IGvs
Interactive BrokersForex Broker Comparison
IG and Interactive Brokers face off on regulation strength, market reach, and platform depth. The matchup tests whether credibility and breadth outweigh pricing nuances.
Our Verdict
IG winsby 0.2 pts
IG edges Interactive Brokers on the overall editorial score, due to higher trust and broader regulator coverage. Interactive Brokers remains competitive on raw spreads and market access.
No commercial relationship. The verdict and scores are entirely editorial. No payment influences this comparison.
Key Differences
- 1IG offers 24/5 live chat; Interactive Brokers does not.
- 2IG supports MT4/MT5; Interactive Brokers does not.
- 3Interactive Brokers provides raw spreads; IG does not.
Who should choose IG vs Interactive Brokers?
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose IG if…
Choose IG if you want broad market access and strong regulatory credibility.
Choose Interactive Brokers if…
Choose Interactive Brokers if you prioritize global reach and low financing rates.
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
Interactive Brokers offers tighter spreads from 0.20 pips vs 0.60 pips for IG, reducing trading costs.
Best for safety & regulation
It’s a tie
Both equally suited
IG vs Interactive Brokers: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 4.8/ 5 | 4.6/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 5.0 / 5▲ | 4.8 / 5 |
IG vs Interactive Brokers Forex Broker Pros & Cons
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, real 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
IG vs Interactive Brokers: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
2
IG
criteria wins
2
Interactive Brokers
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | IG | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Fail |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
IG vs Interactive Brokers: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: IG rates 4.8/5 and Interactive Brokers rates 4.6/5. 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.
Interactive Brokers starts from 0.2 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 IG nor Interactive Brokers requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both IG and Interactive Brokers 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.
IG lists maximum leverage of 30:1, while Interactive Brokers lists up to 50:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Interactive Brokers charges $2 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for IG are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
IG supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while Interactive Brokers supports Trader Workstation (TWS), Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. IG has exclusive access to ProRealTime and TradingView and MetaTrader 4. Interactive Brokers has exclusive access to Trader Workstation (TWS).
