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IG vs iFOREX 2025

ForexBrokers.com

Written by ForexBrokers.com

February 05, 2025

In this head to head comparison of IG vs iFOREX, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.

IG
5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: £250.00
  • Trust Score: 99
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 19537
iFOREX
3.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $100
  • Trust Score: 75
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 750

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.

Regulation

When comparing IG and iFOREX, it's clear that IG holds a distinct advantage in terms of trust and regulatory oversight. Founded in 1974, IG is a publicly traded company and operates as a bank. This broker boasts a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99, indicating high reliability. IG's strong regulatory framework includes eight Tier-1 licenses, known for high trust, and two Tier-2 licenses, solidifying its status as a safe choice for online trading.

In contrast, iFOREX, established in 1996, does not share the same level of trust with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 75, categorizing it as an average risk broker. Unlike IG, iFOREX is neither publicly traded nor a bank and holds just one Tier-1 license with no Tier-2 licenses. These factors suggest that traders may encounter higher risk when choosing iFOREX compared to the highly trusted IG.

Feature IG logoIG
iFOREX logoiFOREX
Year Founded info 1974 1996
Publicly Traded (Listed) info Yes No
Bank info Yes No
Tier-1 Licenses info 8 1
Tier-2 Licenses info 2 0
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 1 1

Fees

IG and iFOREX differ significantly in their commission and fee structures, with IG boasting a stronger offering for active traders. IG is known for its scalable execution and multiple account types, including Forex Direct, which caters to high-volume traders with competitive pricing. With average spreads around 0.62 pips on its Forex Direct account in mid-2023, IG provides a competitive all-in cost of 0.82 pips, factoring in a commission of 0.2 pips per trade. For volume traders, IG also offers tiered rebates, reducing costs further for those trading substantial volumes. IG’s diverse options and competitive pricing have earned it a 5-star rating and the #8 rank among 63 brokers for commissions and fees.

Unlike IG, iFOREX does not provide precise average spread data, which makes direct cost comparisons challenging. While details on their exact trading costs are sparse, the lack of clarity in their fee structure contributes to a lower rating of 3 stars. In ForexBrokers.com's ranking for commissions and fees, iFOREX stands at #61, indicating there might be more favorable brokers out there for cost-conscious traders.

Overall, IG's structured pricing and fee transparency give it an edge over iFOREX, especially for traders looking for cost-effective trading solutions. With robust options like Forex Direct and tiered rebates, IG caters well to both average and high-volume traders seeking competitive spreads and lower overall trading costs.

Feature IG logoIG
iFOREX logoiFOREX
Minimum Deposit info £250.00 $100
Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard info 0.98 info N/A info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 0.82 info N/A info
Active Trader or VIP Discounts info Yes No
ACH or SEPA Transfers info Yes No
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info No Yes
Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) info Yes Yes
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.

Featured Offers


Range of investments

When comparing IG to iFOREX for investment options, IG emerges as a more comprehensive choice for traders. Both IG and iFOREX facilitate forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts, yet IG distinguishes itself with a staggering 19,537 tradeable symbols versus iFOREX's 750. Furthermore, IG offers access to 97 forex pairs, slightly outpacing iFOREX's offering of 88 pairs. This broader selection provides IG clients with more diverse trading opportunities. Additionally, IG allows clients to invest in exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international markets, enabling the purchase of notable stocks like Apple and Vodafone, a feature absent in iFOREX’s offerings. While both brokers provide access to cryptocurrency derivatives, IG additionally permits the purchase of actual cryptocurrency, adding another facet to its investment range.

Rated five stars for Range of Investments, IG holds a prominent position at #4 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, highlighting its extensive and diverse offering. On the other hand, iFOREX receives a 3.5-star rating, ranking #41. This indicates a more limited range of investment options, lacking stock market access and the ability to hold actual cryptocurrencies. While neither platform supports copy trading, IG's broader spectrum of options positions it as a more versatile choice for traders seeking variety and depth in their investment portfolio.

Feature IG logoIG
iFOREX logoiFOREX
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 19537 750
Forex Pairs (Total) info 97 88
U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) info Yes No
Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) info Yes No
Social Trading / Copy Trading info No No
Cryptocurrency (Physical) info Yes No
Cryptocurrency (Derivative) info 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.

Trading platforms and tools

When comparing the trading platforms and tools of IG and iFOREX, several distinctions emerge. IG stands out by offering a free virtual demo account, which is absent at iFOREX, allowing users to practice trading without financial risk. Both brokers have developed proprietary platforms, but IG has the advantage of also providing a Windows-based desktop download platform alongside its web-based option, while iFOREX offers only a web-based platform. Additionally, IG supports the popular MetaTrader 4 platform, giving users more flexibility, a feature not available at iFOREX. Both platforms allow trading directly from a stock chart.

IG and iFOREX both offer their traders a variety of tools, but IG shines with a slightly lower number of drawing tools at 20 compared to iFOREX's 25. However, IG includes five columns for watch lists, whereas iFOREX provides nine, offering more options for custom tracking. Despite these differences, IG receives a perfect five-star rating for its trading platforms and tools, while iFOREX earns a respectable four-star rating. Notably, IG ranks #2 out of 63 brokers for its trading platforms and tools according to ForexBrokers.com, whereas iFOREX ranks at #54, reflecting IG's broader range and user-friendly offerings.

Feature IG logoIG
iFOREX logoiFOREX
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes No
Proprietary Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Platform (Windows) info Yes No
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Social Trading / Copy Trading info No No
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info Yes No
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info No No
DupliTrade info No No
ZuluTrade info No No
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 33 57
Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) info 20 25
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes Yes
Watchlists - Total Fields info 5 9

Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.

Forex trading apps

When comparing IG and iFOREX mobile trading apps, both offer iPhone and Android versions, allowing users to trade on the go easily. However, IG takes the lead with features that enhance user experience and functionality. For those interested in stock or forex price alerts, IG stands out by providing this feature, while iFOREX does not. Furthermore, IG allows watchlist symbol syncing, which means any changes you make sync seamlessly between your mobile app and online account. Unfortunately, iFOREX lacks this convenience.

IG offers a more comprehensive chart analysis experience, providing 33 technical studies in the app, while iFOREX does not disclose any technical studies. IG also allows users to draw trendlines and view different time frames on charts, and automatically saves chart drawings, whereas iFOREX does not offer these features. Additionally, IG provides the ability to create a watchlist with real-time quotes, a feature missing in iFOREX's app. As a result, IG earns a perfect 5-star rating for mobile trading apps and secures the first rank among 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, iFOREX is rated 4 stars and ranks #55 in the same category, reflecting a significant difference in the overall quality of their mobile trading platforms.

Feature IG logoIG
iFOREX logoiFOREX
Android App info Yes info Yes
Apple iOS App info Yes Yes
Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields info Yes No
Watchlist Syncing info Yes No
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 33 N/A
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes No
Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames info Yes No
Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave info Yes No
Mobile Watchlist info Yes No

Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.

Market research

When comparing the market research capabilities of IG and iFOREX, both brokers offer daily market commentary and maintain economic calendars, helping traders stay informed about ongoing and upcoming events worldwide. However, IG takes the lead by providing insights from top-tier news sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters, whereas iFOREX does not. If you're interested in tools that aid in technical analysis, IG makes use of Autochartist, offering a solid foundation for analyzing market trends. On the flip side, iFOREX utilizes Trading Central, which is not available with IG.

IG provides users with advanced research tools from companies like TipRanks and Acuity Trading, further enhancing its offering with sentiment-based trading insights. This gives traders a well-rounded perspective on market sentiment and potential trading opportunities. iFOREX, while also offering sentiment-based tools, doesn't provide access to resources like TipRanks or Acuity Trading. With a research rating of 5 stars for IG compared to 3.5 stars for iFOREX, it is not surprising that IG is ranked as the #2 broker in research by ForexBrokers.com, while iFOREX ranks at #48 out of 63 brokers.

Feature IG logoIG
iFOREX logoiFOREX
Daily Market Commentary info Yes Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info Yes No
Autochartist info Yes No
Trading Central (Recognia) info No Yes
Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs info Yes Yes
TipRanks info Yes No
Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) info Yes No
Economic Calendar info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.

Beginners and education

When it comes to educational resources for beginners venturing into forex or CFD trading, IG stands out as a leading online broker. IG not only meets the requirement of offering at least ten educational pieces focused on forex or CFDs, but it also surpasses expectations with a variety of articles, videos, and archived webinars. Additionally, IG provides clients with monthly online webinars and ensures newcomers have access to a searchable archive of recorded sessions. This comprehensive approach is supported by a wealth of beginner and advanced video tutorials, as well as a dictionary with over 50 investing terms, making IG a top choice for those seeking to build a strong foundation in trading. Rated 5 stars for education and ranked #1 by ForexBrokers.com, IG offers an exemplary learning experience.

In contrast, iFOREX provides a more limited educational selection. While the platform does offer ten beginner-focused educational videos, it lacks the broad variety of resources that IG provides. iFOREX does not offer the same level of depth with respect to educational articles or webinars. It also lacks a searchable archive of webinars and does not provide advanced video materials or a comprehensive investor dictionary. With a 3.5-star rating in education and ranking #53 out of 63 brokers as per ForexBrokers.com, iFOREX may benefit individuals with some basic resources, but it falls short for those seeking a wider range of educational tools.

Feature IG logoIG
iFOREX logoiFOREX
Education (Forex or CFDs) info Yes No
Client Webinars info Yes No
Client Webinars (Archived) info Yes No
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes No
Investor Dictionary (Glossary) info Yes No

Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.

Winner

After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that IG is better than iFOREX. IG finished with an overall rank of #1, while iFOREX finished with an overall rank of #52.

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 logoIG
iFOREX logoiFOREX
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 75
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Education 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with IG or iFOREX?

IG allows users to buy both actual delivered cryptocurrency and cryptocurrency derivatives, while iFOREX only offers cryptocurrency derivatives without the option to purchase actual cryptocurrency.

What funding options does each broker offer?

When comparing online brokers IG and iFOREX, IG offers ACH or SEPA transfers for fund deposits and withdrawals, unlike iFOREX, but both platforms support PayPal and Visa or Mastercard transactions, while iFOREX uniquely provides Skrill as an option, and both support bank wire transfers.




announcementPlease 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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Compare

0 of 5
Overall Rating IG iFOREX
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Education 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 75
Winner check_circle
Review IG Review
Broker Screenshots IG iFOREX
Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) info
Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) info
Research Gallery (click to expand) info
Education Gallery (click to expand) info
Regulation IG iFOREX
Trust Score info 99 75
Year Founded info 1974 1996
Publicly Traded (Listed) info Yes No
Bank info Yes No
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info Yes info
Tier-1 Licenses info 8 1
Tier-2 Licenses info 2 0
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 1 1
Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) IG iFOREX
Australia (ASIC Authorised) info Yes No
Canada (CIRO Authorised) info No No
Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) info No No
Japan (SFC Authorised) info Yes No
Singapore (MAS Authorised) info Yes No
Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) info Yes No
United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) info Yes Yes
USA (CFTC Authorized) info Yes No
New Zealand (FMA Authorised) info Yes No
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info Yes info
Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) IG iFOREX
Kenya (CMA Authorised) info No No
Israel (ISA Authorised) info No No
South Africa (FSCA Authorised) info Yes No
UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) info Yes No
India (SEBI Authorised) info No No
Jordan (JSC Authorised) info No No
Investments IG iFOREX
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 19537 750
Forex Pairs (Total) info 97 88
U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) info Yes No
Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) info Yes No
Social Trading / Copy Trading info No No
Cryptocurrency (Physical) info Yes No
Cryptocurrency (Derivative) info 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 iFOREX
Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard info 0.98 info N/A info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 0.82 info N/A info
Active Trader or VIP Discounts info Yes No
Inactivity Fee info Yes No
Execution: Agency Broker info Yes No
Execution: Market Maker info Yes Yes
Funding IG iFOREX
Minimum Deposit info £250.00 $100
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info No Yes
Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) info Yes Yes
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes
ACH or SEPA Transfers info Yes No
Trading Platforms IG iFOREX
Proprietary Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Platform (Windows) info Yes No
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Social Trading / Copy Trading info No No
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info Yes No
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info No No
cTrader info No No
DupliTrade info No No
ZuluTrade info No No
Trading Tools IG iFOREX
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes No
Alerts - Basic Fields info Yes No
Watchlists - Total Fields info 5 9
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 33 57
Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) info 20 25
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes Yes
Charts can be saved info Yes No
Mobile Trading IG iFOREX
Android App info Yes info Yes
Apple iOS App info Yes Yes
Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields info Yes No
Mobile Watchlist info Yes No
Watchlist Syncing info Yes No
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 33 N/A
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes No
Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames info Yes No
Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave info Yes No
Mobile Economic Calendar info Yes No
Research IG iFOREX
Daily Market Commentary info Yes Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info Yes No
Autochartist info Yes No
Trading Central (Recognia) info No Yes
TipRanks info Yes No
Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs info Yes Yes
Economic Calendar info Yes Yes
Education IG iFOREX
Education (Forex or CFDs) info Yes No
Client Webinars info Yes No
Client Webinars (Archived) info Yes No
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes No
Investor Dictionary (Glossary) info Yes No
Major Forex Pairs IG iFOREX
GBP/USD info Yes Yes
USD/JPY info Yes Yes
EUR/USD info Yes Yes
USD/CHF info Yes Yes
USD/CAD info Yes Yes
NZD/USD info Yes Yes
AUD/USD info Yes Yes
Review IG Review
Overall IG iFOREX
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Education 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 75
Winner check_circle
Review IG Review
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