IGvs
Plus500Forex Broker Comparison
IG and Plus500 face off on trust, pricing, and platform breadth. The tension lies in instrument variety and available trading tools, inviting readers to scan for the real differentiators.
Our Verdict
IG winsClear Winner
IG is the higher editorial-scoring broker overall, anchored by a 4.8/5 score and a broader regulator stack; Plus500 trails on overall impression.
IG
4.8/5
Plus500
4.0/5
Key Differences
- 1IG offers 19,000+ markets; Plus500 trades around 2,000.
- 2IG provides MT4/MT5; Plus500 uses only its proprietary platform.
- 3IG has a broader regulator stack across many jurisdictions.
Who should choose IG vs Plus500?
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose IG if…
IG: Choose IG if you want an extensive instrument universe with MT4/MT5 access. You also benefit from a broad regulator stack for enhanced oversight. Plus500: Choose Plus500 if you prefer zero-commission trades across all instruments. You gain a simple, proprietary platform and LSE-listed credibility.
Choose Plus500 if…
IG: Choose IG if you want an extensive instrument universe with MT4/MT5 access. You also benefit from a broad regulator stack for enhanced oversight. Plus500: Choose Plus500 if you prefer zero-commission trades across all instruments. You gain a simple, proprietary platform and LSE-listed credibility.
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
It’s a tie
Both equally suited
Both brokers offer spreads from 0.60 pips.
Best for safety & regulation
IG vs Plus500: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 4.8/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 5.0 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
IG vs Plus500 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 Plus500: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
3
IG
criteria wins
0
Plus500
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | IG | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fail | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Fail |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
IG vs Plus500: Frequently Asked Questions
IG rates 4.8/5 versus 4/5 for Plus500. IG edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Both IG and Plus500 start from 0.6 pips, making them equivalent on this metric. Compare commissions and account types to evaluate total trading costs.
IG has no minimum deposit, while Plus500 requires at least $100. This makes IG more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both IG and Plus500 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, two factors stand out: IG has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
IG lists maximum leverage of 30:1, while Plus500 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.
IG supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while Plus500 supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. IG has exclusive access to ProRealTime and TradingView and MetaTrader 4.
