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 | 1 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
IG and FOREX.com both publish clear pricing, but IG generally comes out cheaper for high-volume traders. IG’s Forex Direct (DMA) pricing averaged a 0.62-pip spread on EUR/USD in July 2023, and at the top commission tier the all-in cost is about 0.82 pips. FOREX.com can look pricier in the U.S. on its Standard account, while its RAW Spread account narrows the spread but adds a commission that can make total costs similar to the Standard plan unless you trade big monthly volumes. Ratings and rankings: IG — 5.0/5 stars, ranked #7 of 63 for Commissions and Fees; FOREX.com — 4.5/5 stars, ranked #15 of 63 for Commissions and Fees.
IG offers spread-only CFD pricing and a commission-based DMA route. Typical CFD spreads during the main session averaged 0.69 pips in July 2023 (0.98 pips across the full day; IG US averaged 1.18 on EUR/USD). Active-trader rebates on the CFD side can cut spreads by 10% to 20% for professionals trading £50m–£300m+ per month. The DMA Forex Direct account (minimum £1,000) uses tiered commissions; with average spreads of 0.62 pips and top-tier commission equivalent to 0.2 pips round-turn, the effective cost can land near 0.82 pips on EUR/USD. This combination makes IG especially appealing to frequent or large-order traders (5.0/5 stars; #7/63).
FOREX.com provides several account types. In the U.S., the Standard account averaged about 1.4 pips on EUR/USD (July 2023), while outside the U.S. average EUR/USD spreads were about 0.74 pips. The RAW Spread account posts typical spreads near 0.13 pips (February 2024) plus a $7 per lot commission (about 0.7 pips), with six rebate tiers that return $2–$9 per million. Unless you trade more than $50m per month, the RAW account’s all-in cost often mirrors the Standard account for U.S. clients; very high volumes can unlock better effective pricing. Overall: 4.5/5 stars; #15/63 for Commissions and Fees.
| Feature |
IG
|
FOREX.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £1 | $100 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.91 | 1.00 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 1.13 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
IG vs FOREX.com: when it comes to range of investments, IG offers a wider selection. IG lists 19,537 tradeable symbols and 97 forex pairs, while FOREX.com provides 5,500 symbols and 80 forex pairs. Both support forex trading as CFDs or spot, and both let you buy exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international markets (think Apple on NASDAQ and Vodafone in London). Neither broker offers copy trading.
For crypto, IG lets you buy actual cryptocurrencies as well as trade crypto CFDs; FOREX.com offers crypto CFDs but not actual coins. Both earn 5 stars for Range of Investments, with IG ranked #4 of 63 brokers and FOREX.com ranked #6. If you want the widest variety and the option to own crypto directly, IG has the edge; FOREX.com still covers a large lineup that suits many traders.
| Feature |
IG
|
FOREX.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 5500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 80 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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.
IG and FOREX.com cover the essentials for platform choice and ease of use. Both offer free paper trading with a demo account, their own proprietary platforms, a Windows-based desktop download, and a web-based (browser) platform. MetaTrader users are welcome at either broker, with support for MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). You can place trades directly from charts on both. Neither broker offers copy trading. For charting and watchlists, each provides a variety of indicators and customization options to suit different trading styles.
According to ForexBrokers.com, both IG and FOREX.com earn 5 out of 5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools. In this category, IG ranks #1 out of 63 brokers, while FOREX.com ranks #5. If you want the top-ranked overall platform experience, IG stands out. If you prefer a similar feature set with strong tools and the same access to MT4/MT5 plus demo trading across web and desktop, FOREX.com is also an excellent pick.
| Feature |
IG
|
FOREX.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 90 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
IG and FOREX.com both deliver well-rounded mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android. Each app supports price alerts for stocks and forex, watchlist syncing with your online account, drawing trendlines on charts, and automatically saving your chart drawings so they’re ready when you return—making it easy to move between devices without losing your work.
For charting depth, FOREX.com offers 90 technical studies in its mobile app, while IG offers 33. Both apps earn 5 out of 5 stars for Mobile Trading Apps. In ForexBrokers.com’s ranking of 63 brokers, IG is #1 for Mobile Trading Apps and FOREX.com is #2, so the choice often comes down to IG’s top-ranked experience versus FOREX.com’s larger library of indicators.
| Feature |
IG
|
FOREX.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 90 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
IG and FOREX.com both cover the essentials for market research: daily commentary, forex news from major outlets (such as Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones), an economic calendar of upcoming events, and a sentiment tool that shows the ratio of long vs. short positions. Independent ratings back their quality: IG earns 5 stars and ranks #2 for Research out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while FOREX.com scores 4.5 stars and ranks #7.
Where they differ is in third-party research tools. IG includes Autochartist for pattern spotting, TipRanks for analyst insights, and Acuity Trading’s Signal Centre, but it does not offer Trading Central. FOREX.com flips that script by offering Trading Central while skipping Autochartist, TipRanks, and Acuity. If you want a wider mix of research tools, IG has the edge; if you prefer Trading Central’s technical analysis, FOREX.com fits the bill.
| Feature |
IG
|
FOREX.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central | No | Yes |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Acuity Trading | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
IG and FOREX.com both deliver beginner-friendly forex and CFD education with well over 10 learning pieces, including articles, videos, and archived webinars. Each broker also runs ongoing online webinars at least once a month, making it easy for newcomers to learn live and ask questions. Both providers check the boxes for video learning, offering at least 10 beginner videos and at least 10 advanced videos to help you grow from basics to more complex strategies.
When it comes to ratings and rankings, the picture is mixed. IG earns a 5-star Education rating from ForexBrokers.com and is ranked #7 out of 63 brokers for Education. FOREX.com earns 4.5 stars but ranks higher at #4 out of 63. In short: choose IG if a top star rating and a deep video lineup appeals to you, or pick FOREX.com if a higher category ranking matters more. Either way, beginners will find plenty of helpful, easy-to-digest learning paths at both brokers.
| Feature |
IG
|
FOREX.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | 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 #4.
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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FOREX.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 |
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IG vs FOREX.com: IG lets you buy actual cryptocurrencies and trade crypto CFDs, while FOREX.com offers crypto CFDs only and does not provide access to delivered coins.
IG and FOREX.com both support ACH/SEPA transfers, PayPal, and bank wire deposits/withdrawals, while only FOREX.com offers Skrill (IG does not), and Visa/Mastercard availability is unspecified for both brokers.
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 | 1 | |
| 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 (FSA 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 | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No |
| Investments | IG | FOREX.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 5500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 80 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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 account | 0.91 | 1.00 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 1.13 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IG | FOREX.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £1 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | IG | FOREX.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | IG | FOREX.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 90 | |
| 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 Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 90 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | IG | FOREX.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IG | FOREX.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | IG | FOREX.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| 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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