IG and Windsor Brokers compare on regulatory depth and global access versus platform breadth and asset coverage. The tension centers on cost, reach, and long term investing features.
IG is the editorial winner, with a higher score and broader asset access than Windsor Brokers. Its multi-regulatory coverage and 30 exchanges underpin the advantage.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose IG if…
IG: Choose IG for an ISA wrapper and extended hours, plus integrated research tools and a proprietary platform. You gain access to 30 global exchanges in a single account and can trade across equities, bonds, and more. Windsor Brokers: Choose Windsor Brokers for MT4 and MT5 trading with a long 35-year track record and CySEC regulation, plus FSCA coverage. You trade on MT4/MT5 with competitive pricing, though stock selection is limited versus dedicated equity brokers.
Choose if…
IG: Choose IG for an ISA wrapper and extended hours, plus integrated research tools and a proprietary platform. You gain access to 30 global exchanges in a single account and can trade across equities, bonds, and more. Windsor Brokers: Choose Windsor Brokers for MT4 and MT5 trading with a long 35-year track record and CySEC regulation, plus FSCA coverage. You trade on MT4/MT5 with competitive pricing, though stock selection is limited versus dedicated equity brokers.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
IG has broader, top-tier regulation across many authorities, including FCA; Windsor remains CySEC/FSCA.
| Editorial score | 4.5/ 5 | 3.4/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $100 |
| Spreads from | 0.6 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $8/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | IG | Windsor Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Pass | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
IG is the stronger choice: it rates 4.5/5 versus 3.4/5 for Windsor Brokers, a gap that reflects clear differences across regulation, fees, and platform quality in our review.
Windsor Brokers 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 Windsor Brokers requires at least $100. This makes IG more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both IG and Windsor Brokers 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.
IG lists maximum leverage of 1:1, while Windsor Brokers 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.
Windsor Brokers charges $8 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.
IG supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while Windsor Brokers supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. IG has exclusive access to ProRealTime and Proprietary Web/Mobile and TradingView. Windsor Brokers has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5.
Neither IG nor Windsor Brokers 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 IG and Windsor Brokers 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 provides 13,000+ shares, listed options, ProRealTime charts, and integrated research, favoring active traders.
IG min deposit $0 and ISA option supports starter investors, while Windsor's $100 minimum is higher.
IG offers 30 exchanges globally; Windsor provides access to only 5.
Windsor Brokers offers more competitive pricing with prime accounts, while IG carries a higher share dealing commission.
IG offers Stocks & Shares ISA with no annual platform fee, benefiting long-term investors.
| N/A |
| 0.8 pips |
| Inactivity fee | £12/month (after 24 months) | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferDebit cardPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | Yes | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA ASIC DFSA FMA CMVM BaFin Finanstilsynet Finanstilsynet Finansinspektionen CBI NFA KNF | CySEC FSCA |
|---|
| Platforms | ProRealTime Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.4 / 5
Personalised recommendation
Answer 6 quick questions and we’ll match you with the brokers that best fit your trading style, experience level, and country.
Find my broker