Admirals vs IG Crypto Exchange Pros & Cons
Pros
- 30+ crypto CFDs on MT4 and MT5 under FCA, CySEC, and ASIC regulation
- MetaTrader Supreme Edition plugin adds enhanced charting and sentiment tools
- No minimum deposit; FSCS protection up to GBP 85,000 for UK retail clients
- Broad multi-asset offering, crypto alongside forex, equities, ETFs, and commodities
Cons
- CFDs only, no real crypto ownership, staking, or on-chain access
Admirals vs IG: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
2
Admirals
criteria wins
1
IG
criteria win
Highlighted rows show where the two exchanges differ
| Criteria | Admirals | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Cold storage for assets | Fail | Fail |
| Proof of reserves published | Fail | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Fail | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Staking available | Fail | Fail |
| DeFi integration | Fail | Fail |
| NFT trading | Fail | Fail |
| 500+ coins listed | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
Admirals vs IG: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: Admirals rates 3.9/5 and IG rates 4.2/5. IG has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
Admirals lists a lower spread from 0.5, compared with IG's 0.6. Crypto trading costs are typically quoted as a percentage of the trade value; check each exchange's full fee schedule, as maker/taker rates and volume discounts vary.
Neither Admirals nor IG requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both Admirals and IG hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each exchange's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, both exchanges provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each exchange's site before deciding.
Admirals offers up to 2:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus IG's 2:1 cap. Margin and futures trading carry higher risk than spot crypto; confirm product availability and jurisdiction-specific limits on each exchange's website.
Admirals charges $6 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for IG are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Crypto fees are typically quoted as maker/taker rates rather than fixed per-trade commissions; check each exchange's fee schedule for volume-based discounts.
Admirals supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while IG supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. Admirals has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5. IG has exclusive access to ProRealTime and Proprietary Web/Mobile and TradingView.
Admirals scores better on fee criteria (no deposit fee, no inactivity fee). Always check both exchanges' current fee schedules, as maker/taker rates and withdrawal fees vary and are subject to change.
