Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG vs FOREX.com, 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 FOREX.com are both prominent players in the online brokerage space, each with decades of experience in the industry, as IG was established in 1974 and FOREX.com in 1999. Both companies are publicly traded, which means they have to meet certain standards for financial transparency. However, only IG operates as a bank, while FOREX.com does not. This distinction can be important for traders who prioritize the security of dealing with a banking institution.
When it comes to regulatory credibility, IG holds 8 Tier-1 licenses and 2 Tier-2 licenses, while FOREX.com is close behind with 7 Tier-1 and 1 Tier-2 licenses. This signals a high level of trust for both platforms. Indeed, each company has earned a perfect Trust Score of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, indicating they are both highly trusted brokers. This level of regulatory adherence ensures that investors can feel secure when trading with either platform.
| Feature |
IG
|
FOREX.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1974 | 1999 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 7 |
| 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 FOREX.com, both platforms offer unique advantages tailored to different trading needs. IG stands out with its Forex Direct accounts, providing active traders with competitive pricing. The Forex Direct account offers spreads averaging 0.62 pips, with an all-in cost around 0.82 pips after factoring in commissions, making it an attractive option for those executing large orders. IG's average spreads for CFD accounts were slightly below the industry average as of July 2023. Furthermore, volume traders in certain regions can benefit from IG’s active trader rebate program, potentially receiving significant discounts. With a five-star rating for commissions and fees, IG is ranked 8th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
FOREX.com, on the other hand, offers multiple account types with transparent execution statistics, although it may be perceived as slightly expensive within the industry norm. Their Standard account for MetaTrader users shows average spreads of 1.4 pips on the EUR/USD, which, while higher, caters to traders favoring market-maker execution. The recently introduced RAW Spread account pushes for competitive pricing with narrower spreads of 0.13 pips plus a commission, making it more appealing for high-volume traders. Despite its slightly higher costs, FOREX.com holds a respectable 4.5-star rating and ranks 13th in the Commissions and Fees category according to ForexBrokers.com.
Overall, while IG offers more favorable conditions for high-volume traders through its Forex Direct accounts and rebate programs, FOREX.com provides a variety of account types that can benefit traders with different execution needs and platforms, especially those outside the U.S. Both brokers have tailored their offerings to appeal to specific trading strategies, ensuring that traders can find a pricing model that best suits their needs.
| Feature |
IG
|
FOREX.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | 1.4 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 0.9 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing IG and FOREX.com based on their range of investments, both brokers are strong contenders in the market. IG offers an extensive range of 19,537 tradeable symbols, significantly outpacing FOREX.com's 5,500 symbols. For those interested in forex trading, IG provides 97 tradeable forex pairs compared to FOREX.com's 80. Another standout feature for IG is its access to exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges, allowing clients the opportunity to invest directly in companies like Apple and Vodafone. FOREX.com, however, does not offer such access, focusing more on CFD trading.
For those interested in cryptocurrencies, IG offers the capability to buy actual digital currencies rather than just derivatives, a service that FOREX.com limits to cryptocurrency derivatives alone. Both brokers provide forex trading through CFDs and spot contracts, demonstrating their strengths in this area. Despite their differences, both brokers are highly rated with 5 stars for their range of investments. According to ForexBrokers.com, IG takes the edge, ranking 4th out of 63 brokers, while FOREX.com holds the 7th position, illustrating the breadth of options IG brings to its clients.
| Feature |
IG
|
FOREX.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 5500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 80 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No |
| 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 IG and FOREX.com, both platforms offer a comprehensive suite of tools for traders, including free demo accounts for simulated trading, proprietary platforms, and the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4). Both brokers support trading directly from stock charts, web-based platforms, and Windows-based desktops. However, IG does not support MetaTrader 5 (MT5), unlike FOREX.com which does. Additionally, IG lacks copy trading services, providing neither DupliTrade nor ZuluTrade, similar to FOREX.com.
Each platform provides a substantial range of charting tools, though FOREX.com offers a notably higher number of drawing tools at 239 compared to IG's 20. Watch lists also differ, with IG offering five columns and FOREX.com offering 20, allowing for greater customization. Despite these differences, both companies achieve a five-star rating for their trading platforms and tools. However, IG holds a higher ranking at #2 compared to FOREX.com's #7 according to ForexBrokers.com, showcasing both strength in different areas and a slight edge in overall platform recognition.
| Feature |
IG
|
FOREX.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 88 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 239 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 20 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both IG and FOREX.com offer comprehensive mobile trading experiences for iPhone and Android users, ensuring convenience for traders on the go. These platforms provide essential features like stock or forex price alerts and the ability to sync watchlists with online accounts, enabling seamless transitions between devices. While both apps boast capabilities for drawing trendlines and viewing a variety of time frames, FOREX.com stands out with 88 technical studies available for charting, compared to IG's 33. However, both platforms support auto-saving of chart drawings and allow users to create watchlists with real-time quotes.
In terms of rating and rankings, IG and FOREX.com both achieve an impressive 5-star rating for their mobile trading apps. However, IG is celebrated as the top performer out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, securing the #1 spot, while FOREX.com holds a commendable #3 ranking. Both platforms offer reliable mobile trading solutions, though IG's superior ranking might appeal to users seeking the highest-rated experience in the market.
| Feature |
IG
|
FOREX.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 88 |
| 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 FOREX.com both provide daily market commentary and offer forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters. When it comes to analysis tools, IG supplies features from Autochartist, offering more technical and fundamental research options, while FOREX.com does not. However, FOREX.com counters with tools from Trading Central, providing a unique approach in technical analytics. Both platforms include sentiment-based trading tools that gauge market positions, and they offer comprehensive economic calendars to keep traders informed of global events.
IG further distinguishes itself by integrating market research from TipRanks and Acuity Trading, adding another layer of insightful tools for traders. Despite this, FOREX.com holds its ground with a competitive research offering, but it lacks the additional resources provided by TipRanks and Acuity. Overall, IG’s extensive range of research tools earns a full five-star rating, placing it second out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. In comparison, FOREX.com boasts an impressive 4.5-star rating, securing the ninth spot. Whether you prioritize broader analytical tools or specific technical analytics, both brokers cater to comprehensive market research needs.
| Feature |
IG
|
FOREX.com
|
|---|---|---|
| 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.
IG and FOREX.com both provide comprehensive educational resources tailored for beginner traders. Each platform offers more than 10 educational materials, including articles, videos, and webinars focused on forex and CFDs. Whether you're looking to join a live learning session or revisit previous webinars, both brokers cater to different learning styles. They also ensure accessibility to beginners through a collection of over ten beginner-specific videos, making the complex world of trading easier to navigate.
Diving deeper, both IG and FOREX.com offer advanced trading videos and include an investor dictionary with over 50 terms to bolster understanding. However, IG stands out with a top-tier educational rating of five stars from ForexBrokers.com, clinching the number one spot among 63 brokers. In comparison, FOREX.com remains a strong contender, rated at 4.5 stars, securing the fourth position. Therefore, while both brokers excel in educational offerings, IG slightly edges ahead in the rankings.
| Feature |
IG
|
FOREX.com
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 FOREX.com. IG finished with an overall rank of #1, while FOREX.com finished with an overall rank of #5.
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
|
FOREX.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 |
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IG allows clients to purchase actual cryptocurrency with delivery and provides options for cryptocurrency derivatives, whereas FOREX.com exclusively offers cryptocurrency derivatives without offering the option to buy actual delivered cryptocurrencies.
Both IG and FOREX.com provide various deposit and withdrawal options including ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, but neither supports Skrill 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.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | IG | FOREX.com | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | FOREX.com Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | FOREX.com | |
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| Regulation | IG | FOREX.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Year Founded | 1974 | 1999 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 7 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IG | FOREX.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | Yes | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | IG | FOREX.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| 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) | No | No |
| Investments | IG | FOREX.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 5500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 80 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No | |
| 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 | FOREX.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | 1.4 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 0.9 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IG | FOREX.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | IG | FOREX.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | IG | FOREX.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 20 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 88 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 239 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IG | FOREX.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 88 | |
| 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 | FOREX.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | FOREX.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | FOREX.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | FOREX.com Review |
| Overall | IG | FOREX.com | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | FOREX.com Review |
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