Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG vs BDSwiss, 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 seasoned player in the online brokerage landscape. With the distinction of being both a bank and a publicly traded company, IG demonstrates a high level of transparency and credibility. The firm boasts an impressive ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99, reflecting its strong regulatory standing. This is backed by eight Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses, underscoring its reputation as a highly trusted entity in financial markets.
In contrast, BDSwiss, established in 2012, operates without the backing of a publicly traded status or a banking license. It holds one Tier-1 license, indicating a reasonable level of regulation yet falls short with no Tier-2 licenses. With a Trust Score of 73, BDSwiss is viewed as having an average risk profile, signaling that while it operates legally, it may not offer the same level of assurance as IG to traders seeking robust regulatory oversight and reliability.
| Feature |
IG
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2012 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
If low trading costs are a priority, IG generally undercuts BDSwiss—especially for high-volume and DMA traders. IG earns 5/5 stars for commissions and fees and ranks #8 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, compared with BDSwiss at 4/5 stars and #31 out of 63. Both offer multiple account types, but IG’s pricing structure gives active traders more ways to bring down their all-in costs.
IG’s standard CFD account saw typical EUR/USD spreads of 0.69 pips during the main trading session in July 2023, and 0.98 pips across all hours globally (IG US averaged 1.18 pips). Eligible professionals can get 10%–20% spread rebates, which can push costs toward about 0.60 pips in best-case scenarios. IG’s DMA Forex Direct account (minimum £1,000) posted an average spread of 0.62 pips in July 2023; after commission, the all-in cost can be around 0.82 pips. Commissions are tiered, starting at $60 per million and dropping to $10 per million per side for very high volumes.
BDSwiss charges 1.5 pips on EUR/USD for its Classic account, 1.2 pips for VIP, and an estimated 1.3 pips all-in on its Raw account (0.3 pips plus a $5-per-side commission). While execution quality is good, these spreads are generally higher than IG’s most competitive tiers—helping explain BDSwiss’ lower category ranking of #31 out of 63 and its 4/5-star commissions and fees rating.
| Feature |
IG
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $10-$5000 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | 1.6 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 1.3 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| 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 BDSwiss: When it comes to the range of investments, IG offers far more choice. IG lists 19,537 tradeable symbols and 97 forex pairs, while BDSwiss provides 1,081 symbols and 53 forex pairs. Both brokers support forex trading (via CFDs or spot-style contracts). A key difference is stock access: IG lets you buy exchange-traded shares on both U.S. and international exchanges (for example, Apple and Vodafone), whereas BDSwiss does not offer exchange-traded shares.
For extras, BDSwiss includes copy trading, which IG does not. In crypto, IG lets you buy actual coins as well as trade crypto derivatives, while BDSwiss offers only crypto derivatives. Reflecting this breadth, IG earns 5 stars for Range of Investments and ranks #4 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com; BDSwiss holds 4 stars and ranks #35.
| Feature |
IG
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 1081 |
| 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.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools of IG and BDSwiss, both brokers offer useful features like free virtual demo accounts and proprietary platforms. Traders seeking flexible access will find solutions with both brokers, as they each provide Windows-based desktop software and web-based platforms. While both support MetaTrader 4 (MT4), BDSwiss takes it a step further by offering MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which IG does not provide. BDSwiss also introduces the advantage of copy trading, unlike IG.
Analyzing the charting tools, IG provides 20 drawing tools while BDSwiss offers 15, yet both allow trading directly from charts. Watchlists are slightly more customizable with BDSwiss, offering 7 columns compared to IG's 5. Despite these competitive features, IG ranks higher for trading platforms and tools, earning 5 stars and a #2 ranking out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, BDSwiss secures a commendable 4-star rating and ranks #24 in the same category.
| Feature |
IG
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When choosing between the mobile trading apps of IG and BDSwiss, both brokers ensure accessibility by offering iPhone and Android apps that support stock and forex trading. Traders can receive price alerts on both platforms, keeping them updated on market movements. However, a significant advantage for mobile users with IG is the watchlist synchronization feature. This means your custom watchlists on the app stay consistent with those on your online account, which BDSwiss does not offer. On the charting front, IG provides 33 technical studies, just edging out the 30 available with BDSwiss, and both platforms allow trendline drawing and multiple timeframe views, catering to various trading strategies.
Another shared feature is the capability to create watchlists featuring real-time quotes, ensuring traders stay informed. Furthermore, both apps will auto-save your chart drawings, which is a handy feature for technical analysis. User reviews and industry rankings show a clear distinction; IG's mobile app achieved a 5-star rating and proudly holds the top spot out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, BDSwiss' app maintains a solid but lower rating of 4 stars and holds the 24th position. For those prioritizing app performance and features in their trading experience, IG appears to have the edge.
| Feature |
IG
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 it comes to market research offerings, IG and BDSwiss both provide valuable resources to assist traders in making informed investment decisions. IG stands out with its daily market commentary, forex news from industry-leading sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, and a suite of tools from companies like Autochartist and Acuity Trading. Additionally, IG offers a sentiment-based trading tool that provides insights into market positions, as well as comprehensive market research from TipRanks. BDSwiss, on the other hand, also offers daily market commentary and partners with both Autochartist and Trading Central for advanced technical analysis, though it falls short on top-tier forex news and lacks sentiment tools.
Both brokers include access to economic calendars to keep traders informed about global events, yet IG outshines BDSwiss with its all-round superior research resources. This is reflected in their ratings and rankings, with IG receiving a stellar 5-star rating for research compared to BDSwiss's respectable 4 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, IG is a front-runner, ranked 2nd out of 63 brokers for its research capabilities, while BDSwiss is positioned at 24th. These distinctions highlight the depth and variety of IG’s research tools and its unwavering commitment to arming traders with relevant market insights.
| Feature |
IG
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Both IG and BDSwiss give beginners plenty of forex and CFD education. Each broker provides at least 10 learning pieces, runs monthly client webinars, and keeps a searchable archive of recorded sessions. You’ll also find 10+ beginner videos and 10+ advanced videos at both brokers, along with an investor dictionary featuring 50 or more terms to help decode trading jargon.
The key difference shows up in third-party ratings: IG earns 5 stars for Education and ranks #1 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while BDSwiss holds 4 stars and ranks #22. If you want the highest-rated education experience, IG stands out. If you’re comfortable with a solid, feature-rich curriculum that still covers the basics and more, BDSwiss is a good alternative.
| Feature |
IG
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 BDSwiss. IG finished with an overall rank of #1, while BDSwiss finished with an overall rank of #36.
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
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 99 | 73 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
When comparing IG and BDSwiss for cryptocurrency trading, IG offers the ability to buy both actual delivered cryptocurrencies and cryptocurrency derivatives, while BDSwiss only provides options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers IG and BDSwiss, both offer ACH or SEPA transfers, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wire options for deposits and withdrawals, while IG additionally supports PayPal, and BDSwiss uniquely provides Skrill as a payment method.
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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | BDSwiss Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Regulation | IG | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2012 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IG | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | IG | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | IG | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 1081 | |
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | 1.6 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 1.3 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | No |
| Funding | IG | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $10-$5000 | |
| 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 | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | IG | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BDSwiss Review |
| Overall | IG | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | BDSwiss Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill