Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG vs ATFX, 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.
IG and ATFX are two well-known online brokers, but they differ significantly in terms of their establishment and regulatory standing. Founded in 1974, IG has a long history and is publicly traded on the stock exchange, providing an added layer of transparency. It operates as a bank and holds an impressive eight Tier-1 licenses. This, combined with its top-tier Trust Score of 99 out of 99 by ForexBrokers.com, means IG is considered highly trusted, offering users a sense of security.
In contrast, ATFX, established in 2017, is not publicly traded and does not operate as a bank. It holds four Tier-1 licenses, which are still considered strong, along with two Tier-2 licenses. While ATFX doesn't reach the same trust level as IG, with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 85, it is still regarded as a trusted choice for users. Both brokers present appealing features, but potential users may prefer IG for its longer history and higher trust score.
| Feature |
IG
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2017 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When it comes to commissions and fees, IG stands out with its comprehensive approach to providing scalable execution options. While it isn’t known for being a discount broker, IG offers competitive pricing for active traders, particularly through its Forex Direct account. In July 2023, the spreads on IG's Forex Direct account averaged 0.62 pips, with a total cost of 0.82 pips when including commissions. The broker maintains an average spread of 0.69 pips during peak trading hours for its CFD accounts. For professional traders, IG offers active trader rebates, which can lower spreads significantly based on trading volume. This flexibility and competitive pricing help IG earn a 5-star rating for commissions and fees and a ranking of #8 among 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com.
On the other hand, ATFX, while a reliable option for some, doesn't provide extensive details on average spreads, which could suggest higher variability in costs. In comparison to IG, ATFX holds a lower 3-star rating and ranks #60 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, indicating there might be less price competitiveness. The lack of detailed fee transparency makes it challenging to gauge the direct costs for traders, especially those engaging in high-frequency or high-volume trading.
In summary, if you prioritize competitive pricing and a detailed fee structure, IG seems clearly ahead with better services for active traders and professional rebate options. In contrast, while ATFX has its strengths, it does not match IG's offering when it comes to clarity and competitiveness in commissions and fees.
| Feature |
IG
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $500 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| 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 range of investments between IG and ATFX, IG stands out with a significantly wider selection. IG offers more than 19,500 tradeable symbols, including 97 forex pairs, and provides access to exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges. This means IG clients can directly purchase shares like Apple and Vodafone. Additionally, IG offers both CFD and spot contracts for forex trading and allows users to buy actual delivered cryptocurrencies, along with cryptocurrency derivatives.
ATFX, while still offering a solid platform, presents a narrower selection with 150 tradeable symbols and 44 forex pairs. Unlike IG, ATFX does not provide access to exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges, nor does it allow for the direct purchase of cryptocurrencies. Instead, ATFX focuses on offering CFDs for forex and cryptocurrency derivatives and features copy trading functionality, which may appeal to some investors. Overall, IG is rated higher with five stars for range of investments, securing a #4 ranking by ForexBrokers.com, while ATFX holds a 3.5-star rating and is ranked #57.
| Feature |
IG
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 150 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 44 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| 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 ATFX both provide traders with the chance to practice with simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts, enabling users to familiarize themselves with the platforms without financial risk. IG stands out with its proprietary trading platform, tailored in-house to meet user needs, whereas ATFX relies on third-party options. Both brokers offer platforms for Windows and web-based trading, giving traders flexibility in how they access the markets.
When comparing their additional offerings, IG does not provide copy trading, while ATFX does, adding more choice for users interested in this feature. Both brokers support MetaTrader 4 (MT4), yet, only ATFX extends its platform repertoire to MetaTrader 5 (MT5). IG distinguishes itself with 20 drawing tools for charting compared to ATFX's 15, though ATFX slightly exceeds in watchlist customization with seven fields versus IG's five. Despite these differences, IG is highly rated for trading platforms and tools, receiving five stars and securing the #2 rank in a comparison of 63 brokers, whereas ATFX garners a 3.5-star rating, placing it at #62 in the same category.
| Feature |
IG
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| 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 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
IG and ATFX both offer convenient mobile apps for iPhone and Android devices, allowing users to keep up with stock and forex trading on the go. Both platforms provide crucial features like price alerts and the ability to draw trendlines on charts. Moreover, IG and ATFX mobile apps support multiple time frames such as daily and weekly views, as well as real-time quote updates within customizable watchlists. However, a key difference lies in IG's superior charting features, which include 33 technical studies compared to ATFX's 7. IG's app also boasts watchlist syncing, meaning your custom watchlist seamlessly updates between your smartphone and your online account—something ATFX's app does not offer.
When evaluating user ratings, IG's mobile trading app stands out with a perfect 5-star rating, while ATFX has a rating of 3.5 stars. This disparity is also reflected in rankings by ForexBrokers.com, where IG holds the prestigious #1 spot out of 63 brokers for mobile trading apps. In contrast, ATFX is ranked at #63. If seamless integration between devices, extensive chart features, and top-rated user experience are your priorities, IG's mobile app may be the better choice over ATFX's offering.
| Feature |
IG
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 7 |
| 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 it comes to daily market commentary, both IG and ATFX provide valuable insights to traders. However, the two diverge significantly in terms of the breadth and quality of their market news and research tools. IG offers forex news sourced from top-tier providers like Bloomberg and Reuters, which is not something ATFX provides. Both brokers utilize tools from Autochartist for enhanced technical or fundamental research, but only ATFX complements this with resources from Trading Central for technical analysis.
IG stands out with its comprehensive sentiment-based trading tools and offers additional insights through partnerships with TipRanks and Acuity Trading, services that ATFX does not provide. Both brokers support your trading with an economic calendar, yet IG's research strength is evident in its high ratings. According to ForexBrokers.com, IG proudly holds the #2 spot among 63 brokers, boasting a perfect 5-star rating for research. On the other hand, ATFX, with a 3-star rating, is ranked at #54. This makes IG a more attractive option for traders looking for detailed and varied market research.
| Feature |
IG
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing IG and ATFX for beginner-friendly educational resources, both brokers provide a strong foundation with a variety of materials like articles, videos, and archived webinars focused on forex and CFDs. IG stands out with its extensive educational offerings, including monthly online client webinars and a comprehensive library of recorded sessions, making it a compelling choice for those eager to learn through live and dynamic content. ATFX, on the other hand, lacks the ongoing live webinar component but does offer archived webinars for revisiting key topics. Both platforms provide ample beginner educational videos, ensuring newcomers have access to important trading concepts.
IG continues to excel by offering a broader range of advanced educational videos for seasoned traders, which ATFX does not match. Additionally, each platform supports learning with an investor dictionary that defines more than 50 investing terms. In a thorough evaluation of educational resources by ForexBrokers.com, IG emerges as the top-ranked provider and achieves a perfect five-star rating, while ATFX receives a three-star rating and ranks #28 out of 63 brokers. Ultimately, IG's wider selection of live and advanced content gives it the edge for education-focused investors eager to deepen their trading knowledge.
| Feature |
IG
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| 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 ATFX. IG finished with an overall rank of #1, while ATFX finished with an overall rank of #51.
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
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 99 | 85 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
IG allows users to purchase actual cryptocurrency in addition to offering cryptocurrency derivatives, while ATFX exclusively provides access to cryptocurrency derivatives without the option to buy the actual cryptocurrency.
In comparing online brokers IG and ATFX, IG stands out by offering ACH, SEPA, and PayPal as deposit and withdrawal options, in addition to supporting Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires; whereas, ATFX accommodates Skrill along with Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, but does not support ACH, SEPA, or PayPal.
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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | IG | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| Regulation | IG | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2017 | |
| 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 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IG | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| 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 | No |
| Investments | IG | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 150 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 44 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IG | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $500 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | IG | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IG | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 7 | |
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IG | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | IG | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Overall | IG | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill