Admiralsvs
IGStock Broker Comparison
Admirals and IG clash over regulation, platform breadth, and market access. The outcome hinges on cost versus global reach.
Our Verdict
IG winsby 0.5 pts
IG edges Admirals on editorial score, underpinned by higher Trust & Regulation and Platforms & Tools ratings.
No commercial relationship. The verdict and scores are entirely editorial. No payment influences this comparison.
Key Differences
- 1Admirals offers zero-commission Invest.MT5 real shares.
- 2IG offers a Stocks & Shares ISA with no annual platform fee.
- 3IG provides 13,000+ shares across 30+ exchanges.
Who should choose Admirals vs IG?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Best for low cost trading
Recommended
Admirals wins for low cost trading with zero-commission Invest.MT5 real shares.
Best for safety & regulation
It’s a tie
Both equally suited
Admirals vs IG: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.0/ 5 | 4.5/ 5 |
| Min deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Spreads from | 0.5 pips▼ lower | 0.6 pips |
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | N/A |
Admirals vs IG Stock Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
- Real share ownership via Invest.MT5 at zero commission alongside leveraged share CFDs
- 4,500+ stocks and ETFs across MT4 and MT5 with MetaTrader Supreme Edition
- FCA, CySEC, and ASIC regulated, strong multi-jurisdictional profile
- No minimum deposit on standard accounts; FSCS protection for UK clients
Cons
- Invest.MT5 (real shares) and CFD account are separate products, no unified view
Admirals vs IG: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
2
Admirals
criteria wins
2
IG
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | Admirals | 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) | Pass | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Pass | 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 | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
Admirals vs IG: Frequently Asked Questions
IG rates 4.5/5 versus 4/5 for Admirals. IG edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Admirals lists tighter spreads from 0.5, 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.
Neither Admirals nor IG requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both Admirals 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, both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
Admirals lists maximum leverage of 20:1, 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.
Admirals charges $6 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.
Admirals supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while IG supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. Admirals has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5. IG has exclusive access to ProRealTime and Proprietary Web/Mobile and TradingView.
Admirals offers commission-free stock trading while IG does not according to our data. Commission-free trading can reduce costs for frequent traders. Always confirm the current fee structure directly on each broker's website.
Both Admirals and IG are covered by a compensation scheme according to our data, providing an additional safety net for your stock investments. Confirm the specific scheme and coverage limit that applies to your account before depositing.
