A head-to-head comparison of IG and Libertex across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
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.
Long operational history since 1997, zero spread commission model, and very low $10 minimum deposit - though limited to CySEC regulation and restricted markets.
IG comes out ahead with an editorial score of 4.8/5 compared to Libertex's 3.9/5.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Libertex 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.
Both brokers offer an equivalent platform selection with similar exclusive and proprietary options.
IG edges out Libertex with a higher editorial score (4.8/5 vs 3.9/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
| Editorial score | 4.8/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 5.0 / 5▲ | 3.8 / 5 |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.8 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 5.0 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.5 / 5▲ | 3.8 / 5 |
| Founded | 1974 | 1997 |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Limassol, Cyprus |
| Min deposit | No minimum | $10 |
| Spreads from | 0.6 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Max leverage | 30:1 | 999:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FCA ASIC DFSA CMVM BaFin Finansinspektionen Finanstilsynet FMA CBI KNF Finanstilsynet | CySEC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit IG | Visit Libertex |
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
Pros
Very low $10 minimum deposit
Zero spread commission model - transparent cost per trade
Long operational history since 1997
MT4, MT5, and proprietary Libertex platform
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
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
Cons
Only CySEC regulated - limited jurisdiction coverage
Commission multiplier model can be confusing for new traders
Not available in many major English-speaking markets
No top-tier regulatory licence
No raw spread account option
Inactivity fee applies
Limited charting capabilities
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | IG | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Fail |
| 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 | Fail | 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 | Fail |
| 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 3.9/5 for Libertex. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; IG and Libertex may each suit different trader profiles.
Libertex 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 Libertex requires at least $10. This makes IG more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
IG holds top-tier regulation (FCA, ASIC, DFSA), providing stronger investor protections. Libertex 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; both brokers offer negative balance protection. Also weigh up educational resources and customer support quality before deciding.
IG offers maximum leverage of 30:1, while Libertex offers up to 999:1. Available leverage varies by account type, instrument, and jurisdiction. Higher leverage amplifies both potential profits and losses. Always use appropriate risk management.
IG supports MetaTrader 4, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView and Libertex offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile; both support MetaTrader 4, Proprietary Web/Mobile; IG exclusively offers TradingView; Libertex exclusively offers MetaTrader 5.
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