Two regulated brokers face off on access to global stocks, platform reach, and investor protections. The tension centers on regulation strength vs exchange footprint.
IG leads overall on editorial score over Exness, due to stronger trust/regulation and broader market access.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
IG wins safety and regulation due to broader, multi-jurisdiction oversight and stronger major regulators.
| Editorial score | 3.6/ 5 | 4.5/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $1 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0.3 pips▼ lower | 0.6 pips |
| Commission / lot | $3.5/lot | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Exness | 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 | 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 | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
IG rates 4.5/5 versus 3.6/5 for Exness. IG edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Exness lists tighter spreads from 0.3, 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 Exness requires at least $1. This makes IG more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Exness 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.
Exness 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.
Exness charges $3.5 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.
Exness supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while IG supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. Exness has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5. IG has exclusive access to ProRealTime and Proprietary Web/Mobile and TradingView.
Neither Exness 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.
Both Exness 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.
IG wins for active traders with ProRealTime charts and extensive research tools.
Exness wins for low-cost entry with a $1 minimum deposit and no disclosed per-trade commissions.
IG wins long-term investing with a Stocks & Shares ISA option for tax-advantaged accounts.
| 0.65 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | £12/month (after 24 months) |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPerfect MoneyCryptoP2P | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerPerfect MoneyCrypto | 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 | FCA FSCA OJK CySEC | FCA ASIC DFSA FMA CMVM BaFin Finanstilsynet Finanstilsynet Finansinspektionen CBI NFA KNF |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 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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