A head-to-head comparison of AMarkets and IG across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
SVG FSA-regulated broker with genuine ECN conditions on MT4, MT5, and cTrader, a well-regarded PAMM system, and an established following in Russia, Ukraine, and Central Asia.
IG invented spread betting in 1974 and remains the benchmark for experienced UK and European traders: unmatched market breadth, a genuinely excellent proprietary platform, and regulatory credibility that few brokers can match - at the cost of slightly higher charges than specialist ECN desks.
IG comes out ahead with an editorial score of 4.8/5 compared to AMarkets's 3.8/5.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
AMarkets offers tighter spreads from 0 pips vs 0.6 pips for IG, reducing trading costs.
IG has a stronger safety profile: top-tier regulation, compensation scheme, segregated funds, negative balance protection.
AMarkets has a cost edge: raw/ECN spreads, tighter spreads from 0 pips.
IG offers more exclusive platform options: Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, a proprietary platform.
IG edges out AMarkets with a higher editorial score (4.8/5 vs 3.8/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
| Editorial score | 3.8/ 5 | 4.8/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 3.4 / 5 | 5.0 / 5▲ |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.1 / 5 | 5.0 / 5▲ |
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.5 / 5▲ |
| Founded | 2007 | 1974 |
| Headquarters | Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | London, United Kingdom |
| Min deposit | $100 | No minimum |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | 0.6 pips |
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | N/A |
| Max leverage | 3000:1 | 30:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | SVGFSA | FCA ASIC DFSA CMVM BaFin Finansinspektionen Finanstilsynet FMA CBI KNF Finanstilsynet |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 cTrader | MetaTrader 4 Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit AMarkets | Visit IG |
Pros
MT4, MT5, and cTrader all available
Competitive $6 round-turn ECN commission
Mature PAMM platform with full performance transparency
No inactivity fee
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Raw spread account available
No deposit fees
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Pros
LSE-listed with FCA and ASIC regulation - among the most credible regulatory stacks in retail CFDs
19,000+ markets including weekend crypto, volatility indices, and EM pairs - genuine breadth, not a padded count
Proprietary platform with ProRealTime charts, Reuters news, and DMA equity routing built in
Spread betting available for UK clients - tax-free gains on the same account used for CFD trading
No minimum deposit and no deposit or withdrawal fee on standard methods
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Cons
SVG FSA registration only - no meaningful retail investor protection
No EU or Tier 1 licensed entity
Very high leverage (3000:1) is a risk amplifier
No top-tier regulatory licence
No negative balance protection
No investor compensation scheme
No proprietary platform
Limited charting capabilities
Cons
Market maker on forex - not suitable for scalpers who need sub-0.1 pip raw ECN spreads
Inactivity fee of £12/month kicks in after 24 months with no trades
Onboarding verification is slower than smaller or offshore brokers
Customer support quality drops outside UK business hours
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | AMarkets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Fail | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Fail | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Pass | 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 | Fail | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
Based on our independent editorial scoring, IG ranks higher with a score of 4.8/5 vs 3.8/5 for AMarkets. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; AMarkets and IG may each suit different trader profiles.
AMarkets offers tighter spreads starting from 0 pips, compared to IG's spreads from 0.6 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, particularly valuable for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
IG has a lower minimum deposit of no minimum required, while AMarkets requires at least $100. This makes IG more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
IG holds top-tier regulation (FCA, ASIC, DFSA), providing stronger investor protections. AMarkets may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Always verify regulatory status with the broker directly before depositing funds.
For beginners: IG has a lower minimum deposit (no minimum), lowering the barrier to entry; IG offers negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also weigh up educational resources and customer support quality before deciding.
AMarkets offers maximum leverage of 3000:1, while IG offers up to 30:1. Available leverage varies by account type, instrument, and jurisdiction. Higher leverage amplifies both potential profits and losses. Always use appropriate risk management.
AMarkets charges $6 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for the other broker are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
AMarkets supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader and IG offers MetaTrader 4, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView; both support MetaTrader 4; AMarkets exclusively offers MetaTrader 5, cTrader; IG exclusively offers Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView.
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