Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG vs Admirals, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Founded in 1974, IG has established itself as a leader in the online brokerage industry. It is publicly traded and operates as a bank, offering a strong sense of security and reliability. With a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99 out of 99, IG is highly trusted among investors. The company holds eight Tier-1 licenses, ensuring top-tier regulatory compliance. Additionally, IG holds two Tier-2 licenses, further reinforcing its trusted standing in the financial market.
Admirals commenced operations in 2001 and, unlike IG, is not publicly traded nor operates as a bank. However, it maintains a commendable reputation with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 93, indicating high trust levels. Admirals holds four Tier-1 licenses, demonstrating strong regulatory oversight, and enhances its trust credentials with three Tier-2 licenses. While not matching IG's extensive licensing, Admirals still presents itself as a reliable choice for investors who favor a well-regulated environment.
| Feature |
IG
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2001 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
IG stands out for its competitive active trader pricing and ability to handle large orders, making it a top choice for experienced traders. The broker provides various execution methods, including its Forex Direct accounts, which offer average spreads of 0.62 on the EUR/USD in July 2023, with an all-in cost of 0.82 pips when factoring in commissions. For CFD accounts, typical spreads were 0.69 pips during main trading hours, slightly better than the industry average. IG offers enticing rebates for active traders, with potential discounts of up to 20% on spreads for those trading large volumes. It requires a minimum of £1,000 for a DMA account, utilizing a tiered pricing scale that potentially lowers commission rates for high-volume traders.
Admirals also impresses with its competitive pricing structure, featuring typical spreads of 0.8 on its Trade account, aligning closely with its Zero account type. This makes Admirals a solid choice for both new and experienced traders who seek straightforward and transparent cost structures. While IG is rated higher for commissions and fees at 5 stars, Admirals still holds a respectable rating of 4.5 stars. These ratings reflect how each broker suits different trader needs based on their trading volumes and account preferences.
When considering rankings, IG is placed at #8 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com in the Commissions and Fees category, whereas Admirals ranks at #17. For traders prioritizing cost efficiency, IG's high rating, combined with its flexibility and tiered pricing, positions it as a leading choice. In contrast, Admirals offers a compelling alternative with competitive spreads and a straightforward fee structure, ensuring cost-effectiveness for various trading styles.
| Feature |
IG
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | 0.8 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 0.8 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing the investment offerings of IG and Admirals, both brokers provide a wide array of opportunities, including forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts. IG stands out with an impressive 19,537 tradeable symbols, substantially outnumbering Admirals, which offers 8,702. In terms of forex pairs, IG again leads with 97 available pairs compared to Admirals' 82. For those interested in exchange-traded securities, both platforms allow clients to buy shares on U.S. and international exchanges, including big names like Apple and Vodafone. However, when it comes to copy trading, Admirals has the edge, being the only one of the two to offer this feature.
IG also provides an advantage for those looking to invest in cryptocurrencies, offering the ability to purchase actual cryptocurrencies, whereas Admirals limits users to cryptocurrency derivatives. Rated 5 stars and 4.5 stars by industry experts for their range of investments, IG and Admirals are ranked #4 and #19, respectively, out of 63 brokers. This places IG slightly ahead in terms of diversity and number of investment options. Whether you prioritize an extensive range of tradeable symbols or specific features like copy trading, both brokers present robust platforms with unique strengths aligned to different investor needs.
| Feature |
IG
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 8702 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 82 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
IG and Admirals both offer comprehensive trading platforms developed in-house and provide free virtual demo accounts for simulation. Their platforms can be accessed through Windows-based desktop downloads and web-based browsers. While both brokers support the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform, only Admirals offers the upgraded MetaTrader 5 (MT5). IG does not provide copy trading, whereas Admirals users can benefit from this feature for enhanced trading opportunities. Unfortunately, neither broker supports DupliTrade or ZuluTrade. For charting, IG provides traders with 20 drawing tools, whereas Admirals offers an extensive selection of 106 drawing tools. Both brokers allow trading directly from stock charts, enhancing their overall functionality.
When it comes to watch lists, IG supplies five columns for users to customize, while Admirals provides seven, offering slightly more flexibility in managing data. Though IG boasts a top-tier five-star rating for trading platforms and tools and is ranked #2 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, Admirals still holds a solid four-star rating with a ranking of #19. Both brokers cater to the diverse needs of traders, but IG's high ranking and extensive features highlight its superior trading platform experience.
| Feature |
IG
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 106 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of IG and Admirals, both offer iPhone and Android apps with essential features such as stock or forex price alerts and the ability to draw trendlines on charts. They also support viewing multiple time frames, such as daily, weekly, or intraday, and both allow auto-saving of chart drawings. Users can create watchlists with real-time quotes on both platforms. However, a distinct advantage of IG's mobile app is its ability to sync watchlist symbols with the user's online account, a feature Admirals lacks.
IG's mobile app outshines Admirals in some key areas, earning a top-notch rating of 5 stars for mobile trading, compared to Admirals' 4 stars. IG offers 33 technical studies for charting, surpassing Admirals' 30. Consistent with these superior offerings, IG is ranked #1 by ForexBrokers.com for the Mobile Trading Apps category out of 63 brokers, while Admirals holds the 23rd spot. This comprehensive comparison highlights IG's strong performance and feature set, making it a leader in the field of mobile trading apps.
| Feature |
IG
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing the market research offerings of online brokers IG and Admirals, both provide daily market commentary and deliver forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters, keeping traders up to date with the latest developments. Additional research tools play a crucial role in setting them apart. IG excels by providing technical analysis and fundamental research tools from Autochartist, while Admirals shines with offerings from Trading Central. Both brokers equip traders with sentiment-based trading tools and extensive economic calendars featuring global news events.
IG and Admirals both offer insights from TipRanks and Acuity Trading, making their research resources comprehensive. However, IG stands out with a research rating of 5 stars and a rank of second place among 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com for research, compared to Admirals' 4-star rating and 15th place rank. This distinction highlights IG's superior research resources for traders seeking detailed market analysis and tools.
| Feature |
IG
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | Yes |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Comparing the educational offerings for beginners between IG and Admirals reveals both online brokers are committed to providing valuable learning resources. Both IG and Admirals offer more than ten educational pieces focused on forex and CFDs, including articles, videos, and archived webinars. They also host client webinars monthly and maintain a searchable archive for easy access to past sessions. Furthermore, each broker provides beginner-friendly videos explaining trading topics, alongside a wealth of advanced educational content for more experienced investors. Enhancing their educational resources further, both IG and Admirals have an investor dictionary that covers over 50 investing terms, ensuring traders have all the tools needed to make informed decisions.
Despite offering similar types of educational content, IG stands out with a five-star rating for education, according to ForexBrokers.com, while Admirals is rated with four stars. In a comparison of 63 brokers, IG holds the top spot in the education category, whereas Admirals ranks at number 12. This distinction highlights IG as a particularly strong choice for beginner traders seeking top-tier educational support. Both brokers are formidable options, but these ratings might sway the decision for learners who prioritize education in their trading journey.
| Feature |
IG
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that IG is better than Admirals. IG finished with an overall rank of #1, while Admirals finished with an overall rank of #18.
IG offers the ultimate comprehensive trading package, featuring excellent trading and research tools, industry-leading education, and an extensive range of tradeable markets.
| Feature |
IG
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 |
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When comparing online brokers IG and Admirals, IG allows users to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency and cryptocurrency derivatives, while Admirals only offers the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, not the actual underlying cryptocurrencies.
Both IG and Admirals provide ACH and SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire options for depositing and withdrawing funds, but only Admirals offers Skrill for these transactions.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | IG | Admirals | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | Admirals Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | Admirals | |
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| Regulation | IG | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2001 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IG | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | IG | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | Yes |
| Investments | IG | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 8702 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 82 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | IG | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | 0.8 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 0.8 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IG | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | IG | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | IG | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 106 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IG | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | IG | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IG | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | IG | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | IG Review | Admirals Review |
| Overall | IG | Admirals | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | Admirals Review |
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