IG vs Interactive Brokers
Side-by-side broker intelligence across regulation, spreads, fees, platforms, and overall model score. Category winners use transparent heuristics and should be treated as editorial guidance, not investment advice.
4.7
4.5
10 pts
Head to head
Winners by category
Full comparison table
Rating
IG
4.7
Interactive Brokers
4.5
Model score
IG
90
Interactive Brokers
80
Regulation
IG
FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), CFTC/NFA (USA), MAS (Singapore), FINMA (Switzerland), JFSA (Japan), DFSA (Dubai), FMA (New Zealand)
Interactive Brokers
Highly trusted and authorized by eight Tier-1 regulators. Key regulatory bodies include the SEC and FINRA (USA), FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), IIROC (Canada), MAS (Singapore), and JFSA (Japan).
Spreads
IG
Spreads start from 0.6 pips on EUR/USD for standard accounts, and down to 0.1 pips via Forex Direct (DMA). High-speed execution with smart order routing.
Interactive Brokers
Instead of marking up spreads, IBKR aggregates liquidity from top global banks to provide raw, interbank spreads. Orders are executed using IBKR's SmartRouting technology to ensure the best available prices.
Fees
IG
Forex & Indices CFD pricing is spread-only with standard EUR/USD spreads averaging around 0.6 – 0.8 pips. Share CFDs incur low regional commissions (e.g., US shares at $0.02/share). No deposit or withdrawal fees.
Interactive Brokers
Excellent transparent pricing structure. There are no monthly inactivity fees or account maintenance fees. Forex trading uses a commission-based model starting at 0.20 basis points (0.002%) of trade value, with a typical minimum of $2.00 per order ($4.00 round turn).
Platforms
IG
IG Web Platform, IG Mobile App, MetaTrader 4 (MT4), TradingView, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer (DMA)
Interactive Brokers
ncludes the advanced Trader Workstation (TWS) desktop platform, the streamlined IBKR Desktop, IBKR Mobile, and the beginner-friendly IBKR GlobalTrader app. It also supports TradingView for advanced charting.
Account types
IG
CFD Account, Spread Betting (UK), Share Dealing, Options & Barriers, Professional Account, Demo
Interactive Brokers
Offers Individual, Joint, Trust, IRA, and various Institutional/Corporate accounts. Pricing is broadly split into IBKR Lite (commission-free for U.S. equities) and IBKR Pro (designed for active traders with advanced order routing).
Min deposit
IG
$0 / £1 (bank transfer/card) Varies by region
Interactive Brokers
$0 for standard individual cash or retirement accounts. (Note: Accessing margin trading requires a minimum net liquidating value of $2,000, and institutional/advisor accounts require $10,000).
| Topic | IG | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.7 | 4.5 |
| Model score | 90 | 80 |
| Regulation | FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), CFTC/NFA (USA), MAS (Singapore), FINMA (Switzerland), JFSA (Japan), DFSA (Dubai), FMA (New Zealand) | Highly trusted and authorized by eight Tier-1 regulators. Key regulatory bodies include the SEC and FINRA (USA), FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), IIROC (Canada), MAS (Singapore), and JFSA (Japan). |
| Spreads | Spreads start from 0.6 pips on EUR/USD for standard accounts, and down to 0.1 pips via Forex Direct (DMA). High-speed execution with smart order routing. | Instead of marking up spreads, IBKR aggregates liquidity from top global banks to provide raw, interbank spreads. Orders are executed using IBKR's SmartRouting technology to ensure the best available prices. |
| Fees | Forex & Indices CFD pricing is spread-only with standard EUR/USD spreads averaging around 0.6 – 0.8 pips. Share CFDs incur low regional commissions (e.g., US shares at $0.02/share). No deposit or withdrawal fees. | Excellent transparent pricing structure. There are no monthly inactivity fees or account maintenance fees. Forex trading uses a commission-based model starting at 0.20 basis points (0.002%) of trade value, with a typical minimum of $2.00 per order ($4.00 round turn). |
| Platforms | IG Web Platform, IG Mobile App, MetaTrader 4 (MT4), TradingView, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer (DMA) | ncludes the advanced Trader Workstation (TWS) desktop platform, the streamlined IBKR Desktop, IBKR Mobile, and the beginner-friendly IBKR GlobalTrader app. It also supports TradingView for advanced charting. |
| Account types | CFD Account, Spread Betting (UK), Share Dealing, Options & Barriers, Professional Account, Demo | Offers Individual, Joint, Trust, IRA, and various Institutional/Corporate accounts. Pricing is broadly split into IBKR Lite (commission-free for U.S. equities) and IBKR Pro (designed for active traders with advanced order routing). |
| Min deposit | $0 / £1 (bank transfer/card) Varies by region | $0 for standard individual cash or retirement accounts. (Note: Accessing margin trading requires a minimum net liquidating value of $2,000, and institutional/advisor accounts require $10,000). |