ACY Securities and IG square off over regulation, platform depth, and global access. The tension unfolds around cost, exchange coverage, and long-term investing features.
IG is the editorial winner over ACY Securities, driven by a higher score and broader regulation plus wider exchange access.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose ACY Securities if…
Choose ACY Securities if you value ASIC regulation with ECN execution on share CFDs and a low $50 min deposit.
Choose IG if…
Choose IG if you want access to 30+ exchanges, a Stocks & Shares ISA, and a proprietary platform.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
IG is best for safety & regulation due to its broad, multi-jurisdiction oversight.
| Editorial score | 3.6/ 5 | 4.5/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $50 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.6 pips |
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ACY Securities | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Fail | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Fail |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Pass |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
IG rates 4.5/5 versus 3.6/5 for ACY Securities. IG edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
ACY Securities lists tighter spreads from 0, compared with IG's 0.6. For stock trading, also factor in any per-trade or per-share commissions — spreads and commissions together determine the true cost per trade.
IG has no minimum deposit, while ACY Securities requires at least $50. This makes IG more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both ACY Securities and IG 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.
ACY Securities lists maximum leverage of 500:1, while IG lists up to 1:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
ACY Securities charges $7 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for IG are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
ACY Securities supports MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while IG supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide TradingView and MetaTrader 4. ACY Securities has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5. IG has exclusive access to ProRealTime and Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Neither ACY Securities nor IG is listed as offering commission-free trading in our data. Compare each broker's commission schedule directly, as fees vary by account type and the markets you trade.
IG scores higher on investor protection criteria, with compensation scheme coverage and segregated client funds. For stock investors, confirming compensation scheme coverage ensures your assets are protected up to a defined limit if the broker becomes insolvent.
IG suits active traders with real share dealing, diverse assets, and integrated research tools.
IG suits beginners with a zero minimum deposit and broad account features.
IG offers global market access with 30+ exchanges and 13,000+ shares.
IG wins for low cost trading thanks to a higher Fees & Spreads rating.
IG wins long-term investing thanks to Stocks & Shares ISA and no annual platform fee.
| 0.7 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | £12/month (after 24 months) |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardCrypto | Bank transferDebit cardPayPal |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | Yes |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC FSA Seychelles | FCA ASIC DFSA FMA CMVM BaFin Finanstilsynet Finanstilsynet Finansinspektionen CBI NFA KNF |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 | ProRealTime Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.6 / 5
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