IGvs
ThinkMarketsForex Broker Comparison
IG and ThinkMarkets compete on trust, costs, and tools across similar regulatory regimes. The clash highlights breadth of markets, raw spreads, and platform depth.
Our Verdict
IG winsClear Winner
IG outpoints ThinkMarkets on editorial score due to stronger regulation, broader market access, and advanced platform tools.
IG
4.8/5
ThinkMarkets
4.2/5
Key Differences
- 1IG offers 19,000+ markets while ThinkMarkets has about 4,000.
- 2IG charges inactivity fee after 24 months; ThinkMarkets has no inactivity fee.
- 3ThinkMarkets offers raw spreads while IG does not.
Who should choose IG vs ThinkMarkets?
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose IG if…
Choose IG. You gain access to 19,000+ markets and a deep proprietary platform with ProRealTime charts.
Choose ThinkMarkets if…
Choose ThinkMarkets. You get a no minimum deposit on standard accounts and a strong ThinkTrader mobile app.
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
ThinkMarkets offers tighter spreads from 0.40 pips vs 0.60 pips for IG, reducing trading costs.
Best for safety & regulation
It’s a tie
Both equally suited
IG vs ThinkMarkets: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 4.8/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 5.0 / 5▲ | 4.3 / 5 |
IG vs ThinkMarkets 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 ThinkMarkets: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
0
IG
criteria wins
2
ThinkMarkets
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | IG | ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
IG vs ThinkMarkets: Frequently Asked Questions
IG rates 4.8/5 versus 4.2/5 for ThinkMarkets. IG edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
ThinkMarkets starts from 0.4 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 ThinkMarkets requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both IG and ThinkMarkets 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 ThinkMarkets lists up to 500:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
ThinkMarkets charges $7 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 ThinkMarkets supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile and TradingView and MetaTrader 4. IG has exclusive access to ProRealTime. ThinkMarkets has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5.
