Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG vs Axi, 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 was established in 1974 and has since built a strong reputation as a reliable online broker. It is a publicly traded company and also operates as a bank. IG is well-regulated, holding an impressive eight Tier-1 licenses, which are highly trusted, and two Tier-2 licenses, which are also trusted. IG has received a top-tier Trust Score of 99 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, reflecting its status as a highly trusted broker.
Axi, founded in 2007, is a privately-held company that does not function as a bank. It holds two Tier-1 licenses, establishing it as a dependable entity, alongside one Tier-2 license. Axi has been assigned a Trust Score of 82 out of 99 by ForexBrokers.com, classifying it within the trusted range. While both IG and Axi maintain solid regulatory profiles, IG's extensive regulatory credentials and bank status set it apart.
| Feature |
IG
|
Axi
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2007 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of online brokers IG and Axi, IG demonstrates a strong offering with dynamic pricing suited for active traders through its Forex Direct accounts. Although not a discount broker, IG's size enables it to provide scalable execution options across multiple products. The broker stands out with pricing for active traders, featuring average spreads of 0.62 pips in July 2023 and an all-in cost of 0.82 pips for the Forex Direct account, factoring in a 0.2 pip commission. IG's varied offerings also include CFD accounts, where average spreads during main trading sessions were 0.69 pips, slightly better than the industry average. Additionally, IG's active trader rebate program offers spread discounts up to 20% for high-volume traders. IG's commission-based DMA account caters to experienced traders looking for further discounts, with average spreads of 0.62 pips and tiered commission rates based on monthly trading volumes.
On the other hand, Axi provides a more straightforward yet less detailed cost structure, without publicly available average spread data. While its offerings may suit a different type of trader, Axi's lack of detailed pricing transparency may be a consideration for those who actively pursue competitive spreads and trading conditions. Nevertheless, Axi maintains a respectable standing with a rating of 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees. However, it is ranked lower than IG, positioning at #44 out of 63 brokers, as per ForexBrokers.com.
IG, with its diverse account options and favorable pricing structures, garners a 5-star rating and ranks impressively at #8 among 63 brokers in the same category. The broker's structured approach to rebates and varied execution methods makes it appealing to both high-volume traders and those seeking competitive costs on larger order executions. Its combination of Forex Direct and CFD accounts, complemented by a robust rebate program, truly underscores its edge in commissions and fees when compared to Axi.
| Feature |
IG
|
Axi
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $0 |
| 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 | Yes |
| 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.
IG vs Axi: when it comes to the range of investments, IG offers far more choice. IG lists 19,537 tradeable symbols and 97 forex pairs, while Axi provides 175 symbols and 65 forex pairs. Both brokers support forex trading via CFDs or spot contracts. IG also lets clients buy exchange-traded shares on U.S. and international exchanges, something Axi does not offer. For crypto, IG supports both real (delivered) cryptocurrencies and crypto derivatives; Axi offers crypto derivatives only. One notable difference the other way: Axi supports copy trading, whereas IG does not.
These gaps show up in independent ratings: IG earns 5 stars and ranks 4th out of 63 brokers for Range of Investments, while Axi earns 3.5 stars and ranks 57th. If you want the widest selection across markets—including stocks and crypto—IG is the stronger pick. If copy trading is a priority and your focus is mainly forex and CFDs, Axi can be a fit.
| Feature |
IG
|
Axi
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 175 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 65 |
| 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.
Both IG and Axi make it easy to get started with a free demo account for paper trading. Each broker provides a web platform and a Windows desktop platform, and both support MetaTrader 4 (MT4). IG also offers its own in-house platform, while Axi relies on third-party options and does not have a proprietary platform. Neither broker supports MetaTrader 5 (MT5) or DupliTrade. For social features, Axi offers copy trading and integrates ZuluTrade; IG does not provide copy trading and does not support ZuluTrade.
When it comes to tools, both brokers let you place trades directly from charts. IG supplies 20 drawing tools versus 15 at Axi, while Axi’s watchlists can display up to 7 fields compared with 5 at IG. In independent testing, IG earns 5 stars for Trading Platforms & Tools and ranks #2 out of 63 brokers, whereas Axi scores 3.5 stars and ranks #64 in the same category. Choose IG if you want an in-house platform and stronger overall toolset; pick Axi if copy trading and ZuluTrade access are higher on your list.
| Feature |
IG
|
Axi
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| 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 vs Axi mobile trading apps: both offer iPhone and Android apps, price alerts, real-time watchlists, and charting tools like trendlines and multiple time frames. IG includes 33 technical studies versus Axi’s 30. A key difference is convenience—IG syncs watchlists with your online account and auto-saves chart drawings, so your setup carries across devices. Axi does not sync watchlists and does not auto-save drawings, which can mean extra steps when switching devices or reopening charts.
Ratings reflect this gap: IG earns 5 stars and ranks #1 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps at ForexBrokers.com, while Axi scores 3.5 stars and ranks #60. If you want a smooth mobile workflow with strong cross-device continuity, IG is the better pick. If you only need core charting and alerts on iPhone or Android, Axi covers the basics.
| Feature |
IG
|
Axi
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
IG vs Axi for market research: IG clearly leads for everyday insights, offering daily market commentary while Axi does not. Both brokers stream forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, include Autochartist tools for technical ideas, do not offer Trading Central, and provide sentiment tools that show long vs. short positioning. Each also delivers an economic calendar to track upcoming events.
IG goes further with added partner research, including TipRanks and tools from Acuity Trading (Signal Centre). Axi’s lineup does not specify TipRanks or Acuity integrations. In independent testing by ForexBrokers.com, IG earns 5/5 stars and ranks #2 of 63 for Research, while Axi scores 3/5 stars and ranks #56. If you want daily commentary and broader third‑party insights, IG is the stronger pick; if you only need news, a calendar, and Autochartist, Axi covers the basics.
| Feature |
IG
|
Axi
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners seeking to enhance their trading knowledge, both IG and Axi make solid educational offerings. IG stands out with a comprehensive suite of resources, including forex and CFDs educational materials, a monthly schedule of online webinars, and a searchable archive of past webinars. Beginner traders will appreciate IG's selection of over 10 educational videos tailored specifically for newcomers, along with a range of advanced videos for more seasoned traders. In addition, IG offers an expansive investor dictionary featuring over 50 key terms, which contributes to its top-rated education rating of 5 stars and number one ranking by ForexBrokers.com out of 63 brokers.
Axi also caters to beginners by offering over 10 educational pieces dedicated to forex and CFDs, and conducts monthly online webinars to aid client learning. While Axi provides more than 10 beginner educational videos, it falls short in advanced trading videos and does not have a searchable archive of recorded webinars, which might limit its appeal to those looking to deepen their knowledge beyond the basics. Axi does, however, offer an investor dictionary similar to IG's. Given these offerings, Axi receives a 3-star rating for its educational resources and is ranked 27th in the Education category by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
IG
|
Axi
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| 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 Axi. IG finished with an overall rank of #1, while Axi finished with an overall rank of #49.
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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Axi
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 82 |
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IG allows users to buy both actual delivered cryptocurrency and cryptocurrency derivatives, whereas Axi only offers the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing the online brokers IG and Axi, IG offers ACH or SEPA transfers and PayPal for deposits and withdrawals, while Axi does not; however, Axi supports Skrill, which IG does not, and both brokers offer Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire options.
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 | Axi | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 82 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | Axi | |
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| Regulation | IG | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 82 | |
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2007 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IG | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| 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 | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | IG | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | IG | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 175 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 65 | |
| 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 | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IG | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $0 | |
| 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 | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | IG | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | IG | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | ||
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IG | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | IG | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Axi | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 82 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review |
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