IG and tastytrade face off on breadth versus specialization. Regulation, pricing, and platforms drive where each broker stands in this clash.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose if…
Choose IG for MT4/MT5 access, a 19,000+ instrument universe, and strong regulation.
Choose if…
Choose tastytrade for US-only accounts, an options-focused platform, and capped options commissions.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 4.8/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 5.0 / 5▲ | 4.5 / 5 |
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
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | IG | tastytrade |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | Fail |
| 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 | Fail |
IG rates 4.8/5 versus 4.3/5 for tastytrade. IG edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
IG starts from 0.6 pips. Current spread data is not available for tastytrade. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date pricing.
Neither IG nor tastytrade requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both IG and tastytrade 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, IG provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
IG lists maximum leverage of 30:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
tastytrade charges $1 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 tastytrade supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. IG has exclusive access to ProRealTime and TradingView and MetaTrader 4.
IG offers spreads from 0.60 pips.
IG has a broader regulatory footprint across multiple jurisdictions.
IG wins due to 19,000+ markets, ProRealTime charts, and DMA routing.
IG wins with MT4/MT5, proprietary web/mobile, and TradingView integration.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.8 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 5.0 / 5▲ | 4.7 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.5 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 1974 | 2017 |
|---|
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
|---|
| Min Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.6 pips | N/A |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | $1/lot |
|---|
| N/A | N/A |
| Max Leverage | 30:1 | N/A |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | £12/month (after 24 months) | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal | Bank transferWire transferACH |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferDebit cardPayPal | Bank transferWire transferACH |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC CMVM FCA DFSA Finansinspektionen KNF CBI BaFin Finanstilsynet NFA FMA Finanstilsynet | CFTC NFA |
|---|
| Platforms | ProRealTime Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView MetaTrader 4 | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
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
Options commissions capped at $10/leg, major cost advantage for traders who size up
$0 to open options trades; $1/contract to close
Platform built natively for options: IVR, Greeks, curve tool, and multi-leg management all first-class
Futures and futures options on the same account as equity derivatives
No PFOF on options, exchange-routed for best execution
Part of IG Group (LSE-listed), institutional governance and financial stability
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
Phone support available
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
US-only, no international accounts
Options-first interface has a steep learning curve for equity-focused traders
No live chat support, phone and email only
Minimal fundamental research tools; no stock screener or analyst reports
Mobile app less appropriate for entering complex multi-leg strategies than the desktop platform
No negative balance protection
No raw spread account option
No MetaTrader support
Support available in limited languages
IG edges tastytrade on editorial score, reflecting stronger regulatory coverage and broader market access.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.3 / 5
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