Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG vs Exness, 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 Exness are two prominent online brokers with key differences in their regulatory profiles. Founded in 1974, IG stands out as a publicly traded company that operates as a bank, boasting a top Trust Score of 99 out of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com. It holds 8 highly trusted Tier-1 licenses and 2 trusted Tier-2 licenses, indicating a strong regulatory standing. In contrast, Exness, established in 2008, is not publicly traded and does not operate as a bank. It has a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 81, categorizing it as a trusted broker, with 2 highly trusted Tier-1 licenses and 3 trusted Tier-2 licenses.
When choosing between IG and Exness, potential users might consider IG's long-standing presence and status as a public bank, which could offer added peace of mind for risk-averse individuals. Meanwhile, Exness provides a solid level of trust within the industry, appealing to those looking for a reliable trading platform with a slightly different regulatory focus. Both brokers offer unique advantages, catering to the diverse preferences and requirements of traders worldwide.
| Feature |
IG
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2008 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
When comparing IG and Exness in terms of commissions and fees, IG stands out for its scalability and varied execution methods. It provides competitive spreads, with the Forex Direct account offering average spreads of 0.62 pips, which rise slightly to a total of 0.82 pips after commission is included. For CFD accounts, average spreads of 0.69 pips during peak hours are slightly better than the industry average. IG also offers enticing active trader rebates and a premium trader program, designed for high-volume traders who can benefit from tiered pricing and additional perks. With a rating of 5 stars, IG ranks #8 out of 63 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category as per ForexBrokers.com.
Exness provides a range of account options, which include two standard and three professional accounts. The commission-based accounts offer lower spreads compared to commission-free ones. For example, the Zero Spread account charges a modest commission of $0.05 per trade, while the Raw account incurs a $7 per round turn charge. Among Exness' features are both instant and market execution methods, catering to various trading styles. Its competitive fee structure earns Exness a 4-star rating and a #35 ranking out of 63 brokers for Commissions and Fees by ForexBrokers.com.
Ultimately, while both brokers offer unique benefits in terms of trading costs, IG is particularly suitable for active and high-volume traders seeking flexibility in fees and execution types. In contrast, Exness appeals to traders who prefer a wider selection of account types with straightforward, lower trading costs associated with its commission-based accounts.
| Feature |
IG
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $10 |
| 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.
IG and Exness both provide forex trading options, allowing investors the flexibility to engage with foreign exchange markets through CFDs. IG boasts an extensive offering with a total of 19,537 tradeable symbols and 97 forex pairs, surpassing Exness, which offers 227 tradeable symbols and 96 forex pairs. IG also provides access to a wider array of investment opportunities, including the ability to trade exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges like Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), as well as on international exchanges. Conversely, Exness does not offer exchange-traded securities outside of CFDs, focusing more on derivative offerings.
When comparing cryptocurrency offerings, IG allows users to buy actual cryptocurrencies in addition to their derivatives, while Exness only offers cryptocurrency derivatives and not the underlying assets. Furthermore, Exness supports copy trading, a feature not available with IG. With these differences in mind, IG has earned a higher rating of 5 stars for its Range of Investments, ranking 4th out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Exness, on the other hand, holds a 3.5-star rating, ranking 55th in the same category, highlighting the broader spectrum of investment opportunities available with IG.
| Feature |
IG
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 227 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 96 |
| 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 offered by IG and Exness, both brokers provide a range of features that cater to traders of all levels. IG and Exness both offer simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts, which allows users to hone their skills without risking real money. Both brokers have developed their proprietary trading platforms and provide Windows-based desktop download and web-based browser platforms, ensuring accessibility and ease of use for their clients. However, while IG supports MetaTrader 4, Exness steps up its game by offering both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, making it a potentially attractive choice for traders seeking more advanced tools. Additionally, Exness supports copy trading, a feature absent in IG, which might appeal to those interested in mirroring the trades of experienced investors.
In terms of charting tools, Exness offers a more comprehensive selection with 87 drawing tools compared to IG's 20. Both brokers provide the ability to trade directly from stock charts, blending convenience with practicality. However, when it comes to organizing trading activities, IG's watch lists include five columns compared to Exness's seven, providing more detailed analysis for those using Exness. Despite Exness's broader tool offerings, IG is rated higher with five stars in trading platforms and tools, earning the second spot out of 63 brokers, while Exness ranks at number 26 with a four-star rating. This positions IG as a top choice for traders prioritizing highly rated platform efficiency and reliability.
| Feature |
IG
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 107 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 87 |
| 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 Exness for mobile trading, both platforms offer iPhone and Android apps, providing users with easy access to trading on the go. Both brokers ensure you stay informed by offering stock and forex price alerts, and they offer the ability to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on charts. However, a key difference lies in their sync capabilities. IG excels by allowing watchlist syncing between their mobile app and online account, a feature Exness does not provide. Additionally, IG's app automatically saves chart drawings, while Exness's does not.
IG also appears to be the favored choice in terms of ratings and rankings. It boasts 33 technical studies, slightly less than Exness's 35, but the app is rated 5 out of 5 stars, ranking as the top mobile trading app out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Exness garners a 4-star rating and ranks 26th. Both apps allow users to create watchlists with real-time quotes, yet IG's higher user rating and preferred functionalities make it a strong contender in the mobile trading space.
| Feature |
IG
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 35 |
| 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.
Both IG and Exness provide daily market commentary and access to forex news from premier sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones. However, the tools available for market research differ between the two. IG excels with offerings like Autochartist tools and market insights from TipRanks, which Exness lacks. Additionally, IG includes resources from Acuity Trading such as the Signal Centre, providing a range of insights for users. On the other hand, Exness provides technical analytics via Trading Central, which IG does not offer. Both brokers provide a sentiment-based trading tool and an economic calendar to keep traders informed.
Regarding research quality, IG stands out with a 5-star rating and ranks 2nd among 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. This higher ranking highlights IG's comprehensive range of research tools. Meanwhile, Exness garners a 3.5-star rating and is positioned at #41, indicating a moderate offering available to traders. IG’s broader selection of specialized research tools contributes to its higher recognition in the arena of market research.
| Feature |
IG
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| 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.
When it comes to providing educational resources for beginners in the world of trading, IG and Exness both make a notable effort, yet they differ significantly in their offerings. IG shines with an extensive selection of learning materials, including a well-structured library of forex and CFD education that features over ten curated articles and videos. Beginners can take advantage of at least ten educational videos tailored just for them, along with more advanced resources for seasoned traders. IG stands out by hosting monthly interactive webinars and maintaining a searchable archive for those who wish to revisit past sessions. Their commitment to building foundational knowledge is further underscored by their comprehensive investor dictionary, making IG a fitting choice for education-minded traders.
Conversely, Exness offers a substantial array of basic educational content but falls short in several areas compared to IG. While Exness provides beginner-friendly videos and maintains a searchable archive of previous webinars, it lacks monthly live webinars that could engage clients in real-time learning experiences. Exness also does not offer a set of videos catering to more experienced traders. Nonetheless, their educational resources, which include an informative investor dictionary, help beginners understand the essentials of trading. As a result, while Exness presents a solid starting point for novices, it comes in at #47 in the education ranking by ForexBrokers.com, highlighting a gap compared to IG's #1 position and 5-star rating, signaling its premier standing in fostering trader education.
| Feature |
IG
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 Exness. IG finished with an overall rank of #1, while Exness finished with an overall rank of #43.
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
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 99 | 81 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
IG allows the purchase of both actual cryptocurrencies and cryptocurrency derivatives, whereas Exness only offers cryptocurrency derivatives and not actual cryptocurrencies for purchase.
When comparing online brokers IG and Exness, IG supports ACH and SEPA transfers, PayPal, and offers Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires for depositing or withdrawing funds, whereas Exness does not support ACH, SEPA transfers, or PayPal, but allows Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, and bank wires for transactions.
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 | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | Exness Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| Regulation | IG | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 81 | |
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2008 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IG | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | Yes |
| Investments | IG | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 227 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 96 | |
| 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 | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IG | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $10 | |
| 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 | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 107 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 87 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IG | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 35 | |
| 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 | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Exness Review |
| Overall | IG | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | Exness Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill