IG vs Windsor Brokers Forex Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of IG and Windsor Brokers 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.
VS
Score 4 / 5
2 bonusesOne of the longest-operating CySEC-regulated brokers, offering standard and ECN accounts on MT4 and MT5 - a solid EU retail offering backed by a track record few Cyprus-based competitors can match.
Our Verdict
IG winsClear Winner
IG comes out ahead with an editorial score of 4.8/5 compared to Windsor Brokers's 4/5.
IG
4.8/5
Windsor Brokers
4/5
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
Windsor Brokers offers tighter spreads from 0 pips vs 0.6 pips for IG, reducing trading costs.
Best for safety & regulation
Recommended
IG has a stronger safety profile: top-tier regulation, compensation scheme, segregated funds, negative balance protection.
Best for active traders
Recommended
Windsor Brokers has a cost edge: raw/ECN spreads, tighter spreads from 0 pips.
Best for platform choice
Recommended
IG offers more exclusive platform options: Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, a proprietary platform.
Best for beginners
Recommended
IG edges out Windsor Brokers with a higher editorial score (4.8/5 vs 4/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
IG vs Windsor Brokers: 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 |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.8 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 5.0 / 5▲ | 3.8 / 5 |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.5 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
| Founded | 1974 | 1988 |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Nicosia, Cyprus |
| Min deposit | No minimum | $100 |
| Spreads from | 0.6 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $8/lot |
| Max leverage | 30:1 | 500:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FCA ASIC DFSA CMVM BaFin Finansinspektionen Finanstilsynet FMA CBI KNF Finanstilsynet | FSCA CySEC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit IG | Visit Windsor Brokers |
IG vs Windsor 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 - 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
35+ years of continuous operation - one of the longest track records in retail forex
CySEC regulated with EU investor protections
ECN Zero account from 0.0 pips + $8 commission
Islamic swap-free accounts available
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
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
Platform limited to MT4 and MT5 - no cTrader or proprietary option
$100 minimum deposit on standard accounts
ECN commission slightly above IC Markets and Pepperstone
No top-tier regulatory licence
Limited charting capabilities
IG vs Windsor Brokers: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
3
IG
criteria wins
2
Windsor Brokers
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | IG | Windsor Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | Fail |
| 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 |
IG vs Windsor Brokers: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, IG ranks higher with a score of 4.8/5 vs 4/5 for Windsor Brokers. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; IG and Windsor Brokers may each suit different trader profiles.
Windsor Brokers 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 Windsor Brokers requires at least $100. This makes IG more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
IG holds top-tier regulation (FCA, ASIC, DFSA), providing stronger investor protections. Windsor Brokers 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 Windsor Brokers offers up to 500:1. Available leverage varies by account type, instrument, and jurisdiction. Higher leverage amplifies both potential profits and losses. Always use appropriate risk management.
Windsor Brokers charges $8 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for the other broker are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
IG supports MetaTrader 4, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView and Windsor Brokers offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5; both support MetaTrader 4; IG exclusively offers Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView; Windsor Brokers exclusively offers MetaTrader 5.
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