Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG vs AvaTrade, 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 stands out as a highly trusted online broker with a top-tier Trust Score of 99 from ForexBrokers.com. This UK-based broker is publicly traded and operates as a bank, which bolsters its credibility. IG holds an impressive eight Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses, demonstrating its solid regulatory framework and commitment to safeguarding client interests. These licenses are key indicators of IG's reliability, providing clients with confidence in their services.
In comparison, AvaTrade, established in 2006, also shines as a trusted broker with a commendable Trust Score of 94. Although not publicly traded or functioning as a bank, AvaTrade maintains a strong regulatory standing with four Tier-1 licenses and three Tier-2 licenses. These licenses highlight AvaTrade's dedication to trust and transparency. Overall, while both brokers are well-regulated and respected, IG holds a slight edge in terms of regulatory trust and public accountability.
| Feature |
IG
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When evaluating the commissions and fees of online brokers IG and AvaTrade, both firms offer competitive structures, though there are distinct differences tailored to various trader profiles. IG excels in providing scalable execution across various trading products, earning a 5-star rating and ranked 8th out of 63 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category by ForexBrokers.com. This broker offers Forex Direct accounts with spreads that average 0.62 pips during active months, and a total cost of 0.82 pips when including a per trade commission. CFD account spreads average 0.98 pips globally in July 2023, with active trader rebates offering up to 20% off for high-volume professionals. Additionally, IG’s DMA account caters to savvy traders with commission-based pricing and requires a lower minimum deposit of £1,000.
AvaTrade presents slightly higher spreads compared to IG, with its rates just under one pip as of June 2024, closely aligning with industry standards. AvaTrade earns a commendable 4.5-star rating and is ranked 12th in the Commissions and Fees category, providing an attractive option for professional traders who can benefit from competitive spreads of 0.6 pips on its Professional account. While AvaTrade’s commissions and fees are favorable, they slightly lag behind the offerings available to IG’s active traders who engage more frequently in high-volume trading.
Both IG and AvaTrade accommodate varied trading needs, though IG might appeal more to frequent and high-volume traders with its lower per trade costs and tiered discount programs. On the other hand, AvaTrade offers straightforward pricing that suits traders looking for a balance between competitive spreads and commission structure, particularly those eligible for its Professional account. Considering your trading volume and professional status can aid in selecting between these two premium online brokers.
| Feature |
IG
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | 0.93 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 0.61 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| 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 IG and AvaTrade for their range of available investments, IG offers a significantly broader selection with 19,537 tradeable symbols, including 97 forex pairs. In contrast, AvaTrade provides 1,260 tradeable symbols, featuring 53 forex pairs. IG stands out by allowing clients to buy exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, such as Apple and Vodafone shares, while AvaTrade does not offer this option. Additionally, IG provides the opportunity to buy actual cryptocurrencies, whereas AvaTrade offers only cryptocurrency derivatives. For those interested in forex trading via CFDs or spot contracts, both platforms accommodate these options.
AvaTrade, however, includes a feature IG does not—copy trading—which might appeal to those who wish to mirror the trades of more experienced investors. Despite this, IG's more diverse range of investments earns it a 5-star rating for range of investments, ranking fourth among 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, AvaTrade holds a 4-star rating, coming in at 32nd place. IG's extensive variety of tradeable options and ability to purchase actual cryptocurrencies cater to investors who value a wide-reaching market approach, while AvaTrade could be suitable for traders who prioritize the ability to replicate successful trading strategies.
| Feature |
IG
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 1260 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 53 |
| 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 AvaTrade both offer a comprehensive range of trading platforms and tools that cater to both beginners and experienced traders. IG impressively stands out with its in-house developed platform, providing a streamlined trading experience via both desktop and web-based applications. It includes a free virtual demo account, facilitating newcomers to practice without financial risk. IG also supports the widely-used MetaTrader 4 but lacks MetaTrader 5 support, which some traders may find limiting. Despite this, IG provides robust charting with 20 drawing tools and seamless trade execution directly from stock charts. Its watch list can be customized with up to 5 columns. IG has earned a stellar 5-star rating and ranks second among 63 brokers for its platforms and tools.
On the other hand, AvaTrade offers a slightly different flavor with its proprietary platform, available as a desktop application and a web-based service. AvaTrade supports both MetaTrader 4 and the newer MetaTrader 5, catering to a wider range of trading preferences and strategies. In addition, AvaTrade offers copy trading features through platforms like DupliTrade and ZuluTrade, appealing to those looking to leverage the insights of experienced traders. While AvaTrade's charting capabilities feature 13 drawing tools, slightly less than IG, it compensates with more customizable watch list fields, allowing 7 columns. AvaTrade has received a commendable 4.5-star rating and holds the 13th spot among 63 brokers in the platforms and tools category. Both brokers offer virtual demo accounts, reinforcing their commitment to providing accessible trading solutions.
| Feature |
IG
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 80 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 13 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When it comes to mobile trading, both IG and AvaTrade offer comprehensive apps for iPhone and Android users. These apps allow traders to receive stock or forex price alerts and sync watchlists across devices and the online account. Both apps enable users to draw trendlines and check different time frames on charts, ensuring traders can conduct thorough analyses. Additionally, real-time quotes ensure that watchlists are always up to date. While IG and AvaTrade both get high marks for these features, IG stands out by automatically saving drawings, which can save users time and ensure no loss of information.
In terms of charting capabilities, IG provides 33 technical studies, while AvaTrade offers a wider range with 73 studies, giving users more tools for technical analysis. Despite this, IG's overall app experience is rated higher by users, earning a perfect five-star rating compared to AvaTrade's still impressive 4.5 stars. ForexBrokers.com ranks IG as the top mobile trading app out of 63 brokers, while AvaTrade holds a respectable 13th place. This distinction highlights IG's superior user experience, making it a preferred choice for traders focusing on mobile trading efficiency and reliability.
| Feature |
IG
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 73 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When it comes to market research tools and services, IG offers a comprehensive suite. IG provides daily market commentary and access to forex news from prestigious sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. Users benefit from technical analysis and fundamental research tools through Autochartist, along with sentiment-based trading tools that highlight long and short positions. IG’s offerings extend to market research from TipRanks and tools from Acuity Trading, such as Signal Centre. They also feature an economic calendar presenting global economic events. Due to this rich array of resources, IG scores a top-tier 5-star rating and is ranked 2nd out of 63 brokers for research by ForexBrokers.com.
AvaTrade, on the other hand, presents a solid offering but with some limitations compared to IG. While AvaTrade does not provide daily market commentary, it does offer forex news from top-tier sources and access to Trading Central's technical analysis tools. AvaTrade also supplies sentiment-based trading tools and includes an economic calendar for tracking global news events. However, the absence of resources from Autochartist, TipRanks, and Acuity Trading slightly impacts its research service lineup. As a result, AvaTrade holds a commendable 4-star rating in research and is ranked 34th among 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
IG
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
IG and AvaTrade both offer a wealth of educational resources for beginners interested in forex and CFDs. Each platform provides more than 10 educational materials such as articles, videos, and webinars. They both host monthly online webinars to help clients grasp trading concepts, and these sessions are archived for later access. Beginners can benefit from each broker's library of videos tailored to those just beginning their trading journey, and more experienced traders will find advanced content as well. Additionally, both IG and AvaTrade provide comprehensive investor dictionaries with over 50 key investing terms defined.
When it comes to educational quality, IG leads the way with a 5-star rating, making it the top-ranked broker for education by ForexBrokers.com out of 63 brokers. AvaTrade, with a commendable 4-star rating, holds the second position. Both platforms deliver strong educational support, but IG stands out slightly more in terms of recognition and ranking, offering perhaps a more comprehensive educational experience for users new to trading.
| Feature |
IG
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 AvaTrade. IG finished with an overall rank of #1, while AvaTrade finished with an overall rank of #13.
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
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AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 94 |
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IG allows users to buy both actual delivered cryptocurrency and cryptocurrency derivatives, while AvaTrade enables the purchase of cryptocurrency derivatives but not the actual cryptocurrency itself.
IG and AvaTrade both support PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires for account transactions, but differ in that IG allows ACH and SEPA transfers while AvaTrade supports Skrill instead.
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 | AvaTrade | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 94 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | AvaTrade Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | AvaTrade | |
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| Regulation | IG | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 94 | |
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2006 | |
| 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 | 1 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IG | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | IG | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 1260 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 53 | |
| 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 | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | 0.93 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 0.61 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IG | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Trading Platforms | IG | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | IG | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 80 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 13 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IG | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 73 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | IG | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IG | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | AvaTrade Review |
| Overall | IG | AvaTrade | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 94 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | AvaTrade Review |
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