Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG vs GBE brokers, 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.
When comparing IG and GBE brokers, IG stands out as a longstanding financial entity since being founded in 1974. Unlike GBE brokers, which began in 2013, IG is publicly traded and also operates as a bank. This adds a layer of confidence when considering their regulatory framework. IG boasts eight Tier-1 licenses, which are trusted by ForexBrokers.com, in contrast to GBE brokers' single Tier-1 license. Additionally, IG holds two Tier-2 licenses, whereas GBE brokers have none. Consequently, IG achieves an impressive Trust Score of 99, indicating they are highly trusted, while GBE brokers attain a Trust Score of 71, suggesting an average level of risk.
Both brokers aim to offer solid trading services, but IG's extensive regulatory approval and banking status provide a stronger assurance to investors. GBE brokers, while meeting average trust standards with one Tier-1 license, may suit those who are willing to engage with a broker with a shorter market presence and a moderate risk profile. Ultimately, IG's comprehensive regulatory standing and long history make it a preferred choice for traders seeking a higher degree of trust and credibility.
| Feature |
IG
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2013 |
| 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 | 1 |
IG beats GBE Brokers on commissions and fees. IG earns 5 out of 5 stars and ranks #8 of 63 brokers for this category, while GBE Brokers scores 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #38 of 63. IG also publishes far more detail on pricing, whereas GBE Brokers does not provide average spread data, making direct cost comparisons harder.
IG’s pricing is built for active traders. On its CFD account, typical EUR/USD spreads averaged about 0.69 pips during the main trading day in July 2023, widening in quieter hours and averaging 0.98 pips across the full day (IG US averaged 1.18 pips). IG offers active-trader rebates for eligible professionals in the EU, cutting spreads by 10%–20% (a 20% discount can bring an all-in cost near 0.60 pips in the example provided). For even sharper pricing, IG’s DMA “Forex Direct” account posts average spreads around 0.62 pips, with an estimated all-in cost near 0.82 pips after commission based on July 2023 data; commissions are tiered by monthly volume, dropping as low as $10 per million per side for very high volumes.
GBE Brokers delivers a solid 4-star result but, without published average spreads, its day‑to‑day trading costs are harder to gauge next to IG’s detailed figures. If you value transparent, volume-based discounts and clearly posted spreads, IG’s structure is easier to evaluate. If you’re considering GBE Brokers, review its current spreads, commissions, and any non-trading fees directly with the broker before you trade.
| Feature |
IG
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | ÂŁ250.00 | $1000 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.98 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | N/A |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
IG and GBE Brokers both support forex trading as CFDs or spot, but their market lineups differ a lot. IG offers 19,537 tradeable symbols and 97 forex pairs, while GBE Brokers lists 500 symbols and 71 pairs. IG also lets you buy exchange-traded shares on U.S. and international markets (so you can purchase stocks like Apple or Vodafone outright), whereas GBE Brokers does not offer exchange-traded stocks. For crypto, IG supports both buying actual coins and trading crypto CFDs; GBE Brokers offers crypto CFDs only. Copy trading is available at GBE Brokers, but not at IG.
These differences show up in third-party ratings: IG earns 5 stars for Range of Investments and ranks #4 out of 63 brokers, while GBE Brokers is rated 3.5 stars and ranks #45. In short, IG is better if you want the widest selection, including stocks and real crypto alongside CFDs, whereas GBE Brokers suits traders focused on forex and CFDs who also want copy trading.
| Feature |
IG
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 71 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| 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 GBE Brokers both offer free demo accounts, web and Windows desktop platforms, and the ability to trade directly from charts. IG also provides a proprietary platform built in-house, while GBE Brokers relies on third-party options. Both support MetaTrader 4; GBE Brokers adds MetaTrader 5 and copy trading, while IG does not. In ForexBrokers.com’s Trading Platforms and Tools category, IG is rated 5/5 stars and ranks #2 of 63, whereas GBE Brokers is rated 4/5 stars and ranks #58.
Choose IG if you want a well-regarded in-house platform alongside MT4 and strong charting with trade-from-chart. Pick GBE Brokers if you need MT5 and copy trading in addition to MT4 and standard web/desktop access. Indicator counts and watchlist field details weren’t specified, but both brokers cover the basics for getting started and practicing strategies with a paper account.
| Feature |
IG
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
IG and GBE brokers both deliver mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android with price alerts, trendline drawing, and auto‑saved chart annotations. The key difference is watchlist syncing: IG syncs watchlists between the app and your online account, while GBE brokers does not. For charting, IG offers 33 technical studies versus 30 at GBE brokers, giving IG a slight edge for traders who rely on indicators.
Independent ratings reflect this gap: IG’s mobile app is rated 5 stars and ranks #1 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps at ForexBrokers.com, while GBE brokers earns 4 stars and ranks #58. If synced watchlists and a few more studies matter to you, IG is the stronger choice; if you just need core alerts and chart tools on both iOS and Android, GBE brokers covers the basics.
| Feature |
IG
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Comparing market research, IG offers a fuller toolkit. Both IG and GBE Brokers provide daily market commentary, sentiment data, and an economic calendar. IG goes further with top‑tier forex news (e.g., Bloomberg/Reuters/Dow Jones), Autochartist scanning tools, TipRanks insights, and research from Acuity Trading (Signal Centre). Neither broker includes Trading Central. GBE Brokers does not list Autochartist, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading integrations, and it lacks premium news feeds.
For quality and depth, IG is the stronger choice: it earns 5 stars for Research and ranks #2 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com. GBE Brokers is rated 3 stars and ranks #63 of 63. If you want news-driven analysis and advanced tools, pick IG; if you only need basic commentary, sentiment, and a calendar, GBE Brokers can cover the essentials.
| Feature |
IG
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | |
| Acuity Trading | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
IG outshines GBE Brokers for beginner trading education. IG is rated 5 stars for Education and ranked #1 by ForexBrokers.com. It hosts client webinars at least once a month and offers a large on-demand library, including 10+ beginner videos and 10+ advanced videos covering forex and CFDs. GBE Brokers, by comparison, is rated 3 stars and ranks #64; it does not host monthly educational webinars and does not provide 10 or more beginner or advanced videos.
If you’re new to forex or CFDs, IG makes it easier to build skills with frequent webinars and a larger video lineup that walks you from basics to more advanced topics. GBE Brokers has some learning materials, but the selection is smaller, so beginners may need extra resources if they want a bigger video library or regular webinars.
| Feature |
IG
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
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 GBE brokers. IG finished with an overall rank of #1, while GBE brokers finished with an overall rank of #57.
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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GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 71 |
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In the IG vs GBE Brokers comparison for cryptocurrency trading, IG lets you buy both actual (delivered) crypto and cryptocurrency CFDs, while GBE Brokers only offers crypto trading via CFDs and does not provide access to the underlying coins.
IG and GBE brokers both offer ACH/SEPA transfers for deposits and withdrawals; IG additionally supports PayPal and bank wires but not Skrill, while Visa/Mastercard availability at IG and the availability of PayPal, Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires at GBE brokers are not specified.
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 | GBE brokers | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | GBE brokers | |
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| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Regulation | IG | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 71 | |
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2013 | |
| 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 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IG | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | IG | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 71 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.98 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | N/A | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IG | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | ÂŁ250.00 | $1000 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | ||
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | ||
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | ||
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | IG | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | IG | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IG | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | IG | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | ||
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IG | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | IG | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Overall | IG | GBE brokers | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review |
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