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 |
Comparing commissions and fees, IG earns 5/5 stars (ranked #8 of 63 for Commissions and Fees), while FOREX.com earns 4.5/5 stars (ranked #14 of 63). Both brokers offer multiple execution methods, but their pricing models differ: IG caters well to high-volume and DMA traders, whereas FOREX.com’s U.S. Standard account carries wider spreads unless you use its commission-based RAW account.
IG’s Forex Direct (DMA) account targets active traders with average EUR/USD spreads of 0.62 pips in July 2023, translating to about 0.82 pips all-in after commissions. Commissions scale from $60 per million for lower volumes to $10 per million per side at very high volumes, with a £1,000 minimum for the DMA account. On its CFD account, typical EUR/USD spreads averaged 0.69 pips during the main session (0.98 pips across all sessions in July 2023; IG US averaged 1.18 pips). IG also offers volume-based spread rebates for eligible professional clients: 10% back above £50 million in monthly forex volume and up to 20% above £300 million, helping reduce the effective cost for frequent traders.
FOREX.com’s U.S. Standard account averaged 1.4 pips on EUR/USD in July 2023 (and about 0.74 pips outside the U.S. at that time). Its RAW Spread account, available in the U.S., EU, and Canada, posted typical EUR/USD spreads of 0.13 pips (Feb 2024) plus a $7 round-turn commission per standard lot—about 0.7 pips—bringing the all-in cost near 0.83 pips before any rebates. The RAW account includes six volume tiers with rebates from $2 to $9 per million, but unless you trade more than $50 million per month, all-in pricing for U.S. residents often ends up close to the Standard account. Note: MetaTrader users at FOREX.com can only use the Standard account.
| Feature |
IG
|
FOREX.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $100 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.98 | 1.4 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 0.9 |
| 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 and FOREX.com both support forex trading as CFDs and spot contracts, but IG offers a far larger lineup overall. IG lists 19,537 tradeable symbols and 97 forex pairs, while FOREX.com provides 5,500 symbols and 80 pairs. IG also lets clients buy exchange-traded shares on U.S. and international exchanges, whereas FOREX.com does not offer exchange-traded shares. For crypto, both brokers provide cryptocurrency CFDs, but only IG allows purchases of actual (delivered) crypto. Neither broker offers copy trading.
If you want the widest selection and access to listed shares plus the option to own crypto, IG stands out. If your focus is forex and CFDs, both are strong picks. Each earns 5 out of 5 stars for Range of Investments; however, IG ranks #4 and FOREX.com ranks #7 out of 63 brokers in this category, according to ForexBrokers.com.
| 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 | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No |
| 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 both check the key boxes for trading platforms and tools: each offers a free demo (paper) account, an in-house proprietary platform, a Windows desktop download, a web-based platform, MetaTrader 4 (MT4), and the ability to place trades directly from charts. Neither broker supports copy trading. The standout difference is MetaTrader 5 (MT5) support—FOREX.com offers MT5, while IG does not.
Both brokers earn 5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools from ForexBrokers.com, with IG ranked #2 out of 63 brokers and FOREX.com ranked #7. If you need MT5, FOREX.com is the clear pick. If MT4 and a highly rated platform experience matter most, IG’s higher category ranking could sway your choice. Either way, you get strong platform options, a demo account to practice, and flexible access across desktop and web.
| 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) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 88 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both IG and FOREX.com deliver full-featured mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android. Each app supports price alerts, synced watchlists across mobile and web, and charting tools that let you draw trendlines and auto-save your annotations. Both brokers earn a 5-star rating for mobile trading, making them strong choices for traders who want reliable apps with essential features.
The key difference is in chart study depth: IG offers 33 technical studies in its mobile charts, while FOREX.com provides 88. Despite having fewer studies, IG is ranked #1 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for Mobile Trading Apps, while FOREX.com holds the #3 spot. Choose FOREX.com if you want a wider array of indicators, or pick IG if top-ranked overall mobile experience is your priority.
| 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 | 88 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | 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 (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 offer plenty of forex and CFD education for beginners. Each broker clears the bar of having at least 10 educational pieces and then some, with large libraries of articles and videos, plus archived content. Both host online client webinars at least once a month, and each provides 10+ beginner videos along with 10+ advanced videos, so new traders can start with basics and progress to more in‑depth topics at their own pace.
Where they differ is in overall quality and recognition. IG holds a 5-star Education rating and ranks #1 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while FOREX.com earns 4.5 stars and ranks #4. In short, IG gets the edge for educational depth and presentation, making it a top pick for first-time traders who want the widest range of learning tools. That said, FOREX.com still delivers excellent step-by-step videos and regular webinars, offering a strong path for beginners who choose that platform.
| 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 #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
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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 | 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 | ||
| 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 | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | 0.98 | 1.4 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 0.9 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IG | FOREX.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $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) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | IG | FOREX.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 88 | |
| 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 | 88 | |
| 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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