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 |
When comparing online brokers IG and BDSwiss in terms of commissions and fees, IG stands out for its competitive pricing, especially for active traders and those handling high-volume trades. With a ranking of #8 among 62 brokers and a 5-star rating, IG offers various account options like the Forex Direct and DMA accounts, which provide attractive pricing and execution options for traders. The Forex Direct account, for example, boasts an average spread of 0.62 pips on the EUR/USD and an all-in cost of 0.82 pips as of July 2023, benefiting from its low per-trade commission. Meanwhile, IG’s active trader rebate program offers up to a 20% discount on spreads for traders exceeding certain volume thresholds.
On the other hand, BDSwiss, ranked #30 and holding a 4-star rating, offers decent order execution but has higher spreads compared to IG. For instance, BDSwiss's Classic account features a spread of 1.5 pips on the EUR/USD pair, which is relatively expensive. Their Raw account has a spread of 0.3 pips plus a $5 commission per trade side, resulting in an effective spread of 1.3 pips. The VIP account fares slightly better with spreads of 1.2 pips, but overall, BDSwiss does not quite match the competitive fees offered by IG.
To sum up, IG is a preferable choice for forex traders seeking lower costs and greater volume-based rebates, particularly for professionals under EU rules. Although BDSwiss offers a straightforward fee structure across its account types, IG's array of pricing benefits and comprehensive trader support make it a stronger contender for those prioritizing cost-efficiency in their trading activities.
| 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.
When comparing the range of investments available at IG and BDSwiss, IG stands out with a significantly larger selection. IG offers a remarkable 19,537 tradeable symbols, including 97 forex pairs, allowing clients access to a vast array of financial instruments. In contrast, BDSwiss presents 1,081 tradeable symbols with 53 forex pairs. Additionally, IG clients benefit from the opportunity to invest in exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, such as buying shares of Apple and Vodafone, whereas BDSwiss does not provide this option.
Both platforms offer forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts, and if you're interested in cryptocurrency, they provide derivative trading rather than actual currency purchases. While IG does not support copy trading, BDSwiss allows clients to engage in this feature, catering to those who prefer a more guided trading approach. With IG's robust range of investment options earning a 5-star rating and a #4 ranking out of 62 brokers, it surpasses BDSwiss, which holds a 4-star rating and a #34 rank in the Range of Investments category according to ForexBrokers.com.
| 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) | No | 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 offered by IG and BDSwiss, both brokers have notable features to cater to traders of varying experience levels. IG provides a free virtual demo account, allowing users to practice trading strategies without financial risk. Additionally, IG's proprietary platform and availability of MetaTrader 4 (MT4) cater to traders preferring in-house solutions with flexibility. While IG does not support MetaTrader 5 (MT5), it impresses with a collection of 20 drawing tools and the ability to trade directly from the chart, which enhances its user experience. This array of tools helps IG achieve a perfect 5-star rating in the Trading Platforms and Tools category from ForexBrokers.com, securing the second spot out of 62 brokers.
BDSwiss also offers a free virtual demo account and a proprietary platform, alongside options to use both MT4 and MT5, providing a comprehensive range for its users. A unique value proposition for BDSwiss is its support for copy trading, which allows traders to replicate the moves of more experienced investors, appealing to newcomers in the market. Although BDSwiss lacks features like ZuluTrade and DupliTrade, it compensates with 15 drawing tools and provides seven fields for watch lists. BDSwiss holds a commendable 4-star rating and ranks 24th out of 62 brokers in the Trading Platforms and Tools category, demonstrating a strong yet slightly less favored offering compared to IG.
| 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 comparing IG and BDSwiss for mobile trading apps, both platforms provide options for iPhone and Android users, ensuring accessibility on the go. Both apps also deliver useful features like stock or forex price alerts and the capability to draw trendlines on charts. However, IG steps ahead with the added benefit of watchlist symbol syncing, allowing seamless updates across devices, which BDSwiss lacks. Further, IG offers a broader range of 33 technical studies for charting compared to BDSwiss's 30, enhancing the decision-making process for traders. Both apps allow users to view multiple time frames and automatically save chart drawings, promoting convenience and continuity in trading activities.
For those looking for a mobile app experience with real-time updates, both IG and BDSwiss support creating watchlists with live quotes. However, a significant distinction in user satisfaction is evident in their ratings and rankings. IG receives a full 5-star rating for its mobile trading apps and holds the top position, ranking #1 out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. In comparison, BDSwiss earns a still respectable but slightly lower 4-star rating and a ranking of #24. This positions IG as the preferred choice for traders valuing a highly rated and comprehensive mobile trading experience.
| 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.
IG and BDSwiss both provide daily market commentary and offer technical analysis tools from Autochartist. However, IG holds an edge over BDSwiss by offering forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, while BDSwiss does not. IG also excels with a sentiment-based trading tool, allowing traders to gauge market positions, an option not available with BDSwiss. Moreover, IG offers comprehensive market research tools from TipRanks and Acuity Trading, which are not featured by BDSwiss.
Both platforms include an economic calendar to keep traders informed about global news events. Despite some overlapping features, IG's extensive research tools and trusted news sources rank it higher, earning a 5-star rating and the #2 spot in research among 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. BDSwiss, while robust, holds a 4-star rating and is ranked #24, highlighting a noticeable difference in their research capabilities.
| 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.
When comparing the educational offerings of online brokers IG and BDSwiss, beginners will find both platforms provide a comprehensive array of resources. IG ensures traders have access to more than ten educational pieces focusing on forex and CFDs, along with regular monthly webinars. Furthermore, IG stands out with its searchable archive of past webinars, making it easy for users to catch up at their convenience. The broker also caters to different experience levels, offering over ten videos especially tailored for beginners as well as for more experienced traders who seek advanced insights. In addition, IG includes a detailed investor dictionary, helping users better understand more than fifty key investing terms. These attributes contribute to IG’s impressive 5-star rating and the #1 rank in the educational category according to ForexBrokers.com.
Similarly, BDSwiss offers an extensive suite of educational materials, ensuring beginners have over ten educational resources dedicated to forex and CFD trading. Monthly webinars are available, and users can dive into a searchable archive of past recordings. BDSwiss supports its traders by providing more than ten beginner videos and ten advanced trading videos, accommodating a wide range of learning needs. The broker also includes an investor dictionary with definitions of over fifty terms to aid user understanding. While BDSwiss receives a respectable 4-star education rating and ranks #19 among 62 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com, it is bested by IG when considering rank and star rating in this category.
| 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 62 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 |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 |
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While both IG and BDSwiss do not provide the option to buy actual delivered cryptocurrencies, they each offer the ability to purchase cryptocurrency derivatives instead.
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.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | IG | BDSwiss | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
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| Review | IG Review | BDSwiss Review |
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| 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 | 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| 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) | No | No |
| 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) | No | 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 | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | BDSwiss Review |
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