ActivTradesvs
IGForex Broker Comparison
Two established brokers square off on regulation, costs, and platform depth. The clash centers on trust, tools, and instrument breadth shaping the trading experience.
Our Verdict
IG winsby 0.5 pts
IG edges ActivTrades on the editorial score due to stronger trust & regulation and a superior platforms & tools score. ActivTrades remains competitive with strong regional support and volatility features.
No commercial relationship. The verdict and scores are entirely editorial. No payment influences this comparison.
Key Differences
- 1Inactivity fee applies to IG, while ActivTrades imposes none.
- 2IG offers about 19,000 instruments versus ActivTrades 1,000.
- 3ActivTrades offers up to 400:1 leverage, higher than IG's 30:1.
Who should choose ActivTrades vs IG?
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose ActivTrades if…
Choose ActivTrades if you want no inactivity fee and a high leverage option up to 400:1. You also get around 1,000 instruments, a tighter regional focus, and strong regulatory safeguards across FCA, CMVM, and SCB.
Choose IG if…
Choose IG if you want a vast instrument universe, including 19,000+ markets and weekend crypto access, with robust regulatory coverage. You also benefit from NFA, FCA, ASIC, and other regulators, a polished proprietary platform, and competitive spreads that pair with MT4/MT5.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Best for low cost trading
Recommended
ActivTrades offers tighter spreads from 0.50 pips vs 0.60 pips for IG, reducing trading costs.
Best for safety & regulation
ActivTrades vs IG: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.8/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.5 / 5 | 5.0 / 5▲ |
ActivTrades vs IG Forex Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
FCA regulated with supplemental insurance up to GBP 1,000,000 per client
ActivTrader's volatility protection feature is a genuine risk management differentiator
No minimum deposit
Strong southern European presence, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese support
Client funds held in segregated accounts
ActivTrades vs IG: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
1
ActivTrades
criteria win
0
IG
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | ActivTrades | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
ActivTrades vs IG: Frequently Asked Questions
IG rates 4.8/5 versus 4.3/5 for ActivTrades. IG edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
ActivTrades starts from 0.5 pips, tighter than IG's 0.6 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Neither ActivTrades nor IG requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both ActivTrades and IG hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
ActivTrades lists maximum leverage of 400:1, while IG lists up to 30:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
ActivTrades supports MetaTrader 4, ActivTrader, while IG supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. ActivTrades has exclusive access to ActivTrader. IG has exclusive access to ProRealTime and Proprietary Web/Mobile and TradingView.
